Article

Depending on the level and severity of the sensorimotor impairment in
individuals with a spinal cord injury, the subsequent reduced seated postural
stability and strength generating-capacity at the upper limbs could affect
performance during sitting pivot transfer. This study aimed to determine the
effects of sensorimotor impairments on head, trunk and upper limb movement and
efforts during sitting pivot transfers. METHODS: Twenty-six individuals with a
spinal cord injury participated and were stratified in two subgroups: with (N=15)
and without voluntary motor control (N=11) of their lower back and abdominal
muscles. Kinematics and kinetics of sitting pivot transfer were collected using a
transfer assessment system. Mean joint angles and movement amplitudes and peak
and average joint moments were compared between subgroups using independent
Student t-tests (P<0.05) for the weight-bearing sitting pivot transfer phases.
FINDINGS: The subgroup without voluntary control of their lower back and
abdominal muscles had significantly greater forward trunk flexion compared to the
other subgroup resulting in higher wrist extension and elbow flexion at both
upper limbs. No significant joint moment difference was found between the
subgroups. INTERPRETATION: Individuals with spinal cord injury who have no
voluntary motor control of their abdominal and lower back muscles increase
forward trunk flexion during sitting pivot transfers 1)
to increase stiffness of
their spine that may optimize the strength-generating ability of their
thoracohumeral muscles and 2) to lower their center of mass that may facilitate
lift-off and enhance the overall stability during sitting pivot transfers.
CI - Copyright (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS