JOURNAL ARTICLE

Speeding Up or Slowing Down: The Effect of Decoupling Speed on Knee Biomechanics and Limb Loading During Split-Belt Treadmill Training in Persons With ACL Reconstruction.

  • Published In: American Journal of Sports Medicine, 2025, v. 53, n. 11. P. 2591 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Johnson, Alexa K.; Recchia, Reagan; Tayfur, Abdulhamit; Krishnan, Chandramouli; Palmieri-Smith, Riann M. 3 of 3

Abstract

This article investigates the effects of split-belt treadmill training, where one treadmill belt moves at a different speed than the other, on knee biomechanics and limb loading in individuals who have undergone anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). The study found a dose-response relationship between decoupling speed and knee/limb loading: faster speeds (130%-170% of baseline) increased peak knee extension moments and vertical ground-reaction forces during early stance, while slower speeds (30%-50%) decreased these loads but led to more sustained loading during midstance. These findings suggest that split-belt treadmill training can modulate gait asymmetries common after ACLR and may serve as a promising rehabilitation approach, though further research is needed to understand the aftereffects and transferability to overground walking.

Additional Information

  • Source:American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2025/09, Vol. 53, Issue 11, p2591
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Health and Medicine
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:0363-5465
  • DOI:10.1177/03635465251365035
  • Accession Number:187566930
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of American Journal of Sports Medicine is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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