Experimental Research on Mechatronic Nordic Walking Poles

Wudarczyk, S.; Szrek, Jarosław; Bałchanowski, J.; Lewandowski, Bogusz; Mróz, S.; Jasiński, Ryszard; Woźniewski, Marek

doi:10.1109/msm49833.2020.9201630

“…The attached mechatronic components have increased the weight of the standard NW pole by 0.1 kg. The tests conducted on signals from the inertial sensors, pressure sensors, and distance sensors have confirmed sufficient accuracy for the study of gait biomechanics [ 17 – 19 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Szpala

¹

,

Winiarski

²

,

Kołodziej

³

et al. 2023

Applied Bionics and Biomechanics

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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.

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“…Figure 2 shows a block diagram of the MNW system. The developed system includes the following modules: The parameters useful for the gait analysis of NW were identified through research work carried out together with the team of coaches and physiotherapists from Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences [21,22]. The following left/right pole and left/right foot parameters were selected to be monitored:…”

Section: Construction Of a Mechatronic Measuring System For Nw Polesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The moment and angle of pushing the right pole against the ground (Figure 1a); • Changes in the angle and force of pressure exerted by the right pole on the ground during push-off (Figure 1a-c); • Changes in the angle of the right pole when it is moved forward (Figure 1d). The parameters useful for the gait analysis of NW were identified through research work carried out together with the team of coaches and physiotherapists from Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences [21,22]. The following left/right pole and left/right foot parameters were selected to be monitored:…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…MainM-the main module located in the backpack (pocket), whose task is to acquire, record, and wirelessly transmit the obtained measurement data from the PoleM and FootM modules. The PoleM module (Figure 3) was designed and manufactured at the Wrocław University of Science and Technology [21][22][23]. It consists of two identical measurement modules mounted on the left (PoleL) and right (PoleR) NW pole.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To measure the angle of inclination of the pole from the horizontal, measured in the vertical (sagittal) plane, an IMU MPU9250 module is used. It is a 9-axis MotionTracking device with a 3-axis gyroscope, 3- The PoleM module (Figure 3) was designed and manufactured at the Wrocław University of Science and Technology [21][22][23]. It consists of two identical measurement modules mounted on the left (PoleL) and right (PoleR) NW pole.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mechatronic Pole System for Monitoring the Correctness of Nordic Walking

Wudarczyk,

Woźniewski,

Szpala

et al. 2023

Sensors

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Marching with Nordic walking (NW) poles is a common form of physical activity. It is recommended in the treatment and rehabilitation of many diseases. NW’s wide range of applications in rehabilitation and its effectiveness are limited by the need for experienced physiotherapists to supervise patients during the training. A prerequisite for good rehabilitation results is correctly using the poles during walking. Essential parameters of NW include the angle of inclination of the pole, the force of the pole on the ground, and proper coordination of performed movements. The purpose of this paper is to present the design and operating principle of a mechatronic NW pole system for measuring and recording the gait parameters. The subject of the work was the assessment of the usefulness of the mechatronic NW pole system for phases identified during marching. The study was conducted in field conditions. The study’s main objective was to compare the obtained results from the developed system with those of a commercial system for measuring foot pressure distributions on the ground. The paper also presents sample results measuring walkers’ gait with NW poles in the field and the resulting gait phase analysis.

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