scholarly journals Assessing Infant Carriage Systems: Ground Reaction Force Implications for Gait of the Caregiver

2017 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 160-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathew B. Brown ◽  
Caroline J. Digby-Bowl ◽  
Samuel D. Todd
Keyword(s):  
Ground Reaction Force ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Reaction Force ◽  
Flat Foot ◽  
Walking Gait ◽  
Paired Samples ◽  
Heel Contact ◽  
Temporal Measures ◽  
Mixed Gender ◽  
Over Ground Walking

Objective To assess the acute alterations of anterior infant carriage systems on the ground reaction force experienced during over-ground walking. Background Previous research has identified the alterations in posture and gait associated with an increased anterior load (external or internal); however, the forces applied to the system due to the altered posture during over-ground walking have not been established. Method Thirteen mixed gender participants completed 45 over-ground walking trials at a self-selected pace under three loaded conditions (unloaded, semi-structured carrier 9.9 kg, and structured carrier 9.9 kg). Each trial consisted of a 15-m walkway, centered around a piezoelectric force platform sampling at 1,200 Hz. Differences were assessed between loaded and unloaded conditions and across carriers using paired samples t tests and repeated measures ANOVA. Results Additional load increased all ground reaction force parameters; however, the magnitude of force changes was influenced by carrier structure. The structured carrier displayed increased force magnitudes, a reduction in the time to vertical maximum heel contact, and an increased duration of the flat foot phase in walking gait. Conclusion Evidence suggests that the acute application of anterior infant carriers alters both kinetic and temporal measures of walking gait. Importantly, these changes appear to be governed not solely by the additional mass but also by the structure of the carrier. Application These findings indicate carrier structure should be considered by the wearer and may be used to inform policy in the recommendation of anterior infant carriage systems use by caregivers.

Effect of ankle-foot orthosis on level walking in healthy subjects

2019 ◽  
Vol 233 (12) ◽  
pp. 1262-1268
Author(s):  
Mizuki Kato ◽  
Arinori Kamono ◽  
Naomichi Ogihara
Keyword(s):  
Ground Reaction Force ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Sagittal Plane ◽  
Reaction Force ◽  
Walking Ability ◽  
Vertical Ground Reaction Force ◽  
Walking Gait ◽  
Ankle Foot Orthosis ◽  
Heel Contact ◽  
Foot Orthosis

An ankle-foot orthosis is often prescribed in the rehabilitation of patients with neurological motor disorders such as hemiparesis. However, walking with a unilateral ankle-foot orthosis may not be effectively achieved just by trying to reproduce normal intact walking with a symmetrical gait pattern. Understanding skills to facilitate walking gait with a unilateral ankle-foot orthosis has implications for better rehabilitative interventions to help restore walking ability in patients with stroke. We, therefore, analyzed the kinematics and ground reaction forces of walking with and without an ankle-foot orthosis in healthy subjects to infer the possible skills to facilitate walking gait with a unilateral ankle-foot orthosis. Adult male participants were asked to walk with and without an ankle-foot orthosis across two force platforms set in a wooden walkway, and body kinematics and ground reaction force profiles in the sagittal plane were simultaneously recorded. We found that the forward tilting angle of the trunk at the time of toe-off of the leg with the ankle-foot orthosis was significantly larger than that of the leg without the ankle-foot orthosis, to adaptively compensate for the loss of ankle joint mobility due to the unilateral ankle-foot orthosis. Furthermore, the peak vertical ground reaction force at heel-contact was significantly larger in the leg without the ankle-foot orthosis than in the leg with the ankle-foot orthosis owing to the fact that the stance phase duration of the leg with the ankle-foot orthosis was relatively shorter. Such information may potentially be applied to facilitate walking training in stroke patients wearing a unilateral ankle-foot orthosis.

