Evaluation of Walking Balance Based on Pose Difference Between Normal Walking and Walking Under Multi-Task Conditions

[abstFig src='/00290002/02.jpg' width='270' text='Appearance of a subject' ] In this study, we present a method for the evaluation of the perturbation of walking balance resulting from additional task loads. For the evaluation, we compared pose differences between normal walking and walking under multi-task conditions. We employed an inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor attached to the hips and the shoulders of subjects, through which we determined the orientation of the shoulder with respect to the hip. We focused on the variation width of orientation and utilized the increase rate from the variation width for normal walking to that for walking under multi-task conditions. By analyzing the correlation between the rate and the evaluation factor determined by employing a conventional fall-risk assessment method, which is related to cognitive and motor functions, we defined a walking balance evaluation criterion. The results indicate that calculation and auditory tasks affect the walking balance.