Acute exposure to foot orthoses affects joint stiffness characteristics in recreational male runners

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 183-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.J. Taylor ◽  
H. Vincent ◽  
S. Atkins ◽  
J. Sinclair
Keyword(s):  
Sagittal Plane ◽  
Reaction Force ◽  
Joint Stiffness ◽  
Knee Extensor ◽  
Foot Orthoses ◽  
Vertical Ground Reaction Force ◽  
Mass Model ◽  
Peak Knee ◽  
Recreational Runners ◽  
Stiffness Characteristics

Commercially available foot orthoses are advocated for the treatment of chronic running injuries, such as patellofemoral pain, yet the mechanisms behind their effects are not well understood. This study aimed to examine the limb and joint stiffness characteristics when running with and without orthotics. Twelve recreational runners ran at 4.0 m/s. Limb stiffness was obtained using a spring-mass model of running by dividing the peak vertical ground reaction force (GRF) by the amount of limb compression. Knee and ankle joint stiffness’s were calculated by dividing the peak sagittal plane joint moment by the joint angular excursion. Differences between orthotic and non-orthotic running conditions were contrasted using paired samples t-tests. The results indicate that both peak knee extensor moment (orthotic = 2.74±0.57 and no-orthotic = 3.12±0.62 Nm/kg) and knee stiffness (orthotic = 5.56±1.08 and no-orthotic = 6.47±1.40 Nm/kg rad) were significantly larger when running without orthotics. This study may give further insight into the mechanical effects of commercially available foot orthoses. The current investigation provides some evidence to suggest that orthoses may be able to improve patellofemoral pathologies in recreational runners although further investigation is required.

scholarly journals Progression of Fatigue Modifies Primary Contributors to Ground Reaction Forces During Drop Landing

2021 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 161-173
Author(s):  
Qiang Zhang ◽  
Mianfang Ruan ◽  
Navrag B. Singh ◽  
Lingyan Huang ◽  
Xin Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Knee Joint ◽  
Ground Reaction Force ◽  
Knee Flexion ◽  
Reaction Force ◽  
Joint Stiffness ◽  
Knee Flexion Angle ◽  
Vertical Ground Reaction Force ◽  
Severe Fatigue ◽  
Peak Knee ◽  
Vertical Ground

Abstract Few studies have focused on the effect of fatigue severity on landing strategy. This study aimed to investigate the effect of fatigue progression on ground reaction force during landing. Eighteen participants performed a fatigue exercise protocol. Then participants performed drop landings at three levels of fatigue: no fatigue, medium fatigue, and severe fatigue. Multiple linear regression was conducted to identify the predictors of the peak vertical ground reaction force at each level of fatigue. Two-way ANOVAs were conducted to test the effect of fatigue on the vertical ground reaction force and the predictors. For the vertical ground reaction force, the knee joint stiffness and the knee angle at initial contact were the main predictors at no fatigue. The peak knee flexion angle and knee power were the main predictors at medium fatigue. However, the peak ankle plantarflexion moments became the main predictor at severe fatigue. The vertical ground reaction force decreased from no to medium fatigue (p = 0.001), and then increased from medium to severe fatigue (p = 0.034). The knee joint stiffness decreased from no to medium fatigue (p = 0.049), and then remained unchanged from medium to severe fatigue. The peak knee flexion angle increased from no to medium fatigue (p = 0.001), and then slightly decreased from medium to severe fatigue (p = 0.051). The results indicate that fatigue progression causes a transition from stiff to soft landing, and then to stiff landing. Participants used ankle joints more to control the landing intensity at severe fatigue.

scholarly journals Acute Effects of Handheld Loading on Standing Broad Jump in Youth Athletes

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 5046
Author(s):  
Wei-Hsun Tai ◽  
Ray-Hsien Tang ◽  
Chen-Fu Huang ◽  
Shin-Liang Lo ◽  
Yu-Chi Sung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Center Of Mass ◽  
Reaction Force ◽  
Sampling Rate ◽  
Random Order ◽  
Horizontal Distance ◽  
Acute Effects ◽  
Vertical Ground Reaction Force ◽  
Strength And Conditioning ◽  
Peak Knee

