A novel wireless device successfully measured stride intervals in healthy men, demonstrating long-range self-correlations with power spectrum slopes of 0.95 for the right foot and 0.96 for the left.
Observational (n=5)
No
A novel, portable, and inexpensive digital device using tape switches and wireless communication can accurately measure stride-to-stride interval fluctuations in human gait.
Fluctuations in stride-to-stride intervals have been already pointed out. However, further studies of this issue have not progressed in comparison with that of heartbeat because of difficulties both in measuring and in analyzing bilateral walking rhythms. These data had been usually recorded on an analog recorder. Subsequently, such an ambulatory recording machine sometimes influences original fluctuations. We developed a novel device for direct measurement of stride intervals of human gait to investigate gait disturbance caused by many central nervous system disorders. Our system used digital processing with an RS232C terminal. The flat and flexible tape switches are taped to both heels. A threshold of the force required for switching is adjustable. This system is not so expensive and is portable. The measurement is possible even at great distance from a subject via using a radio. Protocols for data collection can be changed. Our spectrum analysis showed long-range correlation. The slopes with respect to power spectrum and frequency in log-log plot are 0.95±0.09 (n=5) for right foot and 0.96±0.12 (n=5) for left foot. These results suggest that stride intervals showed self-correlation, and the analysis of the synchronous mechanism for each pace of the right and left cycles is expected to develop. The accuracy of the sampling time was also examined. The measurement at a sampling rate of 10msec is recommended.
MIYAMOTO et al. (Sun,) conducted a observational in Healthy (n=5). Novel wireless device for measuring stride intervals was evaluated on Power spectrum slope of stride intervals in log-log plot. A novel wireless device successfully measured stride intervals in healthy men, demonstrating long-range self-correlations with power spectrum slopes of 0.95 for the right foot and 0.96 for the left.