Intra- and extra-articular anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction utilizing autogeneous semitendinosus and gracilis tendons: 5-year clinical results.
Marcacci Maurilio,Zaffagnini Stefano,Iacono Francesco,Vascellari Alberto,Loreti Ivano,Kon Elisaveta,Presti Mirco Lo
Knee surgery, sports traumatology, arthroscopy : official journal of the ESSKA
This prospective study examined 50 patients who underwent ACL surgery using hamstring tendons with a modification including intra- and extra-articular reconstruction. All patients were athletes competing at a high level in various sports. Full return to sports was allowed at 4 months. IKDC score and KT-2000 were used for assessing clinical outcome at a mean of 6.4 years (5-7 years) Resumption of sport, Tegner activity score, and isokinetic test were also used. The IKDC score showed 92% of normal or nearly normal knees. Of the 50 patients 48 regained full extension, and only two had extension deficit between 0 degrees and 3 degrees. KT evaluation was less than 3 mm in 38 cases (76%), 3-5 mm in 9 (18%), and more than 5 mm in 3 (6%). In 90% of cases the patient resumed sport at the same level. The mean Tegner activity score was 8.1 (5-10). The isokinetic test showed no deficit for hamstring and quadriceps muscles. Removal of staples was necessary in eight cases (16%) due to femoral lateral bursitis. Acute reconstruction had significantly better clinical assessment of abnormal laxity and KT value. Men had significantly better results then women. This technique demonstrated a high reliability, low morbidity, low functional deficit and fast recovery using hamstring grafts.
10.1007/s00167-002-0323-x
The influence of patellar bracing on patellar and knee load-distribution and kinematics: an experimental cadaver study.
Bohnsack Michael,Halcour Andre,Klages Phillip,Wilharm Arne,Ostermeier Sven,Rühmann Oliver,Hurschler Christof
Knee surgery, sports traumatology, arthroscopy : official journal of the ESSKA
The aim of this study was to analyze the biomechanical consequences of patella bracing in order to evaluate possible mechanisms supporting its clinical application. The hypothesis is that the patellar bracing reduces patellofemoral pressure by influencing patellar and knee kinematics, and load distribution. Physiologic isokinetic knee extension motions were simulated on ten human knee cadaver specimens using a knee kinematic simulator. Joint kinematics were evaluated using an ultrasound-based motion analysis system and patellofemoral contact pressure was measured using a thin-film piezoresistive pressure measuring system. Infrapatellar tissue pressure was analyzed using a closed sensor-cell. Three different patella braces were fitted to the knee cadavers and their influence on the kinematic and kinetic biomechanical parameters were evaluated and compared to the physiologic situation. Patellar bracing resulted in a significant (p = 0.05) proximalization of the patella up to 3 mm. Depending on the type of brace used, a decrease in the infrapatellar fat pad pressure was found and the patellofemoral contact area was decreased significantly (p = 0.05) between 60 degrees of knee flexion and full extension (maximum 22%). Patella bracing significantly (p = 0.05) reduced the patellofemoral contact pressure an average of 10%, as well as the peak contact pressure which occurred. Patellar bracing significantly influences patella biomechanics in a reduction of the patellofemoral contact area and contact pressure as well as a decrease in the infrapatellar tissue pressure. The application of infrapatellar straps is suggested for the treatment and prevention of anterior knee pain, especially in high level sports.
10.1007/s00167-007-0428-3
Nyquist and Bode stability criteria to assess changes in dynamic knee stability in healthy and anterior cruciate ligament reconstructed individuals during walking.
Morgan Kristin D,Zheng Yanbing,Bush Heather,Noehren Brian
Journal of biomechanics
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are one of the most frequently injured knee ligaments. Despite reconstruction, many individuals report difficulty returning to high level activities that require greater dynamic stability. Since few methods have been tested to assess dynamic stability post ACL reconstruction (ACLR), the purpose of this study was to evaluate between and within dynamic knee stability in control and ACLR individuals using Nyquist and Bode stability criteria. Sixteen control and sixteen post ACLR individuals performed a walking protocol. Nyquist and Bode stability criteria were implemented to classify and quantify individual step-to-step sagittal plane dynamic knee stability from the gait waveforms at initial contact, 15% and 30% of stance based on the resulting gain and phase margins. An ANOVA compared differences in phase margins between the control and ACLR limbs and found that the ACLR limbs were overall significantly more unstable than the non-reconstructed and control limbs (p=0.001). The results indicated that the ACLR individuals who exhibited stable steps adopted a more compensatory strategy aimed to stabilize the knee. These methods of evaluating dynamic knee stability may help clinicians to assess dynamic knee stability progression throughout rehabilitation and help assess return-to-sport with minimal risk to the individual.
