scholarly journals Predicting Temporal Gait Kinematics: Anthropometric Characteristics and Global Running Pattern Matter

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aurélien Patoz ◽  
Thibault Lussiana ◽  
Cyrille Gindre ◽  
Laurent Mourot
Keyword(s):  
Polynomial Equation ◽  
Stride Frequency ◽  
Ground Contact ◽  
Kinematic Data ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Gait Kinematics ◽  
Anthropometric Characteristics ◽  
Explained Variance ◽  
Running Pattern ◽  
Foot Position

Equations predicting stride frequency (SF) and duty factor (DF) solely based on running speed have been proposed. However, for a given speed, kinematics vary depending on the global running pattern (GRP), i.e., the overall individual movement while running, which depends on the vertical oscillation of the head, antero-posterior motion of the elbows, vertical pelvis position at ground contact, antero-posterior foot position at ground contact, and strike pattern. Hence, we first verified the validity of the aforementioned equations while accounting for GRP. Kinematics during three 50-m runs on a track (n = 20) were used with curve fitting and linear mixed effects models. The percentage of explained variance was increased by ≥133% for DF when taking into account GRP. GRP was negatively related to DF (p = 0.004) but not to SF (p = 0.08), invalidating DF equation. Second, we assessed which parameters among anthropometric characteristics, sex, training volume, and GRP could relate to SF and DF in addition to speed, using kinematic data during five 30-s runs on a treadmill (n = 54). SF and DF linearly increased and quadratically decreased with speed (p < 0.001), respectively. However, on an individual level, SF was best described using a second-order polynomial equation. SF and DF showed a non-negligible percentage of variance explained by random effects (≥28%). Age and height were positively and negatively related to SF (p ≤ 0.05), respectively, while GRP was negatively related to DF (p < 0.001), making them key parameters to estimate SF and DF, respectively, in addition to speed.

Effects of Tai Chi on Gait Kinematics, Physical Function, and Pain in Elderly with Knee Osteoarthritis — A Pilot Study

2008 ◽  
Vol 36 (02) ◽  
pp. 219-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chwan-Li Shen ◽  
C. Roger James ◽  
Ming-C. Chyu ◽  
Walter R. Bixby ◽  
Jean-Michel Brismée ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Knee Osteoarthritis ◽  
Physical Function ◽  
Knee Pain ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Gait Speed ◽  
Stride Length ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
Stride Frequency ◽  
Gait Kinematics ◽  
Tai Chi Exercise

Our previous study has demonstrated that 6 weeks of Tai Chi exercise significantly improves knee pain and stiffness in elderly with knee osteoarthritis. This study also examine the effects of Tai Chi exercise on gait kinematics, physical function, pain, and pain self-efficacy in elderly with knee osteoarthritis. In this prospective, pretest-posttest clinical trial, 40 men and women (64.4 ± 8.3 years) diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis participated in 6 weeks of instructed Tai Chi training, 1 hour/session, 2 sessions/week. The following measures were taken at baseline and the conclusion of the intervention: (a) gait kinematics including stride length, stride frequency, and gait speed quantified using video analysis, (b) physical function, (c) knee pain, and (d) pain self-efficacy. Data were analyzed using repeated MANCOVA, MANOVA, ANOVA and Wilcoxon tests. After 6 weeks of Tai Chi exercise, stride length ( p = 0.023; 1.17 ± 0.17 vs. 1.20 ± 0.14 m ), stride frequency ( p = 0.014; 0.91 ± 0.08 vs. 0.93 ± 0.08 strides/s), and consequently gait speed (p < 0.025; 1.06 ± 0.19 vs. 1.12 ± 0.15 m/s ) increased in the participants. Physical function was significantly improved ( p < 0.001) and knee pain was significantly decreased ( p = 0.002), while no change was observed in pain self-efficacy. In conclusion, these findings support that Tai Chi is beneficial for gait kinematics in elderly with knee osteoarthritis, and a longer term application is needed to substantiate the effect of Tai Chi as an alternative exercise in management of knee osteoarthritis.

scholarly journals Energetics of vertical kilometer foot races; is steeper cheaper?

