LAUSR

Study design Cross sectional. Objectives To compare the reactive stepping ability of individuals living with incomplete spinal cord injury or disease (SCI/D) to that of sex- and age-matched able-bodied adults. Setting A tertiary SCI/D rehabilitation center in Canada. Methods Thirty-three individuals (20 with incomplete SCI/D) participated. Participants assumed a forward lean position in standing whilst 8–12% of their body weight was supported by a horizontal cable at waist height affixed to a rigid structure. The cable was released unexpectedly, simulating a forward fall and eliciting one or more reactive steps. Behavioral responses (i.e., single step versus non-single step) were compared using a Chi-square test. The following temporal parameters of reactive stepping were compared using t -tests: the onset of muscle activation in 12 lower extremity muscles (six per limb) and step-off, step contact and swing time of the stepping leg. Results Behavioral responses were significantly different between groups ( χ 2  = 13.9 and p  < 0.01) with participants with incomplete SCI/D showing more non-single step responses (i.e., multi-steps and falls). The onsets of muscle activation were more variable in participants with incomplete SCI/D, but only the stepping tibialis anterior showed a significantly slower onset in this group compared with able-bodied adults ( t  = −2.11 and p  = 0.049). Movement timing of the stepping leg (i.e., step-off, step contact, and swing time) was not significantly different between groups. Conclusions Reactive stepping ability of individuals with incomplete SCI/D is impaired; however, this impairment is not explained by temporal parameters. The findings suggest that reactive stepping should be targeted in the rehabilitation of ambulatory individuals with SCI/D.