The Influence of Shoe and Cleat Type on Lower Extremity Muscle Activation in Youth Baseball Pitchers

Background: Baseball pitching is a dynamic movement where the lower extremities generate and sequentially transfer energy to the upper extremities to maximize ball velocity. The need for lower body muscular strength to produce adequate push-off and landing forces has been documented; however, the influence footwear and surface inclination has on muscle activation remains unknown. Objectives: Determine how pitching in molded cleats and turf shoes from a pitching mound and flat ground affects stride-leg muscle activation in youth baseball pitchers while determining percent activation during each pitching phase. Methods: Cross – sectional study analyzing mean muscle activity and percent activation of the vastus medialis, semitendinosus, tibialis anterior, and medial gastrocnemius on the stride-leg of 11 youth baseball pitchers when pitching fastballs. Results: Footwear did not significantly alter vastus medialis or semitendinosus muscle activation (P \u3e 0.05). The turf shoe x pitching mound interaction elicited significantly (P \u3c 0.05) greater mean muscle activity in the medial gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior from stride foot contact to maximum glenohumeral internal rotation. Molded cleats produced greater activation levels in the tibialis anterior on flat ground from stride foot contact (0.374 ± 0.176 mV) to ball release (0.469 ± 0.150 mV). Conclusion: Findings suggest footwear significantly alters the activity level of the ankle stabilizing musculature. Youth baseball pitchers and coaches should be cognizant of what footwear is worn on a pitching surface. Maximal activation of the tibialis anterior and medial gastrocnemius can ensure the stride leg is adequately stabilized to absorb the momentum generated by trail leg

Impact of alternative footwear on human energy expenditure

Purpose: Use of alternative footwear options such as flip-flop style sandals and minimalist athletic shoes are becoming increasingly popular footwear choices. The purpose of the investigation was to analyze the energy expenditure and oxygen consumption requirements of walking at preferred pace while wearing flip-flops, slip-on style shoes, and minimalist athletic shoes. Methods: Eighteen healthy male adults participated in this study. In addition to an initial familiarization session, participants were tested in three different footwear conditions [thong-style flip-flops (FF), Croc® slip on shoes (CROC), and Vibram Fivefingers® minimalist shoes (MIN)]. Then after a brief warm-up, participants walked a one-mile distance at their preferred pace. Immediately following completion of the one-mile walk, participants stood quietly on the treadmill for an additional period to assess excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC). Results: A repeated-measures ANOVA that the following variables did not show evidence of a significant differently value between conditions: preferred pace (p = 0.392), average oxygen consumption (p = 0.804), energy expenditure per mile (p = 0.306), or EPOC (p = 0.088). There was shown to be a significantly higher RER during exercise in CROC compared to MIN (p = 0.031) with no significant differences observed when comparing CROC to FF (p = 0.106) or FF to MIN (p = 0.827). Conclusion: Based on the results of the current study, it appears that the alternative footwear selected for evaluation do not lead to a substantial alteration of walking pace or overall EE. However, the significant difference in RER suggesting a slightly elevated exercise intensity while wearing the CROC could perhaps be related to the softer sole, influencing overall mechanical efficiency.The study was funded by a grant awarded by the Graduate Student Council at the author’s University

Differences in Falls and Recovery From a Slip Based On an Individual\u27s Lower Extremity Corrective Response

Background: Slips and falls account for high rates of injury and mortality in multiple populations. The corrective responses during the slip perturbation have been well documented. However, when a fall results from a slip, it is unclear which of these responses were inadequate. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine differences in lower extremity corrective responses of the slip recovery response between individuals who fall and those who recover. Methodology: Sixty-four participants completed this study (32 males & 32 females). Participant’s gait kinematics and kinetics were collected during normal gait (NG) and an unexpected slip (US). A prediction equation for slip outcome and slip severity were created using a binary logistic regression model. Results: Our findings show an increased time to peak hip extension (OR = 1.006, CI: 1.000-1.011) and ankle dorsiflexion (OR = 1.005, CI: 1.001-1.009) moments increased the odds of falling, while the average ankle moment was negatively associated with falling (OR = 0.001, CI: 0.001-0.005). Conclusions: Rapid lower extremity corrective responses appear critical in arresting the slip and preventing a fall. While there are various strategies for slip recovery, our findings suggest that the primary recovery mechanism at the slipping hip may play a vital role in preventing the fall

