1. What are Overground Gait Training Equipment?

Overground gait training equipment can be used to train patients to walk.

These types of equipment are similar to treadmill gait trainers but the patient actually travels across the floor.

Allowing them to train on a flat surface like they would in everyday life.

There are many types of overground gait training equipment.

Which may offer:

• Support the patients body weight
• Harness for patients
• Overhead rails
• Mobility support
• Protect from falls
• Assist with walking
• Assist with balance
• Technology to monitor training

Which will allow your patient to walk based on there level of ability and what you want them to achieve.

Overground gait training can be used for early stages of walking and progressing further down the line.

Always make sure you evaluate your patient and what type of overground gait training you should use.

2. How Do Overground Gait Training Equipment Work?

Most overground gait training equipment work by assisting the patient with walking.

You will first want to evaluate the patients ability to walk, balance and how strong they are.

Then you will want to put the patient in a harness if you plan on using body weight support.

This will take some of there body weight off there legs allowing them to walk with less stress on there lower extremities.

While they are walking across the floor.

You can see the length of there steps, how fast they are walking and if they are walking evenly.

You can also see where their feet land and how they transfer their weight and balance.

As well as the patients lower extremity movement.

You can also change how much support they have as they continue to walk.

Allowing them to get closer to no support at all.

3. Types of Overground Gait Training Equipment

There are many types of overground gait training equipment out there today.

Here are some you should know about.

3.1 Static Body Weight Support

Can take some of the patients weight off there lower extremities while they stand and/or walk.

Depending on the equipment you may have more or less support.

3.2 Dynamic Body Weight Support

Dynamic body weight support will try to keep the patient at a set level of support.

Giving you more options when it comes to overground gait training.

Some can even follow the patient when they move up and down while walking.

Allowing for more advanced exercises to be performed.

3.3 Overhead Rails

An overhead rail system is just that a rail that hangs from the ceiling.

You can hook a patient into the system and allow them to walk the length of the rail.

Depending on how long the rail is you can allow more room for the patient to train.

3.4 Mobile Overground Support

Can follow the patient around without having to be attached to a rail system.

Giving you more options when installing the system.

3.5 Robotic Overground Support

You can even pair overground gait training with robots.

Giving your patient extra support while they learn to walk again.

Make sure to find what best suits your patients needs.

4. Overground Gait Training Components and Features

Some of these features may be available in overground gait training equipment.

Patient Harness

Used to hook the patient into the system.

Want to make sure you get the right size for the patient.

Body Weight Support

Allows you to take some of the patients weight off there legs.

Depending on the patients level of mobility you can increase or decrease there support.

Overhead Rails or Mobile Support

Depends on the type of system you have.

Whether it has a rail or a mobile support frame.

Fall Protection

Can give your patient more support when walking.

Helpful if your patient does not have much balance.

Controls

Some overground gait training systems have controls that allow you to adjust certain aspects of the training.

Technology to Monitor Training

May be able to monitor your patients training sessions and gather information.

Giving you more information about your patients rehabilitation.

5. Overground Gait Training Vs Treadmill

There are pros and cons to both overground and treadmill gait training.

Room needed More room Less room

Both types of gait training can be beneficial to your patients.

But if you want your patient to practice different types of walking you may want to consider overground gait training.

You can always use both in combination with each other.

6. Body Weight Support While Using Overground Gait Training

As mentioned before some patients may not be able to support there own body weight while walking.

Using a body weight support system will take some of the load off of there lower extremities.

Allowing them to train on a overground gait trainer with the help of a professional.

You can change the amount of support your patient has while they are walking.

Maybe start with more support and slowly take away the support as they become better.

Leading them to be able to walk with no support at all.

Body Weight Support Gait Training

Dynamic Body Weight Support

7. Stroke Patients and Overground Gait Training

After a stroke a person may not have the ability to support there own body weight.

Or they may have trouble with balance and coordination.

Overground gait training can help them learn to walk again with the proper support.

You can use a harness to help them stand and walk with more support.

As well as using body weight support to take the weight off of there legs.

And they will be able to walk forward with the help of overground gait training.

You can also teach them how to stop and turn.

Just remember to always evaluate your patient and what type of exercise they should be doing.

Gait Rehabilitation After Stroke

Body Weight Support for Stroke

8. Neurological Conditions and Overground Gait Training

Many neurological conditions can cause a person to have trouble walking.

Whether it be from balance, coordination or not being able to properly place there feet.

With overground gait training you can allow your patient to stand, shift weight and take steps.

They can also practice walking, stopping and turning.

Just make sure to evaluate your patient and what exercises they should be doing.

Gait Rehabilitation for Elderly Patients

Fall Prevention

9. Elderly Patients and Overground Gait Training

As we get older we lose strength, balance and coordination.

So we may need some assistance when it comes to walking.

Overground gait training can allow your patient to train in a safe environment.

By using a harness you can protect them from falling while they walk.

You can also use body weight support to help them walk if they have a hard time.

And change the distance they walk and how much support they have.

Because they are walking on a open surface you can have them practice stopping, turning and changing directions.

All of which can help with there everyday life.

