Biomechanical study on the application of carbonium fibers on ortheses for the restituction of energy

Abstract

Results: Computed MMW values demonstrated that all approaches are equivalent when all possible energy transfers are allowed, while the comparison of power curves (Fig. 1) shows that external + internal and segmental Pnet(t) curves are equivalent between them, while differing from the joint Pnet(t) curve in some gait cycle phases, especially around the foot-off events. The joint power positive maximum occurring during the double support phase (3 W/kg) is followed by a negative local minimum (−2 W/kg), possibly correlated with the weight acceptance phase by the support limb, while segmental and external + internal powers are equal to zero at the beginning of the double support phase, and reach their maximum during the early swing phase and their minimum at the end of the swing phase. Discussion: When allowing for all possible energy transfers, MMW values provided by all approaches are equivalent. While MMW provides an information on the overall effort produced during a movement, the analysis of the whole-body net power curve, Pnet(t), can provide a more detailed information on the locomotion function and could be used in clinical gait analysis to investigate propulsive deficits, gait asymmetries and movement inefficiencies with reduced energy recuperation during impaired walking. The behaviour of the curves obtained with the different approaches highlights the different information that they represent: propulsive or braking action on the segments (joint power) or kinematic effect of joint forces and moments on the segments (segmental power). References