Gait & posture最新文献

{"title":"Age group identification using machine learning and IMU: A comparison of sensor placements","authors":"Yong Kuk Kim, Noah Fehr, Fatemeh Fahimi, Michelle Gwerder, Angela Frautschi, William Taylor, Navrag Singh","doi":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.07.122","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.07.122","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":94018,"journal":{"name":"Gait & posture","volume":"43 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135298048","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Quantitative gait analysis of patients with unilateral juvenile osteochondritis dissecans of the knee: Comparison with the contralateral side and controls","authors":"Mathieu Lalumière, Thierry Pauyo, Jean-François Girouard, Reggie Charles Hamdy, Louis-Nicolas Veilleux","doi":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.07.137","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.07.137","url":null,"abstract":"Juvenile osteochondritis dissecans (JOCD) of the knee is a common cause of pain and dysfunction among active children and adolescents [1,2]. JOCD is defined as a pathologic process for which the blood supply to a bone area is disrupted due to excessive loading forces on some parts of the joint, causing the necrosis of the subchondral bone and cartilage [3–5]. In youths with stable JOCD of the knee, conservative management focusing on biomechanical factors and unloading is the standard of care [6]. However, it is not clear how the biomechanical factors, such as the lower limbs kinematics and kinetics during walking, are associated with JOCD [6]. The aim of this project was to identify objective biomechanical outcomes associated with JOCD to better target conservative treatment options. Thirteen (n=13) patients with unilateral medial femoral condyle JOCD and nineteen (n=19) control subjects were evaluated at the SHC-Canada. Three distinct groups were created for comparison: 1) JOCD side, 2) Unaffected contralateral side, 3) Healthy controls. JOCD patients were evaluated before conservative treatment initiation. All participants performed barefoot overground walking at a self-selected speed. Retroreflective markers were placed on specific bony landmarks according to the Plug-In-Gait marker set [7]. A 10-camera motion capture system (VICON) with 4 forceplates (AMTI) were used to collect kinematic and kinetic data. Joint angles and moments at the hip and knee was processed using Nexus 2.12.1 and averaged for three complete gait cycles. For the main outcome measures, peak joint angle and moment in the coronal plane were outputted at the hip and knee. To identify statistical differences between groups (α=0.05), the main outcome measures were compared using paired t-test between JOCD and unaffected groups, and unpaired t-test between JOCD and control groups. Data showed altered knee joint movement patterns for the JOCD side group, with significantly higher peak knee varus angle (vs. unaffected=+2.66°, p=0.002; vs. controls=+2.39°, p=0.02) and varus-thrust angle (vs. unaffected=+1.48°, p=0.02) (Fig. 1B). Data also showed altered kinetics for the JOCD side group, with significantly lower peak hip adduction moment (vs. controls=-0.19 N∙m/kg, p=0.001) and peak knee adduction moment (vs. controls=-0.12 N∙m/kg; p=0.02) (Fig. 1C&D).Download : Download high-res image (116KB)Download : Download full-size image Higher knee motion in the coronal plane for youths with JOCD suggest the presence of medio-lateral knee instability. Also, reduced knee adduction moment in the presence of JOCD suggest compensations at the ipsilateral trunk and hip to reduce medial femoral condyle loading. Potential treatment focusing on knee medio-lateral stability, such as motor control exercises and knee unloading brace, have potential at improving neutral dynamic knee alignment during walking. The current set of data will serve as a method to develop a standardized conservative protocol","PeriodicalId":94018,"journal":{"name":"Gait & posture","volume":"371 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135298050","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pattern-specific effects of botulinum neurotoxin type A injections and selective dorsal rhizotomy on gait in children with spastic cerebral palsy","authors":"Eirini Papageorgiou, Els Ortibus, Guy Molenaers, Anja Van Campenhout, Kaat Desloovere","doi":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.07.191","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.07.191","url":null,"abstract":"Botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT) injections and selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) are often applied tone reduction procedures in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP).[1,2] BoNT is focal and temporary, whereas SDR is generalized and non-reversible. Previous studies have investigated the changes inflicted by these treatments in generic CP-groups.