The study aimed to investigate the acute effects of handheld loading on standing broad jump (SBJ) performance and biomechanics. Fifteen youth male athletes (mean age: 14.7 ± 0.9 years; body mass: 59.3 ± 8.0 kg; height: 1.73 ± 0.07 m) volunteered to participate in the study. Participants were assigned to perform SBJ with and without 4 kg dumbbells in a random order. Kinematic and kinetic data were collected using 10 infrared high-speed motion-capture cameras at a 250 Hz sampling rate and two force platforms at a 1000 Hz sampling rate. A paired t-test was applied to all variables to determine the significance between loading and unloading SBJs. Horizontal distance (p < 0.001), take-off distance (p = 0.001), landing distance (p < 0.001), horizontal velocity of center of mass (CoM; p < 0.001), push time (p < 0.001), vertical impulse (p = 0.003), and peak horizontal and vertical ground reaction force (GRF; p < 0.001, p = 0.017) were significantly greater in loading SBJ than in unloading SBJ. The take-off vertical velocity of CoM (p = 0.001), take-off angle (p < 0.001), peak knee and hip velocity (p < 0.001, p = 0.007), peak ankle and hip moment (p = 0.006, p = 0.011), and peak hip power (p = 0.014) were significantly greater in unloading SBJ than in loading SBJ. Conclusions: Acute enhancement in SBJ performance was observed with handheld loading. The present findings contribute to the understanding of biomechanical differences in SBJ performance with handheld loading and are highly applicable to strength and conditioning training for athletes.

Effect of Hopping Frequency on Bilateral Differences in Leg Stiffness

2013 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroaki Hobara ◽  
Koh Inoue ◽  
Kazuyuki Kanosue
Keyword(s):  
Ground Reaction Force ◽  
Center Of Mass ◽  
Reaction Force ◽  
Human Movement ◽  
Vertical Ground Reaction Force ◽  
Mass Model ◽  
Lower Extremity Injuries ◽  
Leg Stiffness ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Bilateral Differences

Understanding the degree of leg stiffness during human movement would provide important information that may be used for injury prevention. In the current study, we investigated bilateral differences in leg stiffness during one-legged hopping. Ten male participants performed one-legged hopping in place, matching metronome beats at 1.5, 2.2, and 3.0 Hz. Based on a spring-mass model, we calculated leg stiffness, which is defined as the ratio of maximal ground reaction force to maximum center of mass displacement at the middle of the stance phase, measured from vertical ground reaction force. In all hopping frequency settings, there was no significant difference in leg stiffness between legs. Although not statistically significant, asymmetry was the greatest at 1.5 Hz, followed by 2.2 and 3.0 Hz for all dependent variables. Furthermore, the number of subjects with an asymmetry greater than the 10% criterion was larger at 1.5 Hz than those at 2.2 and 3.0 Hz. These results will assist in the formulation of treatment-specific training regimes and rehabilitation programs for lower extremity injuries.

Ankle–foot orthosis alignment affects running mechanics in individuals with lower limb injuries

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 316-324
Author(s):  
Kelly A Schmidtbauer ◽  
E Russell Esposito ◽  
Jason M Wilken
Keyword(s):  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Knee Extensor ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Foot Orthoses ◽  
Lower Limb Injury ◽  
Limb Injuries ◽  
Peak Knee ◽  
Ankle Foot Orthoses ◽  
Running Mechanics

