Gait Analysis
Gait analysis provides an effective tool for evaluating and quantifying gait problems associated with fall-prone individuals as well as other health conditions linking to motor control. The acquisition of gait characteristics during walking provides important information about limb propulsion and control and provides insight into muscle performance. Furthermore, variability in spatio-temporal gait parameters can be used as a global indicator of stability.
Both traditional lab-based gait analysis approach (e.g. optical motion analysis system and force plates) and newly developed inertial measurement units are utilized in our gait study. For successful and effective ambulatory gait analysis, it is important to increase the portability and user compliance of the measuring approaches and thus to increase the usefulness of the technology.