Objective: This study evaluates and compares the muscle activation patterns of the quadriceps femoris (QF) and gastrocnemius (G) during gait in patients with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) relative to healthy controls.

Background: Gait dysfunction in PD is closely linked to abnormal neuromuscular activation. While the G muscle is critical for propulsion and the QF for postural stability, quantifying these patterns via surface electromyography (sEMG) remains underutilized in clinical practice. Understanding these deficits is vital for developing targeted motor rehabilitation strategies.

Method: In this pilot study, sEMG was utilized to record muscle activation in 3 patients with PD (Hoehn & Yahr stages 1–3; mean age 66.7 years) and 2 healthy controls (mean age 28.5 years). Participants performed a 10-meter walk test while equipped with a novel sEMG gait monitoring system to capture neuromuscular activity from the QF and G muscles.

Results: sEMG recordings revealed notably higher muscle activation in the PD group. The mean QF activation was 13.28 mV in PD patients compared to 7.65 mV in controls. Notably, G activation was substantially elevated in the PD group (146.00 mV) relative to controls (49.02 mV). Furthermore, PD patients exhibited both increased intensity and more sustained activation patterns throughout the gait cycle.

Conclusion: Patients with PD demonstrate heightened activation of the QF and G muscles during walking. This suggests altered neuromuscular control and potential compensatory mechanisms to maintain stability and propulsion. These findings highlight the potential of sEMG as an objective tool for gait assessment; however, larger studies with age-matched controls are required for further validation.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/quadriceps-femoris-and-gastrocnemius-muscle-activation-patterns-during-gait-in-patients-with-parkinsons-disease-using-surface-electromyography/