Engineering Interventions to Improve Impaired Gait

Assistance magnitude versus metabolic cost reductions for a tethered multiarticular soft exosuit

“…Humans naturally walk in a manner that conserves energy; we optimize our cadence, step length, and arm swing to minimize metabolic energy consumption (1,2). It is a commonly held belief that deviations from this normal walking pattern increase energy expenditure (3,4). Certain diseases that affect gait, such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, and cerebral palsy, increase the net energy expenditure of walking by as much as 70% compared with healthy individuals (5-7).…”

Can Simple Electronic Instrumentation Associated with Basic Training Help Users of Assistive Devices? - Presenting and Verifying the Effectiveness of a Biofeedback Module for an Instrumented Crutch

“…Gait cycle (stride) is the continuous repetitive pattern of walking or running, including stance (single and double supports) and swing phases. It starts when one foot makes contact with the floor and ends when the same foot makes contact again (Agarwal et al, 2012;Simoneau, 2011;Wall, 2001). During the stance phase, the foot is in contact with the floor; and the leg moves freely above the floor in the swing phase (Baker, 2012).…”