Atypical triceps surae force and work patterns underlying gait in children with cerebral palsy

6Citations
Citations of this article
24Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

This article is free to access.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to quantitatively assess Achilles tendon mechanical behavior during gait in children with cerebral palsy (CP). We used a newly designed noninvasive sensor to measure Achilles tendon force in 11 children with CP (4F, 8–16 years old) and 15 typically developing children (controls) (9F, 8–17 years old) during overground walking. Mechanical work loop plots (force-displacement plots) were generated by combining muscle-tendon kinetics, kinematics, and EMG activity to evaluate the Achilles tendon work generated about the ankle. Work loop patterns in children with CP were substantially different than those seen in controls. Notably, children with CP showed significantly diminished work production at their preferred speed compared to controls at their preferred speed and slower speeds. Despite testing a heterogeneous population of children with CP, we observed a homogenous spring-like muscle-tendon behavior in these participants. This is in contrast with control participants who used their plantar flexors like a motor during gait. Statement of Clinical Significance: These data demonstrate the potential for using skin-mounted sensors to objectively evaluate muscle contributions to work production in pathological gait.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Ebrahimi, A., Schwartz, M. H., Martin, J. A., Novacheck, T. F., & Thelen, D. G. (2022). Atypical triceps surae force and work patterns underlying gait in children with cerebral palsy. Journal of Orthopaedic Research, 40(12), 2763–2770. https://doi.org/10.1002/jor.25307

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free