Investigation of Biomechanical Differences in Level Walking between Patients with Bilateral and Unilateral Total Knee Replacements.

Due to the high risk of a bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKR) following unilateral TKR, this study was performed to investigate bilateral TKR patients. Specifically, we examined biomechanical differences between the first replaced and second replaced limbs of bilateral patients. Furthermore, we examined bilateral TKR effects on hip, knee, and ankle biomechanics, compared to the replaced and non-replaced limbs of unilateral patients.

Running biomechanics differ during and after pregnancy compared to females who have never been pregnant.

Background: Perinatal running participation has increased recently; however, pregnancy related symptoms can limit activity. Perinatal running biomechanics could inform interventions to help perinatal individuals maintain an active lifestyle.

Research Question: Are perinatal running biomaechanics and muscle activation different compared to nulligravida females?

Methods: Sixteen pregnant participants completed self-selected velocity running during second trimester (2 T), third trimester (3 T), and postpartum (PP) and 16 matched controls completed these procedures once in this case control study.

The Effect of Neuropriming and Focus of Attention on Amateur Standing Long Jump Performance.

Non-invasive brain stimulation has been prominent in recent neurophysiology research. The use of brain stimulation has not been examined in combination with the focus of attention paradigm, an established motor control tool. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of both brain stimulation and focus of attention on the outcome performance, peak force, lower extremity joint kinematics, and projection angle of a standing long jump.

The Biomechanical Effects of Percussive Therapy Treatment on Jump Performance.

Percussive therapy treatment is one form of myofascial release that has gained popularity amongst the sport community. It has been suggested that percussive therapy treatment may improve range of motion and improve athletic performance, but these claims are largely anecdotal. Currently, the effects of percussive therapy treatment on performance of athletic tasks is relatively unknown.

Electromyographic Examination of Hip and Knee Extension Hex Bar Exercises Varied by Starting Knee and Torso Angles.

Unlabelled: Variations of the deadlift can be executed using the hexagonal (hex) bar by altering, for instance, the knee and torso angles while maintaining a constant hip angle at the start position.

Purpose: To examine muscle activation patterns of the biceps femoris, rectus femoris, and erector spinae during three deadlift variations using the hex bar.

Methods: Twenty resistance-trained male and female subjects performed hex bar deadlift variations in three different starting knee flexion positions: 128.

Altered biomechanics in bilateral total knee replacement patients during stair negotiation.

Background: Many total knee replacement (TKR) patients need to have a contralateral knee replacement. Biomechanical differences between first and second replaced limbs of bilateral TKR have not been examined during stair negotiation. Additionally, it is unknown whether hip and ankle biomechanics of bilateral patients are altered.

Coordination variability during running in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder.

Walking and running are popular forms of physical activity that involve the whole body (pelvis/legs and arms/torso) and are coordinated by the neuromuscular system, generally without much conscious effort. However, autistic persons tend not to engage in sufficient amounts of these activities to enjoy their health benefits. Recent reports indicate that autistic individuals tend to experience altered coordination patterns and increased variability during walking tasks when compared to non-autistic controls.

Inter and intra-limb coordination variability during walking in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder.

Background: Autism spectrum disorder, a neurodevelopmental disorder, is difficult to characterize from a gait biomechanics perspective, possibly due to increased inter and intra-individual variability. Previous research illustrates increased gait variability in young children with autism, but assessments in older adolescents or at varying speeds are unavailable. The purpose of this study was to determine if adolescents with autism demonstrate increased intra-limb and inter-limb coordination variability during walking compared to age, sex, and body mass index matched controls.

Overground Walking Biomechanics of Dissatisfied Persons With Total Knee Replacements.

Patient dissatisfaction following total knee replacement (TKR) procedures is likely influenced by both subjective and objective aspects. Increased pain and reduced performance on clinical tests have been shown in persons who are dissatisfied with the outcome of their surgery. However, it is unknown how overground walking kinematics and kinetics might differ in the dissatisfied versus satisfied patients following TKR surgery.

Footwear Affects Conventional and Sumo Deadlift Performance.

Barefoot weightlifting has become a popular training modality in recent years due to anecdotal suggestions of improved performance. However, research to support these anecdotal claims is limited. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the differences between the conventional deadlift (CD) and the sumo deadlift (SD) in barefoot and shod conditions.

Foot Rotation Gait Modifications Affect Hip and Ankle, But Not Knee, Stance Phase Joint Reaction Forces During Running.

Alterations of foot rotation angles have successfully reduced external knee adduction moments during walking and running. However, reductions in knee adduction moments may not result in reductions in knee joint reaction forces. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of internal and external foot rotation on knee, hip, and ankle joint reaction forces during running.

A Normative Database of Hip and Knee Joint Biomechanics During Dynamic Tasks Using Four Functional Methods With Three Functional Calibration Tasks.

Although predicted hip joint center (HJC) locations are known to vary widely between functional methods, no previous investigation has detailed functional method-dependent hip and knee biomechanics. The purpose of this study was to define a normative database of hip joint biomechanics during dynamic movements based upon functional HJC methods and calibration tasks. Thirty healthy young adults performed arc, star arc, and two-sided calibration tasks.

Increased knee loading in stair ambulation in patients dissatisfied with their total knee replacement.

Background: Total knee replacement patients have shown reductions in knee flexion range of motion, knee extensor moments, and gait speed during stair ascent and stair descent. However, it is unknown how patients dissatisfied with their total knee replacement differ from those who are satisfied during more difficult activities such as stair negotiation. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare knee biomechanics of patients who are dissatisfied with their joint replacement to those who are satisfied and healthy participants during stair negotiation.

Effects of a combined inversion and plantarflexion surface on knee and hip kinematics during landing.

Although landing in a plantarflexion and inversion position is a well-known characteristic of lateral ankle sprains, the associated kinematics of the knee and hip is largely unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the changes in knee and hip kinematics during landings on an altered landing surface of combined plantarflexion and inversion. Participants performed five drop landings from 30 cm onto a trapdoor platform in three different conditions: flat landing surface, 25° inversion, or a combined 25° plantarflexion and 25° inversion.

Acute Effects of Foot Rotation in Healthy Adults during Running on Knee Moments and Lateral-Medial Shear Force.

As runners age, the likelihood of developing osteoarthritis (OA) significantly increases as 10% of people 55+ have symptomatic knee OA while 70% of people 65+ have radiographic signs of knee OA. The lateral-medial shear force (LMF) and knee adduction moment (KAM) during gait have been associated with cartilage loading which can lead to OA. Foot rotation during gait has been shown to alter the LMF and KAM, however it has not been investigated in running.

Effect of Acute Alterations in Foot Strike Patterns during Running on Sagittal Plane Lower Limb Kinematics and Kinetics.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of foot strike patterns and converted foot strike patterns on lower limb kinematics and kinetics at the hip, knee, and ankle during a shod condition. Subjects were videotaped with a high speed camera while running a 5km at self-selected pace on a treadmill to determine natural foot strike pattern on day one. Preferred forefoot group (PFFG, n = 10) and preferred rear foot group (PRFG, n = 11) subjects were identified through slow motion video playback (n = 21, age = 22.