Biomechanics of the Lower Extremities During Elliptical Exercise

• Main Authors: Hui-Lien Chien, 簡惠蓮
• Other Authors: Tung-Wu Lu
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2006
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/37502063498470640744

碩士 === 國立臺灣大學 === 醫學工程學研究所 === 94 === Design concepts of elliptical trainers were reported to simulate the motion of the human gait, providing whole body motion and reducing impact loading to the lower limbs. Despite the growing popularity in recent years of the elliptical exercise (EE), the biomechanics of the lower extremities during EE remains unknown. However, a complete knowledge on the biomechanics of the lower limbs would be helpful for realizing the advantage and disadvantage of EE when compared to the overground walking and establishing the guideline for safe usage. Fifteen male adults were recruited to perform EE and overground walking. Lower limb kinematics was obtained using a 7-camera motion analysis system. Two forceplates and a 6-component force transducer instrumented under right pedal were used for ground/pedal reaction forces measurement. The results showed that EE and overground walking were of fundamental differences both kinematically and kinetically. All of the stride length, workload and pedal rate influenced the lower limb kinetics during EE, while stride length affected ankle plantarflexion and pedal rate affected hip and knee flexion angles. The results suggested that the use of the ET for healthy users and rehabilitative training would have to consider users’ joint function and muscle strength to avoid any unnecessary injuries.