title: Locomotor training with body weight support in SCI: EMG improvement is more optimally expressed at a low testing speed.
abstract: METHODS
  Case series.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the optimal testing speed at which the recovery of the EMG (electromyographic) activity should be assessed during and after body weight supported (BWS) locomotor training.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary hospital, Sint Maartenskliniek, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four participants with incomplete chronic SCI were included for BWS locomotor training; one AIS-C and three AIS-D (according to the ASIA (American Spinal Injury Association) Impairment Scale or AIS). All were at least 5 years after injury. The SCI participants were trained three times a week for a period of 6 weeks. They improved their locomotor function in terms of higher walking speed, less BWS and less assistance needed. To investigate which treadmill speed for EMG assessment reflects the functional improvement most adequately, all participants were assessed weekly using the same two speeds (0.5 and 1.5 km h(-1), referred to as low and high speed, respectively) for 6 weeks. The change in root mean square EMG (RMS EMG) was assessed in four leg muscles; biceps femoris, rectus femoris, gastrocnemius medialis and tibialis anterior.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The changes in RMS EMG occurred at similar phases of the step cycle for both walking conditions, but these changes were larger when the treadmill was set at a low speed (0.5 km h(-1)).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Improvement in gait is feasible with BWS treadmill training even long after injury. The EMG changes after treadmill training are more optimally expressed using a low rather than a high testing treadmill speed.
authors.affiliation: Movement control and Neuroplasticity, Department of Kinesiology, Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, Heverlee, Belgium.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Meyns
authors.affiliation: 1] Department of Research, Development and Education, Sint Maartenskliniek, Nijmegen, The Netherlands [2] Institute of Human Movement Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: H W A A
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Van de Crommert
authors.affiliation: Department of Research, Development and Education, Sint Maartenskliniek, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rijken
authors.affiliation: Department of Research, Development and Education, Sint Maartenskliniek, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: D H J M
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: van Kuppevelt
authors.affiliation: 1] Department of Research, Development and Education, Sint Maartenskliniek, Nijmegen, The Netherlands [2] Motor Control Laboratory, Movement Control and Neuroplasticity, Department of Kinesiology, Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, Heverlee, Belgium.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Duysens
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001835:Body Weight; D004576:Electromyography; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000503:physiopathology; D008124:Locomotion; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016138:Walking