Name: lower-limb biomechanical characteristics associated with unplanned gait termination under different walking speeds
Uploaded: 2020-08-25T14:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Lower-Limb Biomechanical Characteristics Associated with Unplanned Gait Termination Under Different Walking Speeds at JoVE.com

NSFC-RSE Joint Project (81911530253), National Key R&#38;D Program of China (2018YFF0300905), and K. C. Wong Magna Fund in Ningbo University.

The Human Ethics Committee of Ningbo University approved this experiment. All written informed consent was obtained from all subjects after they were told about the goal, requirements, and experimental procedures of the UGT experiment.
1. Laboratory preparation for gait
<ol>
	<li>Kinematics: Motion capture system
	<ol>
		<li>When calibrating the system, turn off the incandescent lights and remove any possible reflective objects that can be mistaken for passive retro-reflective markers. Ensur...

<ol>
	<li>Cappozzo, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Gait+analysis+methodology.">Gait analysis methodology.</a> Human Movement Science. 3 (1), 27-50 (1984).</li><li>Gao, Z., Mei, Q., Fekete, G., Baker, J., Gu, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+Effect+of+Prolonged+Running+on+the+Symmetry+of+Biomechanical+Variables+of+the+Lower+Limb+Joints.">The Effect of Prolonged Running on the Symmetry of Biomechanical Variables of the Lower Limb Joints.</a> Symmetry. 12, 720 (2020).</li><li>Sparrow, W. A., Tirosh, O. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Gait+termination:+a+review+of+experimental+methods+and+the+effects+of+ageing+and+gait+pathologies.">Gait termination: a review of experimental methods and the effects of ageing and gait pathologies.</a> Gait &amp; Posture. 22 (4), 362-371 (2005).</li><li>Conte, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Planned+Gait+Termination+in+Cerebellar+Ataxias.">Planned Gait Termination in Cerebellar Ataxias.</a> The Cerebellum. 11 (4), 896-904 (2012).</li><li>Bishop, M. D., Brunt, D., Pathare, N., Patel, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+interaction+between+leading+and+trailing+limbs+during+stopping+in+humans.">The interaction between leading and trailing limbs during stopping in humans.</a> Neuroscience Letters. 323 (1), 1-4 (2002).</li><li>Jaeger, R. J., Vanitchatchavan, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ground+reaction+forces+during+termination+of+human+gait.">Ground reaction forces during termination of human gait.</a> Journal of Biomechanics. 25 (10), 1233-1236 (1992).</li><li>Cen, X., Jiang, X., Gu, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Do+different+muscle+strength+levels+affect+stability+during+unplanned+gait+termination.">Do different muscle strength levels affect stability during unplanned gait termination.</a> Acta of Bioengineering and Biomechanics. 21 (4), 27-35 (2019).</li><li>O'Kane, F. W., McGibbon, C. A., Krebs, D. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Kinetic+analysis+of+planned+gait+termination+in+healthy+subjects+and+patients+with+balance+disorders.">Kinetic analysis of planned gait termination in healthy subjects and patients with balance disorders.</a> Gait &amp; Posture. 17 (2), 170-179 (2003).</li><li>Bishop, M., Brunt, D., Pathare, N., Patel, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+effect+of+velocity+on+the+strategies+used+during+gait+termination.">The effect of velocity on the strategies used during gait termination.</a> Gait &amp; Posture. 20 (2), 134-139 (2004).</li><li>Ridge, S. T., Henley, J., Manal, K., Miller, F., Richards, J. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Biomechanical+analysis+of+gait+termination+in+11&#8211;17year+old+youth+at+preferred+and+fast+walking+speeds.">Biomechanical analysis of gait termination in 11&#8211;17year old youth at preferred and fast walking speeds.</a> Human Movement Science. 49, 178-185 (2016).</li><li>Sun, D., Fekete, G., Mei, Q., Gu, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+effect+of+walking+speed+on+the+foot+inter-segment+kinematics,+ground+reaction+forces+and+lower+limb+joint+moments.">The effect of walking speed on the foot inter-segment kinematics, ground reaction forces and lower limb joint moments.</a> PeerJ. 6, 5517 (2018).</li><li>Eerdekens, M., Deschamps, K., Staes, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+impact+of+walking+speed+on+the+kinetic+behaviour+of+different+foot+joints.">The impact of walking speed on the kinetic behaviour of different foot joints.</a> Gait &amp; Posture. 68, 375-381 (2019).</li><li>Wang, Z. p., Qiu, Q. e., Chen, S. h., Chen, B. c., Lv, X. t. