Simulation Analysis of Mechanical Body Load During Walking in Water

The objective of this study was to clarify the mechanical body load during walking in water by simulation, considering the fluid force acting on the lower extremities. First, joint torque and force were analyzed by simulation model of walking in water, which was developed by modifying the swimming human simulation model SWUM, and whose input data were obtained in the previous experiment. Second, muscle force was analyzed by a two-dimensional musculoskeletal model for the lower extremities. The following findings were obtained from those analyses: The hip extensor muscles are employed more greatly during the stance phase of the walking in water, compared to the land walking. The joint force in compressing direction during the walking in water is significantly lower than that of the land walking. From these results, it can be concluded that the walking in water is suitable for rehabilitation. In addition, it was also found that the joint torque due to the fluid force component mainly acts in the swing phase. Therefore, the lower extremity muscles can be trained effectively by use of the fluid force in the swing phase