scholarly journals A biomechanical comparison of initial sprint acceleration performance and technique in an elite athlete with cerebral palsy and able-bodied sprinters

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian N. Bezodis ◽  
James Cowburn ◽  
Adam Brazil ◽  
Rhian Richardson ◽  
Cassie Wilson ◽  
...  

Cerebral palsy is known to generally limit range of motion and force producing capability during movement. It also limits sprint performance, but the exact mechanisms underpinning this are not well known. One elite male T36 multiple-Paralympic sprint medallist (T36) and 16 well-trained able-bodied (AB) sprinters each performed 5-6 maximal sprints from starting blocks. Whole body kinematics (250 Hz) in the block phase and first two steps, and synchronised external forces (1000 Hz) in the first stance phase after block exit were combined to quantify lower-limb joint kinetics. Sprint performance (normalised average horizontal external power in the first stance after block exit) was lower in T36 compared to AB. T36 had lower extensor range of motion and peak extensor angular velocity at all lower limb joints in the first stance after block exit. Positive work produced at the knee and hip joints in the first stance was lower in T36 than AB, and the ratio of positive:negative ankle work produced was lower in T36 than AB. These novel results directly demonstrate the manner in which cerebral palsy limits performance in a competition-specific sprint acceleration movement, thereby improving understanding of the factors that may limit performance in elite sprinters with cerebral palsy.

Author(s):  
Arūnė Dūdaitė ◽  
Vilma Juodžbalienė

Research background. Virtual reality and visual feedback improve motor performance, motor function and balance, so we want to fnd if it affects the function of legs and balance of children with spastic hemiplegia. Research aim was to establish if the use of virtual reality and visual feedback with traditional physiotherapy improve the function of legs and balance of children with cerebral palsy. Methods. Nine children with cerebral palsy participated in the research. Participants were randomly divided into two groups – virtual reality group (n = 6) and control (n = 3). Virtual reality group practised exergaming and stretching exercises for 10 weeks, twice a week. Control group practiced conventional physiotherapy and stretching exercises for 6 weeks, twice a week. We measured the range of motion of the lower limb, spasticity of the lower limb using Modifed Ashworth’o Scale, static, dynamic balance, trunk coordination using Trunk Impairment Scale at the start and the end of the research, and balance using Pediatric Balance Scale. Results. Virtual reality and visual feedback reduced the spasticity of the lower limb, improved balance and postural control for children with cerebral palsy, but it did not improve the range of motion of the lower limb of children with cerebral palsy. Conclusions. Virtual reality and visual feedback did not improve the range of motion of the lower limb of children with cerebral palsy. Virtual reality and visual feedback reduced spasticity of the lower limb, improved balance and postural control for children with cerebral palsy.Keywords. Cerebral palsy, virtual reality, visual feedback, postural control, muscle architecture.


2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 322-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Taghi Karimi

Background: A variety of shoe modifications have been used to reduce the forces applied on the plantar surface of the foot in those with diabetes. Toe and heel rockers are 2 of the most common types used. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of these shoe modifications on the kinematics of both normal and diabetic individuals. Method: Two groups of healthy and diabetic individuals were recruited for this study. The Qualysis motion analysis system was used to record the motions of participants while walking with shoes with toe and a combination of toe and heel rockers (combined). The effects of the type of rockers used and the effect of groups were determined using MANOVA. Results: Results of the study demonstrated no discernible difference between the spatiotemporal and range of motion of the ankle, knee, and hip joints while walking with a toe and combined rockers. There was also no difference between healthy and diabetic individuals in relation to these parameters (P value >.05). Conclusion: Results of this study demonstrated no difference between the spatiotemporal and range of motion of lower-limb joints in healthy and diabetic individuals when walking with toe and combined rockers. Because the use of these rockers did not influence the kinematics of the joints while walking, it is recommended that they be used for this group of individuals if they influence the forces applied on the foot. Levels of Evidence: Level IV


2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 94-101
Author(s):  
U Singh ◽  
Raj Kumar ◽  
Sanjay Wadhwa ◽  
SL Yadav

Abstract Objective Analysis of clinical gait pattern, change in spasticity and range of motion (ROM) in cerebral palsy patient (CP) with spastic lower limb muscle after injecting botulinum toxin- A. Study Design Prospective study Methods 28 children (18 male and 10 female) with spastic CP had problems in normal walking, aged 2–9 years (mean age 4.65 years), consecutively treated in the PMR department over a 2-year period, were prospectively followed-up and clinically assessed pre- and post-treatment (at 2 weeks and 2 months) both objectively and subjectively. Objective assessment included gait parameters -- stride length, cadence, velocity, step length, base of support; active and passive range of motion (ROM), (measured by goniometry) and spasticity on modified Ashworth scale. Subjective assessment was done by asking questionnaire in terms of comfort, ease of care, perineal hygiene, walking. Injections were given using clinical palpatory method on OPD basis. All patients received botulinum toxin-A injections, followed with exercises and activities and orthosis as needed. Results Significant improvement was achieved for spasticity reduction in gastrocnemius (p< 0.001), hamstring and adductor (p=0.050), ankle AROM & PROM (p< 0.001), active knee extension (p=0.009), popliteal angle (p=0.015) and percentage left and right foot contact (p< 0.001), whereas non-significant change was observed in step length, cadence, velocity, stride length, and base of support. Parents felt subjective improvement in most of the cases (>90%). Conclusions Botulinum toxin- A injection is effective in the treatment of spastic lower limb muscles for equinus/ crouching/scissoring gait in cerebral palsy children. The treatment was feasible and easily implemented. Botulinum toxin- A injections were well tolerated, yielded no serious treatment-related adverse events.


