Gait Analyzer Principles and Common Applications

A gait analyzer is a device used to detect and analyze human walking patterns. It measures gait parameters and provides gait pattern evaluation through technologies such as plantar pressure sensors, motion capture systems, and inertial sensors (IMUs).

The main components of a gait analyzer include plantar pressure plates or insole sensors to detect plantar force conditions, such as the maximum pressure point and the center of force (COP). The camera system (optical motion capture) uses a high-frame-rate camera or infrared camera system to capture the trajectory of joint motion. The inertial measurement unit (IMU) uses a wearable accelerometer and gyroscope to detect dynamic information such as gait angle, acceleration, and cadence. The data analysis software integrates data from multiple sensors to generate a gait analysis report, including step length, step width, gait symmetry, support time, etc.

Key gait parameters include step length and step width, which represent the distance between the two feet and are used to evaluate walking stability. Cadence is the number of steps per minute, which measures the walking rhythm. The swing phase and support phase are the ratio of the time a single leg is in the air (swing) and the time it is on the ground (support) during walking, reflecting the balance of gait. The center of pressure trajectory (COP) refers to the path of the center of gravity movement, which determines the stability of gait. The symmetry index is used to determine whether the left and right footsteps are coordinated. For example, patients with stroke or amputation may have asymmetric gait.

Gait analyzers play an important role in the field of medical diagnosis and rehabilitation, such as the evaluation of neurological diseases, the analysis of gait abnormalities in patients with Parkinson's disease and stroke, and auxiliary rehabilitation training. In orthopedics and sports injury rehabilitation, it can be used for postoperative gait evaluation, such as tracking the rehabilitation process of patients with knee replacement and ankle injury. In addition, it can also be used for children's gait evaluation, such as detecting developmental gait abnormalities such as cerebral palsy and inward-outward gait.

In sports science and injury prevention, gait analyzers can be used to optimize the gait of athletes, analyze the gait when running and jumping, improve sports performance and reduce the risk of injury. At the same time, it can be used for sports injury prevention and control, by predicting the stress concentration area of the plantar, reducing the occurrence of sports injuries such as patellar pain syndrome and Achilles tendonitis.

Gait analyzers are also widely used in the field of corrective insoles and shoe design. Personalized corrective insoles can be customized based on gait analysis data, which are suitable for people with flat feet, high arches, etc. In addition, it is also used for footwear comfort testing, optimizing the sole support design, and improving the comfort and protection performance of shoes.

In terms of health management for the elderly, gait analyzers can be used to predict fall risks, monitor the walking stability of the elderly, assess the risk of falls, and provide gait training suggestions to reduce the incidence of falls and improve the quality of life of the elderly.

Gait analyzers accurately analyze gait characteristics through pressure sensing, optical capture, inertial sensing and other technologies. It plays an important role in medicine, rehabilitation, sports science, shoe design, health management for the elderly, etc., helping to improve gait problems, improve walking stability, and optimize sports performance