Concept of a force-measuring horseshoe.

The research revolves around the development of a force-measuring horseshoe (FM shoe), designed to objectively measure ground reaction forces during gait analysis. The design involves strain gauges placed in strategic points in the horseshoe, calibrated to measure the displacement between different parts of the shoe. Although calibrations still need refinement, preliminary results suggest a high degree of accuracy, opening potential for use in measuring absolute forces.

Study Background and Objective

• The focus of this research was to develop an objective method that can accurately measure ground reaction forces during gait analysis.
• Current methods of measuring these forces usually involve the use of force plates or instrumented shoes. However, these methods may not always be practical, hence, the development of the force-measuring horseshoe (FM shoe).

Force-Measuring Horseshoe Design

• The FM shoe was designed with two solid parts, the displacement between which was used to determine the ground reaction forces.
• The shoe was equipped with three removable measuring units (MUs) that featured strain gauges. These MUs were strategically placed in the toe and quarter parts of the shoe.

Calibration of Measuring Units

• Prior to recording the force, the sensors need to be calibrated with the MUs mounted on the shoe using specially developed equipment. This step can be done in the field.
• The signals generated by these MUs closely mirrored signals produced by other instrumented shoes and force plate traces, as per various reports by other researchers.

Comparative Analysis and Results

• In a study comparing the FM shoe with a force plate, results indicated a high degree of similarity between the force traces from both systems.
• The calibration of the FM shoe however, requires further work to refine the method.

Conclusion and Future Directions

• The researchers found a good linear relationship between the forces applied and the sensor signals, indicating that the FM shoe concept holds promise for precise force measurement.
• The implication of the study’s findings suggests that, once refined, the FM shoe could meet the requirements for measuring absolute forces in gait analysis, paving the way for more convenient and accurate field studies.