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effects+of+Unstable+Shoes+on+Lower+Limbs+with+Different+Speeds.">Effects of Unstable Shoes on Lower Limbs with Different Speeds.</a> Physical Activity and Health. 3, 82-88 (2019).</li><li>Tirosh, O., Sparrow, W. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Age+and+walking+speed+effects+on+muscle+recruitment+in+gait+termination.">Age and walking speed effects on muscle recruitment in gait termination.</a> Gait &amp; Posture. 21 (3), 279-288 (2005).</li><li>Xiang, L., Mei, Q., Fernandez, J., Gu, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+biomechanical+assessment+of+the+acute+hallux+abduction+manipulation+intervention.">A biomechanical assessment of the acute hallux abduction manipulation intervention.</a> Gait &amp; Posture. 76, 210-217 (2020).</li><li>Zhou, H., Ugbolue, U. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Is+There+a+Relationship+Between+Strike+Pattern+and+Injury+During+Running:+A+Review.">Is There a Relationship Between Strike Pattern and Injury During Running: A Review.</a> Physical Activity and Health. 3 (1), 127-134 (2019).</li><li>Serrao, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Sudden+Stopping+in+Patients+with+Cerebellar+Ataxia.">Sudden Stopping in Patients with Cerebellar Ataxia.</a> The Cerebellum. 12 (5), 607-616 (2013).</li><li>Zhang, Y., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Using+Gold-standard+Gait+Analysis+Methods+to+Assess+Experience+Effects+on+Lower-limb+Mechanics+During+Moderate+High-heeled+Jogging+and+Running.">Using Gold-standard Gait Analysis Methods to Assess Experience Effects on Lower-limb Mechanics During Moderate High-heeled Jogging and Running.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments. (127), e55714 (2017).</li><li>Buddhadev, H. H., Barbee, C. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Redistribution+of+joint+moments+and+work+in+older+women+with+and+without+hallux+valgus+at+two+walking+speeds.">Redistribution of joint moments and work in older women with and without hallux valgus at two walking speeds.</a> Gait &amp; Posture. 77, 112-117 (2020).</li><li>Yu, P., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Morphology-Related+Foot+Function+Analysis:+Implications+for+Jumping+and+Running.">Morphology-Related Foot Function Analysis: Implications for Jumping and Running.</a> Applied Sciences. 9 (16), 3236 (2019).</li><li>Ridge, S. T., Henley, J., Manal, K., Miller, F., Richards, J. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Kinematic+and+kinetic+analysis+of+planned+and+unplanned+gait+termination+in+children.">Kinematic and kinetic analysis of planned and unplanned gait termination in children.</a> Gait &amp; Posture. 37 (2), 178-182 (2013).</li><li>Burnfield, J. M., Few, C. D., Mohamed, O. S., Perry, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+influence+of+walking+speed+and+footwear+on+plantar+pressures+in+older+adults.">The influence of walking speed and footwear on plantar pressures in older adults.</a> Clinical Biomechanics. 19 (1), 78-84 (2004).</li><li>Cen, X., Xu, D., Baker, J. S., Gu, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effect+of+additional+body+weight+on+arch+index+and+dynamic+plantar+pressure+distribution+during+walking+and+gait+termination.">Effect of additional body weight on arch index and dynamic plantar pressure distribution during walking and gait termination.</a> PeerJ. 8, 8998 (2020).</li><li>Chatzipapas, C. N., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Stress+Fractures+in+Military+Men+and+Bone+Quality+Related+Factors.">Stress Fractures in Military Men and Bone Quality Related Factors.</a> International Journal of Sports Medicine. 29 (11), 922-926 (2008).</li><li>Cen, X., Xu, D., Baker, J. S., Gu, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Association+of+Arch+Stiffness+with+Plantar+Impulse+Distribution+during+Walking,+Running,+and+Gait+Termination.">Association of Arch Stiffness with Plantar Impulse Distribution during Walking, Running, and Gait Termination.</a> International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 17 (6), 2090 (2020).</li></ol>

Most previous studies that analyze gait biomechanics during UGT omit the importance of walking speed in their biomechanical assessment. Thus, this study investigated the lower-limb biomechanical changes that occur in UGT at NWS and FWS with the aim to reveal the speed-related effects.
Significant differences have been found on the ROM of the hip, knee, and ankle joints in the sagittal plane during UGT at NWS and FWS. Our findings showed greater ROMs of the 3 joints in the sagittal plane during...

