Highlights
- •After pedaling, rectus femoris activity decreased at the swing phase during gait.
- •The flexion angles and angular velocity of the knee increased during the swing phase.
- •Pedaling increases foot clearance in stiff-knee gait and may reduce the fall risk.
Abstract
Background and Purpose
Stiff-knee gait, which is a gait abnormality observed after stroke, is characterized
by decreased knee flexion angles during the swing phase, and it contributes to a decline
in gait ability. This study aimed to identify the immediate effects of pedaling exercises
on stiff-knee gait from a kinesiophysiological perspective.
Methods
Twenty-one patients with chronic post-stroke hemiparesis and stiff-knee gait were
randomly assigned to a pedaling group and a walking group. An ergometer was set at
a load of 5 Nm and rotation speed of 40 rpm, and gait was performed at a comfortable
speed; both the groups performed the intervention for 10 min. Kinematic and electromyographical
data while walking on flat surfaces were immediately measured before and after the
intervention.
Results
In the pedaling group, activity of the rectus femoris significantly decreased from
the pre-swing phase to the early swing phase during gait after the intervention. Flexion
angles and flexion angular velocities of the knee and hip joints significantly increased
during the same period. The pedaling group showed increased step length on the paralyzed
side and gait velocity.
Conclusions
Pedaling increases knee flexion during the swing phase in hemiparetic patients with
stiff-knee gait and improves gait ability.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
June 4,
2020
Received in revised form:
June 1,
2020
Received:
April 16,
2020
Footnotes
Grant Support: This work was supported, in part, by Grants in Aid for Scientific Research in the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science under Grant 18K17772 and The Science Research Promotion Fund in the Promotion and Mutual Aid Corporation for Private School of Japan under Grant.
Identification
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2020.105035
Copyright
© 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
