1 Key Laboratory of Human Motion Analysis and Rehabilitation Technology of the Ministry of Civil Affairs,Beihang University,Beijing 100191,China
2 Beijing Advanced Innovation Centre for Biomedical Engineering,Beihang University,Beijing 100191,China
3 School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering,Beihang University,Beijing 100191,China
4 School of Engineering Medicine,Beihang University,Beijing 100191,China
5 Key Laboratory Human Motion Analysis and Rehabilitation Technology of the Ministry of Civil Affairs,National Research Center for Rehabilitation Technical Aids,Beijing 100176,China
6 Tianjin Key Laboratory of Advanced Electromechanical System Design and Intelligent Control,Tianjin University of Technology,Tianjin 300384,China
7 National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center of Electromechanical Engineering,Tianjin University of Technology,Tianjin 300384,China
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文章历史+
Received
Published
Revised
2025-04-30
2026-02-08
2025-11-18
Online Date
2026-09-21
PDF (11296K)
摘要
助行器作为改善老年人和下肢功能障碍患者步态稳定性的重要辅助工具,其参数配置(类型、高度、宽度)对步态动力学和肌肉激活模式的影响是康复工程领域的研究热点。通过多模态数据同步采集技术,结合三维运动捕捉系统、测力台和表面肌电信号(surface electromyography,sEMG),定量分析了框式与轮式助行器在不同高度和宽度配置下对步态稳定性及下肢肌肉激活的影响。实验招募6名老年人受试者,在18种助行模式组合下完成行走任务,评估步态稳定性指数(gait stability index,GSI)和肌肉激活指标[均方根振幅(root mean square,RMS)、积分肌电值(integrated electromyography,iEMG)]。结果表明:轮式助行器在高度调整至股骨大转子上方2.5 cm(H25)时表现最优,步态平稳率仅为0.008 7,显著优于框式助行器;而宽度过大的设计(如W80)会降低稳定性。助行器高度显著影响比目鱼肌和股四头肌的激活强度,H50配置导致肌肉激活度增加;宽度调整则主要影响腓肠肌和股三头肌,W80引发过度激活。H0W50(标准高度与宽度)在支撑与肌肉负荷间实现了最佳平衡。研究成果揭示了助行模式参数化调控中的非线性矛盾,为优化助行器设计以平衡步态稳定性与肌肉代谢负荷提供了理论依据,对康复辅具的个性化适配具有重要指导意义。
Abstract
Walking aids,as essential assistive devices for improving gait stability in the elderly and individuals with lower limb dysfunction,have parameters (type,height,width) whose configurations significantly influence gait dynamics and muscle activation patterns,making this a key research focus in rehabilitation engineering. Multimodal data synchronization technology was employed,integrating a 3D motion capture system,force platforms,and surface electromyography (sEMG),to quantitatively analyze the effects of frame-style and wheeled walkers under different height and width configurations on gait stability and lower limb muscle activation. Six elderly participants were recruited to complete walking tasks under 18 walking aid mode combinations,with evaluations of the gait stability index (GSI) and muscle activation metrics [root mean square(RMS),integrated electromyography(iEMG)].The results demonstrate that the wheeled walker achieves optimal performance when adjusts to a height of 2.5 cm above the greater trochanter (H25),with a gait smoothness rate of only 0.008 7,significantly outperforming the frame-style walker. However,excessive width (e.g.,W80) reduces stability. Walker height significantly affects the activation intensity of the soleus and quadriceps,with the H50 configuration increasing muscle activation. Width adjustments primarily influence the gastrocnemius and triceps surae,with W80 causing overactivation. The H0W50 (standard height and width) configuration achieves the best balance between support and muscle load. The results reveal nonlinear contradictions in the parametric regulation of walking aid modes,providing a theoretical basis for optimizing walker design to balance gait stability and muscle metabolic load. The findings offer important guidance for the personalized fitting of rehabilitation assistive devices.
JI Run, YANG Jie-meng, GUAN Zhi-peng, TAO Chun-jing, FAN Yu-bo.
Influence of Assistive Walking Modes on Gait Stability and Muscle Activation[J].
Science Technology and Engineering, 2026, 26(4): 1376-1389 DOI:10.12404/j.issn.1671-1815.2503164
随着全球人口老龄化进程加速及运动损伤发生率上升,下肢功能障碍群体规模持续扩大,助行器作为改善步行能力的核心康复辅具,其生物力学适配性直接影响患者功能代偿效果与长期预后[32-33]。基于神经肌肉功能评估理论,重点解析不同助行模式下表面肌电信号特征:均方根振幅(root mean square,RMS)与积分肌电值(integrated electromyography,iEMG),以揭示助行器参数配置对运动功能重建的调控机制[34-36]。
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