The Experts below are selected from a list of 2208 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Rezaul Begg - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Can Real-time Biofeedback of Foot Clearance Data be used to Assist with Gait Rehabilitation following Stroke?, NHMRC
Impact, 2018Co-Authors: Rezaul BeggAbstract:A new intervention for falls-risk minimization is proposed by providing additional visual sensory information to increase foot-Ground Clearance in order to walk more safely. A randomised controlled trial will be employed to assess the effects of biofeedback on foot-Ground Clearance during gait training. The outcome will be innovative biofeedback-based gait training that could significantly enhance existing stroke rehabilitation programs. Biofeedback is the provision of information, most commonly visual or auditory, of internal biological processes that would not otherwise be sensed. The theoretical and practical significance of biofeedback is in applications such as neurological rehabilitation, where it can augment, or substitute for, the lost information provided by normally functioning sensory systems. The group is undertaking a major National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) funded project in collaboration with two Melbourne hospitals (Royal Melbourne and Austin Hospital) using visually presented biofeedback of foot-Ground Clearance to re-train walking in stroke patients.
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Can toe-Ground footwear margin alter swing-foot Ground Clearance?
Gait & Posture, 2015Co-Authors: Hanatsu Nagano, W. A. Sparrow, Rezaul BeggAbstract:Abstract Falls are an important healthcare concern in the older population and tripping is the primary cause. Greater swing foot-Ground Clearance is functional for tripping prevention. Trips frequently occur due to the lowest part of the shoe contacting the walking surface. Shoe design effects on swing foot-Ground Clearance are, therefore, important considerations. When a shoe is placed on a flat surface, there usually is small vertical margin (VM) between the walking surface and the minimum toe point (MTP). The current study examined the effects of VM on swing foot-Ground Clearance at a critical gait cycle event, minimum foot Clearance (MFC). 3D coordinates of the swing foot (i.e. MTP and heel) were obtained during the swing phase. MTP represented the swing foot-Ground Clearance and various MTPs were modelled based on a range of VMs. The sagittal orientation of the toe and heel relative to the walking surface was also considered to evaluate effects of VM and swing foot angle on foot-Ground Clearance. Greater VM increased the swing foot-Ground Clearance. At MFC, for example, 0.09 cm increase was estimated for every 0.1 cm VM. Foot angle throughout the swing phase was typically −30° and 70°. Increasing swing ankle dorsiflexion can maximise VM, which is effective for tripping prevention. Further research will be needed to determine the maximum thresholds of VM to be safely incorporated into a shoe.
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gait training with real time augmented toe Ground Clearance information decreases tripping risk in older adults and a person with chronic stroke
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 2014Co-Authors: Rezaul Begg, W. A. Sparrow, Oren Tirosh, Catherine M Said, Nili Steinberg, Pazit Levinger, Mary P GaleaAbstract:Falls risk increases with ageing but is substantially higher in people with stroke. Tripping-related balance loss is the primary cause of falls, and Minimum Toe Clearance (MTC) during walking is closely linked to tripping risk. The aim of this study was to determine whether real-time augmented information of toe-Ground Clearance at MTC can increase toe Clearance, and reduce tripping risk. Nine healthy older adults (76±9 years) and one 71 year old female stroke patient participated. Vertical toe displacement was displayed in real-time such that participants could adjust their toe Clearance during treadmill walking. Participants undertook a session of unconstrained walking (no-feedback baseline) and, in a subsequent Feedback condition, were asked to modify their swing phase trajectory to match a “target” increased MTC. Tripping probability (PT) pre- and post-training was calculated by modelling MTC distributions. Older adults showed significantly higher mean MTC for the post-training retention session (27.7 ±3.79mm) compared to the normal walking trial (14.1± 8.3 mm). The PT on a 1cm obstacle for the older adults reduced from 1 in 578 strides to 1 in 105,988 strides. With gait training the stroke patient increased MTC and reduced variability (baseline 16±12 mm, post-training 24±8 mm) which reduced obstacle contact probability from 1 in 3 strides in baseline to 1 in 161 strides post-training. The findings confirm that concurrent visual feedback of a lower limb kinematic gait parameter is effective in changing foot trajectory control and reducing tripping probability in older adults. There is potential for further investigation of augmented feedback training across a range of gait-impaired populations, such as stroke.
