A Transparent Lower Limb Perturbator to Investigate Joint Impedance During Gait

Book chapter (2022)

Authors

Ronald C. Van 'T Veld University of Twente
S. S. Fricke University of Twente
Ander Vallinas Prieto University of Twente
Arvid Q.L. Keemink University of Twente
A.C. Schouten University of Twente, Biomechatronics & Human-Machine Control - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
H. van der Kooij University of Twente, Biomechatronics & Human-Machine Control - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
Edwin H.F. van Asseldonk University of Twente
Research Group
Biomechatronics & Human-Machine Control (Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2022 Ronald C. van ’t Veld, S. S. Fricke, Ander Vallinas Prieto, Arvid Q.L. Keemink, A.C. Schouten, H. van der Kooij, E. H.F. van Asseldonk
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-70316-5_84
More Info
expand_more

Published Date

2022

Language

English

Reuse Rights

Other than for strictly personal use, it is not permitted to download, forward or distribute the text or part of it, without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), unless the work is under an open content license such as Creative Commons.

Faculty

Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering

Department

Biomechanical Engineering

Research Group

Biomechatronics & Human-Machine Control

Abstract

Joint impedance plays an important role in postural control and movement. However, current experimental knowledge on lower limb impedance during gait is limited to the ankle joint. We designed the LOwer limb PERturbator (LOPER) aimed to assess knee and hip joint impedance during gait. The LOPER applies force perturbations with a 39 Hz bandwidth, tested on a free-hanging leg. In minimal impedance mode, peak interaction forces during walking are low (< 5 N). Also, this mode has a negligible effect on the gait pattern, as it is smaller than the within-subject variability during normal walking. In short, the LOPER is a transparent device able to elicit a clear response at both hip and knee joints to investigate lower limb dynamics. A second motor added to the LOPER could improve isolation of the perturbation contribution to knee and hip dynamics. People with neurological disorders can benefit from knowledge of joint impedance during gait through improved biomimetic devices and clinical decision making.