Background: Individuals with severe lower extremity injuries often require ankle–foot orthoses to return to normal activities. Ankle–foot orthoses alignment is a key consideration during the clinical fitting process and may be particularly important during dynamic activities such as running. Objective: To investigate how 3° changes in sagittal plane ankle–foot orthoses alignment affect running mechanics. Study design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Twelve participants with unilateral lower limb injury ran overground and lower extremity running mechanics were assessed. Participants wore their passive-dynamic ankle–foot orthoses in three alignments: clinically fit neutral, 3° plantarflexed from clinically fit neutral, and 3° dorsiflexed from clinically fit neutral. Results: The 3° changes in sagittal alignment significantly influenced ankle mechanics during running. The plantarflexed alignment significantly decreased the peak ankle plantarflexor moment, peak knee extensor moment, and peak ankle and knee power absorption and generation compared to more dorsiflexed alignments. Alignment also altered footstrike angle, with dorsiflexed alignments associated with a more dorsiflexed footstrike pattern and plantarflexed alignments toward a more plantarflexed footstrike pattern. However, alignment did not influence loading rate. Conclusion: Small changes in ankle–foot orthoses alignment significantly altered running mechanics, including footstrike angle, and knee extensor moments. Understanding how ankle–foot orthoses design parameters affect running mechanics may aid the development of evidence-based prescription guidelines and improve function for ankle–foot orthoses users who perform high-impact activities. Clinical relevance Understanding how ankle–foot orthoses alignment impacts biomechanics should be a consideration when fitting passive-dynamic devices for higher impact activities, such as running. Individual running styles, including footstrike patterns, may be affected by small changes in alignment.

The evaluation of modified foot orthosis on muscle activity and kinetic in a subject with flexible flat foot : Single case study

2013 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 160-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hassan Saeedi ◽  
Mohammad E Mousavi ◽  
Basir Majddoleslam ◽  
Mehdi Rahgozar ◽  
Gholamreza Aminian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ground Reaction Force ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Sagittal Plane ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Reaction Force ◽  
Vertical Ground Reaction Force ◽  
Flat Foot ◽  
Case Evaluation ◽  
The University ◽  
Foot Orthosis

Background:Due to blocking of pronation/dorsiflexion in flexible flat foot and restriction of these movements in using the University of California Berkeley Laboratory orthosis, provided pressures in sole by the orthosis were increased. Therefore, this article describes the evaluation of modified foot orthosis with flexible structure in the management of individuals with flexible flat foot.Case description and method:The patient was a 21-year-old male who had symptomatic flat foot. The modified foot orthosis included movable surface and the outside structure. The modified foot orthosis was evaluated by standing foot X-ray, comfort rate, electromyography of leg muscle and vertical ground reaction force during walking.Findings and outcomes:The modified foot orthosis improved the foot alignment and decreased the symptoms of flat foot with more comfort. Subtalar position by sub-maximum supination had higher position than neutral in sagittal plane. It may increase the muscle activity of peroneus longus by 7% compared to barefoot, and there was a decrease of 11% ground reaction force in mid stance.Conclusion:The result of this single case evaluation only proposed the feasibility of this modified insole as the orthotic treatment in flexible flat foot.Clinical relevanceThe modified foot orthosis, which is mobile in the midfoot, is an orthosis for walking and standing in subjects with flexible flat foot.

scholarly journals In search of the pitching momentum that enables some lizards to sustain bipedal running at constant speeds

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (84) ◽  
pp. 20130241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sam Van Wassenbergh ◽  
Peter Aerts
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Force ◽  
Vertical Ground Reaction Force ◽  
Mass Model ◽  
Temporal Asymmetry ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Reaction Forces ◽  
Vertical Ground ◽  
Vertical Ground Reaction Forces ◽  
Angular Impulse ◽  
Force Profiles

