Evaluation of a Dual Axial Ankle Supporter with Adjustable Assisting Direction Mechanism for Plantarflexion and Dorsiflexion

Mountaineering accidents frequently lead to lower limb injuries, particularly affecting the ankles. Ankle twisting is a common injury occurring during downhill descents. In particular, walking on cross-slopes can result in abnormal inversion or eversion of the ankle, increasing the risk of injuries. While numerous ankle assistive devices exist for walking conventional ones are often unsuitable for navigating uneven terrain. To address the challenges of cross-slope walking, we developed a dual axial ankle supporter (DAAS), featuring dual axial movement in both the sagittal and frontal planes. Its structure includes a cuff, elastic connector, main frame, adjustable assisting direction mechanism (AADM), and fixed parts. Each foot’s DAAS weighs approximately 285 g. Gait experiments were conducted to assess the assistive effects of the DAAS. In evaluating the impact of the elastic connector, EMG signals from the peroneus longus is measured during cross-slope walking. The findings indicate that the elastic connector of the DAAS successfully reduced muscle activations of the peroneus longus on the uphill of the cross-slope.