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08:24
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
Steady and transient coordination structures of walking and running
C J C Lamoth1, A Daffertshofer, R Huys
1Research Institute MOVE, VU University Amsterdam, van der Boechorststraat 9, Amsterdam 1081 BT, The Netherlands. C.J.C.Lamoth@med.umcg.nl
Human Movement Science
|November 26, 2008
Summary
Human gait transitions exhibit complex coordination patterns. While stride characteristics lack hysteresis, coordination patterns show critical fluctuations and hysteresis near gait transitions, suggesting nonequilibrium phase transitions.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Human locomotion
- Complex systems
Background:
- Understanding human gait transitions is crucial for analyzing locomotion dynamics.
- Previous research has explored stride characteristics but less so multisegmental coordination during gait transitions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate coordination patterns and their variance during walking and running as a function of speed.
- To investigate gait transitions, focusing on hysteresis and critical fluctuations in coordination.
Main Methods:
- Multivariate analyses of whole-body recordings from nine participants on a treadmill.
- Analysis of multisegmental coordination using principal component analysis.
- Examination of stride characteristics and coordination patterns across varying locomotion speeds.
Main Results:
- Stride characteristics varied systematically with speed but showed no hysteresis.
- Multisegmental coordination patterns, captured by principal components, exhibited hysteresis and critical fluctuations near gait transitions.
- Locomotion speed influenced relative phasing and variance of coordination components, especially around transitions.
Conclusions:
- Walking and running share similar coordination structures, dependent on speed and gait type.
- Gait transitions demonstrate characteristics of nonequilibrium phase transitions.
- Multivariate analysis of whole-body data is essential for reliably detecting these coordination features.
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