A New Quantitative Gait Analysis Method Based on Oscillatory Mechanical Energies Measured near Body Center of Mass

• Published in: Sensors
• Main Authors: Derek Cheung, Jeff Cheung, Vicky Cheung, Li Jin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2022-11-01
• Subjects: IMU; BCOM; gait analysis; oscillatory energy; energy partitioning
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/22/22/8656

Human locomotion involves the modulation of whole-body mechanical energy, which can be approximated by the motion dynamics at the body’s center of mass (BCOM). This study introduces a new method to measure gait efficiency based on BCOM oscillatory kinetic energy patterns using a single inertia measurement unit (IMU). Forty-seven participants completed an overground walk test at a self-selected speed. The average oscillatory energy (OE) at BCOM during walking was derived from measured acceleration data. The total OE showed a positive correlation with forward-walking velocity. The ratio of total OE to constant forward kinetic energy for healthy adults varied from ~1–5%, which can be considered the percent of oscillatory energy required to maintain gait posture for a given forward-walking velocity. Mathematically, this ratio is proportional to the square of the periodic peak-to-peak displacement of BCOM. Individuals with gait impairments exhibited a higher percentage of oscillatory energy, typically >6%. This wearable IMU-based method has the potential to be an effective tool for the rapid, quantitative assessment of gait efficiency in clinical and rehabilitation settings.