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understanding ageing effects using complexity analysis of foot Ground Clearance during walking
Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, 2013Co-Authors: Chandan Karmakar, Rezaul Begg, Ahsan H. Khandoker, Marimuthu PalaniswamiAbstract:Ageing influences gait patterns which in turn can affect the balance control of human locomotion. Entropy-based regularity and complexity measures have been highly effective in analysing a broad range of physiological signals. Minimum toe Clearance (MTC) is an event during the swing phase of the gait cycle and is highly sensitive to the spatial balance control properties of the locomotor system. The aim of this research was to investigate the regularity and complexity of the MTC time series due to healthy ageing and locomotors' disorders. MTC data from 30 healthy young (HY), 27 healthy elderly (HE) and 10 falls risk (FR) elderly subjects with balance problems were analysed. Continuous MTC data were collected and using the first 500 data points, MTC mean, standard deviation (SD) and entropy-based complexity analysis were performed using sample entropy (SampEn) for different window lengths (m) and filtering levels (r). The MTC SampEn values were lower in the FR group compared to the HY and HE groups for all...
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ageing and limb dominance effects on foot Ground Clearance during treadmill and overGround walking
Clinical Biomechanics, 2011Co-Authors: Hanatsu Nagano, W. A. Sparrow, Rezaul Begg, Simon TaylorAbstract:Abstract BackGround Foot-Ground Clearance during the gait cycle swing phase is a critical locomotor adaptation to uneven terrain and non-optimal lower limb control has been linked to tripping and falling. The aim of this research was to determine ageing effects on bilateral foot-Ground Clearance during overGround and treadmill walking. Methods Ageing and walking surface effects on bilateral foot trajectory control were investigated in 11 older (mean age 73.8 years) and 11 young (mean age 22.5 years) participants. First maximum Clearance after toe-off, minimum foot-Ground Clearance and second maximum Clearance prior to heel contact were determined from sampled 3-dimensional marker coordinates during preferred-speed treadmill walking and walking overGround. Findings Preferred walking speed was lower in treadmill walking for both groups. In both groups non-dominant minimum foot-Ground Clearance and first maximum Clearance were greater than for the dominant foot. A high positive correlation was found between these two swing foot Clearances when older adults walked on the treadmill. Second maximum Clearance was reduced in the older group but this was the only overall age effect. Treadmill walking reduced minimum foot-Ground Clearance relative to overGround locomotion except in the older adults' non-dominant limb that revealed greater vertical Clearance height in the non-dominant foot. Interpretation Decreased second maximum Clearance in the older group may be linked to reduced dorsiflexion. Greater minimum foot-Ground Clearance in the older adults' non-dominant foot may reflect functional asymmetry, in which the non-dominant limb primarily secures or stabilizes gait. The high positive correlation between first maximum and minimum foot-Ground Clearances suggests that intervention designed to increase first maximum Clearance may also increase minimum foot-Ground Clearance. A direction for future research is to further understand ageing effects on lower limb trajectory variables in response to a range of walking surface characteristics.
Brian Caulfield - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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body worn sensor based surrogates of minimum Ground Clearance in elderly fallers and controls
International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 2011Co-Authors: Barry R. Greene, Denise Mcgrath, Timothy G. Foran, Emer P. Doheny, Brian CaulfieldAbstract:Falls in the elderly are a major problem worldwide with enormous associated economic and societal costs. Minimum Ground Clearance (MGC) is an important gait variable when considering trip-related falls risk. This study aimed to investigate the clinical relevance of inertial sensor derived parameters, previously shown to be related to MGC. Previous research by the authors reported a surrogate method for assessing minimum Ground Clearance (MGC) using shank-mounted inertial sensors in young controls. The present study tests this method on a cohort of 114 community dwelling elderly adults, with and without a history of falls, completing a 30m continuous walk. Parameters based on the shank angular velocity signals that were shown to be associated with MGC showed significant differences (p<0.05) between fallers and non-fallers yet did not correlate strongly (r<0.7) with two standard measures of falls risk (TUG & BBS). Weak correlations were observed between the angular velocity derived parameters and gait velocity. We conclude that these parameters are clinically meaningful and therefore may constitute a new measure of falls risk.
