The Relationship between Muscle Activity of the Quadriceps Muscle and Ground Reaction Force in the Supporting Leg during Ascent and Descent Motions

Abstract

[Purpose] To understand stair ascent and descent motions, we examined the muscle activities of the vastus medialis (VM) and vastus lateralis (VL) and the ground reaction force (GRF) in the supporting leg of eight young healthy males. We also compared these data with level walking data.[Result] The muscle activities of VM and VL during the ascent motion were the highest among the three tasks. The muscle activity ratios of VM and VL during ascending and descending differed from that during level walking. The VM contribution increased in the ascent and descent tasks compared with level walking. There was no significant difference for the vertical GRF among the tasks. Although the anterior-posterior GRF during the ascent motion was similar to that during level walking, the anteriorposterior GRF during the descent motion was different from that of the ascent motion and level walking. Further, the medial-lateral GRF during ascending and descending were different from that during level walking.[Conclusion] The results of this study suggest that the increased VM contribution of the supporting leg may be related to the change of medial-lateral GRF during ascent and descent. This finding will add knowledge to the rehabilitation and physical therapy of ascent and descent motions for elderly people and patients with motor disorders.

Comparison of Experts' between Non-experts' Apple Peeling Skills and the Designing of Learning Support System

“…After full-wave rectification, the signals were subjected to smoothing using a low-pass filter (20 Hz) and analyzed [5][6][7].…”

“…The learner is given 3D hand model with pressure distribution and vocal advice by the system. (6). The learner peels an apple with modifying by the system's influence.…”

Development of a Portable Gait Rehabilitation System for Home‐Visit Rehabilitation

“…That might, however, cause some degradation in the performance of the system such as a reduction in the rated walking speed. In addition, to reduce the risk of falling, the strength of the vastus medialis muscle plays an important role [ 4 ]. In particular, eccentric and concentric contractions of this muscle are required when the user descends or climbs a slope or staircase.…”