Journal
ANNALS OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
Volume 41, Issue 4, Pages 806-813Publisher
SPRINGER
DOI: 10.1007/s10439-012-0705-2
Keywords
Nonlinear dynamics; Gait; Dynamic stability; Rehabilitation; Dynamical system; Lyapunov exponent; Stride-to-stride fluctuations
Categories
Funding
- American Society of Biomechanics
- National Institute on Aging [R01]
- Nebraska Research Initiative
- Ohio Willow Wood Company
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The amputation and subsequent prosthetic rehabilitation of a lower leg affects gait. Dynamical systems theory would predict the use of a prosthetic device should alter the functional attractor dynamics to which the system self-organizes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the largest Lyapunov exponent (a nonlinear tool for assessing attractor dynamics) for amputee gait compared to healthy non-amputee individuals. Fourteen unilateral, transtibial amputees and fourteen healthy, non-amputee individuals ambulated on a treadmill at preferred, self-selected walking speed. Our results showed that the sound hip (p = 0.013), sound knee (p = 0.05), and prosthetic ankle (p = 0.023) have significantly greater largest Lyapunov exponents than healthy non-amputees. Furthermore, the prosthetic ankle has a significantly greater (p = 0.0.17) largest Lyapunov exponent than the sound leg ankle. These findings indicate attractor states for amputee gait with increased divergence. The increased attractor divergence seems to coincide with decreased ability for motor control between the natural rhythms of the individual and those of the prosthetic device. Future work should consider the impact of different prostheses and rehabilitation on the attractor dynamics.
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