Effects of treadmill grade and speed on medial gastrocnemius muscle activity in chronic stroke patients

authors:

avatar Roghayeh Mohammadi ORCID , * , avatar Saeed Talebian , avatar Samaneh Aliabadi , avatar Saeed Yekaninejad , avatar Mohammad reza Hadian

Koomesh: Vol.19, issue 1; 93-101
published online: March 28, 2017
article type: Research Article
received: January 02, 2016
accepted: September 02, 2016

how to cite: Mohammadi R, Talebian S, Aliabadi S, Yekaninejad S, Hadian M R. Effects of treadmill grade and speed on medial gastrocnemius muscle activity in chronic stroke patients. koomesh. 2017;19(1):e151113. 

Abstract

Introduction: Plantarflexor muscles produce propulsive force in the second half of stance phase deficient motor output from these muscles would lead to inadequate propulsion at push off phase of gait following stroke. It is important to develop strategies to improve plantarflexor output. This study examined the effects of walking on a treadmill at varying gradients and speeds on medial gastrocnemius (MG) muscle activation in stroke survivors. Materials and Methods: Nineteen stroke survivors (13M/6F: average age 55.37±7.54 years body mass index 29.10±4.52kg/m2) participated in the study. Participants walked  on  a  standard  treadmill  at  three  different positive inclines (0°, 3°, and 6°)  and speeds (self-selected, self-selected+20%, self-selected+40%). The electromyographic activity of MG recorded at push off phase of the gait. Results: A linear mixed model regression analysis was used to analysis. The paretic MG muscle activity increased at faster speeds irrespective of incline (p

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