Locomotor mechanical efficiency according to dynamic walking approach principles

Abstract

LOCOMOTOR MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY ACCORDING TO THE DYNAMIC WALKING APPROACH PRINCIPLES By Samer Khaled Abueid Supervisor Dr. Ibrahem Dabaibeh, Prof Co-Supervisor Dr. Maher Al Kilani, Assoc. Prof ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to provide mechanical information about healthy adult locomotor mechanical efficiency from the perspective of a dynamic approach to walking focusing on step-to-step transition (STST) mechanical cost of transport (MCOT) at high intensity walking gait. A purposive sample of twenty-five healthy adult males from Sport science and physical education students, Hashemite University, Jordan, participated in the study. Subjects come to laboratory on two occasions. On the first occasion, the researcher used Ariel performance analysis system (APAS) to find the preferred transition speed (PTS), the second occasion the researcher used the BTS SMART-DX Analysis System to explore kinematical characteristics. The results show stance phase duration of 0.479 ± 0.03 s for trailing leg (T.leg) and 0.447 ± 0.02 s for leading leg (L.leg), where the double stance phase (DSt) is 0.110 ± 0.03 s for T.leg and 0.100 ± 0.03 s for the L.leg with STST-MCOT 9.6 ± 0.06 J and mechanical efficiency percentage of 9.6 % . It is highly recommended to consider locomotor mechanical efficiency assessment as essential of life style and to maintain stride-to-stride fluctuations, which may correlate to loss of stability. In addition, to further study the effect of race walkers and its related effects of STST adaptation.