scholarly journals Efficiency and Stability of Step-To Gait in Slow Walking

2022 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kento Hirayama ◽  
Yohei Otaka ◽  
Taichi Kurayama ◽  
Toru Takahashi ◽  
Yutaka Tomita ◽  
...  

As humans, we constantly change our movement strategies to adapt to changes in physical functions and the external environment. We have to walk very slowly in situations with a high risk of falling, such as walking on slippery ice, carrying an overflowing cup of water, or muscle weakness owing to aging or motor deficit. However, previous studies have shown that a normal gait pattern at low speeds results in reduced efficiency and stability in comparison with those at a normal speed. Another possible strategy is to change the gait pattern from normal to step-to gait, in which the other foot is aligned with the first swing foot. However, the efficiency and stability of the step-to gait pattern at low speeds have not been investigated yet. Therefore, in this study, we compared the efficiency and stability of the normal and step-to gait patterns at intermediate, low, and very low speeds. Eleven healthy participants were asked to walk with a normal gait and step-to gait on a treadmill at five different speeds (i.e., 10, 20, 30, 40, and 60 m/min), ranging from very low to normal walking speed. The efficiency parameters (percent recovery and walk ratio) and stability parameters (center of mass lateral displacement) were analyzed from the motion capture data and then compared for the two gait patterns. The results suggested that step-to gait had a more efficient gait pattern at very low speeds of 10–30 m/min, with a larger percent recovery, and was more stable at 10–60 m/min in comparison with a normal gait. However, the efficiency of the normal gait was better than that of the step-to gait pattern at 60 m/min. Therefore, step-to gait is effective in improving gait efficiency and stability when faced with situations that force us to walk slowly or hinder quick walking because of muscle weakness owing to aging or motor deficit along with a high risk of falling.

2013 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Smita Rao ◽  
Fred Dietz ◽  
H. John Yack

The purpose of this study was to compare estimates of gastrocnemius muscle length (GML) obtained using a segmented versus straight-line model in children. Kinematic data were acquired on eleven typically developing children as they walked under the following conditions: normal gait, crouch gait, equinus gait, and crouch with equinus gait. Maximum and minimum GML, and GML change were calculated using two models: straight-line and segmented. A two-way RMANOVA was used to compare GML characteristics. Results indicated that maximum GML and GML change during simulated pathological gait patterns were influenced by model used to calculate gastrocnemius muscle length (interaction: P = .004 and P = .026). Maximum GML was lower in the simulated gait patterns compared with normal gait (P < .001). Maximum GML was higher with the segmented model compared with the straight-line model (P = .030). Using either model, GML change in equinus gait and crouch with equinus gait was lower compared with normal gait (P < .001). Overall, minimum GML estimated with the segmented model was higher compared with the straight-line model (P < .01). The key findings of our study indicate that GML is significantly affected by both gait pattern and method of estimation. The GML estimates tended to be lower with the straight-line model versus the segmented model.


2017 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kuhelee Roy ◽  
Geelapaturu Subrahmanya Venkata Radha Krish Rao ◽  
Savarimuthu, Margret Anouncia

Records of cases involving neurological disorders often exhibit abnormalities in the gait pattern of an individual. As mentioned in various articles, the causes of various gait disorders can be attributed to neurological disorders. Hence analysis of gait abnormalities can be a key to predict the type of neurological disorders as a part of early diagnosis. A number of sensor-based measurements have aided towards quantifying the degree of abnormalities in a gait pattern. A shape oriented motion based approach has been proposed in this paper to envisage the task of classifying an abnormal gait pattern into one of the five types of gait viz. Parkinsonian, Scissor, Spastic, Steppage and Normal gait. The motion and shape features for two cases viz. right-leg-front and left-leg-front will be taken into account. Experimental results of application on real-time videos suggest the reliability of the proposed method.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Slawomir Winiarski ◽  
Jadwiga Pietraszewska ◽  
Bogdan Pietraszewski

Normal gait pattern is the key component in the investigation of pathological gait patterns. In computer motion analysis there is a need to include data from participants with different somatic structures to develop a normative database or to limit the database results to a specific population. The aim of this study was to determine kinematic gait patterns for young, active women walking with low, preferred, and self-selected speeds with regard to their somatic characteristics. Laboratory-based gait analysis was performed on 1320 gait cycles taken from 20 young, active women walking with three different speeds. Comprehensive anthropometric measurements and descriptive statistics were used to describe spatiotemporal and angular variables at each walking condition. The results demonstrated some significant differences in young, active women walking between different speeds and compared to the literature. This suggests that there is a need to include data from participants with different somatic structures to develop a normative database or limit the database results to a specific population. Detailed linear and angular kinematic variables allow for proper adjustment of parameters depending on the gait speed of people with locomotion disorders.


2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 34-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Pietschmann ◽  
F. Geu Flores ◽  
T. Jöllenbeck

Abstract Even several years after total hip (THR) and total knee replacement (TKR) surgery patients frequently show deficient gait patterns leading to overloads and relieving postures on the contralateral side or in the spine. Gait training is, in these cases, an essential part of rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to compare different feedback methods during gait training after THR and TKR focusing, in particular, on auditory feedback via sonification. A total of 240 patients after THR and TKR were tested in a pre-post-test design during a 3-week rehabilitation period. Even though sonification did not show, statistically, a clear advantage over other feedback methods, it was well accepted by the patients and seemed to significantly change gait pattern during training. A sudden absence of sonification during training led to a rapid relapse into previous movement patterns, which highlights its effectiveness in breaking highly automated gait patterns. A frequent use of sonification during and after rehabilitation could, hence, reduce overloading after THR and TKR. This may soon be viable, since new technologies, such as inertial measurement units, allow for wearable joint angle measurement devices. Back to normal gait with sonification seems possible.


