Computer analysis of energy transfers in children walking with crutches.
The kinetics and kinematics of swing-through crutch gait in children were investigated assisted by the development of a computer package to aid in data analysis. Eight volunteer subjects ambulated with crutches of various lengths as cinefilm, axial crutch, and foot contact forces were recorded. Instantaneous segment energies and powers were calculated from digitized, filtered, cinefilm data. Values of internal mechanical work expenditure were also calculated using 9-segment and 10-segment models of the body. Mechanical inefficiencies in individual gait patterns were identified by abnormalities in the instantaneous energy and power traces augmented by force information. Although crutch length was found to be a critical determinant of efficient gait, the formula to find correct length varied among individuals. Normalized work output values for children, corrected for body weight and distance covered per stride, were found to be much greater than those found in adults.
D002648:Child; D003201:Computers; D003446:Crutches; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008124:Locomotion; D008297:Male