Development of a Hybrid Foot Model Using an Able-Bodied Population for Prospective Application in Parkinsonian Gait

We developed a technique incorporating a foot accelerometer with a multisegmental foot and ankle kinematic model to study gait disturbances. Initially, our ± 10g triaxial accelerometer was validated by comparing its radial acceleration with the predicted radial acceleration of a Biodex dynamometer. We then mounted our accelerometer on 10 able-bodied adults as they performed walking trials, comparing the resultant accelerations collected by our sensor to those measured by the Vicon 524 optical motion analysis system. The accelerometer was successfully validated with the Biodex for measuring g-levels ranging from 0.621g to 2.98g. Walking trials recorded with the accelerometer resulted in an average vertical peak acceleration of 5.11g (± 1.30g) compared to 4.77g (± 3.07g) average peak acceleration seen during the gait cycle in the current literature. Therefore, our accelerometer is appropriate and can be used for further application in persons with ambulatory disorders and rehabilitative needs.