Background

1. Research the Forces applied to the Foot during the Transition from Sitting to Standing Robert Kiely, 09347682 Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland Background Aims / Objectives Materials & Methods Results • Footwear, it was found in certain subjects that were not of a sporting backround and had also poor supportive shoes that it was prone to Pronation favouring the inside of the foot. Other subjects from a sporting background tended to Suppinate which favours the outside of the foot. • Seat height also tested it was found that the higher the seat the less stress it caused on the foot. • While many more studies including footwear were tested from the results recieved it is believed that bare feet is the best option. • Kistler force plates were used however the data received was unable to tell whether the subject pronates or supinates. As seen in figure... compared to that of figure... • A National Instruments Data Acquisition Unit was used in the development of the the force measurement unit. • The DAQ was a USB 6212 with 16 analog inputs which suited this project perfectly due to the amount of data being collected. • Labview was programming language used in the project which allowed for a user freindly interface by the end of the project. Fig.1 NI USB 6212 • To measure the forces at the base of the foot, Force Sensitive Resistors were used as they are non-intrusive. • The placement of the sensors is shown in figure 2. • After extensive research was carried out, these positions on the foot seemed to be the sections in which most pressure is applied. • In figure 3 it shows the phases that a subject will pass through while in the process of standing up. • The idea will be that the most pressure will be seen during Phase II of this process during the Extension. Fig.2 • The figure below shows the final data that is given at the end of a subjects test. • In the graphs, Left Graph-Left Foot and the Right Graph-Right Foot, we see in this case the subject is seated and resting on the ball of their foot due to the white and green plots being dominant. As the red plot increases (Heel) it is clear that the transition from sitting to standing is taking place. • Moving down the left of the figure the Mean and Highest value for each sensor is shown. • While beneath the graph there is a table for each sensor plotting each bit of data from the plot on the graph. • Below in figure 4 there is a small portion of the programming used to analyse the signals that are being processed. • This part of the code shows how to get the Highest value within the test and how keep the data collected in an array. Fig.6 DAQ to FSR conector circuit Fig.3 Process from Sit-to-Stand Fig. 4 Fig.7 Monitor Display Conclusions Future Work • The FSR's plotted and recorded the main points on each foot showing a clear pattern with which testing could be done. • A portable device could not be developed due to the restriction of the usb connection to the DAQ. • Testing had been completed looking into footwear and seat height showing clear differences in different show especially with female footwear and orthothics in both male and female. • Being able to return to previous results from the same subject was a succcess allowing for quick and safe analysis. • Developing a wireless device so gate analysis can be the next step. • Continue with the research and test more subject to verify conclusions. • Devlop a shoe with a built in device to count steps as well as the pattern of the steps throughout the day. • Increase the number of sensors on the base of the foot for a more in depth look at the science of the foot. Acknowledgement Professor Gearóid ÓLaighin E-mail: gearoid.olaighin@nuigalway.ie Phone: 091-492685