scholarly journals Leg Dominance as a Risk Factor for Lower-Limb Injuries in Downhill Skiers—A Pilot Study into Possible Mechanisms

Author(s):  
Arunee Promsri ◽  
Alessia Longo ◽  
Thomas Haid ◽  
Aude-Clémence M. Doix ◽  
Peter Federolf

Leg dominance has been reported as one potential risk factor for lower-limb injuries in recreational downhill skiers. The current study proposed and tested two possible mechanisms for a leg dominance effect on skiing injuries—imbalance of the knee muscle strength and bilateral asymmetry in sensorimotor control. We hypothesized that the knee muscle strength (Hypothesis 1; H1) or postural control (Hypothesis 2; H2) would be affected by leg dominance. Fifteen well-experienced recreational downhill skiers (aged 24.3 ± 3.2 years) participated in this study. Isometric knee flexor/extensor muscle strength was tested using a dynamometer. Postural control was explored by using a kinematic principal component analysis (PCA) to determine the coordination structure and control of three-dimensional unipedal balancing movements while wearing ski equipment on firm and soft standing surfaces. Only H2 was supported when balancing on the firm surface, revealing that when shifting body weight over the nondominant leg, skiers significantly changed the coordination structure (p < 0.006) and the control (p < 0.004) of the lifted-leg movements. Based on the current findings, bilateral asymmetry in sensorimotor control rather than asymmetry in strength seems a more likely mechanism for the previously reported effect of leg dominance on lower-limb injury risk in recreational downhill skiers.

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Shuo Liu ◽  
Zhenzhong Liu ◽  
J. Alfred Daniel ◽  
K. Deepa Thilak

In general, Robotics is the area concerned with the linking of perception to action, and AI must have a central role in Robotics if the association is to be intelligent. Skiing and Snowboarding are famous winter games worldwide, enjoyed by participants of all ages and skill levels. Leg dominance has been recounted as a probable risk factor in downhill skiers for lower-limb injuries. Furthermore, snowboarders are more likely to injure their ankles than alpine skiers. To overcome these issues, in this paper, the Artificial Intelligence assisted Statistical model (AIASM) has been proposed to the smart robotic supporting leg for skiers and snowboarders. This paper introduces the concept and study of a robotic modular leg (RML) system with a reduced degree of freedom (DOF). The RML gives a perspective on physics that uses dynamic skiing methods and strategies to produce functional ski movements. Kinematic and dynamic models for the leg system are developed and used for modeling tendency, angle, and measurement, unweighting technique to create balanced and realistic curvature turns and peaks. The experimental results show that the suggested system has a performance rate of 95.31% with different ski movements at various intervals, curves, diameters, and peak shapes for tracking the desired footpath.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (05) ◽  
pp. 328-338 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saskia Salzer ◽  
Raffaela Heansel ◽  
Julia Rey ◽  
Laura Maltry ◽  
Fabian Holzgreve ◽  
...  

AbstractIn male handball, limited knowledge exists about the body posture and postural control in correlation to their injury occurrence and their impact on physical constitution. 91 male handball players participated and were asked about playing position and years, NSAIDs intake, sustained injuries and therapy duration. A three-dimensional back scanner and a pressure measuring plate were used. Shoulder injuries cause a differing scapular height and increase the vertebrae rotation in correlation to playing years. Lower limb injuries lead to a decrease on the Centre of Pressure (CoP) with growing game experience. Wing players show the lowest injury risk. Lower limb and shoulder girdle are mostly affected regarding the incidence of injuries. Pivot players suffer most injuries in the lower limb area (59%), whereas wing players mostly have shoulder injuries (19%). Being injured, 21% of the players continue playing, 79% pause for a minimum of six months (25%). No correlation can be determined between level of profession, use of NSAIDs and body posture or postural control. Playing position, employment situation or NSAIDs have no influence on type of injury, body posture or postural control. While shoulder injuries can be recognized in the vertebrae area, lower limb injuries can affect the CoP.