Human locomotion is considered to be an extremely complex process that needs to be described by multidisciplinary methods1,2. The most representative aspect is the gait analysis by biomechanical approaches. Human gait aims to sustain progression from initiation to termination, and the dynamic balance should be maintained in position movement. Although gait termination (GT) has been extensively studied as a sub-task of gait, it has received less attention. Sparrow and Tirosh3 defined GT in their review as motor control period when both feet stop moving either forward or backward based on the displacement and time characteristics. Compared to steady-state gait, the process of executing GT demands higher control of postural stability and complex integration and cooperation of the neuromuscular system4. During GT, the body needs to rapidly increase the braking impulse and decrease propulsion impulse to form a new body balance5,6. Unplanned gait termination (UGT) is a stress response to an unknown stimulus6. When confronted by an unexpected stimulus that requires one to stop suddenly, initial dynamic balance will be disrupted. Because of the need for the continuous control of the body&#8217;s center of mass (COM) and feedback control, UGT poses a greater challenge to postural control and stablity3,7.
UGT has been reported to be an important factor leading to falls and injuries, especially in elderly people and patients with balance disorders3,8. Faster walking speeds may lead to an additional decline in motor control during UGT9. Ridge et al.10 investigated the peak joint angle and internal joint moment data of children during UGT at normal walking speed (NWS) and fast walking speed (FWS). The results showed larger knee flexion angles and extension moments at faster speeds compared with preferred speed. They indicated that strengthening the related muscles surrounding the lower extremity joints could be a useful intervention for injury prevention during UGT.
Although the effect of walking speed on the lower-limb biomechanical character during steady-state gait has been extensively studied11,12,13, the biomechanical mechanism of UGT under different walking speeds is limited. To our knowledge, only three studies have specifically evaluated healthy individuals&#8217; UGT performances with respect to velocity effects9,10,14. However, subjects in these studies were mainly the elderly14 and children10, the biomechanical mechanism of young adults during UGT is still unclear. Lower-limb kinematics and plantar pressure can provide a precise analysis of locomotion biomechanics, and these are also considered to be crucial components for clinical gait diagnoses15,16. For example, Serrao et al.17 used lower-limb kinematic data to detect the clinical differences between patients with cerebellar ataxia and healthy counterparts during sudden stopping. Besides, compared to planned gait termination (PGT), larger peak pressure and force in the lateral metatarsal during UGT could be observed7, which may be associated with higher injury risks.
Therefore, exploring the biomechanical mechanisms of UGT could provide insights for injury prevention and further clinical researches. This study presents a protocol to investigate any biomechanical alteration in young adults during UGT under different walking speeds. It is hypothesized that, with an increase in walking speed, participants would exhibit different lower-limb biomechanical characteristics during UGT.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr >
			<td >14 mm Diameter Passive Retro-reflective Marker</td>
			<td >Oxford Metrics Ltd., Oxford, UK</td>
			<td >n=16</td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >Double Adhesive Tape</td>
			<td >Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Corporation, Minnesota, USA</td>
			<td>For fixing markers to skin</td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >Motion Tracking Cameras</td>
			<td >Oxford Metrics Ltd., Oxford, UK</td>
			<td>n= 8</td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >T-Frame</td>
			<td >Oxford Metrics Ltd., Oxford, UK</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >Valid Dongle</td>
			<td >Oxford Metrics Ltd., Oxford, UK</td>
			<td>Vicon Nexus 1.4.116</td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >Vicon Datastation ADC&#160;</td>
			<td >Oxford Metrics Ltd., Oxford, UK</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >Pressure platform</td>
			<td >RSscan International, Olen, Belgium</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

lower-limb biomechanical characteristics associated with unplanned gait termination under different walking speeds

