WALKING RESPONSES UNDER LUNAR AND LOW GRAVITY CONDITIONS
Abstract
Previous walking studies are reviewed to determine methods of investigation. A description of normal walking is included for definition and as a basis for comparison of the low gravity gait. Walking behavior can be analyzed by motion methods or by force methods. Motion analysis is sufficient to quantitatively describe the low gravity gait, but a force analysis is needed to establish the reasons for the degradation of the walk. The construction of a force-measuring walkway is proposed, but was not completed. Alternatively, a motion picture (time displacement) walking experiment was conducted at various artificial gravity levels in an aircraft flying parabolic trajectories. Two subjects walked fore and aft on a floor marked distance scale. Successive lowering of the gravity level from 1.0 g to 0.1 g produced the following effects. The subjects maintained within 10 percent of their normal 1-g velocity to gravity levels of 0.25 g or below. The most consistent effect of the reduction of gravity was the increased swinging time of the leg, which varied inversely as the sixth root of the gravity level.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0426837
Entities
People
- James F. Roberts