Supervisors info:
Κουρκουλής Σταύρος, Καθηγητής, Τμήμα Εφαρμοσμένων Μαθηματικών και Φυσικών Επιστημών, ΕΜΠ
Σαββίδου Όλγα, Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Παπαγγελόπουλος Παναγιώτης, Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Summary:
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of various plantar flexion angles on knee joint during gait and to develop a relevant computational model. Within the scope of this work, five plantar inclinations were examined: 0°, 2°, 10°, 25°, and 45°. The experimental procedure was conducted at the Center for Gait and Motion Analysis of ELEPAP. For data recording and measurement, a treadmill with force plates, three-dimensional and two-dimensional cameras, portable electromyography devices, and the Plug In Gait biomechanical model from VICON were utilized. The computational model was developed using OpenSim.
Based on the results, significant changes were observed in spatiotemporal parameters in the case of 45° inclination compared to the others, including reduced step length, stance phase, and particularly double support, as well as increased swing phase. Kinematic data, both experimental and computational, showed increased flexion angle and range of motion in the sagittal plane for smaller plantar inclinations, and significantly reduced values for larger inclinations. Kinetic data revealed particularly increased flexion moment in the case of higher plantar inclinations, especially at 45°, with consistently elevated flexion moment throughout the stance phase.
Comparison between 0° and 45° using EMG data indicated prolonged and increased activation of the rectus femoris and gastrocnemius muscles in the latter case compared to the former. However, for antagonist muscles (hamstrings and tibialis anterior), there was no proportional reduction in intensity and duration between these two inclinations.
The computational model developed through the OpenSim software demonstrates qualitative consistency to experimental results.
Keywords:
Gait analysis, Knee joint, Plantar inclination, OpenSim, Kinematics, Kinetics.
