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The effect of segment parameter error on gait analysis results.
1Department of Physical Education, McGill University, Montréal, Canada.
Gait & Posture
|November 27, 1999
Summary
Predicting body segment parameters (SP) significantly impacts human motion biomechanical analysis. While variations in SP estimates affect kinetic output, the magnitude of these effects is generally small, though accuracy is crucial for specific activities.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Human Motion Analysis
- Kinetics
Background:
- Accurate body segment parameters (SP) are crucial for biomechanical analysis.
- The influence of errors in SP prediction on kinetic output remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively assess differences in SP estimates using literature functions.
- To evaluate the impact of SP variation on the kinetic output of walking.
Main Methods:
- Collected kinematic and ground reaction force data from 15 young males during walking.
- Performed iterative inverse dynamic analysis, varying SP values within +/-40% of baseline.
- Computed hip forces and moments under different SP conditions.
Main Results:
- Significant differences (P<0.05) in SP estimates for leg and thigh, with mass and moment of inertia differing by over 40%.
- SP variations significantly affected kinetic estimates (P<0.05), especially during the swing phase.
- The magnitude of SP variation effects on kinetics was generally less than 1% of body weight.
Conclusions:
- Researchers can now estimate kinetic errors resulting from SP variations.
- Accurate SP prediction is vital in biomechanics, particularly for open-chain and high-acceleration movements.
- Further research is needed to understand SP variation effects on other motion skills.