OBJECTIVE: To compare muscle activity and joint moments in the lower extremities during walking between subjects with stroke and control subjects. METHOD: We compared fifteen healthy volunteers and fifteen stroke patients, with the same age gender and weight data had been compared by electromyography. The system of signals acquisition used consisted of five pairs of electrodes of surface, beyond one electrogoniometer on the axis articulate of rotation of the joint of the ankle in study. RESULTS: Onset times with respect to heel-strike for the medial gluteus, tibialis anterior, soleus, rectus femoris and medial hamstring muscles were significantly earlier during the gait cycle in subjects with stroke than in control subjects. The cessation times of soleus, tibialis anterior, rectus femoris, and medial hamstring muscles were significantly prolonged in subjects with stroke. CONCLUSION: Subjects with stroke showed more co-contractions of agonist and antagonist muscles at the ankle and knee joints during stance phase. These gait changes and co-contractions may allow subjects with stroke to adopt a safer, more stable gait pattern to compensate for diminished sensory information from the ankle.
stroke; electromyography; spasticity
