The Effects of Eccentric Muscle Contraction Program on Walking and Balance Ability of Children with Brain Lesion Disorder

Abstract

Balance Brain Lesions Eccentric Muscle Contraction Walking The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of eccentric muscle contraction program on walking and balance ability of children with brain Lesion disorder. Two children with brain Lesion disorder were participated in this study. The subjects are spasticity, which makes the body too tight or difficult to adjust. The numbness of the limbs or numbness of the muscles of the legs due to involuntary exercise paralysis is frequently changed, and excessive shaking occurs in addition to the intended actions. The intelligence estimated by the Intelligence Test and Visual-Motor Integration Development Test (VMI) is equivalent to Severe Mental Retardation Level (IQ / VMI: less than 35). The test was conducted for 12 weeks and the subjects had eccentric muscle contraction program for 50 minutes a day and twice a week. To assess the walking and balance ability subjects were tested on following items: Walking ability for 6 m forward walk test, 10 m forward walk test, 3 m backward walk test, stair up 4 steps and stair down 4 steps. Balance ability for single leg stand in opened eyes and closed eyes were measured. In the case of subject A and B, 6 m forward walk test was reduced by 6.2%(A), 3.2%(B) and 10 m forward walk test was reduced by 6.6%(A), 6.2%(B). 3 m backward walk test reduced by 4.2%(A), 1.3%(B) compared to the pre-test. Stair up 4 steps was reduced by 2.9%(A), 4.3%(B) and stair down 4 steps was reduced by 6.7%(A), 3.2%(B) than the pre-test. Single leg stand in opened eyes was increased by 21.6%(A), 24.6%(B) in the right foot and the left foot was increased by 20.2%(A), 35.8%(B). Single leg stand in closed eyes increased by 8.1%(A), 17.5%(B) in the right foot and the left foot was increased by 10.9%(A), 11.1%(B). Those result show that the eccentric muscle contraction exercise program had positive influence in the walking and balance ability for children with brain lesion disorder.

Effects of therapeutic horse-riding program on the walking ability of students with intellectual disabilities

“…People with intellectual disabilities tent to have low levels of physical fitness due to delayed functional development [ 37 ]. Many studies have been conducted to determine how to improve the walking ability [ 38 – 41 ].…”

“…For gait evaluation, Hwang et al [ 38 ] used the 10-m walking speed, TUG test, and 6-min walking test. Kim et al [ 42 ] used a 10-min walking test and the TUG test, and Song [ 41 ] used 6-m, 10-m, and 3-m (backward) walking tests, together with an evaluation of stair-climbing and -descending ability. In this study, a turn test (6-m walking and turning test), walk test (10-m walking), and TUG test were used.…”

“…Lim and Kim [ 39 ] reported a significant improvement in gait after 12 weeks of strength, balance, and gait training in children with Down syndrome. In addition, Son et al [ 41 ] reported an improvement in gait ability after a 12-week strength, balance and gait training program for intellectually and hearing-impaired people. Based on the results of these previous studies, it was expected that strength, balance, and walking training would have a stabilizing effect on posture by improving lower extremity strength; our findings support the previous studies.…”

“…These movements have a similarity to those of the human gait of more than 98%. Thus, horse-riding can be recommended as a means to achieve physical [ 38 – 41 ], psychological [ 15 , 50 ], and social improvements [ 25 ] in both disabled and non-disabled populations. However, the small sample size of this study may limit the interpretation of the study results.…”