title: Lower extremity peak force and gait kinematics in individuals with inclusion body myositis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the relationship between peak isometric muscle force and temporal characteristics of gait in individuals with sporadic inclusion body myositis (s-IBM).
  
  
  METHODS
  An observational study of 42 individuals with s-IBM (12 women; mean ± SD age 61.8 ± 7.3 years and mean ± SD disease duration 8.9 ± 4.3 years) was conducted at a federal hospital. Peak isometric force measurements for lower extremity (LE) muscle groups were obtained using quantitative muscle testing. Temporal characteristics of gait during habitual and fast walking conditions were measured using a portable gait analysis system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All observed muscle force values were significantly lower than predicted values (P ≤ 0.001). During habitual walking, the subjects' gait speed and cadence were ≤83% of normative literature values. During fast walking, total gait cycle time was 133% of normal, while gait speed and cadence were 58% and 78% of normative literature values, respectively. Scaled LE peak muscle forces showed significant moderate correlations with temporal gait variables. Weaker subjects had greater limitations in gait speed and cadence compared with stronger subjects (P < 0.05). Peak isometric force of the knee flexors and ankle plantar flexors was significantly correlated with most temporal features of habitual gait.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Muscle weakness associated with s-IBM disease activity may contribute to diminished gait kinematics. Temporal features of gait were not substantially influenced by knee extensor weakness alone, considering the knee flexors and ankle plantar flexors played a compensatory role in maintaining the walking ability of individuals with s-IBM.
authors.affiliation: University of the Pacific Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Stockton, California.
authors.forename: Todd E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Davenport
authors.forename: Kimberly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Benson
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gracey
authors.forename: Goran
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rakocevic
authors.forename: Beverly
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: McElroy
authors.forename: Marinos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dalakas
authors.forename: Joseph A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Shrader
authors.forename: Michael O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Harris-Love
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D018979:Myositis, Inclusion Body / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*