scholarly journals Patellofemoral Joint Loads during Running Immediately Changed by Shoes with Different Minimalist Indices: A Cross-sectional Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (19) ◽  
pp. 4176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chenhao Yang ◽  
Songlin Xiao ◽  
Yang Yang ◽  
Xini Zhang ◽  
Junqing Wang ◽  
...  

Purpose: Given the high incidence of patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) in runners, this study aimed to investigate the immediate effect of shoes with different minimalist indices (MI) on the mechanical loads of the patellofemoral joint. Methods: Fifteen healthy male rearfoot strike runners were recruited to complete overground running trials at 3.33 m/s (±5%) in two running shoe conditions (MI = 26% versus MI = 86%). The amount of ten Vicon infrared cameras (100 Hz) and two Kistler force plates (1000 Hz) were used to collect kinematic and ground reaction force (GRF) data simultaneously. Quadriceps strength, patellofemoral contact force, patellofemoral contact area, and patellofemoral contact stress were calculated. Results: No significant differences were observed in the impact force and the second peak of the vertical GRF between the two shoe conditions. Compared to wearing low-MI shoes, wearing high-MI shoes showed that the maximum flexion angle of the knee, the contact area of patellofemoral joint and the peak knee extension moment reduced significantly (p < 0.01), and the peak patellofemoral contact force and stress decreased significantly (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that wearing high-MI shoes significantly decreases the patellofemoral contact force and patellofemoral joint stress by reducing the moment of knee extension, thus effectively reducing the load of the patellofemoral joint during the stance phase of running and potentially lowering the risk of PFPS.

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 579-586 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tulaya Prachgosin ◽  
Wipawan Leelasamran ◽  
Pruittikorn Smithmaitrie ◽  
Surapong Chatpun

Background: Total-contact orthosis (TCO) is one kind of foot orthosis (FO) that is used to adjust biomechanics in flexible flatfoot. Objective: To determine the effects of a TCO on the MLA moment, MLA deformation angle and lower limb biomechanics. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Seven-flatfoot and thirteen-normal foot subjects were recruited by footprint and radiographs. The biomechanics of subjects with normal foot (NF), flatfoot with shoe only (FWOT) and flatfoot with TCO (FWT) were collected in a 3D motion analysis laboratory and force plates. The MLA and lower limb biomechanics in each condition during specific sub-phases of stance were analyzed. Results: The NF had larger MLA eversion moment after shod walking ( p = 0.001). The FWT condition compared with the FWOT condition had a significantly larger peak MLA upward moment ( p = 0.035) during pre-swing, larger peak knee external rotation angle ( p = 0.040) during mid stance, smaller peak knee extension moment during terminal stance ( p = 0.035) and a larger ground reaction force in the anterior-posterior direction during early stance ( p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our study found positive effects from the customized TCOs which included an increased TCO angle that led to a decreased peak MLA moment in the frontal plane in flexible flatfoot subjects during walking. Clinical relevance Lower limb biomechanics is different from normal in subjects with flexible flatfoot. The design of a TCO affects MLA, ankle and knee biomechanics and may be used to clinically correct biomechanical changes in flexible flatfoot.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenichi Fudeyasu ◽  
Takuo Nomura ◽  
Toshihiro Kawae ◽  
Daisuke Iwaki ◽  
Yuki Nakashima ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Although it has already been reported that chronic liver disease (CLD) can induce sarcopenia, the impact of sarcopenia, especially on motor function, in older patients with CLD is still unclear. Therefore, we investigated the effects of liver fibrosis on motor function in these patients.Methods: In all, 117 older patients with CLD aged above 60 years (men, n=70; women, n=47) were included in this study. We examined the presence or absence of sarcopenia and checked motor functions such as muscle strength and walking speed. The results were compared between patients with FIB-4 index of >3.25, indicative of severe-degree liver fibrosis (SLF), and those with an index of <3.25, indicative of low-degree liver fibrosis (LLF). We also analyzed the factors related to the decrease in gait speed.Results: The decrease in gait speed (<1.0 m/s) was significantly higher (P = 0.027) and the knee extension force (KEF) was significantly lower (P = 0.010) in men with SLF than in those with LLF. In this study, liver fibrosis (odds ratio [OR] = 0.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.56–0.90) and KEF (OR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.02–1.16) were identified as factors associated with the decrease in gait speed.Conclusions: Older male patients with CLD have decreased motor function as the disease progresses. We found that the decrease in gait speed is related to liver fibrosis and KEF. It is necessary to focus on the motor function of older patients with CLD, especially the gait speed.


