Article

An optimization-based, non-invasive, radiation-free method was developed for
estimating subject-specific body segment inertial properties (BSIPs) using a
motion capture system and two forceplates. The method works with accurate
descriptions of the geometry of the body segments, subject-specific center of
pressure (COP) and kinematic data captured during stationary standing, and an
optimization procedure. Twelve healthy subjects performed stationary standing in
different postures, level walking and squatting while kinematic and forceplate
data were measured. The performance of the current method was compared to three
commonly used predictive methods in terms of the errors of the calculated ground
reaction force, COP and joint moments using the corresponding predicted BSIPs.
The current method was found to be capable of producing estimates of
subject-specific BSIPs that predicted accurately the important variables in human
motion analysis during static and dynamic activities. With the differences in the
BSIPs from the current method, the mean COP errors were less than 5 mm during
stationary standing postures, while those from the existing comparative methods
ranged from 11 to 25 mm. During dynamic activities, the existing methods gave COP
errors three times as large as the proposed method, with up to 2.5 times RMSE in
joint moments during walking. Being non-invasive and using standard motion
laboratory equipment, the current method will be useful for routine clinical gait
analysis and relevant clinical applications, particularly in patient populations
that are not targeted by the existing predictive methods.
CI - Copyright (c) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS