Analytical model for computing translational and rotational angular momentum occurring in treadmill walking

• Published in: ITM Web of Conferences Vol. 29; p. 2010
• Main Authors: Stoia, Dan Ioan, Totorean, Alin-Florin
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Les Ulis EDP Sciences 2019
• Subjects: Angles (geometry); Angular momentum; Body weight; Cartesian coordinates; Computation; Fitness equipment; Gait; Mathematical models; Parameters; Segments; Three dimensional motion; Treadmills; Walking
• ISSN: 2271-2097; 2431-7578; 2271-2097
• DOI: 10.1051/itmconf/20192902010

The kinematical modifications of human gait associated with treadmill walking are well studied in the literature. Fewer researches are focusing on computing the dynamical parameters of the gait, in this particular situation. Starting from kinematical data recorded in treadmill walking, the paper proposes an analytical model of the lower limbs that allows computation of translational and rotational angular momentum for each segment. The experimental data used in the study were recorded using ultrasound based, 3D motion equipment. By mean of this system, relative and absolute angles of the lower limb can be computed using Cartesian coordinates of each anatomical landmark. The velocities and accelerations were obtained by numerical derivative. In order to compute the dynamical parameters, segment masses and inertias were collected from the literature. The masses are based on percentage of total body weight while the segment inertias are based on geometrical characteristics of lower limb segments.