Age-Related Differences in Postural and Goal-Directed Movements During Medial-Lateral Rhythmic Stepping.

Lateral stability and weight transfer are important for successful stepping and are associated with falls in older adults (OAs). This study assessed the influence of step pacing frequency during medial-lateral stepping in place on body center of mass and lower limb movement in young adults, middle-aged adults, and OAs. Medial-lateral center of mass and stepping limb motion and lower limb loading data were collected.

Lower extremity kinematics of a single-leg squat with an orthotic in male and female collegiate athletes.

Kinematic differences have been linked to the gender discrepancies seen in knee injuries. A medially posted orthotic decreases frontal and transverse plane motions in the lower extremity during ambulation, squatting and landing. This study investigated the effect of a medial post on amount and timing of lower extremity motions during a single-leg squat in male and female athletes.

Knee valgus during drop jumps in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I female athletes: the effect of a medial post.

Background: Female athletes land from a jump with greater knee valgus and ankle pronation/eversion. Excessive valgus and pronation have been linked to risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury. A medially posted orthosis decreases component motions of knee valgus such as foot pronation/eversion and tibial internal rotation.

The effects of ten weeks of lower-body unstable surface training on markers of athletic performance.

Initially reserved for rehabilitation programs, unstable surface training (UST) has recently grown in popularity in strength and conditioning and general exercise scenarios. Nonetheless, no studies to date have examined the effects of UST on performance in healthy, trained individuals. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of 10 weeks of lower-body UST on performance in elite athletes.

Lateral rhythmic unipedal stepping in younger, middle-aged, and older adults.

Purpose: Voluntary and protective stepping performance changes with age. This has implications for the problem of falls in older adults. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of metronome paced stepping practice on self-selected preferred rhythmic unipedal stepping performance in the medial-lateral direction among younger, middle-aged and older adults.

Intrinsic and imposed hamstring length influence posterior pelvic rotation during hip flexion.

Background: The contribution of posterior tilt of the pelvis (pelvic rotation) to hip flexion has been described for individuals who are standing, supine, and suspended. The effects of intrinsic and imposed hamstring length on the motion have not been investigated in a controlled manner. This study investigated the influence of intrinsic and imposed hamstring length on pelvic rotation during bilateral active hip flexion.

A cetylated fatty acid topical cream with menthol reduces pain and improves functional performance in individuals with arthritis.

This investigation was an extension of a previous study conducted in our laboratory in which we showed that 1 month of treatment with a topical cream (Celadrin) consisting of cetylated fatty acids was effective for reducing pain and improving functional performance in individuals with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee (Kraemer et al., Journal of Rheumatology, 2004). We wanted to verify that the addition of menthol to the compound would produce a similar percentage of improvement in therapeutic effects.

Effects of treatment with a cetylated fatty acid topical cream on static postural stability and plantar pressure distribution in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the effects of 30 days of treatment with a topical cream consisting of cetylated fatty acids on static postural stability and plantar pressures in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of one or both knees. Forty patients diagnosed with knee OA were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 topical treatment groups: (a) cetylated fatty acid (CFA; N = 20; age = 62.7 +/- 11.

Effect of a cetylated fatty acid topical cream on functional mobility and quality of life of patients with osteoarthritis.

Objective: To examine the effect of a topical cream consisting of cetylated fatty acids on functional performance in patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA) of one or both knees.

Methods: Forty patients diagnosed with knee OA were randomly assigned to one of 2 topical treatment groups: (1) cetylated fatty acid (CFA) (n = 20; age 62.7 +/- 11.

Effect of added mass on human unipedal hopping at three frequencies.

Although more commonly done by children, hopping appears to be a rich source of neuromuscular and biomechanical information on adults. Given prior research on the independent effects of hopping frequency and added mass, this study assessed whether these would interact to affect vertical stiffness, contact duration, and lower extremity kinematics during unipedal hopping. Vertical force and two-dimensional kinematics were measured in 10 healthy males hopping at three frequencies: their preferred hopping frequency and frequencies 20% higher and 20% lower, in two conditions with added mass (body mass+10% and body mass+20%).

Pelvic and femoral contributions to bilateral hip flexion by subjects suspended from a bar.

Objective: To quantify the contribution of the pelvis and femur to active bilateral hip flexion conducted while subjects are suspended by their hands from a bar.

Design: Descriptive and experimental.

Background: Voluntary hip flexion while in a suspended position is used in abdominal strengthening regimens and is required for certain athletic activities.

Effect of frequency on human unipedal hopping.

All mature forms of locomotion involve periods of unilateral stance. Unipedal hopping may provide useful information about the neuromuscular and biomechanical capabilities of a single lower extremity in adults. This study investigated whether hopping influenced vertical stiffness and lower extremity angular kinematics during human unipedal hopping.

Kinematics of the double-leg-lowering test for abdominal muscle strength.

Study Design: Prospective descriptive study.

Objective: To investigate the kinematics of the double-leg-lowering (DLL) test of abdominal muscle strength.

Background: Adequate strength of the abdominal muscles is necessary for many household, occupational, and sports activities.

Effect of added mass on human unipedal hopping.

Although hopping is considered a children's activity, it can be used to provide insight into the neuromuscular and biomechanical performance of adults. This study investigated whether mass added during unipedal hopping altered the vertical stiffness, hopping period, and angular kinematics of the lower extremity of adults. Measures of two-dimensional kinematics and vertical force were made from 10 healthy men during hopping at a preferred period under three conditions: Body Mass, Body Mass+10%, and Body Mass+20%.

Pelvifemoral rhythm during unilateral hip flexion in standing.

Objective: To quantify pelvifemoral rhythm during unilateral hip flexion in standing subjects, under different degrees of resistance.

Design: Descriptive and correlational.

Background: Pelvic rotation contributes to the change in hip flexion angle while individuals are supine.