Generation, absorption, and transfer of mechanical energy during walking in children

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to characterize the manner in which net joint moments and non-muscular forces generate, absorb, and transfer mechanical energy during walking in able-bodied children. Standard gait data from seven healthy subjects between 6 and 17 years of age were combined with a dynamic model of the whole body to perform a power analysis based on induced acceleration techniques. These data were used to determine how each moment and force generates energy to, absorbs energy from, and transfers energy among the major body segments. The joint moments were found to induce transfers of mechanical energy between body segments that generally exceeded the magnitudes of energy generation and absorption. The amount of energy transferred by gravitational and velocity-dependent forces was considerably less than for the joint moments. The hip and ankle joint moments had relatively simple power patterns that tended to oppose each other, particularly over the stance phase. The knee joint moment had a more complex power pattern that appeared distinct from the hip and ankle moments. The general patterns of mechanical energy flow were similar to previous reports in adults. The approach described in this paper should provide a useful complement to standard clinical gait analysis procedures.