Actual Walking Research Articles

Development of Assistance Level Adjustment Function for Variable Load on a Forearm-Supported Robotic Walker.

With the progression of an aging society, the importance of walking assistance technology has been increasing. The research and development of robotic walkers for individuals requiring walking support are advancing. However, there was a problem that the conventional constant support amount did not satisfy the propulsion force required for the walking speed that users wanted. In this study, in order to solve this problem, we propose an algorithm for determining the support amount to maintain the walking speed when the average walking speed of each user is set as the target speed. A robotic walker was developed by attaching BLDC motors to an actual walker, along with a control algorithm for assistance based on sampling-type PID control. The effectiveness of the assistance determination algorithm and the usefulness of the parameters were demonstrated through experiments using weights loaded on the forearm support and target speeds. Subsequently, subject experiments were conducted to verify the ability to maintain target speeds, and a questionnaire survey confirmed that the assistance did not interfere with actual walking. The proposed algorithm for determining the assistance levels demonstrated the ability to maintain target speeds and allowed for adjustments in the necessary level of assistance.

Walking to School: What Streets Do Children Prefer?

Active school travel provides children with a daily opportunity to engage actively with their local urban environments. Despite widespread recognition that understanding the underlying factors of children’s navigation choices is crucial for developing effective environmental interventions to promote active school travel, there is limited evidence on children’s experiences regarding their school journeys. This is due in part to the fact that most studies rely on GIS-calculated routes which may not adequately represent children’s actual home-school journeys, and hence actual experiences. This study aims to identify specific environmental attributes influencing children’s navigation choices based on children’s (9–10 year olds) actual walking routes to school in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. 45 pairs of selected and avoided streets were compared using a range of urban form (e.g., street connectivity measured through space syntax variables) and street design (e.g., footpath width) characteristics. Statistical analysis highlighted significant design attributes as potential determinants of navigation selections. In-depth street-level observations provided insight into the urban character of these street pairs, identifying the environmental qualities that could offer opportunities for active and safe commuting among children. This study contributes to the literature by broadening our understanding of the environmental attributes that may promote active school travel. Our findings, based on children’s actual experiences, may also inform urban planners and designers on designing inclusive child-friendly cities.

Leaning-Based Interfaces Improve Simultaneous Locomotion and Object Interaction in VR Compared to the Handheld Controller.

Physical walking is often considered the gold standard for VR travel whenever feasible. However, limited free-space walking areas in the real-world do not allow exploring larger-scale virtual environments by actual walking. Therefore, users often require handheld controllers for navigation, which can reduce believability, interfere with simultaneous interaction tasks, and exacerbate adverse effects such as motion sickness and disorientation. To investigate alternative locomotion options, we compared handheld Controller (thumbstick-based) and physical walking versus a seated (HeadJoystick) and standing/stepping (NaviBoard) leaning-based locomotion interface, where seated/standing users travel by moving their head toward the target direction. Rotations were always physically performed. To compare these interfaces, we designed a novel simultaneous locomotion and object interaction task, where users needed to keep touching the center of upward moving target balloons with their virtual lightsaber, while simultaneously staying inside a horizontally moving enclosure. Walking resulted in the best locomotion, interaction, and combined performances while the controller performed worst. Leaning-based interfaces improved user experience and performance compared to Controller, especially when standing/stepping using NaviBoard, but did not reach walking performance. That is, leaning-based interfaces HeadJoystick (sitting) and NaviBoard (standing) that provided additional physical self-motion cues compared to controller improved enjoyment, preference, spatial presence, vection intensity, motion sickness, as well as performance for locomotion, object interaction, and combined locomotion and object interaction. Our results also showed that less embodied interfaces (and in particular the controller) caused a more pronounced performance deterioration when increasing locomotion speed. Moreover, observed differences between our interfaces were not affected by repeated interface usage.

Actual and imagined music-cued gait training for people with multiple sclerosis: a multicentre qualitative study

ObjectivesTo explore the experiences and acceptability of music-cued motor imagery (MCMI), music-cued gait training (MCGT), and combined MCMI and MCGT (MCMI-MCGT) in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). We also aimed...

