Dual-task walking reduces lower limb range of motion in individuals with Parkinson's disease and freezing of gait: But does it happen during what events through the gait cycle?

Background: It is unclear how dual-task gait influences the lower limb range of motion (RoM) in people with Parkinson's disease (PD) and freezing of gait (FOG). The lower limb kinematics during dual-task gait might differ from regular gait, but during what events in the gait cycle?

Methods: This is an observational within-subjects study. Thirty-two individuals with PD and FOG underwent a gait analysis.

Movement smoothness during a functional mobility task in subjects with Parkinson's disease and freezing of gait - an analysis using inertial measurement units.

Background: Impairments of functional mobility may affect locomotion and quality of life in subjects with Parkinson's disease (PD). Movement smoothness measurements, such as the spectral arc length (SPARC), are novel approaches to quantify movement quality. Previous studies analyzed SPARC in simple walking conditions.

Can We Rely on Mobile Devices and Other Gadgets to Assess the Postural Balance of Healthy Individuals? A Systematic Review.

The consequences of falls, costs, and complexity of conventional evaluation protocols have motivated researchers to develop more effective balance assessments tools. Healthcare practitioners are incorporating the use of mobile phones and other gadgets (smartphones and tablets) to enhance accessibility in balance evaluations with reasonable sensitivity and good cost-benefit. The prospects are evident, as well as the need to identify weakness and highlight the strengths of the different approaches.

A Lactate Kinetics Method for Assessing the Maximal Lactate Steady State Workload.

During a continuously increasing exercise workload (WL) a point will be reached at which arterial lactate accumulates rapidly. This so-called lactate threshold (LT) is associated with the maximal lactate steady state workload (MLSS), the highest WL, at which arterial lactate concentration [LA] does not change. However, the physiological range in which the LT and the MLSS occur has not been demonstrated directly.

Shank Muscle Strength Training Changes Foot Behaviour during a Sudden Ankle Supination.

Background: The peroneal muscles are the most effective lateral stabilisers whose tension braces the ankle joint complex against excessive supination. The purpose of this study was to identify the morphological and biomechanical effects of two machine-based shank muscle training methods.

Methods: Twenty-two healthy male recreationally active sports students performed ten weeks of single-set high resistance strength training with 3 training sessions per week.

A whole body vibration perception map and associated acceleration loads at the lower leg, hip and head.

Whole-body vibration (WBV) training has become popular in recent years. However, WBV may be harmful to the human body. The goal of this study was to determine the acceleration magnitudes at different body segments for different frequencies of WBV.

Biomechanical and functional indicators in male semiprofessional soccer players with increased hip alpha angles vs. amateur soccer players.

Background: Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is predominant in young male athletes, but not much is known about gait differences in cases of increased hip alpha angles. In our study, the hip alpha angle of Nötzli of soccer players was quantified on the basis of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with axial oblique sequences. The aim of the current study was to compare the rearfoot motion and plantar pressure in male semiprofessional soccer players with increased alpha angles to age-matched amateur soccer players.

Effects of textured insoles on balance in people with Parkinson's disease.

Background: Degradation of the somatosensory system has been implicated in postural instability and increased falls risk for older people and Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. Here we demonstrate that textured insoles provide a passive intervention that is an inexpensive and accessible means to enhance the somatosensory input from the plantar surface of the feet.

Methods: 20 healthy older adults (controls) and 20 participants with PD were recruited for the study.

The influence of soccer shoe design on player performance and injuries.

Although soccer is the most popular sport in the world, little research has been published in the field of soccer biomechanics, particularly on the importance of footwear for the game. The traction properties of soccer shoes on natural and artificial turf have been speculated to be responsible for acute and chronic injuries in soccer. This article reviewed the current knowledge on how soccer shoes influence the risk of injuries and how they may serve to improve player performance.

Lower and upper extremity loading in nordic walking in comparison with walking and running.

Nordic walking (NW) was compared with walking (W) and running (R) with respect to upper and lower limb injury risks. 24 NW-instructors performed W, NW, and R trials on a runway covered with artificial turf at controlled speeds. Foot pronation and ground reaction forces were measured as well as shock wave transmission to the right wrist.

