GROUND REACTION FORCE ANALYSIS FOR ASSESSING THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN NORMAL AND WADDLING GAIT PATTERNS

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (02) ◽  
pp. 1350024
Author(s):  
Mehdi Razeghi ◽  
Mostafa Rostami ◽  
Nima Jamshidi ◽  
Hamed Ghomashchi

Background: The purpose of this case series was to quantify gait to study muscular dystrophy. In this research, the quantitative differences between normal and waddling gaits were assessed by force plate analysis. Methods: Nineteen myopathy patients and 20 normal subjects serving as the control group participated in this research. In this study, quantitative analyses of gait have been used to investigate the differences in mobility between normal subjects and myopathy patients. Patient data were collected from Iranian Muscular Dystrophy Association members, and normal data were extracted from students of Azad University. All of the gait tests were performed using a Kistler force platform. Participants walked at a self-selected speed, barefoot, independently, and without assistive devices. Results: Our findings indicate that there were no significant differences between the patients and the control group in the anterior–posterior components of the ground reaction forces; however, there were considerable differences in the force components between the groups in the medial-lateral and vertical directions of the ground reaction force. In addition, there were significant differences in the time parameters between the groups along the vertical and medial-lateral directions.

2009 ◽  
Vol 12 (01) ◽  
pp. 45-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nima Jamshidi ◽  
Mostafa Rostami ◽  
Siamak Najarian ◽  
Mohammad Bagher Menhaj ◽  
Mohammad Saadatnia ◽  
...  

Background: This pilot study aimed to assess quantitative differences between normal and steppage gait by analyzing force plate data. Materials and Methods: We studied 25 subjects with drop foot, who were treated in the orthopedic center for drop foot brace. Twenty healthy students were included as a control group. There were no differences in the age, weight, height, and body mass index between the patients and the controls (p > 0.05). They walked at self-selected speed with a mean of 10 trials (+2) to collect their ground reaction forces data by force plate. Results: There were no significant differences between the groups in antero-posterior component of ground reaction force (p > 0.05). There was significant relationship between the time parameters in vertical and medio-lateral components of ground reaction forces (p < 0.05). We have found that the medio-lateral impulse in the patients group is negative (p < 0.05), which means instability in patients' gait. Conclusion: The result of this research reveals that the analysis of ground reaction force quantitatively describes steppage gait. The average stance time among patients is longer than control group. Further work with a larger database of subjects is required to confirm our findings.


2006 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 209-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pia Gustås ◽  
Christopher Johnston ◽  
Stig Drevemo

AbstractThe objective of the present study was to compare the hoof deceleration and ground reaction forces following impact on two different surfaces. Seven unshod Standardbreds were trotted by hand at 3.0–5.7 m s− 1 over a force plate covered by either of the two surfaces, sandpaper or a 1 cm layer of sand. Impact deceleration data were recorded from one triaxial accelerometer mounted on the fore- and hind hooves, respectively. Ground reaction force data were obtained synchronously from a force plate, sampled at 4.8 kHz. The differences between the two surfaces were studied by analysing representative deceleration and force variables for individual horses. The maximum horizontal peak deceleration and the loading rates of the vertical and the horizontal forces were significantly higher on sandpaper compared with the sand surface (P < 0.001). In addition, the initial vertical deceleration was significantly higher on sandpaper in the forelimb (P < 0.001). In conclusion, it was shown that the different qualities of the ground surface result in differences in the hoof-braking pattern, which may be of great importance for the strength of the distal horse limb also at slow speeds.


2007 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 180-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niell G. Elvin ◽  
Alex A. Elvin ◽  
Steven P. Arnoczky

Modern electronics allow for the unobtrusive measurement of accelerations outside the laboratory using wireless sensor nodes. The ability to accurately measure joint accelerations under unrestricted conditions, and to correlate them with jump height and landing force, could provide important data to better understand joint mechanics subject to real-life conditions. This study investigates the correlation between peak vertical ground reaction forces, as measured by a force plate, and tibial axial accelerations during free vertical jumping. The jump heights calculated from force-plate data and accelerometer measurements are also compared. For six male subjects participating in this study, the average coefficient of determination between peak ground reaction force and peak tibial axial acceleration is found to be 0.81. The coefficient of determination between jump height calculated using force plate and accelerometer data is 0.88. Data show that the landing forces could be as high as 8 body weights of the jumper. The measured peak tibial accelerations ranged up to 42 g. Jump heights calculated from force plate and accelerometer sensors data differed by less than 2.5 cm. It is found that both impact accelerations and landing forces are only weakly correlated with jump height (the average coefficient of determination is 0.12). This study shows that unobtrusive accelerometers can be used to determine the ground reaction forces experienced in a jump landing. Whereas the device also permitted an accurate determination of jump height, there was no correlation between peak ground reaction force and jump height.