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EMBC - Body-worn sensor based surrogates of minimum Ground Clearance in elderly fallers and controls
Conference proceedings : ... Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and, 2011Co-Authors: Barry R. Greene, Denise Mcgrath, Timothy G. Foran, Emer P. Doheny, Brian CaulfieldAbstract:Falls in the elderly are a major problem worldwide with enormous associated economic and societal costs. Minimum Ground Clearance (MGC) is an important gait variable when considering trip-related falls risk. This study aimed to investigate the clinical relevance of inertial sensor derived parameters, previously shown to be related to MGC. Previous research by the authors reported a surrogate method for assessing minimum Ground Clearance (MGC) using shank-mounted inertial sensors in young controls. The present study tests this method on a cohort of 114 community dwelling elderly adults, with and without a history of falls, completing a 30m continuous walk. Parameters based on the shank angular velocity signals that were shown to be associated with MGC showed significant differences (p
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estimation of minimum Ground Clearance mgc using body worn inertial sensors
Journal of Biomechanics, 2011Co-Authors: Denise Mcgrath, Barry R. Greene, Cathal Walsh, Brian CaulfieldAbstract:Objective assessment of balance and mobility in elderly populations using body-worn sensors has recently become a prevalent theme in falls-related research. Recent research by the authors identified mean absolute-valued vertical angular velocity measured using shank mounted inertial sensors during a timed-up-and-go test as having a strong association with falls history in a group of elderly adults. This study aimed to investigate the clinical relevance of this parameter by exploring the relationship between it and minimum Ground Clearance (MGC) measured with an optical motion capture system. MGC is an important variable when considering trip-related falls risk. This paper also presents a method of estimating properties of MGC during walking, across a range of speeds and gait patterns, using body-worn inertial sensors. We found that mean MGC and coefficient of variation (CV) MGC are correlated with mean absolute-valued vertical angular velocity and acceleration as measured by shank or foot mounted inertial sensors. Regression models generated using inertial sensor derived variables were used to robustly estimate the mean MGC and CV MGC measured by an optical marker-tracking system. Foot-mounted sensors were found to yield slightly better results than sensors on the shank. Different walking speeds and gait patterns were not found to influence the accuracy of the models. We conclude that these findings have the potential to evaluate a walking trial using body-worn inertial sensors, which could then be used to identify individuals with increased risk of unprovoked collisions with the Ground during locomotion.
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Body-worn sensor based surrogates of minimum Ground Clearance in elderly fallers and controls
2011 Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 2011Co-Authors: Barry R. Greene, Denise Mcgrath, Timothy G. Foran, Emer P. Doheny, Brian CaulfieldAbstract:Falls in the elderly are a major problem worldwide with enormous associated economic and societal costs. Minimum Ground Clearance (MGC) is an important gait variable when considering trip-related falls risk. This study aimed to investigate the clinical relevance of inertial sensor derived parameters, previously shown to be related to MGC. Previous research by the authors reported a surrogate method for assessing minimum Ground Clearance (MGC) using shank-mounted inertial sensors in young controls. The present study tests this method on a cohort of 114 community dwelling elderly adults, with and without a history of falls, completing a 30m continuous walk. Parameters based on the shank angular velocity signals that were shown to be associated with MGC showed significant differences (p
W. A. Sparrow - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Can toe-Ground footwear margin alter swing-foot Ground Clearance?
Gait & Posture, 2015Co-Authors: Hanatsu Nagano, W. A. Sparrow, Rezaul BeggAbstract:Abstract Falls are an important healthcare concern in the older population and tripping is the primary cause. Greater swing foot-Ground Clearance is functional for tripping prevention. Trips frequently occur due to the lowest part of the shoe contacting the walking surface. Shoe design effects on swing foot-Ground Clearance are, therefore, important considerations. When a shoe is placed on a flat surface, there usually is small vertical margin (VM) between the walking surface and the minimum toe point (MTP). The current study examined the effects of VM on swing foot-Ground Clearance at a critical gait cycle event, minimum foot Clearance (MFC). 3D coordinates of the swing foot (i.e. MTP and heel) were obtained during the swing phase. MTP represented the swing foot-Ground Clearance and various MTPs were modelled based on a range of VMs. The sagittal orientation of the toe and heel relative to the walking surface was also considered to evaluate effects of VM and swing foot angle on foot-Ground Clearance. Greater VM increased the swing foot-Ground Clearance. At MFC, for example, 0.09 cm increase was estimated for every 0.1 cm VM. Foot angle throughout the swing phase was typically −30° and 70°. Increasing swing ankle dorsiflexion can maximise VM, which is effective for tripping prevention. Further research will be needed to determine the maximum thresholds of VM to be safely incorporated into a shoe.
