Dc. Kerrigan et al., THE MODELING OF ADULT SPASTIC PARETIC STIFF-LEGGED GAIT SWING PERIOD BASED ON ACTUAL KINEMATIC DATA, Gait & posture, 7(2), 1998, pp. 117-124
With the ultimate goal to better demonstrate the biomechanics of spast
ic paretic stiff-legged gait, we simulated the motion of this gait dis
ability, based on actual kinematic gait data. We created and applied a
seven link-segment forward dynamic model to the gait kinematics of fi
ve adult subjects with this gait disability as a result of stroke. Tru
nk and limb segment torques developed during the affected limb's swing
period of gait were calculated via inverse dynamic techniques from th
e measured kinematic data and incorporated into the forward dynamic mo
del to simulate motion. In each case, the simulated motion corresponde
d to the directly measured kinematics. The hip and knee torques were t
hen altered to predict potential resultant changes in knee flexion. Pr
eliminary results suggest a stronger effect of hip torque than knee to
rque on knee angle, which also qualitatively corresponded with clinica
l data. This study demonstrates the feasibility of forward dynamic mod
elling based on actual clinical data and provides a further means to a
nalyze potential mechanisms of this gait disability. (C) 1998 Elsevier
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