The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between delays in initiation and termination of tibialis anterior contraction through surface electromyographic (sEMG) analysis in adults with hemiplegia and healthy subjects and clinical assessment of lower-limb mobility. EMG activity of 6 long-term survivors of stroke and 5 healthy subjects was recorded during maximal isometric ankle dorsiflexion in 3 seconds beeper signals. It must be done as fast and forcefully as possible. Lower limb mobility was assessed with Modified Emory Functional Ambulation Profile (mEFAP). Delay in initiation and termination of muscle contraction was significantly prolonged in the affected lower limb relative to the unaffected limb. Termination of muscle contraction in the hemiplegic lower limb was significantly delayed than the initiation on the affected sides. Delay in initiation and termination of muscle contraction correlated significantly with a few range of mEFAP. Abnormally delayed initiation and termination of muscle contraction may contribute to hemiparetic lower limb mobility in hemiparetic patients. Consequently, this study showed that abnormal delay of initiation and termination of muscle contraction may contribute to hemiparetic lower limb mobility in adults with hemiplegia. Further studies are needed to demonstrate a treatment effect.

• Yi-jung Chung(Dept. of Physical Therapy, College of Health Welfare, Sahmyook University)
• Jung-ah Lee(Dept. of Rehabilitation Therapy, The Graduate School, Yonsei University)
• Won-seob Shin(Dept. of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, Sahmyook University) Corresponding author
• Seung-heon An(Dept. of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, Sahmyook University)
• Eun-woo Lee(Dept. of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, Sahmyook University)
• Kyoung-sim Jung(Dept. of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, Sahmyook University)