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The Quadrupedal Nature of Human Bipedal Locomotion

2009; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; Volume: 37; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1097/jes.0b013e31819c2ed6

1538-3008

E. Paul Zehr, Sandra R. Hundza, Erin V. L. Vasudevan,

Muscle activation and electromyography studies

During rhythmic movement, arm activity contributes to the neural excitation of leg muscles. These observations are consistent with the emergence of human bipedalism and nonhuman primate arboreal quadrupedal walking. These neural and biomechanical linkages could be exploited in rehabilitation after neurotrauma to allow the arms to give the legs a helping hand during gait rehabilitation. Summary: Neuronal interactions between arm and leg activity during rhythmic human movement assist in coordinating locomotion and may be usefully exploited in rehabilitation of walking.