WO2007131542A1

WO2007131542A1 - Device and method for analysing movement

Info

Publication number: WO2007131542A1
Application number: PCT/EP2006/010471
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wolfgang Brunner
Original assignee: Zebris Medical Gmbh
Priority date: 2006-05-12
Filing date: 2006-10-31
Publication date: 2007-11-22
Also published as: EP2018117A1; DE102006022243A1

Abstract

A device for analyzing movement using a running belt, comprising a continuous belt guided over at least two track rollers, the surface of which serves as a running surface, a sensor system for determining a pressure/ power distribution on a measuring plate located underneath the continuous belt, which has on the side facing the belt a plurality of pressure/power sensors arranged in the manner of a matrix, an analysis unit connected on the input side to the pressure/power sensors which detects the position of pressure distribution images of a moving vertebrate on the running belt and thereby detects the feeding motion thereof according to time and location, and a processing unit connected on the input side to the analysis unit which, using the time and location-dependency of the pressure distribution images, generates measurement parameters to identify the movement of the vertebrate, wherein a tachometer stage connected on the input side to the analysis unit is provided which, using the time and location-dependency of the pressure distribution images, calculates an instantaneous speed of the continuous belt as an additional input parameter of the analysis or processing unit.

Description

EISSNER, OLTE ARTNER _GB R

PO Box 860624 81633 Munich

zebris Medical GmbH October 31, 2006

Max-Eyth-Way 42 M / BRU-030-PC

88316 Isny im Allgäu MB / HZ / bg

Apparatus and method for gait analysis

description

The present invention relates to a device and a method for gait analysis on the treadmill

Devices for detecting pressure or force distributions are known per se, for example from DE 36 42 088 C2 and DE 25 29 475 C3.

Many of the known devices can be used as platforms for biomechanical gait analysis in which the gait of a vertebrate, in particular a human, but possibly also a horse or dog, etc., is examined and analyzed. However, there is the disadvantage that only a single step and a single rolling process can be recorded. In order to maintain a natural gait behavior, however, it is necessary to take up the gait over a longer period of time.

Therefore devices and methods for gait analysis using a treadmill have been proposed. For example, reference is made to DE 40 27 317 C1 or US Pat. No. 6,010,465 A.

Furthermore, in R. Kram and AJ. Powell: "Areadread-mounted force platform" Appl. Physiol., 67 (4): 1692-1698 (1989) describes a measuring device as known in which a treadmill is pulled over a measuring platform or measuring surface and thus a continuous detection of forces becomes possible. The former of these documents describes a treadmill, which is constructed from a plurality of links, each of which comprises a matrix-shaped arrangement of pressure or force sensors, while the second a treadmill with under the tape surface lying measuring plate with a matrix-shaped arrangement of printing or ., Describes force sensors. Both documents teach that an evaluation unit is connected to the respective sensor system, and US Pat. No. 6,010,465 describes the structure and mode of operation of the evaluation unit, for example for evaluating the position and an assigned force value when it occurs on the treadmill, for example for determining torques and loads on the treadmill Joints and certain gait parameters, relatively detailed.

It has been shown that for various reasons, the accuracy of existing devices and methods for deriving differentiated medical or sport physiological statements is not sufficient.

Object of the present invention is to provide a device for automatic gait analysis, with the most accurate detection and evaluation of all occurring in natural gait gear parameters is possible.

This object is achieved in its device aspect by a device for gait analysis with the features of claim 1 and in its method aspect by a method having the features of claim 14. Advantageous developments of the inventive concept are each the subject of the dependent claims.

With the device according to the invention, it is possible to take up the aisle over a longer period, since a treadmill system is used. This treadmill system comprises an endless belt, which is pulled over a sensor platform which is equipped with a plurality of matrix-arranged pressure or force sensors. Basically, the gear or barrel over such a plate does not give any evaluable measurement results, since the pressure values are constantly changing, since the feet with the treadmill are effectively pulled over the plate. However, this problem is solved in that the tape feed or the tape speed and the continuously recorded pressure values are brought together and ner evaluation unit, the position of pressure distribution images is reconstructed, from which then the gait parameters can be determined.

