Simulation of gait asymmetry and energy transfer efficiency between unilateral and bilateral amputees

Navid Aslani,Khoo Shin Yee,Alex Ong Zhi Chao,Christine Maggs,Siamak Noroozi

doi:10.1007/s12283-016-0202-1

Navid Aslani, Khoo Shin Yee + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12283-016-0202-1

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Journal: Sports Engineering	Publication Date: Apr 11, 2016
Citations: 9	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Bournemouth University, University of Malaya

Abstract

Efficient walking or running requires symmetrical gait. Gait symmetry is one of the key factors in efficient human dynamics, kinematics and kinetics. The desire of individuals with a lower-limb amputation to participate in sports has resulted in the development of energy-storing-and-returning (ESR) feet. This paper analyses a case study to show the effect of symmetry and asymmetry as well as energy transfer efficiency during periodic jumping between simulated bilateral and unilateral runners. A custom gait analysis system is developed as part of this project to track the motion of the body of a physically active subject during a set of predefined motions. Stance and aerial times are accurately measured using a high speed camera. Gait frequency, the level of symmetry and the non-uniform displacement between left and right foot and their effects on the position of the Centre of Mass (CM) were used as criteria to calculate both peak energies and transformation efficiency. Gait asymmetry and discrepancy of energy transfer efficiency between the intact foot and the ESR are observed. It is concluded that unilateral runners require excessive effort to compensate for lack of symmetry as well as asymmetry in energy transfer, causing fatigue which could be a reason why bilateral amputee runners using ESR feet have a superior advantage over unilateral amputees.

Highlights

Paralympic running/sprinting has experienced many technological changes
It is concluded that unilateral runners require excessive effort to compensate for lack of symmetry as well as asymmetry in energy transfer, causing fatigue which could be a reason why bilateral amputee runners using ESR feet have a superior advantage over unilateral amputees
This study proposes to use the jumping frequency and gait efficiency associated with displacement of centre of mass (CM) to investigate and quantify the asymmetry effect between the bilateral and unilateral amputees

Summary

Introduction

Amputee’s performance is the most important factor, above other prosthesis design considerations such as comfort and cost. The desire of individuals with a lower-limb amputation to participate in sports and the high demands of athletics have resulted in the development of energy-storing-and-returning (ESR) feet, capable of absorbing and returning energy in the same manner as a trampoline. The energy efficiency of ESR prostheses can vary. Energy return rates have ranged between 31 % [1] and 95 % [2, 3]. Studies of the biological lower limb have shown that the ankle is able to generate a 241 % energy return [1], making a prosthesis a restorative device with performance falling a long way short of that of a biological limb [4]. In a review of transtibial ESR prosthetic devices

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Results

Conclusion