Article

Sit-to-walk (STW) is a common transitional motor task not usually
included in rehabilitation. Typically, sit-to-stand (STS), pause, then gait
initiation (GI) before walking is used, which we term sit-to-stand-and-walk
(STSW). Separation between centre-of-pressure (COP) and whole-body centre-of-mass
(BCOM) during GI is associated with dynamic postural stability. Rising from seats
higher than knee-height (KH) is more achievable for patients, but whether this
and/or lead-limb significantly affects task dynamics is unclear. This study
tested whether rising from seat-heights and lead-limb affects STW and STSW task
dynamics in young healthy individuals. METHODS: Ten (5F) young (29+/-7.7 years)
participants performed STW and STSW from a standardised position. Five trials of
each task were completed at 100 and 120%KH leading with dominant and non-dominant
legs. Four force-plates and optical motion capture delineated key movement events
and phases with effect of seat-height and lead-limb determined by 2-way ANOVA
within tasks. RESULTS: At 120%KH, lower peak vertical ground-reaction-forces
(vGRFs) and vertical BCOM velocities were observed during rising irrespective of
lead-limb. No other parameters differed between seat-heights or lead-limbs.
During GI in STSW there was more lateral, and less posterior, COP excursion than
expected. CONCLUSION: Reduction in vGRFs and velocity during rising at 120%KH is
consistent with reduced effort in young healthy individuals and is likely
therefore to be an appropriate seat-height for patients. Lead-limb had no effect
upon STSW or STW parameters suggesting that normative data independent of
lead-limb can be utilised to monitor motor rehabilitation should differences be
observed in patients. STSW should be considered an independent movement
transition.
CI - Copyright (c) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS