Varying degrees of running incline: Implications for chronic injury aetiology and rehabilitation

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 207-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Sinclair ◽  
A. Greenhalgh ◽  
P.J. Taylor ◽  
I. Bentley

There has yet to be a combined analysis of the kinetics and three-dimensional kinematics of running at various degrees of inclination. The aim of the current study was to investigate the influence of treadmill running at various inclines (flat, 5, 10 and 15 degrees) on three-dimensional kinematics of the lower extremities and accelerations measured at the tibia. Ten male participants ran at 4.0 m/s at the four different inclinations. Three-dimensional lower extremity kinematics and tibial accelerations were quantified and contrasted using repeated measures ANOVA's. Tibial acceleration parameters were reduced significantly as a function of running incline, whilst tibial internal rotation was significant greater at 15° compared to flat. This study confirms that differences in both kinetics and kinematics are mediated through alterations in running inclination. From a clinical perspective, those who are susceptible/ recovering from injury may wish to utilise an incline in their training.

2009 ◽  
Vol 99 (6) ◽  
pp. 503-511 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thales R. Souza ◽  
Rafael Z. Pinto ◽  
Renato G. Trede ◽  
Renata N. Kirkwood ◽  
Antônio E. Pertence ◽  
...  

Background: The influence of distal mechanical factors that change the interaction between the forefoot and the support surface on lower-limb kinematics is not well established. This study investigated the effects of the use of lateral wedges under the forefoot on the kinematics of the lower extremity during the stance phase of walking. Methods: Sixteen healthy young adults participated in this repeated-measures study. They walked wearing flat sandals and laterally wedged sandals, which were medially inclined only in the forefoot. One wedged sandal had a forefoot lateral wedge of 5° and the other wedged sandal had a forefoot lateral wedge of 10°. Kinematic variables of the lower extremity, theoretically considered clinically relevant for injury development, were measured with a three-dimensional motion analysis system. The variables were evaluated for three subphases of stance: loading response, midstance, and late stance. Results: The 5° laterally wedged sandal increased rearfoot eversion during midstance and the 10° laterally wedged sandal increased rearfoot eversion during mid- and late stances, in comparison to the use of flat sandals. The 10° laterally wedged sandal produced greater internal rotation of the shank relative to the pelvis and of the hip joint, during the midstance, also compared to the use of flat sandals. Conclusions: Lateral wedges under the forefoot increase rearfoot eversion during mid-and late stances and may cause proximal kinematic changes throughout the lower-extremity kinetic chain. Distal mechanical factors should be clinically addressed when a patient presents late excessive rearfoot eversion during walking. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 99(6): 503–511, 2009)


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuya Kaneda ◽  
Kengo Harato ◽  
Satoshi Oki ◽  
Yoshitake Yamada ◽  
Masaya Nakamura ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The classification of knee osteoarthritis is an essential clinical issue, particularly in terms of diagnosing early knee osteoarthritis. However, the evaluation of three-dimensional limb alignment on two-dimensional radiographs is limited. This study evaluated the three-dimensional changes induced by weight-bearing in the alignments of lower limbs at various stages of knee osteoarthritis.Methods 45 knees of 25 patients (69.9 ± 8.9 years) with knee OA were examined in the study. CT images of the entire leg were obtained in the supine and standing positions using conventional CT and 320 low-detector upright CT, respectively. Next, the differences in the three-dimensional alignment of the entire leg in the supine and standing positions were obtained using 3D-3D surface registration technique, and those were compared for each Kellgren–Lawrence grade. Results Increased flexion, adduction, and tibial internal rotation were observed in the standing position, as opposed to the supine position. Kellgren–Lawrence grades 1 and 4 showed significant differences in flexion, adduction, and tibial internal rotation between two postures. Grades 2 and 4 showed significant differences in adduction, while grades 1 and 2, and 1 and 3 showed significant differences in tibial internal rotation between standing and supine positions.Conclusions Weight-bearing increased the three-dimensional deformities in knees with osteoarthritis. Particularly, increased tibial internal rotation was observed in patients with grades 2 and 3 compared to those with grade 1. The increase in tibial internal rotation due to weight-bearing is a key pathologic feature to detect early osteoarthritic change in knees undergoing osteoarthritis.


2006 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 215-227
Author(s):  
Brian Campbell ◽  
James Yaggie ◽  
Daniel Cipriani

Context:Functional knee braces (FKB) are used prophylactically and in rehabilitation to aide in the functional stability of the knee.Objective:To determine if alterations in select lower extremity moments persist throughout a one hour period in healthy individuals.Design:2X5 repeated measures design.Setting:Biomechanics Laboratory.Subjects:Twenty subjects (14 male and 6 female, mean age 26.5±7 yrs; height 172.4±13 cm; weight 78.6±9 kg), separated into braced (B) and no brace (NB) groups.Intervention:A one-hour exercise program divided into three 20 minute increments.Main Outcome Measures:Synchronized three-dimensional kinematic and kinetic data were collected at 20-minute increments to assess the effect of the FKB on select lower extremity moments and vertical ground reaction forces.Results:Increase in hip moment and a decrease in knee moment were noted immediately after brace application and appeared to persist throughout a one hour bout of exercise.Conclusions:The FKB and the exercise intervention caused decreases in knee joint moments and increases in hip joint moments.


