Modelling of Muscle Force Distributions During Barefoot and Shod Running

Abstract Research interest in barefoot running has expanded considerably in recent years, based around the notion that running without shoes is associated with a reduced incidence of chronic injuries. The aim of the current investigation was to examine the differences in the forces produced by different skeletal muscles during barefoot and shod running. Fifteen male participants ran at 4.0 m·s-1 (± 5%). Kinematics were measured using an eight camera motion analysis system alongside ground reaction force parameters. Differences in sagittal plane kinematics and muscle forces between footwear conditions were examined using repeated measures or Freidman’s ANOVA. The kinematic analysis showed that the shod condition was associated with significantly more hip flexion, whilst barefoot running was linked with significantly more flexion at the knee and plantarflexion at the ankle. The examination of muscle kinetics indicated that peak forces from Rectus femoris, Vastus medialis, Vastus lateralis, Tibialis anterior were significantly larger in the shod condition whereas Gastrocnemius forces were significantly larger during barefoot running. These observations provide further insight into the mechanical alterations that runners make when running without shoes. Such findings may also deliver important information to runners regarding their susceptibility to chronic injuries in different footwear conditions.

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Lower Extremity Biomechanical Demands During Saut de Chat Leaps

Medical Problems of Performing Artists ◽

10.21091/mppa.2016.4039 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 31 (4) ◽

pp. 211-217 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Danielle N Jarvis ◽

Kornelia Kulig

Keyword(s):

Lower Extremity ◽

Sagittal Plane ◽

Reaction Force ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Vertical Force ◽

Dance Training ◽

Chronic Injuries ◽

Analysis System ◽

Kinetics Of ◽

Kinematics And Kinetics

In dance, high demands are placed on the lower extremity joints during jumping tasks. The purpose of this study was to compare biomechanical demands placed on the lower extremity joints during the takeoff and landing phases of saut de chat leaps. METHODS: Thirty healthy, experienced dancers with 20.8±4.9 yrs of dance training performed 5 saut de chat leaps. A three-dimensional motion analysis system and force plates were used to collect kinematic and kinetic data. Ground reaction force (GRF) peaks and impulse and sagittal plane kinematics and kinetics of the hip, knee, ankle, and metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints were calculated for the takeoff and landing phases of each leap. RESULTS: Saut de chat takeoffs demonstrated greater braking GRF impulse (p<0.001), while landings demonstrated greater peak vertical GRF (p<0.001). During takeoff, greater kinetic demands were placed on the MTP (p<0.001) and ankle (p<0.001) joints, while during landing greater kinetic demands were placed on the hip (p=0.037) joint. CONCLUSIONS: Both the takeoff and landing phases of saut de chat leaps place significant demands on a dancer’s body. Takeoff involves greater demands on the more distal joints and requires more braking forces, while the landing phase involves greater demands on the more proximal joints of the lower extremity and requires the dancer to absorb more vertical force. These demands, combined with extensive repetition of movements during training, may contribute to the high number of chronic injuries seen in dance.

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Effects of conventional and minimalist footwear on patellofemoral and Achilles tendon kinetics during netball specific movements

Comparative Exercise Physiology ◽

10.3920/cep150013 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 191-199 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

J. Sinclair ◽

S. Atkins ◽

P.J. Taylor ◽

H. Vincent

Keyword(s):

Achilles Tendon ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Reaction Force ◽