Gait termination caused by unexpected stimulus is a common occurrence in everyday life. This study presents a protocol to investigate the lower-limb biomechanical changes that occur during unplanned gait termination (UGT) under different walking speeds. Fifteen male participants were asked to perform UGT on a walkway at normal walking speed (NWS) and fast walking speed (FWS), respectively. A motion analysis system and plantar pressure platform were applied to collect lower-limb kinematic and plantar pressure data. Paired-sampled T-test was used to examine the differences in lower-limb kinematics and plantar pressure data between two walking speeds. The results showed larger range of motion in the hip, knee, and ankle joints in the sagittal plane as well as plantar pressure in forefoot and heel regions during UGT at FWS when compared with NWS. With the increase in walking speed, subjects exhibited different lower-limb biomechanical characteristics that show FWS associated with greater potential injury risks.

Mean &#38; SD values of NWS and FWS of 15 subjects were 1.33 &#177; 0.07m/s and 1.62 &#177; 0.11m/s, respectively.
Figure 3 shows the mean ROM of the hip, knee, and ankle joints in the sagittal plane during UGT at NWS and FWS. Compared with NWS, the ROM of three joints increased significantly at FWS (p&#60;0.05). In detail, the ROM of hip, knee and ankle joints increased from 22.26 &#177; 3.03, 29.72 &#177; 5.14 and 24.92 &#177; 4.17 to 25.98 &#177; 2.94, 31.61 &#...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Lower-Limb Biomechanical Characteristics Associated with Unplanned Gait Termination Under Different Walking Speeds at JoVE.com

Lower-Limb Biomechanical Characteristics Associated with Unplanned Gait Termination Under Different Walking Speeds

This study compared the biomechanical characteristics of the lower extremity during unplanned gait termination under different walking speeds. The lower-limb kinematic and kinetic data from fifteen subjects with normal and fast walking speeds were collected using a motion analysis system and plantar pressure platform.

Gait termination caused by unexpected stimulus is a common occurrence in everyday life. This study presents a protocol to investigate the lower-limb ...

This measure can be used to investigate key question in lower-limb biomechanical characteristics that are occurring during unplanned gait termination under different walking speeds. The main advantage of this technique is that it can prove some specific details for exploring potential injury risks associated with gait termination. Before the test interview all subjects and provide them with a simple explanation about the experimental goals and procedures.Obtain written informed consent from subjects who meet the key inclusion criteria. Include subjects who are physically active male adults, have the right leg as dominant, do not have any hearing disorder, do not have lower-limb disorders, and have not incurred injuries in the last 6 months. Instruct all subjects to fill out a survey with questions such as have you had a history of running or other physical activities?How often do you do physical activities in a week? Do you have any professional athletic training? And have you suffered any lower-limb disorders and injuries in the last 6 months?Ensure that all subjects wear identical t-shirts and tight-fitting pants. Measure subject standing height and body weight, lower-limb length, knee width, and ankle with of both left and right leg using a Vernier caliper or a small anthropometer. Shave off body hair where appropriate and remove excess sweat using alcohol wipes to prepare skin areas of anatomical bony landmarks for marker placement on joints and segments.Identify 16 anatomical landmarks and attach passive retroreflective markers with double-sided adhesive tapes. Give each subject 5 minutes to adapt to the test environment and warm up with light running and stretching. Once the subject is at the starting position, open the kinematics motion capture system, select the Go Live button in the resources pane, and click Capture in the right tool bar.Find trial type and session and edit the trial description. Ask subjects to walk along a walkway at their normal walking speed and instruct them to use the dominant and non-dominant leg to pass areas A and B respectively, and then to stop at area D on the pressure platform. Let the subject know that when the termination signal is provided, they need to quickly stop at B.Randomly provide the termination signal as the heel touches area A ensuring that the unexpected gait termination or UGT is executed.After finishing the UGT test click stop to end the data collection trial. Capture at least 5 success of UGT trials with 2 minute rest intervals between trials. Calculate each subject's walking speed using the pressure platform software, then calculate the fast walking speed as 125%of the normal walking speed.To calculate plantar pressure select the measure button before starting the UGT trials. After finishing the UGT test, click save measurement button to save the data. Repeat the test at fast walking speed to capture at least 5 successive trials.This protocol was used to compare the biomechanical characteristics of the lower extremity during unplanned gait termination under different walking speeds. Data was collected from 15 subjects. Mean normal and fast walking speeds of the subjects were 1.33 and 1.62 meters per second respectively.The mean range of motion of the hip, knee, and ankle joints in the sagittal plane during unplanned gait termination at normal and fast walking speeds is shown here. Compared with normal walking speed, the range of motion of 3 joints increased significantly at fast walking speed. The plantar pressure data, including maximum pressure, maximum force, and contact area during unplanned gait termination is shown here.Compared with normal walking speed, the maximum pressure in BT, M1, M2, M3, MH, and LH regions increased significantly at fast walking speed. Similarly, the maximum force increased significantly in BT, M1, M2, M3, MH, and LH at fast walking speed. Differences in contact area occurred in the heel region, MH and LH, both increasing at fast walking speed.No significant difference occurred in any parameters for the OT, M4, M5, and MF regions. During this procedure the effect of different speeds was different static patterns on muscle activities and the joint moments during gait termination can be researched. Gait termination tries could be used as effective tool for diagnoses of clinical biomechanical performance and assessment of a rehabilitation treatment.

