Biomechanical mechanisms underlying exosuit-induced improvements in walking economy after stroke [RESEARCH ARTICLE]

This study elucidates the biomechanical mechanisms underlying exosuit-induced reductions in metabolic power. We evaluated the relationships between exosuit-induced changes in the body center of mass (COM) power generated by each limb, individual joint power and metabolic power. Compared with walking with an exosuit unpowered, exosuit assistance produced more symmetrical COM power generation during the critical period of the step-to-step transition (22.4±6.4% more symmetric). Changes in individual limb COM power were related to changes in paretic (R2=0.83, P=0.004) and non-paretic (R2=0.73, P=0.014) ankle power. Interestingly, despite the exosuit providing direct assistance to only the paretic limb, changes in metabolic power were related to changes in non-paretic limb COM power (R2=0.80, P=0.007), not paretic limb COM power (P>0.05). These findings contribute to a fundamental understanding of how individuals post-stroke interact with an exosuit to reduce the metabolic cost of hemiparetic walking.

Source: Journal of Experimental Biology - March 7, 2018 Category: Biology Authors: Bae, J., Awad, L. N., Long, A., O'Donnell, K., Hendron, K., Holt, K. G., Ellis, T. D., Walsh, C. J. Tags: Comparative biomechanics of movement RESEARCH ARTICLE Source Type: research