Article

Increases in step width have been reported for several clinical populations,
including older adults and stroke survivors. These populations often also exhibit
decreased hip abductor strength, suggesting that walking with wider steps may be
an adaptive response in order to reduce the mechanical demands on the hip
abductors. The purpose of this study was to quantify the relationship between
step width and gluteus medius (GM) activity during walking. Fourteen young,
uninjured adults walked on a treadmill at 1.25 m/s for four step width conditions
(Normal, Narrow, Medium, and Wide) while step width and stance phase GM
electromyographic (EMG) activity were quantified. We also measured hip abduction
torque and GM activity during maximum voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs) at
three hip angles (neutral, abducted 10 degrees , and abducted 20 degrees ).
During walking trials, GM activity was significantly (p < 0.0001) influenced by
step width; compared to Normal walking, GM activity was 47% higher with Wide
steps and 24% lower with Narrow steps. We also observed a weak positive
correlation (r = 0.18 +/- 0.14) between step width and GM activity during Normal
walking, as GM activity was higher with wider steps. These results cannot be
attributed to changes in GM conformation under the recording electrode, as GM
activity was not influenced by hip angle during MVICs. The increased GM activity
with wider steps does not support the proposal that increasing step width would
be a beneficial adaptation to weakened hip abductors. A likely alternative
explanation is that increased step width is a response to decreased gait balance.
CI - Published by Elsevier B.V.

Langue : ANGLAIS