[3,4] It is not yet clear whether specific gait patterns would respond differently to each treatment. What are the short-term, gait pattern-specific changes inflicted by BoNT injections or SDR in children with CP? Retrospective samples that had been treated either BoNT injections (NBoNT=117; baseline ageBoNT= 6y4mo±2y4mo; GMFCS I/II/III: 70/31/16) or SDR (NSDR=89; baseline ageSDR=9y5mo±2y3mo; GMFCS I/II/III: 18/54/17) were selected. All patients underwent three-dimensional gait analysis (3DGA) sessions at baseline and post-treatment (on average 1 y post-SDR and 2mo post-BoNT). The baseline 3DGA was used to classify the gait patterns of the patients, using the gait pattern classification system for children with spastic CP (GaP-CP).[5] For children with bilateral CP, both lower limbs were considered in case of asymmetric patterns between the two lower limbs, Their most affected side was selected when they displayed symmetric gait patterns, similar to the affected lower limb for children with unilateral CP. Gait-related changes focused on sagittal plane kinematics, which were compared with statistical non-parametric mapping (vector of four components, paired Hotellings T2 test, α=0.05 and post-hoc component-level comparisons, paired t-tests, α=0.0125). The comparisons were conducted in the total cohorts, as well as in gait pattern-specific subgroups. Thereafter, statistical clusters were deemed clinically relevant if their duration exceeded 3% of the gait cycle and the respective standard errors of measurement (SEM).[6,7] Changes in neuromuscular impairments were evaluated using the composite spasticity, weakness and selectivity scores of the muscles acting in the sagittal plane,[8] based on the clinical examination. Apparent equinus and jump gait were the best BoNT-responders, followed by dropfoot, where improvements were only observed in the ankle joint. In these three gait patterns, spasticity was improved, but not at the expense of additional weakness or selectivity. For SDR, the best responders were children with jump gait, crouch gait and apparent equinus. Spasticity was improved, while weakness and selectivity either improved or remained stable, in all gait patterns and for the total cohort. Fig. 1 shows the pre- vs post-treatment kinematics and statistically identified clusters of the three best responders to each treatment. \"Fig. 1. Pre- vs post-treatment kinematics and statistically identified clusters of the three best responders to each treatment.\"Download : Download high-res image (251KB)Download : Download full-size image These results highlight the need to inspect the short-term effects o","PeriodicalId":94018,"journal":{"name":"Gait & posture","volume":"120 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135298194","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Application of 3D motion analysis to quantify a clinical test method assessing wrist spasticity","authors":"Anna Pennekamp, Mirjam Thielen, Julia Glaser, Leila Harhaus, Ursula Trinler","doi":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.07.196","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.07.196","url":null,"abstract":"Spasticity is a symptom that occurs in patients with acute or chronic damages of the central nervous system [1]. Quantification of such limitations is essential, for example for preoperative decision making. Though, objective measurement methods to assess upper limb (UL) spasticity are poorly applied in clinical practice. Due to the low interrater reliability of subjective scales (modified Ashworth scale (MAS), modified Tardieu scale (MTS) [2,3]), 3D motion analysis and synchronized surface EMG (sEMG) should be used as an alternative method to determine objective parameters. How do the results of the objective sEMG parameters during passive stretch correlate with the subjective values of MAS and MTS? Which differences exist in wrist kinematics and muscle activity during a passive stretch of the wrist flexors between healthy adults and patients with UL spasticity? 11 patients with UL spasticity (39 ± 18 years) and 5 healthy adults (10 arms, 35 ± 9 years) were included. All participants were analysed using 3D motion analysis (Qualisys, U.L.E.M.A [4]) and sEMG (Noraxon) on M. flexor carpi ulnaris and / or M. flexor carpi radialis and M. extensor carpi radialis brevis during passive stretch of the wrist (3 slow (LV) and 3 quick (HV) directed movements). sEMG data were normalised to maximum isometric contraction (MVIC) and examined over a defined period of time (200ms before reaching maximum velocity to 90% of max. extension [5]). The velocity of the passive stretch (30°/s slow, 180°/s fast) was standardized with a metronome. The maximum passive wrist extension, the sEMG parameters (EMGLV and EMGHV) as well as the sEMG difference between LV and HV (EMGchange) were compared between groups (Mann-Whitney-U-Test). MAS and MTS were clinically assessed and correlated with sEMG parameters (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient). Joint angles and sEMG parameters were significantly different between groups (Table 1a). Correlations between sEMG based parameters and the subjective values of MAS and MTS where low and not significant (Table 1b). Table 1: a): Differences between healthy adults and patients, b): Spearman's rank correlation coefficient between subjective Scales (MAS, MTS) and objective Parameters (EMGLV, EMGHV, EMGchange)Download : Download high-res image (74KB)Download : Download full-size image The objective measurement