10.1016/j.jbiomech.2016.03.049
Biomechanical evidence supporting a differential response to acute ACL injury.
Clinical biomechanics (Bristol, Avon)
OBJECTIVE:To describe movement patterns in people with complete anterior cruciate ligament rupture objectively identified as good candidates for non-operative management of the injury. DESIGN:Involved side kinematics and kinetics were compared to the uninvolved side and to uninjured subjects. BACKGROUND:High-level athletes with anterior cruciate ligament rupture and poor dynamic stability (non-copers) have movement alterations, including less knee flexion and a decreased internal knee extensor moment during loading response, that are not seen in those with excellent knee stability (copers). Our screening exam can identify people with good rehabilitation potential for non-operative management of anterior cruciate ligament injury (potential copers), but the movement strategies of these individuals are unknown. METHODS:Sagittal plane kinematics and kinetics during the stance phase of walking and jogging were collected from 11 subjects who had an acute anterior cruciate ligament rupture and met the criteria of the screening exam, and were compared to 10 uninjured subjects, who we studied previously. Variables were those in which non-copers differed from uninjured subjects. RESULTS:The potential copers flexed their involved knee less than uninjured subjects and their uninvolved side during walking. Potential copers, compared to uninjured subjects, also had a lower vertical ground reaction force during loading response, a lower knee support moment, and an increased ankle support moment during walking. In jogging, the involved knee angle at initial contact was more extended compared to uninjured subjects, and the amount of knee flexion was less than the uninvolved side. No differences in kinetics were present during jogging. CONCLUSIONS:This study provides evidence that the potential copers identified by the screening examination have movement patterns that are consistent with people who have more knee stability than non-copers. RELEVANCE:Although potential copers have developed some characteristics of a successful stabilization strategy, the presence of kinematic alterations indicates that they may benefit from training programs designed to enhance dynamic knee stability.
10.1016/s0268-0033(01)00050-x
Development of dynamic knee stability after acute ACL injury.
Journal of electromyography and kinesiology : official journal of the International Society of Electrophysiological Kinesiology
Recently, a training program that includes perturbation of support surfaces has been shown to allow most active individuals with ACL injury who pass a screening examination to successfully return to high level activities. The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of this rehabilitation program on involved side muscle activation during walking in subjects with acute ACL rupture and to determine if the activation changes were coincident with improved function. Nine subjects with an acute, unilateral ACL injury or rupture of an ACL graft, who met the screening examination criteria, received ten sessions of rehabilitation that included perturbation training. Motion analysis of five self-paced walking trials were performed before and after training. Electromyographic (EMG) data were collected during stance. After training during walking, the vastus lateralis (VL) integral of activity increased, and relationships between muscles were significantly altered. During walking, VL activation variables were dependent on lateral hamstrings (LH) and/or the soleus (SOL) activation, while no relationships were found before training. Function improved after training, and all subjects returned to their pre-injury activities without experiencing instability. The relationships formed between muscles post-training suggests that perturbation training enhances dynamic knee stability by inducing a well-coordinated strategy among muscles that affect tibial translation.
10.1016/s1050-6411(02)00013-5
Temporal changes in the required shoe-floor friction when walking following an induced slip.
