Loaded versus unloaded gait balance stability: A measure of dynamic walking

Carlotta Mummolo, Sukyung Park, Luigi Mangialardi, Joo H. Kim

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Several stability indices exist in the literature, each within their contexts and perspectives of quantification. However, no relevant index for the quantification of gait balance stability has been rigorously developed. Here, the novel Dynamic Gait Measure (DGM) is used to characterize the distinct gait balance stability of loaded walking, as compared to normal human walking. The DGM quantifies the normalized effects of inertia of a given gait with respect to the time-varying foot support region. The DGM is formulated in terms of the gait parameters reflecting a given gait strategy, and is extended to multiple steps of the gait cycle. The altered gait kinematics observed during load carriage (decreased single support duration, inertia effects, and step length) results in decreased DGM values (p < 0.0001), indicating that loaded walking is more statically stable compared with the unloaded walking. The DGM is compared with other common gait stability indices to validate its unique ability to catch the alteration (due to load carriage) in its corresponding gait stability characteristics.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication11th International Conference on Multibody Systems, Nonlinear Dynamics, and Control
PublisherAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
ISBN (Electronic)9780791857168
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015
EventASME 2015 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, IDETC/CIE 2015 - Boston, United States
Duration: Aug 2 2015Aug 5 2015

Publication series

NameProceedings of the ASME Design Engineering Technical Conference
Volume6

Other

OtherASME 2015 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, IDETC/CIE 2015
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityBoston
Period8/2/158/5/15

Keywords

  • Balance
  • Dynamic Gait Measure
  • Dynamic walking
  • Gait stability
  • Loaded walking

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Computer Graphics and Computer-Aided Design
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Modeling and Simulation

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