Biomechanical changes to human locomotion due to asymmetric loading of the legs
Name
819332682-MIT.pdf
Description
Full printable version
Size
5.81 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
eb110591a9baefe1db786a4c01a3ef89
Author(s)
McDougal, Wesley D
Advisor(s)
Neville Hogan.
Date Issued
2012
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
The biomechanics of lower limb locomotion is a yet unknown mixture of neurological control and physical parameters. The current study explored attaching a rehabilitative anklebot to subjects walking on a treadmill and observed duration, kinematic, and electromyography data to determine the biomechanical response to the asymmetric loading. The present report identified various gait cycle parameters that changed as a response to the asymmetric loading. Notably, significant differences in the stride time of the legs occurred under loading, while contralateral stride times also adjusted to remain equal to those of the loaded legs. Symmetry index analysis led to the conclusion that, while the asymmetric loading of the lower limbs had some effects on temporal gait parameters, the body adjusted to minimize any temporal asymmetry. However, goniometer data demonstrated kinematic changes in response to loading as knee flexion peaked earlier in the gait cycle.
Description
Thesis (S.B.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2012.
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 51).
Subjects
Mechanical Engineering.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical Engineering
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