Effects of different shoe-lacing patterns on dorsal pressure distribution during running and perceived comfort.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of four lacing patterns (one regular, one tight, and two seven-eyelet lacings) on dorsal foot pressures during running and the perception of comfort and stability with 14 male rearfoot runners. By using a pressure insole, peak dorsal pressures were measured under the shoe's tongue. Highest peak pressures were found above the talus, the navicular bone, and the first ray.

A comparison of lower limb EMG and ground reaction forces between barefoot and shod gait in participants with diabetic neuropathic and healthy controls.

Background: It is known that when barefoot, gait biomechanics of diabetic neuropathic patients differ from non-diabetic individuals. However, it is still unknown whether these biomechanical changes are also present during shod gait which is clinically advised for these patients. This study investigated the effect of the participants own shoes on gait biomechanics in diabetic neuropathic individuals compared to barefoot gait patterns and healthy controls.

Sensitivity mapping of the human foot: thresholds at 30 skin locations.

Background: Mechanoreceptors in the skin provide sensory input for the central nervous system about foot placement and loading. This information is used by the brain to actively control or regain balance and is important to establish memory traces for subsequent movement. A sensitivity map of the human foot could help to understand the mechanisms of the foot as a sensory organ for movement adjustment and balance control.

Plantar pressures during shod gait in diabetic neuropathic patients with and without a history of plantar ulceration.

Background: Diabetic neuropathy leads to progressive loss of sensation, lower-limb distal muscle atrophy, autonomic impairment, and gait alterations that overload feet. This overload has been associated with plantar ulcers even with consistent daily use of shoes. We sought to investigate and compare the influence of diabetic neuropathy and plantar ulcers in the clinical history of diabetic neuropathic patients on plantar sensitivity, symptoms, and plantar pressure distribution during gait while patients wore their everyday shoes.

Plantar pressure distribution patterns during gait in diabetic neuropathy patients with a history of foot ulcers.

Objective: To investigate and compare the influence of a previous history of foot ulcers on plantar pressure variables during gait of patients with diabetic neuropathy.

Introduction: Foot ulcers may be an indicator of worsening diabetic neuropathy. However, the behavior of plantar pressure patterns over time and during the progression of neuropathy, especially in patients who have a clinical history of foot ulcers, is still unclear.

Effects of different shoe-lacing patterns on the biomechanics of running shoes.

In the present study, we examined the influence of shoe lacing on foot biomechanics in running. Twenty experienced rearfoot runners ran in six different lacing conditions across a force platform at a speed of 3.3 m .

The influence of soccer shoes on kicking velocity in full-instep kicks.

Soccer shoes enhance the traction required by the stance leg but decrease the quality of the ball contact during full-instep kicking. Shoe features that influence ball velocity include traction, foot protection, foot rigidity, and toe box height. Upper material and general comfort potentially affect ball velocity.

Influence of racket properties on injuries and performance in tennis.

Racket properties may affect tennis elbow development. Shock and vibration to the arm is influenced by the location of ball impacts on the racket head, racket stiffness, and grip force. Beginners experience increased arm loads, and they hit the ball lower on the racket head.

The pathomechanics of plantar fasciitis.

Plantar fasciitis is a musculoskeletal disorder primarily affecting the fascial enthesis. Although poorly understood, the development of plantar fasciitis is thought to have a mechanical origin. In particular, pes planus foot types and lower-limb biomechanics that result in a lowered medial longitudinal arch are thought to create excessive tensile strain within the fascia, producing microscopic tears and chronic inflammation.

The arch index: a measure of flat or fat feet?

Background: Studies using footprint-based estimates of arch height have indicated that obesity results in a lowered medial longitudinal arch in children. However, the potentially confounding effect of body composition on indirect measures of arch height, such as the arch index, has not been investigated.

Methods: This study assessed the body composition of 12 male and 12 female adults (mean age: 39.

Perceptual and biomechanical variables for running in identical shoe constructions with varying midsole hardness.

OBJECTIVE: Perceptual ratings of mechanical variables were compared with biomechanical variables that are related to running injuries. DESIGN: Eight identical running shoes with a relatively close range of midsole hardness were used. Ground reaction force (GRF), in-shoe pressure distribution and rearfoot motion were measured during running.

Use of Ground Reaction Force Parameters in Predicting Peak Tibial Accelerations in Running.

Ground reaction force data and tibial accelerations from a skin-mounted transducer were collected during rearfoot running at 3.3 m/s across a force platform. Five repetitive trials from 27 subjects in each of 19 different footwear conditions were evaluated.