Intra-subject Variability of Impact Shock of Foot on the Ground during Walking and Running Activities

Graziella Aghilone,Massimo Cavacece

doi:10.13189/ujph.2018.060401

Abstract

Aim: The intra–subject variability is evaluated by a deterministic acceleration model in the frequency content between walking and running activities. The usefulness of this research is to explore the dependence of peak acceleration of foot on different pedestrian's velocity. Method: The mathematical model can be represented in time domain as a sum of Fourier harmonic components. The mathematical approach is applied to fit the accelerations of the foot, acquired during the impact shock of the human body on treadmill during walking and running activities at different speeds. Spectral analysis evaluates the frequency field of impact shock during walking and running activities. Results: The fitting of experimental data, by a mathematical approach, offers the analysis of the peak force of the foot on the ground, the dynamic acceleration factor (DAF) and the activity rate harmonics during walking and running activities. Conclusion: Marked differences in vertical accelerations are illustrated between walking and running activities. Recommendations could be deducted with regard to the dose of impacts that can be beneficial or detrimental to human health.

Highlights

Back–pain disease, Parkinson’s disease, obesity, risk of falling, venous insufficiency, walking and running activity have been monitored by accelerometry in clinical and non– clinical–based studies.Foot switches, gait mats, force plates, optical motion analysis are other techniques to investigate human movement
The methods offers the variability of dynamic acceleration factor (DAF) values between subsequent steps of the same pedestrian during walking and running activities (Fig.2 and Fig.3)
Statistical tests, used for data analysis, shows that the transition from walking activity to running activity provokes an increase of accelerations of foot

Summary

Introduction

Back–pain disease, Parkinson’s disease, obesity, risk of falling, venous insufficiency, walking and running activity have been monitored by accelerometry in clinical and non– clinical–based studies.Foot switches, gait mats, force plates, optical motion analysis are other techniques to investigate human movement. The restriction of the use of accelerometers depends on the soft tissue movement, relative to the bone that can influence the resulting peak accelerations

Objectives

Methods

Results