Ordinary Walking Research Articles

The Impact of Nordic Walking Pole Length on Gait Kinematic Parameters.

Nordic walking (NW) is a popular physical activity used to manage chronic diseases and maintain overall health and fitness status. This study aimed to compare NW to ordinary walking (W) with regard to pole length and to identify kinematic differences associated with different poles' length (55%, 65% and 75% of the subject's height, respectively). Twelve male volunteers (21.1 ± 0.7 years; 1.74 ± 0.05 m; 68.9 ± 6.1 kg) were tested in four conditions (W, NW55, NW65 and NW75) at three different speeds (4-5-6 km∗h-1). Each subject performed a total of twelve tests in a random order. Three-dimensional kinematics of upper and lower body were measured for both W and NW, while oxygen consumption levels (VO2) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured only for NW trials with different poles' length. NW showed a higher step length, lower elbow motion and higher trunk motion (p < 0.05) compared to W. Additionally, NW65 did not show any kinematic or RPE differences compared to NW55 and NW75. Only NW75 showed a higher elbow joint (p < 0.05) and lower pole (p < 0.05) range of motion compared to NW55 and a higher VO2 (p < 0.05) compared to NW55 and NW65 at 6 km∗h-1. In conclusion, the use of the poles affects the motion of the upper and lower body during gait. Poles with shorter or longer length do not produce particular changes in NW kinematics. However, increasing the length of the pole can be a smart variation in NW to increase exercise metabolic demand without significantly affecting the kinematics and the RPE.

Lung diffusing capacities for nitric oxide and carbon monoxide at rest and post-walking in long COVID.

Approximately one-third of long coronavirus disease 2019 (long COVID) patients report breathlessness and fatigue even during activities of daily living. We hypothesised that abnormalities of combined diffusing capacity of the lung for nitric oxide (D LNO) and carbon monoxide (D LCO) at rest or after mild exercise are associated with breathlessness in patients with long COVID. Single-breath combined D LNO and D LCO were measured at rest and immediately after a short bout of treadmill exercise simulating ordinary walking in 32 Caucasian patients with long COVID and dyspnoea at rest. 20 subjects served as a control group. At rest, combined D LNO, D LCO and alveolar volume (V A) were significantly lower in long COVID than in controls, with D LNO and D LCO being below the limits of normal in 69% and 41% of cases, respectively. Mean values of D LNO/V A and D LCO/V A in long COVID patients were less than controls, yet, in only 22% and 12% of long COVID patients were the values of D LNO/V A and D LCO/V A below the limits of normal. After treadmill exercise, D LNO, D LNO/D LCO, V A and heart rate increased significantly without differences between groups. D LNO remained below the limit of normal in 47% of long COVID patients. These data suggest localised discrete loss of lung units in approximately half of long COVID patients, not completely explained by loss of V A or of alveolar-capillary recruitment during exercise.

Dynamic parking space allocation at urban scale: Problem formulation and resolution

Searching for an available parking space is a major cause of traffic congestion and pollution. Besides, getting a free spot constitutes a primary worry for drivers on the road, which results in their daily discomfort and stress. Therefore, well-designed parking management tools are needed to effectively allocate parking spaces to drivers, especially in dense urban areas. In this perspective, we propose two linear integer programming models for assigning parking spaces to all road users (private vehicles and carriers) while maximizing parking occupancy. The first combinatorial problem attributes to each driver only one parking space while the second one assigns two parking spaces if no space is suitable for that motorist. Feasible solutions are computed in an exact way by improved primal simplex method and in an approximated manner by two metaheuristics (Genetic algorithm and Taboo search) for larger scale applications. However, parking problems still persist when parking requests are not properly balanced between a city's zones, a local gridlock problem arises where certain areas are over-used and others under-used. For this reason, we first redistribute parking demands over urban areas before dedicating one or two spaces to each driver. To do this, we consider both solicitation rates in these areas and coverage ratios of received parking demands. Our parking space allocation solution is just one component of a transportation system heavily backed by information and communication technologies. This system consists of effectively managing a city's parking spaces by predicting and understanding their occupancy patterns. The suggested approach is applied to Casablanca city with several parking scenarios in order to evaluate its effectiveness and test its ability to minimize total walking distance, parking costs as well as unmet demand percentages. Experimental results show that our mathematical models can effectively rule out parking problems. The related published methods satisfy at most 75% of received parking requests. However, with our proposal, it is possible to find parking spaces for 87.3% of drivers without any noticeable effort, even an increase of 16.4%. The ordinary walking distance is reduced by 40% if our solution is adopted. Yet, other research works report a decrease of this distance not exceeding 30%. The increase in parking demand satisfaction rates demonstrates the effectiveness of our system, especially in the eyes of urban stakeholders. The reduction in walking distance encourages drivers to use our solution and consequently increases their loyalty.

