Postural and dynamic analysis of the human body: The relevance of the functional modulator factors in the methodological design

[EN] Functional studies analyze the interaction between the human body and its environment studying both, the posture and the movement. It is well known that at the Universities where health science and sports studies are taught there is a need to raise academic activities involving functional studies.The main objective is to make awareness of the factors that can modulate a certain function in the human body and must be well known for university students to perform a good research projects and career. To do this, we present a detailed list of intrinsic and extrinsic functional modulator factors (FMF) of the human body and propose a new methodology to teach those skills. During both, the project data collection and data reduction, FMF such as sitting and standing postures or walking, running and jumping movements must be taken into account. The recognition of the FMF that may influence the results must be previously known and identified to succeed in the methodological design of functional studies of the human body.The novelty of our work is not to direct the attention to the lecturer but to focus it to the student’s academic support to accomplish the active work like the fieldwork presented in this paper. In conclusion, the understanding of the FMF by university students using fieldwork activities during their degree would help them to develop a critical attitude in terms of validity and scientific evidence.  EUSES-School of Health and Sport Science, University of Girona, Spain.Puig-Diví, A.; Prats-Puig, A. (2015). Postural and dynamic analysis of the human body: The relevance of the functional modulator factors in the methodological design. Multidisciplinary Journal for Education, Social and Technological Sciences. 2(2):95-120. doi:10.4995/muse.2015.3754.SWORD951202

Gait event detection using kinematic data in children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy

Background. Ground reaction forces are the gold standard for detecting gait events, but they are not always applicable in cerebral palsy. Gait event detection using kinematic data in children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy is an event detection method based on the sagittal plane velocity of heel and toe markers. We aimed to evaluate whether Ghoussayni's algorithm, using two different thresholds, was a valid event detection method in children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy. We also aimed to define a new adaptation of Ghoussayni's algorithm for detecting foot strike in cerebral palsy, and study the effect of event detection methods on spatiotemporal parameters. Methods. Synchronized kinematic and kinetic data were collected retrospectively from 16 children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy (7 males and 9 females; age 8.9 ± 2.7 years) walking barefoot at self-selected speed. Gait events were detected using methods: 1) ground reaction forces, 2) Ghoussayni's algorithm with a threshold of 0.5 m/s, and 3) Ghoussayni's algorithm with a walking speed dependent threshold. The new adaptation distinguished how foot strikes were performed (heel and/or toe) comparing the timing when the foot markers velocities fell below the threshold. Differences between the three methods, and between spatiotemporal parameters calculated from the two Ghoussayni's thresholds were analyzed. Findings. There were statistically significant (P < 0.05) differences between methods 1 and 3, and between some spatiotemporal parameters calculated from methods 2 and 3. Ghoussayni's algorithm showed better performance for foot strike than for toe off. Interpretation. Ghoussayni's algorithm using 0.5 m/s is valid in children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy. Event detection methods affect spatiotemporal parameters.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Relationship between spatiotemporal parameters and clinical outcomes in children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy: Clinical interpretation proposal

Background: Understanding the links between gait disorders, impairments, and activity limitations is essential for correctly interpreting the instrumented gait analysis. We aimed to evaluate the relationships between spatiotemporal parameters and clinical outcomes in children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy, and find out whether spatiotemporal parameters provide clinical information regarding gait pattern and walking. Methods: Data from 19 children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy (nine males, ten females, 9.6 ± 2.8 years old) were collected retrospectively. All children underwent an instrumented gait analysis and a standardized clinical assessment. Seven spatiotemporal parameters were calculated: non-dimensional cadence, stride length, step width, gait speed, first double support, single support, and time of toe off. Clinical outcomes included measures of two different components of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health - Children and Youth version: body functions and structures (spasticity, contractures and range of motion, and deformities), and activities and participation (gross motor function, and walking capacity). Pearson correlation, ANOVA, Student's t, Mann-Whitney U, and KruskalWallis tests were used to analyze relationships. Spatiotemporal parameters related to clinical outcomes of body functions and structures were interpreted as outcome measures of gait pattern, while those related to clinical outcomes of activities and participation were interpreted as outcome measures of walking. Results: Non-dimensional cadence, stride length, and gait speed showed relationships (p < 0.05) with hip flexors spasticity and hindfoot deformity, ankle plantar flexors spasticity, and hindfoot deformity, respectively. All spatiotemporal parameters except non-dimensional cadence showed correlation (p < 0.05) with gross motor function and walking capacity. Conclusions: Spatiotemporal parameters provide clinical information regarding both gait pattern and walking.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version