We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




Heart Patients Advised to Exercise Calf Muscles

By HospiMedica International staff writers
Posted on 18 Jan 2015
Print article
A new study reveals that chronic heart failure (CHF) patients have greater reliance on the ankle compared to the hip when walking, especially at faster speeds.

Researchers at the University of Western Australia (UWA; Crawley, Australia) conducted a study to better identify the mechanisms underlying reduced walking capacity, a hallmark of CHF which is strongly correlated with hospitalization and morbidity. To do so, they performed a detailed biomechanical gait analysis in six men and four women with CHF as they walked on a treadmill at different speeds, and then compared the results against 11 controls, including 8 men and 3 women.

The results showed no difference in preferred speed between groups, possibly explained by an optimization of the mechanical cost of transport in both groups. The majority of limb kinematics and kinetics were also similar between groups, with the exception of greater ankle dorsiflexion angles during stance in CHF. The researchers did find that over two times greater ankle plantarflexion work was required per given triceps surae muscle volume in CHF patients, an observation that could explain the high correlation between triceps surae muscle volume and exercise capacity in CHF. The study was published in the November 2014 issue of the Journal of Biomenchanics.

“Because we found some specific differences in muscles with people with heart failure compared with healthy people who just exercise less, we believe some specificity of this disease affects soleus muscles more than other muscles. We speculate that …. the fact that their calf is working very close to their maximum work capacity is what limits their exercise ability,” said lead author UWA sports biomechanics scientist Fausto Panizzolo, PhD. “Considering the key role played by the plantar flexors in powering walking and their association with exercise capacity, our findings strongly suggest that exercise-based rehabilitation in CHF should not omit the ankle muscle group.”

The triceps surae is composed of a pair of muscles; the superficial portion (the gastrocnemius) gives off two heads attaching to the base of the femur directly above the knee. The deep mass of muscle (the soleus) forms the remaining head, which attaches to the superior posterior area of the tibia. Both muscles also insert into the calcaneus, the bone of the heel of the human foot, and form the major part of the muscle of the posterior leg, commonly known as the calf muscle. Contraction of the triceps surae induces plantar flexion and stabilization of the ankle complex.

Related Links:

University of Western Australia


Gold Member
Real-Time Diagnostics Onscreen Viewer
GEMweb Live
Gold Member
Solid State Kv/Dose Multi-Sensor
AGMS-DM+
Silver Member
Compact 14-Day Uninterrupted Holter ECG
NR-314P
New
Information Management System
Innovian Anesthesia

Print article

Channels

Critical Care

view channel
Image: Researchers have developed a novel risk score for cardiovascular complications after bone marrow transplant (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Novel Tool Predicts Cardiovascular Risks after Bone Marrow Transplantation

Every year, thousands of people undergo bone marrow transplants to potentially cure serious diseases like leukemia, lymphoma, and immune deficiency disorders. While these transplants can be lifesaving,... Read more

Patient Care

view channel
Image: The newly-launched solution can transform operating room scheduling and boost utilization rates (Photo courtesy of Fujitsu)

Surgical Capacity Optimization Solution Helps Hospitals Boost OR Utilization

An innovative solution has the capability to transform surgical capacity utilization by targeting the root cause of surgical block time inefficiencies. Fujitsu Limited’s (Tokyo, Japan) Surgical Capacity... Read more

Health IT

view channel
Image: First ever institution-specific model provides significant performance advantage over current population-derived models (Photo courtesy of Mount Sinai)

Machine Learning Model Improves Mortality Risk Prediction for Cardiac Surgery Patients

Machine learning algorithms have been deployed to create predictive models in various medical fields, with some demonstrating improved outcomes compared to their standard-of-care counterparts.... Read more

Point of Care

view channel
Image: The new eye-safe laser technology can diagnose traumatic brain injury (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Novel Diagnostic Hand-Held Device Detects Known Biomarkers for Traumatic Brain Injury

The growing need for prompt and efficient diagnosis of traumatic brain injury (TBI), a major cause of mortality globally, has spurred the development of innovative diagnostic technologies.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.