In order to achieve sufficient informative value for all relevant applications, considerable accuracy requirements must be met with regard to the relevant variables. This includes first the instantaneous speed of the treadmill, but also the signal accuracy of the pressure or force sensors, which is subject to a temperature dependence. According to the invention, therefore, it is initially provided that the instantaneous speed of the treadmill can be determined by using the pressure distribution images themselves recorded with the sensor system, i. under evaluation of their time and place dependence, to determine. In a relatively independent embodiment of the inventive concept further correction means for output signal correction of the pressure or force sensors (or in a modification of the entire pressure distribution images) are provided upon the occurrence of warming-related distortions. Again, the correction is carried out in a particularly advantageous manner using the evaluation result itself, namely the recorded pressure distributions as a function of time.

In the aforementioned first embodiment of the inventive concept, in a particularly precise working embodiment, a sensor for directly detecting the speed of the treadmill is provided, which is connected to a second input of the tachometer stage, and the tachometer stage is for evaluating the signal of the sensor in connection with time and location dependence of the pressure distribution images formed. This implementation requires a somewhat more complex processing, since several input signals have to be considered, but besides the potentially higher accuracy, it also offers the advantage of a plausibility check and thus increased reliability.

In a first embodiment of this embodiment it is provided that the or a sensor is a tachometer sensor on a roller of the treadmill. An alternative to this is provided by an embodiment in which a coding pattern is applied on one side along the treadmill and the or a sensor is an optical detector which detects the movement of the coding pattern. Specifically, it can be provided here that the coding pattern on the rollers facing inside of the treadmill and the optical detector is attached to the pressure / force sensors having measuring plate. This design is structurally simple to implement and robust in operation. The coding is not necessarily an optical one; A magnetic or conductivity pattern can also be applied to the treadmill and a corresponding magnetic, capacitive, inductive or other detector can be provided.

Furthermore, it can be provided under this aspect of the invention that the or a sensor is an optical detector for detecting a structure of a surface of the treadmill and the detector is a pre-evaluation unit for deriving a speed measurement signal from the time and location dependence of the structure in the operation of Treadmill is assigned. This allows the use of a conventional treadmill material, as long as it has only one sufficiently pronounced structure for optical detection. Since it is possible to dispense with a separate optical encoding, there is a tangible cost savings compared to the aforementioned embodiment - but at the cost of a generally slightly higher susceptibility to interference.

In an advantageous embodiment of the second embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the correction means have a response stage connected to the evaluation unit and connected on the output side between the pressure / force sensors and the input of the evaluation unit for the sensor-selective calculation of pressure / force correction signals. and location dependency of the pressure distribution images.

A further embodiment provides that the correction means comprise a timer for performing a dynamic correction of the measurement signals of at least some of the pressure / force sensors as a function of the operating time of the device. A combination of both embodiments is characterized in that the correction stage comprises a timer in which a stored correction signal time curve is impressed on the output signals of selected pressure / force sensors. A further embodiment of the invention provides that between the measuring plate and the treadmill for the mechanical decoupling of horizontal pressure components or horizontal forces, a decoupling film is provided to transfer substantially only vertical pressure component or vertical forces from the treadmill to the sensor matrix.

This advantageously makes it possible to use pressure or force sensors which have no pronounced uniaxiality and would thus permit a certain distortion of the vertical components of interest by horizontal components without provision of the aforementioned decoupling foil. In particular, it also makes it possible to dispense with additional sensors for the horizontal components, with which a correction of such distortions would have to be effected, which of course means an increased design and evaluation effort.

In a further embodiment, a synchronization unit is provided for synchronizing the pressure / force distribution measurement with a detection of further biometric measured variables by means of separate measuring and processing devices. Here, the sensor part has e.g. an additional light transmitter, which emits a light signal at certain times, preferably the respective first ground contact of the feet or at defined time intervals. In a preferred embodiment, the subject carries a measuring adapter for detecting further biometric signals, for example on the belt. This adapter has a light receiver which receives the light signal of the sensor plate.

The received light signal is preferably coded and is then z. B. superimposed on the biometric measurement signals. The measuring adapter then sends about the biometric measurement signals with impressed light signal by radio to the arithmetic unit, in which the pressure signals of the sensor plate with the biometric signals are displayed time-synchronized. Alternatively, it is possible that the light signals emanate from the measuring adapter and are received at the sensor plate. Also a video recording and, if necessary, also evaluation can be controlled in this or similar manner. Embodiments of the method according to the invention and the device according to the invention are largely analogous to one another, so that a separate description on the one hand of device aspects and on the other hand of method aspects is not required here. However, advantages and expediencies of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to FIGS. From these show:

1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the device according to the invention,

2 is a schematic representation of the carrier plate of FIG. 1,

3 is a schematic diagram of the treadmill in plan view with pressure distribution images,

4 and 5 schematic representations of modified treadmill designs with

Means for determining speed,

6 shows a device with several treadmill arrangements,

7a and 7b are schematic representations of special treadmill

Arrangements in the manner of a side view,

Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the tachometer stage of the processing unit and

9 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the correction means for correcting heating-related Messsignalverfälschungen.

