Abnormal Scapular Kinematics In Symptomatic Acromioclavicular Arthritis. A Biomechanical Analysis Using Inertial Sensors

A diverse array of assistive technologies have been developed to help Visually Impaired People (VIP) face many basic daily autonomy challenges. Inertial measurement unit sensors, on the other hand, have been used for navigation, guidance, and localization but especially for full body motion tracking due to their low cost and miniaturization, which have allowed the estimation of kinematic parameters and biomechanical analysis for different field of applications. The aim of this work was to present a comprehensive approach of assistive technologies for VIP that include inertial sensors as input, producing results on the comprehension of technical characteristics of the inertial sensors, the methodologies applied, and their specific role in each developed system. The results show that there are just a few inertial sensor-based systems. However, these sensors provide essential information when combined with optical sensors and radio signals for navigation and special application fields. The discussion includes new avenues of research, missing elements, and usability analysis, since a limitation evidenced in the selected articles is the lack of user-centered designs. Finally, regarding application fields, it has been highlighted that a gap exists in the literature regarding aids for rehabilitation and biomechanical analysis of VIP. Most of the findings are focused on navigation and obstacle detection, and this should be considered for future applications.

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Development and Validation of a Wearable Inertial Sensors-Based Automated System for Assessing Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Workspace

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17176050 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (17) ◽

pp. 6050

Author(s):

Chunxi Huang ◽

Woojoo Kim ◽

Yanxin Zhang ◽

Shuping Xiong

Keyword(s):

Risk Assessment ◽

Inertial Sensors ◽

Intraclass Correlation ◽

Biomechanical Analysis ◽

Automated System ◽

Complex Data ◽

Practical Applications ◽

Work Related ◽

Traditional Work ◽

Wearable Inertial Sensors

The industrial societies face difficulty applying traditional work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WMSD) risk assessment methods in practical applications due to in-situ task dynamics, complex data processing, and the need of ergonomics professionals. This study aims to develop and validate a wearable inertial sensors-based automated system for assessing WMSD risks in the workspace conveniently, in order to enhance workspace safety and improve workers’ health. Both postural ergonomic analysis (RULA/REBA) and two-dimensional static biomechanical analysis were automatized as two toolboxes in the proposed system to provide comprehensive WMSD risk assessment based on the kinematic data acquired from wearable inertial sensors. The effectiveness of the developed system was validated through a follow-up experiment among 20 young subjects when performing representative tasks in the heavy industry. The RULA/REBA scores derived from our system achieved high consistency with experts’ ratings (intraclass correlation coefficient ≥0.83, classification accuracy >88%), and good agreement was also found between low-back compression force from the developed system and the reference system (mean intersystem coefficient of multiple correlation >0.89 and relative error <9.5%). These findings suggested that the wearable inertial sensors-based automated system could be effectively used for WMSD risk assessment of workers when performing tasks in the workspace.

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Biomechanical Analysis of the Closed Kinetic Chain Upper-Extremity Stability Test

Journal of Sport Rehabilitation ◽

10.1123/jsr.2015-0071 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 26 (1) ◽

pp. 42-50 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Helga T. Tucci ◽

Lilian R. Felicio ◽

Kevin J. McQuade ◽

Debora Bevilaqua-Grossi ◽

Paula Maria Ferreira Camarini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Upper Extremity ◽

Outcome Measures ◽

Biomechanical Analysis ◽

Maximum Force ◽

Kinetic Chain ◽

Scapular Kinematics ◽

Closed Kinetic Chain ◽

Distance Conditions ◽

Dominant Side

Context:The closed kinetic chain upper-extremity stability (CKCUES) test is a functional test for the upper extremity performed in the push-up position, where individuals support their body weight on 1 hand placed on the ground and swing the opposite hand until touching the hand on the ground, then switch hands and repeat the process as fast as possible for 15 s.Objective:To study scapular kinematic and kinetic measures during the CKCUES test for 3 different distances between hands.Design:Experimental.Setting:Laboratory.Participants:30 healthy individuals (15 male, 15 female).Main Outcome Measures:Participants performed 3 repetitions of the test at 3 distance conditions: original (36 in), interacromial, and 150% interacromial distance between hands. Participants completed a questionnaire on pain intensity and perceived exertion before and after the procedures. Scapular internal/external rotation, upward/downward rotation, and posterior/anterior tilting kinematics and kinetic data on maximum force and time to maximum force were measured bilaterally in all participants. Percentage of body weight on upper extremities was calculated. Data analyses were based on the total numbers of hand touches performed for each distance condition, and scapular kinematics and kinetic values were averaged over the 3 trials. Scapular kinematics, maximum force, and time to maximum force were compared for the 3 distance conditions within each gender. Significance level was set at α = .05.Results:Scapular internal rotation, posterior tilting, and upward rotation were significantly greater in the dominant side for both genders. Scapular upward rotation was significantly greater in original distance than interacromial distance in swing phase. Time to maximum force in women was significantly greater in the dominant side.Conclusion:CKCUES test kinematic and kinetic measures were not different among 3 conditions based on distance between hands. However, the test might not be suitable for initial or mild-level rehabilitation due to its challenging requirements.

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