ELECTROMYOGRAPHIC TEMPORAL ANALYSIS OF GAIT - HEMIPLEGIC LOCOMOTION

Abstract

The telemetered electromyographic (EMG) activity of quadriceps, hamstrings, triceps surae and pretibial muscles on the affected side of 20 adult hemiplegic subjects was examined during locomotion. The subjects ranged in age from 29-68 yr (mean, 52.1). Duration of the lesions ranged from 1 mo.-8 yr: in 11 subjects the duration of the lesions ranged from 1-9 mo. (mean, 4.9 mo.), and in the remaining 9 subjects from 1-8 yr (mean, 4 yr 2 mo.). Shoes with 5 microswitches, 2 in the heel and 3 in the sole, were used to correlate the EMG activity with 8 specific components of the gait cycle. There was a loss of the phasic pattern associated with normal locomotion. The hemiplegic subjects showed the greatest activity in the period of midstance. Expressed as a percentage of the total cycle, the mean stance time of the paretic lower limb was 67% and the mean swing time was 33%. The unaffected lower limb showed a stance phase of 80% and a swing phase of 20%.