Studies in Sport Medicine

The Effect of Eight Weeks of Gait Training with Somatosensory Rhythmic Cues on Lower Limb Muscle Co-Contraction in Adults

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Seyed Hassan Mousavi, 1
Mansoure Shahraki 2
Sayed Esmaeil Hosseininejad, 3

1 Postgraduate student in sports biomechanics, Department of Motor Behavior and Sport Biomechanics, Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar,

2 Mansoureh shahraki, Assistant Professor Motor Behavior, Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Zabol- Zabol- Iran.

3 Assistant Professor of Sport Biomechanics, Department of Motor Behavior and Sport Biomechanics, Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22089/smj.2026.18590.1835
Abstract
Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of gait training with somatosensory rhythmic cues on lower limb muscle co-contraction in adults.

Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 29 eligible older men (age [years]: 71.68 ± 4.35) were selected using purposive and convenience sampling and were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (n=16; gait training with somatosensory rhythmic cues) or the control group (n=13; no training). The intervention lasted for eight weeks, with three sessions per week, each lasting 30 minutes. Co-contraction data of the quadriceps (vastus medialis and vastus lateralis), hamstrings (biceps femoris and semitendinosus), tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius were recorded using an electromyography device at baseline and post-test. Data were analyzed using ANCOVA in SPSS at a significance level of 0.05.

Results: Findings indicated that the level of agonist–antagonist muscle co-contraction decreased in the intervention group; however, these changes were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Therefore, the effectiveness of gait training with somatosensory rhythmic cues in improving muscular co-contraction cannot be confirmed with certainty. Based on these results, further studies with larger sample sizes and more rigorous designs are recommended

Keywords

Elderly
co-contraction
linear envelope
sensory stimulation
walking
Subjects

  • Receive Date 16 November 2025
  • Revise Date 16 March 2026
  • Accept Date 02 June 2026

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