In Fig. 1, an embodiment of the inventive arrangement is shown. The treadmill system includes a circulating belt 12 which is preferably pulled over two rollers 2 by active drive (not shown). Which he- However, inventive arrangement can also be used in treadmills, in which the tape is driven by the person walking on the tape on the muscle and gravity.

Below the top of the belt 12, a sensor plate 2a is mounted over which the tape is pulled. In the embodiment shown above the sensor plate 2a is a lubricious and flexible thin film 3, which redirects the pressure on the sensor surface 1 with spatial resolution, but the sensor surface 1 simultaneously protects against the horizontal forces of the rotating belt. In this case, the sensor plate 2 a may be arbitrarily thin and thus designed as a sensor mat. The film may also be connected or glued to the sensor surface 1.

The sensor surface 1 is connected to an evaluation and control unit 5 with the evaluation computer 6. The evaluation and control unit 5 is preferably in the immediate vicinity of the sensor plate 2a and can be integrated into the treadmill system. The feed or the feed rate of the circulating belt is detected by means not shown here about the rotational speed of the roller 2 and passed. This can be done by an automatic transmission. The evaluation essentially comprises the temporal and spatial determination of the position of the pressure distribution images moving over the treadmill.

In a simple embodiment, the feed rate or the rotational speed of the rollers 2 is read on a display unit of the treadmill and entered by hand into the arithmetic unit 6.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a measuring platform 2a with force or pressure sensors 1a configured as a sensor surface 1 in the form of a matrix. The size of the pressure sensors 1 depends on the object to be measured. When measuring human feet, preferably a sensor resolution of about one sensor per square centimeter is selected. In a preferred embodiment, sensors are selected which consist of individual capacitors with elastic dielectric, which change the capacitance value when force is applied, or sensors which change their resistance value when force is applied. These sensors can be summarized to rows and columns and are driven accordingly and read.

Fig. 3 shows how a human foot is pulled backwards by the tape movement of the treadmill, with the footprints shown here being shown in movement phases. These correspond to the sampling rate of the sensor surface. The number of preferred measurements per unit time depends on the speed at which the tape is pulled back. During the movement of the foot along the band, a plurality of measurement images are preferably recorded. The preferred sampling rate of the sensors on the sensor plate 1 is between 30 and 100 measuring images per second.

However, the detection of the feed rate of the tape on the movement of the roller 2 in many cases does not meet the requirements of high accuracy, because the treadmill 12 undergoes increased friction by entering and thus changes its speed of movement. Also, a measurement difference may occur due to stretching of the band or movement of the band against the roller.

Therefore, by pattern recognition, the temporal and local positions of the pressure distribution patterns on the sensor surface 1 are detected by the movement of the prominent print patterns along the sensor surface in the longitudinal direction of the treadmill. A foot mounted on the moving belt is automatically pulled to rest from the circulating belt and creates a pressure distribution pattern on the under-belt sensors which moves along the direction of travel of the belt at a certain speed. These printing patterns or printing surfaces can be continuously examined by their computing unit in terms of their shape and extent, and the advancing movement of the printing patterns can be detected by pattern recognition and image processing with regard to the time or the feed rate.

Accurate knowledge of the position and timing of treadmill pressure distribution patterns or footprints is a prerequisite for, for example, determining the essential temporal, spatial and physical parameters of the human To determine Ganges. If, in addition to the shape of the pressure distribution images, the occurring pressure values are also taken into account, the accuracy of the temporal and local position determination of the feet on the treadmill can be increased.

Furthermore, the determination of the treadmill speed can be combined by pattern recognition with other measuring methods of determining the belt speed. Thus, a conventional tachogenerator can be provided on one of the rollers, and, for example, a mathematical averaging of the speed signal output by the tachogenerator and the speed value determined from the propagation speed of the pressure distribution images can be provided. In addition to such averaging of speed signals of different origin, a threshold value discrimination can also be provided in order to realize a plausibility check and to eliminate or correct any completely implausible measured values which are obtained as a result of the evaluation of the pressure distribution images.

