scholarly journals Ankle Muscle Activations during Different Foot-Strike Patterns in Running

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 3422
Author(s):  
Jian-Zhi Lin ◽  
Wen-Yu Chiu ◽  
Wei-Hsun Tai ◽  
Yu-Xiang Hong ◽  
Chung-Yu Chen
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Stance Phase ◽  
Inertial Sensors ◽  
Plantar Flexion ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Biceps Femoris ◽  
Ankle Muscle ◽  
Foot Strike ◽  
Muscle Activations

This study analysed the landing performance and muscle activity of athletes in forefoot strike (FFS) and rearfoot strike (RFS) patterns. Ten male college participants were asked to perform two foot strikes patterns, each at a running speed of 6 km/h. Three inertial sensors and five EMG sensors as well as one 24 G accelerometer were synchronised to acquire joint kinematics parameters as well as muscle activation, respectively. In both the FFS and RFS patterns, according to the intraclass correlation coefficient, excellent reliability was found for landing performance and muscle activation. Paired t tests indicated significantly higher ankle plantar flexion in the FFS pattern. Moreover, biceps femoris (BF) and gastrocnemius medialis (GM) activation increased in the pre-stance phase of the FFS compared with that of RFS. The FFS pattern had significantly decreased tibialis anterior (TA) muscle activity compared with the RFS pattern during the pre-stance phase. The results demonstrated that the ankle strategy focused on controlling the foot strike pattern. The influence of the FFS pattern on muscle activity likely indicates that an athlete can increase both BF and GM muscles activity. Altered landing strategy in cases of FFS pattern may contribute both to the running efficiency and muscle activation of the lower extremity. Therefore, neuromuscular training and education are required to enable activation in dynamic running tasks.

scholarly journals IMU-Based Effects Assessment of the Use of Foot Orthoses in the Stance Phase during Running and Asymmetry between Extremities

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 3277
Author(s):  
Juan Luis Florenciano Restoy ◽  
Jordi Solé-Casals ◽  
Xantal Borràs-Boix
Keyword(s):  
Contact Time ◽  
Stance Phase ◽  
Inertial Sensors ◽  
Sagittal Plane ◽  
Plantar Flexion ◽  
Foot Orthoses ◽  
Foot Kinematics ◽  
Running Injuries ◽  
The Right ◽  
Movement Differences

The objectives of this study were to determine the amplitude of movement differences and asymmetries between feet during the stance phase and to evaluate the effects of foot orthoses (FOs) on foot kinematics in the stance phase during running. In total, 40 males were recruited (age: 43.0 ± 13.8 years, weight: 72.0 ± 5.5 kg, height: 175.5 ± 7.0 cm). Participants ran on a running treadmill at 2.5 m/s using their own footwear, with and without the FOs. Two inertial sensors fixed on the instep of each of the participant’s footwear were used. Amplitude of movement along each axis, contact time and number of steps were considered in the analysis. The results indicate that the movement in the sagittal plane is symmetric, but that it is not in the frontal and transverse planes. The right foot displayed more degrees of movement amplitude than the left foot although these differences are only significant in the abduction case. When FOs are used, a decrease in amplitude of movement in the three axes is observed, except for the dorsi-plantar flexion in the left foot and both feet combined. The contact time and the total step time show a significant increase when FOs are used, but the number of steps is not altered, suggesting that FOs do not interfere in running technique. The reduction in the amplitude of movement would indicate that FOs could be used as a preventive tool. The FOs do not influence the asymmetry of the amplitude of movement observed between feet, and this risk factor is maintained. IMU devices are useful tools to detect risk factors related to running injuries. With its use, even more personalized FOs could be manufactured.

scholarly journals Characterization of kinesiological patterns of the frontal kick, mae-geri, in karate experts and non-karate practitioners