In vivo analysis of hip joint loading on Nordic walking novices

ObjectiveTo evaluate the influence of Nordic walking (NW) on hip joint loads in order to determine whether it can be safely performed during postoperative physiotherapy in patients after orthopeadic surgery of the hip.MethodsInternal hip joint loads were directly measured in vivo in 6 patients using instrumented hip prostheses during NW and ordinary walking (OW). All patients received training in two different NW techniques (double-poling and the diagonal technique) by a certified NW instructor. Measurements were conducted on a treadmill at a speed of 4 km/h on level ground, at 10% inclination and at 10% slope as well as on a level lawn at a self chosen comfortable speed. Resultant contact force (Fres), bending moment (Mbend) and torsional torque (Mtors) were compared between NW and OW as well as between both NW techniques.ResultsJoint loads showed a double peak pattern during all setups. Neither NW technique significantly influenced hip joint loads at the time of the first load peak during contralateral toe-off (CTO), which was also the absolute load peak, in comparison to OW. Compared to OW, double-poling significantly reduced Fres and Mbend at the time of the second load peak during the contralateral heel strike (CHS) on level ground both on the treadmill (− 6% and − 7%, respectively) and on the lawn (− 7% and − 9%). At 10% inclination, the diagonal technique increased Fres and Mbend at CHS (by + 6% and + 7%), but did not increase the absolute load peak at CTO.ConclusionJoint loads during NW are comparable to those of OW. Therefore, NW can be considered a low-impact activity and seems to be safe for patients that are allowed full weight bearing, e.g. during postoperative rehabilitation after THA.

Gait alterations induced by unloaded body weight in individuals with stroke while walking on moveable and fixed surfaces

This study examined the effects of the support surface (i.e., treadmill or ground) and the quantity of body weight unloading provided by a partial body weight support (PBWS) system on the spatiotemporal gait characteristics of individuals with stroke. Fifteen individuals, aged 57.2 ± 9.8 years, with chronic stroke walked on a treadmill and on the ground with 0%, 10%, and 20% of PBWS. Inertial sensors placed on the participants’ feet registered 3-D acceleration and 3-D angular velocity during walking, and some gait parameters were calculated. Overall, individuals with stroke walked with shorter and slower strides and spent more time in contact with the support surface when walking on the treadmill compared to when walking on the ground. The duration of double limb support decreased when the percentage of PBWS increased. Stride length and speed were more variable in the paretic limb than in the non-paretic limb. Treadmill walking was more consistent and less similar to ordinary walking than walking on the ground. The gait pattern of individuals with stroke was modulated according to the support surface on which walking was performed, and the use of a PBWS system seems suitable to develop walking proficiencies on a daily basis.

Barrier-free tourism as a means of physical recreation for persons with disabilities on the example of the developed active tour «Conquering diseases»

This article analyzes the current state of development of barrier-free tourism in the Zhytomyr region, as well as presents a guided tour for blind people. The study clarified the stages of evolution of the concept of «inclusive tourism» and its interpretation by both Ukrainian and foreign scientists, as well as its own definition of this area. The main difference was due to the variety of terms that can be used to describe tourism for people with disabilities. For Ukraine, the most appropriate option is the word «barrier-free», which, unlike «affordable tourism», has no other interpretation. An important aspect when creating a tourist route is to first choose the direction in which the main attention will be paid when including services in the tourist product. According to the fact that in Zhytomyr in 2021 it is planned to actively develop the sports industry and in general the main tourist specialization of the region is aimed at the development of active tourism. It was sports disability tourism that was taken as the basis among other types. This route is the first in the region, due to the fact that it combines not an ordinary walking tour, but a modified one, which first includes passing a quest-walk for the blind using a smartphone, and then playing various sports. Due to the various services included in the tour, for those who use it, it can serve as a means of rehabilitation through socialization and organized active leisure. Within the Zhytomyr region and the city of Zhytomyr there is a great opportunity to develop this area and attract people with limited mobility, as there are many natural and historical and cultural monuments that can be included in the routes. The main importance of this topic and the development of a tourist route for the blind is that people with disabilities will be able to find like-minded people during the tour and the need to create an environment accessible to all citizens, including people with various disabilities. So, now an important point is the socialization of people with disabilities in the tourist environment.

