Muscle synergies and joint linkages in sit-to-stand under two initial foot positions.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the activation pattern of six lower limb muscles during standing up from two initial foot positions and to examine relationships between the onsets of muscle activity and the dynamics of the action. In contrast to earlier studies, an algorithm was used to measure onsets and duration of muscle activity.

Method: The activity of biceps femoris, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, tibialis anterior, lateral gastrocnemius and medial soleus was studied as nine male subjects between the ages of 20 and 35 stood up from two initial foot positions (foot forward, foot back).

Reciprocal aided gait in paraplegia.

A group of 9 male paraplegics, experienced in the use of walking aids for ambulation, were tested using an alternate four-point gait. Data were collected pertaining to the axial load transmitted through the crutches, the upper limb joint displacements and the moments about the elbow and shoulder joints during the period of contact of the walking aid with the ground. This gait was found to be slow with long periods of load transmission through the walking aids.

Biomechanical comparison of two paraplegic gait patterns.

A study is presented comparing the kinetic and kinematic characteristics of two gait patterns in common use by paraplegics. Data were collected using a combined kinetic and kinematic process from a total of 14 subjects with lesion of the spinal cord. Significant differences were derived for gait velocity and for the axial load transmission by the walking aids in both gaits.

Aided gait in rheumatoid arthritis following knee arthroplasty.

A study is presented of a biomechanical comparison of two different aided gait patterns used by rheumatoid arthritis patients after knee joint surgery. Subjects using alternating and step-to gait patterns were compared when ambulating with forearm-support crutches. Data were collected via instrumented walking aids and 16mm cameras.

Standing balance responses in two populations of elderly women: a pilot study.

A pilot study was conducted into the forces imposed on an instrumented, hand-held frame by two groups of elderly females. One group had been identified as having idiopathic gait disorders, and each subject had a history of falling for no apparent clinical reason. Tests were carried out to compare the responses of the two groups to single-leg-stance balance maneuvers.