A master’s thesis defense was held for graduate student Noor Abdulkarim Shihab from the Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics Engineering, for her thesis entitled:

“Biomechanical Analysis and Simulation of Metabolic Cost Reduction of Assisted Walking Gait”
The defense took place on Thursday, 27 November 2025, in the discussion hall of the Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics Engineering.

The examination committee was chaired by Prof. Mohsen Jabir Jwaij / Al-Farahidi University, and included Asst. Prof. Fahad Muhannad Kadhem / College of Engineering / Al-Nahrain University, and Asst. Prof. Donya Abdulsahib Hashim / College of Engineering / Al-Nahrain University, with supervision by Prof. Mahmood Rasheed Ismail / College of Engineering / Al-Nahrain University.

Evaluating metabolic energy expenditure is essential in biomechanics, especially in sports and rehabilitation, as it depends on analyzing muscle and joint movements. Due to the complexity of the musculoskeletal system, simulation tools are often used to obtain more accurate results.

In this study, the OpenSim software was used to simulate walking and compare metabolic cost in three conditions: without assistive devices, with an ankle assistive device, and with a knee–ankle assistive device. The assistive devices were designed and analyzed numerically, in addition to conducting mechanical and biomechanical tests to generate the necessary data for the model.

The results showed that the use of assistive devices helps reduce metabolic cost, improve movement efficiency, and enhance cardiopulmonary function during walking.

The thesis was accepted as it fulfilled all the requirements for obtaining the Master’s degree in Prosthetics and Orthotics Engineering.