Understanding the Mechanics of Human Movement
The study of the mechanics of human movement is called gait analysis. It is a fascinating field of study
that provides us insight into how we walk, run, and perform various activities. These studies benefit
especially athletes and those that work to provide physical therapy and other healthcare related
therapies. Ergonomics emphasizes the benefits of movement. It allows greater blood flow which
benefits tissue repair, reduces ill effects of sedentary lifestyles such as working at a computer, and
increases our mental wellbeing. Therefore, ensuring that you stay moving is critical and the studies
behind this is gait analysis.
Gait analysis is the systematic study of human walking and movement patterns. These studies involve
measuring and assessing the motions, forces, and kinetics of various body parts during locomotion.
Researchers then use the data collected to gain a comprehensive understanding of how the human body
moves and identify potential issues related to gait abnormalities, injury risks, or movement disorders.
Applications of Gait Analysis
Sports Performance: Athletes and coaches alike use gait analysis to optimize techniques, enhance
performance, and prevent injuries. It allows experts to identify areas for improvement like stride length,
foot strike patterns, and joint angles, to help an athlete achieve their peak performance.
Rehabilitation and Injury Prevention: Gait analysis allows clinicians to identify faulty movement
patterns to then provide insights into the most appropriate injury prevention strategies. It also can
assess and track a patients' progress, tailor individualized treatment plans, and measure the
effectiveness of interventions.
Orthopedics and Prosthetics: In the field of orthopedics, gait analysis aids in the design and evaluation
of orthopedic implants and prosthetics. Clinicians can create customized solutions that restore mobility
by analyzing how a patient's gait is affected by an injury or amputation.
Neurological Disorders: Gait analysis is particularly valuable in diagnosing and monitoring neurological
conditions like Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and cerebral palsy. It enables healthcare
professionals to assess the impact of these conditions on a patient's gait and tailor treatment plans
accordingly.
Aging and Fall Risk Assessment: As we age, our changes in gait may be indicative of potential balance and
mobility issues. Gait analysis technologies help to assess fall risks among elderly individuals which enables the implementation of proactive measures to prevent falls and the associated consequences.
About The Technology Behind Gait Analysis
The primary technologies used in gait analysis include:
Motion Capture Systems: These utilize cameras that can track markers on key body landmarks (either
placed or programed to detect structure) during movement. The captured video data is processed to
reconstruct a 3D model of the subject's gait which allows for analysis of joint angles and patterns of
motion.
Force Plates: Force plates are force sensors embedded into the floor which measure the forces exerted
by each foot during walking or running. This helps to understand the distribution of forces with time
providing valuable kinetic data.
Electromyography (EMG): EMG records the electrical activity of the specific muscles used during
movement. It can identify muscle activation (exertion) patterns and assess muscle utilization while
performing various activities.
Pressure-Sensitive Insoles: These insoles provide information about foot pressure distribution during
gait. This helps to uncover issues related to foot mechanics that can be remediated using special
orthotics.
Gait analysis is a powerful tool that enables clinicians to gain insights into human movement. If you are
having issues moving and feel that there is nothing that can be done, try talking to your doctor. The
technology is out there, you can get the help you need to get back on your feet!