title: Predictive modelling of human walking over a complete gait cycle.
abstract: An inverse dynamics multi-segment model of the body was combined with optimisation techniques to simulate normal walking in the sagittal plane on level ground. Walking is formulated as an optimal motor task subject to multiple constraints with minimisation of mechanical energy expenditure over a complete gait cycle being the performance criterion. All segmental motions and ground reactions were predicted from only three simple gait descriptors (inputs): walking velocity, cycle period and double stance duration. Quantitative comparisons of the model predictions with gait measurements show that the model reproduced the significant characteristics of normal gait in the sagittal plane. The simulation results suggest that minimising energy expenditure is a primary control objective in normal walking. However, there is also some evidence for the existence of multiple concurrent performance objectives.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Rehabilitation and Human Performance Research, University of Salford, Salford, UK.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: Richard K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Howard
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*