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Intra-limb and muscular coordination during walking on slopes.
Dewolf, Arthur H; Mesquita, Raphael M; Willems, Patrick A.
Afiliação
  • Dewolf AH; Laboratory of Biomechanics and Physiology of Locomotion, Institute of NeuroScience, Université Catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium. arthur.dewolf@uclouvain.be.
  • Mesquita RM; Department of Systems Medicine and Center of Space Biomedicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy. arthur.dewolf@uclouvain.be.
  • Willems PA; Laboratory of Biomechanics and Physiology of Locomotion, Institute of NeuroScience, Université Catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
Eur J Appl Physiol ; 120(8): 1841-1854, 2020 Aug.
Article em En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32524225
ABSTRACT

PURPOSE:

Intra-limb and muscular coordination during gait are the result of the organisation of the neuromuscular system, which have been widely studied on a flat terrain. Environmental factors, such as the inclination of the terrain, is a challenge for the postural control system to maintain balance. Therefore, we hypothesised that the central nervous system flexibly modifies its control strategies during locomotion on slopes.

METHODS:

Ten subjects walked on an inclined treadmill at different slopes (from - 9° to + 9°) and speeds (from 0.56 to 2.22 m s-1). Intra-limb coordination was investigated via the Continuous Relative Phase, whereas muscular coordination was investigated by decomposing the coordinated muscle activation profiles into Basic Activation Patterns.

RESULTS:

A greater stride to stride variability of kinematics was observed during walking on slopes, as compared to walking on the level. On positive slopes, the stride period and width present a greater variability without modification of the time-pattern of the muscular activation and of the variability of intersegmental coordination. On negative slopes, the stride width is larger, the variability of the stride period and of the inter-segmental coordination is greater and the basic activation patterns become broader, especially at slow speeds.

CONCLUSION:

Our findings suggest that the control strategy of downhill walking corresponds to a more conservative gait pattern, which could be adopted to lower the risk of falling at the cost of a greater energy consumption. In uphill walking, where metabolic demands are high, the strategy adopted may be planned to minimise energy expenditure.
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Texto completo: 1 Coleções: 01-internacional Base de dados: MEDLINE Assunto principal: Músculo Esquelético / Extremidades / Marcha Limite: Adult / Female / Humans / Male Idioma: En Revista: Eur J Appl Physiol Assunto da revista: FISIOLOGIA Ano de publicação: 2020 Tipo de documento: Article País de afiliação: Bélgica

Texto completo: 1 Coleções: 01-internacional Base de dados: MEDLINE Assunto principal: Músculo Esquelético / Extremidades / Marcha Limite: Adult / Female / Humans / Male Idioma: En Revista: Eur J Appl Physiol Assunto da revista: FISIOLOGIA Ano de publicação: 2020 Tipo de documento: Article País de afiliação: Bélgica