Gait Kinematics Analysis of Flatfoot Adults

Background: Foot postural alignment has been associated with altered gait pattern. This study aims to investigate gait kinematic differences in flatfoot subjects’ regarding all lower limb segments compared to neutral foot subjects. Methods: A total of 31 participants were recruited (age: 23.26 yo ± 4.43; height: 1.70 m ± 0.98; weight: 75.14 kg ± 14.94). A total of 15 subjects were integrated into the flatfoot group, and the remaining 16 were placed in the neutral foot group. All of the particpants were screened using the Navicular Drop Test and Resting Calcaneal Stance Position test to characterize each group, and results were submitted to gait analysis using a MOCAP system. Results: Significant kinematic differences between groups were found for the ankle joint dorsiflexion, abduction, and internal and external rotation (p < 0.05). Additionally, significant differences were found for the knee flexion, extension, abduction, and external rotation peak values (p < 0.001). Significant differences were also found for the hip flexion, extension, external rotation, pelvis rotation values (p < 0.02). Several amplitude differences were found concerning ankle abduction/adduction, knee flexion/extension and abduction/adduction, hip flexion/extension and rotation, and pelvis rotation (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Flatfooted subjects showed kinematic changes in their gait patterns. The impact on this condition on locomotion biomechanical aspects is clinically essential, and 3D gait biomechanical analysis use could be advantageous in the early detection of health impairments related to foot posture.

Lumbopelvic Biomechanics in Patients with Lumbar Disc Herniation—Prospective Cohort Study

Low back pain (LBP) is the most frequent cause of adult disability. One of the main reasons can be a herniated disc (lumbar disc herniation—LDH), potentially disturbing spinal movement patterns. Its influence on gait and lumbopelvic biomechanics still remains unclear. Little to no evidence was found on lumbopelvic kinematics and gait in young LDH adults. The purpose of this study was to analyze the lumbopelvic biomechanics in young adult individuals with lumbar disc herniation diagnosed by MRI. Forty-three participants (18–35 years) were divided into two groups: an LDH group (n = 19) and a control group (n = 24). All participants underwent dynamic lumbopelvic and gait measures by a G-Walk wearable device in a 6-m walking test (6MWT). The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) questionnaire was used for subjective disability assessment. The LDH group showed higher speed (p = 0.02), lower symmetry of pelvis tilt (p = 0.01), and lower pelvis rotation (p = 0.04) compared to the healthy controls. Correlation calculations showed significance between pelvis obliquity and pelvis rotation (r = 0.53) but only in healthy controls. The lumbopelvic biomechanics shows differences in pelvis tilt and symmetry index of rotation parameters between LDH and healthy controls. In conclusion, LDH affects the gait kinematics, causing three-dimensional disorders and lack of synergy. This is probably due to pain avoidance behaviors and the compensation mechanisms of the adjacent body region.

How does external lateral stabilization constrain normal gait, apart from improving medio-lateral gait stability?

Background: The effect of external lateral stabilization on medio-lateral gait stability has been investigated previously. However, existing lateral stabilization devices not only constrain lateral motions but also transverse and frontal pelvis rotations. This study aimed to investigate the effect of external lateral stabilization with and without constrained transverse pelvis rotation on mechanical and metabolic gait features. Methods: We undertook two experiments with 11 and 10 young adult subjects, respectively. Kinematic, kinetic and breath-by-breath oxygen consumption data were recorded during three walking conditions (normal walking (Normal), lateral stabilization with (Free) and without transverse pelvis rotation (Restricted)) and at three speeds (0.83, 1.25 and 1.66 m s −1 ) for each condition. In the second experiment, we reduced the weight of the frame, and allowed for longer habituation time to the stabilized conditions. Results: External lateral stabilization significantly reduced the amplitudes of the transverse and frontal pelvis rotations, in addition to medio-lateral, anterior–posterior, and vertical pelvis displacements, transverse thorax rotation, arm swing, step length and step width. The amplitudes of free vertical moment, anterior–posterior drift over a trial, and energy cost were not significantly influenced by external lateral stabilization. The removal of pelvic rotation restrictions by our experimental set-ups resulted in normal frontal pelvis rotation in Experiment 1 and significantly higher transverse pelvis rotation in Experiment 2, although transverse pelvis rotation still remained significantly less than in the Normal condition. Step length increased with the increased transverse pelvis rotation. Conclusion: Existing lateral stabilization set-ups not only constrain medio-lateral motions (i.e. medio-lateral pelvis displacement) but also constrain other movements such as transverse and frontal pelvis rotations, which leads to several other gait changes such as reduced transverse thorax rotation, and arm swing. Our new set-ups allowed for normal frontal pelvis rotation and more transverse pelvis rotation (yet less than normal). However, this did not result in more normal thorax rotation and arm swing. Hence, to provide medio-lateral support without constraining other gait variables, more elaborate set-ups are needed.