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
António M. VencesBrito ◽  
Marco A. Colaço Branco ◽  
Renato M. Cordeiro Fernandes ◽  
Mário A. Rodrigues Ferreira ◽  
Orlando J. S. M. Fernandes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Plantar Flexion ◽  
Neuromuscular Control ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Biceps Femoris ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Maximum Speed ◽  
Ballistic Performance ◽  
The Impact

Presently, coaches and researchers need to have a better comprehension of the kinesiological parameters that should be an important tool to support teaching methodologies and to improve skills performance in sports. The aim of this study was to (i) identify the kinematic and neuromuscular control patterns of the front kick (<em>mae-geri</em>) to a fixed target performed by 14 experienced karate practitioners, and (ii) compare it with the execution of 16 participants without any karate experience, allowing the use of those references in the analysis of the training and learning process. Results showed that the kinematic and neuromuscular activity during the kick performance occurs within 600 ms. Muscle activity and kinematic analysis demonstrated a sequence of activation bracing a proximal-to-distal direction, with the muscles presenting two distinct periods of activity (1, 2), where the karateka group has a greater intensity of activation – root mean square (RMS) and electromyography (EMG) peak – in the first period on <em>Rectus Femoris</em> (RF1) and  <em>Vastus Lateralis</em> (VL1) and a lower duration of co-contraction in both periods on <em>Rectus Femoris</em>-<em>Biceps Femoris</em> and <em>Vastus Lateralis</em>-<em>Biceps Femoris</em> (RF-BF; VL-BF). In the skill performance, the hip flexion, the knee extension and the ankle plantar flexion movements were executed with smaller difference in the range of action (ROA) in the karateka group, reflecting different positions of the segments. In conclusion, it was observed a general kinesiological pattern, which was similar in karateka and non-karateka practitioners. However, in the karateka group, the training induces a specialization in the muscle activity reflected in EMG and kinematic data, which leads to a better ballistic performance in the execution of the <em>mae-geri</em> kick, associated with a maximum speed of the distal segments, reached closer to the impact moment, possibly representing more power in the contact.

scholarly journals The effect of hyper-pronated foot on postural control and ankle muscle activity during running and cutting movement

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 216-220
Author(s):  
Zahed Mantashloo ◽  
Heydar Sadeghi ◽  
Mehdi Khaleghi Tazji ◽  
Vanessa Rice ◽  
Elizabeth J Bradshaw
Keyword(s):  
Postural Control ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
The Body ◽  
Lateral Direction ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Activation Patterns ◽  
Muscle Activation Patterns ◽  
Ankle Muscle

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of hyper pronated foot on postural control and ankle muscle activity during running and cutting movement (v-cut). Methods: In this Cross-Sectional study, 42 young physically active (exercising three times per week regularly) males participated in this study, including 21 with hyper-pronated feet and 21 with normal feet. Each participant completed a running and cutting task. Body postural control was measured using a force platform (1000Hz) which was synchronized with surface electromyography of selected ankle muscles. MATLAB software was used to process and analyze the data. One-away ANOVA was used to identify any differences between groups. Results: Differing muscle activation patterns in the surrounding ankle musculature (tibialis anterior, peroneus longus) through to reduced postural stability in the medial-lateral direction and increased vertical ground reaction forces were observed between groups. Conclusion: According to the obtained results it seems that subtalar hyper-pronation can be regarded as a factor affecting the biomechanics of cutting by changing activation patterns of the muscles surrounding the ankle, and reducing postural control of the body in medial-lateral direction, but not in anterior-posterior direction.

scholarly journals Electromyographic responses to Nordic curl and prone leg curl exercises in football players

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 288-298
Author(s):  
Murat Çilli ◽  
Merve N. Yasar ◽  
Onur Çakir
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Total Duration ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Random Order ◽  
Biceps Femoris ◽  
Activation Rate ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Activation Rates ◽  
Short Time

