1. Introduction

Have you considered adding an overground gait training system to your rehabilitation facility?

Walking practice is important in gait rehab, balance training, and physical therapy. But how should patients walk? With overground gait training, patients can practice walking across a floor while wearing a harness and receiving support from above.

This article discusses overground training systems and includes:

What an overground training system is and how it works

Important features and components of overground systems

The benefits of overground training compared to treadmill training

Patients who can benefit from overground gait training

Applications for overground gait training

How to choose an overground gait training system

Jamore Medical’s expertise in overground gait training systems

2. What Is an Overground Gait Training System?

An overground gait training system provides support and training for walking on a regular floor surface.

In contrast to treadmill-based systems, patients walk forward through an open training area.

Patients can benefit from adjusted support while practicing more natural walking movements.

Typical features of an overground gait training system can include:

• Overhead support
• Body weight support
• Harness system
• Mobile support
• Adjustable suspension
• Safety mechanisms
• Walking assistance
• Training monitoring

Therapists use overground training systems to allow patients to practice walking while providing controlled support.

Some systems also provide transition training between supported gait therapy and unsupervised walking.

3. How Does an Overground Gait Training System Work?

Overground gait training systems often support the patient from above.

The patient wears a compatible harness that is attached to the support system.

A therapist can adjust the amount of support based on mobility level and training goals.

Patients walk across the rehabilitation training area using the support of the harness.

Therapists can monitor factors such as step pattern, weight shifting, and walking speed during training.

Therapists can also lower support as patient mobility allows.

This makes overground gait training a popular choice for progressive mobility rehabilitation.

4. Main Components of an Overground Gait Training System

Selecting an overground gait training system involves researching key components. Keep reading for an overview of typical components.

 4.1 Overhead Support Structure

The overhead support structure holds the main support components while allowing the patient to stand beneath it.

Typically installed on the ceiling, this feature creates stability during forward walking.

Patients lean onto the support to help them walk while reducing weight borne by their legs.

 4.2 Body Weight Support

Body weight support refers to reducing the effective weight supported by the patient’s legs.

Built-in body weight support allows therapists to place less physical demand on the legs while walking.

Most systems allow the therapist to adjust support levels during training.

 4.3 Harness System

The harness keeps patients securely positioned in relation to the overhead support.

Most harnesses are padded and adjustable to fit different patients comfortably.

Review harness designs to ensure patients will remain comfortable during training sessions.

 4.4 Mobile Support System

Mobile support means the support mechanism moves across the floor while attached to the harness.

The system follows patient movement, allowing them to walk through a larger training area.

Fixed support systems only support a limited walking space directly beneath the rails or frame.

 4.5 Safety Mechanisms

Safety mechanisms can help prevent patient falls while allowing controlled walking practice.

Overground systems should include some of the following safety features:

Fall protection

Emergency release controls

Mechanical locking mechanism

Adjustable body weight support

Safety features keep patients secure while practicing walking with reduced leg strength.

5. Overground Gait Training vs Treadmill Training

Since both overground gait training and treadmill walking allow patients to practice stepping forward, how do the two systems differ?

Let’s compare different features of treadmill walking and overground gait training.

Patients may require either treadmill or overground gait training depending on their rehabilitation goals.

6. Who Can Use an Overground Gait Training System?

Stroke patients, neurological patients, and individuals who require gait rehabilitation can use an overground system.

Specific populations that may benefit include:

• Stroke rehabilitation
• Spinal cord injury
• Neurological rehab
• Traumatic brain injury rehab
• Orthopedic rehabilitation
• Post-surgical recovery
• Elderly mobility training
• Balance and walking rehabilitation

Consult with patients before using overground gait training.

Every patient has unique needs that are best addressed by a licensed therapist or physician.

Some patients may need significant body weight support, while others need slight assistance.

Adjust the level of support to match patient needs and encourage gradual progression toward unsupported walking.

7. Overground Gait Training for Stroke Rehabilitation

Stroke can impact how well patients are able to walk.

Walking speed, balance, coordination, and limb control can all be affected by a stroke.

Many stroke patients also experience an asymmetrical gait pattern.

Practicing walking with an overground gait training system can help stroke patients improve mobility.

Body weight support reduces how much weight the legs must support.

With less weight on their legs, patients can focus on stepping forward and shifting their weight from leg to leg.

Support can be gradually reduced over time until patients don’t need support to walk.

Working with therapists, patients can practice more functional movements.

These include turning, stopping and starting, and walking back and forth across the training area.

For related reading, link this article to Gait Rehabilitation After Stroke and Body Weight Support for Stroke Rehabilitation.

8. Overground Gait Training for Neurological Rehabilitation

A variety of neurological conditions can affect how patients walk.

Trouble with coordination, balance, muscle strength, and controlled foot placement can cause issues while walking.

If you are wondering how overground gait training can help patients with neurological conditions, keep reading.

Similar to stroke patients, neurological patients can benefit from practicing walking with adjustable support.

Patients can work on practicing normal walking patterns while being supported by the therapist.

Body weight support can be gradually reduced to normal levels as patients become stronger and more coordinated.

This form of assisted walking makes overground gait training ideal for neurological patients of all levels.

9. Benefits of an Overground Gait Training System 

These are some important benefits of adding an overground gait training system to your facility.

Move Towards More Functional Walking Practice

With overground gait training, patients walk on a real floor instead of being confined to a treadmill.

Overground walking environments allow therapists to better replicate real-life walking scenarios.

Ability to Provide Adjustable Body Weight Support

Reduce how much weight patients have to support with their legs.

Many conditions make walking more physically challenging for patients.

