The Relationship Between Foot and Pelvic Alignment While Standing.

A normal motion and segmental interrelationship has been determined as a significant factor in normal function. Yet, the relationship between distal segments and pelvic alignment needs further investigation. The aim of this study was to investigate the interrelationship between distal and proximal lower extremity segments while standing and during induced feet hyperpronation.

In-shoe center of pressure: indirect force plate vs. direct insole measurement.

Background: In-shoe center of pressure (COP) measurement is essential in biomechanics. COP can be measured directly utilizing pressure-sensitive insoles, or calculated indirectly via force plate-generated data. While the latter does not require the use of additional measurement hardware (shoe insoles), its precision at calculating in-shoe COP has not been determined.

[Locomotion and posture disabilities in Down syndrome].

Down syndrome is the most common of the non-hereditary genetic syndromes causing mental retardation. In addition to the phenotype characteristics, the syndrome is accompanied by multi-system pathological conditions, both congenital and acquired. These conditions involve the abnormal function of the musculo-skeletal system and affect movement in general and gait component more specifically.

The effect of restricted arm swing on energy expenditure in healthy men.

Arm swing in human walking is an active natural motion involving the upper extremities. Earlier studies have described the interrelationship between arms and legs during walking, but the effect of arm swing on energy expenditure and dynamic parameters during normal gait, is inconclusive. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of restricted arm swing during walking on energy expenditure and spatio-temporal parameters.

Real-time finite element monitoring of sub-dermal tissue stresses in individuals with spinal cord injury: toward prevention of pressure ulcers.

Patients with a spinal cord injury (SCI) are susceptible to deep tissue injury (DTI), a necrosis in excessively deformed muscle tissue overlying bony prominences, which, in wheelchair users, typically occurs in the gluteus muscles under the ischial tuberosities. Recently, we developed a generic real-time, subject-specific finite element (FE) modeling method to provide monitoring of mechanical conditions in deep tissues deformed between bony prominences and external surfaces. We previously employed this method to study internal tissue loads in plantar tissues of the foot [Yarnitzky, G.

Utilization of the foot load monitor for evaluating deep plantar tissue stresses in patients with diabetes: proof-of-concept studies.

The purposes of the present study were to (1) determine the internal plantar mechanical stresses in diabetic and healthy subjects during everyday activities, and (2) identify stress parameters potentially capable of distinguishing between diabetic and healthy subjects. A self-designed, portable, real-time and subject-specific foot load monitor which employs the Hertz contact theory was utilized to determine the internal dynamic plantar tissue stresses in 10 diabetic patients and 6 healthy subjects during free walking and outdoors stair climbing. Internal stress parameters and average stress-doses were evaluated, and the results obtained from the two groups were compared.

Strains and stresses in sub-dermal tissues of the buttocks are greater in paraplegics than in healthy during sitting.

A pressure-related deep tissue injury (DTI) is a severe pressure ulcer, which initiates in muscle tissue overlying a bony prominence (e.g. the ischial tuberosities, IT) and progresses outwards through fat and skin, unnoticed by the paralyzed patient.

Effect of feet hyperpronation on pelvic alignment in a standing position.

Hyperpronation may cause malalignment of the lower extremity, frequently leading to structural and functional deficits both in standing and walking. Our aim was to study the effect of induced foot hyperpronation on pelvic and lower limb alignment while standing. Thirty-five healthy subjects were requested to remain in a natural standing position for 20s in four different modes: feet flat on the floor, and on wedges angled at 10 degrees, 15 degrees and 20 degrees, designed to induce hyperpronation.