Comparison of Gait parameters among the adults (18-24) with and without flatfoot – A Cross sectional study

Background: Flat foot is a common deformity in which the medial longitudinal arch is eliminated or reduced, subtalar joint is pronated and the calcaneus achieves valgus position under- weight bearing conditions. Any feet disorder can alter the biomechanics of the entire lower limb. The aim of the study was to compare the gait parameters (Cadence, stride length, step length and pace) among the adults (18-24) with and without flat foot. Methodology: It was a cross-sectional study with 3 months duration. Total 56 young adults (18-24) with and without flatfoot were recruited with purposive sampling method. the categorization of the type of arch using Arch-Height index. The Outcome measures were Gait parameters (cadence, distance walked in one minute, speed, step length, stride length) which were noted by pedometer of Smart watch and stride length, step length by using formula using cadence and distance findings. Result: Comparison analysis was done by using unpaired t-test. On comparison of various Gait parameters between normal and flat foot individuals such as cadence (p=0.7), distance walked in one minute (p= 0.96), speed (p=0.78), step length (p= 0.98), stride length (p= 0.92), there was no significant difference between two groups. Conclusion: The study concludes that there is no difference in gait parameters between flatfoot and normal foot.

Biomechanism and exercise effect of fitness walking using twin walking sticks

In Japan, walking poles with pairs of sticks developed exclusively for fitness walking have been designed. A new concept of walking style (WS) has been conceived using these walking sticks to “effectively” walk around the city, comprehensive sports parks, or at rehabilitation hospitals. Stick manufacturers are promoting its health benefits; however, evidence supporting these claims is lacking. Hence, this study aimed to measure the influence of walking sticks and evaluate the exercise effect based on functional physical fitness related to WS characteristics. The participants were 12 WS instructors. They engaged in WS at a comfortable speed after walking normally at the same speed (WN) for ∼5 m (seven times), followed by WS again. The walking speed, step length, stride width, walk ratio, one-leg support time, and trajectory of the center of gravity (CG) (in the horizontal and vertical directions of one walking cycle) calculated from the whole-body skeleton model were analyzed. The gait of WS increased the step length, step width, and walking ratio as compared with that of WN (p<0.05). WS likely reduce cadence and one-leg support time (p<0.05). The CG locus in the left-right direction showed no significant differences between WS and WN. The maximum value of the CG locus in the vertical direction was high in WS (p<0.05). WS can be used as a navigation training tool that improves a walker's exercise efficiency and left-right leg coordination, thereby improving walking posture. This may help reduce the anxiety due to injuries and pain that may occur while walking.

Relationship between Step Characteristics and Race Performance during 5000-m Race

This study examined the relationship between step characteristics and race time in a 5000-m race. Twenty-one male Japanese endurance runners performed a 5000-m race. Step length, step frequency, contact time, and flight time of two gait cycles (i.e., four consecutive ground contacts) were measured every 400-m by using high-speed video image. Moreover, step length was normalized to body height to minimize the effect of body size. In addition to step characteristics on each lap, the averages of all laps and the per cent change from the first half to the second half were calculated. The average step frequency and step length normalized to body height correlated significantly with the 5000-m race time (r = −0.611, r = −0.575, respectively, p < 0.05 for both). Per cent changes in contact time and step length correlated significantly with the 5000-m race time (r = 0.514, r = −0.486, respectively, p < 0.05 for both). These findings suggest that, in addition to higher step frequency and step length normalized to body height, smaller changes in step length during a given race may be an important step characteristic to achieving superior race performance in endurance runners.

