Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Ambulatory-force measurement using an instrumented-shoe system

Lower-leg loading envelopes occurring during common activities in nonlaboratory situations can be determined by using a shoe-mounted force and position-measuring system

  • Published:
Experimental Mechanics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A knowledge of the external forces acting on the human lower limbs is necessary for the effective formulation of safety precautions. A new approach of determining lower-leg forces that is more portable than existing measurement systems has been developed. Shoe-mounted load cells measure the orthogonal components of foot-to-ground forces and moments while goniometers continuously monitor the position of the lower leg. The output signals are transposed to a system of loads acting at the lower leg. The axial torque calculated to occur during common turning maneuvers under various conditions is presented and discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Outwater, J. O. andWoodard, M. S., Skiing Forces and Fractures, Mechanical Engineering,89,26–30 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  2. Schwartz, R. P. andHeath, A. L., The Pneumographic Method of Recording Gait, J. Bone and Joint Surg.,14,783–794 (Oct.,1932).

    Google Scholar 

  3. Kirkpatrick, G. S., Day, E. E. andLehman, J. F., Investigation of the Performance of an Ischial Load-bearing Leg Brace, Proc. SESA,9 (1),30–35 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  4. Lippert, F. G., A Long Leg Brace for Comprehensive Force Measurement, Thesis, Acta Orthopaedica Scandinavica (1971).

  5. Cunningham, D. M. andBrown G. W., Two Devices for Measuring the Forces Acting on the Human Body During Walking, Proc. SESA,14 (2),75–90 (1952).

    Google Scholar 

  6. Bresler, B. andFrankel, J. P., The Forces and Moments in the Leg During Level Walking, Trans. ASME,72,27–36 (1950).

    Google Scholar 

  7. Spolek, G. A., An Instrumented Shoe System for Ambulatory Force Studies, Thesis, Univ. of Washington (1974).

  8. Yamada, H., Strength of Biological Materials, ed. by F. G. Evans, Williams and Wilkins Co., Baltimore MD (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  9. Frankel, V. H. andBurstein, A. H., The Biomechanics of Refracture of Bone, Clin. Orthop.,60,221–225 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, 98195, Seattle, WA

    E. E. Day (Professor of Mechnical Engineering)

  2. Veterans Administration Hospital, 98108, Seattle, WA

    G. A. Spolek (Research Engineer), F. G. Lippert (Chief of Orthopaedic Service) & G. S. Kirkpatrick (Director of Orthopaedic Biomechnics Research)

Authors
  1. G. A. Spolek
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. E. E. Day
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. F. G. Lippert
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. G. S. Kirkpatrick
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Spolek, G.A., Day, E.E., Lippert, F.G. et al. Ambulatory-force measurement using an instrumented-shoe system. Experimental Mechanics 15, 271–274 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02318060

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02318060

Keywords

Search

Navigation