scholarly journals The Relationship Among Foot Posture, Core and Lower Extremity Muscle Function, and Postural Stability

2014 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen C. Cobb ◽  
David M. Bazett-Jones ◽  
Mukta N. Joshi ◽  
Jennifer E. Earl-Boehm ◽  
C. Roger James
Keyword(s):  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Injury Risk ◽  
Arch Height ◽  
Ankle Inversion ◽  
Foot Structure ◽  
Lower Extremity Muscle ◽  
Foot Posture ◽  
Ankle Strength ◽  
Inversion Strength ◽  
The Relationship

Context: Identification of impaired balance as a risk factor for lower extremity injury regardless of injury history has led to subsequent investigation of variables that may adversely affect balance in healthy individuals. Objectives: To investigate the relationship among core and lower extremity muscle function, foot posture, and balance. Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Setting: Musculoskeletal injury biomechanics laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 108 individuals (40 men, 68 women; age = 22.8 ± 4.7 years, height = 168.5 ± 10.4 cm, mass = 69.9 ± 13.3 kg) participated in the study. Main Outcome Measure(s): Core endurance was assessed during 1 time-to-failure trial, and isometric hip and ankle strength were assessed using a handheld dynamometer and isokinetic dynamometer, respectively. Foot structure was quantified using the digital photographic measurement method. Single-limb–stance time to boundary was assessed using a force plate during an eyes-closed condition. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were performed to predict balance using lower extremity strength, foot posture, and core endurance. Results: Foot posture (β = −0.22, P = .03) and ankle-inversion strength (β = −0.29, P = .006) predicted mediolateral balance. Increasing arch posture and ankle-inversion strength were associated with decreased mediolateral single-limb–stance balance. Conclusions: Increasing arch height was associated with decreased mediolateral control of single-limb stance. The relationship between time to boundary and injury risk, however, has not been explored. Therefore, the relationship between increasing arch height and injury due to postural instability cannot be determined from this study. If authors of future prospective studies identify a relationship between decreased time to boundary and increased injury risk, foot structure may be an important variable to assess during preparticipation physical examinations. The relationship between increasing ankle-inversion strength and decreased balance may require additional study to further elucidate the relationship between ankle strength and balance.

scholarly journals Volitional Spine Stabilization During a Drop Vertical Jump From Different Landing Heights: Implications for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury

2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (12) ◽  
pp. 1003-1012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ram Haddas ◽  
Troy Hooper ◽  
C. Roger James ◽  
Phillip S. Sizer
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Injury Risk ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Vertical Jump ◽  
Ligament Injury ◽  
Lower Extremity Muscle ◽  
Anterior Cruciate ◽  
Drop Vertical Jump

Context:Volitional preemptive abdominal contraction (VPAC) during dynamic activities may alter trunk motion, but the role of the core musculature in positioning the trunk during landing tasks is unclear.Objective:To determine whether volitional core-muscle activation incorporated during a drop vertical jump alters lower extremity kinematics and kinetics, as well as trunk and lower extremity muscle activity at different landing heights.Design:Controlled laboratory study.Setting:Clinical biomechanics laboratory.Patients or Other Participants:Thirty-two young healthy adults, consisting of 17 men (age = 25.24 ± 2.88 years, height = 1.85 ± 0.06 m, mass = 89.68 ± 16.80 kg) and 15 women (age = 23.93 ± 1.33 years, height = 1.67 ± 0.08 m, mass = 89.68 ± 5.28 kg).Intervention(s):Core-muscle activation using VPAC.Main Outcome Measure(s):We collected 3-dimensional ankle, knee, and hip motions, moments, and powers; ground reaction forces; and trunk and lower extremity muscle activity during 0.30- and 0.50-m drop vertical-jump landings.Results:During landing from a 0.30-m height, VPAC performance increased external oblique and semitendinosis activity, knee flexion, and knee internal rotation and decreased knee-abduction moment and knee-energy absorption. During the 0.50-m landing, the VPAC increased external oblique and semitendinosis activity, knee flexion, and hip flexion and decreased ankle inversion and hip-energy absorption.Conclusions:The VPAC performance during landing may protect the anterior cruciate ligament during different landing phases from different heights, creating a protective advantage just before ground contact and after the impact phase. Incorporating VPAC during high injury-risk activities may enhance pelvic stability, improve lower extremity positioning and sensorimotor control, and reduce anterior cruciate ligament injury risk while protecting the lumbar spine.

