Effect of Aerobic Training on Ankle Joint Co-contraction in Patients With Diabetic Neuropathy During Walking

Abstract

Background and Aims: The diabetes is associated with dysfunction, and failure of various organs, especially the nerves, heart, and blood vessels.The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of aerobic training on ankle joint co-contraction in patients with Diabetic neuropathy during walking. Methods: The statistical sample of the present study included 20 patients (age: 54.9± 7.3, Body mass index: 28.4±5.1) with diabetic neuropathy in experimentat goup and 20 patients (age: 54.1± 7.1, Body mass index: 28.5±5.1) with diabetic neuropathy in control goup who were selected by convenience sampling. The electrical activity of selected lower limb muscles was recorded using electromyography system during walking. The experimental group did aerobic training for eight weeks (three sessions per week). Two ways ANOVA with repeated measure was used for statistical analysis. Results: The results demonstrated lower general ankle co-contraction in the loading phase during post-test compared with the pre-test in the eperimental group (P-value=0.001). Other components of directed co-contraction in the all phases and general co-contraction in other phases did not demonstrate any significant differences after training protocol (P-value >0.05). Conclusion: Damage to peripheral nerve due to diabetic neuropathy in patients with moderate neuropathy causes abnormal co-contraction contentment of lower limb muscles during walking. Therfore, lowering the general ankle co-contraction results on proper control of the lower limbs, which could possibly decrease the likelihood of injury and falls in patients.

Neuromuscular training improves muscle co‐activation and knee kinematics in female athletes with high risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury

“…Co‐contraction of the TA‐MG muscles plays an important and supportive role in ankle joint loading. It can reduce the tension forces on the joint, stabilize the leg, and be an effective absorber in reducing the contact force on the leg (Jafarnezhadgero, Valizadeorang et al., 2021). Our observation of increased TA‐MG co‐activation is in line with this notion and could be an adaptation for improving the neuromuscular control of landing.…”