2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Yin ◽  
D Sun ◽  
Q.C Mei ◽  
Y.D Gu ◽  
J.S Baker ◽  
...  

Large number of studies showed that landing with great impact forces may be a risk factor for knee injuries. The purpose of this study was to illustrate the different landing loads to lower extremity of both genders and examine the relationships among selected lower extremity kinematics and kinetics during the landing of a stop-jump task. A total of 35 male and 35 female healthy subjects were recruited in this study. Each subject executed five experiment actions. Lower extremity kinematics and kinetics were synchronously acquired. The comparison of lower extremity kinematics for different genders showed significant difference. The knee and hip maximum flexion angle, peak ground reaction force and peak knee extension moment have significantly decreased during the landing of the stop-jump task among the female subjects. The hip flexion angle at the initial foot contact phase showed significant correlation with peak ground reaction force during landing of the stop-jump task (r=-0.927, p<0.001). The knee flexion angle at the initial foot contact phase had significant correlation with peak ground reaction force and vertical ground reaction forces during landing of the stop-jump task (r=-0.908, p<0.001; r=0.812, P=0.002). A large hip and knee flexion angles at the initial foot contact with the ground did not necessarily reduce the impact force during landing, but active hip and knee flexion motions did. The hip and knee flexion motion of landing was an important technical factor that affects anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) loading during the landing of the stop-jump task.


2011 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleftherios Kellis ◽  
Andreas Zafeiridis ◽  
Ioannis G. Amiridis

Abstract Context: The effects of fatigue on impact loading during running are unclear, with some authors reporting increased impact forces and others reporting decreased forces. Objective: To examine the effects of isokinetic fatigue on muscle cocontraction ratios about the knee and ankle during running. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Neuromechanics laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: Female middle-distance runners (age  =  21.3 ± 1.93 years) with at least 5 years of training experience. Intervention(s): Participants ran on the treadmill at 3.61 m/s before and immediately after the fatigue protocol, which consisted of consecutive, concentric knee extension-flexion at 120°/s until they could no longer produce 30% of the maximum knee-extension moment achieved in the familiarization session for 3 consecutive repetitions. Main Outcome Measure(s): Electromyographic (EMG) amplitude of the vastus medialis (VM), biceps femoris (BF), gastrocnemius (GAS), and tibialis anterior (TA) was recorded using surface electrodes. Agonist∶antagonist EMG ratios for the knee (VM∶BF) and ankle (GAS∶TA) were calculated for the preactivation (PR), initial loading response (LR1), and late loading response (LR2) phases of running. Hip-, knee-, and ankle-joint angular displacements at initial foot contact were obtained from 3-dimensional kinematic tracings. Results: Fatigue did not alter the VM∶BF EMG ratio during the PR phase (P &gt; .05), but it increased the ratio during the LR1 phase (P &lt; .05). The GAS∶TA EMG ratio increased during the LR1 phase after fatigue (P &lt; .05) but remained unchanged during the PR and LR2 phrases (P &gt; .05). Conclusions: The increased agonist EMG activation, coupled with reduced antagonist EMG activation after impact, indicates that the acute decrease in muscle strength capacity of the knee extensors and flexors results in altered muscle-activation patterns about the knee and ankle before and after foot impact.


2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (8) ◽  
pp. 811-825 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerwyn Hughes ◽  
Perry Musco ◽  
Samuel Caine ◽  
Lauren Howe

Objectives To identify reported (1) common biomechanical asymmetries in the literature after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in adolescents during landing and (2) timescales for asymmetry to persist postsurgery. Data Sources We identified sources by searching the CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus electronic databases using the following search terms: asymmetry OR symmetry AND landing AND biomechanics OR kinematics OR kinetics. Study Selection We screened the titles and abstracts of 85 articles using our inclusion criteria. A total of 13 articles were selected for further analysis. Data Extraction Three reviewers independently assessed the methodologic quality of each study. We extracted the effect sizes directly from studies or calculated them for biomechanical variables assessing asymmetry between limbs of participants with ACL reconstruction. We conducted meta-analyses on variables that were assessed in multiple studies for both double- and single-limb landings. Data Synthesis Asymmetry was more commonly identified in kinetic than kinematic variables. Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction appeared to have a large effect on asymmetry between limbs for peak vertical ground reaction force, peak knee-extension moment, and loading rate during double-limb landings, as well as mean knee-extension moment and knee energy absorption during both double- and single-limb landings. Conclusions Our findings suggested that return-to-sport criteria after ACL reconstruction should incorporate analysis of the asymmetry in loading experienced by each limb rather than movement patterns alone.


