title: Effects of ladder parameters on asymmetric patterns of force exertion during below-knee amputees climbing ladders.
abstract: Different from walking, ladder climbing requires four-limb coordination and more energy exertion for below-knee amputees (BKAs). We hypothesized that functional deficiency of a disabled limb shall be compensated by the other three intact limbs, showing an asymmetry pattern among limbs. Hand and foot forces of six below-knee amputees and six able-bodied people were collected. Hand, foot and hand/foot sum force variances between groups (non-BKA, intact side and prosthetic side) were carefully examined. Our hypothesis was validated that there is asymmetry between prosthetic and intact side. Results further showed that the ipsilateral hand of the prosthetic leg is stronger than the hand on the intact side, compensating weakness of the prosthetic leg. Effects of ladder rung separations and ladder slant on asymmetric force distribution of BKAs were evaluated, indicating that rung separation has a more significant interactive effect on hand/foot force of BKAs than ladder slant.
authors.affiliation: a Wuhan Sports University , China.
authors.forename: Weidong
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: b Huazhong University of Science and Technology , China.
authors.forename: Shiqi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: b Huazhong University of Science and Technology , China.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.affiliation: c Foxconn University , Foxconn Technology Group , China.
authors.forename: Jacon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000674:Amputees; D001186:Artificial Limbs; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005528:Foot / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006225:Hand / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008124:Locomotion / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male
keywords: asymmetry; below-knee amputee; foot force; hand force; ladder climbing