method, which has already been used for the elbow and lower limb, also shows promising results on the wrist. The comparison between healthy adults and spasticity patients clearly shows that the muscular activity of the wrist flexors during their passive stretch is high and velocity dependent in spasticity patients. Interestingly, neither MAS nor MTS values correlate to objective values at the wrist. Wrist flexor spasticity is not only caused by the wrist flexors, but also by the extrinsic finger flexors, which are not yet included in this model.","PeriodicalId":94018,"journal":{"name":"Gait & posture","volume":"24 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135298373","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of subject’s physical properties on joint biomechanics: Hypermobility alters lower extremity biomechanics during knee-bearing activity","authors":"Shavkat Kuchimov, Mehmed Özkan, Adnan Apti, Nazif Ekin Akalan, Burcu Semin Akel, Karsten Hollander","doi":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.07.134","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.07.134","url":null,"abstract":"Hypermobility is a physical specificity of the subject that refers to an increased range of motion in one or more joints beyond what is considered normal or expected for an individual's age, gender, and body type. The previous studies on hypermobility stated that generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) may cause joint instability and muscle weakness [1]. The knee joint structural integrity and function maintained essentially by the cruciate ligaments. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) work together to provide stability to the knee joint by preventing excessive movement of the tibia (shin bone) in relation to the femur (thigh bone). The more common ligament injury is ACL injury and non-contact ACL injuries remain a serious problem among athletes [2]. Activities demanding mechanical bearing on the knee joint recommended for classifying an athlete's anterior cruciate ligament injury risk [3]. Some biomechanical factors determined in these tests are associated with future injuries [4]. In order to protect the athlete from injury, it is necessary to determine the causes of biomechanical factors determined by functional tests. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of GJH on Pelvis and lower body joint biomechanics with Single Leg Landing (SLL) test. Does hypermobility alter lower extremity biomechanics? Eight healthy volunteers with no history of musculoskeletal injury or pain participated in this study (mean age: 16.6±4.2). Casual sports participants were divided into two equal groups (control ≤4, hypermobile ≥6) according to the Beighton score which measures GJH [5]. SLL tests were acquired for each subject using 3D motion analysis (6 Vantage 5 Camera, 2 Force Platforms, Vicon Motion Systems Ltd UK). Plug-in-gait model for lower extremity is utilized as marker set that described in the previous studies [4]. Three repetitive tests were evaluated for each leg side. An Independent t-test was used for statistical analysis. Participants with hypermobility exhibited higher peak angles of pelvic external rotation (p=0.01), hip adduction (p=0.03), and knee valgus (p=0.02) during the stance phase of knee-bearing activity (see Table 1). In contrast, peak values of pelvic posterior tilt angle (p=0.03), foot internal progression (p=0.05), and knee flexion moment (p=0.01) were found to be decreased in participants with hypermobility.Download : Download high-res image (113KB)Download : Download full-size image It has been determined that joint hypermobility can lead to alterations in lower extremity biomechanics during SLL test. Increase in peak hip adduction and knee valgus angles lead to both acute (ACL rupture factor) and overuse sport injuries [6]. Further studies are needed to investigate the effects of joint hypermobility using detailed marker set for better quantification of specifically knee joint movement.","PeriodicalId":94018,"journal":{"name":"Gait & posture","volume":"43 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135298378","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Designing a novel protocol to investigate mechanisms of falls in children with cerebral palsy, informed by lived experiences","authors":"Rebecca Louise Walker, Tom D O'Brien, Gabor J Barton, Bernie Carter, David M Wright, Richard J Foster","doi":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.07.262","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.07.262","url":null,"abstract":"Children with cerebral palsy (CwCP) regularly fall (35% fall daily), yet reasons for their falls are not well understood [1]. Stability and changes in walking behaviour of CwCP when negotiating challenging walking environments (e.g. uneven surfaces) have been accurately measured in laboratory settings [2], however these have not captured the real-world fall-risk that CwCP face daily. Walk-along interviews are a useful approach to capture the meaningful lived experiences of children whilst they are walking outside in challenging environments [3,4]. Previously, we co-designed a novel walk-along interview protocol by engaging with CwCP[5]. Real-world insights gathered