Article

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of muscle fatigue in active and
inactive young adults on the kinematic and kinetic parameters of normal gait and
obstacle crossing. Twenty male subjects were divided into active (10) and
inactive (10), based on self-reported physical activity. Participants performed
three trials of two tasks (normal gait and obstacle crossing) before and after a
fatigue protocol, consisting of repeated sit-to-stand transfers until the
instructed pace could no longer be maintained. MANOVAs were used to compare
dependent variables with the following factors: physical activity level, fatigue
and task. The endurance time in the fatigue protocol was lower for the inactive
group. Changes of gait parameters with fatigue, among which increased step width
and increased stride speed were the most consistent, were independent of task and
physical activity level. These findings indicate that the kinematic and kinetic
parameters of gait are affected by muscle fatigue irrespective of the physical
activity level of the subjects and type of gait. Inactive individuals used a
slightly different strategy than active individuals when crossing an obstacle,
independently of muscle fatigue.
CI - Crown Copyright (c) 2013. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS