Metabolic energy expenditure during spring-loaded crutch ambulation.
J Sport Rehabil
; 20(4): 419-27, 2011 Nov.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-22012496
ABSTRACT
CONTEXT Individuals using traditional axillary crutches to ambulate expend approximately twice as much energy as individuals who perform able-bodied gait. A relatively novel spring-loaded crutch now being marketed may reduce metabolic energy expenditure during crutch ambulation. This idea, however, had not yet been tested. OBJECTIVE:
To determine whether the novel spring-loaded crutch reduces oxygen consumption during crutch ambulation, relative to traditional-crutch ambulation. A secondary purpose was to evaluate the design for subject-perceived comfort and ease of use.DESIGN:
Within-subject.SETTING:
Indoor track.PARTICIPANTS:
10 able-bodied men and 10 able-bodied women.INTERVENTIONS:
The independent variable was crutch design. Each subject ambulated using 3 different crutch designs (traditional, spring-loaded, and modified spring-loaded), in a randomized order. MAIN OUTCOMEMEASURES:
The primary dependent variable was oxygen consumption. Secondary dependent variables were subject-perceived comfort and ease of use, as rated by the subjects using a 100-mm visual analog scale. Dependent variables were compared among the 3 crutch designs using a 1-way repeated-measures ANOVA (α = .05).RESULTS:
Oxygen consumption during spring-loaded-crutch ambulation (17.88 ± 2.13 mL · kg⻹ · min⻹) was 6.2% greater (P = .015; effect size [ES] = .50) than during traditional axillary-crutch ambulation (16.84 ± 2.08 mL · kg⻹ · min⻹). There was no statistically significant difference (P = .068; ES = -.45) for oxygen consumption between spring-loaded-crutch ambulation and ambulation using the modified crutch (17.03 ± 1.61 mL · kg⻹ · min⻹). Subjects perceived the spring-loaded crutch to be more comfortable (P < .001; ES = .56) than the traditional crutch. There was no difference (P = .159; ES = -.09) between the spring-loaded and traditional crutches for subject-perceived ease of use.CONCLUSIONS:
Compared with traditional axillary crutches, the novel spring-loaded crutch may be more comfortable but does not appear to benefit subjects via reduced metabolic energy expenditure.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Muletas
/
Metabolismo Energético
/
Marcha
Tipo de estudo:
Clinical_trials
/
Health_economic_evaluation
Limite:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Sport Rehabil
Assunto da revista:
MEDICINA ESPORTIVA
/
REABILITACAO
Ano de publicação:
2011
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos