Article

The net external energy of the biologic human ankle joint and of some lower limb
prosthetic ankle-foot systems was examined during gait initiation. The purpose of
the study was to better understand the ankle's behavior during the acceleration
phase of walking for use in the design of improved lower limb prostheses and
orthoses. Quantitative gait data were collected from 10 able-bodied subjects and
10 persons with unilateral transtibial amputations during gait initiation. The
behaviors of the biologic and prosthetic 'ankle' joints were examined by
analyzing the relationship between sagittal plane ankle angles and moments. Net
external energy at the ankle was estimated by calculating the area under the
moment versus angle curves (hysteresis) created during the loading and unloading
phases. Results indicate that able-bodied persons utilize energy input from the
trailing ankle after the first step is made in gait initiation, most likely to
help transition the body into steady-state walking.
The passive prosthetic
ankle-foot systems tested were unable to put energy into the system during gait initiation.
CI - Published by Elsevier B.V.

Langue : ANGLAIS