Effects of knee orthoses on kinesthetic awareness and balance in healthy individuals.

Introduction: Conflicting evidence exists regarding the effects of knee orthoses on proprioception. One belief is that pressure applied by orthoses heightens kinesthetic awareness and that this affects balance. This study aimed to investigate the effects of two different orthosis designs on kinesthetic awareness and balance in healthy individuals.

Carbohydrate and fat oxidation in persons with lower limb amputation during walking with different speeds.

Background: Studies suggest that the energy expenditure of healthy persons (control) during walking with the preferred walking speed in steady-state conditions is dominated by fat oxidation. Conversely, carbohydrate and fat oxidation during walking is little investigated in transfemoral amputees.

Objectives: To investigate carbohydrate and fat oxidation, energy cost of walking, and percent utilization of maximal aerobic capacity [Formula: see text]during walking.

Energy expenditure of transfemoral amputees during floor and treadmill walking with different speeds.

Background: Walking energy expenditure, calculated as the percent utilization of the maximal aerobic capacity, is little investigated in transfemoral amputees.

Objectives: Compare the energy expenditure of healthy participants (control participants) and transfemoral amputees walking with their respective preferred walking speeds on the treadmill (TPWS) and floor (FPWS).

Study Design: Randomized cross-over study.

Energy expenditure of transfemoral amputees walking on a horizontal and tilted treadmill simulating different outdoor walking conditions.

Transfemoral amputees often report that walking on tilted pavements or on terrain with the prosthesis on the side of higher elevation is quite strenuous. This study investigates the energy expenditure of transfemoral amputees (n = 8) on a motorized treadmill, simulating different strenuous outdoor walking conditions. Oxygen uptake at self-selected speed of gait was measured during walking at three different treadmill positions: (i) Horizontal treadmill, (ii) 3% tilt in the sagittal plane and (iii) 3% tilt in both the sagittal and frontal plane of the treadmill.