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Tibialis anterior architecture, strength, and gait in individuals with cerebral palsy
Author(s) -
Bland Daniel C.,
Prosser Laura A.,
Bellini Lindsey A.,
Alter Katharine E.,
Damiano Diane L.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.22098
Subject(s) - ankle , muscle architecture , physical medicine and rehabilitation , gait , tibialis anterior muscle , medicine , preferred walking speed , anatomy , skeletal muscle
The relationship of tibialis anterior (TA) muscle architecture, including muscle thickness (MT), cross‐sectional area (CSA), pennation angle (PA), and fascicle length (FL), to strength and ankle function was examined in ambulatory individuals with CP and unilateral foot drop. Methods: Twenty individuals with CP participated in muscle ultrasound imaging, unilateral strength testing, and three‐dimensional gait analysis. Results: Muscle size (MT and CSA) was positively related to strength, fast gait velocity, and ankle kinematics during walking. Higher PA was related to a more dorsiflexed ankle position at initial contact and inversely with fast gait velocity. FL was related to strength, fast velocity, and step length at a self‐selected speed. Conclusions: Muscle architecture partially explains the degree of impairment in strength and ankle function in CP. Treatments to increase TA size and strength may produce some gait improvement, but other factors that may contribute to ankle performance deficits must be considered. Muscle Nerve, 2011