Article

Increased ankle muscle coactivation during gait has frequently been observed as
an adaptation strategy to compensate for postural instability in adults after
stroke. However, it remains unclear whether the muscle coactivation pattern
increases or decreases after balance training.
The aim of this study was to
investigate the immediate effects of balance practice on ankle muscle
coactivation during gait in adults after stroke.
Standing balance practice
performed to shift as much weight anteriorly as possible in 24 participants after
stroke. The forward movement distance of the center of pressure (COP) during
anterior weight shifting, gait speed, and ankle muscle activities during 10-m
walking tests were measured immediately before and after balance practice.
Forward movement of the COP during anterior weight shifting and gait speed
significantly increased after balance practice. On the paretic side, tibialis
anterior muscle activity significantly decreased during the single support and
second double support phases, and the coactivation index at the ankle joint
during the first double support and single support phases significantly decreased
after balance practice. However, there were no significant relationships between
the changes in gait speed, forward movement of the COP during anterior weight
shifting, and ankle muscle coactivation during the stance phase. These results
suggested that ankle muscle coactivation on the paretic side during the stance
phase was decreased immediately after short-term anterior weight shift practice,
which was not associated with improved gait speed or forward movement of the COP
during anterior weight shifting in adults after stroke.
CI - Copyright (c) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS