Lecture 2 Flashcards
(20 cards)
locomotion
the controlled act of moving the body from one place to another
Multi-body movement
how connected things move together.
stance phase
The part of walking when your foot is on the ground and supports your weight.
It starts when your heel touches the ground and ends when your toes lift off
swing phase
The part of walking when your foot is off the ground and moving forward to take the next step.
stride
One full cycle of walking with the same foot, from when it touches the ground to when it touches again.
It includes both the stance and swing phases.
Central Pattern Generator (CPG)
a neural network that creates rhythmic signals without needing constant input from the brain.
gait cycle
One full step by one leg
flight phase
the part of a movement, like running or jumping, when both feet are off the ground
point of application
the exact location on an object where a force is applied
inverted pendular walking
a walking pattern where the leg on the ground acts like a stiff rod, and the body swings over it, helping to save energy
proactive gait adaptability
when you change how you walk ahead of time to safely deal with obstacles or changes in terrain
gait robustness
your walk stays steady and safe, even if something unexpected happens.
reactive gait recovery
how you regain balance quickly after an unexpected loss of stability during walking.
fall-resisting skills
-proactive gait adaptability
-gait robustness
-reactive gait recovery
feedback control
a system that adjusts its actions based on the results of those actions.
feedforward control
when the body plans and adjusts movements in advance, based on predicted conditions
central pattern generator
a network of neurons in the spinal cord that can generate rhythmic movements like walking or breathing without needing conscious control or input from the brain
half-centre model
two groups of neurons that take turns inhibiting each other, creating a back-and-forth rhythm
pacemaker neurons
special nerve cells that can generate rhythmic electrical signals on their own without needing input from other neurons.
mesencephalic locomotor regions
an area in the brainstem that helps initiate and control walking and running by activating the spinal locomotor networks (like CPGs).