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Substantiating Appropriate Motion Capture Techniques for the Assessment of Nordic Walking Gait and Posture in Older Adults

Nordic walking (NW) has become a safe and simple form of exercise in recent years, and in studying this gait pattern, various data collection techniques have been employed, each with positives and negatives. The aim was to determine the effect of NW on older adult gait and posture and to determine optimal use of different data collection systems in both short and long duration analysis. Gait and posture during NW and normal walking were assessed in 17 healthy older adults (age: 69 &#177; 7.3). Participants performed two trials of 6 Minute Walk Tests (6MWT) (1 with poles (WP) and 1 without poles (NP)) and 6 trials of a 5m walk (3 WP and 3 NP). Motion was recorded using two systems, a 6-sensor accelerometry system and an 8-camera 3-dimensional motion capture system, in order to quantify spatial-temporal, kinematic, and kinetic parameters.
With both systems, participants demonstrated increased stride length and double support and decreased gait speed and cadence WP compared to NP (p &#60;0.05). Also, with motion capture, larger single support time was found WP (p &#60;0.05). With 3-D capture, smaller hip power generation and moments of force were found at heel contact and pre-swing as well as smaller knee power absorption at heel contact, pre-swing, and terminal swing WP compared to NP, when assessed over one cycle (p &#60;0.05). Also, WP yielded smaller moments of force at heel contact and terminal swing along with larger moments at mid-stance of a gait cycle (p &#60;0.05). No changes were found for posture.
NW seems appropriate for promoting a normal gait pattern in older adults. Three-dimensional motion capture should primarily be used during short duration gait analysis (i.e. single gait cycle), while accelerometry systems should be primarily employed in instances requiring longer duration analysis such as during the 6MWT.

The aim was to substantiate optimal use of data collection techniques for Nordic walking gait and posture analysis. Three-dimensional motion capture should be used during short duration analysis (i.e. single gait cycle), while accelerometry should be employed for longer duration analysis (i.e. repeated cycles) like a 6 Minute Walk Test.

Nordic walking (NW) has become a safe and simple form of exercise in recent years, and in studying this gait pattern, various data collection techniques ...

Using Gold-standard Gait Analysis Methods to Assess Experience Effects on Lower-limb Mechanics During Moderate High-heeled Jogging and Running

A limited number of studies have explored lower-limb biomechanics during high-heeled jogging and running, and most studies have failed to clarify the wearing experience of subjects. This protocol describes the differences in lower-limb kinematics and ground reaction force (GRF) between experienced wearers (EW) and inexperienced wearers (IEW) during moderate high-heeled jogging and running. A three-dimensional (3D) motion analysis system with a configured force platform was used to synchronously capture lower-limb joint movements and GRF. 36 young females volunteered to participate in this study and were asked about high-heeled shoe-wearing experience, including frequency, duration, heel types, and heel heights. Eleven who had the experience of 3 to 6 cm heels for a minimum of three days per week (6 h per day) for at least two years and eleven who wore high heels less than twice per month participated. Subjects performed jogging and running at comfortable low and high speeds, respectively, with the right foot completely stepping onto a force platform when passing by along a 10 m walkway. EW and IEW adopted different biomechanical adaptations while jogging and running. IEW exhibited a generally larger range of joint movement, while EW showed a dramatically larger loading rate of GRF during running. Hence, further studies on the lower-limb biomechanics of high-heeled gait should strictly control the wearing experience of the subjects.