Adjustable body weight support allows therapists to customize rehabilitation to each patient’s needs.

Option to Practice Changing Direction

Since overground training allows patients to walk across the floor, it opens up new training possibilities.

Patients can practice turning, which is not possible with traditional treadmill training.

This allows therapists to better simulate real-life conditions that require stops and changes of direction.

Improved Training Safety

Overhead support keeps patients safe during training if they lose balance or feel dizzy.

Patients with limited balance shouldn’t be prevented from working on walking strength and endurance.

Ability to Reduce Support Over Time

As mentioned earlier, overground gait training can allow patients to gradually bear more weight on their legs.

Support can be reduced over time until patients require minimal or no support from therapists.

Train In Larger Areas

Since patients can walk across the floor, you are not limited to a compact treadmill for gait training.

Find spaces within your facility that could be used for overground walking practice.

Mobility exercises can include standing up from a seated position, walking, turning, and sitting back down.

10. Overground Gait Training Applications

Use overground gait training to target different skills and areas of mobility.

Walking Initiation

Assisted standing and initial steps can be practiced using overground systems.

Linear Walking

Overground gait training can facilitate continuous forward walking.

Therapists can monitor the patient to provide insights on step length, symmetry, weight shifting, and more.

Turning Drills

Have patients practice making slow, controlled turns.

This provides visual insights on how well the patient can change directions while walking.

Weight Shifting

Weight shifting is an important mobility skill that can be practiced with overground training.

Incorporate weight-shifting exercises into walking practice to help patients improve balance.

Functional Mobility Skills

Integrate functional movements that patients may need to perform outside of therapy.

Patients can practice starting and stopping, shifting directions, and walking to different locations.

By practicing walking across the floor, patients can gain confidence in their walking ability.

Use overground gait training to supplement other forms of gait and walking rehabilitation.

11. How to Choose an Overground Gait Training System

Now that you know more about overground gait training systems, consider these factors when making your purchase.

Patient Weight Capacity

What is the maximum weight the system can support?

Ensure the weight limits are suitable for your intended patient population.

Support Range

What is the minimum and maximum support offered by the system?

Ideally, you want a large range of support that can adapt to your patients.

Training Area

How much space is required for overground gait training?

Measure your facility to ensure you have room to provide overground gait training.

Harness Design

Does the harness provide adequate comfort and adjustability?

Patients may spend long periods of time wearing the harness during training sessions.

Mobility of Support System

If you purchase a mobile overground system, examine how it moves across the floor.

The support system should move smoothly and not interfere with natural walking motion.

Safety Features

Review the emergency stop features and fall prevention components of each system.

Look for a mechanical locking mechanism that can quickly secure support height.

Adjustability

Consider how adjustable each system is.

Adjustable features should include support height and sometimes harness positioning.

Look for overground systems that fit your patients and not the other way around.

Maintenance and Service

As you review your options, consider the company that stands behind their product.

Jamore Medical offers worldwide installation, maintenance, staff training, replacement parts, and near-instant technical support.

Does the company provide equipment, or do they offer a full rehabilitation solution?

12. Overground Gait Training Technology

Overground gait training is an exciting field with rapid technology development.

Contemporary gait training technology focuses on individualized support and keeping patients safe.

Dynamic Body Weight Support

Systems can move across the floor with patients while providing consistent support.

Body weight support allows therapists to artificially reduce how much weight patients sense in their legs.

Sensor-Based Monitoring

Advanced rehabilitation technology uses sensors to track walking information.

Many software platforms allow therapists to capture, analyze, and share rehabilitation data.

Software and Hardware Integration

Digital software can communicate with gait training technology.

As patients train, data about their movements are transferred to their patient profile on software dashboards.

Integration of Robotics

Robotics can be combined with traditional overground support to enhance mobility training.

Robotics allow therapists to stay involved while giving patients a greater sense of independence.

Therapists maintain control of overground gait training programs while offering high-tech solutions.

13. Why Choose Jamore Medical?

At Jamore Medical, we offer excellent overground gait training options.

Jamore Medical sells mobility-focused rehabilitation equipment to hospitals, rehab centers, and physical therapy clinics worldwide.

The company specializes in intelligent rehabilitation technology and mobility recovery solutions.

Mobility Rehab Technology

Jamore Medical’s technology focuses on helping patients recover from their injuries.

Medical equipment includes:

• Gait rehabilitation
• Overground gait training
• Body weight support systems
• Lower-limb rehabilitation
• Balance training solutions
• Robotic therapy
• Physical and occupational therapy

Contact Jamore Medical to learn more about your overground gait training system options.

The right equipment can allow your facility to offer a broader range of mobility training options.

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

14. FAQ

l What is an overground gait training system?

A rehabilitation device used to provide support and allow patients to walk across the floor.

l How does overground gait training compare to treadmill training?

Overground allows the patient to walk through space while treadmill training keeps patients in one spot.

l Can you provide body weight support with overground gait training?

Yes, many modern overground systems provide adjustable body weight support.

l Who can benefit from overground gait training?

Neurological patients, stroke victims, spinal cord injury patients, and more can use overground gait training.

l Can stroke patients use overground gait training?

Yes, therapists can use overground gait training to help stroke patients relearn how to walk properly.

l Is turning possible with an overground gait training system?

Yes, since patients can move around the floor, they can turn as part of their training regimen.

l How do you select an overground gait training system?

Look at patient weight capacity, amount of support offered, training space, harness design, and more.

15. Conclusion

Overground gait training systems allow patients to move around a room while being supported from above.

Therapists can help patients regain mobility by adjusting support while walking across the floor.

If you would like more information about mobility recovery products and services, contact Jamore Medical.