Analysis of factors affecting improvement of walking stability

Walking balance becomes less stable under the influence of a problematic posture or back. This problem was analyzed on the basis of two new approaches. The first approach is a useful walking analyzer system. It is a small, wearable, micro PC-assisted portable measurement system, consisting of two accelerometers that acquire time series data of the left and right hips´ movements while walking. However, it was difficult to analyze directly the characteristics of movement stability using the raw measurement data. The second approach was an analysis of impulse response using Auto Regressive (AR) modeling. Once a subject was aware of the correct posture, the fluctuation of both sides of the subject´s hip while walking was improved to be more rhythmic in the female students. The analysis of impulse response, utilizing AR modeling, provided clear results for the evaluation of improvement to walking stability. The impulse response of movement factors enables analysis of their dynamical relations. The biofeedback control analysis of the left and right sides of the subjects´ hip while walking using this analyzer system suggests a new potential for the understanding of walking stability in rehabilitation and also physical fitness in daily movement. After the subjects had received suitable rehabilitation, their walking stability improved satisfactorily. This study provides a useful method of medical evaluation in rehabilitation and physical fitness, and a means for subjects to maintain a state of well being.