Background: Gait deviations may negatively affect the articular surfaces of the lower extremity joints and lead to some minor degenerative changes. The simplest method for gait evaluation is to assess the symmetry of its parameters, assuming that each undisturbed gait should be symmetrical. This study aims to quantify the degree of asymmetry of kinematic and kinetic parameters caused by the presence of different ankle orthosis settings using Dynamic Time Warping (DTW). Methods: Barefoot gait and gait with four different walker settings were investigated in eighteen healthy persons. Kinematic and kinetic parameters were measured using the Vicon system and Kistler plates. Symmetry was assessed using the DTW method. Results: It was shown that the presence of different ankle orthosis settings significantly disturbs the symmetry of all lower limb kinematic parameters and only knee and hip torques. The highest values of asymmetry were noted for the walker set at 15° of dorsiflexion (15DF). Conclusions: The DTW method allowed us to quantify the degree of asymmetry throughout the gait cycle in relation to barefoot walking. Our results suggest that each orthosis position analysed in this study fulfills its protective function, but gait 15DF can lead to the overload of knee and hip joints.

中文翻译：

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基于动态时间扭曲的步态对称性分析

背景：步态偏离可能会对下肢关节的关节面产生负面影响，并导致一些轻微的退行性改变。步态评估最简单的方法是评估其参数的对称性，假设每个不受干扰的步态都应对称。这项研究的目的是使用动态时间规整（DTW）量化由于存在不同踝关节矫形器设置而引起的运动学和动力学参数的不对称程度。方法：在18名健康人中研究了赤脚步态和四种不同步行者步态的步态。使用Vicon系统和Kistler板测量运动学和动力学参数。使用DTW方法评估对称性。结果：结果表明，不同踝关节矫形器设置的存在会严重干扰所有下肢运动学参数的对称性，并且仅会干扰膝部和髋部扭矩。设置为背屈15°（15DF）的助行器的不对称性最高。结论：DTW方法使我们能够量化整个步态周期中与赤脚行走有关的不对称程度。我们的结果表明，本研究中分析的每个矫形器位置均能发挥其保护功能，但步态15DF可能导致膝关节和髋关节超负荷。