Study finds way to make walking easier

https://blogs.ohsu.edu/researchnews/2022/03/16/study-finds-surprising-way-to-make-walking-easier/

53 24 4 years ago

blogs.ohsu.edu

bklaasen• 4 years ago

It involves a tether providing precisely-timed tugs:

"“When we walk, there is a short period between steps where one foot is stopping its forward motion while the other is preparing to accelerate to take the next step forward. Our research shows that this brief window where both feet are on the ground is the best time to apply force to assist walking most efficiently,” said Philippe Malcolm, Ph.D., assistant professor in biomechanics at UNO and lead investigator of the study.

The device works by providing timed pulls from a motorized pulley while an individual walks on a treadmill. Since it only requires wearing a waist belt, it is relatively easy to make individualized adjustments compared to more complicated devices."

Maursault• 4 years ago

Kind of a rip-off, was hoping for an unassisted walking technique. One could also strap on balloons to lift some of one's weight, and use a giant fan, also held buoyant from balloons, pull forward to assist in walking. Or, one could use a bus, which at 50mph could pull you up a hill by the time you walked from the back of the bus to the front. Where are my research grants?

fattless2• 4 years ago

Fair, but consider its use in rehabilitation.

Ive recently had ACL surgery, and you essentially have to learn how to walk all over again, not to mention the pain and how little weight you can put onto it at first. In order to properly walk and run again, I used a treadmill with essentially a large bag on it which inflated, lifting you slightly. This put less weight on your legs, allowing you to walk and run with proper form and speed up recovery, it was crucial for me learning to run again. (It was an AlterG device btw)

Was I “cheating”? Kinda, but that’s not the point. This device can help patients with low mobility. The article lays out both how it works and its potential use case.

smm11• 4 years ago

I can walk faster when walking my large dog and he sees a squirrel. Nothing new here.

wing-_-nuts• 4 years ago

I have cerebral palsy. My walking endurance is limited to about a mile. I suppose this would be a good way to extend that (at least, on a treadmill). I see this as sort of like doing 'cheater' pullups where you're pulling in at an angle and letting your legs support some of your weight. You're still exercising the same muscle groups as walking, but it's easier. If you can only walk for 15 minutes normally, you might be able to do the full recommended 30 with this.

Of course, you could always just switch exercises if you're looking for generic cardio. A lot of folks that can't walk well can easily use a stationary bike, but that's not going to work the same muscle groups.

falcolas• 4 years ago

The "fat person walk" or "penguin walk" is also quite energy efficient, where the body weight is moved between feet in a much more exaggerated fashion. Ironically, it's also safer on slick ice.

zabzonk3• 4 years ago

Not convinced. I have had mobility problems for some years, and the basic problem is not walking (though that is difficult, but I can sort of cope) but if I were to fall down, could I get up again? I'm a large (6foot 2) and quite heavy man, and despite good intentions, most individuals could not get me on my feet after a fall. I use walking stick, frame and mobility scooter, but the fear of falling is always on my mind.

In the bungalow (single storey) I live in I have improvised a ramp system to help me get up if I fall, and it does work fairly well, but obviously not outside on the street.

Having supported (physically and mentally) my very wobbly mother up to her death, I can attest that it's falling, not walking that is problem that primarily needs to be addressed.

bobthepanda2• 4 years ago

It sounds like you have a different problem than what the study authors are trying to address. Which is OK, there are a wide variety of mobility issues and few treatments are totally universal.

This seems more useful for things like walking as part of physical rehab, which is fairly common.

zabzonk3• 4 years ago

My Mum had two hip repacements and was given lots of rehab therapy regarding to walking, and she could walk more or less OK. But there was none regarding to falling over, which was her real problem.

fattless2• 4 years ago

Fair, but I think this is tackling a different issue. Pasting something I typed earlier.

So this device can serve a similar purpose, it is addressing how people walk instead of general mobility. As the article states, its used on a treadmill, and it seems to only be trying to get these people walking

However I understand your perspective, and sympathize. My mom has MS and has many of the same fears. We have found some ways to work around it. Maybe its just my dad being crafty, but some simple bars near ramps/high risk areas have seemed to help.

zabzonk3• 4 years ago

but some simple bars near ramps/high risk areas have seemed to help

Yes, you are right, and my brother did install such things near loos and steps. Trouble is it gets to the point where you can't fix up such things everywhere, and you can't physically support loved one, like doorways. I don't know what an answer could be - an exoskeleton?

Anyway, best wishes to you and your mom.

kmtrowbr3• 4 years ago

It is very similar to the role of walking sticks (trekking poles) in long distance walking -- the poles serve a few functions, in reverse order of importance: 3) Potent threat / weapon agains dogs or strangers (this has only been useful a few times in many years but, still it's nice to have a big stick in your hand sometimes). 2) Keep yourself from falling if you slip or on challenging terrain, which means you can take more risks and move faster.

... but by far the most useful is: 1) As you are walking, you push yourself forward at the top of your stride. There is a moment where the big muscle in your arm can be put to use, basically making walking "feel" about 15% easier. It makes walking into more of a whole body effort, so you can go faster and further without getting tired.

bin_bash• 4 years ago

Also when descending a hill they dramatically reduce the strain on your joints

kmtrowbr3• 4 years ago

You're right! That's benefit #4.

I suppose it's different for each person, depending upon their age their health.

For me, sometimes it's easier to just kinda, jog or sorta, "controlled fall" down the hill, in this case, the walking sticks should be held in your hand. But at other times, you go slow and lever yourself down with the poles.

Of course, the big downside of the poles if that you're constantly fiddling with them. They're noisy and take effort.

kkfx3• 4 years ago

Sorry, but I laugh... walking sticks for self-defense? They are light Al, not ancient sword or halberds or modern shock-sticks. The #2 is even dangerous, because if you fall badly on a stick you might get hurt far badly than a direct fall, see ski accidents as an example.

kmtrowbr3• 4 years ago

I am not a violent person. I always seek to de-escalate at every turn & I'm very good at it.

Most incidents turn on the smallest details. A 4' metal pole with a sharp point on the end is a very meaningful thing to have in your hand. 99% of any incidents will be with dogs. So it's more about appearing big and formidable than it is actually needing to fight. Do not run. Stand, brandish your weapon, and make noise. People aren't that different from dogs. This is one of nature's strategies: appear big & scary.

If you were hiking and descending many challenging pistes with slippery rocks and whatnot, you would be happy to have a walking stick to help you.

lcnPylGDnU4H9OF• 4 years ago

If someone swung a few-feet-long light aluminum pole at my face as hard as they could I imagine I'd try to move my face out of the way.

Granted, I'm assuming that the "strangers" as alluded to in the post you're responding to are not themselves armed. It seems like that is what was communicated.

Also, if #1 is why it's used then #2 and #3 are just gravy.

Fezzik• 4 years ago

Another secondary benefit I appreciate is trekking poles keep my hands higher and assist with circulation/lessen blood pooling in my fingertips.

adhesive_wombat• 4 years ago

Nordic walking (pole per hand) has been shown to be helpful especially for circulation patients with peripheral vascular disease, though the benefits almost all apply to everyone else too[1].

[1] https://www.bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/our-research/impact-of-cli...

Study finds way to make walking easier

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