Evaluating Lower Limb Kinematics Using Microsoft’s Kinect: A Simple, Novel Method

2021 ◽  
pp. e20200051
Author(s):  
Yaron Haimovich ◽  
Oded Hershkovich ◽  
Sigal Portnoy ◽  
Isabella Schwartz ◽  
Raphael Lotan
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Microsoft Kinect ◽  
Joint Angles ◽  
Quantitative Measurements ◽  
Two Systems ◽  
Limb Kinematics ◽  
Novel Method ◽  
Lower Limb Kinematics ◽  
Microsoft Kinect Sensor

Purpose: Our aim was to evaluate the Microsoft Kinect sensor (MKS) as a markerless system for motion capture and analysis of lower limb motion, compare it with a state-of-the-art marker-based system (MBS), and investigate its accuracy in simultaneously capturing several lower limb joint movements on several planes while participants walked freely. Method: Participants were asked to walk while gait data were simultaneously recorded by both the MKS and the MBS. Software for analysing the Kinect data stream was developed using Microsoft Visual Studio and Kinect for Windows software development kits. Visual three-dimensional (3D) C-Motion software was used to calculate 3D joint angles of the MBS. Deviation of the joint angles calculated by the two systems was calculated using root-mean-square error (RMSE) on the basis of a designated formula. Results: The calculated RMSE average was <5° between the two systems, a level of difference that has practically no clinical significance. Conclusions: Quantitative measurements of the joint angles of the knee and hip can be acquired using one MKS with some accuracy. The system can be advantageous for clinical use, at the pre- and post-treatment stages of rehabilitation, at significantly lower costs. Further evaluation of the MKS should be performed with larger study populations.

Three-dimensional lower-limb kinematics during undulatory underwater swimming

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Yuji Matsuda ◽  
Masaki Kaneko ◽  
Yoshihisa Sakurai ◽  
Keita Akashi ◽  
Sengoku Yasuo
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Limb Kinematics ◽  
Lower Limb Kinematics

scholarly journals Duty Factor Reflects Lower Limb Kinematics of Running

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (24) ◽  
pp. 8818
Author(s):  
Aurélien Patoz ◽  
Thibault Lussiana ◽  
Adrien Thouvenot ◽  
Laurent Mourot ◽  
Cyrille Gindre
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
Sagittal Plane ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Vertical Displacement ◽  
Duty Factor ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Limb Kinematics ◽  
The One ◽  
Kinematic Mechanisms ◽  
Lower Limb Kinematics

The aim was to identify the differences in lower limb kinematics used by high (DFhigh) and low (DFlow) duty factor (DF) runners, particularly their sagittal plane (hip, knee, and ankle) joint angles and pelvis and foot segment angles during stance. Fifty-nine runners were divided in two DF groups based on their mean DF measured across a range of speeds. Temporal characteristics and whole-body three-dimensional kinematics of the running step were recorded from treadmill runs at 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18 km/h. Across speeds, DFhigh runners, which limit vertical displacement of the COM and promote forward propulsion, exhibited more lower limb flexion than DFlow during the ground contact time and were rearfoot strikers. On the contrary, DFlow runners used a more extended lower limb than DFhigh due to a stiffer leg and were midfoot and forefoot strikers. Therefore, two different lower limb kinematic mechanisms are involved in running and the one of an individual is reflected by the DF.

scholarly journals Stable Coordination Variability in Overground Walking and Running at Preferred and Fixed Speeds

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Hannah E. Wyatt ◽  
Gillian Weir ◽  
Carl Jewell ◽  
Richard E.A. van Emmerik ◽  
Joseph Hamill
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
Stance Phase ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Human Locomotion ◽  
Overground Walking ◽  
Vector Coding ◽  
Limb Kinematics ◽  
Recreational Runners ◽  
Lower Limb Kinematics ◽  
Insufficient Number

