An exploration of the motor unit behaviour during the concentric and eccentric phases of a squat task performed at different speeds.

Despite squatting being important in strength training and rehabilitation, few studies have investigated motor unit (MU) behaviour. This study explored the MU behaviour of vastus medialis (VM) and vastus lateralis (VL) during the concentric and eccentric phases of a squat exercise performed at two speeds. Twenty-two participants had surface dEMG sensors attached over VM and VL, and IMUs recorded thigh and shank angular velocities.

Contributions of muscles and external forces to medial knee load reduction due to osteoarthritis braces.

Background: Braces for medial knee osteoarthritis can reduce medial joint loads through a combination of three mechanisms: application of an external brace abduction moment, alteration of gait dynamics, and reduced activation of antagonistic muscles. Although the effect of knee bracing has been reported independently for each of these parameters, no previous study has quantified their relative contributions to reducing medial knee loads.

Methods: In this study, we used a detailed musculoskeletal model to investigate immediate changes in medial and lateral loads caused by two different knee braces: OA Assist and OA Adjuster 3 (DJO Global).

Effects of a 4-week intervention using semi-custom insoles on perceived pain and patellofemoral loading in targeted subgroups of recreational runners with patellofemoral pain.

Objective: Explore the effects of a 4-week intervention using semi-custom insoles in recreational runners with patellofemoral pain.

Design: Mixed methods.

Participants: Seventeen (10 males and 7 females) recreational runners.

Effects of prophylactic knee bracing on knee joint kinetics and kinematics during netball specific movements.

Objective: To investigate the effects of a prophylactic knee brace on knee joint kinetics and kinematics during netball specific movements.

Design: Repeated measures.

Setting: Laboratory.

Influence of a knee brace intervention on perceived pain and patellofemoral loading in recreational athletes.

Background: The current investigation aimed to investigate the effects of an intervention using knee bracing on pain symptoms and patellofemoral loading in male and female recreational athletes.

Methods: Twenty participants (11 males & 9 females) with patellofemoral pain were provided with a knee brace which they wore for a period of 2weeks. Lower extremity kinematics and patellofemoral loading were obtained during three sport specific tasks, jog, cut and single leg hop.

Effect of Gait Imagery Tasks on Lower Limb Muscle Activity With Respect to Body Posture.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of gait imagery tasks on lower limb muscle activity with respect to body posture. The sitting and standing position and lower limb muscle activity were evaluated in 27 healthy female students (24.4 ± 1.

A comparison of the biomechanical effects of valgus knee braces and lateral wedged insoles in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Increases in the external knee adduction moment (EKAM) have been associated with increased mechanical load at the knee and progression of knee osteoarthritis. Valgus knee braces and lateral wedged insoles are common approaches to reducing this loading; however no study has directly compared the biomechanical and clinical effects of these two treatments in patients with medial tibiofemoral osteoarthritis. A cross-over randomised design was used where each intervention was worn by 28 patients for a two week period.