2016 ◽  
Vol 120 (3) ◽  
pp. 370-375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Giovanelli ◽  
Amanda Louise Ryan Ortiz ◽  
Keely Henninger ◽  
Rodger Kram
Keyword(s):  
Energy Expenditure ◽  
Video Analysis ◽  
Vertical Velocity ◽  
Stride Length ◽  
Duty Factor ◽  
Stride Frequency ◽  
Ground Contact ◽  
Metabolic Rates ◽  
Metabolic Costs

Vertical kilometer foot races consist of a 1,000-m elevation gain in <5,000 m of overall distance, and the inclines of the fastest courses are ∼30°. Previous uphill locomotion studies have focused on much shallower angles. We aimed to quantify the metabolic costs of walking and running on very steep angles and to biomechanically distinguish walking from running. Fifteen runners (10 male, 5 female, 32.9 ± 7.5 yr, 1.75 ± 0.09 m, 64.3 ± 9.1 kg) walked and ran for 5 min at seven different angles (9.4, 15.8, 20.4, 24.8, 30.0, 35.0, and 39.2°) all at a fixed vertical velocity (0.35 m/s). We measured the metabolic rates and calculated the vertical costs of walking (Cwvert) and running (Crvert). Using video analysis, we determined stride frequency, stride length, and duty factor (fraction of stride that each foot is in ground contact). At all angles other than 9.4°, Cwvert was cheaper than Crvert (average −8.45 ± 1.05%; P < 0.001). Further, broad minima for both Cwvert and Crvert existed between 20.4 and 35.0° (average Cwvert 44.17 ± 0.41 J·kg−1·m−1 and average Crvert 48.46 ± 0.35 J·kg−1·m−1). At all angles and speeds tested, both walking and running involved having at least one foot on the ground at all times. However, in walking, stride frequency and stride length were ∼28% slower and longer, respectively, than in running. In conclusion, we found that there is a range of angles for which energy expenditure is minimized. At the vertical velocity tested, on inclines steeper than 15.8°, athletes can reduce their energy expenditure by walking rather than running.

Hopping frequency in humans: a test of how springs set stride frequency in bouncing gaits

1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. 2127-2132 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. T. Farley ◽  
R. Blickhan ◽  
J. Saito ◽  
C. R. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Elastic Energy ◽  
Contact Time ◽  
The Body ◽  
Force Platform ◽  
Stride Frequency ◽  
Ground Contact ◽  
Muscular Force ◽  
Mass System ◽  
Ground Contact Time ◽  
The Cost

The storage and recovery of elastic energy in muscle-tendon springs is important in running, hopping, trotting, and galloping. We hypothesized that animals select the stride frequency at which they behave most like simple spring-mass systems. If higher or lower frequencies are used, they will not behave like simple spring-mass systems, and the storage and recovery of elastic energy will be reduced. We tested the hypothesis by having humans hop forward on a treadmill over a range of speeds and hop in place over a range of frequencies. The body was modeled as a simple spring-mass system, and the properties of the spring were measured by use of a force platform. Our subjects used nearly the same frequency (the “preferred frequency,” 2.2 hops/s) when they hopped forward on a treadmill and when they hopped in place. At this frequency, the body behaved like a simple spring-mass system. Contrary to our predictions, it also behaved like a simple spring-mass system when the subjects hopped at higher frequencies, up to the maximum they could achieve. However, at the higher frequencies, the time available to apply force to the ground (the ground contact time) was shorter, perhaps resulting in a higher cost of generating muscular force. At frequencies below the preferred frequency, as predicted by the hypothesis, the body did not behave in a springlike manner, and it appeared likely that the storage and recovery of elastic energy was reduced. The combination of springlike behavior and a long ground contact time at the preferred frequency should minimize the cost of generating muscular force.