from these walk-along interviews could enable us to design bespoke research protocols that explore the mechanisms of daily falls in CwCP. How do lived experiences of CwCP inform the development of a bespoke lab-based protocol to investigate the mechanisms of falls? Twelve CwCP (GMFCS I to III, 6 diplegia, 6 hemiplegia, 12±3 years old) and their parents took part in tailored walk-along interviews in which they discussed everyday fall experiences based on environments encountered on an outdoor walk. Chest-mounted cameras (Kaiser Baas X450) and wireless microphones (RODE GO II) captured environments and conversations. Walk-along interviews were analysed in NVivo using interpretive description[6]. Key insights from interviews (e.g. previous fall experiences) were used to determine the types of environments to be included in a bespoke walking protocol for assessing mechanisms of falls. Four CwCP and their parents were consulted about the findings from walk-along interviews to support protocol design. Walk-along interviews revealed that falls most often result when environmental challenges (“bumpy” surfaces) and sensory challenges (being “distracted” or “not looking”) are present together. Discussing previous falls or trips (Fig. 1) with CwCP and their parents informed the design of a bespoke walkway to investigate mechanisms of falls in challenging environments. The walkway includes common environmental challenges that cause falls (grass potholes and uneven pavements). To emulate the sensory challenges reported during walk-along interviews, randomly selected trials over the bespoke walkway will include a virtual distraction imitating noises and images of a busy street. Consultations with CwCP suggested these virtual distractions should include dogs barking and cars driving on busy roads. Download : Download high-res image (87KB)Download : Download full-size image We have designed a bespoke protocol that replicates the challenging environmental features and distractions faced daily by CwCP. Our protocol is unique because it was informed by the lived experiences of CwCP and their parents during novel walk-along interviews. We will next investigate, using 3D motion capture, potential indicators of high fall-risk (e.g. foot placement, decreased margins of stability) in CwCP compared to typicall","PeriodicalId":94018,"journal":{"name":"Gait & posture","volume":"57 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135298552","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessment of postural control with deprivation of visual system and somatosensorial perturbation in child with autism: case report","authors":"Juliana D.O.H. Mendes, Lorraine B. Cordeiro, Grazielly N. Santos, Fernanda B.D. Carvalho, Luanda A.C. Grecco, Pedro A.S. Ribeiro, Priscilla M. Moraes, Claudia Oliveira","doi":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.07.176","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.07.176","url":null,"abstract":"Mental maturity is a state of preparation for physical, mental and social aspects of life.1 Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have low mental maturity and deficits with regards to social interactions, language,1 motor skills and postural control.2 Postural control is achieved by the integration of three systems: visual, vestibular and somatosensorial.3 Postural perturbation increases the risk of falls and can exert a negative impact on the development of communication skills and social interactions.4 Children with autism are more susceptible due to deficits related to visual and somatosensorial feedback.5 Do deprivation of the visual system and somatosensorial perturbation alter postural control variables in a child with autism compared to a child with neurotypical development? This case report involved two male children aged seven years and four months – one with a diagnosis of ASD (22 kg, 132 cm) and another with neurotypical development (26.4 kg, 129 cm). The psychological evaluation (general reasoning capacity) was performed using the Columbia Mental Maturity Scale (CMMS-3). The motor assessment was performed using the SMART-D 140® system (BTS Engineering), which has two force plates (Kistler Platform, model 9286BA). Postural control was investigated under the following conditions: eyes open, eyes closed, without a mat and with a 5-cm foam rubber mat. Table 1 lists the results of the CMMS-3 and force plate variables. The child with ASD had average reasoning capacity. Both children exhibited oscillations in postural control, but the child with autism had poorer results in the occurrence of visual deprivation and somatosensorial perturbation. Table 1- Results of Columbia Mental Maturity Scale-3 and force plate variablesDownload : Download high-res image (94KB)Download : Download full-size image This study investigated whether mental maturity exerts an influence on postural control in a child with autism and whether the deprivation of the visual system and sensorial perturbation alter postural control variables. The results suggest that mental maturity (general reasoning capacity) exerts an influence on postural control, the understanding of the positioning on the force plate and the cognitive information process of maintaining a static position, especially