Relationships between Lower Limb Loading Force and Knee Extension Strength and Ability to Maintain Sitting of Hemiplegic Patients

Abstract

We investigated the significance and clinical utility of the measurement value of the lower limb loading force measurement method in the sitting position through the correlation of lower limb strength and ability to maintain a sitting position. [Subjects] the subjects were 15 hemiplegia patients (10 men, 5 women) with an average age of 74.7  5.3 years. [Method] We measured the lower limb loading force ratio, the lower limb strength ratio and ability to maintain a sitting position and performed correlation analysis on these measurements. [Results] Significant positive relationships were found among all of the measurements. Not only the lower limb loading ratio, but also the lower limb strength ratio showed a correlation with ability to maintain sitting. [Conclusion] The results suggest that the lower limb loading force measurement method in the sitting position can comprehensively and quantitatively assess trunk function as well as lower limb function of hemiplegic stroke patients.

Relationship between weight bearing ratio in sitting and physical function assessment in healthy adults

“…The correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation was found between WBR in the sitting position and knee extensor muscle strength in the pivot leg, non-pivot leg, and total (pivot/non-pivot/total; r=0.54/0.44/0.50, respectively). This supports the results of previous studies 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ) . Regarding muscle activity, it was reported that quadriceps activity was higher during WBR in the sitting position 28 , 29 ) .…”

“…It has also been reported that WBR in the sitting position shows a significant positive correlation with knee extensor muscle strength 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ) . Murata et al reported a significant correlation in healthy adults.…”