Inter-lower limb and intra-lower limb muscle activity correlations during walking: A comparative study of stroke...

Gait analysis is a crucial tool for understanding human locomotion, particularly in clinical settings where it aids in diagnosing and managing conditions that affect movement. This study investigated muscle activity, intra-, and inter-muscular correlations during gait phases, including first double support (DS1), single support (SS), second double support (DS2), and swing (SW) in both healthy individuals and stroke patients. By examining the root mean square (RMS) values and the area under the curve of RMS envelope of EMG for the gluteus medius (GM), rectus femoris (RF), biceps femoris (BF), medial gastrocnemius (MG), tibialis anterior (TA) and peroneus longus (PL) muscles, this research was designed to enhance our understanding of muscle coordination and its complications in stroke gait rehabilitation. The findings indicated significant differences in muscular activity and inter-limb correlations between limbs within both groups. Stroke patients exhibited knee hyperextension during stance phase, primarily due to muscle weakness and compensatory mechanisms, which may coexist with stiff knee gait during swing phase. Healthy participants showed proximal muscle weakness, likely age-related. Asymmetries in muscle activation between limbs were also observed in both groups, contributing to gait instability and an increased risk of falls. This study provides insights into the differences in muscle coordination between healthy individuals and stroke patients during various phases of walking. The findings emphasize the importance of training distal muscles, including the MG, TA, and PL muscles, in stroke patients, particularly in elderly, while also focusing on core/proximal muscles like the GM, RF, and BF muscles to improve weight-bearing support and gait stability, especially in cases of limited ankle movement. For age-induced muscle weakness, the emphasis should be on distal muscles. These findings have the potential to improve clinical practices by offering better-tailored interventions to enhance mobility and quality of life in stroke survivors.