GAITRite Measurement Definitions

CIR Systems Inc.
The GAITRite Electronic Walkway
Measurements & Definitions

Revision A.2
January 2006
The GAITRite Electronic Walkway Measurements & Definitions
CIR Systems Inc. Revision A.2 Jan. 2006
1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................ 4
2 FOOTPRINT ANALYSIS ................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.

2.1 Identify the quadrilateral ...............................................................................................5
2.2 Identify Heel, Mid and Toe areas ..................................................................................6
2.3 Identify the centroid ......................................................................................................7
2.4 Identify the twelve quadrilaterals .................................................................................8
3 SPATIAL PARAMETERS & DEFINITIONS ................................................... 9

3.1 Heel Center.....................................................................................................................9
3.2 Line of Progression.......................................................................................................9
3.3 Stride Length .................................................................................................................9
3.4 Step Length....................................................................................................................9
3.5 H-H Base of Support or Base Width ............................................................................9
3.6 Toe In / Toe Out .............................................................................................................9
3.7 Distance Traveled........................................................................................................10
3.8 Leg Length (LL) ...........................................................................................................10
3.9 Step/Extremity Ratio ...................................................................................................10
3.10 Step Width....................................................................................................................10
3.11 Stride width..................................................................................................................10
4 TEMPORAL DEFINITIONS .......................................................................... 11

4.1 First Contact or Heel Contact .....................................................................................11
4.2 Last Contact or Toe Off...............................................................................................11
4.3 Step Time .....................................................................................................................11
4.4 Gait Cycle Time............................................................................................................12
4.5 Ambulation Time .........................................................................................................12
4.6 Velocity.........................................................................................................................12
4.7 Mean Normalized Velocity ..........................................................................................12
4.8 Stride Velocity..............................................................................................................12
4.9 Single Support and % Single Support .......................................................................12
2
4.10 Initial Double Support and %Initial Double Support.................................................12

4.11 Terminal Double Support and %Terminal Double Support......................................12
4.12 Total Double Support and %Total Double Support ..................................................12
4.13 Stance Time and % Stance .........................................................................................13
4.14 Contact phase..............................................................................................................13
4.15 Midstance phase or Foot Flat .....................................................................................13
4.16 Propulsive phase.........................................................................................................13
4.17 Swing Time and %Swing ............................................................................................13
5 SWITHING LEVELS ..................................................................................... 14

5.1 Switching Level Parameters .......................................................................................15
3
1 INTRODUCTION
Encapsulated within the electronic walkway are sensor pads. Each sensor pad has an active area of 24
inches square (61cm square) and contains 2,304 sensors arranged in (48x48) grid pattern. The sensors
are placed on .5 inch (1.27cm) centers. Multiple sensor pads are connected to form the desired length of
the walkway.
As the subject ambulates across the walkway, the

pressure exerted by the feet onto the walkway
activates the sensors. The walkway does not only
sense the geometry of the activating objects but
also the relative arrangement between them in a
two dimensional space. In addition, the walkway
senses the vertical component of the relative
pressure exerted by the objects.
What makes the walkway valuable for gait

analysis are the special algorithms build into the
system. The algorithms isolate the objects and
identify them as footprints.
Figure 1
2 FOOTPRINT ANALYSIS
The software utilizes special algorithms to automatically group sensors and form footprints. Once a
footprint has been formed it will be divided and the following areas will be identified:
1. Identify a quadrilateral that encloses the footprint;
2. Identify the heel, mid and toe areas of the footprint;
3. Identify the centroid, the point that could balance the quadrilateral on a pin, of each area; and
4. Divide each quadrilateral into four equal quadrilaterals.
Each area will be examined separately.
4
2.1 Identify the quadrilateral
The method for defining the quadrilateral of a footprint was first developed by Shores1 and later
improved upon by Lisa Selby-Silverstein2, while an automated improved version of the algorithm has
been implemented by the GAITRite system. The following steps refer to Figure 2.
R
Identify the two most outer sensors on the
medial side of the footprint, sensor 1 and
sensor 3. Draw the medial line; the line that
connects sensor 1 to sensor 3.
1. Identify the two most outer sensors 6
on the lateral side of the footprint,

