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Biomedical subjects

H J Hislop

Publications and source records attributed to H J Hislop.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Are patellofemoral pain and quadriceps femoris muscle torque associated with locomotor function?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to determine the influence of pain and muscle weakness on gait variables in subjects with patellofemoral pain (PFP). SUBJECTS: Nineteen female subjects with a diagnosis of PFP and 19 female subjects without PFP participated in the study. METHODS: Subjects underwent gait analysis (stride characteristics and joint motion) during level walking, ascending and descending stairs, and ascending and descending ramps, in addition to isometric torque testing of the knee extensors of the involved limb. Pain and functional status also were assessed. RESULTS: Compared with the comparison group, the primary gait compensation in the PFP group was a reduced walking speed, which was a function of both a reduced stride length and cadence. Knee extensor torque was the only predictor of gait function, with increased torque correlating with improved stride characteristics. In addition, PFP was not associated with locomotor function. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION: These findings suggest that functional ability in persons with PFP is associated with increased quadriceps femoris muscle torque. Future research is needed to determine whether function improves with quadriceps femoris muscle strengthening.

Adolescent↗

Quadriceps force and myoelectric activity during flexed knee stance.

The purpose of this study was to determine the quadriceps demand during single limb stance with the knee in five positions of flexion (0 degree -60 degrees). Two variables were used to estimate the quadriceps demands: the integrated electromyogram (EMG) of three vasti and the torque about the knee joint. Ten normal subjects 23-29 years of age were tested. Myoelectric activity was recorded with intramuscular electrodes and knee joint angle with an electrogoniometer. The EMG data were integrated and normalized. A visible vector system was used to determine knee flexion torque. A significant linear correlation was found between values of patellar ligament force and knee angle (R2 = 0.86). The patellar ligament force increased 4.16% of body weight per degree of knee flexion between 0 degree and 60 degrees. Both vector-estimated quadriceps force and normalized EMG showed significant correlations with knee angle (R2 = 0.91 and R2 = 0.88, respectively). Both exhibited a slower rate of rise below 30 degrees flexion and a higher rate of rise above 30 degrees. The authors' findings suggest that the stabilizing effects of plantar flexors (except gastrocnemius) on the knee joint, changing muscle moment arm length, and force ratio between the patellar ligament and quadriceps muscle with respect to knee angle are primary reasons for the quadratic normalized integrated EMG (NIEMG)-force nonlineality during flexed stance. This might indicate the existence of a critical angle of knee flexion contracture beyond which patients cope poorly with standing and functional ambulation.

Adult↗

Comparative cost of walking in young and old adults.

Normative data that summarize the energy requirements and gait characteristics of level outdoor walking were determined in 111 normal subjects between the ages of 20 and 80 years. Subjects were divided into two age groups: young adults (20-59 years) and senior subjects (60-80 years). The mean rate of oxygen consumption for young adults and senior subjects did not significantly differ, averaging 11.9 ml/kg-min for both groups. The data on heart rate paralleled the findings on oxygen consumption, averaging 100 and 103 beats/min, respectively. The net oxygen cost per meter walked for senior subjects, 0.16 ml/kg-m, was significantly greater (p less than 0.0005) than the value for young adults, 0.15 ml/kg-m, due to a decline in the average walking speed. The average gait velocity for senior subjects, 73 m/min, was statistically significantly less (p less than 0.0005) than the values for the younger adults, 80 m/min.

Adult↗

Energy cost of walking in normal children and teenagers.

Oxygen consumption during free level walking was determined in 114 children and teenaged subjects between the ages of 6 and 19 years and compared with a group of 47 normal adults. Subjects were divided into two age groups: children (6-12 years) and adolescents (13-19 years). The mean rate of oxygen uptake for children was significantly greater, 15.3 ml/kg/min, than the value for teenaged subjects, 12.9 ml/kg/min. The oxygen cost to walk a unit distance (meter) was higher in children than adolescent subjects. The mean values averaged .22 ml/kg/min and .18 ml/kg/min respectively. The data on heart rate paralleled the findings on oxygen consumption. The mean heart rate for children, 114 beats per minute (bpm), was significantly higher than the mean values for adolescent subjects, 97 bpm.

Adolescent↗

Walking efficiency before and after total hip replacement.

