Detection of swing heel-off event in gait initiation using force-plate data

This study investigated the accuracy and reliability of four methods using force-plate data for detecting the swing heel-off (HO) time in gait initiation. Results of these methods were compared to those obtained by means of a reference method using a footswitch. Ten young healthy adults performed 18 forward gait initiation trials at self-selected speed and at maximal speed. Results showed that the method based on vertical impulse was the most accurate and reliable in determining HO in both speed conditions. The mean error obtained with this method was −8 ± 10 ms in the self-selected speed condition (−7 ± 10 ms in the maximal speed condition), with no significant effect of gait speed (P > 0.05). These findings suggest that this method based on force-plate data is valid and reliable for detecting HO in forward gait initiation in the absence of additional hardware.

► Exact detection of swing heel-off (HO) event is crucial for gait initiation analysis. ► We examined the accuracy of various methods using force-plate data for detecting HO. ► These force-plate methods were compared with a reference method using a footswitch. ► Method based on vertical impulse was the most accurate and reliable in those tested. ► This method is valid and reliable to detect HO in the absence of additional hardware.