[HN Gopher] Study finds way to make walking easier
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Study finds way to make walking easier
Author : giuliomagnifico
Score : 43 points
Date : 2022-04-01 06:03 UTC (3 days ago)
(HTM) web link (blogs.ohsu.edu)
(TXT) w3m dump (blogs.ohsu.edu)
| [deleted]
| bklaasen wrote:
| 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 wrote:
| 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?
| fattless wrote:
| 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 wrote:
| I can walk faster when walking my large dog and he sees a
| squirrel. Nothing new here.
| kmtrowbr wrote:
| 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.
| kkfx wrote:
| 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.
| kmtrowbr wrote:
| 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 wrote:
| 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.
| kkfx wrote:
| They are so light that you can easily just block them
| without getting hurt with your arm, so to me seems
| something to avoid at all, instead of de-escalate the
| "aggressive" usage of a stick seems to be a method to call
| for physical fight.
|
| Also for dogs, being long, they are far slower to move than
| the animal, witch means that they can only be used with the
| intention of trespass the dog skin with the tip, a thing
| typically not lethal (unless you are a dog killer with
| exercise) but very painful who likely get more aggressive
| then before...
|
| If I want to de-escalate with someone much depend on the
| situation but in general remain calm and clearly
| indifferent works far better then appear threatening and
| aggressive. If I need to push aggressive docs I can just
| ignore them continuing my root OR if they come close enough
| hit them hard with a single kick, that's far less painful
| then being pierced by a pointed stick but also far more
| threatening for them, they feel "throw away" by a so
| superior force that's no point in keep attacking. If that's
| not enough hit their head will stop them anyway, if you
| have no choice a stick will be of no help...
| bin_bash wrote:
| Also when descending a hill they dramatically reduce the strain
| on your joints
| kmtrowbr wrote:
| 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.
| Fezzik wrote:
| Another secondary benefit I appreciate is trekking poles keep
| my hands higher and assist with circulation/lessen blood
| pooling in my fingertips.
| thisistheend123 wrote:
| taormina wrote:
| Have you heard of physical therapy? Or the elderly? Obviously
| just walking is an answer for the healthy and able-bodied, but
| you're going to be old one day too.
| bobthepanda wrote:
| You don't even have to be old!
|
| In the US, 100,000 ACL reconstruction surgeries happen a year
| and all of those people will need to reteach their new ACL
| how to walk.
| wing-_-nuts wrote:
| 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 wrote:
| 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.
| zabzonk wrote:
| 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.
| fattless wrote:
| Fair, but I think this is tackling a different issue. Pasting
| something I typed earlier.
|
| 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)
|
| 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.
| zabzonk wrote:
| > 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.
| bobthepanda wrote:
| 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.
| zabzonk wrote:
| 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.
| ianai wrote:
| It's definitely known that balance matters a lot. I've seen
| many articles and media about the dangers of falls and
| balance. I wonder if though balance is something that needs
| to be addressed over a lifetime. It probably involves a
| huge number of muscles and systems that take years or a
| lifetime to develop.
| bobthepanda wrote:
| YMMV depending on the place.
|
| When I had an ACL replacement I spent a lot of time
| struggling on one-legged bosu ball balancing and doing
| ladder drills bouncing off the good and bad legs.
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