Effects of Gait Strategy and Speed on Regularity of Locomotion Assessed in Healthy Subjects Using a Multi-Sensor Method

Abstract

The regularity of pseudo-periodic human movements, including locomotion, can be assessed by autocorrelation analysis of measurements using inertial sensors. Though sensors are generally placed on the trunk or pelvis, movement regularity can be assessed at any body location. Pathological factors are expected to reduce regularity either globally or on specific anatomical subparts. However, other non-pathological factors, including gait strategy (walking and running) and speed, modulate locomotion regularity, thus potentially confounding the identification of the pathological factor. The present study’s objectives were (1) to define a multi-sensor method based on the autocorrelation analysis of the acceleration module (norm of the acceleration vector) to quantify regularity; (2) to conduct an experimental study on healthy adult subjects to quantify the effect on movement regularity of gait strategy (walking and running at the same velocity), gait speed (four speeds, lower three for walking, upper two for running), and sensor location (on four different body parts). Twenty-five healthy adults participated and four triaxial accelerometers were located on the seventh cervical vertebra (C7), pelvis, wrist, and ankle. The results showed that increasing velocity was associated with increasing regularity only for walking, while no difference in regularity was observed between walking and running. Regularity was generally highest at C7 and ankle, and lowest at the wrist. These data confirm and complement previous literature on regularity assessed on the trunk, and will support future analyses on individuals or groups with specific pathologies affecting locomotor functions.

Sit-To-Stand Movement Evaluated Using an Inertial Measurement Unit Embedded in Smart Glasses—A Validation Study

“…To date, there is no consensus on the optimal position to place the sensors for analysis of STS and other movements, and the optimal position might depend on the purpose of the movement being investigated. For example, it has been reported that movement regularity during walking and running was highest with a sensor located around the seventh cervical vertebra in comparison to a pelvic placement [ 33 ]. Linderman et al, [ 26 ] have also suggested that a sensor located at the head level could provide better kinematic information of the risk of falls in comparison to sensors located at the hip and the trunk.…”

Is a Wearable Sensor-Based Characterisation of Gait Robust Enough to Overcome Differences Between Measurement Protocols? A Multi-Centric Pragmatic Study in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

“…These include an understanding of which output is more robust to testing site characteristics (e.g., corridor lengths, lightening, noise, etc. ), adopted measuring instruments and their configuration (e.g., brand, location on the body, sampling frequency) [35][36][37], type of gait test (e.g., a single pass, a 1-minute or a 6MWT), or instructions given to patients (e.g., self-selected or fast walking speed, use or not use of an assistive device) [28,[38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45]. All these aspects are particularly difficult to standardise in a busy clinical environment and most likely occur in combination with each other.…”

Signatures of Gait Movement Variability in CKD Patients Scheduled for Hemodialysis Indicate Pathological Performance Before and After Hemodialysis: A Prospective, Observational Study

“…The intra-subject analysis of the gait variability was defined on the one hand using the CV (the ratio of standard deviation and mean) for stride time and stride length, and on the other hand by regularity of locomotion calculation, based on the autocorrelation analysis of the acceleration module (norm of the acceleration vector) ( 54 ). To register gait speed at steady state walking—a fundamental requisite for calculating valid variability and regularity—the first and the last 2 meters were excluded from the data analysis.…”