Beringer Danielle N,Nussbaum Maury A,Madigan Michael L
PloS one
Biomechanical aspects of slips and falls have been widely studied to facilitate fall prevention strategies. Prior studies have shown changes in gait after an induced slipping event. As such, most researchers only slip participants one time to avoid such changes that would otherwise reduce the external validity of experimental results. The ability to slip participants more than once, after allowing gait to return to a natural baseline, would improve the experimental efficiency of such studies. Therefore, the goal of this study was to characterize the temporal changes in required shoe-floor friction when walking following an induced slip. Two experiments were completed, and each employed a different potential strategy to promote the return of gait to a natural baseline after slipping. In the first experiment, extended time away from the laboratory was used to promote the return of gait to baseline. We measured required coefficient-of-friction among 36 young adult male participants over four sessions. The first three sessions provided measurements during baseline (i.e., natural gait) both prior to slipping and immediately after slipping. The fourth session provided a measurement 1-12 weeks after slipping. In the second experiment, an extensive number of walking trials was used to promote the return of gait to baseline. We measured required coefficient-of-friction among 10 young adult male participants in a single session. Measurements were collected during 10 baseline walking trials, immediately after slipping, and during 50-55 additional trials. In both experiments, required coefficient-of-friction decreased 12-16% immediately after a single slip, increased toward baseline levels over subsequent weeks/walking trials, but remained statistically different from baseline at the end of the experiments. Based on these results, experiments involving slipping participants multiple times may not have a high level of external validity, and researchers are encouraged to continue to limit experimental protocols to a single induced slip per participant.
10.1371/journal.pone.0096525
The interactions between pain, pain-related fear of movement and productivity.
Sell L,Lund H L,Holtermann A,Søgaard K
Occupational medicine (Oxford, England)
BACKGROUND:Employees with physically heavy work have an increased risk of musculoskeletal disorders leading to reduced work ability. AIMS:To investigate if a high level of musculoskeletal pain or pain-related fear of movement was associated with low productivity among employees with physically heavy work and differing work ability levels. METHODS:The study was conducted at a Danish production site and employees with physically heavy work in the production line were included in the study. Work ability was assessed with the Work Ability Index (WAI), pain-related fear of movement with the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia and productivity and musculoskeletal pain by self-reported measures. Sickness absence records for construction of WAI were obtained from the workplace. RESULTS:There was a 77% response rate with 350 employees included in the final analysis. Among employees with only moderate work ability, there was neither an association between pain and productivity nor between pain-related fear of movement and productivity. For employees with good work ability, higher levels of pain and higher levels of pain-related fear of movement both raised the odds of low productivity significantly. CONCLUSIONS:Despite the fact that musculoskeletal pain increases the risk of reduced work ability significantly, musculoskeletal pain and pain-related fear of movement were associated with low productivity only among employees with good work ability.
10.1093/occmed/kqu056
Intersegmental eye-head-body interactions during complex whole body movements.
von Laßberg Christoph,Beykirch Karl A,Mohler Betty J,Bülthoff Heinrich H
PloS one
Using state-of-the-art technology, interactions of eye, head and intersegmental body movements were analyzed for the first time during multiple twisting somersaults of high-level gymnasts. With this aim, we used a unique combination of a 16-channel infrared kinemetric system; a three-dimensional video kinemetric system; wireless electromyography; and a specialized wireless sport-video-oculography system, which was able to capture and calculate precise oculomotor data under conditions of rapid multiaxial acceleration. All data were synchronized and integrated in a multimodal software tool for three-dimensional analysis. During specific phases of the recorded movements, a previously unknown eye-head-body interaction was observed. The phenomenon was marked by a prolonged and complete suppression of gaze-stabilizing eye movements, in favor of a tight coupling with the head, spine and joint movements of the gymnasts. Potential reasons for these observations are discussed with regard to earlier findings and integrated within a functional model.
10.1371/journal.pone.0095450
Lower Body Stiffness Modulation Strategies in Well Trained Female Athletes.
Millett Emma L,Moresi Mark P,Watsford Mark L,Taylor Paul G,Greene David A
Journal of strength and conditioning research
Millett, EL, Moresi, MP, Watsford, ML, Taylor, PG, and Greene, DA. Lower body stiffness modulation strategies in well trained female athletes. J Strength Cond Res 30(10): 2845-2856, 2016-Lower extremity stiffness quantifies the relationship between the amount of leg compression and the external load to which the limb are subjected. This study aimed to assess differences in leg and joint stiffness and the subsequent kinematic and kinetic control mechanisms between athletes from various training backgrounds. Forty-seven female participants (20 nationally identified netballers, 13 high level endurance athletes and 14 age and gender matched controls) completed a maximal unilateral countermovement jump, drop jump and horizontal jump to assess stiffness. Leg stiffness, joint stiffness and associated mechanical parameters were assessed with a 10 camera motion analysis system and force plate. No significant differences were evident for leg stiffness measures between athletic groups for any of the tasks (p = 0.321-0.849). However, differences in joint stiffness and its contribution to leg stiffness, jump performance outcome measures and stiffness control mechanisms were evident between all groups. Practitioners should consider the appropriateness of the task utilised in leg stiffness screening. Inclusion of mechanistic and/or more sports specific tasks may be more appropriate for athletic groups.
