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European Journal of Applied Physiology

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07.11.2019 | Original Article

Neuromechanical adjustments when walking with an aiding or hindering horizontal force

verfasst von: A. H. Dewolf, Y. P. Ivanenko, R. M. Mesquita, F. Lacquaniti, P. A. Willems

Erschienen in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Ausgabe 1/2020

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Abstract

Purpose

Walking against a constant horizontal traction force which either hinders or aids the motion of the centre of mass of the body (COM) will create a discrepancy between the positive and negative work being done by the muscles and may thus affect the mechanics and energetics of walking. We aimed at investigating how this imbalance affects the exchange between potential and kinetic energy of the COM and how its dynamics is related to specific spatiotemporal organisation of motor pool activity in the spinal cord. To understand if and how the spinal cord activation may be associated with COM dynamics, we also compared the neuromechanical adjustments brought on by a horizontal force with published data about those brought on by a slope.

Methods

Ten subjects walked on a treadmill at different speeds with different traction forces. We recorded kinetics, kinematics, and electromyographic activity of 16 lower-limb muscles and assessed the spinal locomotor output by mapping them onto the rostrocaudal location of the motoneuron pools.

Results

When walking with a hindering force, the major part of the exchange between potential and kinetic energy of the COM occurs during the first part of stance, whereas with an aiding force exchanges increase during the second part of stance. Those changes occur since limb and trunk orientations remain aligned with the average orientation of the ground reaction force vector. Our results also show the sacral motor pools decreased their activity with an aiding force and increased with a hindering one, whereas the lumbar motor pools increased their engagement both with an aiding and a hindering force.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that applying a constant horizontal force results in similar modifications of COM dynamics and spinal motor output to those observed when walking on slopes, consistent with common principles of motor pool functioning and biomechanics of locomotion.

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Titel: Neuromechanical adjustments when walking with an aiding or hindering horizontal force
verfasst von: A. H. Dewolf
Y. P. Ivanenko
R. M. Mesquita
F. Lacquaniti
P. A. Willems
Publikationsdatum: 07.11.2019
Verlag: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Erschienen in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Ausgabe 1/2020
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Elektronische ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-019-04251-1

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Neuromechanical adjustments when walking with an aiding or hindering horizontal force

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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Springer Medizin

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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