Functional resistance training during walking: do biomechanical and neural effects differ based on targeted joints?

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Exercise Physiology
• Rehabilitation Engineering

Background:

• Functional resistance training (FRT) devices often target knee or hip and knee joints during walking.
• Direct comparisons of FRT configurations resisting the knee versus hip and knee are lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the acute effects of FRT during walking with resistance applied to the knee only versus the hip and knee.
• To investigate differences in gait kinetics, muscle activation, kinematic aftereffects, peripheral fatigue, and corticospinal excitability.

Main Methods:

• Fourteen non-disabled individuals participated in treadmill walking with FRT.
• Resistance was applied to the knee or hip and knee joints in separate sessions.
• Gait kinetics, muscle activation, kinematic aftereffects, peripheral fatigue, and corticospinal excitability were measured.

Main Results:

• Adding hip resistance increased hip flexion moment and concentric power during the swing phase.
• No significant differences were observed in muscle activation, aftereffects, peripheral fatigue, or corticospinal excitability between configurations.
• Both FRT configurations induced similar changes in these measured variables.

Conclusions:

• In the acute setting, FRT with hip and knee resistance does not significantly differ from knee-only resistance, apart from specific kinetic changes.
• Long-term effects of hip resistance training warrant further investigation to determine potential differential adaptations.