10.1519/JSC.0000000000001365
Validity and Reliability of a Digital Inclinometer to Assess Knee Joint-Position Sense in a Closed Kinetic Chain.
Romero-Franco Natalia,Montaño-Munuera Juan Antonio,Jiménez-Reyes Pedro
Journal of sport rehabilitation
CONTEXT:Knee joint position sense (JPS) is a key parameter for optimum performance in many sports but is frequently negatively affected by injuries and/or fatigue during training sessions. Although evaluation of JPS may provide key information to reduce the risk of injury, it often requires expensive and/or complex tools that make monitoring proprioceptive deterioration difficult. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the validity and reliability of a digital inclinometer to measure knee JPS in a closed kinetic chain (CKC). DESIGN:The validity and intertester and intratester reliability of a digital inclinometer for measuring knee JPS were assessed. SETTING:Biomechanics laboratory. PARTICIPANTS:10 athletes (5 men and 5 women; 26.2 ± 1.3 y, 71.7 ± 12.4 kg; 1.75 ± 0.09 m; 23.5 ± 3.9 kg/m). INTERVENTION:Knee JPS was measured in a CKC. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Absolute angular error (AAE) of knee JPS in a CKC. RESULTS:Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and standard error of the mean (SEM) were calculated to determine the validity and reliability of the inclinometer. Data showed that the inclinometer had a high level of validity compared with an isokinetic dynamometer (ICC = 1.0, SEM = 1.39, p < 0.001), and there was very good intra- and inter-tester reliability for reading the inclinometer (ICC = 1.0, SEM = 0.85, p < 0.001). Compared with AutoCAD video analysis, inclinometer validity was very high (ICC = 0.980, SEM = 3.46, p < 0.001) for measuring AAE during knee JPS in a CKC. In addition, the intertester reliability of the inclinometer for obtaining AAE was very high (ICC = .994, SEM = 1.67, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION:The inclinometer provides a valid and reliable method for assessing knee JPS in a CKC. Health and sports professionals could take advantage of this tool to monitor proprioceptive deterioration in athletes.
10.1123/jsr.2015-0138
MODIFYING STANCE ALTERS THE PEAK KNEE ADDUCTION MOMENT DURING A GOLF SWING.
Hooker Quenten L,Shapiro Robert,Malone Terry,Pohl Michael B
International journal of sports physical therapy
BACKGROUND:The knee joint is one of the most frequently injured regions in the game of golf, and the loads experienced by the knee during the golf swing are typically greater than during other activities of daily living. Altering movement patterns is a common strategy that can be used to reduce loading on the knee joint but has received little attention during studies of the golf swing. The primary aim of this study was to examine the effect altering golf stance has on the lead limb peak external knee adduction moment. STUDY DESIGN:Laboratory based, quasi-experimental. METHODS:Twenty healthy participants were recruited for a 3-dimensional biomechanical analysis wherein participants hit three golf shots with a driver using the following stance conditions: self-selected, bilateral 0 º foot angle, bilateral 30 º foot angle, wide stance width, and narrow stance width. RESULTS:Both the 30 º foot angle (0.80 ± 0.51 Nm) and wide stance width (0.89 ± 0.49 Nm) conditions significantly decreased (p < 0.001) the lead limb peak external knee adduction moment compared to the self-selected (1.15 ± 0.58 Nm) golf stance. No significant differences (p = 0.109) in swing speed were found between any of the stance conditions. CONCLUSION:The externally rotated foot position and wider stance width decreased the lead limb peak external knee adduction moment without hindering swing speed. Modifying stance could be a viable option for golfers who wish to continue playing the sport at a high level, while reducing potentially detrimental loads at the knee joint.Levels of Evidence: 2b-Individual cohort study.
