HOW TO CONTROL ANKLE JOINT IN VARIOUS DIRECTIONS OF ONE LEG JUMP-LANDING: FRONTAL PLANE MOMENT AND EMG STUDY

The variation of jump-landing directions would challenge muscular control around ankle joint. The purposes of this study were to assess the frontal plane moment of ankle and EMG of tibialis anterior (TA), peroneus longus (PL), and medial head of gastrocnemius (GAS) muscles. Eighteen male athletes participated in the study. Subjects performed the one leg jump-landing test from a 30 cm height platform in four directions; forward (0°), 30° diagonal, 60° diagonal, and lateral (90°) directions. The finding exhibited that peak evertor moment significantly increased from forward to lateral direction. The need for increased muscle activity of PL was highlighted. The landing needed more co-contraction between TA and PL for maintaining balance. It seems that the awareness around ankle during jump-landing in diagonal and lateral direction should be more focused comparing to forward direction

Effects of age, gender and speed on three dimensional lumbar spine kinematics

This article reports an investigation into the influences of gender, speed of motion and chronological age on the active movements of the lumbar spine. Data were collected from 100 able-bodied volunteers using an automated motion analysis system. Subjects performed movements at two self-selected speeds. Consistent patterns of motion coupling during the actions were detected and no significant gender-specific differences were observed. With advancing age, significant reductions in the ranges of forward and side flexion, but not axial rotation, were found. Age-related differences in the patterns of coupling between movements were also determined. The results of this study will provide therapists with data upon which to base judgments regarding movement restriction, particularly in older clients

LOWER EXTREMITY FLEXION ANGLES AND VERTICAL GROUND REACTION FORCE DURING LANDING IN MULTIDIRECTIONS: A PILOT STUDY IN FEMALE ATHLETES

Single-leg jump landing is a complex task. This study investigated lower extremity motion and vertical ground reaction force (GRF) during jump landing between dominant (DL) and non-dominant (NDL) limbs. Five female athletes performed the single leg jump-landing test from a 30 cm height platform in four directions; forward (0°), 30° diagonal, 60° diagonal, and lateral (90°) directions. The findings showed that jump-landing direction significantly influenced hip and knee flexion angles at initial contact phase, hip flexion and ankle dorsiflexion angles, at peak vertical GRF phase, and the peak value of vertical GRF. Female athletes exhibited a trend of using an ankle strategy in multidirections of landing that is similar to stiff landing. An increase of hip and knee flexion should be suggested during landing to increase a soft landing

The investigation of age-related changes in three-dimensional kinematics of the spine

This study investigated the angular displacement and velocity characteristics of the overall thoracolumbar, lower thoracic and lumbar spine. The test group consisted of 100 healthy volunteer subjects (46 males and 54 females). Subjects were divided into three groups in each gender, a young group (20 to 35 years), a middle-aged group (36 to 59 years) and an elderly group (60 to 80+ years). Kinematic data were acquired using a four camera Motion Analysis ExpertVisionTM system, spherical reflective body markers being located over anatomical landmarks associated with the spine and pelvis. Subjects performed forward flexion, bilateral side flexion and bilateral rotation and a lifiing simulation four times each in a sitting position. Movements were performed at both their preferred speed and at a self-determined faster speed. The angular displacement and velocity characteristics were calculated and analysed. Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) and regression analyses Were used to elucidate age, gender and speed related effects during the various movements. Schéffé multiple comparison of pairs was used as a post—hoc procedure to test for the differences between age groups in the case of significant age effects as shown by MANOVA. An independent t-test was used to test for the differences between male and female subjects in the same age in the case of gender effects demonstrated by MANOVA. A paired t-test was used to test for the differences between the fast and the preferred speeds in each age group in the case of speed effects demonstrated by MANOVA. The results revealed significant decreases in the ranges of forward flexion and lateral flexion in the lumbar spine with advancing age. The ranges of all three movements also significantly decreased with increasing age in the overall thoracolumbar and lower thoracic spine. Angular velocities decreased with advancing age in all movements for all trunk segments. Male subjects showed a greater range of forward flexion and rotation compared to female subjects in the same age group in the overall thoracolumbar and the lumbar spine and female subjects demonstrated a greater range of lateral flexion in the lower thoracic spine. Male subjects generally demonstrated a higher value of angular velocity than female subjects in the same age group for all movements. The range of fast lateral flexion was generally reduced for all subjects compared to that demonstrated at the preferred speed, while fast rotation was associated with a greater range than the preferred speed. The patterns of associated anatomical movements were consistent throughout for each condition. Forward flexion occurred with little or no accompanying spinal motion. Primary lateral flexion was accompanied by forward flexion and contralateral rotation in all the trunk segments. Primary rotation was generally accompanied by forward flexion and contralateral side flexion in the lumbar spine but was associated with lateral flexion towards the same side in the lower thoracic spine. No significant gender or speed effects were found in the amplitude or nature of the associated movements. Age-related decreases in the range of associated forward flexion and rotation with primary lateral flexion were found in the lower thoracic spine. The results of this study indicate that range of motion and angular velocity are related to age, gender and speeds of motion. This study provides data not available in the literature regarding the velocity of movement and magnitudes of the accompanying movements. There are differences in patterns of the associated movements between the lower thoracic and the lumbar spine. Clinically, the physiotherapist should be aware of normal values for each motion based on the patient's age and gender as well as the normal pattern of movements during clinical assessment of patients with back pain. The results of the lifting simulation indicated that the major movement components were forward flexion and lateral flexion when picking up an object at a direction of 45 degrees to the median plane of the subject in a seated position. Axial rotation was limited in the task. The findings of this study suggest that the attributes of the task which was simulated in the present study could be desirable in the work situation. No clear age or speed effects were detected in either ranges or patterns of the spinal motion although the results indicated significant decreases in angular velocities with advancing age

