Paralysis of the gastrocnemius medial head differentially affects gait patterns and muscle activity during level and stair ascent locomotion

The effect of marathon running on the lower extremity kinematics and muscle activities during walking and running tasks

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common injury among runners, and it is thought that abnormal lower extremity biomechanics contribute to its development. However, the relationship between biomechanical changes after a marathon and PFPS injury remains limited. This study aims to investigate whether differences in knee and hip kinematics and lower extremity muscle activities exist in recreational runners before and after a marathon. Additionally, it aims to explore the relationship between these biomechanical changes and the development of PFPS injury. 12 recreational runners participated in the study. Kinematics and muscle activities of the lower extremity were recorded during walking (5 km/h) and running (10 km/h) tasks within 24 hours before and within 5 hours after a marathon. After the marathon, there was a significant decrease in peak knee flexion (walking: p = 0.006; running: p = 0.006) and an increase in peak hip internal rotation (walking: p = 0.026; running: p = 0.015) during the stance phase of both walking and running compared to before the marathon. The study demonstrates a decrease in knee flexion and an increase in hip internal rotation during the stance phase of gait tasks after completing a marathon, which may increase the risk of developing PFPS injury.

Selective Neurocoagulation of Gastrocnemius and Lateral Soleus Muscles for Calf Reduction

BACKGROUND

Various methods have been attempted to improve the size and shape of calves, and selective neurocoagulation of the calf muscle using radio frequency (RF) is one of them. The objective of this study was to provide information about the efficacy and safety of selective neurocoagulation of the gastrocnemius (GCM) and lateral soleus muscles using RF for cosmetic purposes.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 345 patients (686 legs), who underwent selective neurocoagulation using RF at our clinic for calf hypertrophy between January 2018 and March 2020, was performed. We measured the circumference of the calf and thickness of the medial GCM using ultrasonography before and after the procedure. Patient satisfaction and side effects were investigated through interviews.

RESULTS

The average calf circumference had decreased by 2.9 ± 1.1 cm (GCM-only group) and 3.0 ± 1.4 cm (GCM + lateral soleus group), at 6 months after the procedure, and there was a statistically significant decrease in both groups. At 12 months after the procedure, the calf circumference slightly increased compared to that at 6 months, but the circumference was still smaller than that before the procedure. Most patients were satisfied with the size and contour of their calves and there were no severe adverse effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Motor nerve coagulation using RF was effective in reducing the volume of the GCM and lateral soleus muscles and softening the contours of the calf. It was safe and without side effects in most patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Comparing the Lower-Limb Muscle Activation Patterns of Simulated Walking Using an End-Effector-Type Robot with Real Level and Stair Walking in Children with Spastic Bilateral Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a neurologic disorder caused by lesions on an immature brain, often resulting in spasticity and gait abnormality. This study aimed to compare the muscle activation patterns of real level and stair walking with those of simulated walking using an end-effector-type robot in children with spastic cerebral palsy. The electromyographic activities of the vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior and medial gastrocnemius of nine children with spastic bilateral cerebral palsy were measured during gait using a wireless surface EMG device. Morning walk was used for the simulated gait. Differences in the muscle activation patterns between the real and simulated gait conditions were analyzed. In the loading response, all four muscles showed reduced activity during two simulated conditions. In mid-stance, mGCM showed reduced activity during simulated conditions, whereas BFem showed greater activity during simulated level walking. In the swing phase, BFem and TAnt activity was reduced during the simulated conditions. The onset-offset of the VLat, BFem and TAnt activity was significantly delayed during simulated versus real level walking. No differences in activity onset-offset were observed between the simulated level and stair conditions. In conclusion, the robot-simulated gait showed differences in its muscle activation patterns compared with the real gait conditions, which must be considered for gait training using an end-effector-type robot.

The effect of the use of smartphone while walking on the electromyography activity of the lower extremity in young students

The study aims to determine the effects of smartphone use on the muscle activity of the lower extremity when walking. Twenty-three healthy young students were asked to perform a 10-m walk test between normal walking without using a smartphone and walking while two-handed texting on a smartphone. The electromyography activities of the lower extremity were quantified. To quantitatively assess the cervical flexion range of smartphone users, the cervical flexion angle was measured using a digital goniometer. The study results indicated that the use of a smartphone while walking could lessen muscle activity on the tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius, rectus femoris, gluteus maximus, and gluteus medius than that of normal walking without using a smartphone. The walking speeds were reduced in walking while using a smartphone compared with normal walking without using a smartphone. The cervical flexion angle was greater when walking while using a smartphone compared to that of normal walking without using a smartphone. These results suggest that frequently using a smartphone while walking could be a potential risk for musculoskeletal problems.