Abstract
The purpose of the study was to investigate the pelvis-hip biomechanics and trunk and lower limb muscle activity patterns between healthy people walking in two gaits and evaluate the effects of ankle joint motion on these two gaits. The two gaits included walking with combined knee and ankle immobilization and with individual knee immobilization. Ten healthy participants were recruited and asked to walk along a 10 m walk away at their comfortable speeds in the two gaits. Kinematic data, ground reaction force, and electromyography waveforms of trunk and lower limb muscles on the right side were collected synchronously. Compared to individual knee immobilization gait, people walking in the combined knee and ankle immobilization gait increased the range and average angle of the anterior pelvic tilt during the first double support and the single support phase, respectively. The combined knee and ankle immobilization gait also increased the range of hip abduction during the second double support phase. These kinematic alternations caused changes in trunk and lower limb muscle activity patterns. The ankle immobilization increased the range of gluteus maximus activation in the first double support phase, the range of rectus abdominis activation, the average amplitude of rectus femoris activation in the single support phase, and the range of rectus femoris activation in swing phase and decreased the range of and tibialis anterior activation in the first double support phase. The ankle immobilization also increased the average values of proximodistal component in AKI gait during the single support phase. This study revealed significant differences in pelvis-hip biomechanics and trunk and lower limb muscle activity patterns between the two gaits.
Highlights
Motor neuron injuries, quadriceps weakness, or postsurgical procedures may affect the walking ability of individuals
Quadriceps weakness, or postsurgical procedures may affect the walking ability of individuals. These individuals are usually prescribed a lower limb orthosis or a brace to assist locomotion. e knee joints of the walking assistance devices (e.g., knee-ankle-foot orthosis (KAFO) and reciprocating gait orthosis (RGO)) are locked to prevent the knee from collapsing in ambulation [1]. ere are a variety of ankle joints available, including solid or hinged joint
E purpose of this study was to compare biomechanical parameters and muscle activities between people walking with combined knee and ankle immobilization and individual knee immobilization and evaluate the effects of ankle joint motion on these two gaits. e compared biomechanical parameters include kinematics of ankle, hip, and pelvis, net hip joint contact forces, and ground reaction forces. e muscle activities came from trunk and lower limb muscles
Summary
E purpose of the study was to investigate the pelvis-hip biomechanics and trunk and lower limb muscle activity patterns between healthy people walking in two gaits and evaluate the effects of ankle joint motion on these two gaits. Compared to individual knee immobilization gait, people walking in the combined knee and ankle immobilization gait increased the range and average angle of the anterior pelvic tilt during the first double support and the single support phase, respectively. E combined knee and ankle immobilization gait increased the range of hip abduction during the second double support phase. Ese kinematic alternations caused changes in trunk and lower limb muscle activity patterns. Is study revealed significant differences in pelvis-hip biomechanics and trunk and lower limb muscle activity patterns between the two gaits Compared to individual knee immobilization gait, people walking in the combined knee and ankle immobilization gait increased the range and average angle of the anterior pelvic tilt during the first double support and the single support phase, respectively. e combined knee and ankle immobilization gait increased the range of hip abduction during the second double support phase. ese kinematic alternations caused changes in trunk and lower limb muscle activity patterns. e ankle immobilization increased the range of gluteus maximus activation in the first double support phase, the range of rectus abdominis activation, the average amplitude of rectus femoris activation in the single support phase, and the range of rectus femoris activation in swing phase and decreased the range of and tibialis anterior activation in the first double support phase. e ankle immobilization increased the average values of proximodistal component in AKI gait during the single support phase. is study revealed significant differences in pelvis-hip biomechanics and trunk and lower limb muscle activity patterns between the two gaits
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