Local dynamic stability of the lower extremity in novice and trained runners while running intraditional and minimal footwear

2019 ◽  
Vol 68 ◽  
pp. 50-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas S. Frank ◽  
Stephen D. Prentice ◽  
Jack P. Callaghan
Author(s):  
James A. Norris ◽  
Anthony P. Marsh ◽  
Kevin P. Granata ◽  
Shane D. Ross

A broad objective of many lower extremity exoskeletons is to allow the wearer to expend less of their own energy for locomotion. Existing exoskeleton control algorithms are based on positive feedback. Forces are generated to augment movement initiated by the wearer. Positive feedback, however, can have destabilizing effects in dynamic systems. In fact, stability in these lower extremity exoskeletons is achieved by relying on the wearer’s neuromuscular system. Relying on the wearer to maintain stability may increase metabolic demand, which is counter productive to increasing efficiency. Thus, the goal of this study was to measure how a simple form of positive feedback that augments ankle push-off power affects both metabolic efficiency and dynamic walking stability. We developed a pair of powered ankle-foot orthoses (PAFOs) similar in design to Ferris, et al. (J. Appl. Biomech. 21, 189–197, 2005). Nine young healthy adults (23.3±1.6 years) walked on a treadmill in the PAFOs under two conditions: (1) with and (2) without push-off power assistance. Metabolic energy expenditure was calculated using indirect calorimetry. Walking stability was quantified using techniques for studying stability of dynamic system trajectories. The maximum Lyapunov exponent for assessing local dynamic stability, and the maximum Floquet multiplier magnitude for assessing orbital stability were calculated from foot and shank kinematics for each condition. Greater Lyapunov exponents and Floquet multipliers indicate decreased stability. Walking with mechanically generated push-off power increased metabolic efficiency (2.58±0.39 to 2.97±0.38, p<0.01), did not affect local dynamic stability (0.14±0.02 to 0.14±0.02, p = 0.77), but decreased orbital dynamic stability (0.43±0.03 to 0.48±0.06, p = 0.05). This study provides evidence that positive feedback can negatively affect stability. Further investigations into understanding stability of movement will be necessary for the design of controllers for powered lower extremity exoskeletons.


2014 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 305-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philippe Terrier ◽  
Fabienne Reynard

Local dynamic stability (stability) quantifies how a system responds to small perturbations. Several experimental and clinical findings have highlighted the association between gait stability and fall risk. Walking without shoes is known to slightly modify gait parameters. Barefoot walking may cause unusual sensory feedback to individuals accustomed to shod walking, and this may affect stability. The objective was therefore to compare the stability of shod and barefoot walking in healthy individuals and to analyze the intrasession repeatability. Forty participants traversed a 70 m indoor corridor wearing normal shoes in one trial and walking barefoot in a second trial. Trunk accelerations were recorded with a 3D-accelerometer attached to the lower back. The stability was computed using the finite-time maximal Lyapunov exponent method. Absolute agreement between the forward and backward paths was estimated with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Barefoot walking did not significantly modify the stability as compared with shod walking (average standardized effect size: +0.11). The intrasession repeatability was high (ICC: 0.73–0.81) and slightly higher in barefoot walking condition (ICC: 0.81–0.87). Therefore, it seems that barefoot walking can be used to evaluate stability without introducing a bias as compared with shod walking, and with a sufficient reliability.


Author(s):  
Jian Liu ◽  
Thurmon E. Lockhart ◽  
Kevin Granata

Occupational load carrying tasks are considered one of the major factors contributing to slip and fall injuries. The objective of the current study was to explore the feasibility to assess the stability changes associated with load carrying by local dynamic stability measures. Twenty-five young participants were involved in a treadmill walking study, with their trunk acceleration profiles measured wirelessly by a tri-axial accelerometer. Finite time local dynamic stability was quantified by maximum Lyapunov exponents (maxLE). The results showed a significant increase in long term maxLE in load condition, indicating the declined local dynamic stability due to the load carrying. Thus, current study confirmed the discriminative validity and sensitivity of local dynamic stability measure and its utility in the load carrying scenario.


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