The forelimbs of lizards are often lifted from the ground when they start sprinting. Previous research pointed out that this is a consequence of the propulsive forces from the hindlimbs. However, despite forward acceleration being hypothesized as necessary to lift the head, trunk and forelimbs, some species of agamids, teiids and basilisks sustain running in a bipedal posture at a constant speed for a relatively long time. Biomechanical modelling of steady bipedal running in the agamid Ctenophorus cristatus now shows that a combination of three mechanisms must be present to generate the angular impulse needed to cancel or oppose the effect of gravity. First, the trunk must be lifted significantly to displace the centre of mass more towards the hip joint. Second, the nose-up pitching moment resulting from aerodynamic forces exerted at the lizard's surface must be taken into account. Third, the vertical ground-reaction forces at the hindlimb must show a certain degree of temporal asymmetry with higher forces closer to the instant of initial foot contact. Such asymmetrical vertical ground-reaction force profiles, which differ from the classical spring-mass model of bipedal running, seem inherent to the windmilling, splayed-legged running style of lizards.

scholarly journals Lower extremity stiffness in habitual forefoot strikers during running on different overground surfaces

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ziwei Zeng ◽  
Lulu Yin ◽  
Wenxing Zhou ◽  
Yu Zhang ◽  
Jiayi Jiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Sagittal Plane ◽  
Joint Stiffness ◽  
Ground Reaction Forces ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Vertical Stiffness ◽  
Synthetic Rubber ◽  
Peak Knee ◽  
Reaction Forces ◽  
Artificial Grass

Purpose: Sports surface is one of the known external factors affecting running performance and injury. To date, we have found no study that examined the lower extremity stiffness in habitual forefoot strikers running on different overground surfaces. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate lower extremity stiffness and relevant kinematic adjustments in habitual forefoot strikers while running on different surfaces. Methods: Thirty-one male habitual forefoot strikers were recruited in this study. Runners were instructed to run at a speed of 3.3 m/s (±5%) on three surfaces, named synthetic rubber, concrete, and artificial grass. Results: No significant differences were found in leg stiffness, vertical stiffness, and joint stiffness in the sagittal plane during running on the three surfaces (p > 0.05). Running on artificial grass exerted a greater displacement in knee joint angle than running on synthetic rubber (p = 0.002, 95% CI = 1.52–7.35 degrees) and concrete (p = 0.006, 95% CI = 1.04–7.25 degrees). In the sagittal plane, peak knee moment was lower on concrete than on artificial grass (p = 0.003, 95% CI = 0.11–0.58 Nm/kg), whereas peak ankle moment was lower on synthetic rubber than on concrete (p < 0.001, 95% CI = 0.03–0.07 Nm/kg) and on artificial grass (p < 0.001, 95% CI = 0.02–0.06 Nm/kg). Among the three surfaces, the maximal ground reaction forces on concrete were the lowest (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This study indicated that running surfaces cannot influence lower extremity stiffness in habitual forefoot strikers at current running speed. Kinematic adjustments of knee and ankle, as well as ground reaction forces, may contribute to maintaining similar lower extremity stiffness.

Measuring only hop distance during single leg hop testing is insufficient to detect deficits in knee function after ACL reconstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 139-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Argyro Kotsifaki ◽  
Vasileios Korakakis ◽  
Rod Whiteley ◽  
Sam Van Rossom ◽  
Ilse Jonkers
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Acl Reconstruction ◽  
Knee Flexion ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Reaction Force ◽  
Knee Function ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Vertical Ground Reaction Force ◽  
Peak Knee

ObjectiveTo systematically review the biomechanical deficits after ACL reconstruction (ACLR) during single leg hop for distance (SLHD) testing and report these differences compared with the contralateral leg and with healthy controls.DesignSystematic review with meta-analysis.Data sourcesA systematic search in Pubmed (Ovid), EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, PEDro, SPORTDiscus, Cochrane Library, grey literature and trial registries, was conducted from inception to 1 April 2018.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesStudies reporting kinematic, kinetic and/or electromyographic data of the ACLR limb during SLHD with no language limits.ResultsThe literature review yielded 1551 articles and 19 studies met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis revealed strong evidence of lower peak knee flexion angle and knee flexion moments during landing compared with the uninjured leg and with controls. Also, moderate evidence (with large effect size) of lower knee power absorption during landing compared with the uninjured leg. No difference was found in peak vertical ground reaction force during landing. Subgroup analyses revealed that some kinematic variables do not restore with time and may even worsen.ConclusionDuring SLHD several kinematic and kinetic deficits were detected between limbs after ACLR, despite adequate SLHD performance. Measuring only hop distance, even using the healthy leg as a reference, is insufficient to fully assess knee function after ACLR.PROSPERO trial registration number CRD42018087779.

