The Interaction of Passive and Active Ankle Exoskeletons with Age-Related Physiological Changes to Improve Metabolic Cost
Author(s)
Trejo, Lindsey H.
Advisor(s)
Editor(s)
Collections
Supplementary to:
Permanent Link
Abstract
Difficulties with mobility were the most reported disability for those age 65 and over. It is well known that older adults are slower and less economical while walking compared to young. This is thought to be brought on by reduced ankle push off power and a redistribution of positive power generation to more proximal joints (e.g., hip). We believe muscle and tendon level changes create a structural bottleneck leading to these functional changes. Ankle exoskeletons have been shown to increase ankle push off, modify muscle-tendon dynamics, and reduce metabolic cost in young adults for a near immediate improvement in walking performance. There is a critical gap in understanding whether beneficial exoskeleton assistance strategies for younger adults will also benefit older adults and if so, what the underlying mechanism is that enables exoskeletons to reduce metabolic cost across age.
My aims yielded a greater understanding of how people interact with ankle exoskeletons to modify metabolic cost. In Chapter 2, we characterize the muscle and tendon properties of young and older adults. This work is in prep to be submitted to the Journal of Biomechanics. In Chapter 3, we demonstrate how young and older adults respond to spring and motorlike exoskeletons. This work is in prep to be submitted to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Transaction on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering. In Chapter 4, we demonstrate how spring and motorlike exoskeletons interact with the underlying calf muscle and tendon properties. These outcomes can improve the design and control of ankle exoskeletons to improve the cost of walking across age, leading to greater mobility and improved quality of life.
Sponsor
Date
2023-12-08
Extent
Resource Type
Text
Resource Subtype
Dissertation