Browse > Article
http://dx.doi.org/10.12674/ptk.2013.20.1.055

Effects of Axillary Crutch Length on EMG Activity of the Trunk Muscles and Range of Motion of the Lumbar Spine, Pelvis, and Hip Joint in Healthy Men  

Kang, Min-Hyeok (Dept. of Rehabilitation Science, The Graduate School, Inje University)
Jang, Jun-Hyeok (Dept. of Physical Therapy, Haeundae Jaseng Hospital of Oriental Medicine)
Kim, Tae-Hoon (Dept. of Occupational Therapy, Kaya University)
Oh, Jae-Seop (Dept. of Physical Therapy, College of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Inje University)
Publication Information
Physical Therapy Korea / v.20, no.1, 2013 , pp. 55-63 More about this Journal
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of axillary crutch length on trunk muscle activity and lumbo-pelvic-hip complex movements during crutch gait. Eleven healthy men participated in this study. The participants performed a three-point gait with optimal, shorter, and longer crutch lengths. Weight-bearing (WB) side was determined as the dominant leg side. The electromyography (EMG) activity of the bilateral rectus abdominis (RA) and erector spinae (ES) muscles and lumbo-pelvic-hip complex movements were monitored using a three-dimensional motion system with wireless surface EMG. Differences in the EMG activity of RA and ES muscles and range of motion (ROM) of lumbar spine, pelvis, and hip among conditions were analyzed using one-way repeated-measures analysis of variance, and a Bonferroni correction was conducted. There was less RA muscle activity on the WB side under the optimal crutch length condition compared with shorter and longer crutch length conditions (p<.05). The EMG activity of the RA muscle on the non-WB side and ES muscle on the WB side were significantly decreased under the optimal crutch length condition compared with shorter crutch length condition (p<.05). No significant differences in the EMG activity of the ES muscle on the non-WB side and ROM of lumbo-pelvic-hip complex were found among conditions (p>.05). These findings indicate that the optimal crutch length improves the trunk muscle efficiency during crutch gait.
Keywords
Axillary crutch length; Electromyography; Range of motion; Three-point gait; Trunk muscles;
Citations & Related Records
연도 인용수 순위
  • Reference
1 Kadaba MP, Ramakrishnan HK, Wootten ME. Measurement of lower extremity kinematics during level walking. J Orthop Res. 1990;8(3): 383-392.   DOI
2 Kendall FP, McCreary EK, Provance PG, et al. Muscles: Testing and Function with Posture and Pain. 5th ed. Baltimore, MD, Williams & Wilkins, 2005:176-203.
3 Kim MJ, Park YS, Yi CH, et al. A comparative analysis between several crutch-length-estimation techniques and ideal crutch length. Phys Ther Kor. 1996;3(1):24-31.
4 Levangie PK, Norkin CC. Joint Structure and Function: A Comprehensive Analysis. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA, F.A. Davis Company, 2005: 517-547.
5 Mullis R, Dent RM. Crutch length: Effect on energy cost and activity intensity in non-weight-bearing ambulation. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2000;81(5):569-572.
6 Neumann DA. Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System: Foundations for rehabilitation. 2nd ed. St. Louis, MO, Mosby, 2010:627-650.
7 Nyland J, Bernasek T, Markee B, et al. Comparison of the easy strutter functional orthosis system and axillary crutches during modified 3-point gait. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2004;41(2):195-206.   DOI   ScienceOn
8 Olson MW. Trunk extensor fatigue influences trunk muscle activities during walking gait. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2010;20(1):17-24.   DOI   ScienceOn
9 O'sullivan SB, Schmitz TJ. Physical Rehabilitation. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA, F.A. Davis Co., 2007:545-549.
10 Perry J, Burnfield JM. Gait Analysis: Normal and pathological function. 2nd ed. Thorofare, NJ, SLACK Inc., 2010:121-127.
11 Raikin S, Froimson MI. Bilateral brachial plexus compressive neuropathy (crutch palsy). J Orthop Trauma. 1997;11(2):136-138.   DOI   ScienceOn
12 Veerendrakumar M, Taly AB, Nagaraja D. Ulnar nerve palsy due to axillary crutch. Neurol India. 2001;49(1):67-70.
13 Yeung EH, Chow DH, Su IY. Kinematic and electromyographic studies on unaided, unilateral and bilateral crutch walking in adolescents with spastic diplegia. Prosthet Orthot Int. 2012;36(1):63-70.   DOI
14 Criswell E. Introduction to Surface Electromyography. 2nd ed. Sudbury, MA, Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 2010:342-348.
15 Barton CJ, Coyle JA, Tinley P. The effect of heel lifts on trunk muscle activation during gait: A study of young healthy females. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2009;19(4):598-606.   DOI   ScienceOn
16 Bauer DM, Finch DC, McGough KP, et al. A comparative analysis of several crutch-length-estimation techniques. Phys Ther. 1991;71(4):294-300.   DOI
17 Carpentier C, Font-Llagunes JM, Kövecses J. Dynamics and energetics of impacts in crutch walking. J Appl Biomech. 2010;26(4):473-483.   DOI
18 Fagenbaum R, Darling WG. Jump landing strategies in male and female college athletes and the implications of such strategies for anterior cruciate ligament injury. Am J Sports Med. 2003;31(2): 233-240.   DOI
19 Faruqui SR, Jaeblon T. Ambulatory assistive devices in orthopaedics: Uses and modifications. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2010;18(1):41-50.   DOI
20 Griffiths H, Jordan S. Thinking of the future and walking back to normal: An exploratory study of patients' experiences during recovery from lower limb fracture. J Adv Nurs. 1998;28(6): 1276-1288.   DOI   ScienceOn
21 Holder CG, Haskvitz EM, Weltman A. The effects of assistive devices on the oxygen cost, cardiovascular stress, and perception of nonweight-bearing ambulation. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1993;18(4):537-542.   DOI