Search results for "GAIT"

Association Between Gait Speed With Mortality, Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer:A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies

2018

Objectives: Slow gait speed may be associated with premature mortality, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cancer, although a comprehensive meta-analysis is lacking. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we explored potential associations between gait speed and mortality, incident CVD, and cancer. Design: A systematic search in major databases was undertaken from inception until March 15, 2018 for prospective cohort studies reporting data on gait speed and mortality, incident CVD, and cancer. Setting and Participants: All available. Measures: The adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), based on the model with the maximum number of covariates for each study bet…

Effect of footwear on plantar flexor fine-wire electromyography activity in walking

2019

Compared to barefoot walking, walking in footwear seems to alter plantar flexor electromyography (EMG) activity, vertical and horizontal ground reaction forces (Sacco, Akashi, & Hennig, 2010), ankle kinematics and the time of peak activity (Sacco et al., 2010). However, study results are inconsistent regarding the magnitude and direction of these changes. Magnetic resonance imaging showed high inter-individual variability in muscle metabolic activity during walking, suggesting individual-specific activation patterns (Kolk et al., 2015). Additionally, little is known about the role of toe flexors such as flexor hallucis longus (FHL) in walking.

Gait Impairment in a Rat Model of Focal Cerebral Ischemia

2012

The availability of proper tests for gait evaluation following cerebral ischemia in rats has been limited. The automated, quantitative CatWalk system, which was initially designed to measure gait in models of spinal cord injury, neuropathic pain, and peripheral nerve injury, is said to be a useful tool for the study of motor impairment in stroke animals. Here we report our experiences of using CatWalk XT with rats subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), during their six-week followup. Large corticostriatal infarct was confirmed by MRI in all MCAO rats, which was associated with severe sensorimotor impairment. In contrast, the gait impairment was at most mild, which i…

The use of ultrasound to study muscle–tendon function in human posture and locomotion

2013

Analysis of human movement has traditionally relied on measures such as kinematics, kinetics and electromyography. These measures provide valuable information about movement performance and make it possible to draw inferences about muscle and tendon function. Musculoskeletal models are also used frequently to examine the relationship between joint kinematics and muscle-tendon behaviour, and have provided important insights into both healthy and clinical gait. However, muscles interact with compliant tendons during movement, which complicates interpretation of muscle and tendon function based on external measures such as joint kinematics. Accordingly, methods have been developed that enable …

Soleus and lateral gastrocnemius H-reflexes during standing with unstable footwear

2015

Introduction: Unstable footwear has been shown to increase lower extremity muscle activity, but the reflex response to perturbations induced by this intervention is unknown. Methods: Twenty healthy subjects stood in stable and unstable footwear conditions (presented randomly) while H-reflex amplitude and background muscle activity were measured in the soleus and lateral gastrocnemius (LG) muscles. Results: Wearing unstable footwear resulted in larger H-reflexes (normalized to the maximal M-wave) for the LG (+12%; P = 0.025), but not for the soleus (+4%; P > 0.05). Background activity of both muscles was significantly higher in the unstable condition. Conclusions: The H-reflex facilitation o…

Home-Based Resistance Training for Older Subjects during the COVID-19 Outbreak in Italy: Preliminary Results of a Six-Months RCT.

2020

Background. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a six-month home-based resistance-training program on muscle health and physical performance in healthy older subjects during the unique condition of home confinement caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods. This was a randomized-controlled study that enrolled older participants that were allocated to either an experimental group performing the six-months exercise prescription (EXE) or a control group (CON). At the beginning (PRE), and after 6 months (POST), participants were assessed for muscle strength, balance, gait assessment and body composition by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and magnetic resonance imaging. Normality…

Validity and Reliability of an Instrumented Treadmill with an Accelerometry System for Assessment of Spatio-Temporal Parameters and Impact Transmissi…

2021

Running retraining programs focused on concurrent feedback of acceleration impacts have been demonstrated to be a good strategy to reduce running-related injuries (RRI), as well as to improve running economy and reduce acceleration impacts and injury running incidence. Traditionally, impacts have been registered by mean of accelerometers attached directly to the athletes, which is inaccessible to the entire population, because it requires laboratory conditions. This study investigated the validity and reliability of a new device integrated directly into the treadmill, compared to a traditional acceleration impact system. Thirty healthy athletes with no history of RRI were tested on two sepa…

Effect of footwear on intramuscular EMG activity of plantar flexor muscles in walking

2020

One of the purposes of footwear is to assist locomotion, but some footwear types seem to restrict natural foot motion, which may affect the contribution of ankle plantar flexor muscles to propulsion. This study examined the effects of different footwear conditions on the activity of ankle plantar flexors during walking. Ten healthy habitually shod individuals walked overground in shoes, barefoot and in flip-flops while fine-wire electromyography (EMG) activity was recorded from flexor hallucis longus (FHL), soleus (SOL), and medial and lateral gastrocnemius (MG and LG) muscles. EMG signals were peak-normalised and analysed in the stance phase using Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM). We f…

The gait is less stable in children with cerebral palsy in normal and dual-task gait

2020

Self-selected running gait modifications reduce acute impact loading, awkwardness, and effort

2021

Impact loading has been associated with running-related injuries, and gait retraining has been suggested as a means of reducing impact loading and lowering the risk of injury. However, gait retraining can lead to increased perceived awkwardness and effort. The influence of specifically trained and self-selected running gait modifications on acute impact loading, perceived awkwardness and effort is currently unclear. Sixteen habitual rearfoot/midfoot runners performed forefoot strike pattern, increased step rate, anterior trunk lean and self-selected running gait modifications on an instrumented treadmill based on real-time biofeedback. Impact loading, perceived awkwardness and effort scores…