Effects of Masai Barefoot Technology Footwear Compared with Barefoot and Oxford Footwear on Gait

Background Shoes, with their biomechanical features, affect the human body and function as clothing that protects the foot. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Masai Barefoot Technology (MBT) shoes on gait in healthy, young individuals compared with bare feet and classic stable shoes. Methods The study was conducted in 67 healthy females aged 18 to 30 years. All volunteers walked barefoot, in Oxford shoes, and in MBT shoes and were evaluated in the same session. Kinematic gait analyses were performed. The three performances were compared using repeated-measures analysis of variance to study the variance in the groups themselves, and the Friedman and Wilcoxon paired two-sample tests were used for the intragroup comparisons. Results We found that the single support time and the swing phase ratio increased during walking in MBT shoes compared with walking in stable shoes, whereas the double support ratio, stride length, cadence, gait speed, loading response ratio, and preswing phase ratio decreased. However, it was found that the step and stride length, step width, and gait speed increased and the preswing phase extended during walking in stable shoes compared with walking barefoot. Conclusions These results support the hypothesis that MBT shoes facilitate foot cycles as they reduce the loading response and the preswing and stance phase ratios.

Changes in Gait Performance in Stroke Patients after Taping with Scapular Setting Exercise

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of combined taping with scapular setting exercise on the gait performance of stroke patients. Twenty stroke patients were randomly allocated to two groups: the taping with scapular setting exercise (TSSE) group (n = 10) and scapular setting exercise (SSE) group (n = 10). Intervention was performed for one week, and pre- and postintervention results for TSSE and SSE were compared. Outcomes were determined using the inertia measurement unit, which can measure spatiotemporal gait parameters, and using the timed up-and-go test. Two-way repeated analysis was used to compare pre- and postintervention results. In the TSSE group, intervention significantly improved cadence, gait speed, stride length, step length, gait cycle, swing phase duration, double support duration, and timed up-and-go test results more than in the SSE group. TSSE was found to improve all spatiotemporal gait parameters examined; thus, we recommend TSSE be considered as an intervention to improve gait parameters in stroke patients.

Effects of Long-Term Use of Insoles with a Toe-Grip Bar on the Balance, Walking, and Running of Preschool Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This randomized controlled study is aimed at investigating the effects of long-term use of insoles with a toe-grip bar on the balance, walking, and running of preschool children. Fifty-two preschool children were randomly assigned to an intervention group or control group. Children included in the intervention group wore shoes with insoles that had a toe-grip bar, and those in the control group wore shoes with regular insoles without a toe-grip bar for 4 weeks while they were at school. The center of gravity sway (total trajectory length and envelope area), walking parameters (walking speed, cadence, stride length, step length, stance time, and swing time), and time to run 25 m were measured before and after the intervention. The 25 m running time of the intervention group was significantly improved after the intervention (F=5.66; p<0.05). This study suggests that insoles with a toe-grip bar may contribute to improvements in the running of preschool children.

How do Amateur Endurance Runners Alter Spatiotemporal Parameters and Step Variability as Running Velocity Increases? A Sex Comparison

This study aimed to analyse the effects of running velocity on spatiotemporal parameters and step variability in amateur endurance runners, according to sex. A group of 51 males and 46 females performed an incremental running test on a treadmill (10-16 km/h). Spatiotemporal parameters (contact and flight time, step length, step frequency and step angle [CT, FT, SL, SF, SA]) and step variability, in terms of within-participant standard deviation (SD), were recorded through the OptoGait System. The ANOVA showed significant differences in the magnitude of the spatiotemporal parameters as running velocity increased (p < 0.001). It also revealed significant differences in step variability (p < 0.005) over the entire running protocol. Between-sex differences in CT, SL, SL-normalized and SF (p < 0.05, ES = 0.4-0.8) were found. Differences were also found in step variability at high velocities (15-16 km/h), with males showing a greater SD than females. In conclusion, increasing running velocity makes CT shorter, FT and SL longer, and SF and SA greater in amateur endurance runners, changing step variability, regardless of sex. Additionally, some between-sex differences were found in spatiotemporal parameters and step variability.