Author(s):  
Andrzej Szopa ◽  
Małgorzata Domagalska-Szopa ◽  
Andrzej Siwiec ◽  
Ilona Kwiecień-Czerwieniec

This study investigated the effectiveness of whole-body vibration (WBV) training incorporated into a conventional physiotherapy (PT) program (WBV-assisted training) in improving blood flow in the lower limbs and range of motion in the lower limb joints of children with myelomeningocele (MMC). A total of 31 children with MMC (7–15 years old) underwent a 6 weeks treatment program consisting of 2 weeks of conventional PT followed by 4 weeks of WBV-assisted training. The assessment comprised two parts: evaluation of lower limb joint range of motion and Doppler ultrasonography of the superficial femoral, popliteal, and anterior tibial arteries and was performed three times for each of the participants (at baseline, after 10 sessions of PT but before WBV-assisted training, and after 20 sessions of WBV-assisted training). Our results showed that WBV-assisted training significantly improved lower limb circulation in patients with MMC, increasing velocity and reducing resistivity in all tested arteries. Moreover, WBV-assisted training alleviated lower-extremity contractures, especially of the knee. Thus, WBV-assisted training is effective as an adjunctive rehabilitation program for improving functional mobility in children with MMC.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Ukadike Chris Ugbolue ◽  
Chloe Robson ◽  
Emma Donald ◽  
Kerry L. Speirs ◽  
Frédéric Dutheil ◽  
...  

There is limited research on the biomechanical assessment of the lower limb joints in relation to dynamic movements that occur at the hip, knee, and ankle joints when performing dorsiflexion (DF) and plantarflexion (PF) among males and females. This study investigated the differences in joint angles (including range of motion (ROM)) and forces (including moments) between the left and right limbs at the ankle, knee, and hip joints during dynamic DF and PF movements in both males and females. Using a general linear model employing multivariate analysis in relation to the joint angle, ROM, force, and moment datasets, the results revealed significant main effects for gender, sidedness, phases, and foot position with respect to joint angles. Weak correlations were observed between measured biomechanical variables. These results provide insightful information for clinicians and biomechanists that relate to lower limb exercise interventions and modelling efficacy standpoints.


BMC Medicine ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Nordmark ◽  
Gunnar Hägglund ◽  
Henrik Lauge-Pedersen ◽  
Philippe Wagner ◽  
Lena Westbom

BMC Medicine ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Nordmark ◽  
Gunnar Hägglund ◽  
Henrik Lauge-Pedersen ◽  
Philippe Wagner ◽  
Lena Westbom

2017 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 233-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomáš Gryc ◽  
Petr Stastny ◽  
František Zahálka ◽  
Wojciech Smółka ◽  
Piotr Żmijewski ◽  
...  

Abstract Golfers with disability are limited in the execution of the full golf swing, but their performance in putting may be comparable because this stroke does not demand significant strength, balance and range of motion. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare putting performance, kinetic and kinematic consistency between golfers with different disabilities and healthy athletes. The participants consisted of three disabled athletes (perinatal cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, below knee lower limb amputee) and three healthy golfers (age 34 ± 4.5 years, body height 178 ± 3.3 cm, body mass 83 ± 6.2 kg). The golfers’ movements were recorded by active 3D markers for kinematic analyses; the subjects performed 10 trials of a 6 m putting task while standing on separate force platforms placed under each lower limb. Putting performance was measured by the distance of the final ball position to the centre of the hole. ANOVA analyses did not show any differences in clubhead speed and total ball distance from the hole. The consistency of those two parameters expressed by the coefficient of variation (CV) was CV = 0.5% or better in both groups for clubhead speed and ranged from CV = 0.40 to 0.61% in healthy and CV = 0.21 to 0.55% in disabled athletes for total error distance. The main effect ANOVA showed differences in weight shift, hip and shoulder kinematics (p < 0.05) between healthy players and all players with disability. All disabled athletes shifted their weight toward the healthy side (towards the healthy lower limb) and alternated the end of the swing. The player with below knee amputation had the lowest range of motion in the shoulder joint during the putting stroke. The players with perinatal cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis had the largest range of motion in the hips. Putting performance of disabled golfers was similar to healthy athletes. During training of disabled players, coaches should pay attention to the specificity of a particular disability when focused on putting performance. However, individual technique should achieve the same consistency as observed in healthy players.


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