Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 23, 2025
Computerized Dynamic Posturography for Postural Control Assessment in Patients with Intermittent Claudication
Published on: December 11, 2013
Coactivation pattern in leg muscles during treadmill walking in patients suffering from intermittent claudication
Céline Guilleron1, Waël Maktouf2, Bruno Beaune2
1Le Mans Université, Movement - Interactions - Performance, MIP, EA 4334, F-72000, Le Mans, France; UMR CNRS 6015 INSERM 1083, University of Angers, 4 rue Larrey, 49100, Angers, France; Department of Vascular Medicine, University Hospital of Angers, 4 rue Larrey, 49100 Angers, France.
Background:
In patients with peripheral arterial disease and presenting intermittent claudication (PAD-IC), the pain due to ischemia impacts gait parameters, particularly in cases of unilateral disease. Deterioration of gait parameters in a pathological context is frequently associated with increased coactivation (simultaneous activation of agonist and antagonist muscles around a joint).
Research Question:
Does unilateral PAD-IC affect the coactivation pattern during walking? Does the coactivation pattern change with increasing pain intensity?
Method:
We evaluated symptomatic and asymptomatic legs in 17 subjects with unilateral PAD-IC and 16 without PAD-IC (control group), during walking. Tibialis anterior (TA) and gastrocnemius medialis (GM) electromyographic activity, and peaks of vertical ground reaction force were recorded in this prospective study. We analyzed the coactivation index (CI(GM/TA)) during three periods (pain-free, pain and maximum pain) and phases of the gait cycle. Statistical analysis was carried out using the ANOVA procedure.
Results:
During single support, CI(GM/TA) increases in the symptomatic leg during the pain period (+28 %) and in the asymptomatic leg during the maximum pain period (+29 %). During second double support, CI(GM/TA) increases in the symptomatic leg only (+49 %). In these gait phases, pain elicits differences in CI(GM/TA) between legs (p < 0.05). Second peak force decreases in the symptomatic leg only (-9%) and is negatively correlated with CI(GM/TA) during the three periods (r = -0.57; -0.76 and -0.78 respectively, p < 0.05). No difference is found in the control group.
Significance:
The appearance and development of pain in the lower limbs is associated with a higher level of CI(GM/TA), revealing a compensatory gait pattern in PAD-IC patients. Optimal prevention, rehabilitation and re-training strategies for PAD-IC patients should take into consideration neuromuscular compensatory mechanisms between asymptomatic and symptomatic legs.
More Related Videos
11:06Bilateral Assessment of the Corticospinal Pathways of the Ankle Muscles Using Navigated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Published on: February 19, 2019
08:26Comparative Analysis of Lower Limb Kinematics between the Initial and Terminal Phase of 5km Treadmill Running
Published on: July 17, 2020
Related Concept Videos
01:21Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation
01:27Peripheral Artery Disease III: Interprofessional Care
01:28Muscles of the Leg that Move the Foot and Toes
Anterior Compartment
The anterior compartment includes muscles that contribute to the dorsiflexion of the foot. This compartment houses the tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, and extensor digitorum longus muscles....
01:23Muscles that Move the Leg
Anterior Compartment
The quadriceps femoris, the most visible muscle of the anterior compartment, is integral for leg extension and thigh flexion. It is formed by merging four distinct muscles — the vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, vastus intermedius, and rectus femoris. The quadriceps tendon, a shared tendon of the four quadriceps muscles, is affixed...
01:11Assessing Blood pressure in the Leg
Preparation:
01:30Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction