Detecting artificially impaired balance in human locomotion: metrics, perturbation effects and detection thresholds.

ABSTRACT: Measuring balance is important for detecting impairments and developing interventions to prevent falls, but there is no consensus on which method is most effective. Many balance metrics derived from steady-state walking data have been proposed, such as step-width variability, step-time variability, foot placement predictability, maximum Lyapunov exponent and margin of stability. Recently, perturbation-based metrics such as center of mass displacement have also been explored. Perturbations typically involve unexpected disturbances applied to the subject. In this study we collected walking data from 10 healthy human subjects while walking normally and while impairing balance with ankle braces, eye-blocking masks and pneumatic jets on their legs. In some walking trials we also applied mechani

SUBMITTER: Wu J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12148027 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature