<p>Body weight supported devices available to enhance locomotor recovery following an incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) include treadmills with (Lokomat<sup>TM</sup>) and without (Manual Treadmill) robotic assistance, and the overground ZeroG<sup>TM</sup> system. Cardiovascular and muscular demands of these devices were compared during steady-state locomotion at the <em>same</em> level of body weight support (BWS) in 7 individuals with incomplete SCI (42.6±4.29 years) and matched able-bodied controls (CON). Questionnaires evaluated consumer preference based on walking experience. Oxygen uptake (VO<sub>2</sub>), heart rate (HR) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were expressed as percentage of peak values obtained using arm ergometry. Additionally, VO<sub>2</sub> was expressed relative to resting metabolic equivalents (METS). Filtered electromyography (EMG) signals from tibialis anterior (TA), rectus femoris (RF), biceps femoris (BF) and medial gastrocnemius (MG) were normalized to ZeroG<sup>TM </sup>stepping. Lokomat<sup>TM</sup> sessions were the least demanding in terms of oxygen uptake compared to the Manual Treadmill and ZeroG<sup>TM</sup>, and considered the least appropriate device for the SCI group’s current level of function. For SCI, the a) ZeroG<sup>TM</sup> required 3.0 METS, 54.7% of VO<sub>2</sub>peak, 84.7% of peak HR, b) Manual Treadmill required 2.8 METS, 52.9% of VO<sub>2</sub>peak, 80.8% of peak HR and c) Lokomat<sup>TM</sup> required 1.7 METS, 30.1% of VO<sub>2</sub>peak, 67.3% of peak HR. Central RPEs were 3.8, 3.7, 0.5 and peripheral RPEs were 5.1, 4.1, 0.7 for the ZeroG<sup>TM</sup>, Manual Treadmill and Lokomat<sup>TM</sup> respectively. For CON, walking required minimal effort (at most 31.5% of VO<sub>2</sub> peak), with ZeroG<sup>TM</sup> sessions requiring greater muscle activation. For SCI, muscle activation was higher in treadmill conditions compared to the ZeroG<sup>TM</sup> due to increases in TA and BF activity. The Manual Treadmill and ZeroG<sup>TM</sup> should be considered progressions following Lokomat<sup>TM</sup> training where hip extension can be encouraged using the treadmill and additional components of gait (e.g. balance, torso stability) can be focused on using the ZeroG<sup>TM</sup>.</p> / Master of Science (MS)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:mcmaster.ca/oai:macsphere.mcmaster.ca:11375/13492 |
| Date | 10 1900 |
| Creators | Fenuta, Alyssa |
| Contributors | Hicks, Audrey, Kinesiology |
| Source Sets | McMaster University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | thesis |
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