Varying Joint Patterns and Compensatory Strategies Can Lead to the Same Functional Gait Outcomes: A Case Study

IEEE Int Conf Rehabil Robot. 2022 Jul:2022:1-6. doi: 10.1109/ICORR55369.2022.9896497.

Abstract

This paper analyses joint-space walking mechanisms and redundancies in delivering functional gait outcomes. Multiple biomechanical measures are analysed for two healthy male adults who participated in a multi-factorial study and walked during three sessions. Both participants employed varying intra- and inter-personal compensatory strategies (e.g., vaulting, hip hiking) across walking conditions and exhibited notable gait pattern alterations while keeping task-space (functional) gait parameters invariant. They also preferred various levels of asymmetric step length but kept their symmetric step time consistent and cadence-invariant during free walking. The results demonstrate the importance of an individualised approach and the need for a paradigm shift from functional (task-space) to joint-space gait analysis in attending to (a)typical gaits and delivering human-centred human-robot interaction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Ankle Joint*
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Gait
  • Humans
  • Knee Joint*
  • Male
  • Walking