Trunk Postural Control Strategies Among Persons With Lower-Limb Amputation While Walking and Performing a Concurrent...

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Science

Background:

• Altered trunk movements in lower-limb amputees increase secondary health risks.
• Postural control strategies in amputees remain poorly understood.
• Trunk kinematic variability may indicate compensatory mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate trunk local stability and gait mechanics in individuals with lower-limb amputation.
• Examine the influence of concurrent tasks on trunk stability and gait.
• Identify unique strategies for controlling kinematic variability.

Main Methods:

• Secondary analysis using nonlinear measures (Lyapunov exponents) of triplanar trunk accelerations.
• Assessment of spatiotemporal gait parameters.
• Comparison between individuals with amputation (transtibial, transfemoral) and controls under various concurrent task conditions.

Main Results:

• Individuals with amputation showed significantly reduced trunk local stability (smaller Lyapunov exponents) across all motion planes.
• Transfemoral amputees exhibited wider strides than transtibial amputees and controls.
• Increased trunk kinematic variability was observed with wider strides in amputees.
• Concurrent cognitive tasks did not alter trunk or gait mechanics.

Conclusions:

• Lower-limb amputation is associated with diminished trunk local stability during gait.
• Wider strides in amputees may contribute to increased trunk kinematic variability.
• Competition for neuromuscular resources via concurrent tasks does not appear to modify trunk or gait control strategies in this population.