Gait Analysis

Task

For this project, our group was assigned to analyze gait to test if it can be used to determine a certain human characteristic. Our group decided to look at the relationship between gait frequency and height.

Our Gait Analysis Project

Gait analysis is the observation of the way people move and many engineers use this study to help people who may suffer from certain movement limiting conditions, which will help improve the way they motion. It can be used for medical diagnostics or biomechanics for the purpose of understanding how and why humans behave the way they do.

For the first part of this project, we learned about the idea of gait and what it's used for. We performed engineering analysis on gait data to understand what gait properties can be used to measure human characteristics. In this activity, we observed different individuals' gait data to graph acceleration vs. time data and compare different relationships between the characteristics. The purpose of this was to gain a better understanding of what gait can be used for and how it can be applied to other areas of human understanding.

The information that we learned in activity 1 was carried throughout activity 2, in which we actually tested a theory in relation to gait. Our group focused on the relationship between gait frequency and height. We first selected a few individuals from our class as test subjects and gathered initial data, such as gender and weight. We then had them take 7 steps while measuring the acceleration of each step with the accelerometer. Using the total g-force that we recorded from each individual, we compared the results and made a predictive model. From this predictive model, we formulated a hypothesis: if the maximum total acceleration occurs in the first half of steps taken by the individual, they are 5'"6 or shorter, and if the maximum total acceleration occurs in the second half of steps taken, they are 5''7" or taller. In conclusion, we were able to predict the range of a person's height based on the acceleration of their gait.

KROS Gait Analysis

Micro Presentation

Predictive Model

Copy of Final Gait Analysis Report

Gait Analysis Report

Important Concepts

gait: a person's pattern of walking
gait analysis: the systematic study of human motion, using visual observations and movement measures to help people with conditions affecting their ability to walk
engineering analysis: the application of scientific and analytic principles to reveal the state and properties of a system
acceleration: the capacity to gain speed in a certain period of time
accelerometer: a device that measures the physical acceleration experienced by an object
g-force (gravitational force): measurement of acceleration
predictive model: a statistical technique used to predict future behavior
dynamicity: the quantification of variations in kinematic or kinetic parameters within a step
metric: a quantitative indicator of a characteristic or attribute
model: a description of observed or predicted behavior of some system, simplified by ignoring certain details; allow complex systems to be understood and their behavior predicted
symmetry: the quantification of differences between left-foot and right-foot steps
variability: the quantification of fluctuations from one stride to the next

Reflection

Throughout the course of this project, I was able to show some areas of strength. I practiced my collaboration skills well, as I was able to successfully complete my part of the project. I maintained an efficient work ethic by holding myself accountable when I was off task. I also contributed to the group work ethic as a whole by helping to divide up the work in order to get every task done. When the group assignments were building up, we decided to divide and conquer; one person worked on the mentor letter while two other people were working on the report or the micro presentation. This established an efficient work ethic within the group. Another area of strength was my ability to be a conscientious learner. I was able to keep my work organized and set my priorities straight when I had multiple assignments to work on. I took initiative when our group didn't know what to do next with our report. I also used class-time to my advantage and took the opportunity to ask questions when I was confused. All of these things contributed to the quality of my work and allowed for a strong outcome.

Although there were many areas that I excelled in, there were some things that I could work on in the future. There were times where I didn't reflect a good character. Because I'm working with a group of my friends, I feel comfortable around them. I sometimes lacked respect within my group because of this, which interfered with our work ethic. In the future, I want to keep it professional and show respect to my teammates because it's important to have a strong connection within the team. Something else I could work on is my time management skills. Although I used class-time wisely, I didn't always use time outside of school to work on the project and put in the extra effort to make improvements. For future projects, especially our Capstone, I want to strive to manage my time well and make a plan in order to stay organized. These small improvements can result in a better outcome of our project.

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