S2 Positioning – Kinesiology Research

In the Kinesiology Research video, the S2 is positioning individual cylinders in unison to apply small vertical oscillations to a treadmill and walking subject, and to evaluate the influence of these oscillations on human stepping behavior. Problems with walking and mobility are a significant concern for many individuals with increased age or neurological impairment.

The four main objectives of the project were:

a motorized system for investigating a broad range of vertical treadmill oscillation frequency (i.e. 0-6 Hz) and amplitudes (0-8 cm)
evaluate the limits of spontaneous synchronization with respect to frequency and amplitude of vertical oscillation in non-impaired subjects
evaluate kinematic and kinetic adaptations to bipedal locomotion in non-impaired in response to vertical oscillations
provide a preliminary investigation of the behavior of mildly impaired subjects walking with vertical treadmill oscillation
Taken together, achievement of these objectives provides substantial insight to the influence of external cues on locomotor behavior in humans.

Additional information on the study can be found here: https://www.csusm.edu/kinesiology/research/nessler.html