3D Kinematic and Kinetic Characteristics of Obstacle Crossing

AHE3103 Advanced Biomechanics
3D Kinematic and kinetic characteristics of obstacle crossing Laboratory
Report
Michelle Wilson- S4495991
Introduction
Gait analysis entails study of human motion, which is used to assess, plan and treat
individuals with conditions affecting their ability to walk (Acton, 2012). This study
has become beneficial, in recent, in the sports industry where biomechanics has been
used to help sportsmen improve their efficiency and performance in this field. So
compounded with the importance associated with biomechanics in the wellbeing of
human beings, interest has increased in knowing what gait analysis involves.
In this report more details in movements of a person which is recorded by the
OPTOTRAK 3D movement analysis system device will be studied. In addition, time
synchronized with two AMTI force sample at high frequency of 1000 Hz. The factors
that were determined include stride length, duration, stance and swing phase, obstacle
clearance, obstacle clearance and obstacle crossing distance, and time in terms of
percentages. In the study, qualitative and quantitative analysis methods were used
with the aim of determining information concerning the kinematic and kinetic
characteristics of walking during obstacle crossing. The hypotheses of this study
include; constraints of stepping over obstacles imposed different kinetic demands on
the both left and right feet usually reflected in braking and propulsive forces, and
vertical and heel and toe velocity show a relationship to variations in trajectory caused
by stepping over low and high obstacles (Pamela K Levangie, 2011).
Objective
The objective of this report is to analyse what effects, high and low obstacles have on
an individual’s walking technique as compared to unobstructed walking, showing
kinematic and kinetic similarities and contrasts between the two.
Method
The experiment involved one person taking part in practical exercises using the
various procedural steps such as normal walking, low and high obstacle waking.
The experiment was done and the data was taken randomly and recorded. Different
coloured markings were used to paint the participant’s toes and heels of both feet and
knee facing the cameras. The markings were placed just outside of the foot nearest to
the camera and also the inside of the contralateral foot.

The participant’s weight was also weighed and recorded on the results paper. This
was done for the purposes of getting accurate data from the experiment.
Cameras were set up in various and strategic positions in order to get accurate data
which will in turn give us accurate information and thus better assessment. It was
ensured that the background was clear thus allowing participant to be viewed and in
addition cameras were in their positions such that images taken were horizontal
without slope. This minimised error in the final results.
The devices employed for the whole study included video camera and tripod, Tape for
marking joint centres and locations, Tape measure, obstacles and many others.
The experiment started by attaching the IREDs properly. The person undergoing the
experiment or ‘specimen’ as was casually referred to was positioned in the area of the
OPTOTRAK in order to detect all positions of the IREDs. Data was then collected
and recorded as shown in the results section. After the experiment was over the data
collected was transferred to the excel sheet and analysis of kinetic and kinematic
correlation was done (HIBBELER, 2016).
Results
Figure 2. Kinematic graph right foot normal walking.
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Kinematics of Right Foot During Normal Walking (No
Obstacle)
verticle
displacement
Horizontal
displacem
ent

Figure 3. Kinematic graph right foot low obstacle.
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Kinematics of Right Foot During Normal Walking (LowObstacle)
Figure 4. Kinematic graph right foot high obstacle walking
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Kinematics of right foot during high obstacle walking
Right toe
"Right heel"