Article

Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) are more susceptible to muscle fatigue,
which can damage their gait. Physical activity can improve muscle condition,
which is an important aspect during walking. The aim of this study was to analyze
the effects of lower limb muscle fatigue on gait in patients with PD and healthy
individuals, grouped according to physical activity level.
Twenty Patients with
PD (PD group) and 20 matched individuals (control group) were distributed
according to physical activity level into four subgroups of ten individuals
(active and inactive). Participants performed three walking trials before and
after lower limb muscle fatigue, induced by a repeated sit-to-stand task on a
chair. Kinematic (stride length, width, duration, velocity and percentage of time
in double support) and kinetic (propulsive and breaking anterior-posterior and
medio-lateral impulse) gait parameters were analyzed. In both groups,
participants increased stride length and velocity and decreased stride duration
and braking vertical impulse after lower limb muscle fatigue.
The PD groups
presented higher step width and percentage of double time support than the
control groups before muscle fatigue. The control groups increased step width and
decreased percentage of time in double support, while the PD groups did not
change these parameters.
For physical activity level, active individuals
presented longer stride length, greater stride velocity, higher braking and
propulsive anterior-posterior impulse and shorter step width than inactive
individuals. Groups sought more balance and safety after lower limb muscle
fatigue. Physical activity level does not appear to modify the effects of lower
limb muscle fatigue during unobstructed walking in individuals with PD or controls.
CI - Copyright (c) 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Langue : ANGLAIS