Lower limb biomechanics in individuals with chronic ankle instability during gait: a case-control study

Individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) exhibit many biomechanical changes to lower limbs during walking. However, only a few studies have investigated the differences in lower limb biomechanics of individuals with CAI compared to healthy controls using a comprehensive approach including kinematic, kinetic and electromyography (EMG) measures. Consequently, the theoretical framework explaining the biomechanical adaptations in individuals with CAI is mostly based on the results of studies including heterogenous methods and participants’ specificities (e.g., level of disability). More studies using a comprehensive approach are needed to better understand the biomechanical adaptations associated with CAI. The objective of this case-control study was to identify the kinematic, kinetic and EMG differences between individuals with CAI and healthy controls during walking

Lower limb biomechanics during drop jump landing in individuals with chronic ankle instability

ABSTRACT Context: Individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) exhibit impaired lower limb biomechanics during unilateral drop jump landing on a flat surface. However, lower limb biomechanical adaptations during unilateral drop jump landing on more challenging surfaces such as unstable or inclined are yet to be described. Objective: Determine how unilateral drop jump landing surfaces (flat, unstable and inclined) influence lower limb EMG, kinematics and kinetics in individuals with CAI. Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Setting: Biomechanics laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: Twenty-two young adults with CAI Interventions: Participants completed five trials of unilateral drop jump landing from a 46 cm height platform on flat (DROP), unstable (FOAM) and laterally inclined (WEDGE) surfaces. Main outcome measure(s): EMG of gluteus medius, vastus lateralis, gastrocnemius medialis, peroneus longus and tibialis anterior muscles were recorded. Knee and ankle angles and moments were calculated using a three-dimensional motion analysis system and a force plate. Biomechanical variables were compared between tasks using one-dimensional statistical nonparametric mapping. Results: During DROP, greater ankle dorsiflexion angles, knee extension moments and vastus lateralis muscle activity (FOAM only) were observed compared to FOAM and WEDGE. Greater ankle inversion angles were observed during FOAM and WEDGE compared to DROP. Peroneus longus muscle activity was greater during DROP compared to FOAM. During FOAM, greater ankle inversion and knee extension angles, ankle inversion and internal rotation moments as well as smaller peroneus longus muscle activity were observed compared to WEDGE. Conclusions: The greater ankle inversion and plantarflexion angles as well as the lack of increase in peroneus longus muscle activation during FOAM and WEDGE could increase the risk of recurrent LAS in individuals with CAI. The results of this study improve our understanding of lower limb biomechanics changes when landing on more challenging surfaces and will help clinicians better targeting deficits associated with CAI during rehabilitation

Short-time Critical Dynamics of the 3-Dimensional Ising Model

Comprehensive Monte Carlo simulations of the short-time dynamic behaviour are reported for the three-dimensional Ising model at criticality. Besides the exponent $\theta$ of the critical initial increase and the dynamic exponent $z$, the static critical exponents $\nu$ and $\beta$ as well as the critical temperature are determined from the power-law scaling behaviour of observables at the beginning of the time evolution. States of very high temperature as well as of zero temperature are used as initial states for the simulations.Comment: 8 pages with 7 figure

A discharge summary adapted to the frail elderly to ensure transfer of relevant information from the hospital to community settings: a model

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Elderly patients admitted to Geriatric Assessment Units (GAU) typically have complex health problems that require multi-professional care. Considering the scope of human and technological resources solicited during hospitalization, as well as the many risks and discomforts incurred by the patient, it is important to ensure the communication of pertinent information for quality follow-up care in the community setting. Conventional discharge summaries do not adequately incorporate the elements specific to an aging clientele.</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>To develop a discharge summary adapted to the frail elderly patient (D-SAFE) in order to communicate relevant information from hospital to community services.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The items to be included in the D-SAFE have been determined by means of a modified Delphi method through consultation with clinical experts from GAUs (11 physicians and 5 pharmacists) and the community (10 physicians and 5 pharmacists). The consensus analysis and the level of agreement among the experts were reached using a modified version of the RAND^®/University of California at Los Angeles appropriateness method.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A consensus was reached after two rounds of consultation for all the items evaluated, where none was judged «inappropriate». Among the items proposed, four were judged to be « uncertain » and were eliminated from the final D-SAFE, which was divided into two sections: the medical discharge summary (22 main items) and the discharge prescription (14 main items).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The D-SAFE was developed as a more comprehensive tool specifically designed for GAU inpatients. Additional research to validate its acceptability and practical impact on the continuity of care is needed before it can be recommended for use on a broader scale.</p

Track D Social Science, Human Rights and Political Science

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/138414/1/jia218442.pd

Effects of foot orthoses on the biomechanics of the lower extremities in adults with and without musculoskeletal disorders during functional tasks: A systematic review

Background Foot orthoses are among the most commonly used external supports to treat musculoskeletal disorders. It remains unclear how they change the biomechanics of the lower extremities during functional tasks. This systematic review aimed to determine the effects of foot orthoses on primary outcomes (i.e., kinematics, kinetics and electromyography of the lower extremities) in adults with and without musculoskeletal disorders during functional tasks. Methods A literature search was conducted for articles published from inception to June 2021 in Medline, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, Cochrane libraries and PEDro electronic databases. Two investigators independently assessed the titles and abstracts of retrieved articles based on the inclusion criteria. Of the 5578 citations, 24 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis as they reported the effects of foot orthoses on the primary outcomes. Risk of bias of included studies was determined using the modified Downs and Black Quality Index. Findings During low impact tasks, foot orthoses decrease ankle inversion and increase midfoot plantar forces and pressure. During higher impact tasks, foot orthoses had little effects on electromyography and kinematics of the lower extremities but decreased ankle inversion moments. Interpretation Even though the effects of foot orthoses on the biomechanics of the lower extremities seem task-dependent, foot orthoses mainly affected the biomechanics of the distal segments during most tasks. However, few studies determined their effects on the biomechanics of the foot. It remains unclear to what extent foot orthoses features induce different biomechanical effects and if foot orthoses effects change for different populations