Single joint perturbation during gait: neuronal control of movement trajectory

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of single joint displacement on the pattern of leg muscle electromyographic (EMG) activity during locomotion. For the first time, unilateral rotational hip or knee joint displacements were applied by a driven orthotic device at three phases of swing during locomotion on a treadmill. The response pattern of bilateral leg muscle activation with respect to the timing and selection of muscles was almost identical for displacements of upper (hip joint) or lower (knee joint) leg. The leg muscle EMG responses were much stronger when the displacement was directed against the physiological movement trajectory, compared with when the displacement was reinforcing, especially during mid swing. It is suggested that these response patterns are designed to restore physiological movement trajectory rather than to correct a single joint position. Displacements released at initial or terminal swing, assisting or resisting the physiological movement trajectory, were followed by similar and rather unspecific response patterns. This was interpreted as being directed to stabilise body equilibrium.