Zapateado Technique as an Injury Risk in Mexican Folkloric and Spanish Dance: An Analysis of Execution, Ground Reaction Force, and Muscle Strength

2013 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 80-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soledad Echegoyen ◽  
Takeshi Aoyama ◽  
Cristina Rodríguez
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Ground Reaction Force ◽  
Knee Flexion ◽  
Injury Risk ◽  
Reaction Force ◽  
Knee Injuries ◽  
Flat Foot ◽  
Lateral Plane ◽  
Muscle Groups

Zapateado is a repetitive percussive footwork in dance. This percussive movement, and the differences in technique, may be risk factors for injury. A survey on zapateado dance students found a rate of 1.5 injuries/1,000 exposures. Knee injuries are more frequent than in Spanish dancers than folkloric dancers. The aim of this research was to study the relationship between technique and ground reaction force between zapateado on Spanish and Mexican folkloric dancers. Ten female dance students (age 22.4 ± 4 yrs), six Spanish dancers and four Mexican folkloric dancers, were considered. Each student performed zapateado with a flat foot, wearing high-heeled shoes during 5 seconds on a force platform. Videotapes were taken on a lateral plane, and knee and hip angles in each movement phase were measured with Dartfish software. Additionally, knee and ankle flexor and extensor strength was measured with a dynamometer. Ground reaction forces were lower for Spanish dancers than Mexican folkloric dancers. Spanish dancers had less knee flexion when the foot contacted to the ground than did Mexican folkloric dancers. On Spanish dancers, the working leg had more motion in relation to hip and knee angles than was seen in folkloric dancers. The ankle extensors were stronger on folkloric dancers, and there were no differences for the other muscle groups. Knee flexion at foot contact and muscle strength imbalance could be risk factors for injuries. It is suggested that the technique in Spanish dance in Mexico be reviewed, although more studies are required to define more risk factors.

Does Delivery Length Impact Measures of Whole-Body Biomechanical Load During Pace Bowling?

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 1485-1489
Author(s):  
Samuel J. Callaghan ◽  
Robert G. Lockie ◽  
Walter Yu ◽  
Warren A. Andrews ◽  
Robert F. Chipchase ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ground Reaction Force ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Reaction Force ◽  
Practical Importance ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Loading Rates ◽  
Biomechanical Loading ◽  
Repeated Measures Analysis ◽  
Load Monitoring ◽  
Monitoring Practice

Purpose: To investigate whether changes in delivery length (ie, short, good, and full) lead to alterations in whole-body biomechanical loading as determined by ground reaction force during front-foot contact of the delivery stride for pace bowlers. Current load-monitoring practices of pace bowling in cricket assume equivocal biomechanical loading as only the total number of deliveries are monitored irrespective of delivery length. Methods: A total of 16 male pace bowlers completed a 2-over spell at maximum intensity while targeting different delivery lengths (short, 7–10 m; good, 4–7 m; and full, 0–4 m from the batter’s stumps). In-ground force plates were used to determine discrete (vertical and braking force, impulse, and loading rates) and continuous front-foot contact ground reaction force. Repeated-measures analysis of variance (P < .05), effects size, and statistical parametrical mapping were used to determine differences between delivery lengths. Results: There were no significant differences between short, good, and full delivery lengths for the discrete and continuous kinetic variables investigated (P = .19–1.00), with trivial to small effect sizes. Conclusion: There were minimal differences in front-foot contact biomechanics for deliveries of different lengths (ie, short, good, and full). These data reinforce current pace bowling load-monitoring practices (ie, counting the number of deliveries), as changes in delivery length do not affect the whole-body biomechanical loading experienced by pace bowlers. This is of practical importance as it retains simplicity in load-monitoring practice that is used widely across different competition levels and ages.