with sensorial input caused by the foam rubber mat. Deprivation of the visual system and somatosensorial perturbation exert an influence on postural control in children with ASD,6,7 generating an increase in body sway and the area of displacement of the centre of plantar pressure.","PeriodicalId":94018,"journal":{"name":"Gait & posture","volume":"57 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135298695","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Reduced reciprocal inhibition during passive spasticity assessments is related with increased muscle co-activation during perturbations of standing balance","authors":"Jente Willaert, Lena H. Ting, Anja Van Campenhout, Kaat Desloovere, Friedl De Groote","doi":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.07.269","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.07.269","url":null,"abstract":"Children with cerebral palsy (CP) often have balance impairments, but little is known about the relation between joint hyper-resistance (i.e., the most common symptom in spastic CP) and balance impairments (1). Both during clinical tests of joint hyper-resistance and when standing balance is perturbed, muscles are stretched. In children with CP, the stretch reflex in response to passive joint rotations is often hyper-excitable and reduced reciprocal inhibition has been observed in the antagonistic muscle (2). Furthermore, children with CP often have increased muscle co-activation during standing balance perturbations (3). Recently, we demonstrated that this increased muscle co-activation is not a useful compensation strategy and might therefore be a consequence of reduced reciprocal inhibition (4). Here, we investigated whether a reduction in reciprocal inhibition between plantarflexors and dorsiflexors in response to a passive stretching of the plantarflexors was related to higher levels of co-activation in response to toe-up rotational perturbations of standing balance. Twenty children with spastic CP participated in the study. We performed an instrumented spasticity assessment of the plantarflexors (5) followed by a standing balance assessment (Fig. 1, row1-2). During the instrumented spasticity assessment, the ankle was rotated as fast as possible from a plantar flexed position until the end of range of motion towards dorsiflexion. At least 7 seconds of rest were provided between different trials, five in total. Reactive standing balance was tested on a moving platform. Participants were instructed to maintain balance without stepping and the platform was rotated such that ankle dorsiflexion was elicited. Perturbations were repeated 8 times. Electromyography (EMG) from gastrocnemius lateralis (LG) and medialis (MG), soleus (SOL) and tibialis anterior (TA) was collected during both assessments. EMG was filtered and normalized to the maximal value across assessments (Fig. 1, row 3). We calculated the co-contraction index (CCI) as the overlap between TA and respectively LG, MG, and SOL EMG (6). We tested the relation between the CCI during passive joint rotations and reactive standing balance. The CCI between the plantarflexors and tibialis anterior during spasticity assessment was moderately correlated with the CCI during reactive balance responses (LG-TA: r=0.55; p= 0.02; MG-TA: r= 0.57, p=0.01; SOL-TA: r=0.54, p=0.02; Fig. 1, row 4). Fig. 1: Correlation between co-contraction index during instrumented spasticity assessment and perturbations of standing balance.Download : Download high-res image (242KB)Download : Download full-size image Our results suggest that deficits in spinal pathways governing the stretch reflex, and more specifically reduced reciprocal inhibition, might hinder reactive balance control. Successful postural control might therefore rely on compensations in supraspinal pathways to generate net balance correcting ankle momen","PeriodicalId":94018,"journal":{"name":"Gait & posture","volume":"26 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135299044","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Muscle strength and equilibrium-maintaining ability in post-COVID women","authors":"Patrycja Bobowik, Ida Wiszomirska, Jan Gajewski, Michalina Błażkiewicz, Katarzyna Kaczmarczyk","doi":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.07.113","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.07.113","url":null,"abstract":"The WHO declared COVID-19 a global pandemic [1], but the long-term consequences and aftermath of the disease remain unclear. The SARS-CoV-2 virus infects the respiratory system and probably also affects many other systems, including the musculoskeletal system [2–4]. In clinical practice, it has been observed that after recovering from COVID-19, a large number of seniors report prolonged general weakness and muscle fatigue. Falls, for instance, are a well-known consequence of reduced muscle strength [5,6]. Is COVID-19 infection associated with long-term reductions in muscle strength and balance ability in older women? The Study Group included 25 women, aged 65+, who declared they had recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection. The Control Group consisted of women (n=30) of similar age, tested prior to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Muscle