Multiscale entropy analysis of human gait dynamics.

We compare the complexity of human gait time series from healthy subjects under di*erent conditions. Using the recently developed multiscale entropy algorithm, which provides a way to measure complexity over a range of scales, we observe that normal spontaneous walking has the highest complexity when compared to slow and fast walking and also to walking paced by a metronome. These 2ndings have implications for modeling locomotor control and for quantifying gait dynamics in physiologic and pathologic states. c © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. PACS: 89.75.−k; 87.10.+e; 89.75.Da