The Stroke-related Effects of Hip Flexion Fatigue on Over Ground Walking

Authors

Megan M. Rybar, Marquette University
Eric R. Walker, Marquette University
Henry Kuhnen, Marquette UniversityFollow
Daniel R. Ouellette, Marquette University
Reivian Berrios, Marquette University
Sandra K. Hunter, Marquette UniversityFollow
Allison Hyngstrom, Marquette UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Format of Original

6 p.

Publication Date

4-2014

Publisher

Elsevier

Source Publication

Gait & Posture

Source ISSN

0966-6362

Original Item ID

doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2014.01.012

Abstract

Individuals post stroke often rely more on hip flexors for limb advancement during walking due to distal weakness but the effects of muscle fatigue in this group is not known. The purpose of this study was to quantify how stroke affects the influence of hip flexor fatigue on over ground walking kinematics and performance and muscle activation. Ten individuals with chronic stroke and 10 without stroke (controls) participated in the study. Maximal walking speed, walking distance, muscle electromyograms (EMG), and lower extremity joint kinematics were compared before and after dynamic, submaximal fatiguing contractions of the hip flexors (30% maximal load) performed until failure of the task. Task duration and decline in hip flexion maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and power were used to assess fatigue. The stroke and control groups had similar task durations and percent reductions in MVC force following fatiguing contractions. Compared with controls, individuals with stroke had larger percent reductions in maximal walking speed, greater decrements in hip range of motion and peak velocity during swing, greater decrements in ankle velocity and lack of modulation of hip flexor EMG following fatiguing dynamic hip flexion contractions. For a given level of fatigue, the impact on walking function was more profound in individuals with stroke than neurologically intact individuals, and a decreased ability to up regulate hip flexor muscle activity may contribute. These data highlight the importance of monitoring the effect of hip flexor muscle activity during exercise or performance of activities of daily living on walking function post stroke.

Comments

Accepted version. Gait & Posture, Vol. 39, No. 4 (April 2014): 1103-1108. DOI. © 2014 Elsevier. Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

Rybar, Megan M.; Walker, Eric R.; Kuhnen, Henry; Ouellette, Daniel R.; Berrios, Reivian; Hunter, Sandra K.; and Hyngstrom, Allison, "The Stroke-related Effects of Hip Flexion Fatigue on Over Ground Walking" (2014). Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications. 56.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/exsci_fac/56