EFFECTS OF CALF ANCHORING COMPRESSION LEVELS ON ANKLE KINEMATICS, MOTOR UNIT BEHAVIOR, ENERGY COST, AND DISCOMFORT DURING WALKING

Authors

Jaewoo Cho, Seoul National UniversityFollow
Eunsik Choi, Seoul National UniversityFollow
Sangheui Cheon, Seoul National UniversityFollow
Seongwon Hwang, Seoul National UniversityFollow
Jooeun Ahn, Seoul National UniversityFollow

Category

Wearable Technology

Document Type

Paper

Abstract

We propose a method for quantifying the anchoring compression of wearable devices using limb occlusion pressure (LOP). Under 0%, 20%, 40%, and 60% of LOP, five healthy male participants performed an isometric ankle plantarflexion task before and after walking on an inclined treadmill. Significant differences were shown in calf discomfort (p < 0.001), and ankle plantarflexion angle (p = 0.013) during walking. Although no significant difference was found for oxygen consumption and motor unit behavior of the gastrocnemius medialis, the maintenance of ankle plantarflexion angle was related to an increase in peak motor unit action potential amplitude and average firing rate at 60% of LOP. The results suggest that subjective assessment is more sensitive than the physiological indices, and calf anchoring force should not exceed 60% LOP to avoid any possible negative effect on the muscle.

Recommended Citation

Cho, Jaewoo; Choi, Eunsik; Cheon, Sangheui; Hwang, Seongwon; and Ahn, Jooeun (2023) "EFFECTS OF CALF ANCHORING COMPRESSION LEVELS ON ANKLE KINEMATICS, MOTOR UNIT BEHAVIOR, ENERGY COST, AND DISCOMFORT DURING WALKING," ISBS Proceedings Archive: Vol. 41: Iss. 1, Article 21.
Available at: https://commons.nmu.edu/isbs/vol41/iss1/21