Maximum isometric voluntary contraction of ankle dorsiflexors and plantarflexors: comparison of surface electromyography between patients at the acute stage after stroke and age-matched healthy elderly / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To compare muscle function of the ankle dorsiflexors and plantarflexors between stroke patients at the acute stage and age-matched healthy elderly, in an attempt to gain insight for an early rehabilitation program after stroke. Methods Two groups of volunteers participated in the study. One group was 11 healthy elderly aged 62.3?5.7 years and the other was 12 patients with first ever stroke aged 66.6?8.3 years. During measurement, the leg being tested was positioned on a specially designed frame, with a load cell (force sensor) attached to the ball of the foot. Surface electrodes were applied on the skin of both anterior tibialis and gastrocnemius muscles for electromyography (EMG). Torque and integrated EMG during maximum isometric voluntary contraction (MIVC) of the ankle dorsiflexors and plantarflexors were recorded and analyzed. Results There were no significant differences in the MIVC of either ankle dorsiflexion or plantarflexion between the left and right sides of the healthy elderly. However, significant reduction in the ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion torques were found in the affected side of stroke patients(P