Coordination variability (CV) is commonly analyzed to understand dynamical qualities of human locomotion. The purpose of this study was to develop guidelines for the number of trials required to inform the calculation of a stable mean lower limb CV during overground locomotion. Three-dimensional lower limb kinematics were captured for 10 recreational runners performing 20 trials each of preferred and fixed speed walking and running. Stance phase CV was calculated for 9 segment and joint couplings using a modified vector coding technique. The number of trials required to achieve a CV mean within 10% of 20 strides average was determined for each coupling and individual. The statistical outputs of mode (walking vs running) and speed (preferred vs fixed) were compared when informed by differing numbers of trials. A minimum of 11 trials were required for stable mean stance phase CV. With fewer than 11 trials, CV was underestimated and led to an oversight of significant differences between mode and speed. Future overground locomotion CV research in healthy populations using a vector coding approach should use 11 trials as a standard minimum. Researchers should be aware of the notable consequences of an insufficient number of trials for overall study findings.

scholarly journals Microsoft Kinect-based differences in lower limb kinematics during modified timed up and go test phases between men with and without Parkinson’s disease

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
pp. 86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hedi Kähär ◽  
Pille Taba ◽  
Sven Nõmm ◽  
Kadri Medijainen
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Gait Speed ◽  
Microsoft Kinect ◽  
Timed Up And Go ◽  
Healthy Men ◽  
Limb Kinematics ◽  
Lower Limb Kinematics

The aim of the study was to analyse with Microsoft Kinect (Kinect) the differences in lower limb kinematics during sub-phases of modified Timed Up and Go test (modTUG) in men with Parkinson’s disease (PD) compared to healthy age-matched male individuals. Eight men with mild-to-moderate PD (age 67.5±4.5 yrs) and eight healthy men (age 69.8±8.0 yrs) participated. Kinect along with KinectPsyManager (v1.0) and Matlab2016b software was used for data collection. Selected lower limb kinematics and gait speed (GS) were calculated during sittingto- walking (STW) transition while performing modTUG. According to Kinect men with mild to moderate PD did not differ from healthy counterparts in aspects of postural characteristics of STW, with the exception of smaller distance between knees while sitting (p<0.001). Men with PD were found to perform the walking phase of STW transition slower (p<0.01) and with slower GS (p<0.01) comparing to healthy men. In conclusion, compared to healthy men, Kinect detects smaller distance between knees during sitting before transitioning from STW in men with mild to moderate PD. In addition, men with PD also demonstrated slower GS and a longer walking phase of STW transition in comparison to healthy men. 

Analysis of the Relationships between Balance Ability and Walking in Terms of Muscle Activities and Lower Limb Kinematics and Kinetics

Biomechanics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 190-201
Author(s):  
Pathmanathan Cinthuja ◽  
Graham Arnold ◽  
Rami J. Abboud ◽  
Weijie Wang
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Multivariate Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Vastus Medialis ◽  
Balance Test ◽  
Balance Ability ◽  
Limb Kinematics ◽  
Lower Limb Kinematics ◽  
Kinematics And Kinetics

There is a lack of evidence about the ways in which balance ability influences the kinematic and kinetic parameters and muscle activities during gait among healthy individuals. The hypothesis is that balance ability would be associated with the lower limb kinematics, kinetics and muscle activities during gait. Twenty-nine healthy volunteers (Age 32.8 ± 9.1; 18 males and 11 females) performed a Star Excursion Balance test to measure their dynamic balance and walked for at least three trials in order to obtain a good quality of data. A Vicon® 3D motion capture system and AMTI® force plates were used for the collection of the movement data. The selected muscle activities were recorded using Delsys® Electromyography (EMG). The EMG activities were compared using the maximum values and root mean squared (RMS) values within the participants. The joint angle, moment, force and power were calculated using a Vicon Plug-in-Gait model. Descriptive analysis, correlation analysis and multivariate linear regression analysis were performed using SPSS version 23. In the muscle activities, positive linear correlations were found between the walking and balance test in all muscles, e.g., in the multifidus (RMS) (r = 0.800 p < 0.0001), vastus lateralis (RMS) (r = 0.639, p < 0.0001) and tibialis anterior (RMS) (r = 0.539, p < 0.0001). The regression analysis models showed that there was a strong association between balance ability (i.e., reaching distance) and the lower limb muscle activities (i.e., vastus medialis–RMS) (R = 0.885, p < 0.0001), and also between balance ability (i.e., reaching distance) and the lower limb kinematics and kinetics during gait (R = 0.906, p < 0.0001). In conclusion, the results showed that vastus medialis (RMS) muscle activity mainly contributes to balance ability, and that balance ability influences the lower limb kinetics and kinematics during gait.

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