Effects of lower limb muscle fatigue on gait performance and postural control among individuals with Parkinson’s disease: a review of literature

Abstract

Background: Fatigue is a common non-motor symptom of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Individuals with PD experience difficulty in initiating movements, tremors, muscle rigidity and weakness, which progress as the disease worsens. These changes may lead to muscle fatigue, which may in turn affect gait performance and postural control (PC). There are few studies involving muscle fatigue affecting the gait performance and PC among individuals with PD.

Objectives: Thus, this review aims to explore the existing evidence on how muscle fatigue affects gait performance and PC in PD.

Major Findings: Five studies were included: three on gait performance, one on PC and one on gait performance and PC. Lower limb muscle fatigue alters the aspects of gait performance that may increase the risk of fall, e.g. inducing increased stride length, reduced stride duration and increased speed. However, no significant changes were observed in anticipatory PC among individuals with PD under fatigue condition.

Conclusion: Further studies are suggested to explore this topic. A good understanding of gait characteristics can contribute to the development of tailored intervention strategies for individuals with PD.

Keywords:

• Muscle fatigue
• gait
• Parkinson’s disease
• postural control

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The authors received no specific funding for this work.

Notes on contributors

Halimatul Abd Ghani

Halimatul Abd Ghani is a physiotherapy tutor at Institut Latihan Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia Johor Bahru. She is a postgraduate master's degree student at Centre of Physiotherapy, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM). Her interest area includes functional mobility and neurological rehabilitation. E-mail: [email protected]

Maria Justine

Maria Justine, PhD, is a senior lecturer at the Centre of Physiotherapy, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM). Her research interests include geriatric rehabilitation and exercise science, focusing on functional fitness, sarcopenia and exercise prescriptions. To date, she has more than 60 journal publications and one book on case studies in physiotherapy. She is very active as a speaker/facilitator for conferences/workshops all over Malaysia with topics in geriatric rehabilitation. E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]

Haidzir Manaf

Dr. Mohd Haidzir Abd Manaf is the Head for Centre of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM). His clinical research interest includes neurological rehabilitation and gait analysis. He has published several academic writings related to his field in journals and book chapters.