The aim of this study was to compare selected ankle and knee kinematic and kinetic parameters before and a fter a prolonged exhaustive treadmill run between two groups of non-rearfoot footstrike pattern (NRFP) runners with different training volumes. Twenty-eight habitual NRFP runners were assigned to two groups based on their weekly training volume (Highly-trained (HT)/Moderately-trained (MT)). Participants underwent the VO2max test, and the exhaustive treadmill ran with biomechanical analysis at the beginning and the end. The two-way RMANOVA was used to assess differences between the groups and the phase of the run. A paired t-test was used for post-hoc analysis in case of significant interaction effect. Kinetic results showed significant group effect for ankle plantarflexion moment and hip external rotation moment (end-phase: both greater in MT group). Kinematic results showed significant group×phase interaction for ankle dorsiflexion angle (end-phase: greater in MT group) at initial contact (IC), peak knee flexion angle (end-phase: greater in MT group), and peak ankle eversion angle during the stance phase (end-phase: greater in HT group). Additionally, a group effect was found for knee flexion angle at IC (end-phase: greater in HT group). This study suggests that HT healthy NRFP runners may have less potential for increased biomechanical risk of AT overload during an exhaustive run.
- MeSH
- Running * physiology MeSH
- Biomechanical Phenomena MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Ankle Joint * physiology MeSH
- Kinetics MeSH
- Knee Joint * physiology MeSH
- Knee * physiology MeSH
- Physical Conditioning, Human * methods MeSH
- Ankle * physiology MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Oxygen Consumption MeSH
- Exercise Test MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
This study was aimed to analyse the lower limb kinematics during the change of direction (COD) performance with the dominant (DL) and non-dominant (NDL) leg using linear (traditional kinematics) and nonlinear (Self Organising Map-based cluster analysis) approaches. Three 5-0-5 COD performances with the DL and three with the NDL were performed by 23 (aged 21.6 ± 2.3 years) collegiate athletes. No significant difference was observed between the COD duration, and approach speed of DL and NDL. Significantly greater ankle abductions, knee and hip external rotations were identified in COD with DL, compared to NDL (p < .001, d > 0.8). Self Organising Maps portrayed a completely different coordination pattern profile during change of direction performance with the DL and NDL. The cluster analysis illustrated similar inter-individual coordination patterning when participants turned with their DL or NDL. No visible relationship was observed in the cluster analysis of the lower limb joint angles and angular velocities. Outcomes of this study portrayed that coordination patterning (combination of joint angles and the rate of change of angles) could portray the movement patterning differences in different tasks, while a sole investigation on the joint angles or angular velocities may not reveal the underlying mechanisms of movement patterning.
- MeSH
- Leg * physiology MeSH
- Biomechanical Phenomena MeSH
- Lower Extremity * physiology MeSH
- Functional Laterality * physiology MeSH
- Ankle physiology MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Motor Skills * physiology MeSH
- Nonlinear Dynamics MeSH
- Movement physiology MeSH
- Cluster Analysis MeSH
- Athletic Performance * physiology MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
In this dynamic scanning protocol, ultrasound examination of the ankle is described using various maneuvers to assess different conditions. Real-time patient examination and scanning videos are used for better simulation of daily clinical practice. The protocol is prepared by several/international experts in the field of musculoskeletal ultrasound and within the umbrella of European Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Study Group in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine/Ultrasound Study Group of the International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine.
- MeSH
- Ankle diagnostic imaging MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Musculoskeletal Diseases * diagnostic imaging rehabilitation MeSH
- Musculoskeletal System * diagnostic imaging MeSH
- Foot diagnostic imaging MeSH
- Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine * MeSH
- Ultrasonography MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
During vertical jump evaluations in which jump height is estimated from flight time (FT), the jumper must maintain the same body posture between vertical takeoff and landing. As maintaining identical posture is rare during takeoff and landing between different jump attempts and in different individuals, we simulated the effect of changes in ankle position from takeoff to landing in vertical jumping to determine the range of errors that might occur in real-life scenarios. Our simulations account for changes in center of mass position during takeoff and landing, changes in ankle position, different subject statures (1.44-1.98 m), and poor to above-average jump heights. Our results show that using FT to estimate jump height without controlling for ankle position (allowing dorsiflexion) during the landing phase of the vertical jump can overestimate jump height by 18% in individuals of average stature and performing an average 30 cm jump or may overestimate by ≤60% for tall individuals performing a poor 10 cm jump, which is common for individuals jumping with added load. Nevertheless, as assessing jump heights based on FT is common practice, we offer a correction equation that can be used to reduce error, improving jump height measurement validity using the FT method allowing between-subject fair comparisons.
