Muscle Activation during Gait in Children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

The aim of this prospective study was to investigate changes in muscle activity during gait in children with Duchenne muscular Dystrophy (DMD). Dynamic surface electromyography recordings (EMGs) of 16 children with DMD and pathological gait were compared with those of 15 control children. The activi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:PloS one 2016-09, Vol.11 (9), p.e0161938-e0161938
Main Authors: Ropars, Juliette, Lempereur, Mathieu, Vuillerot, Carole, Tiffreau, Vincent, Peudenier, Sylviane, Cuisset, Jean-Marie, Pereon, Yann, Leboeuf, Fabien, Delporte, Ludovic, Delpierre, Yannick, Gross, Raphaël, Brochard, Sylvain
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Activation
Biology and Life Sciences
Biomechanical Phenomena - physiology
Biomechanics
Case-Control Studies
Cerebral palsy
Child
Children
Comparative analysis
Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Duchenne's muscular dystrophy
Duchenne/physiopathology
Dystrophy
Electromyography
Engineering Sciences
Gait
Gait - physiology
Human health and pathology
Humans
Injuries
Life Sciences
Male
Mechanics
Medicine and Health Sciences
Muscle
Muscle contraction
Muscle function
Muscle, Skeletal - physiopathology
Muscles
Muscular Dystrophy
Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne - physiopathology
Pediatrics
Physical Sciences
Posture
Research and Analysis Methods
Skeletal muscle
Skeletal/physiopathology
Stability
Walking
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Summary:The aim of this prospective study was to investigate changes in muscle activity during gait in children with Duchenne muscular Dystrophy (DMD). Dynamic surface electromyography recordings (EMGs) of 16 children with DMD and pathological gait were compared with those of 15 control children. The activity of the rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), medial hamstrings (HS), tibialis anterior (TA) and gastrocnemius soleus (GAS) muscles was recorded and analysed quantitatively and qualitatively. The overall muscle activity in the children with DMD was significantly different from that of the control group. Percentage activation amplitudes of RF, HS and TA were greater throughout the gait cycle in the children with DMD and the timing of GAS activity differed from the control children. Significantly greater muscle coactivation was found in the children with DMD. There were no significant differences between sides. Since the motor command is normal in DMD, the hyper-activity and co-contractions likely compensate for gait instability and muscle weakness, however may have negative consequences on the muscles and may increase the energy cost of gait. Simple rehabilitative strategies such as targeted physical therapies may improve stability and thus the pattern of muscle activity.
ISSN:1932-6203
1932-6203
DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0161938