Dynamic Surface Topography Data for Assessing Intra- and Interindividual Variation of Vertebral Motion

This data set provides dynamic surface topography (ST) measurements to assess the intra- and interindividual variation of vertebral motion during gait sequences. Surface topography is also known as video rasterstereography. The orientation of all vertebral levels from vertebra prominens (VP) down to L4 as well as the pelvis were acquired while the test persons were walking at different speed levels (2 km/h, 3 km/h, 4 km/h). Ten gait cycles were recorded in each test sequence. In total, 12 volunteers, 10 males and 2 females in the age between 20 and 70, participated in the study. Only asymptomatic and pain free volunteers were included, i.e. individuals without self-reported spinal problems. The BMI had to be below 30 due to a limitation of the used ST system. Additionally, it was required that the test person was able to walk without problems on the treadmill at each addressed motion speed. On the one hand, this setup allows to figure out the consistency of spinal motion during the gait sequences for the particular individuals even when the speed levels changed. On the other hand, this intra-individual consistency can be compared with the variation which occurs between the individuals. A first analysis of the data was provided in Haimerl et al. Comprehensive visualization of spinal motion in gait sequences based on surface topography. Human Movement Science. 2022 Feb;81:102919. In this paper, it was demonstrated how the variation in motion characteristics can be visualized in an intuitive way. This was achieved by a separation of the signals into the particular vertebrae and gait cycles. Subsequently, juxtaposition and superimposition techniques were utilized to provide visual representations of the particular types of variation. It was demonstrated that the average vertebral orientation remained highly consistent even when the test persons were walking at different speed levels. Contrary, this orientation varied substantially between the individuals. Thus, the average vertebral orientation represents individual motion characteristics. It constitutes some kind of neutral profile of the spine. The motion caused by the gait cycles oscillates around these neutral positions. The provided data contains the entire set of test data in this study, including all postural measurements available in the dynamic ST recordings. The utilization of ten gait cycles per test sequence allows a comprehensive processing and analysis of the motion patterns. Thus, the measurements can be utilized for further analysis steps regarding individual characteristics of spinal motion during gait sequences.本数据集提供动态表面形貌测量（dynamic surface topography, ST）数据，用于评估步态序列中脊柱运动的个体内与个体间差异。表面形貌测量又称视频光栅立体扫描（video rasterstereography）。本研究采集了受试者从隆椎（vertebra prominens, VP）至第四腰椎（L4）的所有脊柱节段以及骨盆的方位数据，采集过程中受试者以2 km/h、3 km/h、4 km/h的不同速度行走。每个测试序列均记录10个步态周期。总计12名志愿者参与本研究，其中男性10名、女性2名，年龄区间为20至70岁。本研究仅纳入无自觉症状且无疼痛的志愿者，即无自述脊柱相关疾病史的个体。由于所用ST系统的性能限制，受试者的身体质量指数（Body Mass Index, BMI）需低于30。此外，受试者需能够在跑台上顺利完成各预设速度下的行走任务。一方面，该实验设置可用于探究特定个体在步态序列中的脊柱运动一致性，即便行走速度发生变化；另一方面，可将该个体内一致性与个体间的运动差异进行对比分析。 本数据集的初步分析成果已由Haimerl等学者发表于论文《基于表面形貌测量的步态序列脊柱运动综合可视化》，刊载于*Human Movement Science*，2022年2月，第81卷，文章编号102919。该论文展示了如何以直观方式可视化运动特征的差异：通过将信号拆解至对应脊柱节段与步态周期，结合并置与叠加技术，实现不同类型运动差异的可视化呈现。研究表明，即便受试者以不同速度行走，其脊柱节段的平均方位仍保持高度一致；与之相反，不同个体间的脊柱节段方位差异显著。因此，脊柱节段的平均方位可反映个体特有的运动特征，构成了脊柱的中性姿态轮廓，而步态周期产生的脊柱运动则围绕这些中性位置产生振荡。 本数据集包含本研究的全部测试数据，涵盖动态ST记录中的所有姿态测量结果。每个测试序列采集10个步态周期，可实现运动模式的全面处理与分析。因此，本测量数据可用于后续针对步态序列中脊柱运动个体特征的各类分析研究。