Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Identifier

6459

Date

2019

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Health and Sport Science

Concentration

Exercise, Sport & Movement Sci

Committee Chair

Douglas Powell

Committee Member

Melissa Puppa

Committee Member

Deranda Lester

Abstract

Rigidity is a symptom of Parkinson’s disease (PD) that is caused by neural and intrinsic mechanisms. Individuals with PD show increased rates of energy expenditure during walking and it is speculated that intrinsic rigidity is contributing. Purpose: Evaluate the effects of intrinsic rigidity on the metabolic cost of walking. Methods: 10 experimental subjects were used to create muscle-driven simulations of walking. During the simulations, intrinsic rigidity was increased in the model’s lower extremity musculature. Whole-body metabolic power was calculated in each state of increased intrinsic rigidity. Results: There were no significant differences (p=.448) in simulated metabolic power between states of intrinsic rigidity. Conclusion: It is speculated that the simulated musculotendon system adapted to a more optimal fiber length after alterations to intrinsic rigidity resulting in more efficient movement and that the simulated alterations were not large enough to change systemic energy expenditure at this particular walking speed.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to the local University of Memphis Electronic Theses & dissertation (ETD) Repository.

Download

Share

COinS