Kinematic analyses of semireclined leg cycling in able-bodied and spinal cord injured individuals.
METHODS
Retrospective descriptive study.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the leg kinematics and motion characteristics within able-bodied (AB) and spinal cord injured (SCI) individuals during stationary semireclined cycling.


METHODS
Functional Performance Laboratory, Connecticut, USA.


METHODS
Three SCI and three AB subjects participated in steady-state leg pedaling (50 revolutions per minute). The SCI group participated in electrical stimulation (FES)-induced cycling at resistances of 0, 6.25, and 12.5 Watts (W). The AB group cycled on the same ergometer without FES at resistances of 0, 60, and 120 W. Motion capture analysis recorded joint angular position, velocity, and acceleration at hip, knee, and ankle. Joint kinematics of hip, knee, and ankle were measured during steady-state leg cycling and comparisons were made between AB and SCI subjects as resistance proportionally and relatively increased.


RESULTS
Intrasubject hip and knee movement patterns showed minimal variability across resistance levels. Comparisons between AB and SCI subjects showed that the hip and knee kinematics were very similar at all resistance levels. However, ankle movement patterns appeared to increase in variability (increased dorsiflexion) with increased resistance level in AB subjects and less so with SCI subjects. Overall, the ankle kinematics for AB and SCI subjects were dissimilar at resistance levels greater than zero.


CONCLUSIONS
The joint kinematics of the hip, knee, and ankle were found to be periodic, but the differences in ankle kinematics in AB and SCI subjects suggest more emphasise should be placed on the current design of the bike-pedal and subject-specific seat configurations.
Trumbower
R D
RD
Functional Performance Laboratory, School of Engineering, Biomedical Engineering Program, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-2101, USA.
Faghri
P D
PD
D000328:Adult; D001642:Bicycling; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000379:methods; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D009068:Movement; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*