4
sensor 5 and sensor 6. Draw the
3
lateral line; the line that connects G
sensor 5 to sensor 6.
2. Identify the rear most outer

sensor(s), sensor 2. From sensor 2 5
draw a line perpendicular to the L
medial line. The two lines intercept
at point A. Extend the line to 2
intercept the lateral side at point L.
Figure 2
A
3. Identify the front most outer sensor(s), sensor 4. From sensor 4 draw a line perpendicular to the
medial line. The two lines intercept at point G. Extend the line to intercept the lateral side at
point R.
4. The formed quadrilateral (ALRG), in this case a trapezoid, encloses the footprint efficiently.
1. Shores M. Footprint analysis in gait documentation: an instructional sheet format, Phys Ther 60:1163, 1980.
2. Silverstein LS: the effect of neutral position foot orthoses on gait of children with down syndrome. Doctoral Thesis. PA,
1993, Hahnemann University.
5
2.2 Identify Heel, Mid and Toe areas
Refer to Figure 3 and identify points (C) and (E); these two points divide the medial line (AG) into three
equal spaces.
From point (C), draw a line perpendicular to the medial line and extended it in order to intercept the
lateral line at point (N). Similarly, from point (E), draw a line perpendicular to the medial line and
extended it in order to intercept the lateral line at point (P).
Quadrilateral (ALNC) contains the Heel area sensors, (CNPE) contains the mid foot area sensors and
(EPRG) contains the toe area sensors.
P
6
4
G
3
N
5
L
C
2
Figure 3
A
6
2.3 Identify the centroid
So far, the footprint was divided into three N

quadrilaterals with the intention of identifying the
sensors for the heel, mid foot and toe areas.
Figure 4, illustrates the heel area quadrilateral

(ALNC), in this case a trapezoid, and the sensors C1
included in the heel area of the footprint.
L
Point (C1), the centroid, represents the center of
the heel area. The centroid is the pivot point of the
two dimensional sensor structure shown in gray. C
A Figure 4
Figure 5, illustrates the toe area quadrilateral (EPRG), in

R
this case a trapezoid, and the sensors included in the toe
area of the footprint.
Point (C2), the centroid, represents the center of the toe

area. The centroid is the pivot point of the two
dimensional sensor structure shown in gray. P
C2
G
Figure 5
E
7
2.4 Identify the twelve quadrilaterals
As illustrated in Figure 6, in this specific footprint the quadrilaterals form trapezoids, but in other cases
the quadrilaterals could form rectangles. Point (C1), the centroid of trapezoid (ALNC) represents the
heel center of the footprint. Point (C2), the centroid of trapezoid (EPRG) represents the toe/metatarsal
center point. This footprint is geometrically represented by twelve trapezoids; six medial and six lateral.
Quadrilaterals are formed in the two dimensional representation of the footprint in order to isolate the
sensors and later perform calculations based on the isolated sensors of each quadrilateral.
The line that connects point C1 to point C2 is the midline of the footprint.
K
P
6
C2
O
4
3
G
N
F
M
E
5
L D
C1
C
2
H B
Figure 6
A
8
3 SPATIAL PARAMETERS & DEFINITIONS
The walkway does not only sense the geometry of the activating footprints but also the relative
arrangement between them in a two dimensional space. Figure 7, illustrates three footprints.
3.1 Heel Center

Points (A), (D) and (G) are
the heel centers of each K
footprint.
C
Y
3.2 Line of Progression L G
It is defined as the line A X
connecting the heel centers
of two consecutive footfalls
of the same foot. Illustrated
in Figure 7, the line of
progression is formed by
connecting point (A) to
point (G).
D F +
3.3 Stride Length Figure 7
It is measured on the line of
progression between the
heel points of two consecutive footprints of the same foot (left to left, right to right). In Figure 7, (AG)
is the stride length of the left foot. The unit of measure is centimeters.
3.4 Step Length

It is measured along the line of progression, from the heel center of the current footprint to the heel
center of the previous footprint on the opposite foot. In Figure 7, line (DL) is perpendicular to the line
of progression (AG). The length of line (AL) is the step length of the right foot, while the length of line
(LG) is the step length of the second left foot. The step length can be a negative value if the subject fails
to bring the landing foot heel point forward of the stationary foot heel point. The unit of measure is
centimeters.
3.5 H-H Base of Support or Base Width

