USE OF HOT-WIRE ANEMOMETRY TO MEASURE VELOCITY OF THE LIMB DURING HUMAN MOVEMENT

Hot film anemometry, x-configuration probes were used in two experiments to evaluate their effectiveness at measurement of limb velocity. Data from tests with a probe attached to the end of a pendulum establish that the hot films measure velocity in the swing phase within 0.098 m s-1. The kinetic energy per unit mass of the pendulum was predicted Within +/- 0.005 m2 s-2, from the measured velocity. In gait experiments with one human subject at speeds greater than 0.25 m s-1, the hot film anemometer and a video system predicted speeds within 0.083 m s-1. The hot film data are electronic signals that are easily stored and processed. The results from these experiments demonstrate that hot film anemometry is an effective and efficient method for direct measurement and analysis of the limb velocity.