The evaluation of modified foot orthosis on muscle activity and kinetic in a subject with flexible flat foot : Single case study

2013 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 160-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hassan Saeedi ◽  
Mohammad E Mousavi ◽  
Basir Majddoleslam ◽  
Mehdi Rahgozar ◽  
Gholamreza Aminian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ground Reaction Force ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Sagittal Plane ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Reaction Force ◽  
Vertical Ground Reaction Force ◽  
Flat Foot ◽  
Case Evaluation ◽  
The University ◽  
Foot Orthosis

Background:Due to blocking of pronation/dorsiflexion in flexible flat foot and restriction of these movements in using the University of California Berkeley Laboratory orthosis, provided pressures in sole by the orthosis were increased. Therefore, this article describes the evaluation of modified foot orthosis with flexible structure in the management of individuals with flexible flat foot.Case description and method:The patient was a 21-year-old male who had symptomatic flat foot. The modified foot orthosis included movable surface and the outside structure. The modified foot orthosis was evaluated by standing foot X-ray, comfort rate, electromyography of leg muscle and vertical ground reaction force during walking.Findings and outcomes:The modified foot orthosis improved the foot alignment and decreased the symptoms of flat foot with more comfort. Subtalar position by sub-maximum supination had higher position than neutral in sagittal plane. It may increase the muscle activity of peroneus longus by 7% compared to barefoot, and there was a decrease of 11% ground reaction force in mid stance.Conclusion:The result of this single case evaluation only proposed the feasibility of this modified insole as the orthotic treatment in flexible flat foot.Clinical relevanceThe modified foot orthosis, which is mobile in the midfoot, is an orthosis for walking and standing in subjects with flexible flat foot.

scholarly journals Shock absorption during transtibial amputee gait: Does longitudinal prosthetic stiffness play a role?

2016 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 178-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin Boutwell ◽  
Rebecca Stine ◽  
Steven Gard
Keyword(s):  
Ground Reaction Force ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Reaction Force ◽  
Shock Absorption ◽  
Appreciable Change ◽  
Normal Medium ◽  
Gait Biomechanics ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Transtibial Prosthesis

Background:Reduced-stiffness components are often prescribed in lower-limb prostheses, but their efficacy in augmenting shock absorption has been inconclusive.Objectives:To perform a systematic variation of longitudinal prosthetic stiffness over a wide range of values and to evaluate its effect on shock absorption during gait.Study design:Repeated-measures crossover experiment.Methods:Twelve subjects with a unilateral transtibial amputation walked at normal and fast self-selected speeds. Longitudinal prosthetic stiffness was modified by springs within a shock-absorbing pylon: normal (manufacturer recommended), 75% of normal (medium), 50% of normal (soft), and rigid (displacement blocked). The variables of interest were kinematic (stance-phase knee flexion and pelvic obliquity) and kinetic (prosthetic-side ground reaction force loading peak magnitude and timing).Results:No changes were observed in kinematic measures during gait. A significant difference in peak ground reaction force magnitudes between medium and normal ( p = 0.001) during freely selected walking was attributed to modified walking speed ( p = 0.008). Ground reaction force peaks were found to be statistically different during fast walking, but only between isolated stiffness conditions. Thus, altering longitudinal prosthesis stiffness produced no appreciable change in gait biomechanics.Conclusion:Prosthesis stiffness does not appear to substantially influence shock absorption in transtibial prosthesis users.Clinical relevanceVarying the level of longitudinal prosthesis stiffness did not meaningfully influence gait biomechanics at self-selected walking speeds. Thus, as currently prescribed within a transtibial prosthesis, adding longitudinal stiffness in isolation may not provide the anticipated shock absorption benefits. Further research into residual limb properties and compensatory mechanisms is needed.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Insole Colour on Impact Loading and Lower-Limb Kinematics When Running at Preferred and Nonpreferred Speeds

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Yi Wang ◽  
Wing-Kai Lam ◽  
Lok-Yee Pak ◽  
Charis K.-W. Wong ◽  
Mohammad F. Tan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Impact Loading ◽  
Ground Reaction Force ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Loading Rate ◽  
Reaction Force ◽  
Human Perception ◽  
Movement Variability ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Maximum Loading

