A Parametric Identification Method of Human Gait Differences and its Application in Rehabilitation

• Main Authors: Jing Gao, Yahui Cui, Xiaomin Ji, Xupeng Wang, Gang Hu, Fan Liu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-10-01
• Series: Applied Sciences
• Subjects: gait analysis; mathematical model; shape parameter; rehabilitation; walking posture
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/9/21/4581

In order to understand the regularity of human motion, characteristic description is widely used in gait analysis. For completely expressing gait information and providing more concise indicators, parametric description is also particularly significant as a means of analysis. Therefore, in this paper, the mathematical models of gait curves based on the generalized extension-Bézier curve were investigated, of which the shape parameters were used as individual gait characteristics to distinguish whether the gait is normal or not and to assist in judging rehabilitation. To evaluate the models, angle data from three joints (hip, knee, and ankle) were recorded with motion capture system when participants (10 healthy males and 6 male patients with ankle fracture) were walking at comfortable velocity along a walkway. Then, the shape parameters of each subject were obtained by applying the mathematical models, and the parameter range of the normal group was further summarized. Through comparison, it could be found that most shape parameters of patients exceed the normal ranges in varying degrees, and are concentrated on specific parameters. The results can not only help to judge the recovery stages of patients but also figure out the corresponding abnormal postures, so as to provide guidance for rehabilitation training.