Human Solutions for Locomotion III. the Initiation of Gait

Kinematics, kinetics and muscle activities of the lower extremity during the first four steps from gait initiation to the steady-state walking

“…This study also supported that during gait initiation, muscular activities of TA and GCL are in the opposite phase each other [14]. Crenna et al [17] and Cook et al [4] reported that TA contraction increased as the walking speed increased from quiet stance, which was not true in our study. Mediolateral movements of the COP also well controlled with the muscular activities of GM, hip abductor muscles.…”

“…However, unfortunately, they regarded that the trajectory of COP during gait initiation was a projection of the anteroposterior and mediolataeral movements of the center of gravity (COG). Cook and Cozzens [4] measured EMG signals on healthy young volunteers and found that walking speed increased during gait initiation with the increased activity of tibialis anterior (TA) muscles. Brenier et al [5][6][7] used measured GRFs during gait initiation using forceplates and reported that shear components of the GRFs reflected on anteroposterior and mediolateral accelerations of COG.…”

“…Breniere et al [5] used a forceplate and studied [1,4] who assumed that at least 2~3 steps were required to reach the steady-state walking speed during gait initiation process. Later, Jian et al [11] used three forceplates to analyze COG movements for the whole process of gait initiation.…”

Roll-over shapes of the able-bodied knee–ankle–foot system during gait initiation, steady-state walking, and gait termination

“…Characteristics of steady-state walking have been described in detail by a number of authors who have conducted kinematic and kinetic analyses [1][2][3][4][5][6], studies of electromyography [7][8][9][10] and energetic behaviors [11][12][13], and more recently investigations of roll-over shapes [14]. Gait initiation studies [1,[15][16][17][18] and gait termination research [19][20][21] have focused mainly on kinematic, kinetic, and/or EMG analyses. A few authors have also described the trajectory of the center of pressure (COP) and the activation patterns of the lower limb muscles during gait initiation and termination [18,22,23].…”

Net external energy of the biologic and prosthetic ankle during gait initiation

“…For example, understanding the energy demands from the ankle during this activity of daily living could guide the design of more biomimetic (and potentially active) ankle-foot prostheses and orthoses. In an effort to build this understanding, several investigators have examined the ankle, knee, and hip kinematics and the muscular activity around these joints during gait initiation [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. Most of the authors agreed that the lower limb muscles, and in particular the ankle plantarflexors, actively push the body upward and forward during initiation, but it is not clear when and where this ''push'' occurs.…”