Ground Reaction Forces During Sprinting in Unilateral Transfemoral Amputees

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 406-409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atsushi Makimoto ◽  
Yoko Sano ◽  
Satoru Hashizume ◽  
Akihiko Murai ◽  
Yoshiyuki Kobayashi ◽  
...  

Understanding the characteristics of ground reaction forces (GRFs) on both limbs during sprinting in unilateral amputees wearing running-specific prostheses would provide important information that could be utilized in the evaluation of athletic performance and development of training methods in this population. The purpose of this study was to compare GRFs between intact and prosthetic limbs during sprinting in unilateral transfemoral amputees wearing running-specific prostheses. Nine sprinters with unilateral transfemoral amputation wearing the same type of prosthesis performed maximal sprinting on a 40-m runway. GRFs were recorded from 7 force plates placed in the center of the runway. Peak forces and impulses of the GRFs in each direction were compared between limbs. Peak forces in vertical, braking, propulsive, and medial directions were significantly greater in intact limbs than those in prosthetic limbs, whereas there were no significant differences in peak lateral force between limbs. Further, significantly less braking impulses were observed in prosthetic limbs than in intact limbs; however, the other measured impulses were not different between limbs. Therefore, the results of the present study suggest that limb-specific rehabilitation and training strategies should be developed for transfemoral amputees wearing running-specific prostheses.

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hilary Mary Clayton ◽  
Sarah Jane Hobbs

The piaffe is an artificial, diagonally coordinated movement performed in the highest levels of dressage competition. The ground reaction forces (GRFs) of horses performing the piaffe do not appear to have been reported. Therefore, the objective of this study was to describe three-dimensional GRFs in ridden dressage horses performing the piaffe. In-ground force plates were used to capture fore and hindlimb GRF data from seven well-trained dressage horses. Peak vertical GRF was significantly higher in forelimbs than in the hindlimbs (7.39 ± 0.99 N/kg vs. 6.41 ± 0.64 N/kg; p < 0.001) with vertical impulse showing a trend toward higher forelimb values. Peak longitudinal forces were small with no difference in the magnitude of braking or propulsive forces between fore and hindlimbs. Peak transverse forces were similar in magnitude to longitudinal forces and were mostly directed medially in the hindlimbs. Both the intra- and inter-individual variability of longitudinal and transverse GRFs were high (coefficient of variation 25–68%). Compared with the other diagonal gaits of dressage horses, the vertical GRF somewhat shifted toward the hindlimbs. The high step-to-step variability of the horizontal GRF components is thought to reflect the challenge of balancing on one diagonal pair of limbs with no forward momentum.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Hiroyuki Sakata ◽  
Satoru Hashizume ◽  
Ryo Amma ◽  
Genki Hisano ◽  
Hiroto Murata ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Masanori Wakida ◽  
Koji Ohata ◽  
Yu Hashiguchi ◽  
Kimihiko Mori ◽  
Kimitaka Hase ◽  
...  

Background/Aim. Improving walking ability, especially the step-to-step transition control, is important in individuals after stroke. Although walking is a continuous skill, the discrete skills of gait, defined as movements with a clear beginning and end, may effectively modify walking performance. This pilot study shows the immediate effects of a discrete skill-based step training on ground reaction forces (GRFs) during gait in individuals with chronic hemiplegia following stroke. Methods. Twenty-two community-dwelling patients with chronic hemiplegia participated in this study. Eight participants performed only discrete-skill step training during the loading response phase, focusing on paretic hip extension movement (LR group). Another eight performed only discrete-skill step training during the preswing phase, focusing on paretic swing movement (PSw group). The remaining six were trained using both training methods, with at least 6 months in each group to washout the influence of previous training. Therefore, the final number of participants in each group was 14. The braking and propulsive forces of GRFs were measured during gait before and after 30 repetitions of the discrete-skill step training. Results. Although both groups showed a significant increase in stride length, walking speed was increased only in the LR group. The PSw group showed an increase in braking forces of both sides without any change in propulsion. In the LR group, paretic braking impulse did not change, while nonparetic propulsion increased. Conclusion. The discrete-skill step training during loading response phase induced an increase in nonparetic propulsion, resulting in increased walking speed. This study provides a clear understanding of immediate effects of the discrete-skill step training in patients with chronic stroke and helps improve interventions in long-term rehabilitation.


2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Montero Carretero ◽  
José Luis López Elvira

Judokas commonly train the <em>seoi-otoshi</em> technique (aka, drop-knee <em>seoi-nage</em>). A controversy exists about the convenience of its use by the younger judokas due to the risk of high loads produced by the impacts on their growing structures. The aim of the present paper was to measure the impacts against the tatami when executing the knee <em>seoi-otoshi</em> technique and its relationship with the years of practice and the degree or level (color of the belt). Thirty-three judokas from different years and degree volunteered to participate. Two force plates covered by standard tatami, registered the ground reaction forces while five consecutive repetitions were executed. We measured the mean and maximum peaks of force relative to their own body weight (BW). The results show peaks of more than 10 BW, which can be considered a potential risk of injury in the younger judokas, especially when repeated in time. In addition, a tendency to decrease the impact as the years of practice increase is observed (potential function; R<sup>2</sup>= 0.41, p&lt;0.000 in the force peak), and the force in the expert group has been significantly lower than in the other groups (p&lt;0.001). On the other hand, the degree (belt color) shows a quadratic relationship (R<sup>2</sup>= 0.45, p&lt;0.000 in the force peak). The lack of agreement between the years of practice and the degree shows that the promotion criteria does not appear to be a valid one from a preventive viewpoint, especially in the lower degrees which would correspond to younger practitioners whose locomotor structures are still not fully developed.


