Abstract
The gait of transfemoral amputees can be made smoother by adjusting the inter-joint coordination of both lower limbs. In this study, we compared the inter-joint coordination of the amputated and non-amputated limbs of unilateral amputees to able-bodied controls. Eight amputees and eight able-bodied control participants were recruited. Walking speed, stance-swing time ratio, joint angle, joint angular velocity, and inter-joint coordination parameters-including continuous relative phase (CRP) and decomposition index (DI)-of the lower-limb joint pairs in stance and swing phases were investigated. Similarity of the CRP between groups was evaluated using cross-correlation measures and root-mean-square, and the variability of the CRP was examined by deviation phase (DP). There were significant differences between the amputated limbs and controls in CRP of hip-knee and knee-ankle in stance and swing, DP of knee-ankle and hip-ankle in stance, and DI of hip-knee in swing. For the non-amputated limbs, there were significant differences in CRP and DP of knee-ankle, and DI of hip-knee in swing compared to controls. The amputees utilized unique inter-joint coordination patterns for both limbs-particularly the hip joint-to compensate for the support-capability impairment due to limb salvage and ensure foot placement accuracy.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 4072 |
Journal | Applied Sciences (Switzerland) |
Volume | 10 |
Issue number | 12 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jun 2020 |
Keywords
- Amputee gait
- Compensation strategy
- Continuous relative phase
- Decomposition index
- Inter-joint coordination
- Phase portrait
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Materials Science(all)
- Instrumentation
- Engineering(all)
- Process Chemistry and Technology
- Computer Science Applications
- Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes