This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Letters to the Editor: Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when Letters to the Editor are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow E-mail this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My File Cabinet
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowReprints and Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by MCBEATH, A. A.
Right arrow Articles by BALKE, B.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by MCBEATH, A. A.
Right arrow Articles by BALKE, B.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us   Add to Technorati  
What's this?
Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 1974;56:994-1000.
© 1974 by The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc

Efficiency of Assisted Ambulation Determined by Oxygen Consumption Measurement

ANDREW A. MCBEATH M.D.1, MICHAEL BAHRKE M.S.1, and BRUNO BALKE M.D.1

1 From the Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Department of Physiology, and Department of Physical Education-Men, University of Wisconsin, Madison

The energy used for walking with crutches and canes was determined by measuring oxygen consumption in ten normal subjects who used Lofstrand and axillary crutches with four different gaits. For all assisted gaits the self-selected velocity was less than that for normal walking and the energy used was greater than for normal walking. Use of each crutch type required the same amount of energy. Use of a cane or crutches with twqoint alternating and three-point partial-weight-bearing gaits required about 33 per cent more energy than normal walking. The swing-through and the three-point non-weight-bearing gaits required about 78 per cent more energy than normal walking. It is suggested that these energy requirements be considered when prescribing an assistive device.


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us   Add to Technorati Technorati    What's this?