Persons who are unsteady on their feet should make sure to hold onto the
handrail while walking on the treadmill to avoid any danger of stumbling!
Basically, the safety features of the treadmill must be used (safety clip for
emergency stop, crash bar).
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FDM-T-Sports
5.5. How to switch the FDM-T sensor On/Off
The FDM-T sensor is switched on and off by software control as soon as the zebris FDM software
on the PC is started or shut down. If the device has been connected correctly, the
green
power
LED lights up on the interface box. For further details on preparing a measurement platform, please
see the section
“Recommendations for recording data”
.
5.6. Setting the system out of operation
To set the system out of operation, please close the zebris FDM software first, then exit the Windows
operating system and shut down the PC. In the next step disconnect the power supply unit of the
FDM sensor and the treadmill from mains supply.
5.7. Recommendations for recording data
There are a few things one should bear in mind for obtaining significant measuring results using
the FDM-T system. The following points relate to the data recording of a person while walking and
describe the ideal measuring situation.
5.7.1. Treadmill analysis
Walking on the treadmill is unfamiliar to most people and takes a certain time to get used to it. It
is therefore of advantage to familiarize the test person with this new type of externally controlled
movement of the treadmill before recording any data.
5.7.2. Data recording
Also observe the test person during the measurement. Only use data recordings where the foot
does not extend beyond the sensor surface during roll-off.
5.7.3. Walking speed
The walking speed during the measurement should correspond to the person’s normal walking speed.
It usually takes a few minutes for the test persons to be relaxed enough for finding their normal
movement pattern again. It may well be that their speed increases during the measurement. This
should be avoided by carefully making sure that the test person feels at ease before the measuring
begins. During the data recording the speed should not fluctuate by more than 5%.
5.7.4. Posture
The test person should adopt a relaxed posture, with the arms swinging in a natural way. Make sure
that the test person looks straight ahead and not to the ground, the treadmill, or the screen, as this
can influence the natural gait pattern.
5.7.5 Weals
Studies have proven that the peak plantar pressure is increased by 30 % through calluses on the
foot (
P.R. Cavanagh, The Foot (1994) 4, 123-135
). This information should be considered during
the measuring procedure.