Electromyographic and kinematic analysis of cutting maneuvers. Implications for anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Colby S,Francisco A,Yu B,Kirkendall D,Finch M,Garrett W
The American journal of sports medicine
The objective of this study was to qualitatively characterize quadriceps and hamstring muscle activation as well as to determine knee flexion angle during the eccentric motion of sidestep cutting, cross-cutting, stopping, and landing. Fifteen healthy collegiate and recreational athletes performed the four movements while knee angle and electromyographic activity (surface electrodes) of the vastus lateralis, vastus medialis obliquus, rectus femoris, biceps femoris, and medial hamstring (semimembranosus/semitendinosus) muscles were recorded. The results indicated that there is high-level quadriceps muscle activation beginning just before foot strike and peaking in mid-eccentric motion. In these maneuvers, the level of quadriceps muscle activation exceeded that seen in a maximum isometric contraction. Hamstring muscle activation was submaximal at and after foot strike. The maximum quadriceps muscle activation for all maneuvers was 161% maximum voluntary contraction, while minimum hamstring muscle activity was 14%. Foot strike occurred at an average of 22 degrees of knee flexion for all maneuvers. This low level of hamstring muscle activity and low angle of knee flexion at foot strike and during eccentric contraction, coupled with forces generated by the quadriceps muscles at the knee, could produce significant anterior displacement of the tibia, which may play a role in anterior cruciate ligament injury.
10.1177/03635465000280021501
The variability of the trunk forward bending in standing activities during work vs. leisure time.
Villumsen Morten,Madeleine Pascal,Jørgensen Marie Birk,Holtermann Andreas,Samani Afshin
Applied ergonomics
High level of occupational physical activity (PA), contrary to leisure time activities, is generally associated with detrimental health outcomes. We hypothesized that this contrast may be associated with a different pattern of exposure variability in PA, e.g., forward bending of the trunk. The study was conducted on 657 blue-collar workers. Two accelerometers were used to identify the body posture and forward bending of the trunk during work and leisure time. The pattern of forward bending was analyzed using exposure variation analysis (EVA). The recordings comprised of 2.6 ± 0.97 working days in average, with 19.9 ± 8.1 h work and 22.9 ± 8.9 h leisure. The standard deviation and entropy of the EVA profile indicated 11% and 6% (for about 80% of subjects) less variable pattern during work compared with the leisure time, respectively. These new findings contribute to the understanding the paradoxical outcomes of PA during work and leisure.
10.1016/j.apergo.2016.06.017
Variations in lower body stiffness during sports-specific tasks in well-trained female athletes.
Millett Emma L,Moresi Mark P,Watsford Mark L,Taylor Paul G,Greene David A
Sports biomechanics
The present study aimed to assess the differences in leg stiffness and the associated performance variables between athletes from various training backgrounds during tasks relevant to athletic training. Forty-seven female participants (20 nationally identified netballers, 13 high-level endurance athletes and 14 age-matched controls) completed a sprint, anticipated sidestep change of direction and unilateral repetitive hopping task to assess leg stiffness and the relationship of stiffness between the different tasks. Leg stiffness and performance variables were evaluated with a 10-camera motion analysis system and force plate, and leg stiffness was derived through the McMahon and Cheng methodology (1990). Significant differences were evident in leg stiffness, and the contributing performance variables between groups across all assessed tasks ( < 0.001-0.017). Furthermore, results indicated the control group displayed no leg stiffness relationship between the evaluated tasks, while the stiffness relationship between tasks within athletic populations reflected training-specific demands of athletes. The results of this study indicated that the athletic training background of individuals may contribute to inherent leg stiffness differences between groups. Furthermore, the stiffness relationship observed between tasks suggests practitioners should take care in the selection of task used to monitor leg stiffness from a performance or injury risk perspective.
10.1080/14763141.2018.1521466
Critical features for the perception of emotion from gait.
Roether Claire L,Omlor Lars,Christensen Andrea,Giese Martin A
Journal of vision
Human observers readily recognize emotions expressed in body movement. Their perceptual judgments are based on simple movement features, such as overall speed, but also on more intricate posture and dynamic cues. The systematic analysis of such features is complicated due to the difficulty of considering the large number of potentially relevant kinematic and dynamic parameters. To identify emotion-specific features we motion-captured the neutral and emotionally expressive (anger, happiness, sadness, fear) gaits of 25 individuals. Body posture was characterized by average flexion angles, and a low-dimensional parameterization of the spatio-temporal structure of joint trajectories was obtained by approximation with a nonlinear mixture model. Applying sparse regression, we extracted critical emotion-specific posture and movement features, which typically depended only on a small number of joints. The features we extracted from the motor behavior closely resembled features that were critical for the perception of emotion from gait, determined by a statistical analysis of classification and rating judgments of 21 observers presented with avatars animated with the recorded movements. The perceptual relevance of these features was further supported by another experiment showing that artificial walkers containing only the critical features induced high-level after-effects matching those induced by adaptation with natural emotional walkers.
