Comparison of distinctive gait variables using two different biomechanical models for ankle joint kinematics (original) (raw)
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BioMedical Engineering OnLine, 2014
Background: Ankle characteristics vary in terms of gait phase and speed change. This study aimed to quantify the components of ankle characteristics, including quasi-stiffness and work in different gait phases and at various speeds. Methods: The kinetic and kinematic data of 20 healthy participants were collected during normal gait at four speeds. Stance moment-angle curves were divided into three sub-phases including controlled plantarflexion, controlled dorsiflexion and powered plantarflexion. The slope of the moment-angle curves was quantified as quasi-stiffness. The area under the curves was defined as work. Results: The lowest quasi-stiffness was observed in the controlled plantarflexion. The fitted line to moment-angle curves showed R 2 > 0.8 at controlled dorsiflexion and powered plantarflexion. Quasi-stiffness was significantly different at different speeds (P = 0.00). In the controlled dorsiflexion, the ankle absorbed energy; by comparison, energy was generated in the powered plantarflexion. A negative work value was recorded at slower speeds and a positive value was observed at faster speeds. Ankle peak powers were increased with walking speed (P = 0.00). Conclusions: Our findings suggested that the quasi-stiffness and work of the ankle joint can be regulated at different phases and speeds. These findings may be clinically applicable in the design and development of ankle prosthetic devices that can naturally replicate human walking at various gait speeds.
Kinematic assessment of women's gait in high-heeled shoes
Introduction. Statistically, among 60 percent of women of age between 20-23, a disorder in the locomotor system, especially in the case of feet, can be observed. Women who frequently walk in a high-heeled footwear are at a much higher risk of overstraining their locomotor systems, than women who wear flat-sole shoes. The aim of the work was the assessment of the biokinematic parameters of metatarsal and phalangeal joints, as well as of the top ankle joints among women who walk in a high-heeled footwear. Material and methods. The research was carried out on 43 women being 22±2,1 years old. The examined group consisted of women who declared to regularly walk in a high-heeled footwear. The control group included women who sporadically walk in this type of shoes. In order to carry out the research, the motion analysis system BTS Smart-E and the modified protocol (Heyes-Davis), which took into account the angle in metatarsal and phalangeal joints and in the top ankle joint, were used. Th...
Clinical Biomechanics, 2015
Background: Biomechanical models representing the foot as a single rigid segment are commonly used in clinical or sport evaluations. However, neglecting internal foot movements could lead to significant inaccuracies on ankle joint kinematics. The present study proposed an assessment of 3D ankle kinematic outputs using two distinct biomechanical models and their application in the clinical flat foot case. Methods: Results of the Plug in Gait (one segment foot model) and the Oxford Foot Model (multisegment foot model) were compared for normal children (9 participants) and flat feet children (9 participants). Repeated measures of Analysis of Variance have been performed to assess the Foot model and Group effects on ankle joint kinematics. Findings: Significant differences were observed between the two models for each group all along the gait cycle. In particular for the flat feet group, opposite results between the Oxford Foot Model and the Plug in Gait were revealed at heelstrike, with the Plug in Gait showing a 4.7°ankle dorsal flexion and 2.7°varus where the Oxford Foot Model showed a 4.8°ankle plantar flexion and 1.6°valgus. Interpretation: Ankle joint kinematics of the flat feet group was more affected by foot modeling than normal group. Foot modeling appeared to have a strong influence on resulting ankle kinematics. Moreover, our findings showed that this influence could vary depending on the population. Studies involving ankle joint kinematic assessment should take foot modeling with caution.
A Practical Review of the Biomechanical Parameters Commonly Used in the Assessment of Human Gait
The analysis of human gait is a potential diagnostic instrument for the early and timely identification of pathologies and disorders. It can also supply valuable data for the development of biomedical devices such as prostheses, orthoses, and rehabilitation systems. Although various research papers in the literature have used human gait analyses, few studies have focused on the biomechanical parameters used. This paper presents an extensive review and analysis of the main biomechanical parameters commonly used in the human gait study. The aim is to provide a practical guide to support and understand of the choices and selection of the most appropriate biomechanical parameters for gait analysis. A comprehensive search in scientific databases was conducted to identify, review and analyze the academic work related to human gait analysis. From this search, the main biomechanical parameters used in healthy and pathological gait studies were identified and analyzed. The results have revea...
The Evaluation of Foot Joint Angles and Forces During Walking
Journal of Evolution of Medical and Dental Sciences, 2017
BACKGROUND Models such as the Plug-in-Gait model used in gait-analysis consider the foot as a rigid segment and are not adequate to interpret the foot kinematic and kinetic data. This study was to develop and validate a multi-segment foot model to measure the foot and the ankle kinetic and kinematic data during gait. MATERIALS AND METHODS Vicon ® MX motion capturing system with 12 cameras, AMTI force plates, and Wang-foot model were used to evaluate the foot joint angles and forces in 23 subjects. The Vicon ® motion system could not capture the complete trajectories for the markers in 12 subjects. Only 11 subjects with all data available around the force plate were analysed. Thirteen 9.5 mm retro-reflective markers were used to define a five-segment model. Subjects walked with the markers at their comfortable speed. Validation of the model was carried out by comparing the angles measured manually by a goniometer and angles calculated by our model on blocks mimicking the foot segments. Our model could calculate the angles and forces at the ankle, tarsometatarsal and metatarsophalangeal joints in three-dimensional planes. RESULTS Patterns obtained were comparable to normal walking and were consistent between subjects. There is significant amount of movement and force acting at the small joints of the foot and ankle, which the earlier models could not assess. This model adds a new function to the standard foot models and could be widely used in many fields like clinical assessment and sports medicine. CONCLUSION Wang-foot model is a simple tool to calculate the foot joint angles and force. This model can be used as a new tool to assess the foot and ankle joint movements and forces for patients, sportsmen and normal people. This is an advancement with additional functions over the Plug-in-Gait model.
