Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Relationship Between Spinal Reflexes and Spastic Movement Disorders.

Physical medicine and rehabilitation clinics of North America·2026

Same author

Low multiscale entropy of ankle joint position during toe gait in children with cerebral palsy is related to contracture development.

Clinical biomechanics (Bristol, Avon)·2025

Same author

Generation and modification of human locomotor EMG activity when walking faster and carrying additional weight.

Experimental physiology·2025

Same author

Contribution of sensory feedback to soleus muscle activity during voluntary contraction in humans.

Journal of neurophysiology·2022

Same author

Philanthropic funding in cerebral palsy research: translating new knowledge into improved quality of life.

Developmental medicine and child neurology·2021

Same author

Can Operant Conditioning of EMG-Evoked Responses Help to Target Corticospinal Plasticity for Improving Motor Function in People With Multiple Sclerosis?

Frontiers in neurology·2020

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Deep-Learning Based Multi-Joint Synchronous Tracking for Objective Quantification of Hindlimb Locomotor Kinematics in Rats

Deep-Learning Based Multi-Joint Synchronous Tracking for Objective Quantification of Hindlimb Locomotor Kinematics in Rats

Published on: April 3, 2026

Robotic platform for human gait analysis.

Johan van Doornik¹, Thomas Sinkjaer

¹Division of Child Neurology and Movement Disorders, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-5235, USA. jvd@stanford.edu

IEEE Transactions on Bio-Medical Engineering

|September 18, 2007

Summary

This study developed a 4-DOF platform for human gait research, applying controlled floor perturbations. The device accurately induced distinct ankle extensor reflex responses during walking, demonstrating its utility in studying human locomotion.

More Related Videos

Postural Organization of Gait Initiation for Biomechanical Analysis Using Force Platform Recordings

Postural Organization of Gait Initiation for Biomechanical Analysis Using Force Platform Recordings

Published on: July 26, 2022

Sit-to-stand-and-walk from 120% Knee Height: A Novel Approach to Assess Dynamic Postural Control Independent of Lead-limb

Sit-to-stand-and-walk from 120% Knee Height: A Novel Approach to Assess Dynamic Postural Control Independent of Lead-limb

Published on: August 30, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Deep-Learning Based Multi-Joint Synchronous Tracking for Objective Quantification of Hindlimb Locomotor Kinematics in Rats

Deep-Learning Based Multi-Joint Synchronous Tracking for Objective Quantification of Hindlimb Locomotor Kinematics in Rats

Published on: April 3, 2026

Postural Organization of Gait Initiation for Biomechanical Analysis Using Force Platform Recordings

Postural Organization of Gait Initiation for Biomechanical Analysis Using Force Platform Recordings

Published on: July 26, 2022

Sit-to-stand-and-walk from 120% Knee Height: A Novel Approach to Assess Dynamic Postural Control Independent of Lead-limb

Sit-to-stand-and-walk from 120% Knee Height: A Novel Approach to Assess Dynamic Postural Control Independent of Lead-limb

Published on: August 30, 2016

Area of Science:

Biomechanics
Human Gait Analysis
Robotics in Rehabilitation

Background:

Understanding human gait control requires precise methods to perturb locomotion.
Existing systems may lack the multi-DOF capabilities for complex gait perturbations.

Purpose of the Study:

To design and validate a hydraulically actuated 4-DOF platform for controlled gait perturbations.
To assess the platform's ability to elicit distinct neuromuscular responses during human walking.

Main Methods:

A 4-DOF hydraulically actuated platform was constructed for velocity/acceleration-controlled perturbations.
The platform underwent dynamic and repeatability testing for accuracy and consistency.
Human subjects (n=8) underwent midstance perturbations (upward/downward) during walking.
Soleus (SOL) electromyography (EMG) was recorded to analyze reflex responses.

Main Results:

The platform demonstrated high precision with minimal cross-DOF movement (<1 mm or 0.5 degrees) and excellent repeatability (SD <0.2 mm).
Upward and downward perturbations reliably elicited distinct, opposite-signed stereotypical reflex responses in ankle extensors.
All participants reported comfort, and no falls occurred during testing.

Conclusions:

The 4-DOF platform is a precise and repeatable tool for human gait research.
It effectively induces measurable, distinct neuromuscular responses, aiding the study of gait control mechanisms.
The apparatus is safe and comfortable for human subjects during walking perturbation studies.