- MeSH
- Biomechanical Phenomena physiology MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Ankle Joint physiology MeSH
- Ankle physiology MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Computer Simulation MeSH
- Movement physiology MeSH
- Posture * physiology MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of rowing stroke rates on lower extremity intra-joint coordination variability in professional rowers. Fifteen experienced young rowers volunteered to participate in this study. Kinematic data were recorded at different rowing speeds with seven Vicon cameras. The continuous relative phase (CRP) and CRP variability (CRPV) were used to calculate joint coordination and coordination variability, respectively, for the hip, knee, and ankle in the sagittal and horizontal planes, and a comparison was made among different rowing stroke rates. A vector analysis repeated measure ANOVA using statistical parametric mapping revealed that there were statistically significant differences in the hip-ankle, hip-knee, and knee-ankle CRPs for rowing at different stroke rates. Moreover, there was higher CRPV in the mid-drive and mid-recovery phases and less variability in the transition from the drive phase to the recovery phase. The results demonstrate the importance of knee joint in rowing tasks in experienced rowers during submaximal rowing stroke rate and the shift of movement to the hip at higher rowing stroke rate. Moreover, there was a smaller variability during drive-to-recovery transition, which may suggests an increased risk for overuse injuries.
- MeSH
- Biomechanical Phenomena MeSH
- Lower Extremity MeSH
- Knee MeSH
- Ankle MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Sports * MeSH
- Water Sports * MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
The main purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship among Achilles tendon (AT) dimensions, ankle joint stiffness, and footfall patterns in recreational rearfoot and non-rearfoot runners. Based on the foot strike index, a total of 107 runners were divided into rearfoot (47 females/40 males) and non-rearfoot runners (14 females/6 males). All participants had theirs AT dimensions (AT length, AT thickness, and AT moment arm) measured using a combination of ultrasound and motion capture systems. In addition, all performed running trials measured at self-selected speed in laboratory-neutral shoes. A partial correlation coefficient was used for correlations between the selected variables. The results revealed a significant relationship between ankle joint stiffness and level of footfall pattern in rearfoot (r = 0.232, p = 0.032) and non-rearfoot runners (r = -0.811, p < 0.001). The results also suggest a relationship between AT thickness and foot strike index (r = -0.486) in non-rearfoot runners. Runners whose footfall pattern is closer to the heel have greater ankle joint stiffness. Non-rearfoot runners whose footfall pattern is closer to the toe have a thinner AT. Non-rearfoot runners with thicker AT had greater ankle joint stiffness.
- MeSH
- Achilles Tendon * diagnostic imaging MeSH
- Biomechanical Phenomena MeSH
- Lower Extremity MeSH
- Ankle MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Foot MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
BACKGROUND: Biological maturity (BM) and foot morphology (FM) can independently alter neuromuscular loading on the ankle-foot complex, potentially causing stability deficits and injury predisposition. However, the influence of BM on FM, and how much both explain neuromuscular performance in postural stability (PS) tests, has been understudied. This study aimed to investigate the effect of BM on FM, and then discover to what extent both factors explain the variance in PS performance in adolescent footballers. METHODS: Over one season, 399 three-dimensional foot scans were gathered from 72 footballers (U12-U15). PS was measured by center of pressure (COP) displacement in bilateral and unilateral stance. The Khamis and Roche equation determined maturity status (MS), while formulae from Mirwald and Khamis and Roche estimated timing of biological maturation (TBM). Principal component analysis determined nine principal components that explained the most variance in FM. An ANCOVA determined the effect of TBM on FM principal components, with covariates of age, height, weight, playing position, and foot preference. Step-wise linear regression determined the explanation of COP displacement by the above-mentioned predictors. RESULTS: There was significantly increased foot pronation during and after peak height velocity/puberty. MS and four foot principal components (foot arch and width, great toe width and length) were significant predictors in all PS tests (R2: 0.105-0.180). CONCLUSIONS: TBM had a significant effect on FM presentation, and should be a part of adolescent foot assessment. While they only explained a small amount of variance, determining MS and FM may identify those requiring additional PS attention.
- MeSH
- Lower Extremity * MeSH
- Ankle Joint MeSH
- Ankle MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Postural Balance * MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- MeSH
- Ankle MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Orthopedic Procedures methods MeSH
- Ankle Injuries * diagnosis classification complications therapy MeSH
- Foot Injuries diagnosis classification complications therapy MeSH
- Tarsal Bones injuries MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Review MeSH
- MeSH
- Chondromatosis, Synovial * diagnostic imaging surgery MeSH
- Lower Extremity MeSH
- Ankle Joint diagnostic imaging surgery MeSH
- Ankle * MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Case Reports MeSH
