BACKGROUND Gait changes at older ages are a strong predictor of a decline in lower extremity functions. However, large population-based studies assessing gait parameters in various gait tasks are lacking. OBJECTIVE We investigated the relationship of age, the use of mobility aids and being fitted with an endoprosthesis with selected gait parameters, assessed in different walking tasks. METH...

OBJECTIVE The control of gait requires executive and attentional functions. As preterm children show executive and attentional deficits compared to full-term children, performing concurrent tasks that impose additional cognitive load may lead to poorer walking performance in preterm compared to full-term children. Knowledge regarding gait in preterm children after early childhood is scarce. We ...

One of the key challenges in robotic bipedal locomotion is finding gait parameters that optimize a desired performance metric, such as robustness or energy efficiency. Typically, gait optimization requires extensive robot experiments and specific expert knowledge. Instead, we propose to apply data-driven machine learning to automate and speed up the process of gait optimization. In particular, ...

Although gait symmetry is being evaluated and reported in the literature with increasing frequency, there is still no generally accepted standard for assessing symmetry, making it difficult to compare studies and establish criteria to guide clinical decision-making. The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether gait symmetry in healthy subjects is consistent when assessed using various coe...

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the restoration of FES gait using a new medially linked knee ankle foot orthosis (Primewalk) in a paraplegic patient. The walking speeds, the step cadence and the step length at the Primewalk/FES gait were measured and compared with those at the Walkabout/FES gait. All parameters were significantly greater at the Primewalk/FES gait (p < 0.05). The slidi...

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic central nervous system (CNS) demyelinating disease. Gait abnormalities are common and disabling in patients with MS with limited treatment options available. Emerging evidence suggests a role of prefrontal attention networks in modulating gait. High-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is known to enhance cortical excitability in sti...

BACKGROUND Various asymmetry indices have been proposed to compare the spatiotemporal, kinematic and kinetic parameters of lower limbs during the gait cycle. However, these indices rely on gait measurement systems that are costly and generally require manual examination, calibration procedures and the precise placement of sensors/markers on the body of the patient. METHODS To overcome these i...