Compensatory Movements Following Gait Perturbations: Changes in Cinematic and Muscular Activation Patterns

Abstract The present study was designed to investigate the neuronal control and biomechanical effects of stumbling reactions. To induce these perturbations, a specially prepared treadmill was used which allowed rapid and powerful changes of treadmill speed. EMG recordings of leg muscles were related...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of sports medicine 1986-12, Vol.7 (6), p.325-329
Main Authors: Gollhofer, A., Schmidtbleicher, D., Quintern, J., Dietz, V.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Ankle Joint - physiology
Biological and medical sciences
Diseases of the osteoarticular system
Electromyography
Gait
Hip Joint - physiology
Humans
Knee Joint - physiology
Medical sciences
Miscellaneous. Osteoarticular involvement in other diseases
Motion Pictures
Muscles - physiology
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Summary:Abstract The present study was designed to investigate the neuronal control and biomechanical effects of stumbling reactions. To induce these perturbations, a specially prepared treadmill was used which allowed rapid and powerful changes of treadmill speed. EMG recordings of leg muscles were related to cinematic movement patterns. Following an accelerating impulse, the standing leg was displaced in a posterior direction compared with normal gait, with a premature touchdown of the contralateral, swinging leg, forward of the body axis. This was associated with simultaneous activation of the gastrocnemius and biceps femoris of the ipsilateral and the tibialis anterior muscles of the contralateral leg. Following deceleration, the standing leg was displaced in an anterior direction and the contralateral swinging leg touched the ground prematurely behind the body axis. This was associated with activation of the ipsilateral tibialis anterior and rectus femoris and contralateral tibialis anterior muscles. In both conditions, the activation of the lower leg muscles on both sides occurred with a latency of 60-70 ms, monosynaptic responses being absent. In both cases, early touchdown was associated with a forward extension of the arm. It is concluded that the EMG responses are mediated by a polysynaptic spinal pathway to keep the body center of gravity constant and to prevent falling.
ISSN:0172-4622
1439-3964
DOI:10.1055/s-2008-1025785