This study investigated lower-limb kinematics and ground reaction force (GRF) during moderate high-heeled jogging and running. Subjects were divided into groups of experienced wearers and inexperienced wearers. A three-dimensional motion analysis system with a configured force platform captured lower-limb joint movements and GRF.

A limited number of studies have explored lower-limb biomechanics during high-heeled jogging and running, and most studies have failed to clarify the ...

Clinical-oriented Three-dimensional Gait Analysis Method for Evaluating Gait Disorder

Three-dimensional gait analysis (3DGA) is shown to be a useful clinical tool for the evaluation of gait abnormality due to movement disorders. However, the use of 3DGA in actual clinics remains uncommon. Possible reasons could include the time-consuming measurement process and difficulties in understanding measurement results, which are often presented using a large number of graphs. Here we present a clinician-friendly 3DGA method developed to facilitate the clinical use of 3DGA. This method consists of simplified preparation and measurement processes that can be performed in a short time period in clinical settings and intuitive results presentation to facilitate clinicians&#39; understanding of results. The quick, simplified measurement procedure is achieved by the use of minimum markers and measurement of patients on a treadmill. To facilitate clinician understanding, results are presented in figures based on the clinicians&#39; perspective. A Lissajous overview picture (LOP), which shows the trajectories of all markers from a holistic viewpoint, is used to facilitate intuitive understanding of gait patterns. Abnormal gait pattern indices, which are based on clinicians&#39; perspectives in gait evaluation and standardized using the data of healthy subjects, are used to evaluate the extent of typical abnormal gait patterns in stroke patients. A graph depicting the analysis of the toe clearance strategy, which depicts how patients rely on normal and compensatory strategies to achieve toe clearance, is also presented. These methods could facilitate implementation of 3DGA in clinical settings and further encourage development of measurement strategies from the clinician&#39;s point of view.

In this study, a clinician-friendly three-dimensional gait analysis method, which was designed to be performed in the rehabilitation clinic, is presented. The method consists of a simplified measurement method and intuitive figures to facilitate clinicians&#39; understanding of the results.

Three-dimensional gait analysis (3DGA) is shown to be a useful clinical tool for the evaluation of gait abnormality due to movement disorders. However, ...

Using a Real-Time Locating System to Measure Walking Activity Associated with Wandering Behaviors Among Institutionalized Older Adults

A real-time locating system (RTLS) can be used to track the walking activity of institutionalized older adults in long-term care who are at risk for wandering behaviors. The benefits of a RTLS are objective and continuous measurements of activity. Self-report methods of activity, especially wandering, by health care staff are vulnerable to floor effects and recall bias, and continuous clinical or research observation over the long-term can be time-consuming and expensive. Health care staff also fail to recognize the onset and/or duration of wandering behaviors, which are associated with a variety of adverse health outcomes in this population but amenable to intervention. RTLS technologies can measure the walking activity of institutionalized residents with cognitive impairment over time with a high degree of accuracy. This is particularly useful for the study of wandering, defined as walking for at least 60 seconds with few (if any) breaks in activity. Wandering is associated with disease progression, hospitalizations, falls and death. Previous work suggests older adults with poor balance ability and high sustained walking activity may be particularly susceptible to poor health outcomes. RTLS&#39;s are used to assess cognitive impairment and factors associated with gait and balance; however, supplemental paper and pencil gait/balance tools may be used to further refine risk profiles. This project discusses the use of a RTLS to measure walking activity and also gait quality and balance ability measures on this population.

This paper discusses the use of a continuous and objective real-time locating system to measure walking activity associated with wandering behaviors, focusing on older adults with cognitive impairment. Walking activity is measured by walking distance, sustained walking distance, and sustained gait speed. Also assessed are gait quality and balance ability.

