Particular protrusion perception arising from plantar sensory input and task guidance enhances lower limb joint dynamics during gait

Abstract

[Purpose] To assess the influence of plantar sensory input and task guidance produced by a protrusion on lower limb joint dynamics during gait by changes in muscle activity and two-dimensional motion analysis. The protrusion seals on the soles of the feet, named “Perceptual Stimulus Protrusion” were used in this study. [Participants and Methods] In this study, 40 and 42 healthy adults were recruited for muscle activity and two-dimensional analysis, respectively. In addition to walking without perceptual stimulus protrusion (“Control” condition), the testing conditions included attachment of the protrusion to the heel (“Heel Condition”) and the hallucal (“Hallucal Condition”). As task guidance, participants were orally instructed how to walk for each conditions. The muscle activities of the rectus femoris, vastus medialis, tibialis anterior, and medial head of the gastrocnemius were measured. The two-dimensional analysis was compared with the angle of ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion, the toe height during the swing phase between the test conditions, respectively. [Results] In the Heel Condition, the tibialis anterior and vastus medialis activity in the stance and swing phases, toe height, and angle of ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion increased. In the Hallucal Condition, tibialis anterior activity during the stance and swing phases, gastrocnemius activity during the stance phase, toe height, and angle of ankle plantarflexion increased. [Conclusion] Plantar sensory input and task guidance using perceptual stimulus protrusion influences active motion control. Therefore, the application of this procedure can be expected to support motion guidance, such as gait and load practice.

Flexible knitted sensing device for identifying knee joint motion patterns

“…It is necessary to analyze the human gait cycle in the process of human dynamic recognitio. However, only a few works provided good results of each movement cycle [36]. Our data through periodic analysis and time axis comparison, which can be a good judgment and identification to identify knee joint motions.…”

Gait Improvement by Alerted Push-Off via Heating of Insole Tip

“…Guides or cues by some stimulus applied to the plantar region to increase the clearance in lower cadence individuals through the insole, could lead to the development of a smart insole that can prevent falls during gait. A study using tactile stimuli reported that when a small hemispherical protrusion was taped to the heel and the participants were instructed to step on the protrusion when the heel touches the floor, the ankle dorsi-flexion during heel strike and clearance during the swing phase increased [ 9 ]. This could also be applied to insoles; if a projection is attached to the heel of the insole and the individual attempts to land on the heel while stepping on a projectile, the insole will for prevent falls.…”

“…Further, the previous study by Okoba at al. [ 9 ] revealed that when a small hemispherical protrusion was taped to the hallucal area, and the participants were instructed to walk placing the body weight on the protrusion seal during the kicking-out motion of the stride, increased plantar-flexion angle at terminal stance phase and increased plantar-flexor muscle (gastrocnemius) activity was observed.…”