10.1167/9.6.15
Gait Classification With Gait Inherent Attribute Identification From Ankle's Kinematics.
IEEE transactions on neural systems and rehabilitation engineering : a publication of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society
The human ankle joint interacts with the environment during ambulation to provide mobility and maintain stability. This association changes depending on the different gait patterns of day-to-day life. In this study, we investigated this interaction and extracted kinematic information to classify human walking mode into upstairs, downstairs, treadmill, overground and stationary in real-time using a single-DoF IMU axis. The proposed algorithm's uniqueness is twofold - it encompasses components of the ankle's biomechanics and subject-specificity through the extraction of inherent walking attributes and user calibration. The performance analysis with forty healthy participants (mean age: 26.8 ± 5.6 years yielded an accuracy of 89.57% and 87.55% in the left and right sensors, respectively. The study, also, portrays the implementation of heuristics to combine predictions from sensors at both feet to yield a single conclusive decision with better performance measures. The simplicity yet reliability of the algorithm in healthy participants and the observation of inherent multimodal walking features, similar to young adults, in elderly participants through a case study, demonstrate our proposed algorithm's potential as a high-level automatic switching framework in robotic gait interventions for multimodal walking.
10.1109/TNSRE.2022.3162035
Transhumeral loading during advanced upper extremity activities of daily living.
Drew Alex J,Izykowski Morgan T,Bachus Kent N,Henninger Heath B,Foreman K Bo
PloS one
Percutaneous osseointegrated (OI) implants for direct skeletal attachment of upper extremity prosthetics represent an alternative to traditional socket suspension that may yield improved patient function and satisfaction. This is especially true in high-level, transhumeral amputees where prosthetic fitting is challenging and abandonment rates remain high. However, maintaining mechanical integrity of the bone-implant interface is crucial for safe clinical introduction of this technology. The collection of population data on the transhumeral loading environment will aid in the design of compliance and overload protection devices that mitigate the risk of periprosthetic fracture. We collected marker-based upper extremity kinematic data from non-amputee volunteers during advanced activities of daily living (AADLs) that applied dynamic loading to the humerus. Inverse dynamic analysis was applied to calculate the axial force, bending and torsional moments at three virtual amputation levels representing 25, 50, and 75% residual humeral length. The influences of amputation level, elbow flexion constraint, gender and anthropometric scaling were assessed. Results indicate that the proximal (25%) amputation level experienced significantly higher axial forces and bending moments across all subjects when compared to distal amputation levels (p≤0.030). Constraining elbow flexion had a limited influence on peak transhumeral loads. Male subjects experienced higher axial forces during all evaluated activities (p≤0.023). Peak axial force for all activities occurred during jumping jacks (174.5N). Peak bending (57.6Nm) and torsional (57.2Nm) moments occurred during jumping jacks and rapid internal humeral rotation, respectively. Calculated loads fall within the range of implant fixation failure loads reported in cadaveric investigations of humeral stem fixation; indicating that periprosthetic fracture may occur during non-contact AADLs. These kinematic data, collected over a range of AADLs, will aid in the development of overload protection devices and appropriate post-operative rehabilitation protocols that balance return to an active lifestyle with patient safety.
10.1371/journal.pone.0189418
Validation of a portable marker-based motion analysis system.