Differences in falls and recovery from a slip based on an individual’s lower extremity corrective response

Copyright (c) the author(s). This is an open access article under CC BY license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Background: Slips and falls account for high rates of injury and mortality in multiple populations. The corrective responses during the slip perturbation have been well documented. However, when a fall results from a slip, it is unclear which of these responses were inadequate. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine differences in lower extremity corrective responses of the slip recovery response between individuals who fall and those who recover. Methodology: Sixty-four participants completed this study (32 males & 32 females). Participant’s gait kinematics and kinetics were collected during normal gait (NG) and an unexpected slip (US). A prediction equation for slip outcome and slip severity were created using a binary logistic regression model. Results: Our findings show an increased time to peak hip extension (OR = 1.006, CI: 1.000-1.011) and ankle dorsiflexion (OR = 1.005, CI: 1.001-1.009) moments increased the odds of falling, while the average ankle moment was negatively associated with falling (OR = 0.001, CI: 0.001-0.005). Conclusions: Rapid lower extremity corrective responses appear critical in arresting the slip and preventing a fall. While there are various strategies for slip recovery, our findings suggest that the primary recovery mechanism at the slipping hip may play a vital role in preventing the fall

"Allison Wade: Conduits & Offerings" Exhibition Installation Image

This image was photographed by Chip Pankey and uploaded to DLynx in the Visual Resources Center during the fall of 2014.This digital image shows artwork installed in Clough-Hanson Gallery for an exhibition titled Allison Wade: Conduits & Offerings, which was featured in the gallery October 25 - December 4, 2013. It was photographed by Chip Pankey on December 1, 2013

"Allison Wade: Conduits & Offerings" Exhibition Installation Image

This image was photographed by Chip Pankey and uploaded to DLynx in the Visual Resources Center during the fall of 2014.This digital image shows artwork installed in Clough-Hanson Gallery for an exhibition titled Allison Wade: Conduits & Offerings, which was featured in the gallery October 25 - December 4, 2013. It was photographed by Chip Pankey on December 1, 2013

Ground Reaction Forces in Alternative Footwear during Slip Events

Slips, trips and falls are major causitive factors for occupational and non-occupational falls. Alternative footwear such has crocs and flip flops have been used in and around work places and communities that can be slip prone environments. The purpose of the study is to analyze the effects of alternative footwear [crocs (CC), flip-flops (FF)] and industry standard slip resistant shoes (LT) on ground reaction forces (GRFs) during slip events. Eighteen healthy male participants following a repeated measures design for each footwear condition, were tested for heel kinematics during normal dry surface gait (NG); unexpected slip (US), alert slip (AS) and expected slip (ES). A 3x4 repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze the dependent vertical GRFs parameters (Mean Z-GRF and Peak Z-GRF) at p = 0.05. Significant interactions between footwear and gait trials were found for Mean Z-GRF and significant main effect in gait trials for Peak Z-GRF were evident. On average significantly lower GRFs were seen in slip trials compared to normal gait. FF exhibited significantly lower GRFs during slip trials while LT demonstrated lower GRFs in normal gait. The reduced ground reaction forces during all slip events compared to normal gait can be attributed to the incomplete weight transfer on the slipping foot during the unexpected and alert slips and to the anticipation of the slippery environment in expected slips. Flip flops which had greater incidence of slips also demonstrated reduced GRFs compared to CC and LT during slip events, further suggesting incomplete weight transfer, while during normal gait, LT demonstrated reduced GRFs compared to alternative footwear owing to its cushioning midsole properties. The LT with lowest incidence of slips demonstrates to be the choice of footwear for maneuvering slippery flooring conditions and for reducing impact reaction forces during non-slippery flooring conditions. Keywords: Slips, Falls, Alternative Footwear, Ground Reaction Forces, Perception of Slipperines