Knee Injuries ◽

Knee Loading ◽

High Incidence ◽

Predictive Methods ◽

Chronic Injuries ◽

Analysis System ◽

Patellofemoral Pressure

Netball is a physically demanding sport that is associated with a high incidence of chronic injuries. Currently there is a trend towards the utilisation of minimalist footwear in netball players as opposed to more conventional netball trainers. The current investigation aimed to examine the effects of netball specific and minimalist footwear on patellofemoral and Achilles tendon loads during netball specific motions. Fifteen female netballers performed both run and cut movements when wearing conventional netball footwear and also a minimalist trainer. Kinematics of the lower extremities were quantified using a motion analysis system alongside ground reaction force information which was obtained using a force platform. Patellofemoral force (PTF), patellofemoral pressure (PP) and Achilles tendon forces (ATF) were quantified using predictive methods and examined between footwear using repeated measures ANOVA. The results indicate that patellofemoral loads (run – PTF: netball specific = 5.56 / minimalist = 4.74 body weight (BW); – PP: netball specific = 13.17 / minimalist = 11.89 MPa; cut – PTF: netball specific = 5.65 / minimalist = 4.82 BW; – PP; netball specific = 14.05 / minimalist = 12.88 MPa) were significantly larger in the conventional footwear compared to minimalist in both movements. Achilles tendon forces (run: netball specific = 4.43 / minimalist = 5.47; cut: netball specific = 4.32 / minimalist = 5.29 BW) were however significantly larger in the minimalist compared to the conventional footwear. Taking the proposed association between knee loading and patellofemoral pathology, the risk from knee injuries in netballers may be reduced via minimalist footwear. However, taking into account the equivalent increases in Achilles tendon forces, this may increase the likelihood of overuse Achilles tendon injuries.

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A comparison of several barefoot inspired footwear models in relation to barefoot and conventional running footwear

Comparative Exercise Physiology ◽

10.3920/cep13004 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 13-21 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

J. Sinclair ◽

S.J. Hobbs ◽

G. Currigan ◽

P.J. Taylor

Keyword(s):

Lower Extremity ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Reaction Force ◽

Camera Motion ◽

Motion Analysis System ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Impact Parameters ◽

Analysis System ◽

Rearfoot Eversion ◽

Camera Motion Analysis

This study examined differences in kinetics and kinematics between barefoot and shod running, as well as between several barefoot inspired footwear models. Fifteen participants ran at 4.0 m/s ±5% in each footwear condition. Lower extremity kinematics in the sagittal, coronal and transverse planes were measured using an eight camera motion analysis system alongside ground reaction force parameters. Impact parameters and joint kinematics were subsequently compared using repeated measures ANOVAs. The kinetic analysis revealed that, compared to the conventional footwear, impact parameters were significantly greater in the barefoot and more minimal in barefoot inspired footwear. Running barefoot and in the minimal barefoot inspired footwear was associated with increases in flexion parameters of the knee and ankle at footstrike in relation to the conventional footwear. Finally, the results indicated that the barefoot and minimal barefoot inspired footwear were associated with greater peak eversion magnitude when compared to the conventional footwear. This study suggests that in barefoot and more minimalist barefoot inspired footwear running is associated with impact kinetics and rearfoot eversion parameters, previously linked to an increased risk of overuse injury, when compared to conventional shod running.

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Effects of shoes on kinetics and kinematics of the squash forward lunge in male players

Kinesiology ◽

10.26582/k.49.2.9 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 49 (2) ◽

pp. 178-184

Author(s):

Jonathan Sinclair ◽

Paul John Taylor

Keyword(s):

Repeated Measures ◽

Loading Rate ◽

Motion Analysis System ◽

Repeated Measures Anova ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Running Shoes ◽

High Incidence ◽

Chronic Injuries ◽

Tibial Acceleration ◽

Analysis System

Squash is associated with a high incidence of chronic injuries. Currently there is a trend in many sports for players to select minimalist footwear. The aim of the current investigation was to examine the effects of squashspecific, running shoes and minimalist footwear on the kinetics and 3-D kinematics of the lunge movement in squash players. Twelve male squash players performed lunge movements whilst wearing minimalist, running shoe and squash-specific footwear. 3-D kinematics of the lower extremities were measured using an eightcamera motion analysis system alongside kinetic and tibial acceleration information which were obtained using a force platform and an accelerometer. Differences between footwear were examined using one-way repeated measures ANOVA. The results show firstly that loading rate parameters were significantly greater in the minimalist (average = 85.36B.W/s and instantaneous = 179.09B.W/s) footwear in relation to the squashspecific (average = 38.66 B.W/s and instantaneous = 50.73B.W/s) and running footwear (average = 37.62B.W/s and instantaneous = 48.14B.W/s). In addition, tibial acceleration parameters were also significantly greater in the minimalist (peak tibial acceleration = 8.45 g and tibial acceleration slope = 422.28g/s) footwear in relation to the squash-specific (peak tibial acceleration = 4.33 g and tibial acceleration slope = 182.57g/s) and running footwear (peak tibial acceleration = 4.81 g and tibial acceleration slope = 226.72g/s). The significant increase in impact loading in the minimalist footwear therefore suggests this type of shoe may place squash players at an increased risk of developing impact-related chronic injuries.

