scholarly journals An Evaluation of Symmetry in the Lower Limb Joints During the Able-Bodied Gait of Women and Men

2012 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wanda Forczek ◽  
Robert Staszkiewicz
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
Sagittal Plane ◽  
Temporal Structure ◽  
Asymmetry Index ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
3D Motion Analysis ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Analysis System ◽  
The Right

For many years, mainly to simplify data analysis, scientists assumed that during a gait, the lower limbs moved symmetrically. However, even a cursory survey of the more recent literature reveals that the human walk is symmetrical only in some aspects. That is why the presence of asymmetry should be considered in all studies of locomotion. The gait data were collected using the 3D motion analysis system Vicon. The inclusion criteria allowed the researchers to analyze a very homogenous group, which consisted of 54 subjects (27 women and 27 men). Every selected participant moved at a similar velocity: approximately 1,55 m/s. The analysis included kinematic parameters defining spatio-temporal structure of locomotion, as well as angular changes of the main joints of the lower extremities (ankle, knee and hip) in the sagittal plane. The values of those variables were calculated separately for the left and for the right leg in women and men. This approach allowed us to determine the size of the differences, and was the basis for assessing gait asymmetry using a relative asymmetry index, which was constructed by the authors. Analysis of the results demonstrates no differences in the temporal and phasic variables of movements of the right and left lower limb. However, different profiles of angular changes in the sagittal plane were observed, measured bilaterally for the ankle joint.

scholarly journals Kinematic Analysis of Lower Limb Joint Asymmetry during Gait in People with Multiple Sclerosis

Symmetry ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 598
Author(s):  
Massimiliano Pau ◽  
Bruno Leban ◽  
Michela Deidda ◽  
Federica Putzolu ◽  
Micaela Porta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Sagittal Plane ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Camera Motion ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Temporal Parameters ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Edss Score ◽  
Spatio Temporal

The majority of people with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS), report lower limb motor dysfunctions, which may relevantly affect postural control, gait and a wide range of activities of daily living. While it is quite common to observe a different impact of the disease on the two limbs (i.e., one of them is more affected), less clear are the effects of such asymmetry on gait performance. The present retrospective cross-sectional study aimed to characterize the magnitude of interlimb asymmetry in pwMS, particularly as regards the joint kinematics, using parameters derived from angle-angle diagrams. To this end, we analyzed gait patterns of 101 pwMS (55 women, 46 men, mean age 46.3, average Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score 3.5, range 1–6.5) and 81 unaffected individuals age- and sex-matched who underwent 3D computerized gait analysis carried out using an eight-camera motion capture system. Spatio-temporal parameters and kinematics in the sagittal plane at hip, knee and ankle joints were considered for the analysis. The angular trends of left and right sides were processed to build synchronized angle–angle diagrams (cyclograms) for each joint, and symmetry was assessed by computing several geometrical features such as area, orientation and Trend Symmetry. Based on cyclogram orientation and Trend Symmetry, the results show that pwMS exhibit significantly greater asymmetry in all three joints with respect to unaffected individuals. In particular, orientation values were as follows: 5.1 of pwMS vs. 1.6 of unaffected individuals at hip joint, 7.0 vs. 1.5 at knee and 6.4 vs. 3.0 at ankle (p < 0.001 in all cases), while for Trend Symmetry we obtained at hip 1.7 of pwMS vs. 0.3 of unaffected individuals, 4.2 vs. 0.5 at knee and 8.5 vs. 1.5 at ankle (p < 0.001 in all cases). Moreover, the same parameters were sensitive enough to discriminate individuals of different disability levels. With few exceptions, all the calculated symmetry parameters were found significantly correlated with the main spatio-temporal parameters of gait and the EDSS score. In particular, large correlations were detected between Trend Symmetry and gait speed (with rho values in the range of –0.58 to –0.63 depending on the considered joint, p < 0.001) and between Trend Symmetry and EDSS score (rho = 0.62 to 0.69, p < 0.001). Such results suggest not only that MS is associated with significantly marked interlimb asymmetry during gait but also that such asymmetry worsens as the disease progresses and that it has a relevant impact on gait performances.

