Knowledge Acquisition from a Biomechanical System: Human Gait Transition as an Example

Yana Vereshchaga,Werner Baumgartner

doi:10.21767/2347-5447.1000313

Abstract

New approaches that allow a logical link to be established between body parameters and the dynamics of locomotion are attracting increasing interest. We propose a method that obtains knowledge from a biomechanical system. The speed of human gait transition from walking to running was investigated. Employing soft clustering and fuzzy logic principles, we derived the most influential body parameters and logical rules between them which define the preferred transition speed (PTS). The first-order PTS determinants are mass, tibial height and thigh length, while those of the second order are lateral malleolus height and body height. Four logical rules allow PTS values to be predicted with an accuracy of 0.03 m/s when using first-order parameters, and of 0.01 m/s when additionally second-order parameters are included. Compared to previously published studies, these accuracies are the best obtained to date, making our method a promising tool for practical applications.

Highlights

This work seeks to answer the question of how knowledge about a biomechanical system can be acquired
Second-order parameters, the influence of which is important but not critical We address these questions in the context of a specific biomechanical problem, namely the prediction of the preferred transition speed (PTS) in humans, to illustrate the potential of the method
The main issue addressed in this work was how-from a number of anatomical parameters-detect those that relate most to the dynamical characteristic of interest

Summary

Introduction

This work seeks to answer the question of how knowledge about a biomechanical system can be acquired. Comprehending a system means to answer the following questions: Which parameters are most closely related to certain dynamic characteristics? Which parameters contribute most to the dynamics of interest and how?. We provide definitions of: First-order parameters, which contribute most to system dynamics Second-order parameters, the influence of which is important but not critical We address these questions in the context of a specific biomechanical problem, namely the prediction of the preferred transition speed (PTS) in humans, to illustrate the potential of the method. Human locomotion is considered to take two primary forms: walking and running. Walking is a form of locomotion defined by a double support phase in which both feet are on the ground at the same time. Running is a form of locomotion defined by a double float phase. The feet are never in contact with the ground simultaneously, and there is a phase when both feet are temporarily airborne

Methods

Results

Conclusion