Clinical Estimation of the Use of the Hip and Knee Extensors During Athletic Movements Using 2D Video

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Rachel K. Straub ◽  
Alex Horgan ◽  
Christopher M. Powers
Keyword(s):  
Sagittal Plane ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Knee Injuries ◽  
Knee Extensor ◽  
Practical Method ◽  
Movement Behavior ◽  
Knee Extensors ◽  
Deceleration Phase ◽  
Moment Ratio ◽  
Peak Knee

Given that increased use of the knee extensors relative to the hip extensors may contribute to various knee injuries, there is a need for a practical method to characterize movement behavior indicative of how individuals utilize the hip and knee extensors during dynamic tasks. The purpose of the current study was to determine whether the difference between sagittal plane trunk and tibia orientations obtained from 2D video (2D trunk–tibia) could be used to predict the average hip/knee extensor moment ratio during athletic movements. Thirty-nine healthy athletes (15 males and 24 females) performed 6 tasks (step down, drop jump, lateral shuffle, deceleration, triple hop, and side-step-cut). Lower-extremity kinetics (3D) and sagittal plane video (2D) were collected simultaneously. Linear regression analysis was performed to determine if the 2D trunk–tibia angle at peak knee flexion predicted the average hip/knee extensor moment ratio during the deceleration phase of each task. For each task, an increase in the 2D trunk–tibia angle predicted an increase in the average hip/knee extensor moment ratio when adjusted for body mass (all P < .013, R2 = .17–.77). The 2D trunk–tibia angle represents a practical method to characterize movement behavior that is indicative of how individuals utilize the hip and knee extensors during dynamic tasks.

scholarly journals Biomechanical asymmetries persist after ACL reconstruction: results of a 2-year study

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Sharafoddin-Shirazi ◽  
Amir Letafatkar ◽  
Jennifer Hogg ◽  
Vahid Saatchian
Keyword(s):  
Ground Reaction Force ◽  
Reaction Force ◽  
Force Plate ◽  
Asymmetry Index ◽  
Knee Adduction Moment ◽  
Vertical Ground Reaction Force ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Post Surgery ◽  
Peak Knee ◽  
Flexion Moment

Abstract Purpose This study was aimed to examine longitudinal (6, 12, 18, 24 months) asymmetries in double-leg landing kinetics and kinematics of subjects with and without unilateral ACLR. Methods Three-dimensional kinematic and kinetic parameters of 40 participants (n = 20 post-ACLR, n = 20 healthy) were collected with a motion analysis system and force plate during a drop-landing task, and asymmetry indices were compared between groups. Results The asymmetry index (AI) in the ACLR group compared to the healthy group decreased from six to 24 months for vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) from 100% to 6.5% and for anterior posterior ground reaction force (a-pGRF) from 155.5% to 7%. Also, the AI decreased for peak hip flexion moment from 74.5% to 17.1%, peak knee flexion moment from 79.0% to 5.8% and peak ankle dorsiflexion moment from 59.3% to 5.9%. As a further matter, the AI decreased for peak hip abduction moment from 67.8% to 5.1%, peak knee adduction moment from 55.7% to 14.8% and peak knee valgus angle from 48.7% to 23.5%. Conclusions Results obtained from this longitudinal study showed that ACLR patients still suffer from limb asymmetries during landing tasks, which appear to normalize by 24-monthspost-surgery. This finding can help us to better understand biomechanics of the limbs after ACLR, and design more efficient post-surgery rehabilitation programs. Level of evidence Level III.

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