Comprehensive dynamic and kinematic analysis of the rodent hindlimb during over ground walking.

The rat hindlimb is a frequently utilized pre-clinical model system to evaluate injuries and pathologies impacting the hindlimbs. These studies have demonstrated the translational potential of this model but have typically focused on the force generating capacity of target muscles as the primary evaluative outcome. Historically, human studies investigating extremity injuries and pathologies have utilized biomechanical analysis to better understand the impact of injury and extent of recovery.

Analysis and Modeling of Rat Gait Biomechanical Deficits in Response to Volumetric Muscle Loss Injury.

There is currently a substantial volume of research underway to develop more effective approaches for the regeneration of functional muscle tissue as treatment for volumetric muscle loss (VML) injury, but few studies have evaluated the relationship between injury and the biomechanics required for normal function. To address this knowledge gap, the goal of this study was to develop a novel method to quantify the changes in gait of rats with tibialis anterior (TA) VML injuries. This method should be sensitive enough to identify biomechanical and kinematic changes in response to injury as well as during recovery.

Full Step Cycle Kinematic and Kinetic Comparison of Barefoot Walking and a Traditional Shoe Walking in Healthy Youth: Insights for Barefoot Technology.

Objective: Barefoot technology shoes are becoming increasingly popular, yet modifications are still needed. The present study aims to gain valuable insights by comparing barefoot walking to neutral shoe walking in a healthy youth population.

Methods: 28 healthy university students (22 females and 6 males) were recruited to walk on a 10-meter walkway both barefoot and in neutral running shoes at their comfortable walking speed.

Neuroplasticity in post-stroke gait recovery and noninvasive brain stimulation.

Gait disorders drastically affect the quality of life of stroke survivors, making post-stroke rehabilitation an important research focus. Noninvasive brain stimulation has potential in facilitating neuroplasticity and improving post-stroke gait impairment. However, a large inter-individual variability in the response to noninvasive brain stimulation interventions has been increasingly recognized.

The effects of ankle foot orthoses on energy recovery and work during gait in children with cerebral palsy.

Background: Studies suggest that 50% of children with cerebral palsy are prescribed ankle foot orthoses. One of the aims of ankle foot orthosis use is to aid in walking. This research examined the effects that ankle foot orthoses have on the energy recovery and the mechanical work performed by children with cerebral palsy during walking.

Angular momentum of walking at different speeds.

Recently, researchers in robotics have used regulation of the angular momentum of body segments about the total body center of mass (CoM) to develop control strategies for bipedal gait. This work was spurred by reports finding that for a "large class" of human movement tasks, including standing, walking, and running the angular momentum is conserved about the CoM. However, there is little data presented to justify this position.

Angular momentum synergies during walking.

We studied the coordination of body segments during treadmill walking. Specifically, we used the uncontrolled manifold hypothesis framework to quantify the segmental angular momenta (SAM) synergies that stabilize (i.e.