APPLICATIONS

ENERGY EXPENDTIURE APPLICATIONS

Exercise management. The Surgeon General reports that people of all ages should include a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity of moderate intensity (such as brisk walking) on most, if not all, days of the week. Daily physical activity is also often specifically prescribed for patients recovering from stroke or managing chronic disease like diabetes. An accurate measure of physical activity helps motivate people to exercise and is of great medical value in rehabilitation and disease management.

Weight management. Precise measurement of energy expenditure is fundamental in balancing energy intake (calories consumed) and energy expenditure (calories burned). This balance is the key to weight loss and weight management.

Large-scale population studies. The global epidemic of obesity underscores the continuing need for large-scale population studies of physical activity and health. To date, many of these studies have relied on self-reports rather than verifiable measurements. A measurement device that is easy-to-use and low cost is critical in improving the power of scientific studies to assess the effects of activity and diet on the health of the population.

GAIT ANALYSIS APPLICATIONS

Joint replacement or amputation. Following joint replacement or amputation, there is a period of recovery and adaptation. The goal of recovery is to achieve as normal a gait as possible. A device that can characterize what “normal” is, and make quantitative measurements of progress can help shorten, focus and manage this process of adaptation and recovery.

Evidence-based physical therapy. Patients and therapists engaged in remediating gait, benefit by being able to track quantifiable progress toward treatment goals..

Disability insurance claim evaluation. Effective management of disability claims requires accurate determination of claim eligibility and appropriate release back to work. Error in either decision can have a high cost for the claimant, insurance company, and health care provider. Objective validation of a gait disorder related to injury, lower back pain, fall, or over-exertion increases the accuracy of claim evaluation, benefiting all parties.

Fall avoidance. Home health care systems for the elderly routinely provide alarm alerts for clients in distress, allowing patients to get help if they fall. Rather than waiting for an injury to occur, LSI's gait technology goal is to alert clients to an increased risk of falling. Clients can then take appropriate precautions and avoid potential falls.