A Measurement Concept to Collect Running Data in the Real World

Gait experiments are usually conducted inside the laboratory to create standardized conditions and allow measurements with the best possible data quality. On the other hand, humans usually walk outside the lab where environmental conditions may be unpredictable. Especially for users of prosthetic devices the transition from idealized lab spaces to the outside world can be challenging. This paper therefore presents a measurement concept to collect data from prosthetic users during walking or running in the real world. The setup features a combination of kinematic and force sensors, as well as electromyography and metabolic cost measures. As a proof of concept, the setup was evaluated on one participant with bilateral amputation, yielding first insights into the walking strategy employed outside the lab. This is further emphasized by a systematic interview which accompanied the measurement where the participant reflected on their own perception of the various challenges during the trial. The setup therefore allows insights into real world running or walking while still providing a feasible measuring environment. This technique can be used in the future to evaluate complex and more realistic locomotor tasks.