Background and Study Aim. The aim of this study is to examine the electromyographic responses to Nordic curl and prone leg curl exercises, having two different mechanics. Material and Methods. The athletes performed the prone leg curl and Nordic curl exercises in random order, 6 repetitions each. Electromyographic data of semimemranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris and rectus femoris muscles were recorded by 8-channel electromyography in order to examine the muscle responses to exercises. Total duration of exercise, cumulative integrated electromyographic values and muscle activation rates in 5 different intensity zones determined according to MVC% values have been compared. Results. Prone leg curl exercise occurred in less time than Nordic curl exercise. According to the cumulative integrated electromyography data results, all muscles showed similar muscle activation in both exercises. Comparing the muscle activation rates in the five intensity zones, more muscle activity was observed for Nordic curl exercise in the first intensity zone, while prone leg curl exercise was more active in the third and fourth zones. During the prone leg curl exercise, the muscle activation rate of the dominant leg is higher in the first intensity zone, whereas the non-dominant leg in the fourth intensity zone has a higher muscle activation. During the Nordic curl exercise, the muscle activation rates of the dominant leg in the first and fifth intensity zones are higher, whereas the nondominant leg in the fourth intensity zone is higher. Conclusions. Prone leg curl exercises can be preferred in order to stimulate high muscle activation in a short time. Comparing the two exercises there was no significant difference in muscle activity in dominant and nondominant legs.

scholarly journals Changes in Lower-Limb Biomechanics, Soft Tissue Vibrations, and Muscle Activation During Unanticipated Bipedal Landings

2019 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-35
Author(s):  
Shen Zhang ◽  
Weijie Fu ◽  
Yu Liu
Keyword(s):  
Soft Tissue ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Impact Force ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Biceps Femoris ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Drop Jump ◽  
Basketball Players ◽  
Drop Landing ◽  
Muscle Activations

AbstractWe aimed to explore the biomechanical differences between the anticipated drop jump and unanticipated drop landing. Twelve male collegiate basketball players completed an anticipated drop jump and unanticipated drop landing with double legs from a height of 30 cm. Kinematics, impact force, soft tissue vibrations, and electromyographic (EMG) amplitudes of the dominant leg were collected simultaneously. The anticipated drop jump showed more flexed lower limbs during landing and increased range of motion compared to the unanticipated drop landing. The anticipated drop jump also had lower impact force, lesser soft tissue vibration, and a greater damp coefficient at the thigh muscles compared with the unanticipated drop landing. Significant increases in the EMG amplitudes of the tibialis anterior, lateral gastrocnemius, rectus femoris, and biceps femoris were observed in the anticipated drop jump during the pre/post-activation and downward phases. The anticipated drop jump presented more optimized landing posture control with more joint flexion, lower impact force, less soft tissue vibrations, and full preparation of muscle activations compared with the unanticipated drop landing.

An Anthropometrically Parameterized Assistive Lower-limb Exoskeleton

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Curt Laubscher ◽  
Ryan Farris ◽  
Antonie van den Bogert ◽  
Jerzy T. Sawicki
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Mechanical Energy ◽  
Biceps Femoris ◽  
Knee Joints ◽  
Lower Limb Exoskeleton ◽  
Hip Abduction ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Muscle Activations

Abstract This paper presents a newly developed lower-limb exoskeleton tested for walking assistance. The novel exoskeleton design methodology uses additive manufacturing and a parametrized model based on user anthropometrics to give a person-specific custom fit. The process is applied to average children and a healthy adult, and a prototype device is fabricated for the adult to validate the feasibility of the approach. The developed prototype actuates the hip and knee joints without restricting hip abduction-adduction motion. To test usability of the device and evaluate walking assistance, user torque, mechanical energy generated, and muscle activation are analyzed in an assisted condition where the subject walks on a level treadmill with the exoskeleton powered. This is compared to an unassisted condition with the exoskeleton unpowered and a baseline condition with the subject not wearing the exoskeleton. Comparing assisted to baseline conditions, torque magnitudes increased at the hip and knee, mechanical energy generated increased at the hip but decreased at the knee, and muscle activations decreased in the Biceps Femoris and increased in the Vastus Lateralis. The presented preliminary results are inconclusive on whether the newly developed exoskeleton can assist in walking though show promise for basic usability of the device.