scholarly journals A kinematics analysis of the lower limb during running with different sports shoes

2018 ◽  
Vol 233 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-52
Author(s):  
Lin Fu ◽  
Yaodong Gu ◽  
Qichang Mei ◽  
Julien S Baker ◽  
Justin Fernandez
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
External Rotation ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Frontal Plane ◽  
3D Motion Analysis ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Running Shoes ◽  
Knee Abduction ◽  
Analysis System ◽  
Sports Shoes

The study aimed to investigate the differences in lower limb joint angles during running with three different sports shoes: basketball shoes, football shoes, and running shoes. Fifteen male subjects (age: 25 ± 2.2 years, height: 1.79 ± 0.05 m, and mass: 70.8 ± 3.4 kg) were asked to run on a treadmill at their preferred running speed. The Vicon 3D motion analysis system was used to capture the kinematics of the lower extremity during running. A one-way analysis of variance was used to determine whether any statistical significance existed between the three types of shoes (α < 0.05). Significant differences existed in the lower limb joints between the three sports shoes, particularly at the knee joint. Running shoes presented more knee flexion than basketball shoes and football shoes. In the frontal plane, basketball shoes showed less knee abduction than running shoes and football shoes. No significant difference occurred in ankle external rotation between basketball shoes and football shoes, and both of them presented greater range of motion of the ankle and knee than running shoes.

scholarly journals Temporal and spatial asymmetries during stationary cycling cause different feedforward and feedback modifications in the muscular control of the lower limbs

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Zych ◽  
Ian Rankin ◽  
Donal Holland ◽  
Giacomo Severini
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
Motor Adaptation ◽  
Neuromuscular Control ◽  
Task Demands ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Muscle Synergy ◽  
Accelerometer Data ◽  
Temporal Asymmetry ◽  
Spatial Asymmetries ◽  
The Right

AbstractMotor adaptations are useful for studying the way in which the lower limbs are controlled by the brain. However, motor adaptation paradigms for the lower limbs are typically based on locomotion tasks, where the necessity of maintaining postural stability is the main driver of adaptation and could possibly mask other underlying processes. In this study we investigated whether small temporal or spatial asymmetries can trigger motor adaptations during stationary cycling, where stability is not directly compromised. Fourteen healthy individuals participated in two experiments: in one of the experiments the angle between the crank arms of the pedals was altered by 10° to induce a temporal asymmetry; in the other the length of the right pedal was shortened by 2.4 cm to induce a spatial asymmetry. We recorded the acceleration of the crank arms and the EMG signals of 16 muscles (8 per leg). The analysis of the accelerometer data was used to investigate the presence of motor adaptations. Muscle synergy analysis was performed on each side to quantify changes in neuromuscular control. We found that feedforward motor adaptations are present in response to temporal asymmetries and are obtained by progressively shifting the activation patterns of two synergies on the right leg. Spatial asymmetries appear to trigger a feedback-driven response that does not present an aftereffect and is not consistent with a motor adaptation. This response is characterized by a step-like decrease in activity in the right gastrocnemius when the asymmetry is present and likely reflects the altered task demands.New and NoteworthyThe processes driving lower limb motor adaptations are not fully clear, and previous research appears to indicate that adaptations are mainly driven by stability. Here we show that lower limb adaptations can be obtained also in the absence of an explicit balance threat. We also show that adaptations are present also when kinematic error cannot be compensated for, suggesting the presence of intrinsic error measures regulating the timing of activation of the two legs.

scholarly journals Asymmetry and changes in the neuromuscular profile of short-track athletes as a result of strength training

