title: Lower Extremity Strength Is Correlated with Walking Function After Incomplete SCI.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lower extremity strength has been reported to relate to walking ability, however, the relationship between voluntary lower extremity muscle function as measured by isokinetic dynamometry and walking have not been thoroughly examined in individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the extent to which measures of maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) and rate of torque development (RTD) in the knee extensor (KE) and plantar flexor (PF) muscle groups correlate with self-selected overground walking speed and spatiotemporal characteristics of walking.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-two subjects with chronic (>6 months) iSCI participated in a cross-sectional study. Values for MVIC and RTD in the KE and PF muscle groups were determined by isokinetic dynamometry. Walking speed and spatiotemporal characteristics of walking were measured during overground walking.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MVIC in the KE and PF muscle groups correlated significantly with walking speed. RTD was significantly correlated with walking speed in both muscle groups, the more-involved PF muscle group showing the strongest correlation with walking speed (r = 0.728). RTD in the KE and PF muscle groups of the more-involved limb was significantly correlated with single support time of the more-involved limb.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data demonstrate that lower extremity strength is associated with walking ability after iSCI. Correlations for the muscle groups of the move-involved side were stronger compared to the less-involved limb. In addition, PF function is highlighted as a potential limiting factor to walking speed along with the importance of RTD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences & Research, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston.
authors.forename: Nicole D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: DiPiro
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences & Research, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston.|Ralph H. Johnson VAMC, Charleston, South Carolina.
authors.forename: Katy D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Holthaus
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences & Research, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston.|Ralph H. Johnson VAMC, Charleston, South Carolina.
authors.forename: Patrick J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences & Research, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston.|Ralph H. Johnson VAMC, Charleston, South Carolina.|Division of Physical Therapy, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston.
authors.forename: Aaron E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Embry
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences & Research, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston.|Ralph H. Johnson VAMC, Charleston, South Carolina.|Division of Physical Therapy, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston.
authors.forename: Lindsay A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Perry
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences & Research, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston.|Ralph H. Johnson VAMC, Charleston, South Carolina.|Division of Physical Therapy, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston.
authors.forename: Mark G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Bowden
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences & Research, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston.|Ralph H. Johnson VAMC, Charleston, South Carolina.|Division of Physical Therapy, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston.
authors.forename: Chris M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Gregory
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D007866:Leg / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053581:Muscle Strength Dynamometer; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019415:Torque; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: lower extremity; muscle strength; spinal cord injuries; walking