Model System:

SCI

Reference Type:

Journal

Accession No.:

J75002

Journal:


Physical Therapy

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

, 96, 12, 1919-1929

Publication Website:

Abstract:

Study evaluated the effects of short-term manipulations in locomotor intensity on gait performance in people with motor incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI) and investigated potential detrimental effects of high-intensity locomotor training on walking performance. Nineteen individuals with chronic iSCI performed a graded-intensity locomotor exercise task with simultaneous collection of lower-extremity kinematic and electromyographic data. Measures of interest were compared across intensity levels of 33 percent, 67 percent, and 100 percent of peak gait speed. A subset of 9 individuals participated in 12 weeks of high-intensity locomotor training. Similar measurements were collected and compared between pre-training and post-training evaluations. The results indicate that short-term increases in intensity led to significant improvements in muscle activity, spatiotemporal metrics, and joint excursions, with selected improvements in measures of locomotor coordination. High-intensity locomotor training led to significant increases in peak gait speed (0.64–0.80 meters per second), and spatiotemporal and kinematic metrics indicate a trend for improved coordination. Findings suggest that high-intensity locomotor exercise and training does not degrade, but rather improves, locomotor function and quality in individuals with iSCI, which contrasts with traditional theories of motor dysfunction following neurologic injury.

Author(s):