Wang Shaobai,Zeng Xiaolong,Huangfu Liang,Xie Zhenyan,Ma Limin,Huang Wenhan,Zhang Yu
Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research
BACKGROUND:The Opti_Knee system, a marker-based motion capture system, tracks and analyzes the 6 degrees of freedom (6DOF) motion of the knee joint. However, the validation of the accuracy of this gait system had not been previously reported. The objective of this study was to validate and the system. Two healthy subjects were recruited for the study. METHODS:The 6DOF kinematics of the knee during flexion-extension and level walking cycles of the knee were recorded by Opti_Knee and compared to those from a biplanar fluoroscopy system. The root mean square error (RMSE) of knee kinematics in flexion-extension cycles were compared between the two systems to validate the accuracy at which they detect basic knee motions. The RMSE of kinematics at key events of gait cycles (level walking) were compared to validate the accuracy at which the systems detect functional knee motion. Pearson correlation tests were conducted to assess similarities in knee kinematic trends between the two systems. RESULTS:In flexion-extension cycles, the average translational accuracy (RMSE) was between 2.7 and 3.7 mm and the average rotational accuracy was between 1.7 and 3.8°. The Pearson correlation of coefficients for flexion-extension cycles was between 0.858 and 0.994 for translation and 0.995-0.999 for angles. In gait cycles, the RMSEs of angular knee kinematics were 2.3° for adduction/abduction, 3.2° for internal/external rotation, and 1.4° for flexion/extension. The RMSEs of translational kinematics were 4.2 mm for anterior/posterior translation, 3.3 mm for distal/proximal translation, and 3.2 mm for medial/lateral translation. The Pearson correlation of coefficients values was between 0.964 and 0.999 for angular kinematics and 0.883 and 0.938 for translational kinematics. CONCLUSION:The Opti_Knee gait system exhibited acceptable accuracy and strong correlation strength compared to biplanar fluoroscopy. The Opti _Knee may serve as a promising portable clinical system for dynamic functional assessments of the knee.
10.1186/s13018-021-02576-2
Shock Response Spectrum Analysis of Fatigued Runners.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of fatigue on impact shock wave attenuation and assess how human biomechanics relate to shock attenuation during running. In this paper, we propose a new methodology for the analysis of shock events occurring during the proposed experimental procedure. Our approach is based on the Shock Response Spectrum (SRS), which is a frequency-based function that is used to indicate the magnitude of vibration due to a shock or a transient event. Five high level CrossFit athletes who ran at least three times per week and who were free from musculoskeletal injury volunteered to take part in this study. Two Micromachined Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) accelerometers (RunScribe®, San Francisco, CA, USA) were used for this experiment. The two RunScribe pods were mounted on top of the foot in the shoelaces. All five athletes performed three maximum intensity runs: the 1st run was performed after a brief warmup with no prior exercise, then the 2nd and the 3rd run were performed in a fatigued state. Prior to the 2nd and the 3rd run, the athletes were asked to perform at maximum intensity for two minutes on an Assault AirBike to tire them. For all five athletes, there was a direct correlation between fatigue and an increase in the aggressiveness of the SRS. We noticed that for all five athletes for the 3rd run the average SRS peaks were significantly higher than for the 1st run and 2nd run (p < 0.01) at the same natural frequency of the athlete. This confirms our hypothesis that fatigue causes a decrease in the shock attenuation capacity of the musculoskeletal system thus potentially involving a higher risk of overuse injury.
10.3390/s22062350
Examining the Efficacy of Medial Meniscus Posterior Root Repair: A Meta-analysis and Systematic Review of Biomechanical and Clinical Outcomes.
The American journal of sports medicine
BACKGROUND:Medial meniscus posterior root (MMPR) injuries accelerate the progression of osteoarthritis. While partial meniscectomy was once considered the gold standard for treatment, meniscus root repair has become increasingly utilized with reported improvements in clinical and biomechanical outcomes. PURPOSE:To perform a systematic review of biomechanical outcomes and a meta-analysis of clinical and radiographic outcomes after MMPR repair. STUDY DESIGN:Meta-analysis and systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS:The PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were queried in August 2021 for studies reporting biomechanical, clinical, and radiographic outcomes after MMPR repair. Biomechanical studies were assessed for main results and conclusions. Data including study characteristics, cohort demographics, and outcomes were extracted. Included clinical studies were analyzed with a random-effects meta-analysis of proportions for binary outcomes or continuous outcomes for mean differences between preoperative and postoperative time points. Subgroup analysis for studies reporting repair outcomes with concomitant high tibial osteotomy (HTO) was performed where appropriate. RESULTS:A total of 13 biomechanical studies were identified and reported an overall improvement in mean and peak contact pressures after MMPR repair. There were 24 clinical studies, consisting of 876 patients (877 knees), identified, with 3 studies (106 knees) reporting outcomes with concomitant HTO. The mean patient age was 57.1 years (range, 23-74 years), with a mean follow-up of 27.7 months (range, 2-64 months). Overall, clinical outcomes (Lysholm, Hospital for Special Surgery, International Knee Documentation Committee, visual analog scale for pain, Tegner, and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score scores) were noted to improve postoperatively compared with preoperatively, with improved Lysholm scores in patients undergoing concomitant HTO versus MMPR repair alone. Meniscal extrusion was not significantly improved after MMPR repair compared with preoperative measurements. The progression in Kellgren-Lawrence grades from grade 0 to grades 1 to 3 occurred in 5.9% (21/354) of patients after repair, with no patients progressing from grades 1 to 3 to grade 4. CONCLUSION:MMPR repair generally improved biomechanical outcomes and led to improved patient-reported outcomes with greater improvements noted in patients undergoing concomitant HTO. Repair did not significantly improve meniscal extrusion, while only 5.9% of patients were noted to progress to low-grade osteoarthritis. The high level of heterogeneity in the included biomechanical and clinical investigations emphasizes the need for more well-designed studies that evaluate outcomes after MMPR repair.