A real-time locating system (RTLS) can be used to track the walking activity of institutionalized older adults in long-term care who are at risk for ...

Biomechanical Analysis Methods to Assess Professional Badminton Players' Lunge Performance

Under the condition of simulating a badminton court in the laboratory, this study used the injury mechanism model to analyze the maximal right lunge movements of eight professional badminton players and eight amateur players. The purpose of this protocol is to study the differences in kinematics and joint moment of the right knee and ankle. A motion capture system and force plate were used to capture data of the joint movements of the lower extremity and the vertical ground reaction force (vGRF). Sixteen young men who did not have any sports injuries in the past 6 months took part in the study. The subjects performed a maximal right lunge from the start position with their right foot, stepping on and fully contacting with the force plate, hit the shuttlecock with an underhand stroke to the designated position in the backcourt, and then returned to the start/end position. All subjects wore the same badminton shoes to avoid a difference in impact from different badminton shoes. The amateur players showed a greater range of ankle movement and reverse joint moment on the frontal plane, and a larger internal joint rotation moment on the horizontal plane. The professional badminton players exhibited greater knee moment on the sagittal and frontal planes. Therefore, these factors should be considered in the development of the training program to reduce the risk of sports injuries in knee and ankle joints. This study simulates the real badminton court and calibrates the range of activities of each movement of the subjects so that the subjects complete the experimental action in a natural state with high quality. A limitation of this study is that it does not combine joint load and muscle activity. Another limitation is that the sample size is small and should be expanded in future studies. This research method can be applied to the lower limb biomechanical research of other footwork in the badminton project.

Here, we present a protocol to evaluate the differences in injury mechanisms between professional and amateur players when performing a badminton maximal right lunge movement by analyzing lower limb kinematics.

Under the condition of simulating a badminton court in the laboratory, this study used the injury mechanism model to analyze the maximal right lunge ...

3D Kinematic Gait Analysis for Preclinical Studies in Rodents

The utility of three-dimensional (3D) kinematic motion analysis systems is limited in rodents. Part of the reason for this inadequacy is the use of complex algorithms and mathematical modeling that accompany 3D data collection and analysis procedures. This work provides a simple, user-friendly, step-by-step detailed methodology for 3D kinematic gait analysis during treadmill locomotion in healthy and neurotraumatic rats using a six-camera motion capture system. Also provided are details on 1) calibration of the system in an experimental set-up customized for quadrupedal locomotion, 2) data collection for treadmill locomotion in adult rats using markers positioned on all four limbs, 3) options available for video tracking and processing, and 4) basic 3D kinematic data generation and visualization and quantification of data using the built-in data collection software. Finally, it is suggested that the utility of this motion capture system be expanded to studying a variety of motor behaviors before and after neurotrauma.

Presented here is a protocol to collect and analyze three-dimensional kinematics of quadrupedal locomotion in rodents for preclinical studies.

The utility of three-dimensional (3D) kinematic motion analysis systems is limited in rodents. Part of the reason for this inadequacy is the use of ...

Low-Cost Gait Analysis for Behavioral Phenotyping of Mouse Models of Neuromuscular Disease

Measurement of animal locomotion is a common behavioral tool used to describe the phenotype of a given disease, injury, or drug model. The low-cost method of gait analysis demonstrated here is a simple but effective measure of gait abnormalities in murine models. Footprints are analyzed by painting a mouse&#8217;s feet with non-toxic washable paint and allowing the subject to walk through a tunnel on a sheet of paper. The design of the testing tunnel takes advantage of natural mouse behavior and their affinity for small dark places. The stride length, stride width, and toe spread of each mouse is easily measured using a ruler and a pencil. This is a well-established and reliable method, and it generates several metrics that are analogous to digital systems. This approach is sensitive enough to detect changes in stride early in phenotype presentation, and due to its non-invasive approach, it allows for testing of groups across life-span or phenotypic presentation.

Footprint analysis is a low-cost alternative to digitized gait analysis programs for researchers quantifying movement abnormalities in mice. Because of its speed, simplicity, and longitudinal potential, it is ideal for behavioral phenotyping of mouse models.

Measurement of animal locomotion is a common behavioral tool used to describe the phenotype of a given disease, injury, or drug model. The low-cost method ...

