Comparison of joint range of motion (ROM) and electromyography (EMG) parameters during level walking of a hip prosthesis user with those of a healthy person

Abstract

Studies on ambulation in hip prosthesis users are limited, and as far as we have searched, no study was found that simultaneously recorded joint range of motion (ROM) and electromyography (EMG) activities of the trunk and lower extremities during walking. The purpose of this study was to compare ROM and EMG parameters during level walking of a hip prosthesis user with those of a healthy person. The participants walked 15 steps, and ROM and EMG were recorded with a motion analysis system. As a result, the hip prosthesis user had a prolonged double support phase and trunk muscle activities on the prosthetic side during the swing phase compared with the healthy control. It is suggested that a hip prosthesis user shows a characteristic trend during their walking with regard to walking cycles, trunk and lower extremity ROM and EMG activities.