Exercise, Physical Activity and Obesity

Baak, van; Marleen, A

doi:10.1002/9781444307627.ch23

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…The benefits of daily exercise have been thoroughly researched. Daily training of at least moderate intensity has positive correlations with improving sleep, mental health, self-confidence, memory, muscle strength, and bone strength, as well as negative correlations with stroke, stress, anxiety, obesity, and other cardiovascular and metabolic complications [ 1 – 5 ]. Running and jogging have become one of the most popular forms of cardio training with millions of people participating each year in the United States alone, either for leisure or competition [ 6 – 8 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Robot-Assisted Targeted Gait Training

Chambers,

Johnson,

Artemiadis

2023

Journal of Kinesiology and Exercise Sciences

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Background: Millions of people are affected yearly by “runner’s knee” and osteoarthritis, which is thought to be related to impact force. Millions are also affected by chronic falling, who are usually both difficult to identify and train. While at first glance, these topics seem to be entirely disconnected, there appears to be a need for a device that would address both issues. This paper proposes and investigates the use of the Variable Stiffness Treadmill (VST) as a targeted training device for the different populations described above. Materials and Methods: The VST is the authors’ unique robotic split-belt treadmill that can reduce the vertical ground stiffness of the left belt, while the right belt remains rigid. In this work, heart rate and energy expenditure are measured for healthy subjects in the challenging asymmetric environment created by the VST and compared to a traditional treadmill setting. Results: This study shows that this asymmetric environment results in an increase in heart rate and energy expenditure, an increase in activity in the muscles about the hip and knee, and a decrease in impact force at heel strike. Conclusions: Compliant environments, like those created on the VST, may be a beneficial tool as they can reduce high-impact forces during running and walking, engage the muscles surrounding the hip and knee significantly more than normal walking allowing for targeted training and rehabilitation, and be a useful way to identify and train high fall-risk individuals.

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