Energy expenditure in walking is increased in various condition such as flexed knee, or extended knee. By evaluating the oxygen consumption rate of walking with knee flexion restriction, we suspect which degree takes less energy for walking in the patient with flexion contracture.
Twenty healthy adult men participated in this study. The flexion restriction of the knee was performed by wearing the dial-lock brace by 10 degree interval(from 70° to 0°). Each volunteer was studied at comfortable and fast walking speed(61.6m/min, 93.8m/min).
At comfortable walking speed, without brace takes 15.4ml/kg/min, with brace no restriction takes 15.4ml/kg/min, 60°flexion restriction takes 15.9ml/kg/min, 40°flexion restriction takes 16.6ml/kg/min, 20°flexion restriction takes 17.1ml/kg/min, 0°flexion restriction takes 17.9ml/kg/min, the oxygen consumption rate was increased gradually until complete flexion restriction.
At fast walking speed, free walking(without brace) takes 24.2ml/kg/min, with brace no restriction takes 25.0ml/kg/min, 60°restriction takes 26.6ml/kg/min, 40°restriction takes 28.3 ml/kg/min, 30°restriction takes 31.9ml/kg/min, 0°restriction takes 33.7ml/kg/min, the oxygen consumption rate was showed remarkable increase between 40° and 30°flexion restriction.
