The effect of concussion on the metabolic cost of transport in walking

Graduation Date

2015

Document Type

Thesis

Program

Other

Program

Thesis (M.S.)--Humboldt State University, Kinesiology: Exercise Science, 2015

Committee Chair Name

Justus Ortega

Committee Chair Affiliation

HSU Faculty or Staff

Keywords

Cost of transport, Concussion, Gait, Walking energetics, Humboldt State University -- Theses -- Kinesiology, Executive function, Dynamic stability, Inverted pendulum mechanics, Biomechanics

Abstract

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that results in an overall decrease in executive function. Previous literature has reported that significant reductions in balance occur in the concussed during the acute phases of recovery. However, it is unknown whether changes in stability associated with concussive injury result in changes to conservation of mechanical energy and metabolic cost during walking. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of concussion the mechanics and energetics of walking. I hypothesized that within the first 2-7 days following injury, individuals who have sustained a concussion would exhibit a greater the metabolic cost of walking and impaired inverted pendulum mechanics. To address this problem, I collected neurocognitive, metabolic, and kinematic data on 14 normal subjects (5 female and 9 male) and 10 concussed subjects (5 female and 5 male). I found no significant differences in the metabolic cost of transport due to concussive status across the speeds of 0.75 m s-1, 1.25 m s-1, and 1.50 m s-1 (p.05).

https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/concern/theses/sx61dp734

Share

 
COinS