Optimal Walker Height and Baseline Positioning for Functional Mobility: A Pilot Study
Event Type
Presentation
Start Date
12-1-2019 9:00 AM
End Date
12-1-2019 12:00 PM
Description
Background: Millions of adults use walkers for functional mobility. Inappropriate walker use is associated with incorrect height, forward-leaning posture, and increased energy expenditure. Few studies have investigated the impact of walker positions and their influence on triceps activity.
Aims: The present study assessed walker height and baseline positioning for individuals with a 50% weight bearing restriction of the lower extremity, and implications for energy conservation.
Methods: A total of 38 young adults participated in our study with a two-wheeled walker. Participants executed five walker positions while maintaining 50% weight bearing of the lower extremity to determine the effect on triceps electromyography (EMG) activity.
Findings: Triceps EMG activity did significantly change across the five walker positions assessed, X2 (df = 37, p < .001). Our study showed that the median EMG activity for positions B and A was significantly less than the median EMG activity for position E (p < .001). The effect sizes for comparisons of positions B and E (r = 0.49) as well as A and E were the largest (r = 0.53). Conclusions: These findings suggest an elbow angle of 26 to 35 degrees (position A) to be superior in minimizing exertion of the triceps, followed by an elbow angle of 15 to 25 degrees (position B) when the walker is in line with heels of the client.
Recommended Citation
Reinoso, G., Rzepkowski, T., Abrams, S. C., Bell, F. P., Orkwis, A., & Radin, H. (2019), Optimal Walker Height and Baseline Positioning for Functional Mobility: A Pilot Study, Presentation, Fifth Annual Research Colloquium, https://nsuworks.nova.edu/ot_colloquium/fifth/events/8
Optimal Walker Height and Baseline Positioning for Functional Mobility: A Pilot Study
Background: Millions of adults use walkers for functional mobility. Inappropriate walker use is associated with incorrect height, forward-leaning posture, and increased energy expenditure. Few studies have investigated the impact of walker positions and their influence on triceps activity.
Aims: The present study assessed walker height and baseline positioning for individuals with a 50% weight bearing restriction of the lower extremity, and implications for energy conservation.
Methods: A total of 38 young adults participated in our study with a two-wheeled walker. Participants executed five walker positions while maintaining 50% weight bearing of the lower extremity to determine the effect on triceps electromyography (EMG) activity.
Findings: Triceps EMG activity did significantly change across the five walker positions assessed, X2 (df = 37, p < .001). Our study showed that the median EMG activity for positions B and A was significantly less than the median EMG activity for position E (p < .001). The effect sizes for comparisons of positions B and E (r = 0.49) as well as A and E were the largest (r = 0.53). Conclusions: These findings suggest an elbow angle of 26 to 35 degrees (position A) to be superior in minimizing exertion of the triceps, followed by an elbow angle of 15 to 25 degrees (position B) when the walker is in line with heels of the client.