Eva Swinnen1, Jean-Pierre Baeyens2, Seppe Pintens3, Johan Van Nieuwenhoven4, Stephan Ilsbroukx4, Ron Clijsen3, Ronald Buyl5, Maggie Goossens6, Romain Meeusen1, Eric Kerckhofs1. 1. Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Advanced Rehabilitation Technology and Science (ARTS), Brussels, Belgium Center for Neurosciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium. 2. Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Advanced Rehabilitation Technology and Science (ARTS), Brussels, Belgium University College Physiotherapy Thim van der Laan, Landquart, Switzerland. 3. University College Physiotherapy Thim van der Laan, Landquart, Switzerland. 4. National Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Melsbroek, Belgium. 5. Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Brussels, Belgium. 6. University College Artesis, Antwerp, Belgium.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although the trunk is important for maintaining balance during walking only very limited information about the trunk muscle activity during walking with body weight support (BWS) is reported in literature. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to measure the effect of BWS on the trunk muscle activity during treadmill walking. METHODS: 14 persons with multiple sclerosis and 14 healthy persons walked on a treadmill with 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 50% and 70% BWS. Bilateral EMG measurements (surface electrodes) on the m. rectus abdominis, m. obliquus externus, m. erector spinae and m. multifidus were performed. The maximal muscle activation was presented as a percentage of a performance related reference contraction. A repeated measures ANOVA with simple contrasts was applied (SPSS20). RESULTS: In general when comparing walking with BWS with walking with 0% BWS there is an increase in m. obliquus externus activity and a decrease in back muscle activity. With increasing percentages of BWS an increase in activity of the abdominal muscles and a decrease in back muscle activity was found, with most changes in high percentages BWS. CONCLUSION: Based on the results, it is recommended to decrease the percentage BWS as fast as possible beneath 30% BWS.
BACKGROUND: Although the trunk is important for maintaining balance during walking only very limited information about the trunk muscle activity during walking with body weight support (BWS) is reported in literature. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to measure the effect of BWS on the trunk muscle activity during treadmill walking. METHODS: 14 persons with multiple sclerosis and 14 healthy persons walked on a treadmill with 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 50% and 70% BWS. Bilateral EMG measurements (surface electrodes) on the m. rectus abdominis, m. obliquus externus, m. erector spinae and m. multifidus were performed. The maximal muscle activation was presented as a percentage of a performance related reference contraction. A repeated measures ANOVA with simple contrasts was applied (SPSS20). RESULTS: In general when comparing walking with BWS with walking with 0% BWS there is an increase in m. obliquus externus activity and a decrease in back muscle activity. With increasing percentages of BWS an increase in activity of the abdominal muscles and a decrease in back muscle activity was found, with most changes in high percentages BWS. CONCLUSION: Based on the results, it is recommended to decrease the percentage BWS as fast as possible beneath 30% BWS.
Entities:
Keywords:
Abdominal muscles; EMG; back muscles; body weight support; electromyography; gait; gait analysis; multiple sclerosis; rehabilitation; treadmill; walking
Authors: Raed A Alamro; Amanda E Chisholm; Alison M M Williams; Mark G Carpenter; Tania Lam Journal: J Neuroeng Rehabil Date: 2018-11-20 Impact factor: 4.262