A quantitative gait assessment method based on energy exchange analysis during walking: a normal gait study

Abstract

In this paper a gait efficiency assessment method, Gait Energy Efficiency Index (GEEI), which can be used in evaluation of the progress of the rehabilitation process in disabled persons, is proposed and described. The method is based on calculation of cross correlation between normalized time courses of kinetic and potential energy of the body's centre of mass (COM). We hypothesized that GEEI in energetically optimal normal walking should be high and invariable of gait speed. The method was tested on twelve healthy subjects walking at three different speeds and contrasted to five established gait energy consumption assessment methods. The results showed that GEEI in normal walking is close to 1 regardless of walking speed.