Potential to fall of bipeds using foot kinematics

Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2013:2013:4746-50. doi: 10.1109/EMBC.2013.6610608.

Abstract

This research compares normal to unexpected slipping gaits of healthy adults to detect potential to fall. Using various x, y, and z position analyses, including a Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), significant differences are shown between normal and unexpected slipping gaits. Our results show that after heel strike of the slipping foot, the recovery foot rapidly changes position to restore balance and lower falling potential. We found RMSE of the recovery foot is significantly greater than the slipping foot, and that potential to fall is easily quantifiable through comparing normal to unexpected gaits. This research provides a solid foundations for a generalized understanding of fall potential for various gaits.

MeSH terms

  • Accidental Falls
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Foot*
  • Gait / physiology*
  • Healthy Volunteers
  • Heel / physiology
  • Humans
  • Models, Biological