Effect of Slow Walking Speed on Gait

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of slow walking speed on the gait. METHOD: Twenty healthy young male subjects were recruited. The temporospatial data, kinematic and kinetic data in sagittal plane at two different walking speed (2 km/hr, 4 km/hr) were obtained through three dimensional analyzer with the force plate, and compared these parameters at slow gait speed to those at normal gait speed. RESULTS: The cadence and step length decreased significantly and double support time increased significantly (p<0.05) at slow speed compared to at normal speed. The most peak angle of hip, knee and ankle joint decreased, maximal ankle dorsiflexion angle in stance phase increased significantly at slow speed compared to at normal speed (p<0.05). The most maximal extension and flexion moment and power in sagittal plane decreased compared to at normal speed (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate that only slow walking speed without any pathology may change the temporospatial, kinematic and kinetic parameters of gait, and these results may be useful to interpret the data of gait analysis in the disabled persons with slow walking speed.

Evaluation of Kinematic Data and Energy Consumption of Domestic Swing and Stance Phase Control Knee Assembly

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the kinematic data and energy consumption of domestic swing and stance phase (SNS) control knee assembly in transfemoral amputees. METHOD: Five male transfemoral amputees took prosthetic training of more than one week and evaluated with random applying 3 types of knee assembly; mechanical type, pneumatic type, and domestic SNS type. Kinematic data was obtained by the VICON 370 system (Oxford Metrics Ltd., UK.). Energy consumption was measured using a KB1-C (Aerosport Inc, U.S.A). RESULTS: Domestic SNS type showed a significantly increased walking speed, cadence and step length compared with mechanical type and pneumatic type (p<0.05). Domestic SNS type showed a significantly increased maximal hip flexion and extension compared with mechanical type and pneumatic type (p<0.05). Domestic SNS type showed decreased peak knee flexion at swing phase and significantly increased peak knee extension at stance phase compard with mechanical type and pneumatic type (p<0.05). In energy consumption, the domestic SNS type tended to show a lower O2 cost and faster walking speed than the mechanical type and pneumatic type at free-walking. CONCLUSION: We concluded the domestic SNS type had more tendency toward a normal gait pattern and lower energy consumption compared with mechanical type and pneumatic type.