Effects of foot modelling on the human ankle kinematics and dynamics
Mechanism and Machine Theory, 2015
In this study, effects of some of the foot modelling assumptions on the ankle kinematics and dynamics are investigated based on the experimental data. For the kinematics analysis, the appropriateness of the stationary axis of rotation of the human ankle flexion is examined. Moreover, an interpolated function which is capable of predicting the directional changes of this axis is proposed. For the dynamics analysis, two main modelling assumptions of the number of the foot segments and the dimension of the foot model are the subject of the study. To this end, the ankle joint torque and power are selected as the comparison indicators and inverse dynamics analyses are carried out. The analyses show that the number of segments of the foot model does not have a considerable effect on the calculated ankle joint torque. On the other hand, the calculated ankle power is highly affected by both of the segmentation and the dimension of the foot model.
The human gait is a functional repetitive daily task and, it complies that altered pattern of movement occur with greater frequency, leading to repeated application of excessive stress on the musculoskeletal tissues predisposing to orthopedics lesions. The excessive internal rotation of the lower limbs related to the movement of excessive pronation of foot is an example of movements dysfunctions during the stance phase of gait. These inadequate movements of ankle-foot complex are accessed in ambulatory environment through qualitative analysis, which leads to inaccurate and subjective conclusions. In researches these movements are quantified by video photogrammetry, which due to the high cost of equipment prevents the clinician application. In this context, the objective of this study was to develop and validate a low cost device based in accelerometers and gyroscopes to quantitatively assess the movements of inversion and eversion of the calcaneus and internal and external rotation ...
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 2011
Background: Currently, custom foot and ankle orthosis prescription and design tend to be based on traditional techniques, which can result in devices which vary greatly between clinicians and repeat prescription. The use of computational models of the foot may give further insight in the biomechanical effects of these devices and allow a more standardised approach to be taken to their design, however due to the complexity of the foot the models must be highly detailed and dynamic. Methods/Design: Functional and anatomical datasets will be collected in a multicentre study from 10 healthy participants and 15 patients requiring orthotic devices. The patient group will include individuals with metarsalgia, flexible flat foot and drop foot. Each participant will undergo a clinical foot function assessment, 3D surface scans of the foot under different loading conditions, and detailed gait analysis including kinematic, kinetic, muscle activity and plantar pressure measurements in both barefoot and shod conditions. Following this each participant will undergo computed tomography (CT) imaging of their foot and ankle under a range of loads and positions while plantar pressures are recorded. A further subgroup of participants will undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the foot and ankle. Imaging data will be segmented to derive the geometry of the bones and the orientation of the joint axes. Insertion points of muscles and ligaments will be determined from the MRI and CT-scans and soft tissue material properties computed from the loaded CT data in combination with the plantar pressure measurements. Gait analysis data will be used to drive the models and in combination with the 3D surface scans for scaling purposes. Predicted plantar pressures and muscle activation patterns predicted from the models will be compared to determine the validity of the models. Discussion: This protocol will lead to the generation of unique datasets which will be used to develop linked inverse dynamic and forward dynamic biomechanical foot models. These models may be beneficial in predicting the effect of and thus improving the efficacy of orthotic devices for the foot and ankle.
The influence of footwear on walking biomechanics in individuals with chronic ankle instability
PLOS ONE, 2020
Background/Purpose The effects of footwear on the walking kinematics, kinetics and electromyography (EMG) of individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) at different speeds are still unknown. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the kinematic, kinetic and electromyography differences between shod and barefoot walking at comfortable (CW) and fast (FW) speeds in individuals with CAI. Methods Twenty-one individuals with CAI walked on a 5-meter walkway shod and barefoot at CW and FW speeds. A force plate was used to record the ground reaction forces, a 3-D motion analysis system to record the lower limb kinematics and a surface EMG system to collect the gluteus medius, vastus lateralis, gastrocnemius lateralis, gastrocnemius medialis, peroneus longus and tibialis anterior muscles activity. The dependent variables were ankle and knee angles and moments and normalized muscle activity. The shod and barefoot data during CW and FW were compared using a one-dimensional non-parametric mapping analysis. Results The main results of this study were that individuals with CAI exhibited more ankle dorsiflexion angle, knee extension and tibialis anterior muscle activation during the beginning of the stance phase during shod compared to barefoot walking. Also, the biomechanical effects of shoes are similar during walking at FW and CW. Conclusion The biomechanical deficits associated with CAI were partly attenuated during the shod compared to the barefoot condition and these effects were similar at CW and FW. These findings are compatible with the concept that locomotor interventions using suitable shoes may enhance gait abilities in individuals with CAI.
Human Movement, 2016
The purpose of this article is to review the literature that deals with the biomechanical analysis of the ankle during gait stance phase on slopes, on uneven and rock surfaces, on sand, and on grass surfaces, as well as to present the observed differences. Methods. The literature was searched in the databases of PubMed and Google Scholar, for the years of 2005–2015. The keywords were: biomechanics, gait analysis, ankle joint, stance phase, uphill walking, downhill walking, sand surface, uneven surface, grass surface, and ballast. Results. The kinetic and kinematic gait behaviour is directly influenced by the surface on which it is being performed. The uphill or downhill surfaces, the surfaces of stone, sand, grass, and uneven surfaces have a direct impact on the biomechanics on joints of the lower limb, changing the energy cost, muscle activation, the resulting mechanical work, ground reaction forces and balance, and the parameters of the gait cycle. All these changes are raising ma...