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The Dynamics of Balance Control During Slipping

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 May 2011

You-Li Chou ,
Jia-Yuan You ,
Chii-Jeng Lin ,
Fong-Chin Su  and
Pei-Hsi Chou
You-Li Chou*
Affiliation:
Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan 70101, R.O.C.
Jia-Yuan You*
Affiliation:
Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan 70101, R.O.C.
Chii-Jeng Lin*
Affiliation:
Institute of Orthopedic Surgery in Medical Center, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan 70101, R.O.C.
Fong-Chin Su*
Affiliation:
Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan 70101, R.O.C.
Pei-Hsi Chou*
Affiliation:
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan 80708, R.O.C.
*
* Professor
** Ph.D. Candidate
* Professor
* Professor
*** Attending Physician
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Abstract

This study investigates experimentally the velocity of the center of mass with respect to the base of support while subjects step on slippery flooring. The moments of the joints of both legs are also investigated to gain further insights into the source of any correlation found in reacting to slippery perturbation. Twenty-two healthy subjects dressed with safety harness walked first without and then with slippery perturbation, guided by a metronome at 120 steps/min and 90 steps/min cadence. Data were collected from a motion analysis system and force plates. Subjects falling had distinguishably slower velocity of center of mass with respect to the lead stance foot compared to the subjects maintaining balance at contralateral toe off. Larger knee flexion moment and ankle plantar flexion moment in the perturbed leg were found among subjects regaining balance. Faster velocity of center of mass with respect to base of support is noteworthy in subjects regaining balance from slippery perturbation. The response of lower extremities, especially about the thigh and leg in the lead stance limb, were important to improve the velocity of the center of mass with respect to base of support.

Keywords

SlipKineticsBalanceGait
Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Mechanics , Volume 17 , Issue 2 , June 2001 , pp. 69 - 78
Copyright
Copyright © The Society of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, R.O.C. 2001

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References

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