2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 292-297
Author(s):  
Daniel W. Sample ◽  
Tanner A. Thorsen ◽  
Joshua T. Weinhandl ◽  
Kelley A. Strohacker ◽  
Songning Zhang

The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of preferred step width and increased step width modification on knee biomechanics of obese and healthy-weight participants during incline and decline walking. Seven healthy-weight participants and 6 participants who are obese (body mass index ≥ 30) performed 5 walking trials on level ground and a 10° inclined and declined instrumented ramp system at both preferred and wide step-widths. A 2 × 2 (step-width × group) mixed-model analysis of variance was used to examine selected variables. There were significant increases in step-width between the preferred and wide step-width conditions for all 3 walking conditions (all P < .001). An interaction was found for peak knee extension moment (P = .048) and internal knee abduction moment (KAM) (P = .025) in uphill walking. During downhill walking, there were no interaction effects. As step-width increased, KAM was reduced (P = .007). In level walking, there were no interaction effects for peak medial ground reaction force and KAM (P = .007). There was a step-width main effect for KAM (P = .007). As step-width increased, peak medial ground reaction force and peak knee extension moment increased, while KAM decreased for both healthy weight and individuals who are obese. The results suggest that increasing step-width may be a useful strategy for reducing KAM in healthy and young populations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (7) ◽  
pp. 1711-1719 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prasanna Sritharan ◽  
Anthony G. Schache ◽  
Adam G. Culvenor ◽  
Luke G. Perraton ◽  
Adam L. Bryant ◽  
...  

Background: Patellofemoral joint (PFJ) osteoarthritis may occur after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). The mechanisms underpinning the development of PFJ osteoarthritis are not known but may relate to altered PFJ loading. Few studies have assessed PFJ loads during high-impact tasks, such as running, beyond the acute rehabilitation phase (ie, >12 months) after ACLR. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose was to compare between-limb joint angles, joint moments, and PFJ contact force during running in individuals at 12 to 24 months after unilateral ACLR. We hypothesized that peak knee flexion angle, knee extension moment, and PFJ contact force during stance would be lower in the ACLR limb compared with the uninjured limb. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: A total of 55 participants (mean ± SD age, 28 ± 7 years), 12 to 24 months after ACLR, ran at a self-selected speed (2.9 ± 0.3 m/s). Measured kinematics and ground-reaction forces were input into musculoskeletal models to calculate joint moments and muscle forces. These values were subsequently input into a PFJ model to calculate contact force peak and impulse. Outcome measures were compared between the ACLR and uninjured limbs. Results: In the ACLR limb, compared with the uninjured limb, the PFJ contact force displayed a lower peak (ACLR, 6.1 ± 1.3 body weight [BW]; uninjured, 6.7 ± 1.4 BW; P < .001) and impulse (ACLR, 0.72 ± 0.17 BW*seconds [BWs]; uninjured, 0.81 ± 0.17 BWs; P < .001). At the time of the peak PFJ contact force, the knee extension moment was lower in the ACLR limb (ACLR, 14.0 ± 2.4 %BW*height [%BW*HT]; uninjured, 15.5 ± 2.5 %BW*HT; P < .001). The opposite was true for the ankle plantarflexion moment (ACLR, 12.1 ± 2.6 %BW*HT; uninjured, 11.5 ± 2.7 %BW*HT; P = .019) and the hip extension moment (ACLR, 2.3 ± 2.5 %BW*HT; uninjured, 1.6 ± 2.3 %BW*HT; P = .013). The foot-ground center of pressure was located more anteriorly with respect to the ankle joint center (ACLR, 5.8 ± 0.9 %height [%HT]; uninjured, 5.4 ± 1.0 %HT; P = .001). No differences were found for the sagittal plane hip, knee, and ankle angles. Conclusion: The ACLR limb experienced lower peak PFJ loads during running, explained by a small anterior shift in the foot-ground center of pressure during stance that offloaded the torque demand away from the ACLR knee. Clinical Relevance: Lower net PFJ loading during running in the ACLR limb more than 12 months after ACLR suggests that underloading might play a role in the onset of PFJ osteoarthritis after ACLR.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (06) ◽  
pp. 412-418
Author(s):  
Molly Kujawa ◽  
Aleyna Goerlitz ◽  
Drew Rutherford ◽  
Thomas W. Kernozek