10.1177/03635465221077271
Biomechanical analysis of abdominal injury in tennis serves. A case report.
Tubez François,Forthomme Bénédicte,Croisier Jean-Louis,Cordonnier Caroline,Brüls Olivier,Denoël Vincent,Berwart Gilles,Joris Maurice,Grosdent Stéphanie,Schwartz Cédric
Journal of sports science & medicine
The serve is an important stroke in any high level tennis game. A well-mastered serve is a substantial advantage for players. However, because of its repeatability and its intensity, this stroke is potentially deleterious for upper limbs, lower limbs and trunk. The trunk is a vital link in the production and transfer of energy from the lower limbs to the upper limbs; therefore, kinematic disorder could be a potential source of risk for trunk injury in tennis. This research studies the case of a professional tennis player who has suffered from a medical tear on the left rectus abdominis muscle after tennis serve. The goal of the study is to understand whether the injury could be explained by an inappropriate technique. For this purpose, we analyzed in three dimensions the kinematic and kinetic aspects of the serve. We also performed isokinetic tests of the player's knees. We then compared the player to five other professional players as reference. We observed a possible deficit of energy transfer because of an important anterior pelvis tilt. Some compensation made by the player during the serve could be a possible higher abdominal contraction and a larger shoulder external rotation. These particularities could induce an abdominal overwork that could explain the first injury and may provoke further injuries. Key pointsIn the proximal-distal sequence, energy is transmitted from lower limbs to upper limps via trunk.The 3D analysis tool is an indispensable test for an objective evaluation of the kinematic in the tennis serve.Multiple evaluations techniques are useful for fuller comprehension of the kinematics and contribute to the awareness of the player's staff concerning pathologies and performance.
The biomechanical characteristics of high-performance endurance running.
Preece Stephen J,Bramah Christopher,Mason Duncan
European journal of sport science
The biomechanical profile of high-level endurance runners may represent a useful model that could be used for developing training programmes designed to improve running style. This study, therefore, sought to compare the biomechanical characteristics of high-performance and recreational runners. Kinematic and kinetic measurements were taken during overground running from a cohort of 14 high-performance (8 male) and 14 recreational (8 male) runners, at four speeds ranging from 3.3 to 5.6 m s. Two-way ANOVA analysis was then used to explore group and speed effects and principal component analysis used to explore the interdependence of the tested variables. The data showed the high-performance runners to have a gait style characterised by an increased vertical velocity of the centre of mass and a flight time that was 11% longer than the recreational group. The high-performance group were also observed to adopt a forefoot strike pattern, to contact the ground with their foot closer to their body and to have a larger ankle moment. Importantly, although observed group differences were mostly independent of speed, the tested variables showed a high degree of interdependence suggesting an underlying unitary phenomenon. This is the first study to compare high-performance and recreational runners across a full range of kinematic and kinetic variables. The results suggest that high-performance runners maintain stride length with a prolonged aerial phase, rather than by landing with a more extended knee. These findings motivate future intervention studies that should investigate whether recreational runners could benefit from instruction to decrease shank inclination at foot contact.
10.1080/17461391.2018.1554707