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Showing 3 results for Gait
The Effect of Non-Slippery Flooring on Postural Stability and Gait Parameters in Severe Osteoporosis Elderly
Ramin Rafeie, Mohammad Eftekhari Yazdi, Koorosh Nakhaee, Siamak Khorramymehr,
Volume 10, Issue 3 (12-2022)
Abstract
Objectives: Investigating the effective factors in controlling and increasing stability due to weakening of the balance parts of the body in the elderly with osteoporosis, in order to prevent falling is of particular importance, so in this study, the effect of anti-slip flooring in the stimulation of the somatosensory part of the sole of the foot to improve postural stability and gait balance has been evaluated in the elderly with osteoporosis.
Methods: 22 elderlies participated (11 elderly women with severe osteoporosis,11 healthy elderly women) in this study in two static and dynamic condition on three different surfaces including sponge non-slippery flooring (FL), PVC patterned non-slippery flooring (SF) and control surface (CO). In the static part, each participant was standing on the force plate for 30 seconds with eyes open and eyes closed. The values of the length, sway and average velocity of the anterior-posterior and internal-external center of pressure of the foot were measured. In the dynamic part, each participant walked at a selected speed on different surfaces and the values of the normalized step and stride length, step width, step and stride time, and average step and stride velocity were measured.
Results: PVC non-slippery flooring (SF) and control surface (CO) reduced all postural stability and gait variables (P < 0.05) in osteoporosis and healthy elderly than soft Sponge Surface (SF). Moreover, all postural stability variable and spatial and temporal gait parameters were significantly more in the osteoporosis elderly than in healthy elderlies (P < 0.05). Moreover, anterior-posterior mean velocity in open-eyed state significantly reduced in both elderly groups than close-eyed state (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Stiff and patterned surfaces are more effective than soft spongy surfaces in stimulating the somatosensory part of the foot sole to improve stability in both osteoporotic and healthy elderly groups. The results of this study may be helpful to understand the characteristics of the elderly while walking and standing on non-slippery flooring in different environments and the ergonomic design of the environment in order to reduce slips and falls and as a result possible fracture in the elderly with severe osteoporosis. In addition, observation of instability between the elderly with osteoporosis and healthy suggests the need for further investigation and the use of auxiliary exercises to correct and improve stability.

Comparison of Common Mechanisms in the Design of Hip Belts in Backpacks on the Coordination between Trunk and Hip Segments during Walking
Faridah Aghahasni Mahabadi, Abbas Farjad Pezeshk, Mohammad Yousefi,
Volume 12, Issue 2 (7-2024)
Abstract
Objectives: Using a backpack with a hip belt limits hip movements and prevents disruption in hip and trunk coordination. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effect of common mechanisms in the design of hip belts in mountaineering backpacks on the coordination between trunk and pelvis organs during walking.
Methods: This semi-experimental research was conducted on 16 men. Three types of backpacks with different hip belts were used. Participants carried backpacks with a load of 13 kg. The continuous relative phase and its variability were used to analyze the coordination. Descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation and analysis of variance with repeated measures were used to compare variables in four conditions.
Results: According to the results, there was a difference between the level of coordination in two conditions of without a backpack and a normal backpack, with the normal backpack showing a significant decrease in coordination (P<0.05). The results also indicated that the variability in coordination increased after using backpacks with movable hip belts and cross frames compared to walking without a backpack (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Based on the existing findings, backpacks with a cross-movable frame maintain the antiphase coordination between the trunk and pelvis by allowing freedom of movement in these two organs. It also creates more flexibility by increasing variability in coordination.

Designing and modeling shoes for patients with drop foot using statistical and ergonomic analysis
Samaneh Taheri, Karim Atashgar, Mohammadreza Zamani,
Volume 14, Issue 2 (6-2026)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Foot drop is caused by neurological disorders and traumatic injuries and can impair gait pattern and increase energy expenditure during walking. The use of appropriate rehabilitation devices plays an important role in improving patients’ motor performance. The aim of this study was to provide the design basis for a rehabilitation shoe intended to improve selected biomechanical parameters, including toe angle, muscle torque, and step length in patients with foot drop. The findings of this study are considered preliminary design evidence, and further studies with larger sample sizes are required before moving toward product development and manufacturing.

Methods: This study was a case-based biomechanical simulation investigation. The evaluated variables included toe angle, tibialis anterior muscle torque, and step length. These variables were extracted using musculoskeletal modeling in OpenSim software and finite element analysis in ABAQUS. The obtained data were compared under four simulation conditions, including the designed shoe, reference ankle-foot orthosis (AFO), patient condition, and healthy control. Data analysis was performed descriptively based on the evaluation and comparison of biomechanical trend changes.

Results: The results showed that the use of the designed shoe improved toe angle during the swing phase by approximately 80% compared with the patient condition. In addition, tibialis anterior muscle torque increased by approximately 85%, and step length also improved relative to the patient condition. These findings indicate a relative improvement in gait-related biomechanical parameters in the proposed model.

Conclusion: The proposed design improved three key biomechanical parameters, including step length, tibialis anterior muscle torque, and toe angle. Furthermore, the case-based simulation and descriptive statistical findings suggested that the proposed model has the potential to effectively control the coordinated movement of the ankle and forefoot in individuals with foot drop.

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