Purpose
The main question we were trying to solve in this project was to analyze the gait of different people and come up with an equation to find the height of a person based on gait. Before we started our project we answered these 6 questions: what is a gait?, have you ever thought about the way you walk and run or noticed that the people you know have a distinct way of walking? what differences do you see?, can you recognize certain people by how they walk? how might differences in gaits help you identify people?, what is noticeable about how those people move?, could you collect data on this and learn from it?. After answering these six questions we started collecting data and analyzing the data.
To start collecting data we downloaded an app called the "Physics Toolbox Accelerometer" by Vieyra Software and then we attached a mobile device to our chest area and walked 200 in. We recorded if we were running or walking, which foot we started with, how many seconds it took to go 200 in, the step count, and the acceleration. Then, we measured the acceleration of the x, y, and z axis, of 3 different people of varying height. With the data we gained, we first made a table of the points and then graph the points on a graph in a spreadsheet. We then needed an equation to estimate the heights of people based on the gait. We first tried to gain the equation from acceleration but found it to be too inconsistent. We then decided to create an equation to estimate height through distance and the number of steps. Our equation was Y=(200/x)/(0.42) where X= is the number of steps and Y= the estimated height. In our case the 200 is the distance we all walked and .42 was the constant we found. Then we made a presentation on our equation and proved it by calculating our teacher's height based on the number of steps he took. Then we updated our gantt sheet which kept us organized on what we had to complete each day.
Gait Analysis Report
Presentation
Gantt Chart
Concepts
- Gait: a person's manner of walking
- Steps: an act or movement of putting one leg in front of the other in walking or running.
- Distance: an amount of space between two things or people.
- Step length: Distance divided by steps
- Height: the measurement from base to top or (of a standing person) from head to foot.
- Step Length to Height Ratio: Step length divided by height
- Leg Length: a measurement from the bottom on heel to top of hip bone
- Regressions: a measure of the relation between the mean value of one variable and corresponding values of other variables
- Sinusoidal Curve: is a mathematical curve that describes a smooth periodic oscillation
- Frequency: number of occurrences of a repeating event per unit of time
- Wavelength: the distance between successive crests of a wave
- Trough: the lowest point the medium rises
- Crest: the highest point the medium rises
- Accelerometer: an instrument for measuring acceleration, typically that of an automobile, ship, aircraft, or spacecraft
- Dynamicity: In terms of gait analysis, the quantification of variations in kinematic or kinetic parameters within a step
- Metric: A quantitative indicator of a characteristic or attribute
- Model: In technology, a description of observed or predicted behavior of some system, simplified by ignoring certain details. Models allow complex systems to be understood and their behavior predicted
- Symmetry: In terms of gait analysis, the quantification of differences between left-foot and right-foot steps
- Variability: In terms of gait analysis, the quantification of fluctuations from one stride to the next
- Physical Characteristics: defining traits or features about your body
- Google Sheets: free spreadsheet software
- Functions: a relationship or expression involving one or more variables
- Report: give a spoken or written account of something that one has observed
- The formula for frequency is: f (frequency) = 1 / T (period).
- The formula for time is: T (period) = 1 / f (frequency).
- The formula for wavelength is: λ (m) = c / f
Reflection
Looking back at the Gait Analysis Project, I can see we accomplished a lot with the time given to us. We worked together as a team, for example, when we decided on how we were going to analyze the data and how we were going to make an equation based on the data. Another positive aspect to this project was that we were able to come up with an equation that actually worked to find height based on gait. Not everything was perfect though, at first we struggled with what to do with the data. We tried to analyze the graphs and make an equation based on the data we got from the app, but it was not entirely accurate. Eventually we went a different route and we were able to achieve a great equation. Next time we will try to build an equation based on the data based on the graphs and not go an entirely different route.
Some skills I have acquired from building this project are to use google sheets. At first I had know idea where to start. I didn't know how to input the equations and make a graph based on this data. But, after some help from my teammates and the internet, I helped create some of the velocity graphs. Another thing I learned was from myself. Usually, when I am in groups there are not many people who try or even care, so usually I do all the work and barely communicate with the others. In this group everyone cared about their work and it was amazing, but I was not used to communicating with other people in a group that much, so I had to learn. Eventually, I communicated what I was going to do and asked if there was any suggestions. An example is when writing the gait analysis report I communicated which parts I was going to do and asked my group to correct any mistakes.
Some things that I could have done better, and that I will continue working on are staying a bit more focused, and time management. Sometimes during the project I would go over to my friends project and talk to her and about her project instead of doing something for our project. Next time I will try to limit my talking time with her and focus more on the project. Also in this project I as well as my group members prioritize our capstone project over this project. We put used more than half of our time we had to write our cover letter and we had to find our mentors for this project. Next time we should split our time equally between the capstone project and the Gait Analysis project. Overall this project was a great experience where I learned things about myself and the science concepts.