scholarly journals Single-Leg Squat Delicacies—The Position of the Nonstance Limb is an Important Consideration

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 318-324
Author(s):  
Benita Olivier ◽  
Samantha-Lynn Quinn ◽  
Natalie Benjamin ◽  
Andrew Craig Green ◽  
Jessica Chiu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Inertial Sensors ◽  
Center Of Mass ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Biceps Femoris ◽  
Trunk Flexion ◽  
Repeated Measures Design ◽  
Mass Displacement ◽  
Single Leg Squat

Context: The single-leg squat task is often used as a rehabilitative exercise or as a screening tool for the functional movement of the lower limb. Objective: To establish the effect of 3 different positions of the nonstance leg on 3-dimensional kinematics, muscle activity, and center of mass displacement during a single-leg squat. Design: Within-subjects, repeated-measures design. Setting: Movement analysis laboratory. Participants: A total of 10 participants, aged 28.2 (4.42) years performed 3 squats to 60° of knee flexion with the nonstance (1) hip at 90° flexion and knee at 90° flexion, (2) hip at 30° flexion with the knee fully extended, or (3) hip in neutral/0° and the knee flexed to 90°. Main Outcome Measures: Trunk, hip, knee and ankle joint angles, and center of mass displacement were recorded with inertial sensors while muscle activity was captured through wireless electromyography. Results: Most trunk flexion (21.38° [18.43°]) occurred with the nonstance hip at 90° and most flexion of the stance hip (23.10° [6.60°]) occurred with the nonstance hip at 0°. Biceps femoris activity in the 90° squat was 40% more than in the 0° squat, whereas rectus femoris activity in the 0° squat was 29% more than in the 90° squat. Conclusion: The position of the nonstance limb should be standardized when the single-leg squat is used for assessment and be adapted to the aim when used in rehabilitation.

scholarly journals Effects of Shoe Midsole Hardness on Lower Extremity Biomechanics during Jump Rope in Healthy Males

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 1394
Author(s):  
Hai-Bin Yu ◽  
Wei-Hsun Tai ◽  
Jing Li ◽  
Rui Zhang ◽  
Wei-Ya Hao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Random Order ◽  
Biceps Femoris ◽  
Camera Motion ◽  
Vertical Stiffness ◽  
Lower Extremity Muscle ◽  
Analysis System ◽  
Muscle Activations ◽  
Jump Rope

This study investigated differences in lower extremity muscle activations and vertical stiffness during a 2.2 Hz jump rope exercise with different midsole hardnesses (45, 50, 55, and 60 Shores C). Twelve healthy male participants wore customized shoes with different hardness midsoles and performed jump rope exercises in a random order. A nine-camera motion analysis system (150 Hz), a force platform (1500 Hz), and a wireless electromyography (EMG) system (Noraxon, 1500 Hz) were used to measure the biomechanical parameters during the jump rope exercise. The biceps femoris %MVC of barefoot participants was significantly greater than that of those wearing the 45 Shores C (p = 0.048) and 55 Shores C (p = 0.009) midsole 100 ms before landing. The vastus medialis %MVC of barefoot participants was significantly greater than that of those wearing the 55 C midsole (p = 0.005). Nonsignificant differences in vertical stiffness were found between midsole hardnesses and barefoot. Lower extremity muscle activation differed between conditions. The results of this study indicate that for repetitive activities that entail multiple impacts, sports shoes with a low midsole hardness (e.g., 50 Shores C or 45 Shores C) may be appropriate. It is important to provide customers with information regarding midsole hardness in shoe product labeling so that they properly consider the function of the shoes.

