Article

Crutches are commonly prescribed to patients with lower limb dysfunction during
rehabilitation to assist with mobility. The aim of this study was to determine
the energy expenditure for non-weight bearing crutch walking on level ground and
ascending stairs at a self selected speed in a healthy adult population.
Thirty-one healthy male and female adults (mean+/-SD: age 21.6+/-1.2 years;
height 170.8+/-10.8 cm; weight 70.8+/-11.4 kg) mobilised non-weight bearing with
elbow crutches along a 30 m corridor and (with one crutch) up a flight of 13
stairs. Energy expenditure for each activity was measured by indirect calorimetry
using the COSMED K4b(2) portable ergospirometry system. The established VO2
values were 16.4ml/kg/min for crutch walking on level ground and 17.85 ml/kg/min
for stair climbing. Non-weight bearing crutch walking at a self selected speed on
the level ground and up a flight of stairs resulted in a MET value of 4.57 and
5.06 respectively. The mean heart rate (HR) for crutch walking along the flat was
117.06+/-20.54 beats per minute (bpm), while the mean HR for ambulating upstairs
with crutches was 113.91+/-19.32 bpm. The increased energy demands of non-weight
bearing crutch walking should be considered by physical therapists when
instructing patients on crutch use. Further investigation to determine the
implications of these results in populations with chronic disease is warranted.
CI - Copyright (c) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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