Mechanisms to increase propulsive force for individuals poststroke
Date
2015-04-18
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BioMed Central Ltd.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Propulsive force generation is critical to walking speed. Trialing limb angle and ankle moment are
major contributors to increases in propulsive force during gait. For able-bodied individuals, trailing limb angle
contributes twice as much as ankle moment to increases in propulsive force during speed modulation. The aim
of this study was to quantify the relative contribution of ankle moment and trailing limb angle to increases in
propulsive force for individuals poststroke.
METHODS: A biomechanical-based model previously developed for able-bodied individuals was evaluated and
enhanced for individuals poststroke. Gait analysis was performed as subjects (N = 24) with chronic poststroke
hemiparesis walked at their self-selected and fast walking speeds on a treadmill.
RESULTS: Both trailing limb angle and ankle moment increased during speed modulation. In the paretic limb, the
contribution from trailing limb angle versus ankle moment to increases in propulsive force is 74% and 17%. In the
non-paretic limb, the contribution from trailing limb angle versus ankle moment to increases in propulsive force is
67% and 22%.
CONCLUSIONS: Individuals poststroke increase propulsive force mainly by changing trailing limb angle in both the
paretic and non-paretic limbs. This strategy may contribute to the inefficiency in poststroke walking patterns. Future
work is needed to examine whether these characteristics can be modified via intervention.
Description
Publisher's PDF
Keywords
Citation
Hsiao, HaoYuan, et al. "Mechanisms to increase propulsive force for individuals poststroke." Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation 12.1 (2015): 40.