Dynamic Gait Collection

1. Complete steps 1-5 of the spatiotemporal gait collection procedure.

2. Calibrating the force platforms

• Calibrating the force platforms will require two people – one person to place the weights on the force platforms, and the other person to operate the computer.
• Assemble a pulley consisting of a hook on one end and a container on the other end to hold the calibration weights.
• Our lab has developed a custom LabVIEW code for gait testing purposes. Use this code and open LabVIEW.
• Click “STOP”. The black arrow at the top of the screen will change to a white arrow. Click on the white arrow.
• A window will open, prompting you to name the trial. Name the trial  according to what direction you are calibrating in (X, Y or Z), which force platform you are using (A, B, C, or D), and which weight you use.
• These trials are exported as excel sheets. Obtain your calibration curves from these excel sheets. You will need to download a TDMS to excel file converter program. 
• Calibrating in the Z Direction
  • Repeat this process for the 100, 150, 200 and 400 g weights, and for each force platform.
  • Set up the next trial in LabVIEW by pressing the white arrow button.
  • Press “STOP” in LabVIEW after the force reading returns to zero.
  • Leave the weight on for about one second to allow the force graphs on the computer program to plateau, and lift the weight off. This procedure will be repeated for the X and Y directions as well.
  • Place the 20 g calibration weight directly on top of a force link on the force platform.
• Calibrating in the X Direction
  • Repeat this process for the 100, 150, 200 and 500 g weights, and for each force platform.
  • Clamp a pulley at the end of the arena structure and adjust, such that the pulley is level with the arena floor.
  • Hook a string or wire around a force platform in the X direction (braking/propulsive).
  • Suspend each calibration weight from the opposite end of the string/wire, off the pulley. The weight should only be allowed to hang briefly, such that the force reading plateaus. 
• Calibrating in the Y Direction
  • Repeat this process for the 100, 200 and 500 g weights, and for each force platform.
  • Clamp a pulley at the side of the arena structure and adjust, such that the pulley is level with the arena floor.
  • Hook a string or wire around a force platform in the Y direction (mediolateral). 
  • Suspend each calibration weight from the opposite end of the string/wire, off the pulley. The weight should only be allowed to hang briefly, such that the force reading plateaus. ​

3. Complete steps 6 & 7 of the spatiotemporal gait collection procedure.