PEDESTRIAN DEAD RECKONING USING SMARTPHONES SENSORS: AN EFFICIENT INDOOR POSITIONING SYSTEM IN COMPLEX BUILDINGS OF SMART CITIES

Abstract. This paper proposes an indoor positioning method using Pedestrian Dead Reckoning (PDR) based on the detection of the mode of the user’s smartphone. In the first step, to determine the mode of carrying the smartphone (Holding, Calling, Swinging) by suitably formed feature vectors based on sensor data, three classification algorithms (Decision Tree (DT), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN)) are evaluated. From the classification algorithm perspective, the decision tree algorithm had the best performance in terms of processing time and classification. Secondly, to determine the user position, the step detection is performed by defining the upper threshold and time threshold for Acceleration norm values. The orientation component is obtained by combining accelerometer, magnetometer, and gyroscope data using Complementary Filtering and Principal Component Analysis based on Global Acceleration (PCA-GA) methods. The mean standard deviation along the direct path for the three modes of carrying (Holding, Calling, and Swinging) were obtained 6.22, 6.82, and 14.68 degrees, respectively. Localization experiments were performed on 3 modes of carrying a smartphone in a rectangular geometry path. The mean final error of positioning from ordinary walking for the three modes of holding (Calling, Holding, Swinging) were obtained 2.11, 2.34, and 4.5 m, respectively.

Vascular Rehabilitation Benefits of Tribulus Terrestris (TT), Taurine and High Dose Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) Supplementation with Interval Walking Training Program after Surgical Vascular Bypass Treatment (Pilot Study)

Background: Some of main raisons for the elderly graft occlusion after successful aortal-iliac, aortal Femoral and Femoral Distal Vein Bypass, progression of main disease, continuing bad life Habits and uncontrolled risk factors such are mostly: poor nutrition traditional or fast food, Smocking and Lacks of Walking and Physical Activity Habits. Objective: The primary objective of the study was to estimate influence of Interval Walking Training Program combine with Tribulus Terrestris, 3-5 gram of Taurine and high dose of 1800mg supplementation of ALA on primary potency and vascular treatment. Secondary goals of this study is determinate by establishing better understanding connection between ordinary vascular walking therapy 30-45 min and interval walking program combine with Tribulus Terrestris, Taurine and high dose of and ALA as secondary supplementation after surgical and endovascular treatment. Methodology: The study included 112 patients, at the Clinic of cardiovascular surgery, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, age between 50 and 75 (50 patients surgical treated with aortic-iliac, aortic-femoral and femoral distal vein bypass with and without Linton-patch/Taylor patch-first group) and (62 endovascular Iliac treated patients (indication TASC II A and B) with and without support Tribulus Terrestris, high dose of ALA and Taurine - second group). Results: Final analysis has reveal the rehabilitation outcome in 83% patients with bypass above the knee was fully rehabilitated compared to 46,6% patients with bypass below the knee was statistically considered significant by using p value less than (p&lt;0,05) In anamnestic history in 83% patient with amputation above the knee was documented the presence of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, nicotinismus and diabetes compared to 66,7% of patients with amputation level below the knee but there was no statistically significant difference (p&gt;0,05). Conclusion: Interval Walking Training Program on Tribulus Terrestris, Taurine and high dose of ALA had a significantly and successfully higher bypass potency and rehabilitation prognosis compare to patients without supplementation and postsurgical physical therapy concept. It is obviously the is certain link between physical activity, life style modification and serum testosterone on primary bypass potency.

Proficiency in pole handling during Nordic walking influences exercise effectiveness in middle-aged and older adults.