It is the vertical distance from heel center of one footprint to the line of progression formed by two
footprints of the opposite foot. In Figure 7, the height of the triangle (ADG) is (DL) which is the base
width of the right foot. The unit of measure is centimeters.
3.6 Toe In / Toe Out

It is the angle between the line of progression and the midline of the footprint. In Figure 7, theta is the
angle between the mid-line of the right footprint and the line of progression. Angle theta is zero if the
geometric mid-line of the footprint is parallel to the line of progression; positive, toe-out, when the mid-
9
line of the footprint is outside the line of progression and negative, toe-in, when inside the line of
progression. The unit of measure is degrees.
3.7 Distance Traveled

It is measured on the horizontal axis from the heel center of the first footprint to the heel center of the
last footprint. The unit of measure is centimeters.
3.8 Leg Length (LL)

It is measured in centimeters from the greater trocanter to the floor, bisecting the lateral Malleolus.
Each leg should be measured separately. The unit of measure is centimeters.
3.9 Step/Extremity Ratio

It is defined as the Step Length divided by the Leg Length of the same leg. The result is an absolute
number.
3.10 Step Width

It is measured from the midline K
midpoint of the current footprint to
C
the midline midpoint of the P
G Z
previous footprint on the opposite X
A Right Stride Width
foot. In Figure 8, distance (XY) is
the right step width, while distance
(YZ) is the left step width. The unit
Right Step Width
of measure is centimeters. Left Step Width
3.11 Stride width

It is the vertical distance from D Y
midline midpoint of one footprint to Figure 8 F
the line formed by midline
midpoints of two footprints of the
opposite foot. In Figure 8, the height of the triangle (XYZ) is (YP) which is the stride width of the right
foot. The unit of measure is centimeters
10
4 TEMPORAL DEFINITIONS
Figure 9
4.1 First Contact
It is the time that the first sensor appears in any quadrilateral. It is expressed in seconds (sec).
4.2 Heel Contact

It is the time that the first sensor appears in the heel quadrilateral of the foot. It is expressed in
seconds (sec).
4.3 Last Contact

It is the time that the last sensor goes off in any quadrilateral. It is expressed in seconds (sec).
4.4 Toe Off

It is the time that the last sensor turns off in the forefoot quadrilateral of the foot. It is expressed in
seconds (sec).
4.5 Step Time

It is the time elapsed from first contact of one foot to first contact of the opposite foot. It is
measured in seconds (sec).
4.6 Stride Time

It is the time elapsed between the first contacts of two consecutive footfalls of the same foot. It is
11
4.7 Gait Cycle Time

It is the elapsed time between the first contacts of two consecutive footfalls of the same foot. It is
4.8 Ambulation Time

It is the time elapsed between first contact of the first and the last footfalls. It is measured in
seconds (sec).
4.9 Velocity
It is obtained after dividing the Distance Traveled by the Ambulation time. It is expressed in
centimeters per second (cm/sec).
4.10 Mean Normalized Velocity

It is obtained after dividing the Velocity by the Average Leg Length and it is expressed in leg length
per second (LL/sec). The average Leg Length is computed (left leg length + right leg length)/2.
4.11 Stride Velocity

It is obtained after dividing the Stride Length by the Stride Time. It is expressed in centimeters per
second (cm/sec).
4.12 Single Support and % Single Support

It is the time elapsed between the Last Contact of the current footfall to the First Contact of the next
footfall of the same foot. Refer to Figure 9, Single Support time is equal to the Swing Time of the
opposite foot. It is measured in seconds (sec) and expressed as a percent of the Gait Cycle time of
the same foot.
4.13 Initial Double Support and %Initial Double Support

The two periods when both feet are on the floor, are called initial double support and terminal
double support. Initial double support occurs from heel contact of one footfall to toe-off of the
opposite footfall. It is measured in seconds (sec) and also expressed as a percent of the Gait Cycle
time for the same foot. Refer to Figure 9, DS1 is the Initial Double Support for the right foot, while
the DS3 is the Initial Double Support for the left foot.
4.14 Terminal Double Support and %Terminal Double Support

double support. Terminal double support occurs from opposite footfall heel strike to support
footfall toe-off. It is measured in seconds (sec) and also expressed as a percent of the Gait Cycle
time for the same foot. Refer to Figure 9, DS2 is the Terminal Double Support for the right foot.
4.15 Total Double Support and %Total Double Support

double support. Initial double support occurs from heel contact of one footfall to toe-off of the
opposite footfall. Terminal double support occurs from opposite footfall heel strike to support
12
footfall toe-off. Total double support is the sum of the initial double support added to the terminal
double support. It is measured in seconds (sec) and also expressed as a percent of the Gait Cycle
time for the same foot. Refer to Figure 9, the sum (DS1+DS2) is the Total Double Support for the
right foot, while the sum (DS2+DS3) is the Total Double Support for the left foot.
4.16 Stance Time and % Stance

