The Relationship of Lower Limb Muscle Strength and Knee Joint Hyperextension during the Stance Phase of Gait in Hemiparetic Stroke Patients

This research aimed to assess the correlation between isometric muscle strength of the lower limb and motor skills. This is a cross sectional study performed among volunteer nursing home residents included in the SENIOR (Sample of Elderly Nursing home Individuals: an Observational Research) cohort. The present analysis focused on isometric muscle strength of 6 lower limb muscle groups (i.e. knee extensors, knee flexors, hip abductors, hip extensors, ankle flexors and ankle extensors), assessed using a validated hand-held dynamometer (i.e. the MicroFET2 device), and motor skills evaluated using the Tinetti test, the Timed Up and Go test, the Short Physical Performance Battery test (SPPB) and the walking speed. The relationship between all these parameters was tested by means of a multiple correlation, adjusted on age, sex and body mass index. 450 nursing home residents (69.8% of women) with a mean age of 83.1±9.4 years were included in this study. Our results showed a significant inverse correlation between lower limb muscle strength and the time required to perform the TUG test or gait speed, except for ankle flexors and ankle extensors. The relationship between the Tinetti test or the SPPB score, and lower limb muscle strength was significant, except for ankle flexors and ankle extensors. In conclusion, a positive association between lower limb muscle strength of the four main muscle groups and motor skills of the elderly nursing residents was found in this research. Therefore, special attention should be given to these muscle groups during rehabilitation programs.

Download Full-text

The relationship between lower limb muscle strength and lower extremity function in HIV disease

South African Journal of Physiotherapy ◽

10.4102/sajp.v73i1.360 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 73 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Peter C. Mhariwa ◽

Hellen Myezwa ◽

Mary L. Galantino ◽

Douglas Maleka

Keyword(s):

Muscle Strength ◽

Lower Extremity ◽

Lower Limb ◽

Lower Limb Muscle ◽

Limb Muscle ◽

Plantar Flexors ◽

Lower Extremity Function ◽

Extremity Function ◽

The Relationship ◽

Hiv Negative

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) negatively impacts muscle strength and function. This study aimed to establish the relationship between lower limb muscle strength and lower extremity function in HIV disease.Method: A cross-sectional study was undertaken with a sample of 113 HIV-positive participants. Lower limb muscle strength and self-reported function were established using dynamometry and the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), respectively. Muscle strength and functional status were established in a subset of 30 HIV-negative participants to determine normative values.Results: Muscle strength for participants with HIV ranged from an ankle dorsiflexion mean of 9.33 kg/m2 to 15.79 kg/m2 in hip extensors. In the HIV-negative group, ankle dorsiflexors recorded 11.17 kg/m2, whereas hip extensors were the strongest, generating 17.68 kg/m2. In the HIV-positive group, linear regression showed a positive relationship between lower limb muscle strength and lower extremity function (r = 0.71, p = 0.00). Fifty per cent of the changes in lower extremity function were attributable to lower limb muscle strength. A simple linear regression model showed that lower limb ankle plantar flexors contributed the most to lower extremity function in this cohort, contrary to the literature which states that hip and trunk muscles are the most active in lower limb functional activities.Conclusion: Lower extremity strength impacts perceived function in individuals stabilised on antiretroviral therapy for HIV disease. These findings demonstrate that ankle plantar flexors produce more force over hip flexors. Careful attention should be paid to the implications for strength training in this population.

Download Full-text

Changes in Lower Limb Muscle Activation and Degree of Weight Support according to Types of Cane-Supported Gait in Hemiparetic Stroke Patients

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2020/9127610 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Eun Pyeong Choi ◽

Seong Ju Yang ◽

A. Hyun Jung ◽

Hye Su Na ◽

Yeong Ok Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lower Limb ◽

Muscle Activation ◽

Force Sensor ◽

Gait Pattern ◽

Lower Limb Muscle ◽

Limb Muscle ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Paretic Side ◽

Weight Support ◽

Hemiparetic Stroke

This study was aimed at investigating the changes in the degree of weight support loaded on the cane and paretic-side lower limb muscle activation according to the types of cane and cane-supported gait using a weight-support feedback cane (WSFC). Eleven hemiparetic stroke patients were recruited from a local rehabilitation hospital. WSFC can measure the degree of weight support loaded on the cane during cane-supported walking in units of kg, through a force sensor installed inside the handle. This study measured the degree of weight support loaded on the cane and lower limb muscle activation under four conditions: two-point and three-point gait with mono and quadripod canes. In the two-point gait with mono and quadripod canes, subjects were asked to move the WSFC and paretic-side foot forward at the same time and then move the nonparetic-side foot. In the three-point gait with mono and quadripod canes, subjects were asked to first move the WSFC forward, then the paretic-side foot, and finally the nonparetic-side foot. The degree of weight support loaded on the cane was significantly higher in the three-point gait with WSFC than in the two-point gait with WSFC for both mono (P=.047) and quadripod canes (P=.002). Additionally, the paretic-side lower limb muscle activation during the stance phase was significantly higher in the two-point gait with WSFC than in the three-point gait with WSFC for both mono (P=.008~.044) and quadripod canes (P=.008~.026). Our results suggest that applying the three-point gait with high cane dependence in the early stages of training for stability and subsequently applying the two-point gait for the enhancement of lower limb muscle activation and training of normal gait pattern could be effective.

Download Full-text