Alternatively to the use of a tachogenerator, detection of patterns on the surface of the treadmill may also provide another speed signal which may be combined with pressure distribution image signals in the aforementioned or similar manner.

Fig. 4 shows in a corresponding embodiment, the determination of the temporal and spatial position of the treadmill 12 and thus the pressure distribution pattern on an applied coding pattern 15 on the tape. This is preferably applied on the inside along the treadmill, for example as a striped pattern 15. Via an optical detection unit 17, the movement of the strip pattern and thus of the tape can be detected and from this the feed rate can be determined.

In another embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, an optical sensor 18 for detecting the material of the tape own surface structures 16 use. This also allows conclusions to be drawn on the movement of the tape. The optical sensors 17 and 18 of Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 may be housed in a preferred embodiment directly on or on the sensor plate 2a, resulting in a compact unit; see. Fig. 7b.

Fig. 6 shows a special embodiment of a treadmill, which is specially designed for the analysis of a corridor with sticks (walking). This has three separate treadmills 2a.1, 2a.2, and 2a.3, two of which are provided for the pole insert. In one variant, the two outer narrower bands 2a.2, 2a.3 - optionally also the middle band - are each equipped with a sensor plate 1.1, 1.2 or 1.3, so that the coordinates of the pole insert can be accurately examined while walking. The detection of the pressure distribution patterns as well as the belt speeds is carried out as described in the above examples and is performed separately for each belt.

A similar arrangement with several separately constructed treadmills may also be advantageous for use in which there is a left / right differentiation of the gait of a patient or subjects and possibly the provision of a differentiated feedback by the treadmill on the body for the left and right foot arrives. For this purpose, the separate treadmills, for example, can then be set differently taut or realized with elastic band material of varying degrees. Moreover, a predetermined feedback on the feet can also be realized by a pressure-elastic design of the sensor plate (s) to a predetermined extent.

Fig. 7a and 7b show two embodiments for the attachment of the sensor plate 2a within the treadmill system. Here, the sensor plate 2a is mounted on a base plate 14 or 14i of the treadmill system, wherein the treadmill via deflection rollers 19 (Fig. 7a) or deflecting wedges 19 '(Fig. 7b) on the sensor plate 2a and 2a' is passed. In the embodiment according to Fig. 7b also schematically the attachment of the above-mentioned optical sensor 17 for detecting the tape speed due to a coding pattern on the corresponding base plate 14 'is shown. This arrangement has the special Part that existing treadmill systems can be retrofitted with a measuring sensors without much effort.

Fig. 8 shows in the manner of a block diagram the basic structure of a speedometer stage 20, in the output using the evaluation unit 5 pressure distribution images as the first data set Dl and output by the optical detector 17 detector signals as the second data set D2 a tape speed signal V as an input signal for a Processing unit 6 'is obtained.

In the illustrated embodiment, the tachometer stage 20 comprises a pressure distribution image memory 21, which is formed as a multi-area memory for storing a sequence of pressure distribution images Dl, a pressure distribution image processing unit 22 downstream of this memory and a first speed output stage 23 associated therewith the tachometer stage 20, a real-time encoder 24, which controls both the processing of the pressure distribution image processing stage 22 and that of the detector output signals D2 in a second speed output stage 25. The principles of the comparative processing of successive recorded pressure distribution images in the processing unit 22 are not part of the present invention and will therefore not be described in detail here. They are based on the mathematical principle of convolution, whereby the locally related pressure distribution patterns are represented as multi-dimensional vectors and the scalar product is formed as a measure for the evaluation of their agreement.

Output signals V1 and V2 of the two output stages 23, 25 are subjected to notification in an averaging stage 26 on the basis of a predetermined algorithm (which does not necessarily have to effect arithmetic averaging), and the calculated result is output as a speed signal V.

9 shows, likewise in the form of a block diagram, the structure of an embodiment of a correction stage 27 for dynamic sensor-selective correction of output signals of the pressure / force sensors Ii of the sensor surface 1 of an inventive Device according to the invention for gait analysis. To simplify the illustration, only one line IZ with a plurality of individual sensors Ii is represented by the sensor surface 1, and the figure relates to the measurement signal correction of those pressure / force sensors exemplified.

