More symmetrical gait after split-belt treadmill walking does not modify dynamic and postural balance in individuals post-stroke.

Spontaneous gait is often asymmetrical in individuals post-stroke, despite their ability to walk more symmetrically on demand. Given the sensorimotor deficits in the paretic limb, this asymmetrical gait may facilitate balance maintenance. We used a split-belt walking protocol to alter gait asymmetry and determine the effects on dynamic and postural balance.

Changes in lower limb muscle activity after walking on a split-belt treadmill in individuals post-stroke.

Background: There is growing evidence that stroke survivors can adapt and improve step length symmetry in the context of split-belt treadmill (SBT) walking. However, less knowledge exists about the strategies involved for such adaptations. This study analyzed lower limb muscle activity in individuals post-stroke related to SBT-induced changes in step length.

Relationships between lower body strength and the energy cost of treadmill walking in a cohort of healthy older adults: a cross-sectional analysis.

Purpose: Gait speed is associated with survival in older adults and it was suggested that an elevated energy cost of walking (Cw) is an important determinant of gait speed reduction. Thus far, little is known about the factors that contribute to a lower Cw but it was shown that lower body strength training could reduce the Cw. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between lower body strength and the Cw in a cohort of healthy older adults.

A more symmetrical gait after split-belt treadmill walking increases the effort in paretic plantar flexors in people post-stroke.

Objective: To determine if the level of effort in paretic plantar flexors during gait could be a factor in explaining locomotor asymmetry.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Subjects: Twenty individuals with chronic stroke (mean age 49.

Plantarflexor weakness is a determinant of kinetic asymmetry during gait in post-stroke individuals walking with high levels of effort.

Background: Some studies in post-stroke individuals hypothesized that asymmetrical gait might be a strategy to symmetrize the effort in lower limb muscles. This study analyzed the asymmetry in the levels of effort, net joint moment during gait (walking moment) and maximal potential moment in the plantarflexors, hip flexors and extensors during gait.

Methods: Twenty post-stroke and 10 healthy individuals were assessed when walking at a comfortable speed on a treadmill.

Multiple roads lead to Rome: combined high-intensity aerobic and strength training vs. gross motor activities leads to equivalent improvement in executive functions in a cohort of healthy older adults.

The effects of physical activity on cognition in older adults have been extensively investigated in the last decade. Different interventions such as aerobic, strength, and gross motor training programs have resulted in improvements in cognitive functions. However, the mechanisms underlying the relationship between physical activity and cognition are still poorly understood.

Plantarflexion moment is a contributor to step length after-effect following walking on a split-belt treadmill in individuals with stroke and healthy individuals.

Objective: To assess plantarflexion moment and hip joint moment after-effects following walking on a split-belt treadmill in healthy individuals and individuals post-stroke.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Subjects: Ten healthy individuals (mean age 57.

Perception threshold of locomotor symmetry while walking on a split-belt treadmill in healthy elderly individuals.

Some hemiparetic patients walk asymmetrically. To better understand the mechanisms of this deficiency, the perception of locomotor symmetry was investigated in healthy elderly individuals. 16 participants (6 women, 10 men; M age = 70.

Perception of weight-bearing and effort distribution during sit-to-stand in individuals post-stroke.

The objectives were to assess whether individuals who are poststroke can rate their perceived knee effort distribution during sit-to-stand tasks in various foot positions, to quantify their errors of perception and to compare these to their errors in weight-bearing perception. Weight-bearing distribution was assessed in hemiparetic participants (N = 19) using a force platform. Electromyographic (EMG) data normalized to maximal EMG values were used to quantify knee effort distribution.

Executive functions, physical fitness and mobility in well-functioning older adults.

The objective of this study was to examine the relationships between executive functions, physical fitness and mobility in well-functioning older adults. Forty-eight well functioning older adults (70.5±5.

Knee efforts and weight-bearing asymmetry during sit-to-stand tasks in individuals with hemiparesis and healthy controls.

The asymmetrical weight-bearing distribution of individuals with hemiparesis rising from a chair might be used to produce similar muscular efforts at the lower limbs. The aim of this study was to determine if individuals with hemiparesis have symmetrical levels of effort at the knee during spontaneous sit-to-stand transfers. Nineteen subjects with hemiparesis and 16 healthy controls participated.

Magnitude of force perception errors during static contractions of the knee extensors in healthy young and elderly individuals.

The accuracy of force perception during muscular contraction has not been studied extensively, despite its importance in rehabilitation and training. The purpose of this study was to quantify the errors made by healthy young and elderly individuals in their perceptions of force produced at the knee. Four different tasks were used to evaluate the perception of force and the effect of a sensory-motor reference and simultaneous contraction on the accuracy of perception.

Perception of weight-bearing distribution during sit-to-stand task in healthy young and elderly individuals.

The first objective was to assess whether healthy individuals could accurately estimate their weight-bearing distribution in sit-to-stand transfers. The second was to evaluate the effect of age on weight-bearing perception. 16 young participants (11 women, 5 men; M age 29 yr.

Perception of weight-bearing distribution during sit-to-stand tasks in hemiparetic and healthy individuals.

Background And Purpose: It is unknown whether hemiparetic individuals are aware of their weight-bearing asymmetry during sit-to-stand tasks. This study compared the error between hemiparetic and healthy individuals' perception of weight-bearing and their actual weight-bearing distribution during the sit-to-stand task and analyzed the association between the knee extensor muscle strength and the weight-bearing distribution and perception.

Methods: Nineteen unilateral hemiparetic subjects and 15 healthy individuals participated in the study.