A dynamical model of locomotion in spastic XXXX : influence of walking speed.

@entity1 @entity508 @entity425 @entity306
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the capability of an escapement-driven inverted pendulum with springs and damping model to estimate the effects of impairments (e.g. @entity508 , @entity425 ) on the dynamics and patterns of locomotion of @entity1 with @entity306 . METHODS: Kinematic data of six @entity1 with spastic @entity306 and six matched, typically developing @entity1 were collected at five different self-selected overground walking speeds ('very slow' to 'very fast'). Changes in forcing, stiffness and gravitational potentials were estimated during the stance phase of each leg according to the model's equation of motion. RESULTS: Significantly greater stiffness and decreased forcing was observed in the more affected limbs of @entity1 with spastic @entity306 and compared to typically developing peers. The forcing term of the non-affected limb was greater than that of the matched typically developing @entity1 . CONCLUSIONS: Results support the claim that disabled individuals with losses in dynamic resources (stiffness, muscle forcing capability) exploit and develop the remaining resources in their adapted gait patterns. It was suggested that clinical interventions aimed at normalizing a gait pattern may be contraindicated, and that rehabilitation might be more effective if focused at the level of dynamics. RELEVANCE: Pattern formation is seen as an optimal solution based on the individuals' action capabilities and dynamic properties under environmental and task demands. This perspective could lead to the development of interventions that address these dynamic variables with the objective of improving the functional capabilities of @entity1 with @entity306 .
