Article

People with amputation move asymmetrically with regard to kinematics (joint
angles) and kinetics (joint forces and moments). Clinicians have traditionally
sought to minimize kinematic asymmetries, assuming kinetic asymmetries would also
be minimized. A cycling model evaluated locomotor asymmetries. Eight individuals
with unilateral transtibial amputation pedaled with 172 mm-length crank arms on
both sides (control condition) and with the crank arm length shortened to 162 mm
on the amputated side (CRANK condition). Pedaling kinetics and limb kinematics
were recorded. Joint kinetics, joint angles (mean and range of motion [ROM]), and
pedaling asymmetries were calculated from force pedals and with a motion capture
system. A one-way analysis of variance with tukey post hoc compared kinetics and
kinematics across limbs. Statistical significance was set to p </= 0.05. The
CRANK condition reduced hip and knee ROM in the amputated limb compared with the
control condition. There were no differences in joint kinematics between the
contralateral and amputated limbs during the CRANK condition. Pedaling
asymmetries did not differ and were 23.0% +/= 9.8% and 23.2% +/= 12% for the
control and CRANK conditions, respectively. Our results suggest that minimizing
kinematic asymmetries does not relate to kinetic asymmetries as clinically
assumed. We propose that future research should concentrate on defining
acceptable asymmetry.

Langue : ANGLAIS