Abstract

Simultaneous electromyographic and photographic recordings were made of 28 male and 7 female subjects walking at three different speeds (2,5 and 7 km per hour). The following observations were made; (1) As the speed of walking increases, the maximal knee extension to be reached becomes less than at lower speeds. It was further found that during walking the knee never fully extends. (2) At the three speeds studied the muscles show the same pattern of action. However, at the speed of 2 km per hour there is greater muscle activity during the stance phase, and at the speed of 7 km per hour there is greater muscle activity during the swing phase. It may further be concluded that at 5 km per hour there exists during the swing phase an optimal balance between the intrinsic and extrinsic forces; short periods of muscle contraction suffice to move the leg in a forward direction. (3) There are individual variations in the pattern of muscle activity. These are particulary marked at speeds of 2 and 7 km per hour. Verf.-Referat