Presenter Information

Jenny Anne MaunFollow

Advisor Information

Kota Takahashi

Location

Rm 249

Presentation Type

Oral Presentation

Start Date

1-3-2019 2:15 PM

End Date

1-3-2019 3:15 PM

Abstract

Name: Jenny Anne Maun

Title: The effects of stiffness of a prosthetic shock-absorbing pylon on mechanical work during walking

Degree: Masters

Faculty Advisor: Kota Z. Takahashi, PhD

Co-authors: Steven A. Gard, PhD; Matthew J. Major, PhD

A prosthetic shock-absorbing pylon (SAP) is intended to attenuate impact forces, provide comfort, and reduce residual limb pain for prosthesis users. However, the effect of an SAP and its spring stiffness on the mechanical work done by the prosthetic limb during walking remains unclear. The purpose of this study: to investigate the effects of SAP spring stiffness and walking speed on the mechanical work of the prosthetic limb during stance in individuals with unilateral transtibial amputation (TTA). We hypothesized that (1) a more compliant spring results in more negative work during early stance, and subsequently produce more positive work (i.e., greater energy stored and returned) and (2) increased walking speed will amplify the effects of SAP spring stiffness on mechanical work due to an increase in ground reaction forces. A secondary analysis was performed on 12 unilateral TTA subjects. Subjects walked overground on four prosthetic stiffnesses at self-selected customary (1.22±0.01m/s) and fast (1.53±0.01m/s) walking speeds. Ankle-foot power was calculated using the Unified Deformable power analysis. SAP stiffness and speed showed some effects on negative work, but not on positive work which remained relatively low (~13% of negative work) across all conditions, which suggests a damping effect from the prosthesis. Future research will investigate on how the energy is transferred from the prosthesis to the user during walking to understand the role of these components on whole-body center-of-mass and contralateral limb energetics.

Included in

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Mar 1st, 2:15 PM Mar 1st, 3:15 PM

The Effects of Stiffness of a Prosthetic Shock-Absorbing Pylon on Mechanical Work during Walking

Rm 249

Name: Jenny Anne Maun

Title: The effects of stiffness of a prosthetic shock-absorbing pylon on mechanical work during walking

Degree: Masters

Faculty Advisor: Kota Z. Takahashi, PhD

Co-authors: Steven A. Gard, PhD; Matthew J. Major, PhD

A prosthetic shock-absorbing pylon (SAP) is intended to attenuate impact forces, provide comfort, and reduce residual limb pain for prosthesis users. However, the effect of an SAP and its spring stiffness on the mechanical work done by the prosthetic limb during walking remains unclear. The purpose of this study: to investigate the effects of SAP spring stiffness and walking speed on the mechanical work of the prosthetic limb during stance in individuals with unilateral transtibial amputation (TTA). We hypothesized that (1) a more compliant spring results in more negative work during early stance, and subsequently produce more positive work (i.e., greater energy stored and returned) and (2) increased walking speed will amplify the effects of SAP spring stiffness on mechanical work due to an increase in ground reaction forces. A secondary analysis was performed on 12 unilateral TTA subjects. Subjects walked overground on four prosthetic stiffnesses at self-selected customary (1.22±0.01m/s) and fast (1.53±0.01m/s) walking speeds. Ankle-foot power was calculated using the Unified Deformable power analysis. SAP stiffness and speed showed some effects on negative work, but not on positive work which remained relatively low (~13% of negative work) across all conditions, which suggests a damping effect from the prosthesis. Future research will investigate on how the energy is transferred from the prosthesis to the user during walking to understand the role of these components on whole-body center-of-mass and contralateral limb energetics.