Evaluating change in gait due to tendinous vibration by using real-time motion analysis system

Abstract

In this research, we evaluated the influence of tendinous vibration on walking by using real-time motion analysis system. This system detects swing phase of right foot from the heel position during walking so that we can apply tendinous stimulation at the right moment. We measured minimum toe clearance (MTC) for evaluating the change of gait pattern induced by the stimulation applied to three different body parts: patellar tendon, hamstring tendon, and tibialis anterior muscle tendon. The results showed significant increase in MTC when the patellar tendon or hamstring tendon was stimulated compared to that measured under normal gait. This increase was confirmed due to increase in flexion angle of knee joint at 80 to 85% of the gait cycle when MTC was observed.