Exploring walking choices in urban green streetscapes through the lens of the theory of planned behavior

This study employed the theory of planned behavior to examine how green urban spaces influence walking behaviors, with a focus on Chongqing’s Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street. Using structural equation modelling to analyse survey data from 401 respondents, this study assessed the relationships between attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, walking intentions, and actions. The results revealed that attitudes toward walking (β = 0.335, p < 0.001) and subjective norms (β = 0.221, p < 0.001) significantly predict walking intentions, which strongly determine actual walking behavior (β = 0.379, p < 0.001). Moreover, perceived behavioral control exerts a direct significant impact on walking actions (β = 0.332, p < 0.001), illustrating that both environmental and social factors are crucial in promoting pedestrian activity. These findings suggest that enhancing the appeal and accessibility of urban green spaces can significantly encourage walking, providing valuable insights for urban planning and public health policy. This study can guide city planners and health professionals in creating more walkable and health-conducive urban environments.

Association of Daily Step Count With Patient Knowledge, Step Tracking, and Physical Factors in Patients With Spine Pathology

Up to 10,000 steps per day may be associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality as well as cancer and cardiovascular disease mortality. Here, we evaluate daily step count in patients seen in spine clinic and its association with step goal knowledge, step tracking, and physical factors affecting walking. Of the 575 clinic patients, 368 met criteria and agreed to participate (mean age range 60-69 years; 52% female; 54% prior spine surgery). Of the population surveyed for actual daily steps, 55% reported <2000 and 9% reported >8000. Patients with a higher knowledge of the ideal step goal and who possessed a step counter (64%) had a higher number of actual daily steps ( P < .001). The main prohibiting factor to actual walking was pain (64%). Prior spine surgery and the use of a walking assist was associated with less daily steps ( P < .04, 6% reported >8000 steps; and P < .001, 0% reported >8000 steps, respectively). Patients presenting for evaluation in spine clinic underestimate the recommended number of steps taken daily to help decrease all-cause mortality, and cancer and cardiovascular disease mortality.

Association between visuo-spatial working memory and gait motor imagery

Although motor imagery and working memory (WM) appear to be closely linked, no previous studies have demonstrated direct evidence for the relationship between motor imagery and WM abilities. This study investigated the association between WM and gait motor imagery and focused on the individual differences in young adults. This study included 33 participants (mean age: 22.2 ± 0.9 years). We used two methods to measure the ability of different WM domains: verbal and visuo-spatial WM. Gait motor imagery accuracy was assessed via the mental chronometry paradigm. We measured the times participants took to complete an actual and imagined walk along a 5 m walkway, with three different path widths. The linear mixed effects model analysis revealed that visuo-spatial WM ability was a significant predictor of the accuracy of gait motor imagery, but not of verbal WM ability. Specifically, individuals with lower visuo-spatial WM ability demonstrated more inaccuracies in the difficult path-width conditions. However, gait motor imagery was not as accurate as actual walking even in the easiest path width or in participants with high visuo-spatial WM ability. Further, visuo-spatial WM ability was significantly correlated with mental walking but not with actual walking. These results suggest that visuo-spatial WM is related to motor imagery rather than actual movement.

Design and analysis of magnetostrictive two-dimensional kinetic energy harvester

Conventional energy harvesters often require high ambient vibration frequencies and can only capture vibration energy in a single direction. To address these issues, this paper designs a magnetostrictive two-dimensional kinetic energy harvester placed under the floor and capable of capturing energy in both vertical and horizontal directions. In order to achieve higher electrical power output at low-frequency input forces, a two-stage force amplification mechanism is designed to amplify the walking kinetic energy of pedestrians and the main parameters of this structure are analyzed and optimized. On the other hand, by constructing different forms of bias magnetic field, the influence of bias magnetic field on the deflection and motion of the internal magnetic domain of Terfenol-D is systematically studied, and the best bias form that can make the material shows the strongest magnetization characteristics is determined. Next, a prototype harvester was built, and an experimental vibration system was set up to test and analyze the output characteristics of the harvester comprehensively. The experimental results show that the harvester produces 21.2 mW of peak output power under sinusoidal excitation at an operating frequency of 4 Hz. Under random excitation, a peak output voltage of 2.64 V and 170 mW peak power was obtained. Under actual pedestrian walking tests, 17.62 mW peak output power is obtained to power low-power devices. The study’s results provide preliminary evidence that the designed magnetostrictive energy harvester can stably harvest kinetic energy from pedestrian walking.

Neural correlates of motor imagery and execution in real-world dynamic behavior: evidence for similarities and differences.