1989 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy L. Greer ◽  
Joseph Hamill ◽  
Kevin R. Campbell

Ground reaction force patterns during walking were observed in 18 children 3 and 4 years of age. The children walked barefoot at a self-chosen walking pace. Selected variables representing the vertical, anteroposterior, and mediolateral force components were evaluated. The results indicated that children in this age range contact the ground with greater vertical force measures relative to body mass than do adults. In addition, the minimum vertical force was lower, the transition from braking to propulsion occurred earlier, and the mediolateral force excursions were higher than typically found in adults. When the children were divided into groups on the basis of sex, differences were observed between those groups. The boys exhibited a greater difference in the vertical peak forces, a lower minimum force, a greater braking force, and a higher mediolateral force excursion value. The results indicated that children display a different ground reaction force pattern than do adults and that differences between boys and girls may be observed as early as ages 3 and 4 years.


1997 ◽  
Vol 10 (03) ◽  
pp. 130-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Dupuis ◽  
G. Beauregard ◽  
N. H. Bonneau ◽  
L. Breton ◽  
J. Planté

SummaryThe long-term efficiency of conservative treatment, excision arthroplasty of the femoral head and neck and triple pelvic osteotomy for the treatment of hip dysplasia in the immature dog were compared using ground reaction forces analysis at the trot. Fourteen hips were re-evaluated for the conservative treatment group, 16 for the triple pelvic osteotomy group and ten for the excision arthroplasty group. Force plate analysis demonstrated that hind limbs belonging to the triple pelvic osteotomy group had, at the trot, a locomotor function similar to the one of normal hind limbs in the control group. At a “similar age”, hind limbs of the conservative group did not show any marked difference from those in the triple pelvic osteotomy and control groups. The dogs of the excision arthroplasty group showed ground reaction forces abnormalities, most probably due to the absence of a coxofemoral joint (decreased peak propulsive force and Fz impulse, compared to triple pelvic osteotomy and control groups). The forelimbs of conservative treatment, excision arthroplasty and triple pelvic osteotomy groups showed a peak propulsive force superior to the one in the control group. This could be an adaptation phenomenon in order to compensate a deficient function of the hind limbs or a habit acquired at a younger age.Force plate analysis has demonstrated that hind limbs treated bilaterally with triple pelvic osteotomy had, at the trot, a locomotor function similar to the one of normal hind limbs from a control group. At a mean age of 4.5 ± 1 years, dogs treated conservatively did not show, at the trot, any marked difference with those treated with triple pelvic osteotomy and with normal dogs. Hind limbs treated with excision arthroplasty showed certain abnormalities most probably due to the absence of a coxofemoral joint such as a significant decrease of peak propulsive force and Fz impulse.


Author(s):  
Jocelyn E. Arnett ◽  
Cameron D. Addie ◽  
Ludmila M. Cosio-Lima ◽  
Lee E. Brown

Background: Landing is a common movement that occurs in many sports. Barefoot research has gained popularity in examining how shoes alter natural movements. However, it is unknown how a single leg landing under barefoot conditions, as well as landing height, affects ground reaction forces (GRF). Objective: The purpose of this research was to examine the differences in GRF during a single leg landing under barefoot and shod conditions from various heights. Methods: Sixteen female Division II collegiate athletes, 8 basketball (age: 19.88 ± 0.64 yrs; height: 1.77 ± 0.09 m; mass: 75.76 ± 12.97 kg) and 8 volleyball (age: 20.00 ± 1.07 yrs; height: 1.74 ± 0.08 m; mass: 72.41 ± 5.41 kg), performed single leg landings from 12, 18, 24, and 30 inches barefoot and shod. An AMTI AccuGait force plate was used to record GRF. A 2 (condition) x 4 (box height) x 2 (sport) repeated measures ANOVA was performed to determine any GRF differences. Results: There were no significant three way or two-way interactions (p > 0.05). There was also no main effect for sport (p > 0.05). There were main effects for footwear and box height (p = 0.000) where shod (2295.121 ± 66.025 N) had greater impact than barefoot (2090.233 ± 62.684 N). Conclusions: Single leg barefoot landings resulted in less vertical GRF than shod landings. This could be due to increased flexion at the joints which aids in force absorption.


2010 ◽  
Vol 23 (01) ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. Rytz ◽  
R. Vannini ◽  
K. Voss ◽  
A. A. Andreoni

Summary Objectives: To evaluate and compare long-term functional outcome after partial carpal arthrodesis and pancarpal arthrodesis in dogs using kinetic gait analysis. Methods: Fourteen dogs with 19 partial carpal or pancarpal arthrodeses were retrospectively examined and underwent force-plate gait analysis. Mean times since surgery were 29.4 and 24.4 months for pancarpal and partial carpal arthrodesis respectively. Vertical and braking-propulsive ground reaction force profiles were compared between treatment groups, and to those of normal dogs (control group) using Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance. Results: With the exception of time to vertical peak that occurred earlier in dogs with pancarpal than in dogs with partial carpal arthrodesis (p <0.01), there was no difference between the two treatment groups. Several parameters differed significantly between operated and healthy dogs (p <0.01): vertical impulses were significantly lower in both treatment groups, braking forces and impulses were also reduced after both techniques. Propulsive forces and impulses were only reduced in dogs with pancarpal arthrodesis. When comparing gait parameters of sound limbs of unilateral operated dogs to those of control dogs, braking forces and impulses (p <0.01; p <0.05) were significantly higher in the sound legs of unilateral operated dogs. Clinical Significance: Long-term outcome after partial carpal and pancarpal arthrodesis is good and comparable to each other. Propulsive action may be altered more in dogs with pancarpal arthrodesis.