Nordic walking (NW) is a total body version of walking increasingly used as a health-promoting activity by middle-aged and older adults. The present study examined the relationship between force exerted through the pole and physiological response during NW. In this non-randomized exercise trial, 17 participants comprising 8 middle-aged and older recreationally trained Nordic walkers (NWrec: 63.7 ± 8.1 years) and 9 experienced NW instructors (NWinstr: 57.5 ± 7.8 years) underwent outdoor ordinary walking (OW) and NW bouts as fast as possible for 12 minutes. Walking distance, speed, heart rate (HR), energy expenditure (METs and J/kg/m) and upper and lower limb muscle activities using surface electromyogram (EMG) were assessed. A pole with a built-in load cell measured force applied to the pole with peak pole force, pole contact time, % of pole contact time with respect to the gait cycle, and pole impulse derived. We conducted two-way analysis of covariance adjusted for age and BMI. There was a significant group and walking type interaction for walking distance and speed (P = 0.04), METs (P < 0.01), and HR (P = 0.04) with higher values in the NWinstr group during NW than OW. As expected, upper limb EMG activities increased (P < 0.01) with NW in both groups. All pole force measures were significantly higher in NWinstr than NWrec (P ≤ 0.01). Change in walking distance and speed were correlated with pole peak force (r = 0.67, P < 0.01) and pole impulse (r = 0.63, P = 0.01). Similarly, change in METs was associated with peak pole force (r = 0.66, P < 0.01) and pole impulse (r = 0.56, P = 0.02). These results indicate that planting the pole on the ground more forcefully and for longer periods to derive a driving force in NW enhances the effectiveness of the exercise and potentially the health-derived benefits.

Modeling pedestrian crossing speed profiles considering speed change behavior for the safety assessment of signalized intersections

Pedestrian safety is one of the most challenging issues in road networks. Understanding how pedestrians maneuver across an intersection is the key to applying countermeasures against traffic crashes. It is known that the behaviors of pedestrians at signalized crosswalks are significantly different from those in ordinary walking spaces, and they are highly influenced by signal indication, potential conflicts with vehicles, and intersection geometries. One of the most important characteristics of pedestrian behavior at crosswalks is the possible sudden speed change while crossing. Such sudden behavioral change may not be expected by conflicting vehicles, which may lead to hazardous situations. This study aims to quantitatively model the sudden speed changes of pedestrians as they cross signalized crosswalks under uncongested conditions. Pedestrian speed profiles are collected from empirical data and speed change events are extracted assuming that the speed profiles are stepwise functions. The occurrence of speed change events is described by a discrete choice model as a function of the necessary walking speed to complete crossing before the red interval ends, current speed, and the presence of turning vehicles in the conflict area. The amount of speed change before and after the event is modeled using regression analysis. A Monte Carlo simulation is applied for the entire speed profile of the pedestrians. The results show that the model can represent the pedestrian travel time distribution more accurately than the constant speed model.

Consideration of a Pedestrian Speed Change Model in the Pedestrian–Vehicle Safety Assessment of Signalized Crosswalks

Pedestrian safety is one of the most challenging issues in the road network. Understanding the pedestrian maneuver is the key to applying countermeasures against traffic crashes. It is known that behaviors of pedestrians at signalized crosswalks are significantly different from ordinary walking spaces and they are highly influenced by signal indication, potential conflicts to vehicles and intersection geometries. One of the most important characteristics of pedestrian behavior at crosswalks is the possible sudden speed change while crossing. Such sudden behavioral change may not be expected by conflicting vehicles, which may lead to hazardous situations. This study aims to quantitatively model the pedestrians' sudden speed change maneuver at signalized crosswalks under uncongested conditions. Pedestrian speed profiles are collected from empirical data and speed change events are extracted assuming that the speed profiles are stepwise functions. The occurrence of the speed change events is described by a discrete choice model as a function of the necessary walking speed to complete crossing before red interval, current speed, and the presence of turning vehicles in the conflict area. The amount of speed change before and after the event is modeled using regression analysis. A Monte- Carlo simulation is applied for the entire speed profile of the pedestrians. The results showed that the model was able to represent the pedestrian travel time distribution more accurately than the constant speed model.