1999 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 18-22
Author(s):  
Jan Kool ◽  
P. Oesch ◽  
U. Sloksnath ◽  
O. Knusel

A randomised study was conducted to determine the influence which the Bally-Valens-Rehab shoes may have on gait in patients following stroke. The 11 subjects were all independent ambulators who were more than one year post stroke. Measurements were performed twice in opposite order to balance order effects. The reliability of the measurements was good (r>0.97). With the Bally-Valens-Rehab shoes, velocity improved by 8,6% from an average of 0.59 to an average of 0,64 m/s (p=0.021). Step-length gained 6,2% (42,1 cm to 44,5 cm, p=0.026) and endurance improved from 119 to 126 m/3 minutes (p=0.016). Meanwhile, ground reaction forces revealed a decrease in lateral force indicating a narrower, more normal gait (p=0.059). The anterior-posterior force increased significantly (p=0.021) showing that the shoes enhance heel-rise. The measurements confirmed the subjective findings and showed that use of the Bally-Valens-Rehab shoes in stroke patients may improve gait and enhance rehabilitation.


2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 287-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian S. Baum ◽  
Hiroaki Hobara ◽  
Yoon Hyuk Kim ◽  
Jae Kun Shim

Individuals with lower extremity amputation must adapt the mechanical interactions between the feet and ground to account for musculoskeletal function loss. However, it is currently unknown how individuals with amputation modulate three-dimensional ground reaction forces (GRFs) when running. This study aimed to understand how running with running-specific prostheses influences three-dimensional support forces from the ground. Eight individuals with unilateral transtibial amputations and 8 control subjects ran overground at 2.5, 3.0, and 3.5 m/s. Ten force plates measured GRFs at 1000 Hz. Peak and average GRFs and impulses in each plane were compared between limbs and groups. Prosthetic limbs generated reduced vertical impulses, braking forces and impulses, and mediolateral forces while generating similar propulsive impulses compared with intact and control limbs. Intact limbs generated greater peak and average vertical forces and average braking forces than control subjects’ limbs. These data indicate that the nonamputated limb experiences elevated mechanical loading compared with prosthetic and control limbs. This may place individuals with amputation at greater risk of acute injury or joint degeneration in their intact limb. Individuals with amputation adapted to running-specific prosthesis force production limitations by generating longer periods of positive impulse thus producing propulsive impulses equivalent to intact and control limbs.


1995 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. P. Arya ◽  
A. Lees ◽  
H. C. Nerula ◽  
L. Klenerman

The Jaipur prosthetic foot was developed in India in response to specific socio-cultural needs of Indian amputees. It is being used extensively in India and several other developing countries. Its claim of being a cheaper and satisfactory alternative to other prosthetic feet has not been investigated biomechanically. The present study was undertaken to compare its biomechanical properties with the SACH and Seattle feet, using ground reaction forces. Three trans-tibial amputees participated in the experiment which measured the ground reaction force data using a Kistler force plate. Subject's normal foot was used as a reference. Six variables from the vertical and anteroposterior components of ground reaction forces were quantified, their statistical analysis showed that the normal foot generates significantly larger ground reaction forces than the prosthetic foot. The shock absortion capacity of the SACH foot was found to be better when compared with the other two feet, while the Jaipur foot allowed a more natural gait and was closer in performance to the normal foot. None of the prostheses significantly influenced the locomotor style of the amputees.


PM&R ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (8) ◽  
pp. 698-707.e1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcelo Peduzzi de Castro ◽  
Denise Soares ◽  
Emília Mendes ◽  
Leandro Machado

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 675-680
Author(s):  
Paul Macadam ◽  
Anita Chau ◽  
John Cronin

Golf is a skill-based sport which requires optimal swing mechanics to improve golf performance. As practitioners seek training methods to improve swing kinetics without compromising swing kinematics, loading through wearable resistance is one training modality which enables the golf swing to be performed in an overloaded manner. The purpose of this research therefore was to explore the acute effects of wearable resistance on golf swing performance measures. A randomised cross-over design was used with five skilled female golfers (22.0 ± 2.5 years, 163.1 ± 3.3 cm, 57.1 ± 3.4 kg and handicap 4 ± 1.2) who performed a series of golf shots with and without wearable resistance of 1.6 kg (∼2.8% body mass) attached laterally to the posterior trail side of the body. Flightscope launch monitor and force plate technology were used to quantify changes in club head speed and ground reaction forces. Using a paired t-test used for statistical analysis, significant ( p < 0.05) acute increases were found in club head speed (3.5%, p = 0.03), relative vertical ground reaction forces (11.4%, lead side, p = 0.01) and relative mediolateral ground reaction forces (7.1%, trail side, p = 0.03) with wearable resistance as compared to the unloaded condition. Wearable resistance enables a player to perform golf shots in an overloaded manner resulting in significant improvements in club head speed. Future research is required to assess the long-term adaptations to this form of loading on golf swing performance.


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