Each of the sensor elements Ii is associated with a correction element 28i, in which its output signal can be changed by a correction amount, which is respectively sensor-specific calculated before it enters the evaluation unit 5. On the output side of the evaluation unit 5, a pressure distribution image memory 29 belonging to the correction stage 27 is provided, to which a pressure distribution image comparator unit 30 is assigned on the output side. The print distribution image memory 29 stores pressure distribution images taken over a preset period of time, and the comparator unit 30 compares them (after performing a position correction calculation) to determine which of the pressure / force sensors Ii have been particularly frequently and intensively applied during this period. Experience has shown that these sensors are subject to a particularly serious heating and thus corresponding Messsignalverfälschungen.

As a result of its processing, the processing unit 30 outputs a table of sensor-specific correction values, which are subjected to multiplication processing with a time curve stored in a timer memory 32 in a downstream time adjustment stage 31. This reworking takes into account the increasing heating with increasing operating time and thus also the temporal increase of the required correction amount or factor.

In a further embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention further biometric signals are recorded on the subject to be measured via a measuring adapter 8 (FIG. These may be muscle action voltages taken via electrodes 13. Likewise, these may be via electronic goniometer removed joint angle or angle of inclination. The measurement data are preferably transmitted via a radio signal 11 to a receiver 6a on the arithmetic unit 6. In the representation of the biometric signals on the arithmetic unit 6, it is important that they are displayed synchronously with the pressure distribution values of the sensor plate 2a. For this purpose, in the exemplary embodiment shown by the drive unit 5 via a light transmitter of the sensor plate 7, a light signal, preferably sent as infrared light 10 to a light receiver 9 in the measuring adapter 8. For example, the light signal 10 may be transmitted each time the subject's foot hits the sensor surface.

The preferably coded light pulses 10 are converted into electrical data, imprinted on the biometric measurement signal and transmitted by radio signal 11 to the arithmetic unit. The coding of the light pulses can be accomplished by, for example, sending pulses within a certain short time interval. In the arithmetic unit 6, the biometric signals 13 are then displayed together with the pressure distribution values in synchronized time.

A numerically coded timestamp is transmitted, which brings the data of the two independently measuring systems (gait analysis or biometric measurement) into temporal synchrony. Since both systems perform their measurements in a known time frame, a correct assignment between them over the entire measurement period is possible, as soon as only a single encoding has been transmitted correctly (even if a large number of synchronization attempts during the duration of the measurements should have failed). The proposed synchronization is therefore characterized by extraordinary reliability and robustness.

The practice of the invention is not limited to the examples and highlighted aspects described above, but is also possible in a variety of variations that are within the scope of skill in the art. In particular, all technically possible combinations of the features of the individual claims should be considered to be within the scope of the invention. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1; 1.1; 1.2; 1.3 Pressure / force distribution sensor surface

Ii sensor

IZ sensor line

2 rollers

2a; 2a.1; 2a.2; 2a.3 Sensor plate / sensor mat

3 foil for absorbing the horizontal forces

4 Detector for the rotational speed of the roller

5 control unit

6; 6i arithmetic unit

6a receiver

7 light transmitters

8 measuring adapter

9 light receivers

10 light pulses

11 radio signal

12 treadmill

13 electrode

14 Base plate on treadmill

15 coding patterns

16 Surface structure of the treadmill

17; 18 optical detector

19 deflection roller

19 'whipstock

20 Tachometer stage 1 Pressure distribution image memory 2 Pressure distribution image processing stage 3 Speed output stage 4 Real-time encoder 5 Speed output stage 6 Averaging stage 7 Correction stage 8i Correction member 29 Pressure distribution image memory

30 pressure distribution image comparator unit

31 time adjustment level

32 timer memory

Claims

claims

1. Apparatus for gait analysis using a treadmill, with a guided over at least two rollers endless belt whose surface serves as a tread, a sensor for determining a pressure / force distribution on a located below the endless belt measuring plate, on the side facing the tape one A plurality of matrix-arranged pressure / force sensors, an input side connected to the pressure / force sensors evaluation unit which detects the position of pressure distribution images of a running vertebrate on the treadmill and thus their feed movement by time and place, and an input side connected to the evaluation unit processing unit, which generates from the time and location dependency of the pressure distribution images measuring parameters for the identification of the gait of the vertebrate, wherein a provided with the evaluation unit on the input side tachometer stage is provided, which by using the time and Ortsab dependence of the pressure distribution images calculates an instantaneous speed of the endless belt as an additional input of the evaluation or processing unit.