Responsiveness of pain, active range of motion, and disability in patients with acute nonspecific low back pain

AbstractMany parameters are now used for investigations in clinical settings, such as pain, active range of motion (AROM), and disability, but it is not yet known which parameters are responsive in patients with acute nonspecific low back pain (LBP). This study aimed to investigate the responsiveness of pain, AROM, and disability in patients with acute nonspecific LBP. Fifty subjects were assessed for pain, AROM, and disability at baseline and after 6 weeks. The effect size (ES) was calculated for each parameter. Also, patient’s perception of change was collected after 6 weeks for correlating it with change scores for each parameter. The most responsive parameter for detecting the change in patients with acute nonspecific LBP was pain (ES, 1.57) and disability (ES, 0.93). However, AROM was proved to be less responsive. This study indicated that pain and disability were responsive in detecting the changes in patients with acute nonspecific LBP over time

Quantitative gait analysis in mild cognitive impairment, dementia, and cognitively intact individuals: a cross-sectional case–control study

Background: Cognitive age-related decline is linked to dementia development and gait has been proposed to measure the change in brain function. This study aimed to investigate if spatiotemporal gait variables could be used to differentiate between the three cognitive status groups. Methods: Ninety-three older adults were screened and classified into three groups; mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (n = 32), dementia (n = 31), and a cognitively intact (n = 30). Spatiotemporal gait variables were assessed under single- and dual-tasks using an objective platform system. Effects of cognitive status and walking task were analyzed using a two-way ANCOVA. Sub-comparisons for between- and within-group were performed by one-way ANCOVA and Paired t-tests. Area Under the Curve (AUC) of Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) was used to discriminate between three groups on gait variables. Results: There were significant effects (P <0.05) of cognitive status during both single and dual-task walking in several variables between the MCI and dementia and between dementia and cognitively intact groups, while no difference was seen between the MCI and cognitively intact groups. A large differentiation effect between the groups was found for step length, stride length, and gait speed during both conditions of walking. Conclusions: Spatiotemporal gait variables showed discriminative ability between dementia and cognitively intact groups in both single and dual-tasks. This suggests that gait could potentially be used as a clinical differentiation marker for individuals with cognitive problems

Concurrent Validity and Reliability of Two-dimensional Frontal Plane Knee Measurements during Multi-directional Cutting Maneuvers

Background: Excessive knee valgus has been strongly suggested as a contributing key factor for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. Three-dimensional (3D) motion analysis is considered the “gold standard” to assess joint kinematics, however, this is difficult for on-field assessments and for clinical setting. Purpose: To assess the concurrent validity and reliability of two-dimensional (2D) frontal plane measurement of the knee joint in multi-directional cutting maneuvers. Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study Method: Seven recreational soccer players participated in this study. Participants performed three trials of cutting maneuvers in three different directions (30º, 60º, and 90º) with the dominant leg. Cutting maneuvers were recorded simultaneously with a video camera and a ViconTM motion capture system. Knee valgus angle from 2D and 3D measurements at initial contact and at peak vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) were extracted. The Pearson’s correlation was used to explore the relationship between the 2D and 3D measurements, and reliability of the 2D measurements were performed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Result: Significant correlations between 2D and 3D knee valgus measurements were noted for 60º (r = 0.45) and 90º (r = 0.77) cutting maneuvers at initial contact. At peak vGRF, significant correlations between 2D and 3D knee valgus measurements were noted for 30º, 60º, and 90º cutting maneuvers (r=0.45, r=0.74, r=0.78), respectively. Good-to-excellent intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of the 2D knee valgus measurements was observed during cutting in all directions (ICCs: 0.821-0.997). Conclusion: Moderate-to-strong correlation between 2D and 3D knee valgus measurements during 60°-90° cutting maneuvers, and good-to-excellent intra-rater and excellent inter-rater reliability for the 2D measurements in the present study supports the use of 2D knee valgus measurements in the evaluation of targeted interventions, although the limitations of examining cutting maneuvers using 2D measurement in complex movement still need to be considered

