Analysis Techniques for Identifying Light Touch in Human Gait

Falls that occur during the human gait cycle are the cause of numerous injuries among the elderly and those suffering from neuropathy. These falls can arise from postural sway and instability in the gait cycle, and therefore, understanding variability and stability differences in gait is of high importance. A long term benefit of gait analysis is the possibility for new therapy techniques that reduce the tendency to fall. One current gait analysis technique incorporates dynamical systems and divergence curves. This method is discussed, placing emphasis on Rosenstein's algorithm for estimating Lyapunov exponents and a modification of the algorithm utilized by Kang and Dingwell. Following this, the dynamical system method is applied to data collected from the Wake Forest University Health and Exercise Science Department, in order to assess the influence of light touch on stability during treadmill walking at a preferred pace. In this context, light touch refers to gently placing a hand on a nearby, stationary object while walking. Light touch is believed to increase stability in the gait cycle, and therefore, the observation of light touch is another salient goal for gait analysis. Finally, an original analysis technique involving pseudo convex hulls is introduced. This analysis is applied to the data from Wake Forest in order to assess the influence of light touch on upper torso variability during gait.

Grantor dc:publisher

Wake Forest University

Year dc:date.issued

2013

Author dc:creator

• Paat, Joseph Stephen

• Divergence Curves

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10339/38584

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:wakespace.lib.wfu.edu:10339/38584