Detecting foot-to-ground contact from kinematic data in running

2009 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Maiwald ◽  
T. Sterzing ◽  
T.A. Mayer ◽  
T.L. Milani
Keyword(s):  
Ground Contact ◽  
Kinematic Data

Photocell Contact Mat: A New Instrument to Measure Contact and Flight Times in Running

1997 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 254-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jukka T. Viitasalo ◽  
Pekka Luhtanen ◽  
Harri V. Mononen ◽  
Kare Norvapalo ◽  
Leena Paavolainen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ground Level ◽  
Force Platform ◽  
Stride Frequency ◽  
Ground Contact ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Long Distance Running ◽  
Coefficients Of Variation ◽  
New Instrument ◽  
Ground Contact Time ◽  
Contact Parameters

A new instrument, the photocell contact mat (PCM), was developed to measure ground contact time and flight time as well as step and stride frequency as a function of running time or running distance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity and accuracy of PCM measurements against simultaneous force platform measurements. Effects of striking pattern (sprinter or long-distance), running velocity, and height of the PCM from ground level on the contact parameters were analyzed. One male sprint runner and one male distance (marathon) runner volunteered as subjects. The time difference between the PCM and force platform determinations linearly increased as a function of the PCM height and decreased as a function of running velocity (except for the lowest 10 mm PCM height). The low coefficients of variation found between corrected PCM contact times and force platform contact times suggested that the PCM is an accurate instrument to measure ground contact times.

A Biomechanical Analysis of the Running Pattern of Blind Athletes in the 100-m Dash

1987 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 192-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatrice Gorton ◽  
Susan J. Gavron
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Empirical Data ◽  
Center Of Gravity ◽  
Biomechanical Analysis ◽  
Joint Angles ◽  
Descriptive Data ◽  
Kinematic Data ◽  
Coaching Methods ◽  
The Disabled ◽  
Running Pattern

The purpose of this study was to investigate selected kinematic variables of two classes of blind runners, B-1 and B-3, in the 100-m dash. A total of 26 males served as subjects and were filmed in actual competition at the 1984 International Games for the Disabled. Filming was conducted at 150 frames per second with the camera positioned perpendicular to the plane of motion. Kinematic data extracted from the film included center of gravity, displacements, velocities, and selected joint angles. It was believed that the results of this study would be useful for (a) establishing some descriptive data of blind athletes in B-1 and B-3 classes, (b) understanding individual differences among blind runners of two different classifications, and (c) providing empirical data of the running patterns from which implications for the development of teaching/coaching methods might be gained.

scholarly journals Non-habitual wearing of high-heeled shoes increases loading coefficient, stress and forefoot-rearfoot load imbalance in females as revealed by the modified velocity field diagram

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sam Ibeneme ◽  
Ann Ekeanyanwu
Keyword(s):  
Velocity Field ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Stride Frequency ◽  
Kinematic Data ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Locomotor Apparatus ◽  
Double Support ◽  
Load Imbalance ◽  
Control Research ◽  
Convenience Sampling

Summary Study aim: To determine the effects of non-habitual wearing of high-heeled shoes on loading coefficient, loading stress and forefoot-rearfoot load imbalance in females Materials and methods: Fifty young adult female subjects were selected using a convenience sampling technique, and studied utilising crossover control research design. They walked barefoot and thereafter, in high-heeled shoes; for a distance of 10- metre measured out in a gait laboratory. They demonstrated their gait twice for each speed, along a 10 metres walkway, at five speeds varying from very slow to very fast. Mean values of steps and time were recorded and used to calculate the values of velocity, stride length, stride frequency, double-support, swing, single-support, and stance phases of stride. These were adopted to form a modified velocity field diagram (MVFD). The data obtained were statistically analysed using a t-test for correlated means, with alpha set at 0.05. Results: The MVFDs revealed that the F/R load ratios were obtained as 0.67 and 1.5, while loading coefficient was 0.4 and 0.6, for barefoot and high-heeled walking, respectively. Loading coefficient and stress in high-heeled walking was 1.50 and 1.88 of the value in barefoot walking, respectively. Conclusions: Non-habitual wearing of high-heeled shoes increased F/R load imbalance, loading coefficient, and stress in the foot. However, there was no evidence of gait pathology in the subjects when they walked barefoot. Thus, non-habitual use of high-heeled shoes by the subjects did not translate to significant residual biomechanical derangements in the locomotor apparatus otherwise the kinematic data recorded for barefoot walking would have approximated the values obtained during high heeled walking.