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A Time Division Multiplexing Inspired Lightweight Soft Exoskeleton for Hip and Ankle Joint Assistance

Micromachines ◽

10.3390/mi12101150 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (10) ◽

pp. 1150

Author(s):

Xin Ye ◽

Chunjie Chen ◽

Yanguo Shi ◽

Lingxing Chen ◽

Zhuo Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gait Cycle ◽

Vastus Lateralis ◽

Plantar Flexion ◽

Rectus Femoris ◽

Loading Path ◽

Time Division Multiplexing ◽

Natural Motion ◽

Actuation Scheme ◽

Hip Flexion ◽

Time Division

Exoskeleton robots are frequently applied to augment or assist the user’s natural motion. Generally, each assisted joint corresponds to at least one specific motor to ensure the independence of movement between joints. This means that as there are more joints to be assisted, more motors are required, resulting in increasing robot weight, decreasing motor utilization, and weakening exoskeleton robot assistance efficiency. To solve this problem, the design and control of a lightweight soft exoskeleton that assists hip-plantar flexion of both legs in different phases during a gait cycle with only one motor is presented in this paper. Inspired by time-division multiplexing and the symmetry of walking motion, an actuation scheme that uses different time-periods of the same motor to transfer different forces to different joints is formulated. An automatic winding device is designed to dynamically change the loading path of the assistive force at different phases of the gait cycle. The system is designed to assist hip flexion and plantar flexion of both legs with only one motor, since there is no overlap between the hip flexion movement and the toe-offs movement of the separate legs during walking. The weight of the whole system is only 2.24 kg. PD iterative control is accomplished by an algorithm that utilizes IMUs attached on the thigh recognizing the maximum hip extension angle to characterize toe-offs indirectly, and two load cells to monitor the cable tension. In the study of six subjects, muscle fatigue of the rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, gastrocnemius and soleus decreased by an average of 14.69%, 6.66%, 17.71%, and 8.15%, respectively, compared to scenarios without an exoskeleton.

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Neuromuscular Strategies in Stretch–Shortening Exercises with Increasing Drop Heights: The Role of Muscle Coactivation in Leg Stiffness and Power Propulsion

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17228647 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (22) ◽

pp. 8647

Author(s):

Riccardo Di Giminiani ◽

Aldo Giovannelli ◽

Lorenzo Capuano ◽

Pascal Izzicupo ◽

Andrea Di Blasio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vastus Lateralis ◽

Reaction Force ◽

Rectus Femoris ◽

Random Order ◽

Biceps Femoris ◽

Drop Height ◽

Drop Jump ◽

Contact Phase ◽

Leg Stiffness ◽

Braking Phase

When applying drop jump exercises, knowing the magnitude of the stimulus is fundamental to stabilize the leg joints and to generate movements with the highest power. The effects of different drop heights on leg muscles coactivation, leg stiffness and power propulsion were investigated in fifteen sport science students. Drop jumps from heights of 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 cm in a random order were performed on a force platform. During each drop jump, the ground reaction force, knee angle displacement, and synchronized surface-electromyography root-mean-square (sEMGRMS) activity (vastus lateralis, VL; vastus medialis, VM; rectus femoris, RF; biceps femoris, BF; tibialis anterior, TA and lateral gastrocnemius, LG) were recorded. The coactivation in the pre-contact phase, between VL and BF, VM and BF as well as RF and BF, was dependent on the drop height (p < 0.01; effect size (ES) ranged from 0.45 to 0.90). Leg stiffness was dependent on the drop height (p < 0.001; ES = 0.27–0.28) and was modulated by the coactivation of VM–BF (p = 0.034) and RF–BF (p = 0.046) during the braking phase. Power propulsion was also dependent on the drop height (p < 0.001; ES = 0.34); however, it was primarily modulated by the coactivation of LG–TA during the braking phase (p = 0.002). The coactivation of thigh muscles explains leg stiffness adjustments at different drop heights. On the contrary, the coactivation of shank muscles is mostly responsible for the power propulsion.