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gait training with real time augmented toe Ground Clearance information decreases tripping risk in older adults and a person with chronic stroke
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 2014Co-Authors: Rezaul Begg, W. A. Sparrow, Oren Tirosh, Catherine M Said, Nili Steinberg, Pazit Levinger, Mary P GaleaAbstract:Falls risk increases with ageing but is substantially higher in people with stroke. Tripping-related balance loss is the primary cause of falls, and Minimum Toe Clearance (MTC) during walking is closely linked to tripping risk. The aim of this study was to determine whether real-time augmented information of toe-Ground Clearance at MTC can increase toe Clearance, and reduce tripping risk. Nine healthy older adults (76±9 years) and one 71 year old female stroke patient participated. Vertical toe displacement was displayed in real-time such that participants could adjust their toe Clearance during treadmill walking. Participants undertook a session of unconstrained walking (no-feedback baseline) and, in a subsequent Feedback condition, were asked to modify their swing phase trajectory to match a “target” increased MTC. Tripping probability (PT) pre- and post-training was calculated by modelling MTC distributions. Older adults showed significantly higher mean MTC for the post-training retention session (27.7 ±3.79mm) compared to the normal walking trial (14.1± 8.3 mm). The PT on a 1cm obstacle for the older adults reduced from 1 in 578 strides to 1 in 105,988 strides. With gait training the stroke patient increased MTC and reduced variability (baseline 16±12 mm, post-training 24±8 mm) which reduced obstacle contact probability from 1 in 3 strides in baseline to 1 in 161 strides post-training. The findings confirm that concurrent visual feedback of a lower limb kinematic gait parameter is effective in changing foot trajectory control and reducing tripping probability in older adults. There is potential for further investigation of augmented feedback training across a range of gait-impaired populations, such as stroke.
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ageing and limb dominance effects on foot Ground Clearance during treadmill and overGround walking
Clinical Biomechanics, 2011Co-Authors: Hanatsu Nagano, W. A. Sparrow, Rezaul Begg, Simon TaylorAbstract:Abstract BackGround Foot-Ground Clearance during the gait cycle swing phase is a critical locomotor adaptation to uneven terrain and non-optimal lower limb control has been linked to tripping and falling. The aim of this research was to determine ageing effects on bilateral foot-Ground Clearance during overGround and treadmill walking. Methods Ageing and walking surface effects on bilateral foot trajectory control were investigated in 11 older (mean age 73.8 years) and 11 young (mean age 22.5 years) participants. First maximum Clearance after toe-off, minimum foot-Ground Clearance and second maximum Clearance prior to heel contact were determined from sampled 3-dimensional marker coordinates during preferred-speed treadmill walking and walking overGround. Findings Preferred walking speed was lower in treadmill walking for both groups. In both groups non-dominant minimum foot-Ground Clearance and first maximum Clearance were greater than for the dominant foot. A high positive correlation was found between these two swing foot Clearances when older adults walked on the treadmill. Second maximum Clearance was reduced in the older group but this was the only overall age effect. Treadmill walking reduced minimum foot-Ground Clearance relative to overGround locomotion except in the older adults' non-dominant limb that revealed greater vertical Clearance height in the non-dominant foot. Interpretation Decreased second maximum Clearance in the older group may be linked to reduced dorsiflexion. Greater minimum foot-Ground Clearance in the older adults' non-dominant foot may reflect functional asymmetry, in which the non-dominant limb primarily secures or stabilizes gait. The high positive correlation between first maximum and minimum foot-Ground Clearances suggests that intervention designed to increase first maximum Clearance may also increase minimum foot-Ground Clearance. A direction for future research is to further understand ageing effects on lower limb trajectory variables in response to a range of walking surface characteristics.
