Spectral analysis of walking improvement utilizing AR modeling.

This study analyzes the walking improvement based on 1/f fluctuations and impulse responses utilizing Auto-Regressive (AR) modeling. Once subjects were aware of the correct posture, the fluctuation of subject's both sides of the hip while walking was improved more rhythmic. The analysis of impulse response utilizing AR modeling provided clear results for the evaluation of improvement to walking stability. After the subjects understood their own walking condition, based on 1/f fluctuation, and had received suitable rehabilitation and shoes, their walking stability improved satisfactorily. This study provides a useful method of medical evaluation in rehabilitation and physical fitness, and a means for subjects to maintain a state of well being.

Dynamic analysis of walking stability.

Patients with walking disorders are diagnosed by orthopedics and a rehabilitation course in a hospital, but the walking of physically unimpaired persons is not diagnosed. It is considered that if they continue to walk unstably, this may cause lower-back pain or knee pain; this burden also exerts bad influences upon other physical parts. So it is important that we analyze walking stability of physically unimpaired persons as one aspect of preventive medicine. The center of gravity (COG) plays an important role in evaluation of stability for both standing posture and walking. In the present study, we used an acceleration measurement system. Using this system, we measured the acceleration displacement at the COG of a normal walking subject and evaluated walking stability quantitatively. We noted the periodicity and rhythm of the acceleration displacement of normal subjects while they walked, using a seasonal adjustment model to predict periodic fluctuations. We assessed walking stability, quantitatively, using the ratio of the variance of the noise component vs. the variance of periodic component. This study provides useful information for understanding walking systems in preventive medicine and rehabilitative medicine.

Analysis of 1/f fluctuations of heart rate response while walking or listening to sounds.

This study analyzes the heart rate and voice response of young students while walking or listening to sounds based on 1/f (f=frequency) fluctuation using FFT spectral analysis. There was more positive 1/f fluctuation in heart rate response in normal walking or while listening to comfortable sounds than under stressful conditions, whereas the response was negatively influenced by walking with a heavy bag or while listening to noisy sounds. This study provides a useful method for preventive medicine, physical fitness, and a means for young subjects to maintain a state of well-being.

Spectral analysis of walking with shoes and without shoes.

This study analyzes the walking balance of young students based on 1/f fluctuations using auto-regressive (AR) modeling. There was more good walking balance than bad, influenced positively or negatively by the students' shoes. After the subjects understood their own walking condition, based on 1/f fluctuation, and had received suitable rehabilitation and shoes, their walking balance became better. This study provides a useful new method of medical evaluation in rehabilitation and physical fitness, and a means for subjects to maintain a state of well being.

Analysis of impulse response on walking stability using accelerometers.

The walking stability becomes less stable under the influence of a problematic posture or back. This problem was analyzed on the basis of two new approaches. The first approach is a newly developed measurement system, consisting of two accelerometers for walking analysis. It was a small, wearable, micro PC-assisted portable system. However, it was difficult to analyze directly the characteristics of movement stability using the raw measurement data. The second approach was an analysis of impulse response using AR modeling. Once it was understood standing with correct posture, the fluctuation of subject's both sides of the hip while walking was improved more rhythmic in the female students. The analysis of impulse response, utilizing AR modeling, provided clear results for the evaluation of improvement to walking stability.