The effect of obesity on gait biomechanics using inverse and forward simulations with machine learning
OA Version
Citation
Abstract
Obesity is a growing public health concern worldwide, with well-documented impacts on health and mobility. Obesity is associated with a range of adverse health risks such as type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, heart disease, and even various types of cancers. In addition, excess body weight alters biomechanical loading patterns during everyday activities, increasing the risk of joint degeneration and chronic musculoskeletal conditions. Therefore, the aim of the study was to understand the effect of obesity on gait biomechanics using both inverse and forward simulations with machine learning algorithm. In Study 1, I investigated the effects of obesity on gait biomechanics using forward simulation with an obesity-specific geometrical model. Study 1 has found that physiological changes due to obesity alone did not replicate obesity related gait features. Instead, combining physiological changes with an objective function designed to lower knee joint pressure and overall energy expenditure successfully reproduced the atypical gait patterns seen in individuals with obesity. Study 2 examined the effects of obesity and different mass distributions on sagittal knee kinematics while walking with or without obstacle crossing. I found that participants with obesity walked with stiffer knees than those with normal body mass index (BMI). The difference varied with task and walking speed. Notably, differences in knee angle remained significant regardless of gait speed in tasks during the stance of leading limb after crossing medium or high obstacles. Different mass distributions also influenced knee kinematics, with significant less knee flexion in a group with a pear-shaped body (more fat in lower limbs) compared to a group with normal BMI, suggesting that fat in the lower limbs may contribute to altered knee kinematics. Our finding suggests that if the altered motor control is not addressed, it may remain a risk factor even after weight loss. Targeted interventions aimed at restoring motor control and optimizing gait biomechanics may offer benefits for this population, including a reduced risk of injury.
Description
2025