A Convolution-Based Gait Asymmetry Metric for Inter-Limb Synergistic Coordination

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel convolution-based metric to evaluate gait asymmetry by modeling intersegmental coordination as an LTI system, offering a new approach to analyzing gait symmetry beyond traditional EMG and acceleration comparisons.

Contribution

It presents a new dissimilarity metric for gait symmetry based on convolution modeling of intersegmental coordination, tested on both symmetric and asymmetric gait data.

Findings

Effective in distinguishing symmetric and asymmetric gait patterns

Provides a quantitative measure of inter-limb coordination

Applicable to various gait analysis scenarios

Abstract

This study focuses on the velocity patterns of various body parts during walking and proposes a method for evaluating gait symmetry. Traditional motion analysis studies have assessed gait symmetry based on differences in electromyographic (EMG) signals or acceleration between the left and right sides. In contrast, this paper models intersegmental coordination using an LTI system and proposes a dissimilarity metric to evaluate symmetry. The method was tested on five subjects with both symmetric and asymmetric gait.