2001 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorsey S. Williams ◽  
Irene S. McClay ◽  
Joseph Hamill ◽  
Thomas S. Buchanan

High- and low-arched feet have long been thought to function differently. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between arch structure and lower extremity mechanics in runners with extreme pes planus and pes cavus. It was hypothesized that low-arched individuals would exhibit an increased rearfoot eversion excursion, eversion/tibial internal rotation ratio, and increased angular velocity in rearfoot eversion when compared to high-arched runners. In addition, it was hypothesized that high-arched runners would exhibit greater vertical loading rates. Twenty high-arched and 20 low-arched runners with histories of running-related injuries were included in this study. Low-arched runners were found to have increased rearfoot eversion excursion, eversion to tibial internal rotation ratio, and rearfoot eversion velocity. High-arched runners had increased vertical loading rate when compared to low-arched runners. These results suggest that arch structure is associated with specific lower extremity kinematics and kinetics. Differences in these parameters may subsequently lead to differences in injury patterns in high-arched and low-arched runners.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (24) ◽  
pp. 12144
Author(s):  
Masen Zhang ◽  
Huijuan Shi ◽  
Hui Liu ◽  
Xinglong Zhou

The heel-to-toe drop of running shoes is a key parameter influencing lower extremity kinematics during running. Previous studies testing running shoes with lower or larger drops generally used minimalist or maximalist shoes, where the factors outside of the drop may lead to the observed changes in running biomechanics. Therefore, our aim was to compare the strike patterns, impact force, and lower extremity biomechanics when running in shoes that varied only in their drops. Eighteen habitual rearfoot strikers performed trials wearing running shoes with four drop conditions: 15 mm, 10 mm, 5 mm, and without a drop. Three-dimensional (3D) tracks of the reflective markers and impact force were synchronously collected using a video graphic acquisition system and two force plates. The biomechanical parameters were compared among the four drop conditions using one-way ANOVA of repeated measures. A greater foot inclination angle (p = 0.001, ηp2 = 0.36) at initial contact and a lower vertical loading rate (p = 0.002, ηp2 = 0.32) during the standing phase were found when running in shoes with large drops compared with running in shoes without a drop. Running in shoes with large drops, as opposed to without, significantly increased the peak knee extension moment (p = 0.002, ηp2 = 0.27), but decreased the peak ankle eversion moment (p = 0.001, ηp2 = 0.35). These findings suggest that the heel-to-toe drop of running shoes significantly influences the running pattern and the loading on lower extremity joints. Running shoes with large drops may be disadvantageous for runners with knee weakness and advantageous for runners with ankle weakness.


2008 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 243-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Becky L. Heinert ◽  
Thomas W. Kernozek ◽  
John F. Greany ◽  
Dennis C. Fater

Objective:To determine if females with hip abductor weakness are more likely to demonstrate greater knee abduction during the stance phase of running than a strong hip abductor group.Study Design:Observational prospective study design.Setting:University biomechanics laboratory.Participants:15 females with weak hip abductors and 15 females with strong hip abductors.Main Outcome Measures:Group differences in lower extremity kinematics were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA with one between factor of group and one within factor of position with a significance value of P < .05.Results:The subjects with weak hip abductors demonstrated greater knee abduction during the stance phase of treadmill running than the strong group (P < .05). No other significant differences were found in the sagittal or frontal plane measurements of the hip, knee, or pelvis.Conclusions:Hip abductor weakness may influence knee abduction during the stance phase of running.


2014 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 290-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. S. Blaise Williams ◽  
Robin N. Tierney ◽  
Robert J. Butler