A large body of evidence shows that motor imagery and action execution behaviors result from overlapping neural substrates, even in the absence of overt movement during motor imagery. To date it is unclear how neural activations in motor imagery and execution compare for naturalistic whole-body movements, such as walking. Neuroimaging studies have not directly compared imagery and execution during dynamic walking movements. Here we recorded brain activation with mobile EEG during walking compared to during imagery of walking, with mental counting as a control condition. We asked 24 healthy participants to either walk six steps on a path, imagine taking six steps, or mentally count from one to six. We found beta and alpha power modulation during motor imagery resembling action execution patterns; a correspondence not found performing the control task of mental counting. Neural overlap occurred early in the execution and imagery walking actions, suggesting activation of shared action representations. Remarkably, a distinctive walking-related beta rebound occurred both during action execution and imagery at the end of the action suggesting that, like actual walking, motor imagery involves resetting or inhibition of motor processes. However, we also found that motor imagery elicits a distinct pattern of more distributed beta activity, especially at the beginning of the task. These results indicate that motor imagery and execution of naturalistic walking involve shared motor-cognitive activations, but that motor imagery requires additional cortical resources.

Improving locomotive syndrome risk level through community‐led activities to establish walking habits

AbstractWe evaluated the effects of walking habits and mobility improvement on an aging population among 30 residents of a suburban residential complex with the aim of promoting sustainable health activities led by residents. The results showed a total of 911 person‐days of actual walking (Mean = 30.4, Standard Deviation = 15.7) with an average of 30 days per person or a frequency of almost daily intervals over 2 months. In total, 68.4% of early‐ and 54.5% of late‐elderly participants met the recommended criteria for healthy older adults. The results of the GLFS‐25 and 2‐step tests showed a significant improvement in the mobility function after the walking period compared to before the walking period. In addition to the improvements in physical mobility, there were improvements in social interactions and participation in community activities. The participants' post‐walking effect showed that 85% of them were in good health, 50% had positive social interactions, and 25% had positive statements regarding community and town planning. The results verified that resident‐led sustainable walking activities can establish walking habits and improve mobility.

Calibrating walkability indicators for commute walk trips: A structural equation modeling approach

Walking plays a significant role in promoting public health, decreasing air pollution, and vitalizing cities. Walkability is an important notion that transportation planners and policymakers often use to quantify the suitability of and to promote travelers’ propensity for walking in an urban area. This paper adopts a data-driven approach using structural equation modeling for simultaneous estimation of 1) a latent construct of walkability using different walkability indicators (thus estimation of weights of the indicators), and 2) the effect of walkability on commute walking behavior for an urban area. Doing so accounts for the effects of various indicators of walkability as well as socio-economic and security characteristics. A Partial Least Square Structural Equation Model is developed to estimate both direct and indirect effects of walkability on the share of commute walk trips in total commute trips for the city of Chicago using census tract-level data. We find that walkability is the most important factor affecting the share of commute walk trips. Among the indicators of walkability, transit- and job density-related indicators are the most important ones. Some socio-economic factors, especially travel time, vehicle ownership, and college student share, also critically influence the propensity for walking to commute. We further find that our calibrated walkability score results in a different hotspot distribution in Chicago than using the uncalibrated walkability score, as is currently practiced by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, but is more consistent with hotspot distribution of the actual commute walk trips in the city. These findings advance the understanding and characterization of walkability and actual walking behavior in urban areas, which in turn helps inform pedestrian infrastructure investment and policy making.

Actual and virtual food heritage walking tour for building better citizenship understanding (insight from Indonesia)

PurposeThis study aims to analyze the extent to which the walking tour in virtual version appeals to the younger generation and still provides lessons about cultural acculturation that can inspire citizenship today compared to an actual walking tour.Design/methodology/approachThis quasi-experimental design uses pre-test and post-test with structured interviews for data collection from five purposive participants who related the experience and storytelling that they experienced from the tours.FindingsThis study finds while virtual tours cannot replace physical walking tours because of real multisensory experiences, storytelling and guiding interpretation through virtual tours is more likeable than walking tours Due to some potential disturbance in the field. However, the guiding interpretation related to the message of multiculturalism still reaches tourists both through actual and virtual tours.Research limitations/implicationsThis study has limitations regarding the number of participants. A larger number of participants may provide greater objectivity. In addition, regarding the quasi-experimental method used, it is possible to have different results if the actual walking tour precedes the virtual tour, and this can be a broad discussion space for future researchers.Social implicationsPractically, this walking tour is expected to be a model for civic education, especially in Indonesia, which is delivered in a fun way through a walking tour.Originality/valueThis study offers a novelty regarding the development of a walking tour based on citizenship education, which can be seen from its impact on the younger generation when it is held virtually or actually.

