Energy Expenditure and Substrate Utilization with Hands-Free Crutches Compared to Conventional Lower-Extremity Injury Mobility Devices

Autor: Kyle J. Hackney PhD, Adam P. Bradley MS, Alexis S. Roehl, Ryan McGrath PhD, Joseph Smith PhD
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2022
Předmět:
Zdroj: Foot & Ankle Orthopaedics, Vol 7 (2022)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2473-0114
24730114
DOI: 10.1177/24730114221139800
Popis: Background: A Hands-Free crutch (HFC) is a relatively new device that can be used during the nonweightbearing period to increase mobility. The primary aim of this investigation was to examine aerobic oxygen consumption (V.o 2 ) and substrate utilization with HFC compared to conventional ambulation devices as well as normal ambulation. A secondary purpose was to quantify perceived exertion, pain, and performance during each ambulation condition. Methods: Forty participants completed 4 separate 10-minute ambulation conditions around a rectangular course. The order of the ambulation conditions was randomized and consisted of (1) walking, (2) medical knee scooter (MKS), (3) HFC, and (4) axillary crutch (AC). Indirect calorimetry was used to determine V.o 2 and the respiratory exchange ratio (RER), an indicator of substrate utilization. Perceived exertion and pain were also assessed using questionnaires. Results: All mobility devices significantly elevated V.o 2 (+35%) compared to walking (13.14 ± 1.70 mL/kg/min; P < .001). AC had significantly greater V.o 2 requirements (20.26 ± 2.62 mL/kg/min) compared to both the MKS (15.28 ± 2.29 mL/kg/min; P < .001) and HFC (15.88 ± 2.03 mL/kg/min; P < .001). There was no difference in average V.o 2 between MKS and HFC ( P = .368). Compared to walking (0.78 ± 0.43), RER was significantly elevated in MKS (0.81 ± 0.05, P < .001) and AC (0.84 ± 0.06, P < .001), but not in HFC (0.79 ± 0.04, P = .350). RPE and pain were elevated in all ambulatory conditions (all P values
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