Document Type : Original Articles
Authors
1 MSc Student, Department of Sport Biomechanics, School of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University, Kerman, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Sport Biomechanics, School of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University, Kerman, Iran
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Sport Injury and Corrective Exercises, School of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University, Kerman, Iran
4 Assistant Professor, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Paramedicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: There are many negative factors in patients with cerebral palsy that cause these patients to deviate from normal walking patterns. The ability to walk is as one of the criteria for determining independence in daily activities of patients with cerebral palsy. Thus, the investigation of kinematic characteristics of walking (steps width and length, and velocity and frequency of stepping) has been considered by researchers. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of chair training on steps width and length in patients with cerebral palsy.Materials and Methods: 40 men and women with paraplegia were equally divided into 2 groups of control and experiment. Before and after 8 weeks of chair training, kinematic parameters of steps length and width were measured using three-dimensional motion analysis system (Motion Analysis). Mixed repeated measure ANOVA test at the significance level of P < 0.05 was used for data analysis.Results: The steps length and width improved after 8 weeks of chair training (P = 0.001). There were significant differences in steps length (P = 0.020) and steps width (P = 0.042) between the groups.Conclusion: It seems that 8 weeks of chair training can improve steps length and width among adults with paraplegia. Chair exercises can be used to increase steps length and decrease steps width during walking for adults with paraplegia.
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