Gait Rehabilitation for Elderly Patients

Fall Prevention

10. Why Use Overground Gait Training

There are many benefits to using overground gait training.

Train On A Real Life Surface

Your patient will be able to walk across a flat surface like they would in real life.

Giving them many options to train on.

Support For Your Patient

If your patient needs body weight support you can allow them to train with support.

And decrease the support as they progress.

Allow Them To Turn

Instead of just walking in a straight line your patient can learn to turn and change directions.

If your overground gait trainer allows for this.

Help With Balance

Since your patient is walking across a floor they will have to use there balance to stay upright.

You can combine this with other balance exercises.

Allow Your Patient To Progress

Start your patient off with more support and slowly decrease the support they have.

Help You Assess Your Patient

You can watch your patient walk and see where they need to improve.

Protect From Falling

If you use a harness your patient will have support if they fall.

Always make sure to read your manual before using any equipment.

11. What To Look For When Buying Overground Gait Training Equipment

Both clinical and technical factors should be considered when purchasing equipment.

Who Will Be Using The Equipment

Look at what patients you will be treating with this equipment.

Patients that may come to your clinic if you specialize in neurologic injuries.

Weight Capacity Of The Patient

You should know what patients will be using your equipment.

Know what your maximum patient weight is when buying this equipment.

Patient Body Weight Support

Look at the amount of support this equipment has to offer.

And what kind of support do you need your equipment to provide?

Walking Space

Make sure your facility has room to train on the ground.

You should measure how far you can walk when choosing your equipment.

Patient Harness

Patient harness can play a big role in your equipment choice.

Know what size you need to fit your patients.

Range Of Motion

Equipment can be attached to a rail.

Or it can be mobile as well.

Choose what you will need to best suit your patient.

Safety Features

Always look for safety features when buying equipment.

Fall prevention, emergency stop and many other features to consider.

Monitoring & Data

If your facility likes to keep record of training.

Look into what software is offered with your equipment.

Installation

Make sure you have the ability to install this equipment in your facility.

If its mounted to a ceiling there may be more considerations to take into account.

Service & Maintenance

Look for equipment that will offer these services to you.

Training, maintenance, spare parts and technical support can all be helpful to your facility.

12. Trends In Overground Gait Training Equipment

There are many trends when it comes to overground gait training.

One trend that is growing is the ability to dynamically support a patients body weight.

Allowing them to train in their rehab environment.

Sensors can also help with gathering information about your patients walks.

Such as distance walked, body weight supported and length of training.

With technology advancing we can now control some of our equipment through digital means.

Many facilities are now starting to incorporate more technologies into their programs.

Here are some examples of overground training.

Overground + BWS + Balance Training + Robots

By offering different technologies your facility can allow your patient to benefit from each stage of their rehabilitation.

In the future we can expect more technology to become available to help with overground training.

13. About Jamore Medical

Jamore Medical supplies rehabilitation equipment to Hospitals, Rehab Facilities and PT Clinics.

They specialize in equipment that will aid your patients with regaining mobility.

Some of there products are:

• Overground Gait Training Equipment

• Gait Rehabilitation Equipment

• Body Weight Support Equipment

• Robot Lower Limb Rehabilitation

• Balance Rehabilitation Equipment

• Walking Rehabilitation Equipment

• Physical Therapy Equipment

Every facility will have different types of patients coming to their clinic.

When buying equipment you should always think of all these aspects.

From room space to what you want your equipment to offer your patients.

If your facility wants to offer more then Jamore Medical can provide you with equipment that can benefit your patients.

Visit Sean Rehabilitation on Linkedin for more information.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-rehabilitation/

14. FAQ

l What Is Overground Gait Training Equipment?

Equipment that can help your patient train on the ground.

l What is the difference between overground and treadmill?

Your patient will have the opportunity to train in space where as with a treadmill they are on a belt.

l What Can You Use To Train Your Patients Overground?

BWS Systems, Overhead Rails, Harness, Mobile Systems and Robots.

l What is Dynamic Body Weight Support?

Dynamic BWS allows you to unload a patients weight while they are moving through their environment.

l Will this help my Stroke patient?

This can help with your stroke patients walking if your therapist thinks they can benefit from it.

l Can I use overground equipment for balance training?

Yes. Depending on your patient they can do many activities to improve their balance.

l Is Overground Training good for Elderly Patients?

If they are able to benefit from walking then yes. Evaluate your patients needs before trying this type of training.

l What Should I Consider When Buying Overground Gait Training Equipment?

Patient weight, BWS range of motion, space to train, safety features, harness, installation, monitoring and data. Service & Maintenance.

15. Conclusion

Overground Gait Training Equipment is a great way to allow your patient to walk.

They will have the chance to train on the ground instead of just on a treadmill.

Your patient can go forward, turn, stop and change directions.

By supporting there body weight they can also progress through there stages of rehab.

With all the technology that is out there now you can offer your patient safety.

Dynamic BWS and Monitoring their walks.

Make sure you have the right equipment to fit your facilities needs.

By offering more types of equipment you can give your patients a wider variety of training options.