The Relationship Between the Golf-Specific Movement Screen and Golf Performance

Context:Golf requires effective movement patterns to produce an effective swing and performance.Objective:To determine the relationship between the Titleist Performance Institute golf-specific functional movement screening (GSFMS) composite and individual element scores and golf performance by assessing a player’s handicap, clubhead speed, side accuracy, ball speed, peak pelvis rotation speed, swing sequence, and common swing faults.Design:Cohort study, clinical measurement.Setting:English golf club.Participants:A total of 11 amateur golfers: 5 males (age: 37.2 [18.7] y, height: 184.4 [9.6] cm, body mass: 89.5 [13.4] kg, and handicap: 9 [6.6]) and 6 females (age: 53.7 [15.0] y, height: 166.8 [5.5] cm, body mass: 67.9 [16.6] kg, and handicap: 13 [6.1]).Main Outcome Measures:GSFMS composite and individual element scores and golf performance variables.Results:Significant relationships existed between GSFMS composite scores and handicap (r = −.779,P = .01); clubhead speed (r = .701,P = .02); ball speed (r = .674,P = .02); and peak pelvis rotation speed (r = .687,P = .02). Significant relationships existed between 90°/90° golf position and clubhead speed (r = .716,P = .01); ball speed (r = .777,P = .01); seated trunk rotation and peak pelvis rotation speed (r = .606,P = .048); single-leg balance and handicap (r = −.722,P = .01); torso rotation and handicap (r = −.637,P = .04); and torso rotation and peak pelvis rotation speed (r = .741,P = .01). Single-leg balance, overhead deep squat, and pelvic tilt were the GSFMS tests which participants had most difficulty in performing. The most common swing faults identified included loss of posture, slide, chicken winging, and early hip extension.Conclusions:The GSFMS may be used to identify movement limitations that relate to golfing performance. These findings may potentially allow intervention to correct movement patterns and potentially improve golf performance.

How does external lateral stabilization constrain normal gait, apart from improving medio-lateral gait stability?

BackgroundThe effect of external lateral stabilization on medio-lateral gait stability has been investigated previously. However, existing lateral stabilization devices not only constrains lateral motions, but also transverse and frontal pelvis rotations. This study aimed to investigate the effect of external lateral stabilization with and without constrained transverse pelvis rotation on mechanical and metabolic gait features.MethodsWe undertook 2 experiments with eleven and ten young adult subjects, respectively. Experiment 2 supplemented experiment 1, as it considered several potential confounding factors in the design and set-up of experiment 1. Kinematic, kinetic, and breath-by-breath oxygen consumption data were recorded during 3 walking conditions (normal walking (Normal), lateral stabilization with (Free) and without transverse pelvis rotation (Restricted)) and at 3 speeds (0.83, 1.25, and 1.66 m/s) for each condition.ResultsExternal lateral stabilization significantly reduced the amplitudes of the transverse and frontal pelvis rotations, medio-lateral pelvis displacement, transverse thorax rotation, arm swing, and step width. The amplitudes of free vertical moment, anterior-posterior and vertical pelvis displacements, step length, and energy cost were not significantly influenced by external lateral stabilization. The removal of transverse pelvis rotation restriction by our experimental set-up resulted in significantly higher transverse pelvis rotation, although it remained significantly less than Normal condition. In concert, concomitant gait features such as transverse thorax rotation and arm swing were not significantly influenced by our new set-up.ConclusionExisting lateral stabilization set-ups not only constrain medio-lateral motions (i.e. medio-lateral pelvis displacement), but also constrains other movements such as transverse and frontal pelvis rotations, which leads to several other gait changes such as reduced transverse thorax rotation, and arm swing. Our new setup allowed for more transverse pelvis rotation, however, this did not result in more normal pelvis rotation, arm swing, etc. Hence, to provide medio-lateral support without constraining other gait variables, more elaborate set-ups are needed. Unless such a set-up is realized the observed side effects need to be taken into account when interpreting the effects of lateral stabilization as reported in previous studies.

Differences in Rotational Kinetics and Kinematics for Professional Baseball Pitchers With Higher Versus Lower Pitch Velocities

Pitch velocity (PV) is important for pitching success, and the pelvis and trunk likely influence pitch performance. The purposes of this study were to examine the differences in pelvis and trunk kinetics and kinematics in professional baseball pitchers who throw at lower versus higher velocities (HVPs) and to examine the relationships among pelvis and trunk kinetics and kinematics and PV during each phase of the pitch delivery. The pitch velocity, pelvis and trunk peak angular velocities, kinetic energies and torques, and elbow and shoulder loads were compared among HVPs (n = 71; PV ≥ 40.2 m/s) and lower velocities pitchers (n = 78; PV < 39.8 m/s), as were trunk and pelvis rotation, flexion, and obliquity among 7 phases of the pitching delivery. Relationships among the kinetic and kinematic variables and PVs were examined. Higher velocity pitchers achieved greater upper trunk rotation at hand separation (+7.2°, P < .001) and elbow extension (+5.81°, P = .002) and were able to generate greater upper trunk angular velocities (+36.6 m/s, P = .01) compared with lower velocity pitcher. Trunk angular velocity (r = .29) and upper trunk rotation at hand separation (r = .18) and foot contact (r = .17) were weakly related to PV. Therefore, HVPs rotate their upper trunk to a greater degree during the early phases of the pitching motion and subsequently generate greater trunk angular velocities and PV.