Article: Component analysis of ground reaction force with respect to variable walking speeds Journal: International Journal of Medical Engineering and Informatics (IJMEI) 2011 Vol.3 No.4 pp.331 - 336 Abstract: The measurements of components of ground reaction force (GRF) are important in biomechanical analysis for clinical gait assessment, gait research, rehabilitation, ergonomics and sports. Ground reaction forces (vertical, fore-aft, lateral) are the reaction forces as a result of contact between the foot and the ground and these forms an integral part of human movement analysis. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the effects of walking speed on GRF using Kistler quartz force platform embedded on the floor. In order to minimise differences in the gait of normal subjects due to 'constrained' walking, subject were requested to walk with their self-selected walking speed on the walkway. Components of GRF were recorded and analysed using Kistler's Bioware software. It was convincingly observed that with increasing walking speed magnitude of vertical component of ground reaction force increases at Fz1 and Fz3 whereas decreased at Fz2. The for-aft component shows an increasing trend at F y1 and Fy2 with increasing walking speed but no such trend can be seen in case of the lateral component. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Component analysis of ground reaction force with respect to variable walking speeds

Authors: Neelesh Kumar; Gautam Sharma; Amod Kumar; B.S. Sohi

Addresses: Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO), Sector 30-C, Chandigarh, 160030, India. ' Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO), Sector 30-C, Chandigarh, 160030, India. ' Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO), Sector 30-C, Chandigarh, 160030, India. ' Surya World, NH1, Bapror, Rajpura, Punjab, 140401, India

Abstract: The measurements of components of ground reaction force (GRF) are important in biomechanical analysis for clinical gait assessment, gait research, rehabilitation, ergonomics and sports. Ground reaction forces (vertical, fore-aft, lateral) are the reaction forces as a result of contact between the foot and the ground and these forms an integral part of human movement analysis. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the effects of walking speed on GRF using Kistler quartz force platform embedded on the floor. In order to minimise differences in the gait of normal subjects due to 'constrained' walking, subject were requested to walk with their self-selected walking speed on the walkway. Components of GRF were recorded and analysed using Kistler's Bioware software. It was convincingly observed that with increasing walking speed magnitude of vertical component of ground reaction force increases at F_z1 and F_z3 whereas decreased at F_z2. The for-aft component shows an increasing trend at F_y1 and F_y2 with increasing walking speed but no such trend can be seen in case of the lateral component.

Keywords: ground reaction force; GRF; walking speed; clinical gait analysis; biomechanical analysis; biomechanics; foot contact; human movement; component analysis.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMEI.2011.044747

International Journal of Medical Engineering and Informatics, 2011 Vol.3 No.4, pp.331 - 336

Published online: 07 Mar 2015 *

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Title: Component analysis of ground reaction force with respect to variable walking speeds

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