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Experimental Methods to Study Human Postural Control
Published on: September 11, 2019
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Ankle Intrinsic Stiffness in Subcortical Poststroke Subjects
Andreia S P Sousa1, Rubim Santos2, Augusta Silva1
1a Centro de Estudos de Movimento e Atividade Humana , Área Científica de Fisioterapia, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Escola Superior de Saúde do Porto , Vila Nova de Gaia , Portugal.
Journal of Motor Behavior
|September 3, 2016
Summary
Subcortical stroke increases ankle stiffness in both affected and unaffected limbs. This altered intrinsic stiffness occurs at specific ankle positions and stretch velocities in poststroke individuals.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomechanics
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Stroke frequently leads to motor impairments, including changes in muscle stiffness.
- Subcortical strokes can affect motor control and proprioception, potentially altering limb biomechanics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate bilateral ankle intrinsic stiffness in individuals with subcortical poststroke.
- To compare stiffness between contralesional (CONTRA), ipsilesional (IPSI) limbs, and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Passive ankle stiffness was measured at three velocities (1°/s, 3°/s, 5°/s).
- Electromyography (EMG) of soleus, gastrocnemius, and tibialis anterior muscles was recorded to ensure no muscle activation during testing.
- Ten subcortical poststroke subjects and 10 healthy controls participated.
Main Results:
- A significant interaction between limb (IPSI, CONTRA, control) and ankle position was found (F(4, 28) = 3.285, p = .025).
- A significant interaction between limb and stretch velocity was observed (F(2, 14) = 4.209, p = .037).
- The CONTRA limb showed increased stiffness at neutral position (1°/s stretch, p = .021).
- The IPSI limb exhibited increased stiffness at 20° plantar flexion (5°/s stretch, p = .009).
Conclusions:
- Subcortical stroke results in increased intrinsic ankle stiffness in both the contralesional and ipsilesional limbs.
- These stiffness changes are dependent on specific ankle positions and stretch velocities.
- Findings highlight the widespread biomechanical alterations following subcortical stroke.