Analysis of urban visitor walkability based on mobile data: The case of Daejeon, Korea

The walkability of destinations plays a decisive role in obtaining a sense of place for urban visitors. For an improved walkability-based visit experience, the city structure can be analyzed by dividing it into small units, starting with the destination. However, existing studies focus on the walkability of residents by administrative district and use limited contextual information and structural analysis tools. Therefore, this study aims to structurally understand walkability through network analysis with mobile-based visitor data collected from 822 point-of-interest (POI) in Daejeon. In this study, the actual walking distance between 95,817 cells with visitors and POIs was measured to calculate the edge weight and influence of cells on POI. We analyzed the POI-cell network through edge weight and extracted nine communities to understand the city context through POI analysis and derived the following findings. First, it is possible to determine the potential demand by visitors' walkability-based division. Second, our walkability measurement method follows a bottom-up approach, starting with a small unit cell, understanding the entire city as a community extraction model, and possibly extending to other cities in Korea. Third, POI-centered structural analysis is possible using the number of visitors and distance in the proposed network analysis method.

The Role of Anesthetic Drugs and Statins in Prostate Cancer Recurrence: Starting at the Actual Knowledge and Walking through a New Paradigm.

Prostate cancer has become a major health problem in men. Its incidence is increasing as the average age of the affected population tends to be higher. Of all the possible treatments, surgery is the gold standard in its treatment. Surgery produces a deregulation in the immune system that can favour the development of distant metastases. Different anesthetic techniques have raised the hypothesis that different anesthetic drugs influence tumor recurrence and prognosis. Some mechanisms are beginning to be understood by which halogenated agents in cancer patients and the use of opioids may negatively affect patients. In this document, we group together all the available evidence on how the different anesthetic drugs affect tumor recurrence in prostate cancer.

Revisiting Motor Imagery Guidelines in a Tropical Climate: The Time-of-Day Effect.

(1) Background: Motor imagery (MI) is relevantly used to improve motor performance and promote rehabilitation. As MI ability and vividness can be affected by circadian modulation, it has been proposed that MI should ideally be performed between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Whether such a recommendation remains effective in a hot and humid environment, such as a tropical climate, remains unknown. (2) Methods: A total of 35 acclimatized participants completed a MI questionnaire and a mental chronometry test at 7 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 6 p.m. Visual (VI) and kinesthetic imagery (KI) abilities, as well as temporal congruence between actual walking and MI, were collected. Ambient temperature, chronotypes, thermal comfort, affect, and fatigue were also measured. (3) Results: VI scores were higher at 6 p.m. than at 7 a.m., 11 a.m., and 2 p.m., and temporal congruence was higher at 6 p.m. than at 7 a.m. Comfort, thermal sensation, and positive affect scores were higher at 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. (4) Conclusion: Data support greater imagery ability and accuracy when participants perceive the environment as more pleasant and comfortable. MI guidelines typically provided in neutral climates should therefore be adapted to tropical climates, with MI training sessions ideally scheduled in the late afternoon.

Novel pedestrian navigation system based on zero velocity update procedure technology and improved Sage‐Husa adaptive Kalman filter with index fading memory factor

AbstractTo acquire an accurate location on the occasions, such as in an indoor, tunnel, and valley, where satellite navigation signals fail. The paper designs a pedestrian navigation system by using the zero velocity update procedure technology (ZUPT) and Kalman filter to reduce the location error. The measurement noise characteristic (mean and variance) of the micro electro mechanical systems gyros is unknown and time variant, but in traditional studies, it is usually thought and calculated as a constant. So the optimality of the error estimation of the Kalman filter cannot be reached. To address this question, this paper proposes the improved Sage–Husa Adaptive Kalman Filter (SHAKF) based on the index fading memory factor to realise the state estimation of the Kalman filter and navigation error correction. The advantage of improved SHAKF is it can accurately estimate the state vector when the measurement noise is unknown and time variant. To verify the validity of novel navigation methods, walking experiments under outdoor environments and indoor environments are carried out. The results of actual walking experiments demonstrate that the proposed method can effectively reduce the pedestrian location error compared with the traditional ZUPT method. The mean location error is reduced by more than 10%, and the variance of the location error is reduced by more than 5%.

