Walking efficiency assessment through the analysis of mechanical energy and energy recovery index

Author

Salami, Firooz ; Dipaola, Mariangela ; Marzegan, Alberto ; Isaias, Ioannis Ugo ; Frigo, Carlo Albino

Author_Institution

Lab. “Luigi Divieti”, Politec. di Milano, Milan, Italy

fYear

2013

fDate

21-23 Nov. 2013

Firstpage

1

Lastpage

3

Abstract

The mechanical energy exchanges of normal subjects during walking have been investigated. Two groups of subjects including healthy children and healthy adults participated in this study. Kinematic data have been captured by a motion analysis system composed of 8 TV-cameras with an acquisition frequency of 50 Hz and retro-reflective markers positioned on main reference points of the body. Based on the estimation of mass and centre of mass of the main anatomical segments the kinetic and potential energy were computed. The total mechanical energy along a stride was compared to the kinetic and potential energy excursions as to obtain an index of energy recovery. Preliminary results show that significant differences exist between children and adults and walking efficiency is higher in adults.

Keywords

gait analysis; geriatrics; kinematics; paediatrics; television cameras; TV-cameras; acquisition frequency; anatomical segments; centre of mass; energy recovery index; energy recovery index analysis; frequency 50 Hz; healthy adults; healthy children; kinematic data; kinetic energy; kinetic energy excursions; mass estimation; mechanical energy analysis; mechanical energy exchanges; motion analysis system; potential energy; potential energy excursions; retroreflective markers; stride; walking efficiency assessment; Artificial neural networks; Displacement measurement; Erbium; Legged locomotion; energy exchange; gait analysis; walking efficiency;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

E-Health and Bioengineering Conference (EHB), 2013

Conference_Location

Iasi

Print_ISBN

978-1-4799-2372-4

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/EHB.2013.6707319

Filename

6707319