Effect of Using a Cane on Muscle Activities of the Trunk and Lower Limbs While Walking with an Apparatus Simulating the Experience of the Elderly

Abstract

[Purpose] We investigated the effect of the use of a cane in walking on the muscle activities of the trunk and lower limbs with the trunk bent into a posture simulating the experience of the elderly by wearing an apparatus. [Subjects] The subjects were 9 healthy young persons: 6 males, 3 females; average age, 20.3 ± 0.5 years. [Method] We measured surface electromyograms under 3 conditions: A, walking without a cane or the apparatus; B, walking without a cane and wearing the apparatus; and C, walking with a cane and wearing the apparatus. The muscles examined were the spinae erector, gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, rectus femoris, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior and the gastocnemius. [Results] In condition B, the spinae erector, gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, biceps femoris and gastrocnemius showed significantly higher muscle electrical discharges than in A. Between conditions C and B, no significant difference was found for any of the muscles examined, but a tendency to lower activities was seen in C. In condition C, the spinae erector, gluteus maximus and gluteus medius showed significantly higher electrical discharges than in A. [Conclusion] We think further investigation is necessary as the present analysis, while finding a clear effect of the apparatus on the muscle activities, did not find one for the cane.