2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Hall ◽  
Rana S. Hinman ◽  
Martin van der Esch ◽  
Marike van der Leeden ◽  
Jessica Kasza ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
pp. 194173812110054
Author(s):  
Benoit Gillet ◽  
Yoann Blache ◽  
Isabelle Rogowski ◽  
Grégory Vigne ◽  
Bertrand Sonnery-Cottet ◽  
...  

Background: To reduce the rate of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft rupture, recent surgeries have involved anterolateral ligament reconstruction (ALLR). This reconstruction procedure harvests more knee flexor muscle tendons than isolated ACL reconstruction (ACLR), but its influence on knee muscle strength recovery remains unknown. This study aimed to assess the influence of ALLR with a gracilis graft on the strength of the knee extensor and flexor muscles at 6 months postoperatively. Hypothesis: The additional amount of knee flexor harvest for ALLR would result in impairment in knee flexor muscle strength at 6 months postoperatively. Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Level of Evidence: Level 2. Methods: A total of 186 patients were assigned to 2 groups according to the type of surgery: ACL + ALLR (graft: semitendinosus + gracilis, n = 119) or isolated ACLR (graft: semitendinosus, n = 67). The strength of the knee extensor and flexor muscles was assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer at 90, 180, and 240 deg/s for concentric and 30 deg/s for eccentric contractions and compared between groups using analysis of variance statistical parametric mapping. Results: Regardless of the surgery and the muscle, the injured leg produced significantly less strength than the uninjured leg throughout knee flexion and extension from 30° to 90° for each angular velocity (30, 90, 180, and 240 deg/s). However, the knee muscle strength was similar between the ACL + ALLR and ACLR groups. Conclusion: The addition of ALLR using the gracilis tendon during ACLR does not alter the muscle recovery observed at 6 months postoperatively. Clinical Relevance: Although more knee flexor muscle tendons were harvested in ACL + ALLR, the postoperative strength recovery was similar to that of isolated ACLR.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Narelle Hall ◽  
Maria Constantinou ◽  
Mark Brown ◽  
Belinda Beck ◽  
Suzanne Kuys

ABSTRACT Introduction Army recruit injuries occurring during basic training can lead to high personal and organizational burdens potentially threatening deployment capability. Previous military surveillance describing recruit injury as defined by physical therapy presentations is limited to 1-year duration or includes only male infantry recruits or trained personnel. Research describing injury incidence and trends specific to New Zealand Army basic training recruits over a longer period will better inform future injury prevention programs. Aims To identify the incidence and patterns of injuries reported from physical therapy presentations for New Zealand Army recruits undertaking basic training over a 4-year period. Materials and Methods This retrospective observational study identified injuries from physical therapy service presentations in New Zealand Army recruits from 2008 to 2011. All male and female New Zealand Army recruits who presented to physical therapy, following medical triage, were included. Recruit physical therapy presentations for injury and respiratory and other conditions were collated. Injury incidence was grouped by body region (upper limbs, lower limbs, and combined spinal regions) and site (joint or segment), and cumulative and injury incidence rates were calculated. Results One thousand eight hundred and ninety-six (1,697 males and 199 females) New Zealand Army recruits commenced basic training between 2008 and 2011. One thousand six hundred and eighty-three physical therapy presentations occurred for recruit injury during New Zealand Army basic training over 4 years. Lower limb injuries accounted for over 75% (n = 1,285) of the overall demand for physical therapy service during recruit basic training. Injuries sustained at the knee and below accounted for 67% of all reported injury presentations. Conclusion Four years of injury surveillance using physical therapy presentations identified the lower limb, with the knee and below as the most commonly injured regions in New Zealand Army recruits. Injury prevention interventions for New Zealand Army recruits should aim to reduce lower limb injuries. Future research on injury surveillance would benefit from incorporating clear injury and severity definitions, established injury classification systems, and standardized incidence calculations.


Injury ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (12) ◽  
pp. 1996-2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carrie Teicher ◽  
Nancy L. Foote ◽  
Ali M.K. Al Ani ◽  
Majd S. Alras ◽  
Sufyan I. Alqassab ◽  
...  

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