AbstractPatellofemoral joint (PFJ) pain syndrome is a commonly reported form of pain in female runners and military personnel. Increased PFJ stress may be a contributing factor. Few studies have examined PFJ stress running with added load. Our purpose was to analyze PFJ stress, PFJ reaction force, quadriceps force, knee flexion angle, and other kinematic and temporospatial variables running with and without a 9 kg load. Nineteen females ran across a force platform with no added load and 9.0 kg weight vest. Kinematic data were collected using 3D motion capture and kinetic data with a force platform. Muscle forces were estimated using a musculoskeletal model, and peak PFJ loading variables were calculated during stance. Multivariate analyses were run on PFJ loading variables and on cadence, step length and foot strike index. Differences were shown in PFJ stress, PFJ reaction force, peak knee flexion angle and quadriceps force. Joint specific kinetic variables increased between 5–16% with added load. PFJ loading variables increased with 9 kg of added load without changes in cadence, step length, or foot strike index compared to no load. Added load appears to increase the PFJ loading variables associated with PFJ pain in running.


2018 ◽  
Vol 80 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 87-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyler M. Saumur ◽  
Stephen D. Perry

Background: Motor imagery training implements neural adaptation theory to improve muscle strength without physically performing muscle contractions. To date, motor imagery training research regarding the efficacy of improving torque of the quadriceps over a brief training period is limited. Objective: To determine the impact of a 3-week motor imagery training on peak torque during knee extension. Method: Ten young, healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups over a 3-week period: strength training, motor imagery training and control. Results: Following training, an increase in peak torque was observed in all strength training participants (mean change of 38 ± 15%) and in 2 members of the motor imagery training group (45 ± 10%). Conclusion: Brief periods of motor imagery training may have the potential to improve quadriceps strength; however, more research is needed with larger populations to test this hypothesis.


2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 259-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise M. Thoma ◽  
David C. Flanigan ◽  
Ajit M. Chaudhari ◽  
Robert A. Siston ◽  
Thomas M. Best ◽  
...  

Context:Few objective data are available regarding strength and movement patterns in individuals with articular cartilage defects (ACDs) of the knee.Objectives:To test the following hypotheses: (1) The involved limb of individuals with ACDs would demonstrate lower peak knee-flexion angle, peak internal knee-extension moment, and peak vertical ground-reaction force (vGRF) than the contralateral limb and healthy controls. (2) On the involved limb of individuals with ACDs, quadriceps femoris strength would positively correlate with peak knee-flexion angle, peak internal knee-extension moment, and peak vGRF.Design:Cross-sectional.Setting:Biomechanics research laboratory.Participants:11 individuals with ACDs in the knee who were eligible for surgical cartilage restoration and 10 healthy controls.Methods:Quadriceps femoris strength was quantified as peak isometric knee-extension torque via an isokinetic dynamometer. Sagittal-plane knee kinematics and kinetics were measured during the stance phase of stair ascent with 3-dimensional motion analysis.Main Outcome Measures:Quadriceps strength and knee biomechanics during stair ascent were compared between the involved and contralateral limbs of participants with ACD (paired t tests) and with a control group (independent-samples t tests). Pearson correlations evaluated relationships between strength and stair-ascent biomechanics.Results:Lower quadriceps strength and peak internal knee-extension moments were observed in the involved limb than in the contralateral limb (P < .01) and the control group (P < .01). For the involved limb of the ACD group, quadriceps femoris strength was strongly correlated (r = .847) with involved-limb peak internal knee-extension moment and inversely correlated (r = −.635) with contralateral peak vGRF. Conclusions: Individuals with ACDs demonstrated deficits in quadriceps femoris strength with associated alterations in movement patterns during stair ascent. The results of this study are not comprehensive; further research is needed to understand the physiological characteristics, activity performance, and movement quality in this population.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document