torques were measured for the knee flexors (KF), knee extensors (KE), trunk flexors (TF), trunk extensors (TE), and elbow flexors (EF) under isometric conditions using a JBA Staniak® isometric torquemeter, by the maximum voluntary contraction method. Balance was assessed using a Biodex Balance System SD (BBS) platform. A static Postural Stability Test (PST) was performed using the stability platform with eyes open and eyes closed. A dynamic Fall Risk Test (FRT) was performed with eyes open at various levels of platform instability, and on this basis a fall risk index (FRI 6-2) was determined for each subject. Differences between the groups were assessed using the Mann-Whitney U test. A significance level of α=0.05 was assumed. Muscle torque values were normalized to the body weight of each subject. Statistical analysis showed higher values of EF, TF and TE for the Control Group. No statistical differences were found in static stabilographic parameters between groups. The Post-COVID Group did show higher results of the dynamic stabilographic index (FRI6-2) compared to the Control Group, which is indicative of poorer balance abilities. Results are presented in Table 1. Table 1 The results of the muscle toques of various muscle groups and fall risk in Post-COVID Group and Control GroupDownload : Download high-res image (88KB)Download : Download full-size image EF– elbow flexors torque; KF– knee flexors torque; KE– knee extensor torque; TF– trunk flexors torque; TE– trunk extensors torque; FRI– fall risk index; *n=24 We found FRI6-2 to be correlated with TE (r= -0.38) and TF (r= -0.37) for all participants, but this correlation was larger in the Post-COVID Group (r= -0.68 for TE and r= -0.55 for TF). Results indicate that post-COVID women exhibit impaired strength of various muscle groups and body balance in dynamic conditions. Post-COVID physiotherapy should therefore take into account not only respiratory problems but also musculoskeletal and equilibrium disorders, e.g. by using resistance training to improve muscle strength.","PeriodicalId":94018,"journal":{"name":"Gait & posture","volume":"43 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135299053","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An approach to establishing the thresholds of plantar loading in obese children","authors":"Shiyang Yan, Yihong Zhao, Longbin Zhang, Luming Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.07.273","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.07.273","url":null,"abstract":"Excessive weight-bearing positively affects the overloaded foot, which can induce multiple foot deformities [1]. Previous studies normalized maximum force to eliminate the influence of body weight on the mechanical loading of the foot [2]. To explore body weight itself to the change of the plantar pressure distribution, this study adopts a strategy of body weight scale to compare loading patterns between normal-weighted and obese children. It can acquire the exceeded foot loading data accurately for obese children compared to normal-weighted children, which could lead to finding the pressure threshold in obese children. Is there a method to grade the pressure thresholds of plantar overload in obese children? A cross-sectional study with a large sample size of 1170 participants aged 7-11 years was used to divide normal-weighted (n = 812) and obese children (n = 358) into eight groups based on the same weight class strategy: group 1 (25.5-30.4 kg), group 2 (30.5-35.4 kg), group 3 (35.5-40.4 kg), group 4 (40.5-45.4 kg), group 5 (45.5-50.4 kg), group 6 (50.5-55.4 kg), group 7 (55.5-60.4 kg), group 8 (60.5-65.4 kg). Dynamic plantar pressure data were collected using a Footscan® plantar pressure system (RSscan International, Belgium). Maximum forces were extracted from the main plantar region using principal component analysis. The change of obese children with the same weight grade compared with normal-weighted children was divided into six grades, to define the pressure threshold of obese children's plantar pressure compared with normal-weighted children. The assessment criteria of the pressure threshold level are set at 10 N (trivial effect), 10-20 N (very weak effect), 20-30 N (weak effect), 30-40 N (moderate effect), 40-50 N (strong effect) and 50-60 N (very strong effect). Table 1 shows the levels of the pressure threshold in obese children compared to normal-weighted children with the same weight class.Download : Download high-res image (64KB)Download : Download full-size image The results showed that the maximum force of obese children with 25.5-35.4 kg did not cause significant damage to the main stress area of the plantar, and there was no need for clinical intervention or other related foot decompression strategies. When the weight of obese children is greater than 35.5 kg, it is necessary to pay attention to the influence of excessive foot load on the development and health of obese children's feet. This study can provide data support for foot decompression protocols such as shoes or insoles and weight loss training.","PeriodicalId":94018,"journal":{"name":"Gait & posture","volume":"57 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135299057","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}