The stance phase is the weight bearing portion of each gait cycle. It is initiated by heel contact and
ends with toe off of the same foot. It is the time elapsed between the First Contact and the Last
Contact of two consecutive footfalls on the same foot. It is also presented as a percentage of the
Gait Cycle time.
4.17 Contact phase

It begins with heel strike and continues A
until about 22% of the stance phase.
Forefoot loading terminates contact Toe-Off Last Contact
D
phase. Heel-Off B C
Forefoot First Contact
Heel Strike First Contact
4.18 Midstance phase or Foot Flat
It begins with the first sign of forefoot
loading. The end of midstance is heel-
lift of the support limb. This occurs at
about 50% of the stance.
CONTACT
4.19 Propulsive phase PHASE MID
STANCE PROPULSIVE
This is the final 50% of the stance phase. FOOT PHASE
FLAT
It begins heel lift until toe off. PHASE
Figure 10
4.20 Swing Time and %Swing

It is initiated with toe off and ends with heel strike. It is the time elapsed between the Last Contact of
the current footfall to the First Contact of the next footfall on the same foot. It is expressed in
seconds (sec) and it is also presented as a percent of the Gait Cycle of the same foot. The Swing
Time is equal to the Single Support time of the opposite foot.
13
5 SWITHING LEVELS
The GAITRite walkway’s unique and patented sensor avoids false peripheral activation. Each sensor has
been constructed with two flexible elements riding on a pivot point. When pressure is applied to the
sensor both elements must flex around the pivot point to initiate activation, otherwise the pivot point
will toggle the sensor in either side without activation. After activation, the sensor begins to change its
value linearly with the vertical component of pressure exerted upon it.
The walkway contains thousands of sensors, therefore calibration of each and every sensor is not
impossible but cost prohibitive. Pressure values are normalized and expressed as a percent of the
maximum pressure and then divided into levels. Currently there are seven switching levels, illustrated
in Table 1.
The walkway does not only sense the

Color Switching level geometry of the activating footprints but
also the relative arrangement between them
Dark Gray 1=lowest in a two dimensional plane and the relative
vertical component of pressure exerted by
Light Gray 2
each footprint.
Cyan 3
The pressure is represented by a switching
Yellow 4 level. As discussed earlier, the division of
the footprint produces us with twelve
Magenta 5 sections; six sections are located in the
medial side of the footprint and six in the
Red 6 lateral. Each section contains a number of
activated sensors enclosed within a
Blue 7=highest trapezoid. The GAITRite algorithms
utilize the sectional division to identify the
activated sensors included within each
quadrilateral and then perform calculations
Table 1. Switching Levels, Color Assignment.
to objectively describe the behavior of the
section.
14
As illustrated in Figure 11, medial trapezoid (AHIB) includes the following sensors: 1,2,3,4,6 and 7.
Lateral trapezoid (HLMI) includes the sensors: 5,10,11,15 and 16. A sensor can be claimed by only one
trapezoid and not shared by others. Sensor 4, has most of its surface area within trapezoid (AHIB) and
will be claimed only by this trapezoid. If the surface area of a sensor is equally divided among two or
more quadrilaterals, i.e. sensor 12, then the sensor will be claimed by the first trapezoid in the algorithm.
The results of the switching parameters are presented in the format illustrated in Table 2.
K
65
P
61 62 63 64
J
O
T
G
N
F
24 25 26 S
M
20 21 22 23 V E
15 16 17 18 19
L D
10 11 12 13 14
5 6 I7 8 9
C
1 2 3 4
H B Figure 11
5.1 Switching Level Parameters
1) P*t for a section, is the sectional integrated pressure over time expressed as a percent of the
overall integrated pressure over time. The overall P*t can be found by summing the P*t of each
sensor, sectional P*t can be found by summing the P*t of the sensors included in the particular
section also expressed as a percent of the overall P*t. As illustrated in Figure 12, P*t for sensor 1
is the total area under the curve calculated by:
(P*t)s1=(.020-.010)*1+(.030-.020)*2+ ......+(.070-.060)*6+.........+(.140-.130)*1
15
2) Peak Time for a section is the first time point that one or more sensors within a section was at
the maximum switching level. Assume that a section included only the two sensors, illustrated in
Figure 12; the peak time is at .060 seconds. Time count begins from first contact of the footprint.
3) Area of a section is expressed in centimeters squared (cm2) and represents the sum of the active
sensor areas within a section. Each sensor has an area of .5 in x .5 in or (1.27 cm x 1.27 cm).
4) Peak P(ressure) for a section, is the maximum sectional switching level expressed as a percent
of the overall maximum switching level. Sectional switching level occurs at the peak time of the
section. Assume that a section included only the two sensors illustrated in Figure 12, then peak
time is at .060 seconds and a peak switching level of 6, then expressed as a percent of the overall
maximum switching level.
<(HLMI)> <(IMNV)> <(VNOS)> <(SOPT)> <(TPQJ)> <(JQRK)>