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. e0261265
Author(s):  
Paweł Pakosz ◽  
Anna Lukanova-Jakubowska ◽  
Edyta Łuszczki ◽  
Mariusz Gnoiński ◽  
Oscar García-García
Keyword(s):  
Strength Training ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Lower Limb Muscles ◽  
Limb Muscles ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Monthly Period ◽  
Track Athletes ◽  
The Right

Background The purpose of this study was to identify the biomedical signals of short-track athletes by evaluating the effects of monthly strength training on changes in their neuromuscular profile, strength, and power parameters of the lower limb muscles. Muscle asymmetry, which can cause a risk of injury, was also evaluated. Methods and results This study involved female athletes, age 18.8 ± 2.7 years, with a height of 162 ± 2.4 cm, and weight of 55.9 ± 3.9 kg. Before and after the monthly preparatory period prior to the season, strength measurements were assessed through the Swift SpeedMat platform, and reactivity of the lower limb muscles was assessed with tensiomyography (TMG). The athletes were also tested before and after the recovery training period. In the test after strength training, all average countermovement jump (CMJ) results improved. Flight time showed an increase with a moderate to large effect, using both legs (5.21%). Among the TMG parameters, time contraction (Tc) changed globally with a decrease (-5.20%). Changes in the results of the test after recovery training were most often not significant. Conclusion A monthly period of strength training changes the neuromuscular profile of short-track female athletes, with no significant differences between the right and left lower limbs.

scholarly journals Kinematic characteristics of barefoot sprinting in habitually shod children

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e5188
Author(s):  
Jun Mizushima ◽  
Keitaro Seki ◽  
Justin W.L. Keogh ◽  
Kei Maeda ◽  
Atsushi Shibata ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Sagittal Plane ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Standing Position ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Step Frequency ◽  
Barefoot Running ◽  
Foot Strike ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
The Right

Background Anecdotally, a wide variety of benefits of barefoot running have been advocated by numerous individuals. The influence of the alterations in the properties of the shoe on the running movement has been demonstrated in adults at submaximal jogging speeds. However, the biomechanical differences between shod and barefoot running in children at sprinting speeds and the potential developmental implications of these differences are still less examined. The purpose was to determine the potential differences in habitually shod children’s sprint kinematics between shod and barefoot conditions. Methods Ninety-four children (51 boys and 43 girls; 6–12 years-old; height, 135.0 ± 0.12 m; body mass, 29.0 ± 6.9 kg) performed 30 m maximal sprints from standing position for each of two conditions (shod and barefoot). To analyze sprint kinematics within sagittal plane sprint kinematics, a high-speed camera (300 fps) was set perpendicular to the runway. In addition, sagittal foot landing and take-off images were recorded for multiple angles by using five high-speed cameras (300 fps). Spatio-temporal variables, the kinematics of the right leg (support leg) and the left leg (recovery leg), and foot strike patterns: rear-foot strike (RFS), mid-foot strike (MFS), and fore-foot strike (FFS) were investigated. The paired t-test was used to test difference between shod and barefoot condition. Results Barefoot sprinting in habitually shod children was mainly characterized by significantly lower sprint speed, higher step frequency, shorter step length and stance time. In shod running, 82% of children showed RFS, whereas it decreased to 29% in barefoot condition. The touch down state and the subsequent joint movements of both support and recovery legs during stance phase were significantly altered when running in condition with barefoot. Discussion The acute effects of barefoot sprinting was demonstrated by significantly slower sprinting speeds that appear to reflect changes in a variety of spatiotemporal parameters as well as lower limb kinematics. It is currently unknown whether such differences would be observed in children who typically run in bare feet and what developmental benefits and risks may emerge from increasing the proportion of barefoot running and sprinting in children. Future research should therefore investigate potential benefits that barefoot sprinting may have on the development of key physical fitness such as nerve conduction velocity, muscular speed, power, and sprinting technique and on ways to minimize the risk of any acute or chronic injuries associated with this activity.