Clinical improvements in temporospatial gait variables after a spinal tap test in individuals with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus

Background: Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (iNPH) is a neurological condition that often presents gait disturbance in the early stages of the disease and affects other motor activities. This study investigated changes in temporospatial gait variables after cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) removal using a tap test in individuals with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH), and explored if the tap test responders and non-responders could be clinically identified from temporospatial gait variables. Methods: Sixty-two individuals with iNPH were recruited from an outpatient clinic, eleven were excluded, leaving a total of 51 who were included in the analysis. Temporospatial gait variables at self-selected speed were recorded at pre- and 24-hour post-tap tests which were compared using Paired t-tests, Cohen’s d effect size, and percentage change. A previously defined minimal clinical important change (MCIC) for gait speed was used to determine the changes and to classify tap test responders and non-responders. A mixed model ANOVA was used to determine the within-group, between-group, and interaction effects. Results: Comparisons of the data between pre- and post-tap tests showed significant improvements with small to medium effect sizes for left step length, right step time, stride length and time, cadence, and gait speed. Gait speed showed the largest percentage change among temporospatial gait variables. Within-group and interaction effects were found in some variables but no between-group effect was found. Tap test responders showed significant improvements in right step length and time, stride length and time, cadence, and gait speed while non-responders did not. Conclusions: Some individuals with iNPH showed clinically important improvements in temporospatial gait variables after the tap test, particularly in step/stride length and time, cadence, who could be classified by gait speed. However, gait-related balance variables did not change. Therefore, additional treatments should focus on improving such variables

Correlation of lateral spinal curvature and Conicity index in Thai women and Conicity index in Thai women

Being obesity is a common health problem in women. Obese women have fat deposited at upper body and waist. Due to a large amount of subcutaneous tissue deposit in the upper body and around the waist, the center of gravity had a tendency to fall in front of the lumbar spine, leading to an adjusted body position. This could change the spinal curvature. The purposes of this study were to determine the correlation between spinal curvature, thoracic and lumbar curvature, and Conicity index in overweight and normal weight women. This study also compared the spinal curvature between over weight and normal weight women. Seventy five women aged 30-40 years old participated in this study, 31 women in the overweight group with a body mass index more than 24.99 kg/m2 and 44 in normal weight group with body mass index 18.50 to 24.99 kg/m2. The spinal curvature was measured by using an Inclinometer on the X-ray photograph. The Conicity index was calculated from the value of waist circumference of each participant. The results showed no correlation between Conicity index and thoracic spinal curvature (r=0.003) and lumbar spinal curvature (r=-0.077). There was no significant difference in either thoracic or lumbar spinal curvature between overweight group (mean of thoracic and lumbar curvature = 21.24 ํ, 26.34 ํ, mean of Conicity index = 1.24) and normal weight group (mean of thoracic and lumbar curvature = 21.85º, 27.94 ํ, mean of Conicity index = 1.20). There was no correlation between Conicity index and spinal curvature. Spinal curvature between overweight and normal weight groups showed no significant difference. Therefore, it is interesting to further study whether fat deposit affects the spinal curvature in children and adult who are obese

Alteration of the multi-segment foot motion during gait in individuals with plantar fasciitis: a matched case-control study

The objective of this study was to compare the ground reaction forces (GRFs) and the multi-segment foot motion between individuals with plantar fasciitis (PF) and healthy controls. Methods: Twenty-one individuals with PF and 21 matched-case healthy controls who passed the criteria participated in the study. Gait data were assessed during their self-selected comfortable speeds by the 3D motion analysis system. The multi-segment foot motions were determined by the Oxford Foot Model. Outcome measures included the vertical and antero-posterior ground reaction forces (GRFs) and the multi-segment foot motions [the dorsiflexion (DF), plantarflexion (PF), inversion (Inv), eversion (Eve), adduction (Add), and abduction (Abd) peak angles for the forefoot with respect to hindfoot (FFHF) and the DF, PF, Inv, Eve, internal rotation (IR), and external rotation (ER) peak angles for the hindfoot with respect to tibia (HFTB) as well as their ranges (R)]. Results: Comparisons between individuals with PF and healthy controls showed no significant differences in any of the GRFs. Significant reductions were found in the FFHF-DF, FFHF-DF-R, FFHF-Inv, and HFTB-Inv/Eve-R in individuals with PF. In addition, there were tendencies of the increased angles of the FFHF-PF, HFTB-DF, HFTB-Inv, and HFTB-ER, but not significantly for individuals with PF, compared to healthy controls. Conclusions: Adaptations of the intra-foot motion showed the reduction of some angles but no change for the GRFs in individuals with PF compared to the healthy controls when both groups walked at a similar gait speed