Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Department of Exercise Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
J Biomech. 2018 Aug 22;77:183-189. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2018.07.012. Epub 2018 Jul 20.
The Re-Link Trainer (RLT) is a modified walking frame with a linkage system designed to apply a non-individualized kinematic constraint to normalize gait trajectory of the left limb. The premise behind the RLT is that a user's lower limb is constrained into a physiologically normal gait pattern, ideally generating symmetry across gait cycle parameters and kinematics. This pilot study investigated adaptations in the natural gait pattern of healthy adults when using the RLT compared to normal overground walking. Bilateral lower limb kinematic and electromyography data were collected while participants walked overground at a self-selected speed, followed by walking in the RLT. A series of 2-way analyses of variance examined between-limb and between-condition differences. Peak hip extension and knee flexion were reduced bilaterally when walking in the RLT. Left peak hip extension occurred earlier in the gait cycle when using the RLT, but later for the right limb. Peak hip flexion was significantly increased and occurred earlier for the constrained limb, while peak plantarflexion was significantly reduced. Peak knee flexion and plantarflexion in the right limb occurred later when using the RLT. Significant bilateral reductions in peak electromyography amplitude were evident when walking in the RLT, along with a significant shift in when peak muscle activity was occurring. These findings suggest that the RLT does impose a significant constraint, but generates asymmetries in lower limb kinematics and muscle activity patterns. The large interindividual variation suggests users may utilize differing motor strategies to adapt their gait pattern to the imposed constraint.
RLT 是一种改良的步行架，带有连杆系统，旨在对左侧肢体施加非个体化的运动约束，以规范步态轨迹。RLT 的前提是用户的下肢受到生理正常步态模式的限制，理想情况下，步态周期参数和运动学的对称性得到生成。本初步研究调查了健康成年人在使用 RLT 与正常地面行走相比时自然步态模式的适应性。参与者以自我选择的速度在地面上行走时，收集双侧下肢运动学和肌电图数据，然后在 RLT 中行走。使用双向方差分析检查了两腿之间和条件之间的差异。在 RLT 中行走时，双侧髋关节伸展和膝关节屈曲的峰值均降低。在 RLT 中使用时，左侧髋关节伸展的峰值更早出现在步态周期中，但右侧髋关节伸展的峰值出现较晚。约束侧的髋关节屈曲峰值显著增加，且更早出现，而足底屈曲峰值显著降低。在 RLT 中使用时，右侧髋关节伸展和足底屈曲的峰值出现较晚。在 RLT 中行走时，双侧肌电图峰值振幅明显降低，且峰值肌肉活动出现的时间明显发生转移。这些发现表明，RLT 确实施加了显著的约束，但会导致下肢运动学和肌肉活动模式的不对称。较大的个体间变异性表明，使用者可能会利用不同的运动策略来适应施加的约束。
