The goal of this study was to examine the hypothesis that the relationships between passive ankle stiffness and leg stiffness would be different between males and females. 10 males and 10 females performed hopping in place on two legs at three frequencies of 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 Hz. Based on a spring-mass model, leg stiffness, which is defined as the ratio of maximum ground reaction force to maximum center of mass displacement at the middle of the stance phase, was calculated using the vertical ground reaction force. Further, passive ankle stiffness was calculated as the slope of the passive ankle torque-angle relationship, which results from controlled passive ankle dorsiflexion. There was no significant difference in the leg stiffness between males and females at three hopping frequencies; however, females displayed less passive ankle stiffness than males. Further, significant positive linear relationships were found between the passive ankle stiffness and the leg stiffness for females at all hopping frequencies; however, there were no significant correlations between the passive ankle stiffness and the leg stiffness in males for all hopping frequencies. These results suggest that the relationship between the passive ankle stiffness and the leg stiffness are not the same between males and females, which may lead to a greater risk of anterior cruciate ligament injuries in females.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2012.09.008 | DOI Listing |
J Pediatr Orthop
January 2025
Jackie and Gene Autry Orthopedic Center, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA.
Background: Orthopaedic surgical intervention in children with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) often includes triceps surae lengthening (TSL) and foot procedures to address instability and pain due to equinus and cavovarus deformities. These surgeries may unmask underlying weakness in this progressive disease causing increased calcaneal pitch and excessive dorsiflexion in terminal stance leading to crouch. The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in ankle function during gait following TSL surgery in children with CMT.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Appl Biomech
January 2025
J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
The metabolic cost of walking for individuals with transtibial amputation is generally greater compared with able-bodied individuals. One aim of powered prostheses is to reduce metabolic deficits by replicating biological ankle function. Individuals with transtibial amputation can activate their residual limb muscles to volitionally control bionic ankle prostheses for walking; however, it is unknown how myoelectric control performs outside the laboratory.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Rep
January 2025
Hebei Medical University Third Hospital, Shijiazhuang, 050051, Hebei, P.R. China.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different times return to activity on tendon healing after Double Kessler method suture in rats with Achilles tendon rupture. The left Achilles tendon of 80 10-week-old rats was repaired. The rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: non-fixed group, fixed one week group, fixed two weeks group and fixed three weeks group.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTop Stroke Rehabil
January 2025
Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate School, Kyungnam University, Changwon, Republic of Korea.
Objectives: The plantar fascia stretching intervention can correct balance ability and induces a change spatiotemporal parameter doing gait ability. Our objective is to compare the effects of a 4-week program of plantar fascia stretching with those of calf stretching exercise on ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion (DF-PROM), open and closed eyes static balance ability, gait parameters, and foot and ankle disability index in chronic post-stroke condition.
Methods: Participants were randomized to either the plantar fascia stretching ( = 10) or calf stretching ( = 10) group.
Med Acupunct
October 2024
Department of Physiatry and Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
Objective: Spasticity is a common complication in patients with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical, biomechanical, and functional effects of dry needling (DN) in treating gastrocnemius muscle spasticity in pwMS.
Materials And Methods: A pilot single-blinded randomized controlled trial was carried out.
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