Characteristic activities of lower limbs with body weight support ratio

In this study, we investigated a lower limbs muscle activity during body weight support treadmill training (BWSTT). Informed consent was obtained from 16 healthy men. Experimental system consists of force plate, treadmill, three-dimensional motion analysis system, electromyograph, and body weight support device. Body weight support (BWS) was set every 15% increase from 0% to 45%. Walking speed was 4.17 km/h. The measurement data were reaction forces, joint angles, joint moments and lower limbs muscle activities. The vertical reaction force shows two peaks. Two peaks decreased with increase of BWS together. Joint angles did not show significant changes with BWS. However, only the extension of hip angle was decreased with BWS. The peaks of joint moment were decreased. Decrease of ankle joint moment was greatest compared with other moment. Decrease of peaks of muscle activity by BWS was observed during stance phase, and did not almost change during swing phase.