Background

Age-related deficits in plantar flexor muscle function likely contribute to the decline in mobility that affects many older adults. Isolated strengthening of the plantar flexor muscles has failed to improve push-off power or walking economy in this population. New mobility aids and/or functional training interventions may help slow or prevent ambulatory decline in the elderly.

Lower-limb exoskeleton assistance targeting the ankle joint may hold potential for augmenting performance in high-intensity ambulatory activities in older adults by reducing metabolic energy cost. Conversely, resistive exoskeletons targeting ankle plantar flexor engagement could improve the effectiveness of functional gait training and help meet the demand to provide therapy to our aging population.

Purpose

Explore the feasibility of using a dual-mode ankle exoskeleton for treating walking impairment in the elderly; testing the device in assistance mode as a mobility aid to reduce energy consumption, and as a resistive gait training tool to facilitate functional recruitment of the plantar flexor muscles. We also tested device safety by investigating its effect on stability.

Output