Lower-extremity joint contributions during forward step-up, lateral step-up and forward step-down exercises
Issued Date
2010-02-17
Resource Type
Language
eng
Rights
Mahidol University
Rights Holder(s)
The Combined Sections Meeting for the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) (CSM 2010), San Diego, California, USA, 17-20 February 2010, USA
Suggested Citation
Chinkulpraser, C., Vachalathiti, R., Chris, P., Chatchada Chinkulpraser, Roongtiwa Vachalathiti, Powers Chris, ชัชฎา ชินกุลประเสริฐ, รุ่งทิวา วัจฉละฐิติ, คริส พาวเวอร์ (2010). Lower-extremity joint contributions during forward step-up, lateral step-up and forward step-down exercises. Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/30105
Title
Lower-extremity joint contributions during forward step-up, lateral step-up and forward step-down exercises
Alternative Title(s)
การวิเคราะห์ทางชีวกลศาสตร์และการทำงานของกล้ามเนื้อในขณะออกกำลังกายแบบก้าวขึ้นลงทางด้านหน้า ด้านข้าง และด้านหลัง
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
ABSTRACT BODY:
Purpose/Hypothesis: Stepping exercises are commonly used in the rehabilitation of the lower
extremity. Knowledge of the biomechanical and muscular demands of various stepping tasks may
assist clinicians in the appropriate selection of such exercises. The purpose of this study was to
characterize the lower-extremity joint moments and muscle recruitment patterns during forward
step-up (FSU), lateral step-up (LSU) and forward step-down (FSD) exercises.
Number of Subjects: Nineteen healthy young adults between the ages of 18 and 35.
Materials/Methods: Lower extremity kinematics and electromyographic (EMG) activity of the
gluteus maximus, quadriceps (vastus medialis and lateralis), hamstrings (biceps femoris,
semimembranosus, semitendinosus), and medial gastrocnemius muscles were obtained during
forward step-up (FSU), lateral step-up (LSU) and forward step-down (FSD) tasks. The step height
for each subject was standardized allowing a knee flexion angle of 45°. Each subject randomly
performed each step exercise (3 trials of 5 repetitions) at a fixed speed (1 second up and 1 second
down). Kinematic, kinetic and EMG data were computed using visual 3D software and EMG
analysis software (Motion Lab Systems, Inc). Data were averaged from the 3 trials. Differences in
mean values of average hip extensor, knee extensor, ankle plantar flexor moment and percent
maximum voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC) of each muscle were compared across
stepping exercises using separate one-way ANOVA’s with repeated measures. This analysis was
repeated for both the concentric and eccentric phases. The Least Significant Difference Method was
used for the post hoc analysis. Significance levels were set at p<0.05.
Results: For both the concentric and eccentric phases, FSU resulted in greater hip extensor moments
compared to the LSU and FSD (P<0.001) whereas FSD resulted in greater knee extensor and ankle
plantar flexor moments compared to the LSU (p<0.05) and FSU (p<0.05). In general, the EMG
findings were consistent with the kinetic data. A significantly greater gluteus maximus activity was
found during the FSU when compared to LSU and FSD (p=0.001). This difference was observed
for the concentric phase only. With respect to the quadriceps, greater activity was observed during
the FSD compared to the LSU (concentric and eccentric phases). Similarly, a greater medial
gastrocnemius activity was found during the FSD as compared to the LSU and FSU (concentric and
eccentric phases).
Conclusions: FSU places a greater muscular demand on the hip extensors whereas FSD places a
greater muscular demand on the knee extensors and ankle plantar flexors. Clinical Relevance:
Clinicians may use FSU to maintain or improve hip extensor performance, while the FSD is
recommended for improving knee extensor and ankle plantar flexor muscle performance
Description
The Faculty of Physical Therapy, Mahidol University Annual Conference 2010, Thailand. 14 July 2010