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This paper aims to identify gait patterns between normal healthy adults and PD patients based on three vertical ground reaction force gait features namely Maximum vertical heel contact (FZ1), Vertical minimum midstance force (FZ2) and FZ3 known as Maximum vertical push off force. Based on the gait data extracted, it was found that all three vertical GRF features are higher for normal subjects as compared to PD group. Conversely, longer time is taken by PD group to complete a stance phase. Moreover, based on Analysis of Variance, it was also confirmed that all three vertical GRF features are statistical significant. Further, to verify the effectiveness of these features in discriminating anomalous PD gait pattern, Support Vector Machine and Naive Bayes classifier are used as classifiers. Initial results showed that SVM with RBF kernel outshine other classifiers with 96.9% accuracy, 100% sensitivity and 95% specificity. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Research has shown that ground reaction forces and lower extremity muscle activation are essential elements to the windmill softball pitch. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to quantify ground reaction forces, motion kinematics and muscle activations during the phases of stride foot plant to ball release of the windmill pitching motion. Ten female windmill softball pitchers participated. Fastballs for strikes were thrown and data revealed that as the windmill softball pitcher had increased ball velocity their vertical ground reaction forces also increased. As the medial forces increased the stride leg gluteus maximus had decreased activation. Proper conditioning of the lumbopelvic-hip complex, including the gluteals, is essential for injury prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]