Abstract
[Purpose] We examined how stroke patients with hemiparesis change hip and ankle joint power generation from the pre-swing to initial swing phase as their gait speed increased. [Subjects] Eight adult individuals with stroke in the stable phase and eight healthy individuals participated. [Method] Gait was analyzed using a motion analysis system and force-plates. Participants were asked to walk at three different speeds: their preferred speed, a fast speed, and a slow speed. Hip and ankle joint power of the affected limb were calculated. We analyzed the change of peak power accompanying the increase in walking speed. [Results] The hip joint power generation was larger than the control group in two patients, and the ankle joint power generation became smaller than the control group in two patients when they walked at the fast speed. [Conclusion] The results suggest the necessity of training of the ankle joint function in the pre-swing phase.
