title: Effects of spring-loaded crutches on gastrocnemius activity and upward displacement of the body during gait.
abstract: [Purpose] This study investigated the effects of spring-loaded crutches on gastrocnemius muscle activity and upper body displacement in the sagittal plane during gait. [Subjects and Methods] The study involved 12 healthy males. All subjects performed crutch gait by using spring-loaded crutches and axillary crutches. During this gait, the gastrocnemius muscle activity was measured using a wireless electromyography system, and upward displacement of the body was measured using a three-dimensional motion analysis system. [Results] The gastrocnemius activity was significantly lower but upward displacement of the body was significantly greater with the spring-loaded crutches than with axillary crutches. [Conclusion] Spring-loaded crutches allow efficient crutch gait and involve less effort from the gastrocnemius muscle.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate School, Inje University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Min-Hyeok
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Inje University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jae-Seop
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.affiliation: College of Design, Inje University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sung-Ho
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Yang
keywords: Electromyography; Gastrocnemius; Spring-loaded crutch