Addressing limitations of the Gait Variability Index to enhance its applicability: The enhanced GVI (EGVI).

Prior research has established the Gait Variability Index (GVI) as a composite measure of gait variability, based on spatiotemporal parameters, that is associated with functional outcomes. However, under certain circumstances the magnitude and directional specificity of the GVI is adversely affected by shortcomings in the calculation method. Here we present an enhanced gait variability index (EGVI) that addresses those shortcomings and improves the utility of the measure.

Changes in Gait Variability From First Steps to Adulthood: Normative Data for the Gait Variability Index.

The process of learning to walk is ongoing throughout childhood. The Gait Variability Index (GVI; A. Gouelle et al.

A Descriptive Study of Lower Limb Torsional Kinematic Profiles in Children With Spastic Diplegia.

Background: Lower limb rotational anomalies in spastic diplegic children with cerebral palsy (CP) are common and difficult to identify through physical examination alone. The identification and treatment of the overall rotational disorders must be considered to restore physiological lever-arms lengths and lever-arms orientation.The aims of the study were to assess the prevalence of lower limb rotational malalignment and to describe the distribution of the different kinematic torsional profiles in children with spastic diplegia.

The gait variability index: a new way to quantify fluctuation magnitude of spatiotemporal parameters during gait.

This article describes a conglomerate measure of gait variability based on nine spatiotemporal parameters: the Gait Variability Index (GVI). Concurrent validity, inter-session reliability and minimum detectable change (MDC) were evaluated in 31 patients with Friedreich's Ataxia (FRDA), through comparisons with classically used evaluation tools such as the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS). GVI scores for the healthy population were 100.

On the imitation of CP gait patterns by healthy subjects.

The comparison of gait imitated by healthy subjects with real pathological CP gaits is expected to contribute to a better distinction between primary deviations directly induced by neurological troubles and secondary compensatory deviations in relation with the biomechanics of the pathological gait. However, the ability of healthy subjects for imitating typical CP gaits such as "jump" or "crouch" gaits still remains to be determined. The present study proposes to investigate healthy subjects imitating these typical CP gait patterns.

Rectus femoris distal tendon resection improves knee motion in patients with spastic diplegia.

Background: Children with spastic diplegia frequently show excessive knee extension (stiff-knee gait) throughout swing phase, which may interfere with foot clearance. Abnormal rectus femoris activity is commonly associated with a stiff-knee gait. Rectus femoris transfer has been recommended to enhance knee flexion during swing.

Validity of Functional Ambulation Performance Score for the evaluation of spatiotemporal parameters of children's gait.

Gait characteristics of a healthy adult population have been used to develop the Functional Ambulation Profile (FAP) score to evaluate gait in patients with neuromuscular or musculoskeletal involvement (A. J. Nelson, 1974).

Movement-production strategy in tennis: a case study.

The present case study fell within the framework of the "absolute approach of expertise" because it assesses a "truly exceptional individual" (Chi, MTH, Cambridge Handbook of Expertise and Expert Performance, London, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press, 2006, pp. 121-130). This technique analysis examined the movement-production strategy used by a professional tennis player performing serve-return strokes.

Changes in phase space during learning an unstable balance.

Six participants learned to maintain an unstable balance on a stabilometer, during 6 consecutive days of practice (total of 90 trials). Lateral and angular variations of body segments and body center of mass were analysed, and their evolution over the learning period was compared to the changes in dimensional variables capturing the structure of the movement itself (embedding and correlation dimension, largest Lyapunov exponent). Results indicated that (i) learning occurred, (ii) was accompanied by persistence in the dimension of the movement, and (iii) by a reduction in chaotic (or stochastic) components.

Dimensionality and the dynamics of human unstable equilibrium.

Maintaining an unstable equilibrium requires that multiple joints be coordinated so that the center of mass is kept above the base of support. The authors' aim in the present study was to discover the underlying dynamics of local (foot, hip, or head) and global (center of mass) components involved in balance control and how those dynamics are affected by changes in the available information. Participants (N = 6) had to maintain their balance on an unstable platform.