scholarly journals Short foot exercises have additional effects on knee pain, foot biomechanics, and lower extremity muscle strength in patients with patellofemoral pain

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Pınar Kısacık ◽  
Volga Bayrakcı Tunay ◽  
Nilgün Bek ◽  
Özgür Ahmet Atay ◽  
James Selfe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Knee Pain ◽  
Patellofemoral Pain ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Lower Extremity Muscle ◽  
Foot Biomechanics ◽  
Foot Posture

BACKGROUND: Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is a common knee problem. The foot posture in a relaxed stance is reported as a distal factor of PFP. However, the effects of short foot exercise (SFE) on the knee and functional factors have not yet been investigated in patients with PFP. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the additional effects of SFE on knee pain, foot biomechanics, and lower extremity muscle strength in patients with PFP following a standard exercise program. METHODS: Thirty patients with a ‘weak and pronated’ foot subgroup of PFP were randomized into a control group (ConG, n= 15) and a short foot exercise group (SFEG, n= 15) with concealed allocation and blinded to the group assignment. The program of ConG consisted of hip and knee strengthening and stretching exercises. SFEG program consisted of additional SFE. Both groups performed the supervised training protocol two times per week for 6 weeks. Assessment measures were pain visual analog scale (pVAS), Kujala Patellofemoral Score (KPS), navicular drop test (NDT), rearfoot angle (RA), foot posture index (FPI), and strength tests of the lower extremity muscles. RESULTS: Both groups displayed decreases in pVAS scores, but it was only significant in favor of SFEG. NDT, RA, and FPI scores decreased in SFEG whereas they increased in ConG. There was a significant group-by-time interaction effect in hip extensor strength and between-group difference was found to be significantly in favor of SFEG. CONCLUSIONS: An intervention program consisting of additional SFE had positive effects on knee pain, navicular position, and rearfoot posture. An increase in the strength of the hip extensors may also be associated with stabilization with SFE.

scholarly journals Identifying Relationships Among Lower Extremity Alignment Characteristics

2009 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. 511-518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anh-Dung Nguyen ◽  
Sandra J. Shultz
Keyword(s):  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Injury Risk ◽  
Femoral Anteversion ◽  
Tibial Torsion ◽  
Tibiofemoral Angle ◽  
Navicular Drop ◽  
Lower Extremity Alignment ◽  
Select Group ◽  
Genu Recurvatum ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Context: The relationship between lower extremity alignment and lower extremity injury risk remains poorly understood, perhaps because most authors have examined only individual or a select group of alignment variables. Examining the relationships among alignment variables may allow us to more accurately describe lower extremity posture and clarify the relationship between lower extremity alignment and injury risk in future studies. Objective: To measure lower extremity alignment variables and examine whether relationships could be identified among these variables. Design: Observational study. Setting: Laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: Two hundred eighteen (102 males: age  =  23.1 ± 3.2 years, height  =  177.3 ± 8.4 cm, mass  =  80.8 ± 13.0 kg; 116 females: age  =  21.8 ± 2.7 years, height  =  163.5 ± 7.4 cm, mass  =  63.4 ± 12.4 kg) healthy, college-aged participants. Main Outcome Measure(s): We measured pelvic angle, femoral anteversion, quadriceps angle, tibiofemoral angle, genu recurvatum, and tibial torsion to the nearest degree and navicular drop to the nearest millimeter on the right and left lower extremities. Separate principal components factor analyses were performed for each sex and side (left, right). Results: A distinct lower extremity factor was identified, with relationships observed among increased pelvic angle, increased quadriceps angle, and increased tibiofemoral angle. A second distinct lower extremity factor was identified, with relationships observed among increased supine genu recurvatum, decreased tibial torsion, and increased navicular drop. Femoral anteversion loaded as an independent third factor. These distinct lower extremity alignment factors were consistent across side and sex. Conclusions: Factor analysis identified 3 distinct lower extremity alignment factors that describe the potential interactions among lower extremity alignment variables. Future authors should examine how these collective alignment variables, both independently and in combination, influence dynamic knee function and risk for lower extremity injuries.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document