Evaluation of Walking Motions with the Aid of Walkers Using Acceleration Sensors

Abstract

Walkers are tools that are used to improve self-reliance when walking. In this study, the unstable motions of gait in subjects who use walkers were analyzed using tri-axial accelerometers and a motion capture system. Several markers were placed on the subjects’ backs and legs, and two high-speed video cameras were employed to record the motion of these markers. The subjects were asked to walk around a test course at a comfortable speed. The activities performed on the test course consisted of standing, normal walking, fast walking, walking over a barrier, and falling down. The authors’ results determined the characteristic rules of gait motion with walker use. They found that acceleration sensors are convenient for extracting characteristics from the gait motions. They believe that the methods employed with the acceleration sensors are suitable for the discovery of the average gait motions of elderly patients living in nursing homes and can be used to evaluate walking motion before and after rehabilitation.

Use of Accelerators for Biomechanical Analysis of Walking Motion Aided by Wheeled Walking Frames

“…These results demonstrate clear increases in walking speed and vertical and lateral acceleration following rehabilitation [13]. The average peak amplitudes in the acceleration waveforms of vertical and lateral movements performed by subjects 1-6 before and after rehabilitation are shown in Figs.…”

“…4). The step width was comparatively evenly timed at 0.55 ±0.02 s, and the Acceleration (m·s waveform was constant even when the lumbar region accelerated in the motion and vertical directions [13].…”

“…However, few studies have utilized acceleration sensors to investigate walking motion [13]. The present study experimentally analyzed the walking motion of commercial walker users by attaching acceleration sensors to the subjects' lumbar region.…”

“…In addition to the motor function tests that evaluate subjects' rehabilitation progress at the long-term health care facility, we introduced a 10 m walk using the commercial walker. The motor function test comprised the TUG (timed "up and go") test, a 10 m walk (time and number of steps), standing from a wheelchair, time to stand on one foot with eyes open, the functional reach test, maximum step distance, and flexibility test [13]. The TUG test scores of patients with hip fracture are related to the type of walking aid they use [14].…”

“…13, we find that the vertical and lateral accelerations changed irregularly and the step width timing had become non uniform. However, the acceleration magnitudes decreased during the use of a wheeled walking frame, probably Acceleration (m·s because the walker delivers a powerful lower walking propulsive force [13], which is enhanced by the wheels. The abovementioned trend was also observed in other subjects.…”