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variability in the foot Ground Clearance and step timing of young and older men during single task and dual task treadmill walking
Gait & Posture, 2008Co-Authors: W. A. Sparrow, Rezaul Begg, Suzanne ParkerAbstract:Abstract The study's aim was to document ageing effects on gait control by analysing the distributions of both left and right step timing and minimum foot-Ground Clearance (MFC) in older men (mean 71.1 years) and gender-matched controls (mean 26.3 years). Step durations and MFC were obtained from continuously sampled 3D markers during preferred-speed treadmill walking (single task) for 15 min and a dual-task condition in which participants walked at the same speed and also responded to the same 90 quasi-randomly presented visual reaction time (RT) stimuli. Significantly longer mean and median RTs were observed when treadmill walking compared to the standing-only control condition. Older males had significantly slower mean RTs for the standing and walking tasks (292 ms and 315 ms, respectively) than the younger group (265 ms and 273 ms). Older males walked more slowly, both groups had greater dual-task step durations but the effect was more pronounced in the older group. Older men's step durations were more positively skewed (longer) while the young had more negative skew. MFC was greater in the older group, and, importantly, in both groups right MFC was greater than the left foot. The data provide evidence of right–left limb asymmetry in preferred speed treadmill walking and it was hypothesised that behavioural slowing in locomotion could be a response to increase the safety of limb end-point control.
Chih-yu Tsai - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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IFA-Based Metal-Frame Antenna Without Ground Clearance for the LTE/WWAN Operation in the Metal-Casing Tablet Computer
IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, 2016Co-Authors: Kin-lu Wong, Chih-yu TsaiAbstract:A metal-frame antenna for the long-term evolution/wireless wide area network (LTE/WWAN) operation in the metal-casing tablet computer is presented. The antenna is formed by using two inverted-F antenna (IFA) structures to provide a low band and a high band to, respectively, cover the LTE/WWAN operation in the 824-960 and 1710-2690 MHz bands. The larger IFA has a longer radiating metal strip for the low band, and the smaller IFA has a shorter radiating metal strip for the high band. The two radiating metal strips are configured to be a portion of the metal frame disposed around the edges of the metal back cover of the tablet computer. The projection of the metal frame lies on the edges of the metal back cover, such that there is no Ground Clearance between the projection and the metal back cover. Furthermore, the feeding and shorting strips with matching networks therein for the two IFAs are disposed on a small dielectric substrate (feed circuit board), which is separated from the system circuit board and the metal back cover. In this case, there is generally no planar space of the metal back cover and system circuit board occupied, and the antenna can cover the 824-960/1710-2690 MHz bands. Results of the proposed antenna are presented. An extended study is also presented to show that the antenna's low-band coverage can be widened from 824-960 to 698-960 MHz. The wider bandwidth coverage is obtained when a switchable inductor bank is applied in the larger IFA.
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ifa based metal frame antenna without Ground Clearance for the lte wwan operation in the metal casing tablet computer
IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, 2016Co-Authors: Kin-lu Wong, Chih-yu TsaiAbstract:A metal-frame antenna for the long-term evolution/wireless wide area network (LTE/WWAN) operation in the metal-casing tablet computer is presented. The antenna is formed by using two inverted-F antenna (IFA) structures to provide a low band and a high band to, respectively, cover the LTE/WWAN operation in the 824–960 and 1710–2690 MHz bands. The larger IFA has a longer radiating metal strip for the low band, and the smaller IFA has a shorter radiating metal strip for the high band. The two radiating metal strips are configured to be a portion of the metal frame disposed around the edges of the metal back cover of the tablet computer. The projection of the metal frame lies on the edges of the metal back cover, such that there is no Ground Clearance between the projection and the metal back cover. Furthermore, the feeding and shorting strips with matching networks therein for the two IFAs are disposed on a small dielectric substrate (feed circuit board), which is separated from the system circuit board and the metal back cover. In this case, there is generally no planar space of the metal back cover and system circuit board occupied, and the antenna can cover the 824–960/1710–2690 MHz bands. Results of the proposed antenna are presented. An extended study is also presented to show that the antenna’s low-band coverage can be widened from 824–960 to 698–960 MHz. The wider bandwidth coverage is obtained when a switchable inductor bank is applied in the larger IFA.
