Article

Although the trunk is important for maintaining balance during
walking only very limited information about the trunk muscle activity during
walking with body weight support (BWS) is reported in literature. The
aim of this study was to measure the effect of BWS on the trunk muscle activity
during treadmill walking. METHODS: 14 persons with multiple sclerosis and 14
healthy persons walked on a treadmill with 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 50% and 70% BWS.
Bilateral EMG measurements (surface electrodes) on the m. rectus abdominis, m.
obliquus externus, m. erector spinae and m. multifidus were performed. The
maximal muscle activation was presented as a percentage of a performance related
reference contraction. A repeated measures ANOVA with simple contrasts was
applied (SPSS20). RESULTS: In general when comparing walking with BWS with
walking with 0% BWS there is an increase in m. obliquus externus activity and a
decrease in back muscle activity. With increasing percentages of BWS an increase
in activity of the abdominal muscles and a decrease in back muscle activity was
found, with most changes in high percentages BWS. CONCLUSION: Based on the
results, it is recommended to decrease the percentage BWS as fast as possible
beneath 30% BWS.

Langue : ANGLAIS