Effects of Nordic walking on pelvis motion and muscle activities around the hip joints of adults with hip osteoarthritis.

[Purpose] Increased compensatory pelvic movement is remarkable in limping patients with hip osteoarthritis (OA). However, a method of improving limping has not been established. The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of two types of Nordic walking by analyzing the pelvic movement and muscle activities of adults with hip OA. [Subjects and Methods] Ten patients with OA of the hip performed Japanese-style Nordic walking (JS NW), European-style Nordic walking (ES NW), and Ordinary walking (OW), and the muscle activities around the hip joint and pelvic movements were analyzed. [Results] The pelvic rotation angle was significantly larger in ES NW than in JS NW. In the stance phase, hip abductor muscle activity was significantly decreased in JS NW compared to both OW and ES NW. In the swing phase, rectus abdominis muscle activity was significantly increased in both JS NW and ES NW compared to OW and lumbar erector spinae activity was significantly lower in JS NW than in OW. [Conclusion] JS NW style may reduce the compensatory pelvic rotation in patients with hip OA. JS NW might be better for joint protection and prevention of secondary disorders of the hip in OA patients.

Turning in a Bipedal Robot

We report the development of turning behavior on a child-size bipedal robot that addresses two common scenarios: turning in place and simultaneous walking and turning. About turning in place, three strategies are investigated and compared, including body-first, leg-first, and body/leg-simultaneous. These three strategies are used for three actions, respectively: when walking follows turning immediately, when space behind the robot is very tight, and when a large turning angle is desired. Concerning simultaneous walking and turning, the linear inverted pendulum is used as the motion model in the single-leg support phase, and the polynomial-based trajectory is used as the motion model in the double-leg support phase and for smooth motion connectivity to motions in a priori and a posteriori single-leg support phases. Compared to the trajectory generation of ordinary walking, that of simultaneous walking and turning introduces only two extra parameters: one for determining new heading direction and the other for smoothing the Center of Mass (COM) trajectory. The trajectory design methodology is validated in both simulation and experimental environments, and successful robot behavior confirms the effectiveness of the strategy.

Modeling of mesencephalic locomotor region for Nao humanoid robot

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to model a motor region named the mesencephalic locomotors region (MLR) which is located in the end part of the brain and first part of the spinal cord. This model will be used for a Nao soccer player humanoid robot. It consists of three main parts: High Level Decision Unit (HLDU), MLR‐Learner and the CPG layer. The authors focus on a special type of decision making named curvilinear walking.Design/methodology/approachThe authors' model is based on stimulation of some programmable central pattern generators (PCPGs) to generate curvilinear bipedal walking patterns. PCPGs are made from adaptive Hopfs oscillators. High level decision, i.e. curvilinear bipedal walking, will be formulated as a policy gradient learning problem over some free parameters of the robot CPG controller.FindingsThe paper provides a basic model for generating different types of motions in humanoid robots using only simple stimulation of a CPG layer. A suitable and fast curvilinear walk has been achieved on a Nao humanoid robot, which is similar to human ordinary walking. This model can be extended and used in other types of humanoid.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors' work is limited to a special type of biped locomotion. Different types of other motions are encouraged to be tested and evaluated by this model.Practical implicationsThe paper introduces a bio‐inspired model of skill learning for humanoid robots. It is used for curvilinear bipedal walking pattern, which is a beneficial movement in soccer‐playing Nao robots in Robocup competitions.Originality/valueThe paper uses a new biological motor concept in artificial humanoid robots, which is the mesencephalic locomotor region.

315 傾斜角度の変化に伴うノルディックウォーキングの負荷特性評価(歩行・転倒・姿勢制御)

There are few studies focused on the various joint loads for NW. Therefore, as for examining having joint load reduction effect or not of the NW, it is with an important element judging the right or wrong of the application to everyday life of the NW for patients with joint disease and young people.The purpose of this study is to compare the joint load (lumbar spine, hip, knee and ankle joints) for NW to ordinary walking (OW) on a level surface and for going up and down hill. Standard 3D inverse dynamics was used to calculate joint force and joint moment in the lower limb joints. On level ground, NW had a load reduction effect on the hip compression and shear force, the knee compression and shear force, ankle shear force. Going up hill, NW had a load reduction effect on the hip compression force and knee shear force, ankle shear force. Going down hill, NW had a load reduction effect on the hip compression and shear force, the knee compression and shear force, ankle shear force.