Barry R. Greene - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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body worn sensor based surrogates of minimum Ground Clearance in elderly fallers and controls
International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 2011Co-Authors: Barry R. Greene, Denise Mcgrath, Timothy G. Foran, Emer P. Doheny, Brian CaulfieldAbstract:Falls in the elderly are a major problem worldwide with enormous associated economic and societal costs. Minimum Ground Clearance (MGC) is an important gait variable when considering trip-related falls risk. This study aimed to investigate the clinical relevance of inertial sensor derived parameters, previously shown to be related to MGC. Previous research by the authors reported a surrogate method for assessing minimum Ground Clearance (MGC) using shank-mounted inertial sensors in young controls. The present study tests this method on a cohort of 114 community dwelling elderly adults, with and without a history of falls, completing a 30m continuous walk. Parameters based on the shank angular velocity signals that were shown to be associated with MGC showed significant differences (p<0.05) between fallers and non-fallers yet did not correlate strongly (r<0.7) with two standard measures of falls risk (TUG & BBS). Weak correlations were observed between the angular velocity derived parameters and gait velocity. We conclude that these parameters are clinically meaningful and therefore may constitute a new measure of falls risk.
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EMBC - Body-worn sensor based surrogates of minimum Ground Clearance in elderly fallers and controls
Conference proceedings : ... Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and, 2011Co-Authors: Barry R. Greene, Denise Mcgrath, Timothy G. Foran, Emer P. Doheny, Brian CaulfieldAbstract:Falls in the elderly are a major problem worldwide with enormous associated economic and societal costs. Minimum Ground Clearance (MGC) is an important gait variable when considering trip-related falls risk. This study aimed to investigate the clinical relevance of inertial sensor derived parameters, previously shown to be related to MGC. Previous research by the authors reported a surrogate method for assessing minimum Ground Clearance (MGC) using shank-mounted inertial sensors in young controls. The present study tests this method on a cohort of 114 community dwelling elderly adults, with and without a history of falls, completing a 30m continuous walk. Parameters based on the shank angular velocity signals that were shown to be associated with MGC showed significant differences (p
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estimation of minimum Ground Clearance mgc using body worn inertial sensors
Journal of Biomechanics, 2011Co-Authors: Denise Mcgrath, Barry R. Greene, Cathal Walsh, Brian CaulfieldAbstract:Objective assessment of balance and mobility in elderly populations using body-worn sensors has recently become a prevalent theme in falls-related research. Recent research by the authors identified mean absolute-valued vertical angular velocity measured using shank mounted inertial sensors during a timed-up-and-go test as having a strong association with falls history in a group of elderly adults. This study aimed to investigate the clinical relevance of this parameter by exploring the relationship between it and minimum Ground Clearance (MGC) measured with an optical motion capture system. MGC is an important variable when considering trip-related falls risk. This paper also presents a method of estimating properties of MGC during walking, across a range of speeds and gait patterns, using body-worn inertial sensors. We found that mean MGC and coefficient of variation (CV) MGC are correlated with mean absolute-valued vertical angular velocity and acceleration as measured by shank or foot mounted inertial sensors. Regression models generated using inertial sensor derived variables were used to robustly estimate the mean MGC and CV MGC measured by an optical marker-tracking system. Foot-mounted sensors were found to yield slightly better results than sensors on the shank. Different walking speeds and gait patterns were not found to influence the accuracy of the models. We conclude that these findings have the potential to evaluate a walking trial using body-worn inertial sensors, which could then be used to identify individuals with increased risk of unprovoked collisions with the Ground during locomotion.
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Body-worn sensor based surrogates of minimum Ground Clearance in elderly fallers and controls
2011 Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 2011Co-Authors: Barry R. Greene, Denise Mcgrath, Timothy G. Foran, Emer P. Doheny, Brian CaulfieldAbstract:Falls in the elderly are a major problem worldwide with enormous associated economic and societal costs. Minimum Ground Clearance (MGC) is an important gait variable when considering trip-related falls risk. This study aimed to investigate the clinical relevance of inertial sensor derived parameters, previously shown to be related to MGC. Previous research by the authors reported a surrogate method for assessing minimum Ground Clearance (MGC) using shank-mounted inertial sensors in young controls. The present study tests this method on a cohort of 114 community dwelling elderly adults, with and without a history of falls, completing a 30m continuous walk. Parameters based on the shank angular velocity signals that were shown to be associated with MGC showed significant differences (p
