[Abstract Title]. - Society for Neuroscience

Adaptation, step lengths initially decreased on the weighted leg and increased on the unweighted
leg. Both returned to near-baseline values by the end of Adaptation. During Post-adaptation,
negative aftereffects were also present bilaterally: step lengths initially increased on the
(previously) weighted side and shortened contralaterally. We also observed aftereffects in
minimum toe clearance during swing: toe clearance was increased bilaterally for the first several
strides of Post-adaptation. Some subjects with stroke were able to produce adaptations and
aftereffects in step lengths and toe clearance that were similar to controls. If the weight was
applied to the leg with the shorter step length initially, aftereffects produced a temporary
improvement in symmetry of step lengths and increased toe clearance on the paretic side. Our
results provide evidence of neural coupling between the legs during locomotion. Adaptations
occur bilaterally even when a unilateral response is sufficient. In addition, the ability to adapt
these interlimb coordination patterns may only be minimally affected by stroke involving the
corticospinal tract.
Disclosures: D.N. Savin Jr, None; S. Tseng, None; S.M. Morton, None.
Poster
272. Kinematics and EMG: Diseases
Time: Sunday, November 16, 2008, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Program#/Poster#: 272.12/II11
Topic: D.12.b. Diseases
Title: Neural control of turning in people with stroke
Authors: K. DUVAL, K. LUTTMANN, *T. LAM;
Sch. Human Kinetics, Univ. British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Abstract: Introduction: Gait impairments due to stroke-related hemiparesis can result in severe
mobility restrictions that limit participation in daily activities. Turning while walking make up a
significant proportion of all steps taken in a day. However, despite the significance of turning
during walking in everyday life, as well as the higher risk of falls and injuries while turning,
there has been very little research on turning capacity in ambulatory individuals with stroke. The
purpose of this study was to examine how a central nervous system injury, such as a stroke,
affects the ability to adapt muscular output for curved walking. It was hypothesized that stroke
participants will show difficulty turning associated with a reduced ability to adapt muscle
activity in the paretic leg with different degrees of turning compared to able-bodied controls.
Methodology: Participants with a history of stroke resulting in hemiparesis (>6 months postinjury)
and age-matched controls were recruited into this study. Participants were asked to walk
at their self-selected walking speed along four paths of different curvatures: 1) straight path, 2)