While colour of red can play a significant role in altering human perception and performances, little is known about its perceptual-motor effect on running mechanics. This study examined the effects of variations in insole colours on impact forces, ankle kinematics, and trial-to-trial reliability at various running speeds. Sixteen male recreational runners ran on instrumented treadmill at slow (90%), preferred (100%), and fast (110%) running speeds when wearing insoles in red, blue, and white colours. We used synchronized force platform and motion capturing system to measure ground reaction force, ankle sagittal and frontal kinematics, and movement variability. A two-way (colour x speed) ANOVA with repeated measures was performed with Bonferroni adjusted post hoc comparisons, with alpha set at 0.05. Data analyses indicated that participants demonstrated higher impact and maximum loading rate of ground reaction force, longer stride length, shorter contact time, and smaller touchdown ankle inversion as well as larger ankle sagittal range of motion (RoM), but smaller frontal RoM in fast speed as compared with preferred P < 0.05 and slow speeds P < 0.001 . Although insole colour had minimal effect on mean values of any tested variables P > 0.05 , participants wearing red-coloured orthoses showed higher coefficient of variation values for maximum loading rate than wearing blue insoles P = 0.009 . These results suggest that running at faster speed would lead to higher impact loading and altered lower-limb mechanics and that colour used on the tops of insoles influences the wearers’ movement repeatability, with implications for use of foot insole in running.

Gait Phase Detection Using Foot Acceleration for Estimating Ground Reaction Force in Long Distance Gait Rehabilitation

2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 828-837 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuya Kawamura ◽  
◽  
Yuya Morita ◽  
Jun Okamoto ◽  
Kohei Saito ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ground Reaction Force ◽  
Reaction Force ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Gait Rehabilitation ◽  
Phase Detection ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Axis Direction ◽  
Acceleration Data ◽  
Heel Contact ◽  
Gait Phase

In gait rehabilitation, achieving a gait analysis method using a simple system during long-distance walking is important. This method is required to measure all gait parameters in a single measurement. In addition, it is required that the measurement system is not spatially constrained. Therefore, we have been developing a gait tracking system with acceleration sensors for long-distance gait rehabilitation. In this paper, we describe a gait phase detection method using foot acceleration data for estimating ground reaction force during long-distance gait rehabilitation. To develop this method, we focused on the jerk of each foot in vertical axis direction. Using two accelerometers mounted on the left and right feet, we carried out three experiments. First, we measured the jerk of each foot during a free gait to verify the relation with the walking speed. Second, we measured the jerk of each foot during walking faster than normal for each subject. We then compared these results with the results of first experiments. Finally, we measured the jerk of each foot during left-right asymmetrical walking. The results confirmed that gait phase could be detected using the jerk of each leg, calculated from acceleration data in vertical axis direction. In particular, the timing of Heel-contact / Toe-off could be obtained with an average error of 0.03 s. And as a preliminary study, we estimated the ground reaction force using the one of the results.

Limb Dominance Related to the Variability and Symmetry of the Vertical Ground Reaction Force and Center of Pressure

2012 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 473-478 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun Wang ◽  
Kazuhiko Watanabe
Keyword(s):  
Ground Reaction Force ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Reaction Force ◽  
Rehabilitation Program ◽  
Vertical Ground Reaction Force ◽  
Foot Pressure ◽  
Walking Gait ◽  
Posterior Direction ◽  
Vertical Ground ◽  
Limb Dominance

The notion of limb dominance has been commonly used in the upper extremity, yet the two lower extremities are often treated as equal for analytical purposes. Attempts to determine the effects of limb laterality on gait have produced conflicting results. The purpose of this study was to determine if limb dominance affects the vertical ground reaction force and center of pressure (COP) during able-bodied gait. The Parotec system (Paromed GmbH, Germany) was used to collect plantar foot pressure data. Fifteen subjects volunteered to participate in this study. The coefficient of variation of the COP displacement in the mediolateral direction and the variability of peak force beneath the lateral forefoot in the nondominant foot were significant greater than in the dominant foot. Moreover, COP velocity in the anterior-posterior direction during the terminal stance phase showed greater value in the dominant foot. Our study provides support for limb laterality by showing limb dominance affected the vertical ground reaction force and center of pressure during walking gait. This finding suggests it is an important issue in movement science for clinicians and would assist in improving sports performance and rehabilitation program.

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