The effects of added prosthetic mass on physiologic responses and stride frequency during multiple speeds of walking in persons with transtibial amputation.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of 3 prosthetic mass conditions on selected physiologic responses during multiple speed treadmill walking in persons with transtibial amputation.


METHODS
A repeated-measures design for 3 prosthetic mass conditions and 5 walking speeds.


METHODS
University research laboratory.


METHODS
Eight ambulatory men with unilateral traumatic transtibial amputation.


METHODS
The 3 prosthetic mass conditions were 60%, 80%, and 100% of the estimated intact limb below-knee mass. The multiple-speed treadmill walking test (4min at each speed: 54, 67, 80, 94, 107m/min) was performed on an instrumented treadmill according to randomly assigned mass conditions.


METHODS
Oxygen consumption, gait efficiency, relative exercise intensity (percentage of age-predicted maximal heart rate), and stride frequency.


RESULTS
Prosthetic mass did not significantly alter oxygen consumption or gait efficiency (P>.05). From the 60% to the 100% prosthetic mass conditions, relative exercise intensity significantly increased and stride frequency significantly decreased (P<.05).


CONCLUSIONS
A heavier prosthesis (up to 100% of estimated intact limb below-knee mass) did not significantly increase the energy costs of walking for the 5 speeds examined. Further study of gait symmetry with the use of a heavier prosthesis is warranted.
Lin-Chan
Suh-Jen
SJ
School of Physical Therapy, Texas Woman's University, 8194 Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas, TX 75231-4365, USA. SLin@twu.edu
Nielsen
David H
DH
Yack
H John
HJ
Hsu
Miao-Ju
MJ
Shurr
Donald G
DG
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology; D000328:Adult; D000673:Amputation, Traumatic / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001186:Artificial Limbs; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005080:Exercise Test; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D013977:Tibia; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*; D014892:Weight Perception / Q000502:physiology*