Gibbons are able to brachiate effectively through the forest canopy with a suspended swinging motion via contact with handholds. The swing phase is unlikely to be a cause of significant energy loss as pendulums are able to oscillate with only gradual mechanical energy dissipation. We consider the energetics associated with the transition of either a swing (during continuous-contact brachiation)...

interpolation based trajectory planning method which is aiming to achieve smooth biped swing leg trajectory by reducing the instant velocity change which occurs at the time of collision of the biped swing leg with the ground. We first characterize the bipedal walking cycle and point out some major issues that need to be addressed to plan a continuous swing leg trajectory by using the concept of...

The purpose of this study is to investigate the alterations of kinetic characteristics in the step up/over test in patients with acute and chronic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficiency. Twenty acute, twenty chronic ACL-deficient (ACLD) patients, and forty healthy controls participated in this study. The step up/over test was performed on a clinical force platform system to obtain the foll...

OBJECTIVE To compare energy cost and stride characteristics during walking with 3 different types of prostheses in a person with bilateral knee disarticulations. DESIGN Single-case study. Setting Pathokinesiology laboratory. PARTICIPANT A subject with bilateral knee disarticulations and bilateral transradial amputations secondary to meningococcemia with purpura fulminans. INTERVENTIONS No...

Insects are capable of efficient locomotion in a spatially complex environment, such as walking on a forest floor or climbing in a bush. One behavioural mechanism underlying such adaptability is the searching movement that occurs after loss of ground contact. Here, the kinematic sequence of leg searching movements of the stick insect Carausius morosus is analysed. Searching movements are shown ...

Ir. 1800, James Potts of London produced an artificial leg with an articulated knee and ankle, and the ankle even had a 'toe lift' during the swing phase. The leg acquired fame by being provided for the Marquis of Anglesea, who had an above-knee amputation at the battle of Waterloo in 1815. The limb bears a remarkable resemblance to those produced today. Verduin, in 1696 produced a below-knee l...

BACKGROUND Microprocessor knees have improved the gait and functional abilities of persons with transfemoral amputation. The Genium prosthetic knee offers an advanced sensor and control system designed to decrease impairment by: allowing greater stance phase flexion, easing transitions between gait phases, and compensating for changes in terrain. The aim of this study was to determine differenc...

1. When a hind leg of a walking cat fails to contact the ground at the end of swing, the limb is rapidly lifted and replaced in an attempt to seek support. In this investigation we tested the hypothesis that one factor in the initiation of this corrective response is the absence of signals from the group I afferents of extensor muscles. 2. Experiments were performed on decerebrate cats walking ...

We quantify how the hip energetics and knee torque required for an above-knee prosthesis user to walk with the kinematics of able-bodied humans vary with the inertial properties of the prosthesis. We also select and optimize passive mechanical components for a prosthetic knee to accurately reproduce the required knee torque. Previous theoretical studies have typically investigated the effects o...

We quantify how the hip energetics and knee torque required for an above-knee prosthesis user to walk with the kinematics of able-bodied humans vary with the inertial properties of the prosthesis. We also select and optimize passive mechanical components for a prosthetic knee to accurately reproduce the required knee torque. Previous theoretical studies have typically investigated the effects o...