Toshiki Kobayashi1, Genki Hisano2, Yuta Namiki3, Satoru Hashizume4, Hiroaki Hobara5. 1. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China. 2. Artificial Intelligence Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tokyo, Japan; Department of Systems and Control Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan. 3. Artificial Intelligence Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tokyo, Japan; Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Chiba, Japan. 4. Artificial Intelligence Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tokyo, Japan. 5. Artificial Intelligence Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tokyo, Japan. Electronic address: hobara-hiroaki@aist.go.jp.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Running with prostheses has become a common activity for amputees participating in sports and recreation. However, very few studies have characterized the kinematic and kinetic parameters of walking in individuals with amputation who are runners. Thus, this study attempts to elucidate the kinematics and kinetics of walking in runners with a unilateral transfemoral amputation or knee-disarticulation. METHODS: This study experimentally compares the prosthetic and intact limbs of runners with prostheses as well as compares the findings against the limbs of age-matched able-bodied individuals while walking. Fourteen runners with a unilateral transfemoral amputation or knee-disarticulation were recruited and 14 age-matched able-bodied individuals were prepared using gait database. Spatiotemporal, kinematic, and kinetic parameters of walking were analyzed using a 3-demensional motion capture system. RESULTS: The results showed that the peak ankle positive power at pre-swing and peak hip positive power from loading response to mid stance in the intact limb were significantly larger than that in the prosthetic limb. Moreover, to compensate for missing anatomical functions on the prosthetic limb, it appeared that the intact limb of the runners generated larger peak joint power by producing more ankle plantarflexor and hip extensor moments while walking. INTERPRETATION: This study demonstrated that the runners rely on their intact limb while walking. Training of hip extensor muscles of the intact limb may be beneficial for these individuals.
BACKGROUND: Running with prostheses has become a common activity for amputees participating in sports and recreation. However, very few studies have characterized the kinematic and kinetic parameters of walking in individuals with amputation who are runners. Thus, this study attempts to elucidate the kinematics and kinetics of walking in runners with a unilateral transfemoral amputation or knee-disarticulation. METHODS: This study experimentally compares the prosthetic and intact limbs of runners with prostheses as well as compares the findings against the limbs of age-matched able-bodied individuals while walking. Fourteen runners with a unilateral transfemoral amputation or knee-disarticulation were recruited and 14 age-matched able-bodied individuals were prepared using gait database. Spatiotemporal, kinematic, and kinetic parameters of walking were analyzed using a 3-demensional motion capture system. RESULTS: The results showed that the peak ankle positive power at pre-swing and peak hip positive power from loading response to mid stance in the intact limb were significantly larger than that in the prosthetic limb. Moreover, to compensate for missing anatomical functions on the prosthetic limb, it appeared that the intact limb of the runners generated larger peak joint power by producing more ankle plantarflexor and hip extensor moments while walking. INTERPRETATION: This study demonstrated that the runners rely on their intact limb while walking. Training of hip extensor muscles of the intact limb may be beneficial for these individuals.