Mechanical model of muscle contraction. 6. Calculations of the tension exerted by a skeletal fiber during a shortening staircase

Accompanying Paper 1 tests a theoretical relationship between force and shortening velocity of a muscle fiber without justifying its validity. Paper 2 determines the kinematics and dynamics of a myosin II head during the working stroke (WS). Paper 3 imposes the Uniform law as a density representative of the orientation of the levers belonging to the WS heads. By support of these works, Papers 4 and 5 put into equation the evolution of the tension during the four phases of a length step. The present paper closes all six articles by imposing two tasks on itself. The first purpose is to apply the theoretical elements developed for a length step to a succession of identical length steps, otherwise known as shortening staircase. With the values of the geometric and temporal parameters assigned to a myosin head in Papers 1 to 5, a correct adjustment is established between the theoretical tension deduced from our model and the experimental tension published in 1997 by a team of Italian researchers relating to nine shortening staircases performed on the same fiber. In particular, we obtain the equation of the tension reached at the time end of the step (T*) which remains constant step by step as soon as the shortening of a half-sarcomere exceeds 17 nm. The second objective is to find and explain the equation of the Force-Velocity curve introduced ex abrupto into Paper 1: by decreasing the size and duration of the steps, the staircase tends towards a constant slope line corresponding to a continuous speed shortening. By applying the methods of infinitesimal calculus to the different formulations leading to T*, we deduce the Force-Velocity relationship (see Supplement S6.L). And the circle is complete.

Mechanical model of muscle contraction. 4. Theoretical calculations of the tension during the isometric tetanus plateau and the tension exerted at the end of phase 1 of a length step

Hypothesis 4 presented in accompanying Paper 2 states that the lever of a myosin II head in working stroke (WS) moves in a fixed plane, the orientation of the lever being defined by the angle θ. From this conjecture can be deduced the hypothesis 5 developed in accompanying Paper 3: the distribution of θ is identical and uniform in each half-sarcomere (hs) of a muscle fiber stimulated under isometric conditions. We propose a sixth hypothesis that establishes a linear relationship between the θ angle and the motor moment (ℳ) exerted on the lever. These three hypotheses lead to calculations of the tension during isometric tetanus plateau (T0) and the tension applied at the end of phase 1 of a length step when the only internal actions are the forces of elastic origin produced by the myosin heads in WS (T1Elas). However, the T1Elas values are higher than those observed experimentally. The model introduces the presence of viscosity as the seventh hypothesis. The internal actions resulting from the coupling of the elasticity of the WS heads and the viscosity make it possible to explain all the observed phenomena that contribute to the phase 1 of a length step. An adequate adjustment between the theoretical tension from the model (T1) and the tension representative of the end of phase 1 exposed in examples from the physiological literature is proven (r2 > 98%). Other parameters such as stiffness (e), compliance (C) and strain (Y) are deduced; their investigation enables the construction of an analytical “nanoscope” by means of which the uniform density of θ is explored. The equations for T0, T1, e, C and Y explain and predict the influence of factors such as the duration of phase 1, the initial length of the sarcomere, the concentration of calcium, the presence of an inhibitor, the tension rise to the isometric tetanus plateau, relaxation after tetanization or shortening at constant speed. The results obtained during a slack-test are indicated by the model, the slack of the fiber being interpreted as an event of purely viscous origin.

Mechanical model of muscle contraction. 5. Tension rise after phase 1 of a length step

The theoretical approaches developed in accompanying Papers 1 to 3 lead to calculations of the isometric tetanus tension (T0) and the minimum tension (T1) observed at the end of phase 1 of a length step where the fiber is shortened (see Paper 4). During the next three phases, the time rise of the tension (T), from T1 to T0, is determined for any step (see Supplement S5.K). The tension T is expressed as a master equation which is the sum of five terms: (a) T1, (b) a positive or zero contribution resulting from the relaxation induced by the disappearance of the viscosity forces present during phase 1, (c) a positive contribution of elastic origin resulting from the new myosin II heads initiating a working stroke (WS) in the blank areas, (d) a negative contribution caused by the fast detachment of the heads still strongly attached and whose orientation of the levers is beyond the up position, (e) a negative contribution caused by the slow detachment of WS heads whose orientation of the levers is close to the up position. An agreement between the model equation and the experimental results referenced in the physiological literature is proven (r2>97.5%). The kinetics of each of the theoretical curves make it possible to distinguish phases 2, 3 and 4 characteristics of the tension rise to T0. The criteria defined to describe the tension at the end of phase 2 (T2) are applied to the master equation. There is an adequate adjustment between the theoretical and experimental T2 values for shortenings less than 8 nm in modulus (r2 > 97%).