The energy cost of walking and gait characteristics of patients with hip disease were studied to determine changes in walking efficiency following total hip replacement. Twenty-nine patients, 24 with unilateral hip disease and 5 with bilateral hip disease, were tested preoperatively and at various times postoperatively. Oxygen uptake was measured by a modified Douglas bag procedure. The temporal and distance characteristics of gait were measured with contact closing heel switches. Results showed postoperative increases in velocity, cadence, and stride length in patients with unilateral disease and with bilateral disease with bilateral replacement. After surgery, energy cost tended toward more normal levels, but the subjects were not within normal limits for oxygen uptake per minute, oxygen uptake per distance walked, or percent of predicted maximum aerobic capacity. Comparison of energy expenditure data with temporal and distance factors of gait indicated that all subjects became more physiologically efficient after hip replacement.

Adult↗

Physiological work performance in chronic low back disability: effects of a progressive activity program.

Fifteen patients were tested before and after treatment in a multifaceted inpatient program for chronic low back pain to determine if a gradually progressive activity program affected gait performance and physiological capacity. Before treatment, all patients demonstrated decreased physiological conditioning by higher-than-expected values for oxygen consumption and heart rate and by lower-than-normal gait velocity, stride length, and cadence. After treatment, an increase in mean walking velocity of 19 meters/minute reflected parallel gains in cadence and stride length. Improved mechanical performance resulted in improved "energetics." Energy spent per unit of distance walked decreased by 18 percent after treatment, providing a useful measure of increased physiological efficiency. Results indicated that patients with chronic low back disability can derive significant conditioning effects from an exercise program based on general function.

Adult↗

Energy cost of walking of below-knee amputees having no vascular disease.

Fifteen unilateral below-knee amputees with no preexisting vascular disease were studied during free velocity walking to determine energy expenditure with and without a prosthesis. Expired air was collected, and heart rate and respiratory rate data were telemetered. Mean velocity for the unrestrained walking was 71 m/min, both during ambulation with a prosthesis and during crutch walking (without a prosthesis). Heart rates were within normal ranges during prosthetic walking (106 beats/min), but rose significantly to 135 beats/min for crutch walking. Energy cost also rose significantly from a mean of 15.5 ml O2/kg/min with a prosthesis of 22.3 ml O2/kg/min with crutches. The oxygen uptake measured in units of ml O2/kg/m increased when the subjects walked faster or slower than their free cadence. We concluded that the use of the prosthesis should be encouraged and that the amputee should be allowed to choose his natural velocity of walking.

Adult↗

Influence of floor surface on the energy cost of wheelchair propulsion.

Carpeting of the type commonly used in hospitals imposed a burden upon normal and patient wheelchair users propelling a wheelchair as reflected in increased energy cost per unit of distance traveled. Wheelchair propulsion also tended to produce high heart rates compared to values reported for normal walking. Pneumatic tires offered no advantage over hard rubber tires on the type of carpet used in this study. Wheelchair propulsion required more energy expenditure per minute than values reported for normal ambulation at the same velocity.

Adult↗

Metabolic energy cost of unrestrained walking.

Physiologic factors of metabolic energy cost as well as selected mechanical characteristics of gait are described in a group of 40 presumably normal men and women between the ages of 20 and 60 years. Special emphasis was placed on unrestrained (free cadence) walking to provide a reliable baseline for comparison to persons with physical gait impairments. Velocity of walking was the most important factor in determining oxygen uptake and was independent of age or sex. An empirical equation was established relating oxygen uptake to the speed of walking. The average velocity for men in unrestrained walking trials was 89 meters per minute; for women 74 meters per minute. These differences were related to the greater stride length in men. The average cadence selected by both sexes was 116 steps per minute. None of these factors was age dependent. Of the physiologic measures only systolic blood pressure was age dependent predictably rising with age. The mean heart rate was 103 beats per minute and did not vary significantly between men and women. The mean respiratory rate was 19 per minute; the mean respiratory quotient, 0.85, neither being age or sex dependent. Oxygen uptake values averaged 12.95 ml/kg-min for the population studied and again were neither age nor sex dependent.

Adult↗

Studies in adaption to ambient oxidant air pollution: effects of ozone exposure in Los Angeles residents vs. new arrivals.

To test the hypothesis that adaptation protecting against acute effects of ambient ozone (O3) exposures develops in Los Angeles residents, human volunteers were exposed to 0.4 ppm O3 under conditions simulating ambient pollution exposures. Blood biochemical, pulmonary physiological, and clinical responses were assessed. Los Angeles residents (N = 6) showed only minimal clinical or physiological response to O3, while new arrivals (N = 9) showed significant losses in pulmonary function and a tendency toward increased symptoms. Most biochemical responses did not differ significantly between residents and new arrivals. These results agree with others in suggesting that exposures to elevated ambient concentrations of O3 produce adaptation in a least some residents of photochemical pollution areas. The underlying mechanisms and long-term consequences of such adaptation are unknown.

Adaptation, Physiological↗