Abstract：
Prosthetic foot stiffness, which is typically invariable for commercially available prosthetic feet, needs to be considered when prescribing a prosthetic foot. While a biological foot adapts its function according to the movement task, an individual with lower limb amputation may be limited during more functionally demanding gait tasks by their conventional energy storing and return prosthetic foot.
How do changes in prosthetic foot stiffness during incline walking affect biomechanical measures as well as perception of participants.
Kinetic and kinematic data were collected during incline walking, for five participants with trans-tibial amputation. A mixed model analysis of variance was used to analyse the effects of changing the stiffness during incline walking, using a novel variable-stiffness unit built on a commercially available prosthetic foot. Biomechanical results were also analysed on an individual level alongside the participant feedback, for a better understanding of the various strategies and perceptions exhibited during incline walking.
Statistically significant effects were only observed on the biomechanical parameters directly related to prosthetic ankle kinematics and kinetics (i.e., peak prosthetic ankle dorsiflexion, peak prosthetic ankle power, dynamic joint stiffness during controlled dorsiflexion). Participant perception during walking was affected by changes in stiffness. Individual analyses revealed varied perceptions and varied biomechanical responses among participants.
While changes in prosthesis mechanical properties influenced the amputee\'s experience, minimal immediate effects were found with the overall gait pattern. The reported inter-participant variability may be due to the person\'s physical characteristics or habitual gait pattern, which may influence prosthesis function. The ability to vary prosthetic foot stiffness during the assessment phase of setting up a prosthesis could provide useful information to guide selection of the appropriate prosthetic device for acceptable performance across a range of activities.
How do changes in prosthetic foot stiffness during incline walking affect biomechanical measures as well as perception of participants.
Kinetic and kinematic data were collected during incline walking, for five participants with trans-tibial amputation. A mixed model analysis of variance was used to analyse the effects of changing the stiffness during incline walking, using a novel variable-stiffness unit built on a commercially available prosthetic foot. Biomechanical results were also analysed on an individual level alongside the participant feedback, for a better understanding of the various strategies and perceptions exhibited during incline walking.
Statistically significant effects were only observed on the biomechanical parameters directly related to prosthetic ankle kinematics and kinetics (i.e., peak prosthetic ankle dorsiflexion, peak prosthetic ankle power, dynamic joint stiffness during controlled dorsiflexion). Participant perception during walking was affected by changes in stiffness. Individual analyses revealed varied perceptions and varied biomechanical responses among participants.
While changes in prosthesis mechanical properties influenced the amputee\'s experience, minimal immediate effects were found with the overall gait pattern. The reported inter-participant variability may be due to the person\'s physical characteristics or habitual gait pattern, which may influence prosthesis function. The ability to vary prosthetic foot stiffness during the assessment phase of setting up a prosthesis could provide useful information to guide selection of the appropriate prosthetic device for acceptable performance across a range of activities.
摘要：
背景：假肢足僵硬度，这对于商业上可用的假脚来说通常是不变的，处方假脚时需要考虑。当生物足部根据运动任务调整其功能时，在功能要求更高的步态任务期间，下肢截肢的个体可能会受到其常规能量存储和返回假足的限制。
目的：在倾斜行走过程中假足刚度的变化如何影响生物力学措施以及参与者的感知。
方法：在倾斜行走过程中收集动力学和运动学数据，五名胫骨截肢的参与者。混合模型方差分析用于分析倾斜行走过程中刚度变化的影响，使用建立在市售假脚上的新型可变刚度单元。生物力学结果也在个体水平上进行了分析，以及参与者的反馈，为了更好地理解倾斜行走过程中表现出的各种策略和感知。
结果：仅在与假体踝关节运动学和动力学直接相关的生物力学参数上观察到统计学上显着的影响（即，峰值假体踝关节背屈，峰值假肢踝关节功率,受控背屈期间的动态关节刚度)。行走过程中的参与者感知受到刚度变化的影响。个体分析揭示了参与者之间不同的感知和不同的生物力学反应。
结论：虽然假体机械性能的变化会影响截肢者的体验，在整体步态模式下发现最小的即时影响。报告的参与者间变异性可能是由于人的身体特征或习惯性步态模式，这可能会影响假体功能。在设置假肢的评估阶段期间改变假肢足刚度的能力可以提供有用的信息,以指导在一系列活动中选择合适的假肢装置以获得可接受的性能。
目的：在倾斜行走过程中假足刚度的变化如何影响生物力学措施以及参与者的感知。
方法：在倾斜行走过程中收集动力学和运动学数据，五名胫骨截肢的参与者。混合模型方差分析用于分析倾斜行走过程中刚度变化的影响，使用建立在市售假脚上的新型可变刚度单元。生物力学结果也在个体水平上进行了分析，以及参与者的反馈，为了更好地理解倾斜行走过程中表现出的各种策略和感知。
结果：仅在与假体踝关节运动学和动力学直接相关的生物力学参数上观察到统计学上显着的影响（即，峰值假体踝关节背屈，峰值假肢踝关节功率,受控背屈期间的动态关节刚度)。行走过程中的参与者感知受到刚度变化的影响。个体分析揭示了参与者之间不同的感知和不同的生物力学反应。
结论：虽然假体机械性能的变化会影响截肢者的体验，在整体步态模式下发现最小的即时影响。报告的参与者间变异性可能是由于人的身体特征或习惯性步态模式，这可能会影响假体功能。在设置假肢的评估阶段期间改变假肢足刚度的能力可以提供有用的信息,以指导在一系列活动中选择合适的假肢装置以获得可接受的性能。