2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 575-582 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Dalton ◽  
Julie Nantel

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of an 8-week Nordic walking (NW) intervention on older adult gait patterns and postural alignment. Twelve healthy older adults aged 60–80 years (8 female, 4 male) participated, all performing two 6-min walk tests (one with poles [WP], one without poles [NP]) and six 5-m walk trials (3 WP, 3 NP) at pre- and posttesting. Gait and postural variables were compared between poling conditions (i.e., WP to NP) as well as before and following the intervention. Following training, pole use resulted in various gait changes including: longer stride, faster gait, and increased power generation at the hip (H3) and power absorption at the knee (K1 and K4). We conclude that an initial 8-week training period is necessary for novice NW to perfect technique and to restore gait to a more natural, normal pattern following training.


Author(s):  
Christian Hentschke ◽  
Martin Halle ◽  
Barbara Geilhof ◽  
Peter Landendoerfer ◽  
Wolfgang Blank ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Falls and fall-related injuries are common in community-dwelling older persons. Longitudinal data on effective fall prevention programs are rare. Objective Therefore, we evaluated a 4-months multi-component exercise fall prevention program in a primary care setting on long-term effects over 24 months on falls and concomitant injuries in older community-dwelling persons with high risk of falling. Design and Setting In the Prevention of Falls (PreFalls) study, forty general practitioners in Germany were cluster-randomized (1:1) into an intervention group (IG) or control group (CG). Three hundred seventy-eight independently living people with high risk of falling (78.1 ± 5.9 years, 75% women) were assigned to IG (n = 222) or CG (n = 156). Intervention and Measurements Patients in IG took part in a 4-months multi-component exercise program comprising strength and balance exercises (28 sessions); patients in CG received no intervention. Primary outcome measure was number of falls over 24 months, analyzed by a patient-level, linear mixed Poisson model. Secondary endpoints were number of fall-related injuries, changes in physical function, fear of falling, and mortality. Results After 24 months, the IG demonstrated significantly fewer falls (IRR = 0.63, p = 0.021), injurious falls (IRR = 0.69, p = 0.034), and less fear of falling (p = 0.005). The mortality rate was 5.0% in IG and 10.3% in CG (HR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.24 to 1.12; p = 0.094). Conclusions In older community-dwelling persons with high risk of falling, a short-term multi-component exercise intervention reduced falls and injurious falls, as well as fear of falling over 24 months.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1956 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 786-791
Author(s):  
C. B. Larson

Foot Problems NORMALLY the foot functions differently in stance than it does in motion. During stance, static stresses are most important. The foot may be divided at the midtarsal joints into the hindfoot which receives 60 per cent of the weight-bearing stress and the forefoot which receives 40 per cent of the stress. The spring ligament normally transmits the stresses from hindfoot to forefoot. All degrees of foot shape and size may be natural for a particular individual. Similarly, the gait pattern of a child varies considerably within the normal range. The child should be allowed to establish his own normal gait pattern. During the toddling stages the child's shoe soles should be flexible enough to bend at the toe. One should avoid the use of rigid shoes. Some of the conditions which may alter normal stance or gait follow. Simple Foot Strain Long arch strain is due to abnormal stress on the longitudinal ligament. Inflammatory repair of the ligament produces pain which can be demonstrated by finding an area tender to palpation. Some patients have a depressed longitudinal arch or long spring ligament without foot symptoms. A diagnosis of long arch strain cannot be made unless tenderness is present. A tight heel cord may produce foot strain. The foot accommodates to a tight heel cord by pronation of the forefoot. To correct a tight heel cord, the child should stand away from the wall (while facing it) with the heels flat, then lean forward count to 3. Repeat 5 times twice daily. Pronation


EDIS ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 2006 (23) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Romero

Revised! FCS2227-Span, a 1-page quiz by Sergio Romero, is a Spanish language version of "Fall Prevention: Who's at Risk?" Readers can take this yes-or-no quiz to determine if they are at high risk of falling. Published as part of the Elder Nutrition and Food Safety (ENAFS) program by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, May 2006. FCS2227-Sp/FY857: Prevención de Caídas: ¿Quién está a riesgo? (ufl.edu)


2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (02) ◽  
pp. 1550041 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Alejandro Castano ◽  
Zhibin Li ◽  
Chengxu Zhou ◽  
Nikos Tsagarakis ◽  
Darwin Caldwell

This paper presents a novel online walking control that replans the gait pattern based on our proposed foot placement control using the actual center of mass (COM) state feedback. The analytic solution of foot placement is formulated based on the linear inverted pendulum model (LIPM) to recover the walking velocity and to reject external disturbances. The foot placement control predicts where and when to place the foothold in order to modulate the gait given the desired gait parameters. The zero moment point (ZMP) references and foot trajectories are replanned online according to the updated foothold prediction. Hence, only desired gait parameters are required instead of predefined or fixed gait patterns. Given the new ZMP references, the extended prediction self-adaptive control (EPSAC) approach to model predictive control (MPC) is used to minimize the ZMP response errors considering the acceleration constraints. Furthermore, to ensure smooth gait transitions, the conditions for the gait initiation and termination are also presented. The effectiveness of the presented gait control is validated by extensive disturbance rejection studies ranging from single mass simulation to a full body humanoid robot COMAN in a physics based simulator. The versatility is demonstrated by the control of reactive gaits as well as reactive stepping from standing posture. We present the data of the applied disturbances, the prediction of sagittal/lateral foot placements, the replanning of the foot/ZMP trajectories, and the COM responses.


1994 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 51
Author(s):  
Suzana G. Da Costa ◽  
Sheila M. Denucci

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