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Symmetry function as a new tool for evaluating the symmetry of gait in transfemoral amputees

10.21203/rs.3.rs-49948/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Slawomir Winiarski ◽

Alicja Rutkowska-Kucharska ◽

Mateusz Kowal

Keyword(s):

Time Series ◽

Gait Cycle ◽

Sagittal Plane ◽

Reaction Force ◽

Frontal Plane ◽

Symmetry Function ◽

The Difference ◽

Force Components ◽

Analysis System ◽

And Shifts

Abstract Background: Numerous studies have demonstrated significant asymmetries in unilateral amputee gait. The underlying dissimilarities between prosthetic and intact limbs have not yet been widely examined. To gain more insight into the functionality of asymmetries, we propose a new tool, the symmetry function (SF), to evaluate the symmetry of walking in terms of kinematic and dynamic variables of patients after unilateral transfemoral amputation and to identify areas with the largest side deviations in the movement cycle. Methods: An instrumented motion analysis system was used to register the gait of fourteen patients after unilateral trans-femoral amputation (TFA). Measurements involved evaluating the time series of gait variables characterizing a range of motion and the time series of the ground reaction force components. Comparison of the involved limb with the uninvolved limb in TFA patients was carried out on the basis of the SF values.Results: The symmetry function proved to be an excellent tool to localize the regions of asymmetry and their positive or negative directions in the full gait cycle. The difference between sides revealed by the symmetry function was the highest for the pelvis and the hip. In the sagittal plane, the pelvis was asymmetrically tilted, reaching the highest SF value of more than 25% at 60% cycle time. In the transverse plane, the pelvis was even more asymmetrically positioned throughout the entire gait cycle (50% difference on average). The hip in the frontal plane reached a 60% difference in SF throughout the single support phase for the prosthetic and then for the intact limb. Conclusions: The symmetry function allows for the detection of gait asymmetries and shifts in the center of gravity and may assess the precise in time adaptation of prostheses and rehabilitation monitoring, especially in unilateral impairments.Trial registration: The trial registration number (TRN): 379991 issued by the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) on 07.05.2020 (retrospectively registered).

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Influence of cross-fit footwear on patellofemoral kinetics during running activities

Comparative Exercise Physiology ◽

10.3920/cep160021 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 105-111 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

J.K. Sinclair ◽

P.J. Taylor ◽

B. Sant

Keyword(s):

Repeated Measures ◽

Camera Motion ◽

Repeated Measures Anova ◽

Joint Pathology ◽

Limb Kinematics ◽

Analysis System ◽

Camera Motion Analysis ◽

Lower Limb Kinematics ◽

Reduced Risk ◽

Modelling Approach

The aim of this work was to examine the effects of barefoot, cross-fit, minimalist and conventional footwear on patellofemoral loading during running. Twelve cross-fit athletes ran at 4.0 m/s in each of the four footwear conditions. Lower limb kinematics were collected using an 8 camera motion analysis system and patellofemoral loading was estimated using a mathematical modelling approach. Differences between footwear were examined using one-way repeated measures ANOVA. The results showed the peak patellofemoral force and stress were significantly reduced when running barefoot (force = 3.42 BW & stress = 10.71 MPa) and in minimalist footwear (force = 3.73 BW & stress = 11.64 MPa) compared to conventional (force = 4.12 BW & stress = 12.69 MPa) and cross-fit (force = 3.97 BW & stress = 12.30 MPa) footwear. In addition, the findings also showed that patellofemoral impulse was significantly reduced when running barefoot (0.35 BW·s) and in minimalist footwear (0.36 BW·s) compared to conventional (0.42 BW·s) and cross-fit (0.38 BW·s) footwear. Given the proposed association between patellofemoral loading and patellofemoral disorders, the outcomes from the current investigation suggest that cross-fit athletes who select barefoot and minimalist footwear for their running activities may be at reduced risk from patellofemoral joint pathology in comparison to conventional and cross-fit footwear conditions.

