Analysis of ground reaction force and electromyographic activity of the gastrocnemius muscle during double support.
Mechanisms associated with energy expenditure during gait have been extensively researched and studied. According to the double-inverted pendulum model energy expenditure is higher during double support, as lower limbs need to work to redirect the centre of mass velocity. This study looks into how the ground reaction force of one limb affects the muscle activity required by the medial gastrocnemius of the contralateral limb during step-to-step transition. Thirty-five subjects were monitored as to the medial gastrocnemius electromyographic activity of one limb and the ground reaction force of the contralateral limb during double support. After determination of the Pearson correlation coefficient (r), a moderate correlation was observed between the medial gastrocnemius electromyographic activity of the dominant leg and the vertical (Fz) and anteroposterior (Fy) components of ground reaction force of the non-dominant leg (r = 0.797, p < 0.000 1; r = -0.807, p < 0.000 1). A weak and moderate correlation was observed between the medial gastrocnemius electromyographic activity of the non-dominant leg and the Fz and Fy of the dominant leg, respectively (r = 0.442, p = 0.018; r = -0.684 p < 0.000 1). The results obtained suggest that during double support, ground reaction force is associated with the electromyographic activity of the contralateral medial gastrocnemius and that there is an increased dependence between the ground reaction force of the non-dominant leg and the electromyographic activity of the dominant medial gastrocnemius.
Area Científica de Fisioterapia, Centro de Estudos de Movimento e Actividade Humana, Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde do Porto, Instituto de Engenharia Mecânica e Gestão Industrial, Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Portugal.
Andreia S P
AS
Sousa
Rubim
R
Santos
Francisco P M
FP
Oliveira
Paulo
P
Carvalho
João Manuel R S
JM
Tavares
D000293:Adolescent; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004576:Electromyography / Q000379:methods*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult