Do Mechatronic Poles Change the Gait Technique of Nordic Walking in Patients with Ischemic Heart Disease?

Abstract

The study aimed to compare the technique of normal gait with the Nordic walking (NW) gait with classical and mechatronic poles in patients with ischemic heart disease. It was assumed that equipping classical NW poles with sensors enabling biomechanical gait analysis would not cause a change in the gait pattern. The study involved 12 men suffering from ischemic heart disease (age: 66.2 ± 5.2 years, body height: 173.8 ± 6.74 cm; body mass: 87.3 ± 10.89 kg; disease duration: 12.2 ± 7.5 years). The MyoMOTION 3D inertial motion capture system (Noraxon Inc., Scottsdale, AZ, USA) was used to collect biomechanical variables of gait (spatiotemporal and kinematic parameters). The subject’s task was to cover the 100 m distance with three types of gait-walking without poles (normal gait), walking with classical poles to NW, and walking with mechatronic poles from the so-called preferred velocity. Parameters were measured on the right and left sides of the body. The data were analyzed using two-way repeated measures analysis of variance with the between-subject factor “body side.” Friedman’s test was used when necessary. For most kinematic parameters, with the exception of knee flexion–extension ( p = 0.474 ) and shoulder flexion–extension ( p = 0.094 ), significant differences were found between normal and walking with poles for both the left and right side of the body and no differences due to the type of pole. Differences between the left and right movement ranges were identified only for the ankle inversion–eversion parameter (gait without poles p = 0.047 ; gait with classical poles p = 0.013 ). In the case of spatiotemporal parameters, a reduction in the cadence step value using mechatronic poles and the stance phase using classical poles compared to normal walking was observed. There was also an increase in the values for step length and step time regardless of the type of poles, stride length, and swing phase when using classical poles and stride time when using mechatronic poles. The differences between the right and left sides of the measurement occurred when walking with both types of poles for single support (gait with classical poles p = 0.003 ; gait with mechatronic poles p = 0.030 ), stance phase (gait with classical poles p = 0.028 ; gait with mechatronic poles p = 0.017 ) and swing phase (gait with classical poles p = 0.028 ; gait with mechatronic poles p = 0.017 ). Mechatronic poles can be used in the study of the biomechanics of gait in real-time with feedback on its regularity because no statistically significant differences were found between the NW gait with classical and mechatronic poles in the studied men with ischemic heart disease.

Walking Toward Better Health: The Influence of Nordic Walking Training on Gait and Exercise Tolerance in Ischemic Heart Disease Patients

“…Weakness of the calf muscles causes dysfunction of this joint and, thus, a decrease in the "propelling force" of gait, which results, among others, in a decrease in speed 18,19 . Gait speed, stride length, gait cycle and step length are also lower in these patients compared to healthy individuals 20,21 . However, in previous studies, the authors did not refer to the NW gait technique, nor did they precisely describe at what level, according to the International Nordic Walking Federation (INWA) guidelines, the training programs were conducted based on kinematic and spatiotemporal parameters.…”

Comparative Analysis of Gait Kinematics in Older Adults: Free Walking vs. Nordic Walking with Classic and Mechatronic Poles

“…Secondly, we asked all participants to wear comfortable clothing and shoes during the testing session to minimise any additional effects on their gait pattern. Finally, we acknowledge that previous studies [30,31] and our own studies [32,33] have shown that the presence of IMU sensors does not interfere with natural movement nor alter gait patterns, and any differences in joint angle measurement can be attributed to the variability in the anatomical models used for calculations. The MyoMOTION MR3 sensors used in our study are small, lightweight, and wireless and are attached directly to the body and poles.…”

Mechatronic Pole System for Monitoring the Correctness of Nordic Walking

“…These aspects of the impact of the system were investigated and analyzed by the authors. The results are presented in papers [27][28][29], demonstrating the lack of negative impact of the developed MNW system on NW gait patterns.…”