Faculty Collaboration Database

The stroke-related effects of hip flexion fatigue on over ground walking. Gait Posture 2014 Apr;39(4):1103-8

Date

03/08/2014

Pubmed ID

24602975

Pubmed Central ID

PMC4007512

DOI

10.1016/j.gaitpost.2014.01.012

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84897112002 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   28 Citations

Abstract

Individuals post stroke often rely more on hip flexors for limb advancement during walking due to distal weakness but the effects of muscle fatigue in this group is not known. The purpose of this study was to quantify how stroke affects the influence of hip flexor fatigue on over ground walking kinematics and performance and muscle activation. Ten individuals with chronic stroke and 10 without stroke (controls) participated in the study. Maximal walking speed, walking distance, muscle electromyograms (EMG), and lower extremity joint kinematics were compared before and after dynamic, submaximal fatiguing contractions of the hip flexors (30% maximal load) performed until failure of the task. Task duration and decline in hip flexion maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and power were used to assess fatigue. The stroke and control groups had similar task durations and percent reductions in MVC force following fatiguing contractions. Compared with controls, individuals with stroke had larger percent reductions in maximal walking speed, greater decrements in hip range of motion and peak velocity during swing, greater decrements in ankle velocity and lack of modulation of hip flexor EMG following fatiguing dynamic hip flexion contractions. For a given level of fatigue, the impact on walking function was more profound in individuals with stroke than neurologically intact individuals, and a decreased ability to up regulate hip flexor muscle activity may contribute. These data highlight the importance of monitoring the effect of hip flexor muscle activity during exercise or performance of activities of daily living on walking function post stroke.

Author List

Rybar MM, Walker ER, Kuhnen HR, Ouellette DR, Berrios R, Hunter SK, Hyngstrom AS

Author

Allison Hyngstrom PhD Associate Professor in the Physical Therapy department at Marquette University

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Aged
Biomechanical Phenomena
Case-Control Studies
Electromyography
Female
Gait Disorders, Neurologic
Hip Joint
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Muscle Contraction
Muscle Fatigue
Range of Motion, Articular
Stroke
Walking