Muscle Activation during Gait in Children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0161938
• Publication Date: 2016-09-13T13:35:29Z
• Authors: Juliette Ropars; Mathieu Lempereur; Carole Vuillerot; Vincent Tiffreau; Sylviane Peudenier; Jean-Marie Cuisset; Yann Pereon; Fabien Leboeuf; Ludovic Delporte; Yannick Delpierre; Raphaël Gross; Sylvain Brochard
• Keywords: Coactivation; Muscle weakness

The aim of this prospective study was to investigate changes in muscle activity during gait children with Duchenne muscular Dystrophy (DMD). Dynamic surface electromyography recordings (EMGs) 16 DMD and pathological were compared those 15 control children. the rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), medial hamstrings (HS), tibialis anterior (TA) gastrocnemius soleus (GAS) muscles recorded analysed quantitatively qualitatively. overall significantly different from that group. Percentage activation amplitudes RF, HS TA greater throughout cycle timing GAS differed Significantly coactivation found DMD. There no significant differences between sides. Since motor command is normal DMD, hyper-activity co-contractions likely compensate for instability weakness, however may have negative consequences on increase energy cost gait. Simple rehabilitative strategies such as targeted physical therapies improve stability thus pattern activity.