Session: 06-11-03: Biotechnology and General Applications

Paper Number: 143995

143995 - Effect of Walking Speed and Asymmetric Loading on the Clinical Angles of Walking Gait 

This paper deals with the biomechanical impacts of varying walking speeds and asymmetric weight bearing on gait dynamics. The focus is on clinical angles between the femur and tibia, step length, and cycle time, utilizing advanced motion capture technology alongside the Joint Coordinate System (JCS) for accurate assessment. This analysis covered four distinct conditions: preferred walking speed (1.2m step length, 1.2s cycle time), slow walking speed (0.9m step length, 1.6s cycle time), fast walking speed (1.6m step length, 0.8s cycle time), and slow walking with a 25-pound weight (0.9m average step length, 1.4s average cycle time). Results highlighted significant differences in gait patterns linked to speed and the introduction of weight, with the latter notably increasing step cycle variability (cycle times varied between 1.2s and 1.9s). Polynomial fitting to assess step pattern consistency across these experiments revealed distinct variations as a function of walking speed and weight bearing, with R² values demonstrating a consistency range from 0.82 in weighted conditions to 0.97 in non-weighted conditions. These findings underscore the critical need for personalized gait analysis in designing rehabilitation programs and athletic training protocols, aiming to enhance gait stability and overall mobility, thereby improving quality of life for individuals across various populations.

Presenting Author: Dumitru Caruntu University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley

Presenting Author Biography: Dumitru I. Caruntu, PhD, PE, distinguished as an ASME Fellow, is a professor within the Mechanical Engineering Department at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. He earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Politehnica University of Bucharest and holds an MA in Mathematics from the University of Bucharest. He has been a Professional Engineer since 2007, and an ASME Fellow since 2019. In recognition of his exceptional contributions and service, Dumitru I. Caruntu has been honored with the prestigious 2024 ASME Dedicated Service Award. This award highlights his significant achievements and ongoing commitment to the field of mechanical engineering, and his influence and dedication within the professional community. Dr. Caruntu's research contributions span across MEMS and NEMS, nonlinear dynamics, vibrations, applied mathematics, and biomechanics. His expertise has led him to serve as a reviewer for a range of prestigious journals including the ASME Journal of Vibration and Acoustics, Journal of Sound and Vibration, Mechanics Research Communications, Medical & Biological Engineering & Computing, and several others. Additionally, he served as reviewer for ASME IMECE2004-2023, ASME IDETC2007-2023, and ASME DSCC 2009-2020. He has taken on role of Associate Editor for prominent journals such as Nonlinear Dynamics; ASME Journal of Dynamic Systems, Measurement, and Control; ASME Journal of Computational and Nonlinear Dynamics; and Communications in Nonlinear Science and Numerical Simulation.

Authors:

Dumitru Caruntu University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley
Alfirio Trejo University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Eric Rodriguez University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Camila Alvarez Barriga University of Texas Rio Grande Valley