Leg Muscle Activity During Walking With Assistive Devices at Varying Levels of Weight Bearing
By Clark, Brian C., MS; Manini, Todd M., MS; Ordway, Nathaniel R., MS; Ploutz-Snyder, Lori L., PhD; Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Vol. 85, No. 9, pp. 1555-1560Publication Date: September 2004
Study conducted to evaluate the muscle activation patterns at varying levels of weight-bearing forces during assisted walking with an axillary crutch and the ED Walker. The ED Walker is an ambulation device that allows for weight transfer through the pelvic girdle. This device differs from the standard axillary crutch in that the base of support of the ED Walker is located on the medial side of the affected limb as opposed to the lateral side, and the knee joint is flexed more during ambulation with the ED Walker. These differences yield variations in muscle activity and ground reaction forces between these two methods of ambulation. Twelve healthy volunteers participated in the study. Electromyographic activity was recorded from the anterior tibialis, soleus, biceps femoris, and vastus lateralis muscles on a test leg during assisted during ambulation with the axillary crutch and with the ED Walker. The researchers found that muscle activity levels and weight-bearing characteristics varied across the two walking conditions. The authors contend that knowledge of these muscle activity and force characteristics have implications to help the decision-making process involved in prescribing specific ambulation devices.
Published by: W.B. Saunders Company, a division of Elsevier Health Sciences (Website:http://us.elsevierhealth.com)
American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Web Site: http://www.aapmr.org/ )
American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (Web Site: http://www.acrm.org )
