Analyzing Asymmetric Gait Using Ground Reaction Forces
An examination of ground reaction forces (GRFs) was conducted during gait with a focus on people recovering from lower limb surgery. This experiment is being developed in the Human Dynamics & Controls Laboratory (HDCL) in the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering. Based on previous research, we assumed that there will be changes in GRF patterns resulting from lower limb surgery. Also, since crossover events, or inaccurate GRF readings of a single foot, are a problem when testing using a dual-belted instrumented treadmill, a solution as to how to recognize and decipher this data during gait was implemented. A computer program, MATLAB, was used to extract GRF data into individual gait cycles and also to decipher crossover events. The extracted GRF data was examined to compare the differences between symmetric gait and lower limb surgery. During gait we expected the average vertical GRF on the right leg to decrease and increase on the left leg after surgery.
School:
Michigan State University
Department:
Mechanical and Biomechanical Engineering
Research Advisor:
Elizabeth T. Hsiao-Wecksler
Department of Research Advisor:
Mechanical Science & Engineering
Year of Publication:
2008