Motion Capture of LOCOBOT Exercises

Joint motions during the LOCOBOT exercise and basic movements were simultaneously recorded with EMG measurements using a camera-based optical motion capture system (Vicon Nexus, Vicon Motion Systems, London, UK) with 13 infrared cameras (Vantage-V8, MX T20-S, Vicon Motion Systems) at a sampling rate of 100 Hz and with six force platforms. Thirty-five reflective markers (14 mm in diameter) were attached to the participants, according to the Plug-in-Gait marker protocol [25 (link),26 ,27 (link)]. Trajectories of markers were converted to kinematic variables of the hip, knee, and ankle joints. Range of motion (ROM) for the hip (flexion–extension), knee (flexion–extension), and ankle (dorsiflexion–plantarflexion) were analyzed in each motion. Additionally, total angular distance (TAD) was calculated to evaluate the joint movement during each LOCOBOT exercise. The TAD was defined as the moving distance of angular displacement of the joint divided by time (unit: deg/s) during exercise.