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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 25, 2026

Asymmetric Walkway: A Novel Behavioral Assay for Studying Asymmetric Locomotion
08:19

Asymmetric Walkway: A Novel Behavioral Assay for Studying Asymmetric Locomotion

Published on: January 15, 2016

Functional asymmetry in a five-link 3D bipedal walker.

Robert D Gregg1, Yasin Dhaher, Kevin M Lynch

  • 1Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA. frgregg@northwestern.edu

Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Annual International Conference
|January 19, 2012
PubMed
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This study reveals that natural mechanics, not leg dominance, cause gait asymmetry in walking. A symmetrical biped model demonstrated asymmetric gaits due to period-doubling bifurcation, suggesting inherent physical principles drive these differences.

Area of Science:

  • Biomechanics
  • Robotics
  • Human Locomotion

Background:

  • Human walking often exhibits asymmetry between left and right legs.
  • The underlying causes of gait asymmetry are debated, with hypotheses including neurophysiological factors (e.g., leg dominance) and inherent mechanical properties.
  • Understanding gait asymmetry is crucial for prosthetics, robotics, and rehabilitation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To computationally investigate the cause, function, and benefit of gait asymmetry using a symmetrical biped model.
  • To determine if inherent mechanical properties can generate asymmetric walking patterns.
  • To challenge the notion that neurophysiological mechanisms are the sole drivers of gait asymmetry.

Main Methods:

  • Development of a symmetrical five-link 3D biped model.

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Clinical-oriented Three-dimensional Gait Analysis Method for Evaluating Gait Disorder
06:54

Clinical-oriented Three-dimensional Gait Analysis Method for Evaluating Gait Disorder

Published on: March 4, 2018

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Last Updated: May 25, 2026

Asymmetric Walkway: A Novel Behavioral Assay for Studying Asymmetric Locomotion
08:19

Asymmetric Walkway: A Novel Behavioral Assay for Studying Asymmetric Locomotion

Published on: January 15, 2016

Clinical-oriented Three-dimensional Gait Analysis Method for Evaluating Gait Disorder
06:54

Clinical-oriented Three-dimensional Gait Analysis Method for Evaluating Gait Disorder

Published on: March 4, 2018

  • Computational simulation of walking gaits with varying mass distributions.
  • Analysis of ground reaction forces and kinematic patterns to identify asymmetry.

    • Main Results:

    • The symmetrical model exhibited asymmetric walking patterns between the left and right legs across a range of mass distributions.
    • This asymmetry was linked to the phenomenon of period-doubling bifurcation.
    • Ground reaction forces indicated distinct roles for each leg, aligning with the functional asymmetry hypothesis.

    Conclusions:

    • Natural mechanical principles, specifically period-doubling bifurcation, can inherently produce gait asymmetry in bipedal locomotion.
    • The findings suggest that inherent mechanics, rather than solely neurophysiological factors like leg dominance, may explain asymmetry in able-bodied walking.
    • This research provides a mechanical basis for understanding functional asymmetry in human gait.