Effect of various types of metro-rhythmic stimulations on the variability of gait frequency

The research discussed in the article involved the assessment of the effect of various types of metro-rhythmic stimulations and the manner of their application on the variability of gait frequency in a group of persons without locomotor function disorders. Tests of gait were attended by 22 adults in two equal groups: group 1—persons, who were not informed how to behave after hearing sounds, group 2—persons clearly instructed before the test to walk in the rhythm of music (stimulation). The tests of locomotor functions were performed using a Zebris FDM-S treadmill. The analysis involved changes in gait frequency during the gait accompanied by various types of sound stimulations (arrhythmic stimulus, rhythmic stimulus at a rate corresponding to gait frequency at a preferable speed, rhythmic stimulus presented at a rate corresponding to gait frequency increased by 10%, rhythmic stimulus presented at a rate of the double gait frequency). It was demonstrated that acoustic stimuli heard during gait can affect its frequency. The frequency of gait was mostly influenced by rhythmic stimuli, the rate of which varied from the frequency of steps at a preferable pace. The short-term sound-based stimulation was also affected by the fact whether a examined person had been informed on how to react to stimulation.