Muscle Activity during Gait Using the Ankle-assist Device CoCoroe: A Basic Study Involving Healthy Participants

Abstract

[Purpose] As a recent trend, robots are increasingly drawing attention as rehabilitation devices. The ankle-assist device CoCoroe (AAD), which looks like a short leg brace with a motor attached to its joint part, is one of such robots. As there have been few reports on this AAD, we examined the activities of muscles supporting the body during gait, involving healthy individuals and using surface EMG, to collect basic data. [Participants and Methods] We performed measurement in 7 healthy males to measure their left and right spinal erectors, left and right gluteus maximus, left and right gluteus medius, and left rectus abdominis during barefoot gait and gait using the AAD (AAD gait). We compared the values obtained during each phase of the gait cycle between the 2 conditions. [Results] The activity of the left gluteus maximus markedly increased during the foot flat phase (ankle rocker period) of AAD gait. [Conclusion] The torque in midstance during AAD gait may have promoted the activity of the gluteus maximus. The results suggest that AAD gait promote the activities of muscles supporting the body.