scholarly journals Kinematic Chains in Ski Jumping In-run Posture

2013 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Janurová ◽  
Miroslav Janura ◽  
Lee Cabell ◽  
Zdeněk Svoboda ◽  
Ivan Vařeka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Kinematic Chain ◽  
Coefficient Of Determination ◽  
Ground Contact ◽  
Longitudinal Assessment ◽  
Joint Angles ◽  
World Cup ◽  
Kinematic Data ◽  
Kinematic Chains ◽  
Ski Jumping ◽  
Adjacent Segments

Abstract The concept of kinematic chains has been systematically applied to biological systems since the 1950s. The course of a ski jump can be characterized as a change between closed and open kinematic chains. The purpose of this study was to determine a relationship between adjacent segments within the ski jumper’s body’s kinematic chain during the in-run phase of the ski jump. The in-run positions of 267 elite male ski jumpers who participated in the FIS World Cup events in Innsbruck, Austria, between 1992 and 2001 were analyzed (656 jumps). Two-dimensional (2-D) kinematic data were collected from the bodies of the subjects. Relationships between adjacent segments of the kinematic chain in the ski jumper’s body at the in-run position are greater nearer the chain’s ground contact. The coefficient of determination between the ankle and knee joint angles is 0.67. Changes in the segments’ positions in the kinematic chain of the ski jumper’s body are stable during longitudinal assessment. Changes in shank and thigh positions, in the sense of increase or decrease, are the same.

Gait-Cycle Characteristics and Running Economy in Elite Eritrean and European Runners

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 381-387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordan Santos-Concejero ◽  
Jesús Oliván ◽  
José L. Maté-Muñoz ◽  
Carlos Muniesa ◽  
Marta Montil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Contact Time ◽  
Stride Length ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Running Economy ◽  
Stride Frequency ◽  
Ground Contact ◽  
Gas Exchange Parameters ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Swing Time ◽  
Ground Contact Time

Purpose:This study aimed to determine whether biomechanical characteristics such as ground-contact time, swing time, and stride length and frequency contribute to the exceptional running economy of East African runners.Methods:Seventeen elite long-distance runners (9 Eritrean, 8 European) performed an incremental maximal running test and 3 submaximal running bouts at 17, 19, and 21 km/h. During the tests, gas-exchange parameters were measured to determine maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and running economy (RE). In addition, ground-contact time, swing time, stride length, and stride frequency were measured.Results:The European runners had higher VO2max values than the Eritrean runners (77.2 ± 5.2 vs 73.5 ± 6.0 mL · kg−1 · min−1, P = .011, effect sizes [ES] = 0.65), although Eritrean runners were more economical at 19 km/h (191.4 ± 10.4 vs 205.9 ± 13.3 mL · kg−1 · min−1, P = .026, ES = 1.21). There were no differences between groups for ground-contact time, swing time, stride length, or stride frequency at any speed. Swing time was associated with running economy at 21 km/h in the Eritrean runners (r = .71, P = .033), but no other significant association was found between RE and biomechanical variables. Finally, best 10-km performance was significantly correlated with RE (r = –.57; P = .013).Conclusions:Eritrean runners have superior RE compared with elite European runners. This appears to offset their inferior VO2max. However, the current data suggest that their better RE does not have a biomechanical basis. Other factors, not measured in the current study, may contribute to this RE advantage.

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