Sensitivity of the Toe Height to Multijoint Angular Changes in the Lower Limbs During Unobstructed and Obstructed Gait

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Chuyi Cui ◽  
Brittney Muir ◽  
Shirley Rietdyk ◽  
Jeffrey Haddad ◽  
Richard van Emmerik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Sagittal Plane ◽  
Frontal Plane ◽  
Singular Value ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Joint Angles ◽  
Adult Lifespan ◽  
Main Contributor ◽  
Bilateral Lower Limb

Tripping while walking is a main contributor to falls across the adult lifespan. Trip risk is proportional to variability in toe clearance. To determine the sources of this variability, the authors computed for 10 young adults the sensitivity of toe clearance to 10 bilateral lower limb joint angles during unobstructed and obstructed walking when the lead and the trail limb crossed the obstacle. The authors computed a novel measure—singular value of the appropriate Jacobian—as the combined toe clearance sensitivity to 4 groups of angles: all sagittal and all frontal plane angles and all swing and all stance limb angles. Toe clearance was most sensitive to the stance hip ab/adduction for unobstructed gait. For obstructed gait, sensitivity to other joints increased and matched the sensitivity to stance hip ab/adduction. Combined sensitivities revealed critical information that was not evident in the sensitivities to individual angles. The combined sensitivity to stance limb angles was 84% higher than swing limb angles. The combined sensitivity to the sagittal plane angles was lower than the sensitivity to the frontal plane angles during unobstructed gait, and this relation was reversed during obstacle crossing. The results highlight the importance of the stance limb joints and indicate that frontal plane angles should not be ignored.

scholarly journals Brain Activity during Lower-Limb Movement with Manual Facilitation: An fMRI Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrícia Maria Duarte de Almeida ◽  
Ana Isabel Correia Matos de Ferreira Vieira ◽  
Nádia Isabel Silva Canário ◽  
Miguel Castelo-Branco ◽  
Alexandre Lemos de Castro Caldas
Keyword(s):  
Motor Control ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Verbal Stimulus ◽  
Limb Movement ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Normal Brain ◽  
Lower Limb Movement ◽  
The Right

Brain activity knowledge of healthy subjects is an important reference in the context of motor control and reeducation. While the normal brain behavior for upper-limb motor control has been widely explored, the same is not true for lower-limb control. Also the effects that different stimuli can evoke on movement and respective brain activity are important in the context of motor potentialization and reeducation. For a better understanding of these processes, a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to collect data of 10 healthy subjects performing lower-limb multijoint functional movement under three stimuli: verbal stimulus, manual facilitation, and verbal + manual facilitation. Results showed that, with verbal stimulus, both lower limbs elicit bilateral cortical brain activation; with manual facilitation, only the left lower limb (LLL) elicits bilateral activation while the right lower limb (RLL) elicits contralateral activation; verbal + manual facilitation elicits bilateral activation for the LLL and contralateral activation for the RLL. Manual facilitation also elicits subcortical activation in white matter, the thalamus, pons, and cerebellum. Deactivations were also found for lower-limb movement. Manual facilitation is stimulus capable of generating brain activity in healthy subjects. Stimuli need to be specific for bilateral activation and regarding which brain areas we aim to activate.

scholarly journals Study of Nutrient Foramina in Human Typical Long Bones of Lower Limb

2019 ◽  
Vol 08 (02) ◽  
pp. 077-081 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ajay Parmar ◽  
Pankaj Maheria ◽  
Kanan Shah
Keyword(s):  
Blood Supply ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Fracture Repair ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Long Bones ◽  
Posterior Aspect ◽  
Nutrient Foramen ◽  
Nutrient Artery ◽  
Nutrient Foramina ◽  
The Right