Context: Runners with high medial longitudinal arch structure demonstrate unique kinematics and kinetics that may lead to running injuries. The mobility of the midfoot as measured by the change in arch height is also suspected to play a role in lower extremity function during running. The effect of arch mobility in high-arched runners is an important factor in prescribing footwear, training, and rehabilitating the running athlete after injury. Objective: To examine the effect of medial longitudinal arch mobility on running kinematics, ground reaction forces, and loading rates in high-arched runners. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Human movement research laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 104 runners were screened for arch height. Runners were then identified as having high arches if the arch height index was greater than 0.5 SD above the mean. Of the runners with high arches, 11 rigid runners with the lowest arch mobility (R) were compared with 8 mobile runners with the highest arch mobility (M). Arch mobility was determined by calculating the left arch height index in all runners. Intervention(s): Three-dimensional motion analysis of running over ground. Main Outcome Measure(s): Rearfoot and tibial angular excursions, eversion-to-tibial internal-rotation ratio, vertical ground reaction forces, and the associated loading rates. Results: Runners with mobile arches exhibited decreased tibial internal-rotation excursion (mobile: 5.6° ± 2.3° versus rigid: 8.0° ± 3.0°), greater eversion-to-tibial internal-rotation ratio (mobile: 2.1 ± 0.8 versus rigid: 1.5 ± 0.5), decreased second peak vertical ground reaction force values (mobile: 2.3 ± 0.2 × body weight versus rigid: 2.4 ± 0.1 × body weight), and decreased vertical loading rate values (mobile: 55.7 ± 14.1 × body weight/s versus rigid: 65.9 ± 11.4 × body weight/s). Conclusions: Based on the results of this study, it appears that runners with high arch structure but differing arch mobility exhibited differences in select lower extremity movement patterns and forces. Future authors should investigate the impact of arch mobility on running-related injuries.


2002 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 634-640 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher M. Powers ◽  
Pon-Yo Chen ◽  
Stephen F. Reischl ◽  
Jaquelin Perry

Abnormal foot pronation and subsequent rotation of the lower extremity has been hypothesized as being contributory to patellofemoral pain (PFP). The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that subjects with PFP would exhibit larger degrees of foot pronation, tibia internal rotation, and femoral internal rotation compared to individuals without PFP. Twenty-four female subjects with a diagnosis of PFP and 17 female subjects without PFP participated. Three-dimensional kinematics of the foot, tibia, and femur segments were recorded during self-selected free-walking trials using a six-camera motion analysis system (VICON). No group differences were found with respect to the magnitude and timing of peak foot pronation and tibia rotation. However, the PFP group demonstrated significantly less femur internal rotation compared the comparison group. These results do not support the hypothesis that individuals with PFP demonstrate excessive foot pronation or tibial internal rotation compared to nonpainful individuals. The finding of decreased internal rotation in the PFP group suggests that this motion may be a compensatory strategy to reduce the quadriceps angle.


2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (02) ◽  
pp. 1750026 ◽  
Author(s):  
J SINCLAIR ◽  
E ROONEY ◽  
R NAEMI ◽  
S ATKINS ◽  
N CHOCKALINGAM

American football is associated with a high rate of non-contact chronic injuries. Players are able to select from both high and low cut footwear. The aim of the current investigation was to examine the influence of high and low cut American football specific footwear on tibial accelerations and three-dimensional (3D) kinematics during three sport specific movements. Twelve male American football players performed three movements, run, cut and vertical jump whilst wearing both low and high cut footwear. 3D kinematics of the lower extremities were measured using an eight-camera motion analysis system alongside tibial acceleration parameters which were obtained using a shank mounted accelerometer. Tibial acceleration and 3D kinematic differences between the different footwear were examined using either repeated measures or Friedman’s ANOVA. Tibial accelerations were significantly greater in the low cut footwear in comparison to the high cut footwear for the run and cut movements. In addition, peak ankle eversion and tibial internal rotation parameters were shown to be significantly greater in the low cut footwear in the running and cutting movement conditions. The current study indicates that the utilization of low cut American football footwear for training/performance may place American footballers at increased risk from chronic injuries.


2013 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Sinclair ◽  
Paul John Taylor ◽  
Sarah Jane Hobbs

Abstract Errors in kinematic data are referred to as noise and are an undesirable portion of any waveform. Noise is typically removed using a low-pass filter which removes the high frequency components of the signal. The selection of an optimal frequency cut-off is very important when processing kinematic information and a number of techniques exists for the determination of an optimal frequency cut-off. Despite the importance of cut-off frequency to the efficacy of kinematic analyses there is currently a paucity of research examining the influence of different cut-off frequencies on the resultant 3-D kinematic waveforms and discrete parameters. Twenty participants ran at 4.0 m•s-1 as lower extremity kinematics in the sagittal, coronal and transverse planes were measured using an eight camera motion analysis system. The data were filtered at a range of cut-off frequencies and the discrete kinematic parameters were examined using repeated measures ANOVA’s. The similarity between the raw and filtered waveforms were examined using intra-class correlations. The results show that the cut-off frequency has a significant influence on the discrete kinematic measure across displacement and derivative information in all three planes of rotation. Furthermore, it was also revealed that as the cut-off frequency decreased the attenuation of the kinematic waveforms became more pronounced, particularly in the coronal and transverse planes at the second derivative. In conclusion, this investigation provides new information regarding the influence of digital filtering on lower extremity kinematics and re-emphasizes the importance of selecting the correct cut-off frequency.


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