Abstract
[Purpose] The objective of this study was to clarify the effect on muscle strength and gait of a long pad used as an Iritani-type arch support by the measurement of pelvic acceleration, femoral muscle activities and temporal changes in the load-bearing phase during gait, and changes in hip adductor and abductor muscle strengths while standing. [Subjects] The subjects were 15 healthy men with an average age of 25.1 ± 3.2. [Method] Using electromyography, an accelerometer, a foot switch and a hand-held dynamometer, we measured femoral muscle activites, acceleration in the frontal plane and temporal changes in the load-bearing phase and changes in hip adductor and abductor muscle strengths in walking and standing both with and without the long pad, and analyzed the results with the t test. [Results] With the affixation of the long pad, the load-bearing phase began earlier, an increase in medial acceleration was seen, biceps femoris activity decreased in the early stance phase and rectus femoris and gluteus maximus activities increased, while in the latter half of the stance phase, a decrease in the activity of the adductor longus was seen. In addition, hip abductor muscle strength increased on the side of the long pad affixation. [Conclusion] Affixation of the long pad showed its potential for changing medial acceleration and femoral muscle activities during gait and increasing hip abductor muscle strength.