Examining Changes in HRV and Emotion Following Artmaking with Three Different Art Materials

This protocol enables the examination of psychological and physiological responses to different types of behavioral engagements. Specifically, in this study example, the emotional response and changes in heart rate variability are examined in response to artmaking with three different art materials that vary in their levels of fluidity. This protocol can be adapted to examine other types of behavior or engagement in artmaking with other materials. There are several benefits to using this protocol. Firstly, the order randomization of the materials improves the probability that the response measured is associated with its qualities and not the order of presentation. Secondly, the continuous measuring of electrocardiogram enables the examination of changes in heart rate variability after engagement with each art material and changes that might occur during the artmaking itself. The advantages of this protocol should be considered with their limitations. The music listening is before each art making session; thus, the return to baseline can only be measured in the first two conditions. The return to baseline provides information on how fast individuals recover after response to working with each of the materials. Furthermore, a more liquid material instead of gouache paint with a brush, such as finger paints, provides more difference between materials. Finally, this protocol can be adapted to specific research needs.

The goal of the protocol is to guide researchers in conducting experiments that are intended to measure changes in self-reported emotional response and heart rate variability following art making with different materials. The protocol can easily be adapted for use in a variety of behavioral conditions and activities.

This protocol enables the examination of psychological and physiological responses to different types of behavioral engagements. Specifically, in this ...

Measuring the Switch Cost of Smartphone Use While Walking

This paper presents a study protocol to measure the task-switching cost of using a smartphone while walking. This method involves having participants walk on a treadmill under two experimental conditions: a control condition (i.e., simply walking) and a multitasking condition (i.e., texting while walking). During these conditions, the participants must switch between the tasks related to the experimental condition and a direction determining task. This direction task is done with a point-light walker figure, seemingly walking towards the left or the right of the participant. Performance on the direction task represents the participant&#8217;s task-switching costs. There were two performance measures: 1) correct identification of the direction and 2) response time. EEG data are recorded in order to measure the alpha oscillations and cognitive engagement occurring during the task switch. This method is limited in its ecological validity: pedestrian environments have many stimuli occurring simultaneously and competing for attention. Nonetheless, this method is appropriate for pinpointing task-switching costs. The EEG data allow the study of the underlying mechanisms in the brain that are related to differing task-switching costs. This design allows the comparison between task switching when doing one task at a time, as compared to task switching when multitasking, prior to the stimulus presentation. This allows understanding and pinpointing both the behavioral and neurophysiological impact of these two different task-switching conditions. Furthermore, by correlating the task-switching costs with the brain activity, we can learn more about what causes these behavioral effects. This protocol is an appropriate base for studying the switching cost of different smartphone uses. Different tasks, questionnaires, and other measures can be added to it in order to understand the different factors involved in the task-switching cost of smartphone use while walking.

This study design measures the task-switching cost of using a smartphone while walking. Participants undergo two experimental conditions: a control condition (walking) and a multitasking condition (texting while walking). Participants switch between these tasks and a direction determining task. EEG data as well as behavioral measures are recorded.

This paper presents a study protocol to measure the task-switching cost of using a smartphone while walking. This method involves having participants walk ...

Using a Virtual Reality Walking Simulator to Investigate Pedestrian Behavior

To cross a road successfully, individuals must coordinate their movements with moving vehicles. This paper describes use of a walking simulator in which people walk on a treadmill to intercept gaps between two moving vehicles in an immersive virtual environment. Virtual reality allows for a safe and ecologically varied investigation of gap crossing behavior. Manipulating the initial starting distance can further the understanding of a participant&#8217;s speed regulation while approaching a gap. The speed profile may be assessed for various gap crossing variables, such as initial distance, vehicle size, and gap size. Each walking simulation results in a position/time series that can inform how velocity is adjusted differently depending on the gap characteristics. This methodology can be used by researchers investigating pedestrian behavior and behavioral dynamics while employing human participants in a safe and realistic setting.

This protocol describes use of a walking simulator that serves as a safe and ecologically valid method to study pedestrian behavior in the presence of moving traffic.

To cross a road successfully, individuals must coordinate their movements with moving vehicles. This paper describes use of a walking simulator in which ...