title: Effects of muscular deficiency on postural and gait capacities in patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between lower limb muscular deficiencies and postural and gait capacities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 26 patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and 19 health-matched healthy subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Barefoot gait and postural control were analysed using a walking mat and a force platform, respectively. Muscular strength of the plantar and dorsal ankle flexors were assessed using the Medical Research Council scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Gait parameters correlated with both dorsal- and plantar-flexors strength, whereas postural parameters correlated only with plantar-flexors strength. More particularly, patients with a weak deficit of the plantar-flexor muscles were characterized by normal postural control except along the antero-posterior axis. For gait control, the overall pattern defined from the gait cycle division was preserved, whereas other spatio-temporal parameters were impaired, and more so in patients with a high level of deficit of the plantar-flexor muscles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data highlight behaviour differences in standardized tasks, such as standing still upright or gait. Improved knowledge of postural and gait capacities may constitute a basis to emphasize the corrections that should be enabled by rehabilitation exercises or orthotic devices.
authors: Department of Physical Exercise, University of Savoie, Le Bourget-du-Lac, 73376 Le Bourget du Lac, France.
authors: Bastien
authors: B
authors: Guillebastre
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Calmels
authors: Patrice
authors: P
authors: Rougier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002607:Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength; D011187:Posture