Article

3D analysis of the gait of children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) was
the topic of only a few studies and none of these considered the effect of gait
velocity on the gait parameters of children with DMD. Gait parameters of 11
children with DMD were compared to those of 14 control children while considering
the effect of gait velocity using 3D biomechanical analysis. Kinematic and
kinetic gait parameters were measured using an Optotrak motion analysis system
and AMTI force plates embedded in the floor. The data profiles of children with
DMD walking at natural gait velocity were compared to those of the control
children who walked at both natural and slow gait velocities. When both groups
walked at similar velocity, children with DMD had higher cadence and shorter step
length. They demonstrated a lower hip extension moment as well as a minimal or
absent knee extension moment. At the ankle, a dorsiflexion moment was absent at
heel strike due to the anterior location of the center of pressure. The magnitude
of the medio-lateral ground reaction force was higher in children with DMD.
Despite this increase, the hip abductor moment was lower.
Hip power generation
was also observed at the mid-stance in DMD children.
These results suggest that
most of the modifications observed are strategies used by children with DMD to cope with possible muscle weakness in order to provide support, propulsion and
balance of the body during gait.
CI - Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS