Neural oscillators triggered by loading and hip orientation can generate activation patterns at the ankle during walking in humans.

Chong SY, Wagner H, Wulf A

Forschungsartikel (Zeitschrift) | Peer reviewed

Zusammenfassung

Spinal pattern generators (SPGs), which are neural networks without a central input from the brain may be responsible for controlling locomotion. In this study, we used neural oscillators to examine the rhythmic patterns generated at the ankle during walking. Seven healthy male subjects were requested to walk at their normal self-selected speed on a treadmill. Force measurements acquired from pressure insoles, electromyography and kinematic data were captured simultaneously. The SPG model consisted of a simple oscillator made up of two neurons; one neuron will activate an ankle extensor and the other will activate an ankle flexor. The outputs of the oscillator represented the muscle activation of each muscle. A nonlinear least squares algorithm was used to determine a set of parameters that would optimise the differences between model output and experimental data. Insole forces and hip angles of six consecutive strides were used as inputs to the model, which generated outputs that closely fitted experimental data. Our results showed that it is possible to reproduce muscle activations using neural oscillators. A close correlation between simulated and measured muscle activations indicated that spinal control should not be underestimated in models of human locomotion.

Details zur Publikation

FachzeitschriftMedical and Biological Engineering and Computing
Jahrgang / Bandnr. / Volume50
Ausgabe / Heftnr. / Issue9
Seitenbereich917-923
StatusVeröffentlicht
Veröffentlichungsjahr2012 (29.07.2012)
Sprache, in der die Publikation verfasst istEnglisch
DOI10.1007/s11517-012-0944-2
StichwörterLocomotion; spinal pattern generators; EMG; neural networks

Autor*innen der Universität Münster

Chong, Sook-Yee
Professur für Bewegungswissenschaften (Prof. Wagner)
Wagner, Heiko
Professur für Bewegungswissenschaften (Prof. Wagner)
Wulf, Arne
Professur für Bewegungswissenschaften (Prof. Wagner)