The Effects of passive path spring implementation parallel to weakened M. rectus femoris during walking: an openSim simulation study

Abstract

Muscle weakness can cause devastating impacts on the gait pattern. Thus, research on devices and elements, capable to assist walking movement is of high importance. This thesis intends to investigate the effects of passive path spring implementation parallel to m. recuts femoris for persons suffering from m. rectus femoris weakness. The study is limited to the pre-swing, initial and mid-swing phases of gait and focusses on the three muscles m. rectus femoris, m. vastus intermedius and m. biceps femoris caput longum. Five main muscle parameters are selected for investigation: force, power, normalized fiber length, normalized fiber velocity and induced femur acceleration. Results show that the spring exhibits a positive effect on force and power of m. vastus intermedius but shows a comparable negative effect in force and power of m. biceps femoris caput longum. Furthermore, the spring affects the induced femur accelerations of all considered muscles in a negative way. The study is performed using the simulation software OpenSim