P*t
Peak Time
Area
Peak P
<(AHIB)> <(BIVC)> <(CVSD)> <(DSTE)> <(ETJF)> <(FJKG)>
<P*t>
<Peak Time>
<Area>
<Peak P>
Table 2. Switching Levels by Section.
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
0 .0 1 0 .0 2 0 .0 3 0 .0 4 0 .0 5 0 .0 6 0 .0 7 0 .0 8 0 .0 9 0 .1 0 0 .11 0 .1 2 0 .1 3 0 .1 4 0 .1 5 0
T im e in S e c o n d s
F ig u re 1 2
16

GAITRite Measurement Definitions

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

GAITRite Measurement Definitions

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

GAITRite Measurement Definitions

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

What parameters are used to analyze footprints?

What parameters are used to analyze footprints?

What are the spatial parameters defined in the document?

What are the spatial parameters defined in the document?

CIR Systems Inc.

The GAITRite Electronic Walkway

Measurements & Definitions

2 FOOTPRINT ANALYSIS ................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.

3 SPATIAL PARAMETERS & DEFINITIONS ................................................... 9

4 TEMPORAL DEFINITIONS .......................................................................... 11

4.10 Initial Double Support and %Initial Double Support.................................................12

5 SWITHING LEVELS ..................................................................................... 14

As the subject ambulates across the walkway, the

What makes the walkway valuable for gait

1. Identify a quadrilateral that encloses the footprint;

2. Identify the heel, mid and toe areas of the footprint;

4. Divide each quadrilateral into four equal quadrilaterals.

Each area will be examined separately.

2.1 Identify the quadrilateral

1. Identify the two most outer sensors 6

on the lateral side of the footprint,

2. Identify the rear most outer

2.2 Identify Heel, Mid and Toe areas

2.3 Identify the centroid

So far, the footprint was divided into three N

Figure 4, illustrates the heel area quadrilateral

Figure 5, illustrates the toe area quadrilateral (EPRG), in

Point (C2), the centroid, represents the center of the toe

2.4 Identify the twelve quadrilaterals

3 SPATIAL PARAMETERS & DEFINITIONS

3.1 Heel Center

3.4 Step Length

3.5 H-H Base of Support or Base Width

3.6 Toe In / Toe Out

3.7 Distance Traveled

3.8 Leg Length (LL)

3.9 Step/Extremity Ratio

3.10 Step Width

3.11 Stride width

4.2 Heel Contact

4.3 Last Contact

4.4 Toe Off

4.5 Step Time

4.6 Stride Time

4.7 Gait Cycle Time

4.8 Ambulation Time

4.10 Mean Normalized Velocity

4.11 Stride Velocity

4.12 Single Support and % Single Support

4.13 Initial Double Support and %Initial Double Support

4.14 Terminal Double Support and %Terminal Double Support

4.15 Total Double Support and %Total Double Support

4.16 Stance Time and % Stance

4.17 Contact phase

4.20 Swing Time and %Swing

The walkway does not only sense the

5.1 Switching Level Parameters

<(HLMI)> <(IMNV)> <(VNOS)> <(SOPT)> <(TPQJ)> <(JQRK)>

You might also like