1998 ◽  
Vol 11 (01) ◽  
pp. 15-19
Author(s):  
U. Rytz ◽  
S. A. Johnston ◽  
S. C. Budsberg

SummaryThe aim of this study was to assess, whether or not, visual grading of changes in subject acceleration during force plate collection within a fixed, measured velocity range was adequate to control acceleration/deceleration. A second question was, whether or not, visual grading of the trials was adequate to prevent significant changes in ground reaction forces within a controlled velocity range. Eight healthy, non-chondrodysplastic dogs, of varying breeds, were used in the study. Each dog was tested in four different protocols. The order in which the dogs completed the different protocols was determined randomly. During all of the protocols, the dogs trotted across the measured testing area within a velocity range of 1.6 to 1.9 m/s. The protocols varied in the amount of acceleration or deceleration allowed in the testing area and the methods of evaluating the acceleration or deceleration. Significant differences in ground reaction force measurements were found, with variations in the acceleration and deceleration. The majority of changes were found in the craniocaudal axis during acceleration and deceleration. Vertical axis measurements were only altered in the rear limbs. Significant differences were not found in any measurement (except the stance phase duration in the rear limb) between the mechanically controlled minimal acceleration/deceleration variation protocol and the visually controlled acceleration/deceleration variation protocol. While visual observation was unable to consistently differentiate acceleration, or deceleration, changes through the testing area, it was able to eliminate enough variation in ground reaction force measurements so that differences were not found between the mechanically controlled minimal acceleration/ deceleration variation protocol nor the visually controlled acceleration/deceleration variation protocol. These results suggest that either method of collection may be acceptable for data collection depending upon the type of study being performed.The effects of acceleration variation were examined in dogs undergoing force plate gait analysis. Significant differences in ground reaction force measurements were found, with variations in the acceleration and deceleration. The majority of changes were found in the craniocaudal axis, during acceleration and deceleration. Visual observation was unable to consistently differentiate variations in acceleration through the testing area.


2020 ◽  
Vol 114 (4) ◽  
pp. 277-288
Author(s):  
Mahdi Majlesi ◽  
Nader Farahpour ◽  
Gordon E. Robertson

Introduction: The understanding of abnormalities in biomechanical parameters of gait in individuals with vision loss (i.e., blindness or low vision) has clinical importance. The aims of this study were to compare the spatiotemporal and ground reaction force variables of sighted individuals with those with vision loss. Methods: Ten sighted males and 10 young males with congenital vision loss were recruited. A Vicon motion analysis system with four cameras and two Kistler force plates was used to quantify spatiotemporal and ground reaction force components of both groups during walking without shoes. Sighted individuals walked in eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions. Results: Results showed that the stride and step length, walking speed, the vertical and posterior–anterior reaction forces in heel contact and push-off phase, and the impulse of the control group during walking with the open- and closed-eyes conditions were significantly smaller than those in persons with vision loss ( p < .05). Discussion: Vision loss is associated with decreased step and stride length, slower walking, and smaller propulsive reaction force. These kinematic and kinetics alterations suggest an adaptation to a new neuromuscular response for dynamic postural control as a result of lack of vision. These alterations in the long term may result in rigidity and muscle weakness. Implications for practitioners: A rehabilitation program to enhance mobility and strength is suggested for individuals with vision loss.


2001 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
John H. Challis

This study examined the influence of force plate targeting, via stride length adjustments, on the magnitude and consistency of ground reaction force and segment angle profiles of the stance phase of human running. Seven male subjects (height, 1.77 m ± 0.081; mass, 72.4 kg ± 7.52; age range, 23 to 32 years) were asked to run at a mean velocity of 3.2 m · s–1 under three conditions (normal, short, and long strides). Four trials were completed for each condition. For each trial, the ground reaction forces were measured and the orientations of the foot, shank, and thigh computed. There were no statistically significant differences (p > .05) between the coefficients of variation of ground reaction force and segment angle profiles under the three conditions, so these profiles were produced consistently. Peak active vertical ground reaction forces, their timings, and segment angles at foot off were not significantly different across conditions. In contrast, significant differences between conditions were found for peak vertical impact forces and their timings, and for the three lower limb segment angles at the start of force plate contact. These results have implications for human gait studies, which require subjects to target the force plate. Targeting may be acceptable depending on the variables to be analyzed.


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