Bracing of the trunk and neck has a differential effect on head control during gait

Abstract

During gait, the trunk and neck are believed to play an important role in dissipating the transmission of forces from the ground to the head. This attenuation process is important to ensure head control is maintained. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of externally restricting the motion of the trunk and/or neck segments on acceleration patterns of the upper body and head and related trunk muscle activity. Twelve healthy adults performed three walking trials on a flat, straight 65-m walkway, under four different bracing conditions: 1) control-no brace; 2) neck-braced; 3) trunk-braced; and 4) neck-trunk braced. Three-dimensional acceleration from the head, neck (C7) and lower trunk (L3) were collected, as was muscle activity from trunk. Results revealed that, when the neck and/or trunk were singularly braced, an overall decrease in the ability of the trunk to attenuate gait-related oscillations was observed, which led to increases in the amplitude of vertical acceleration for all segments. However, when the trunk and neck were braced together, acceleration amplitude across all segments decreased in line with increased attenuation from the neck to the head. Bracing was also reflected by increased activity in erector spinae, decreased abdominal muscle activity and lower trunk muscle coactivation. Overall, it would appear that the neuromuscular system of young, healthy individuals was able to maintain a consistent pattern of head acceleration, irrespective of the level of bracing, and that priority was placed over the control of vertical head accelerations during these gait tasks.

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstructed individuals demonstrate slower reactions during a dynamic postural task

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Design and usability of a system for the study of head orientation

“…Our current findings show that the head pitch accelerations are greater than the sled acceleration almost in all subject conditions. We think that constraining the trunk may have impeded the ability of the trunk and neck to attenuate the momentum from the sled, ultimately increasing the amplitude and complexity of head acceleration ( 31 ).…”

Effect of Unilateral Shoulder Disorder on the Stance Phase of Human Gait

“…In gait analysis, the focus so far has been on the actions of the lower extremities. The contribution of the trunk and neck has also been considered, as well as of the shoulder girdle and upper extremities [ 12 , 13 ]. However, a special involvement of the trunk and upper extremities [ 14 ] has been mentioned for various neurological diseases [ 15 ], of which some are still associated with their first describers, such as the neurologists Duchenne de Boulogne and Wernicke or the surgeon Friedrich Trendelenburg.…”