Factors contributing to lower metabolic demand of eccentric compared with concentric cycling

2017 ◽  
Vol 123 (4) ◽  
pp. 884-893 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis Peñailillo ◽  
Anthony J. Blazevich ◽  
Kazunori Nosaka
Keyword(s):  
Oxygen Consumption ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Oxygenation Index ◽  
Metabolic Cost ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Biceps Femoris ◽  
Metabolic Demand ◽  
Length Changes

This study compared muscle-tendon behavior, muscle oxygenation, and muscle activity between eccentric and concentric cycling exercise at the same work output to investigate why metabolic demand is lower during eccentric cycling than with concentric cycling. Eleven untrained men (27.1 ± 7.0 y) performed concentric cycling (CONC) and eccentric cycling (ECC) for 10 min (60 rpm) at 65% of the maximal concentric cycling power output (191 ± 45 W) 4 wk apart. During cycling, oxygen consumption (V̇o2), heart rate (HR), vastus lateralis (VL) tissue total hemoglobin (tHb), and oxygenation index (TOI) were recorded, and muscle-tendon behavior was assessed using ultrasonography. The surface electromyogram (EMG) was recorded from VL, vastus medialis (VM), rectus femoris (RF), and biceps femoris (BF) muscles, and cycling torque and knee joint angle during each revolution were also recorded. Average V̇o2 (−65 ± 7%) and HR (−35 ± 9%) were lower and average TOI was greater (16 ± 1%) during ECC than CONC, but tHb was similar between bouts. Positive and negative cycling peak crank torques were greater (32 ± 21 and 48 ± 24%, respectively) during ECC than CONC, but muscle-tendon unit and fascicle and tendinous tissue length changes during pedal revolutions were similar between CONC and ECC. VL, VM, RF, and BF peak EMG amplitudes were smaller (24 ± 15, 22 ± 18, 16 ± 17, and 18 ± 9%, respectively) during ECC than CONC. These results suggest that the lower metabolic cost of eccentric compared with concentric cycling was due mainly to a lower level of muscle activation per torque output. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study shows that lower oxygen consumption of eccentric compared with concentric cycling at the same workload is explained by lower muscle activity of agonist and antagonist muscles during eccentric compared with during concentric cycling.

scholarly journals The Capacity of Generic Musculoskeletal Simulations to Predict Knee Joint Loading Using the CAMS-Knee Datasets

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 1430-1440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zohreh Imani Nejad ◽  
Khalil Khalili ◽  
Seyyed Hamed Hosseini Nasab ◽  
Pascal Schütz ◽  
Philipp Damm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Biceps Femoris ◽  
Contact Forces ◽  
Generic Model ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Activation Patterns ◽  
Muscle Activation Patterns ◽  
Level Walking ◽  
Muscle Activations

Abstract Musculoskeletal models enable non-invasive estimation of knee contact forces (KCFs) during functional movements. However, the redundant nature of the musculoskeletal system and uncertainty in model parameters necessitates that model predictions are critically evaluated. This study compared KCF and muscle activation patterns predicted using a scaled generic model and OpenSim static optimization tool against in vivo measurements from six patients in the CAMS-knee datasets during level walking and squatting. Generally, the total KCFs were under-predicted (RMS: 47.55%BW, R 2: 0.92) throughout the gait cycle, but substiantially over-predicted (RMS: 105.7%BW, R 2: 0.81) during squatting. To understand the underlying etiology of the errors, muscle activations were compared to electromyography (EMG) signals, and showed good agreement during level walking. For squatting, however, the muscle activations showed large descrepancies especially for the biceps femoris long head. Errors in the predicted KCF and muscle activation patterns were greatest during deep squat. Hence suggesting that the errors mainly originate from muscle represented at the hip and an associated muscle co-contraction at the knee. Furthermore, there were substaintial differences in the ranking of subjects and activities based on peak KCFs in the simulations versus measurements. Thus, future simulation study designs must account for subject-specific uncertainties in musculoskeletal predictions.

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