Studies of human locomotion: past, present and future

The study of human locomotion and its applications are examined from a historical viewpoint. Several critical steps in the advancement of the discipline are considered in the context of addressing a particular need to answer fundamental questions regarding the process of human locomotion. In addition, changes in the methods of observation are discussed in terms of the advancement of the field. As an example, the application of a newly developed point cluster technique to reduce the artifact due to skin movement is described. The method was applied to a study of patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficient knees. The results demonstrate that patients with ACL-deficient knees have significantly greater than normal anterior-posterior displacement of the femur relative to the tibia during walking. Many of the advancements in the tools for observation and interpretation have been driven by new demands on our fundamental knowledge. Future advancements in the study of human locomotion will likely be motivated by new treatment modalities that require an in depth understanding of the subtle complexities of human locomotion. Future directions are discussed in the context of new methods for reducing errors associated with skin movement combined with information obtained from other imaging methods, such as magnetic resonance imaging.