Altered mechanics and increased loading on intact limbs of individuals with a unilateral transtibial amputation in comparison with non-amputees during a start-stop task.

Individuals with a unilateral transtibial amputation (ITTA) often experience greater loading on the intact limb during running and stepping tasks compared to individuals without amputation. This study aimed to investigate the mechanics of load absorption in the intact limb of ITTA and determine if increased ground reaction forces (GRF) persist during a start-stop task which (i) controlled touch-down velocity and (ii) removed the requirement for on-going locomotion. Data were collected using a twelve-camera motion capture system with two Kistler force platforms.

Dietary intakes and prevalence of overweight/obesity in male non-dysvascular lower limb amputees.

Background: Lower limb amputees are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease compared to non-amputees. Dietary intake, a major determinant of cardiovascular disease risk, has not previously been studied in this group.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate dietary intakes and prevalence of overweight/obesity in adult lower limb amputees.

Running at submaximal speeds, the role of the intact and prosthetic limbs for trans-tibial amputees.

Background: Dynamic Elastic Response prostheses are designed to absorb and return strain energy in running. Past research has focused on running prostheses with a single toe spring designed for high speeds.

Research Question: To determine how runners with amputation modulate the ground reaction force of each limb to run at different speeds using a general-purpose dynamic prosthesis which has a heel spring.

Dynamic elastic response prostheses alter approach angles and ground reaction forces but not leg stiffness during a start-stop task.

In a dynamic elastic response prosthesis (DERP), spring-like properties aim to replace the loss of musculature and soft tissues and optimise dynamic movement biomechanics, yet higher intact limb (IL) loading exists. It is unknown how amputees wearing a DERP will perform in start-stop movements and how altering the prosthetic stiffness will influence the performance and loading. This study assessed movement dynamics through comparisons in spatiotemporal, kinematic and kinetic variables and leg stiffness of intact, prosthetic and control limbs.

A High Omega-3 Fatty Acid Multinutrient Supplement Benefits Cognition and Mobility in Older Women: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Pilot Study.

Background: Mobility is a key determinant of frailty in older persons, and a variety of dietary factors, such as the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are positively associated with decreased frailty and improved mobility and cognition in older persons.

Methods: The effects of a multinutrient supplement on mobility and cognition were assessed in postmenopausal women (60-84 years). Participants received either Efalex Active 50+ (1g DHA, 160 mg eicosapentaenoic acid, 240 mg Ginkgo biloba, 60 mg phosphatidylserine, 20mg d-α tocopherol, 1mg folic acid, and 20 µg vitamin B12 per day; N = 15) or placebo (N = 12) for 6 months.

Can a Single-Leg Squat Provide Insight Into Movement Control and Loading During Dynamic Sporting Actions in Patients With Athletic Groin Pain?

Context: Chronic athletic groin pain (AGP) is common in field sports and has been associated with abnormal movement control and loading of the hip and pelvis during play. A single-leg squat (SLS) is commonly used by clinicians to assess movement control, but whether it can provide insight into control during more dynamic sporting movements in AGP patients is unclear.

Objective: To determine the relationships between biomechanical measures in an SLS and the same measures in a single-leg drop landing, single-leg hurdle hop, and a cutting maneuver in AGP patients.

Kinematic differences exist between transtibial amputee fallers and non-fallers during downwards step transitioning.

Background: Stair negotiation is biomechanically more challenging than level gait. There are few biomechanical assessments of transtibial amputees descending stairs and none specifically related to falls. Stair descent may elicit more differences than level gait in amputees with and without a previous falls history.

Asymmetrical loading demands associated with vertical jump landings in people with unilateral transtibial amputation.

Loading symmetry during vertical jump landings between a person with amputation's intact and prosthetic limbs was assessed to determine the role of each limb in controlling the downward momentum of the center of mass during landing. Six participants with unilateral transtibial amputation (TTA) and ten nondisabled participants completed 10 maximal vertical jumps, of which the highest jump was analyzed. Contralateral symmetry was assessed through the Symmetry Index (SI), while symmetry at the group level was assessed through a Mann-Whitney U test.

Biomechanical factors associated with time to complete a change of direction cutting maneuver.

Cutting ability is an important aspect of many team sports, however, the biomechanical determinants of cutting performance are not well understood. This study aimed to address this issue by identifying the kinetic and kinematic factors correlated with the time to complete a cutting maneuver. In addition, an analysis of the test-retest reliability of all biomechanical measures was performed.

Mechanisms to absorb load in amputee running.

Background: We aimed to determine if a shock absorbing pylon (SAP) influenced the ground reaction force characteristics and the shock absorbing mechanisms compared to a rigid pylon (Rigid) during the loading phase in running.

Objectives: To determine if the SAP influences the mechanisms of loading compared to the Rigid condition.

Study Design: A convenience sample of transtibial amputees participated in a laboratory-based study.

Kinetic and kinematic compensations in amputee vertical jumping.

A unilateral transtibial amputation causes a disruption to the musculoskeletal system, which results in asymmetrical biomechanics. The current study aimed to assess the movement asymmetry and compensations that occur as a consequence of an amputation when performing a countermovement vertical jump. Six unilateral transtibial amputees and 10 able-bodied (AB) participants completed 10 maximal vertical jumps, and the highest jump was analyzed further.

Lower limb kinematic and kinetic differences between transtibial amputee fallers and non-fallers.

Stair walking relies on concentric contraction of the ankle plantarflexor and knee extensor muscles, which are either absent or weakened in transtibial amputees. As a result the risk of falling is increased in this population. The aim of this study was to compare the gait patterns of transtibial amputee fallers and non-fallers during stair ascent.

The temporal-spatial and ground reaction impulses of turning gait: is turning symmetrical?

This study had two aims. Firstly, to characterise the temporal-spatial and ground reaction impulse adjustments, compared to straight gait, required to complete step turns to the left and to the right and secondly, to assess if the turns were asymmetrical. Seven participants were instructed to perform 90 degrees step turns to the left and right.