Optimization of energy and time predicts dynamic speeds for human walking.

Humans make a number of choices when they walk, such as how fast and for how long. The preferred steady walking speed seems chosen to minimize energy expenditure per distance traveled. But the speed of actual walking bouts is not only steady, but rather a time-varying trajectory, which can also be modulated by task urgency or an individual's movement vigor. Here we show that speed trajectories and durations of human walking bouts are explained better by an objective to minimize Energy and Time, meaning the total work or energy to reach destination, plus a cost proportional to bout duration. Applied to a computational model of walking dynamics, this objective predicts dynamic speed vs. time trajectories with inverted U shapes. Model and human experiment (N=10) show that shorter bouts are unsteady and dominated by the time and effort of accelerating, and longer ones are steadier and faster and dominated by steady-state time and effort. Individual-dependent vigor may be characterized by the energy one is willing to spend to save a unit of time, which explains why some may walk faster than others, but everyone may have similar-shaped trajectories due to similar walking dynamics. Tradeoffs between energy and time costs can predict transient, steady, and vigor-related aspects of walking.

Cognitive and motivational benefits of a theory-based immersive virtual reality design in science learning

This study investigated the effects of an immersive virtual reality (IVR) nature-trail tour on participants’ science learning, self-efficacy, cognitive load, perceived enjoyment, and perceived usefulness, as compared to actual walking tours. The IVR tour was designed based on the Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning. In a between-subjects quasi-experiment, participants learned environmental science topics in one of three types of nature-trail tours, including an IVR tour, a business-as-usual walking tour, and an enhanced walking tour. Results of analyses of covariance indicated that the theory-based IVR design was effective in improving participants’ science learning and their self-efficacy perceptions. At the same time, the IVR tour was found to be as enjoyable as the walking tours and did not pose an unnecessary cognitive load during the learning process. The results have implications for designing IVR environments to (1) enhance cognitive and motivational outcomes in science learning and (2) increase the accessibility of nature-based sites.

Patient’s Perception and Real Execution of Walking as Physical Exercise: Looking at Self-Efficacy as a Key Variable in Adherence in Patients with Fibromyalgia

Adherence to physical exercise is especially low in patients with fibromyalgia, and there is a tendency to overestimate its performance. This study explores the relationship between perceived and actual walking behavior in patients with fibromyalgia, including self-efficacy as a mediating variable. A prospective study with two time points (with one week between them) was carried out on 132 women diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Self-efficacy towards exercise was assessed at the first time point, and perceived intensity of physical activity and “objective” walking amount (accelerometer) in relation to the previous week were assessed at the second point. Physical and emotional symptoms and the consumption of drugs were also evaluated as covariates. The results show that perception of vigorous-intensity exercise was related to walking (accelerometer) (effort greater than 6 METs). This relationship was explained by the mediating effect of self-efficacy and was not interfered with either by the symptoms or by the consumption of drugs. High self-efficacy regarding physical exercise was directly related to walking behavior despite patients’ interpretation of this activity as a vigorous physical exercise. In intervention and rehabilitation programs, it would be interesting to take into account and promote the self-efficacy of patients in relation to physical exercise in order to maintain adherence to walking.

How far people walk during lunchtime: Comparing actual and perceived walking distances in the Central Business District of Bangkok, Thailand

Walking has long been considered a significant factor in wellness. Previous studies have indicated 400-500 meters as a standard of the “acceptable walking distance” as compared to driving or other forms of transportation. However, “acceptable walking distance” and a “distance that one chooses to walk” are two different matters. More importantly, the distance people perceive for a trip can be one of the deciding factors in determining whether they are willing to walk, decide not to walk, or shift to other transportation modes. This research aims to define the optimal walking distances of office workers by measuring the discrepancy between their estimated and actual walking distances in the Central Business District of Bangkok during lunchtime, their most extended break during the day. The descriptive statistic shows that the average walking distance is 302.39 meters, but most workers walked shorter distances since the median distance is 211.66 meters. Nevertheless, these office workers, on the whole, significantly miscalculated their walking distances, with an average over-estimation of 191.45 meters. Regression analysis shows that, when walking for distances up to 380 meters, most workers overestimated the distance they walked, but that, when walking beyond that distance (that is, 380 meters), they estimated correctly, which indicates the maximum actual length they choose to walk.