2. Apparatus for gait analysis according to claim 1, wherein a sensor for directly detecting the speed of the treadmill is provided, which is connected to a second input of the tachometer stage, and the tachometer stage for evaluating the signal of the sensor in conjunction with the time and location dependence of the Druckverteilungsbiider is formed.

The gait analysis apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the or a sensor is a tachometer sensor on a running roller of the treadmill.

The gait analysis apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a coding pattern is applied on one side along the treadmill, and the or a sensor is an optical detector which detects the movement of the coding pattern.

5. Device for gait analysis according to claim 4, wherein the coding pattern is mounted on the rollers facing the inner side of the treadmill and the optical detector on the pressure / force sensors having measuring plate.

6. Apparatus for gait analysis according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the or a sensor is an optical detector for detecting a structure of a surface of the treadmill and the detector is a pre-evaluation unit for deriving a speed measurement signal from the time and location dependence of the structure in the operation of Treadmill is assigned.

7. Apparatus for gait analysis, in particular using a treadmill, with a guided over at least two rollers endless belt whose surface serves as a tread, a sensor for determining a pressure / force distribution on a located below the endless belt measuring plate, which on the belt facing Side has a plurality of matrix-arranged pressure / force sensors, an input side connected to the pressure / force sensors evaluation unit which detects the position of pressure distribution images of a running vertebrate on the treadmill and thus their feed movement by time and place, and an input connected to the evaluation unit Processing unit, which generates from the time and location dependence of the pressure distribution images measurement parameters for the identification of the gait of the vertebrate, according to one of the preceding claims, with correction means for correcting warming Messsignalverfälschungen the pressure / force sensors.

8. An apparatus for gait analysis according to claim 7, wherein the correction means on the input side connected to the evaluation unit and the output side between the pressure / force sensors and the input of the evaluation unit connected correction stage for sensor-selective calculation of pressure / force correction signals a response to the time - And location dependence of the pressure distribution images have.

A gait analysis apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the correction means comprises a timer for performing dynamic correction of the measurement signals from at least some of the pressure / force sensors in dependence on the period of operation of the apparatus.

10. A gait analysis device according to claim 8 and 9, wherein the correction stage comprises a timer in which a stored correction signal-time curve is impressed on the output signals of selected pressure / force sensors.

11. A device for gait analysis according to one of the preceding claims, wherein between the measuring plate and the treadmill for the mechanical decoupling of horizontal pressure components or horizontal forces a decoupling film is provided to transmit substantially only vertical pressure component or vertical forces from the treadmill on the sensor matrix ,

12. Device for gait analysis according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a synchronization unit for synchronizing the pressure / force distribution measurement is provided with a detection of further biometric measured variables by means of separate measuring and processing means.

13. The device for gait analysis according to claim 12, wherein the synchronization unit is connected on the input side to the evaluation or processing unit, such that synchronization signals in response to the time and location dependency of the pressure distribution images.

14. Device for gait analysis according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the synchronization unit has a wireless, in particular optical or infrared radiation using, synchronous signal generator.

15. A method for gait analysis using a treadmill, in particular using a device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein by means of a measuring tape located under an endless belt with a plurality of matrix arranged pressure / force sensors occurring during the course of a vertebrate on the treadmill vertical pressure components or Vertical forces measured spatially resolved and derived therefrom on the treadmill moving pressure distribution images in their time and location dependence and generated from the time and location dependence of the pressure distribution images measurement parameters for characterizing the aisle, a determination of the exact instantaneous speed of the treadmill as an input to the derivative of Measurement parameter is performed using the time and location dependence of the pressure distribution images.

16. A method for gait analysis according to claim 14, wherein the determination of the instantaneous speed using other input signals, in particular of directly tapped on the treadmill or its rollers time-dependent measurement signals is executed.

17. A method for gait analysis according to claim 15 or 16, wherein a measurement signal correction of at least selected pressure / force sensors for compensating a heating-induced signal corruption is performed.

18. A method for gait analysis according to claim 17, wherein the measurement signal correction is carried out using the time and location dependence of the pressure distribution images for the determination of pressure-force sensors which are particularly prone to distortion.

19. A method for gait analysis according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein a synchronization signal for synchronizing the detection of further biometric measured variables is provided with the gait analysis.

20. The method of gait analysis of claim 19, wherein the providing of the synchronization signal is in response to the time and location dependency of the pressure distribution images.