Abstract Background and Aim Nutrient foramina form important landmarks on human bones as they form portal of entry for nutrient artery. Nutrient artery is an important source of blood supply for a growing bone. Different parameters of nutrient foramina are important in various procedures such as vascularized bone grafting, tumor resections, fracture repair, and other surgical procedures in orthopedics. The objective of the present study was to report the number, position, direction, size, and foraminal index of nutrient foramen in the femur, tibia, and fibula. Materials and Methods The present study analyzed the location, direction, size, and the number of nutrient foramina in the diaphysis of 180 long bones of the lower limbs of adults: 60 femurs, 60 tibiae, and 60 fibulae. Result The location of the nutrient foramina is predominant on the posterior aspect of the lower limb long bones. Single nutrient foramen found in the tibia (100%), femur (48.3%), and fibula (60%) may represent as a single source of blood supply. The majority of the femur (50%) and few fibulae (5%) had a double nutrient foramen. The mean foraminal index for the lower limb bones was 40.5% for the left and 38.2% for the right side of the femur, 31.69% for the left and 32.3% for the right side of the tibia, and 32.7% for the left and 31.7% for the right side of the fibula. Conclusion The present study provides information on the number, size, position, and direction of nutrient foramina of the femur, tibia, and fibula bones.

A Prospective Study of Postoperative Lymphedema After Surgery for Cervical Cancer

2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 900-904 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Halaska ◽  
Marta Novackova ◽  
Ivana Mala ◽  
Marek Pluta ◽  
Roman Chmel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Bioelectrical Impedance ◽  
Impedance Analysis ◽  
Conservative Surgery ◽  
Cancer Surgery ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Control Group ◽  
The Right ◽  
A Prospective Study

Objective:Lymphedema is a severe postoperative complication in oncological surgery. Multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (MFBIA) is a new method for early lymphedema detection. The objective was to establish the methodology of MFBIA for lower-limb lymphedema and to detect a lymphedema in patients undergoing cervical cancer surgery.Methods:From a population of 60 patients undergoing cervical cancer surgery, 39 underwent radical hysterectomy Wertheim III (RAD group), and 21 underwent conservative surgery (laparoscopic lymphadenectomy plus simple trachelectomy/simple hysterectomy - CONS group). A control group of 29 patients (CONTR group) was used to determine the SD of impedance at zero frequency (R0). Patients were examined before surgery and at 3 and 6 months after surgery by MFBIA and by measuring the circumference of the lower limbs.Results:No differences were found between the CONS and RAD groups on age, height, weight, and histopathologic type of tumor. However, the number of dissected lymph nodes differed significantly between the groups (17.3 in the CONS group vs 25.8 in the RAD group,P= 0.0012). The SD ofR0in the CONTR group was 36.0 and 39.0 for the right and the left leg, respectively. No difference in prevalence of lymphedema based on circumference method was found (35.9% in the RAD and 47.6% in the CONS groups, not statistically significant).Conclusions:No difference in the prevalence of lymphedema was found between the CONS and RAD groups. A methodology for MFBIA for the detection of lower-limb lymphedema was described.

Development of a Lower Limb Orthosis to Form Neuromuscular Patterning

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karla A. Camarillo–Gómez ◽  
Gerardo I. Pérez-Soto ◽  
Luis A. Torres-Rico
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Control System ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Gait Cycle ◽  
Lower Cost ◽  
Sagittal Plane ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Human Gait

In this paper, a lower limb orthosis is proposed to form the human gait neuromuscular patterns in patients with myelomeningocele. The orthosis has two lower limbs of 2–DOF each which reduces the motion of the hip and knee to the sagittal plane. The orthosis are assembled in a back support which also supports the patients weight. The control system for the orthosis allows to reproduce in a repetitive, controlled and autonomous way the human gait cycle at different velocities according to the patient requirements; so that, the neuromuscular patterning can be supervised by a therapist. The development of these orthosis seeks to improve the quality of life of those infants with myelomenigocele and to introduce a lower cost Mexican technology with Mexican anthropometric dimensions.

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