Muscle activation during body weight-supported locomotion while using the ZeroG

Abstract

Abstract-The ZeroG provides dynamic body weight support (BWS) using a harness while individuals with mobility impairments (e.g., spinal cord injury) ambulate overground. Muscle activity during locomotion using this device was studied in 13 nondisabled adults (age 23.8 +/-2.7 yr). Electromyography (EMG) recordings were collected from tibialis anterior (TA), medial gastrocnemius (MG), rectus femoris (RF), and biceps femoris muscles during randomized walking trials at preferred speeds under five levels of BWS (0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%). Filtered EMG signals from each trial were normalized to 0% BWS and correlated with gait phases. Muscle activity, averaged across muscles, decreased significantly at heel strike by 33.4% with increasing BWS. Offloading significantly decreased heel strike activity of RF (62.8%), MG (35.5%), and TA (25.9%). Gait cycle completion time increased with BWS primarily because of increased swing phase time. These results summarizing the effect of BWS on muscle activation during ambulation can now be compared with clinical populations using the ZeroG.

Metabolic Demand and Muscle Activation during Different Forms of Bodyweight Supported Locomotion in Men with Incomplete SCI

“…For example, individuals with SCI may require use of their arms and/or axial muscles for support during swing phase, essentially completing the same phase of gait but at a greater energy cost due to the involvement of additional musculature. As an individual progresses with training, neuronal coupling of movement (e.g., incorporation of arm swing) will provide additional sensory feedback to help generate temporally appropriate muscle activity patterns [31]. From a therapeutic perspective, therefore, body weight supported training interventions help individuals to learn to produce new motor strategies in a controlled setting with the hopes of transferring this rehearsed pattern to unsupported overground walking.…”

“…It has been demonstrated in the literature that gait kinematics similar to baseline walking (0% BWS) can be maintained when 30 percent or less support is provided [5]. Recent work from our lab, specifically looking at changes in muscle activation with increased amounts of BWS using the ZeroG in able-bodied adults, found significant reductions in muscle activity when 40 or more percent of body weight was offset by the device without altering the muscle activation pattern during gait [31]. It is important to note that 3 of the 7 participants with incomplete SCI would have been unable to independently complete the walking sessions if <40% BWS was provided on the ZeroG.…”

Herramientas tecnológicas para el estudio e intervención de la biomecanica en el deporte de alto rendimiento: una mirada desde fisioterapia

“…En la actualidad, la rehabilitación ha desarrollado nuevos sistemas de intervención para garantizar mejores procesos, se han creado sistemas de soporte de peso para rehabilitación de marcha después de lesiones basados en efectos anti gravitatorios para facilitar la adopción del gesto motor, estos dispositivos han sido desarrollados en base a bandas sin fin adaptadas para realizar procesos de rehabilitación con mejores resultados. Esto ocurre debido a que se reduce la carga de las extremidades inferiores y se puede variar la cantidad de presión para realizar procesos de rehabilitación controlados en base al porcentaje de soporte de los tejidos musculoesqueléticos durante las fases de rehabilitación (75)(76)(77)(78)(79)(80).…”

Respostas cinemáticas e eletromiográficas durante suporte parcial de peso em indivíduos saudáveis

“…A diminuição da atividade a 100 ms do contato parece corroborar com os estudos que demonstram a diminuição da atividade muscular relacionada ao aumento da taxa de suspensão (FENUTA A, 2014;FERRIS et al, 2006;HESSE;KONRAD;UHLENBROCK, 1999;PATINO et al, 2007;WANG, 2008).…”

“…Caminhar sobre a esteira utilizando um dispositivo para a redução da carga pode consequentemente aliviar a sobrecarga articular e gerar a modificação do input sensório-motor para a correção do gesto de movimento (DIETZ, 2009;SOUSA et al, 2009). Algumas evidências sugerem tratar-se de uma técnica benéfica (FENUTA A, 2014;FORREST et al, 2008;TOMATIS;MÜLLER, 2006;WANNIER et al, 2001).…”