Curvilinear Bipedal Walk Learning in Nao Humanoid Robot Using a CPG Based Policy Gradient Method

In this paper we will introduce a new learning approach for curvilinear bipedal walking of Nao humanoid robot using policy gradient method. A policy of walking is modeled by some policy parameters controlling some factors in programmable central pattern generators. A “Programmable” central pattern generator is made with coupled nonlinear oscillators capable to shape their state equations with some training trajectories. The proposed model has many benefits including smooth walking patterns, and modulation during walking to increase or decrease its speed. A suitable curvilinear walk was achieved, which is very similar to human ordinary walking. This model can be extended and used in Nao soccer player both in standard platform and 3D soccer simulation leagues of Robocup competitions to train different types of motions.

Load dynamics of joints in Nordic walking

Recent years have seen a worldwide increase in people participating in Nordic walking (NW), with a heavy concentration in Northern Europe. This trend has led to abundant research in NW, which has the potential to reduce the load of the joints because poles are used during walking, and walkers may distribute part of their weight to the poles. A high exercise effect for NW is recognized now, and various studies are performed in the past. However, there are few studies focused on the various joint loads for NW. Therefore, as for examining having joint load reduction effect or not of the NW, it is with an important element judging the right or wrong of the application to everyday life of the NW for patients with joint disease and elderly people.The purpose of this study is to compare the joint load (lumbar spine, hip, knee and ankle joints) for NW to ordinary walking (OW) on a level surface and for going up and down stairs. Five healthy participants were asked to conduct NW and OW on a level surface and going up and down stairs equipped with force platforms. 3D inverse dynamics was used to calculate joint reaction force and joint moment in the lower limb joints. Then, the joint forces (compression and shear) at each of the lumbar spine, hip, knee and ankle joints were calculated using the Software for Interactive Musculoskeletal Modeling (SIMM). It was found that NW reduces the load of the lumbar spine and lower limb joints compared with OW on a level surface and going up stairs, but not going down stairs.

Rhythms of Walking: History and Presence in a City Street

This article draws on Lefebvre’s notion of rhythm to contribute to the theorization of embodied space and urban experience. Through gestures (learned and patterned movements), the body gathers together material and social relations in the street and produces rhythms that the ethnographer can listen to and take part in. In the article, the temporality of walking, combining past, present and future, is used to incorporate the history of a particular street in Aberdeen, Scotland, into an analysis of the walking practices of those who use it. Temporal “presence” is suggested as a mode of ethnography appropriate to shared walking, and by which both the familiar and the hidden or mysterious aspects of urban walking can be described. By engaging both with ordinary walking and more distinctive practices, the article shows how the ways that people walk in the street become part of local politics and social relations.

626 階段昇降時におけるノルディックウォーキングの下肢関節負荷特性評価(動作解析・評価,OS-7 ヒューマンダイナミクス,総合テーマ「伝統を,未来へ!」)

People use stairs in daily life and it is suggested that the compression force of the knee joints during downhill walking of stairs is twice than that of level walking. Nordic Walking (NW) would have potential to reduce the load of lower limb joint in the stairs, because NW uses the poles during walking and may distribute the part of their own weight to the poles. However there are few studies focused on the lower limb joint loads for NW in the up and down stairs. The purpose of this study was to compare the load of lower limb joints (hip, knee and ankle joints) for NW to ordinary walking (OW) in the up and down stairs.

上気道閉塞による心肺停止にて発見された粘液水腫例

A 35-year-old man who had gone into cardiopulmonary arrest upon emergency room arrival was mechanically intubated and ventilated in the ICU. Serum fT3 was 0.33 pg/mL, fT4 0.07 pg/mL, and TSH 195.0 IU/mL. He was diagnosed with myxoedema with severe laryngeal obstruction, given replacement levotyroxine (50 mg/day), and underwent tracheostomy. Following a gradual increase in levotyroxine, his general condition improved. The tracheostomy was closed on day 60. Four months after admission, he was discharged without complications, and he recovering ordinary activity and walking on his own.