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Mono- and Biarticular Muscle Activity during Jumping in Different Directions

Journal of Applied Biomechanics ◽

10.1123/jab.19.3.205 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 19 (3) ◽

pp. 205-222 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Stephanie L. Jones ◽

Graham E. Caldwell

Keyword(s):

Muscle Activity ◽

Vastus Lateralis ◽

Activity Patterns ◽

Center Of Mass ◽

Reaction Force ◽

Gluteus Maximus ◽

Rectus Femoris ◽

Jump Condition ◽

Activity Level ◽

Biarticular Muscle

This study examined the role of mono- and biarticular muscles in control of countermovement jumps (CMJ) in different directions. It was hypothesized that monoarticular muscles would demonstrate the same activity regardless of jump direction, based on previous studies which suggest their role is to generate energy to maximize center-of-mass (CM) velocity. In contrast, biarticular activity patterns were expected to change to control the direction of the ground reaction force (GRF) and CM velocity vectors. Twelve participants performed maximal CMJs in four directions: vertical, forward, intermediate forward, and backward. Electromyographical data from 4 monoarticular and 3 biarticular lower extremity muscles were analyzed with respect to segmental kinematics and kinetics during the jumps. The biarticular rectus femoris (RF), hamstrings (HA), and gastrocnemius all exhibited changes in activity magnitude and pattern as a function of jump angle. In particular, HA and RF demonstrated reciprocal trends, with HA activity increasing as jump angle changed from backward to forward, while RF activity was reduced in the forward jump condition. The vastus lateralis and gluteus maximus both demonstrated changes in activity patterns, although the former was the only monoarticular muscle to change activity level with jump direction. Mono- and biarticular muscle activities therefore did not fit with their hypothesized roles. CM and segmental kinematics suggest that jump direction was initiated early in the countermovement, and that in each jump direction the propulsion phase began from a different position with unique angular and linear momentum. Issues that dictated the muscle activity patterns in each jump direction were the early initiation of appropriate forward momentum, the transition from countermovement to propulsion, the control of individual segment rotations, the control of GRF location and direction, and the influence of the subsequent landing.

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Lower-Extremity-Joint Cryotherapy Does Not Affect Vertical Ground-Reaction Forces during Landing

Journal of Sport Rehabilitation ◽

10.1123/jsr.10.2.132 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 132-142 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Andrew G Jameson ◽

Stephen J Kinzey ◽

Jeffrey S Hallam

Keyword(s):

Repeated Measures ◽

Vertical Jump ◽

Reaction Force ◽

Vertical Ground Reaction Force ◽

Physically Active ◽

Before And After ◽

Reaction Forces ◽

Vertical Ground ◽

Chronic Injuries ◽

Vertical Ground Reaction Forces

Context:Cryotherapy is commonly used in the care of acute and chronic injuries. It decreases pain, reduces swelling, and causes vasoconstriction of blood vessels. Its detrimental effects on motor activity might predispose physically active individuals to further injury.Objective:To examine the effects of cryotherapy on vertical-ground-reaction-force (VGRF) during a 2-legged landing from a 2-legged targeted vertical jump.Design:2 × 4 MANOVA with repeated measures.Setting:Biomechanics laboratory.Participants:10 men, means: 22.40 ± 1.26 years, 76.01 ± 26.95 kg, 182.88 ± 6.88 cm.Intervention:VGRF during landing from a targeted vertical jump (90% of maximum) was measured before and after four 20-minute cryotherapy treatments.Results:There were no significant differences in VGRF as a result of cryotherapy.Conclusion:Under the constraints of this study there is no evidence that returning to activity immediately after cryotherapy predisposes an athlete to injury because of a change in VGRF.

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