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12 pages, 1479 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Association between Anthropometric Variables, Sex, and Visual Biofeedback in Dynamic Postural Control Assessed on a Computerized Wobble Board

by Marianna De Maio, Cristina Cortis, Alice Iannaccone, Rubens A. da Silva and Andrea Fusco

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(18), 8370; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11188370 - 9 Sep 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2613

Abstract

Anthropometrics and sex influence balance performances, and visual information can change anthropometrics’ relation and the postural sway. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of anthropometric characteristics, sex, and visual biofeedback and/or their interaction on a computerized wobble [...] Read more.

Anthropometrics and sex influence balance performances, and visual information can change anthropometrics’ relation and the postural sway. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of anthropometric characteristics, sex, and visual biofeedback and/or their interaction on a computerized wobble board. Twenty-seven (14 females, 13 males) young adults performed three 30-s double leg stance trials on a wobble board during two conditions: with visual and without visual biofeedback. Visual biofeedback improved (p = 0.010) balance on a wobble board with respect to the condition without visual biofeedback. Regardless of sex, no differences between conditions were found (p = 0.088). When investigating the effect of anthropometrics variables, sex, and their interactions on conditions, a significant main effect of the lower limb/height ratio, sex, and their interaction on the condition without visual biofeedback was found (p = 0.0008; R² = 0.57). For the visual biofeedback condition, significant effects for sex and body mass (p = 0.0012; R² = 0.43) and sex and whole-body moment of inertia (p = 0.0030; R² = 0.39) were found. Results from the present study showed (1) visual biofeedback improved wobble board balance performance; (2) a significant main effect of lower limb/height ratio, sex, and their interaction on the wobble board performances without visual biofeedback emerged; (3) significant effects were found for sex and body mass and sex and moment of inertia in the visual biofeedback condition. Findings from the present study could have an impact on training and evaluations protocols, especially when several populations such as children, athletes, older adults and people with balance disorders are involved. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanical Spectrum of Human Sport Performance Ⅱ)

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16 pages, 628 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Test-Retest Reliability of a 6DoF Marker Set for Gait Analysis in Cerebral Palsy Children

by Diogo Ricardo, Júlia Teles, Maria Raquel Raposo, António Prieto Veloso and Filipa João

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(14), 6515; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11146515 - 15 Jul 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3033

Abstract

Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a complex pathology that describes a group of motor disorders with different presentations and functional levels. Three-dimensional gait analysis is widely used in the assessment of CP children to assist in clinical decision making. Thus, it is crucial [...] Read more.

Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a complex pathology that describes a group of motor disorders with different presentations and functional levels. Three-dimensional gait analysis is widely used in the assessment of CP children to assist in clinical decision making. Thus, it is crucial to assess the repeatability of gait measurements to evaluate the progress of the rehabilitation process. The purpose of the study is to evaluate test-retest reliability of a six-degree-of-freedom (6DoF) marker set in key points of gait kinematics, kinetics, and time-distance parameters in children with CP. Methods: trials were performed on two different days within a period of 7.5 ± 1.4 day. Motion capture data was collected with 14 infrared, high-speed cameras at a frequency rate of 100 Hz, synchronized in time and space with two force plates. Intraclass correlation coefficients considering the two-way mixed model, and absolute agreement (ICC[A,k]) were calculated for anthropometric, time–distance, kinematic and kinetic parameters of both lower limbs. Results: the majority of gait parameters demonstrated a good ICC, and the lowest values were in the kinematic variables. Conclusions: this study indicates wide-ranging reliability values for lower limb joint angles and joint moments of force during gait, especially for frontal and transverse planes. Although the use of a 6DoF-CAST in CP children was shown to be a feasible method, the gait variation that can be observed between sessions in CP children seems to be related not only to the extrinsic factors but also to their different gait patterns and affected sides. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanical Spectrum of Human Sport Performance Ⅱ)

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13 pages, 3091 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biomechanics of Trail Running Performance: Quantification of Spatio-Temporal Parameters by Using Low Cost Sensors in Ecological Conditions

by Noé Perrotin, Nicolas Gardan, Arnaud Lesprillier, Clément Le Goff, Jean-Marc Seigneur, Ellie Abdi, Borja Sanudo and Redha Taiar

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(5), 2093; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11052093 - 26 Feb 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3762

Abstract

The recent popularity of trail running and the use of portable sensors capable of measuring many performance results have led to the growth of new fields in sports science experimentation. Trail running is a challenging sport; it usually involves running uphill, which is [...] Read more.

The recent popularity of trail running and the use of portable sensors capable of measuring many performance results have led to the growth of new fields in sports science experimentation. Trail running is a challenging sport; it usually involves running uphill, which is physically demanding and therefore requires adaptation to the running style. The main objectives of this study were initially to use three “low-cost” sensors. These low-cost sensors can be acquired by most sports practitioners or trainers. In the second step, measurements were taken in ecological conditions orderly to expose the runners to a real trail course. Furthermore, to combine the collected data to analyze the most efficient running techniques according to the typology of the terrain were taken, as well on the whole trail circuit of less than 10 km. The three sensors used were (i) a Stryd sensor (Stryd Inc., Boulder, CO, USA) based on an inertial measurement unit (IMU), 6 axes (3-axis gyroscope, 3-axis accelerometer) fixed on the top of the runner’s shoe, (ii) a Global Positioning System (GPS) watch and (iii) a heart belt. Twenty-eight trail runners (25 men, 3 women: average age 36 ± 8 years; height: 175.4 ± 7.2 cm; weight: 68.7 ± 8.7 kg) of different levels completed in a single race over a 8.5 km course with 490 m of positive elevation gain. This was performed with different types of terrain uphill (UH), downhill (DH), and road sections (R) at their competitive race pace. On these sections of the course, cadence (SF), step length (SL), ground contact time (GCT), flight time (FT), vertical oscillation (VO), leg stiffness (Kleg), and power (P) were measured with the Stryd. Heart rate, speed, ascent, and descent speed were measured by the heart rate belt and the GPS watch. This study showed that on a ≤10 km trail course the criteria for obtaining a better time on the loop, determined in the test, was consistency in the effort. In a high percentage of climbs (>30%), two running techniques stand out: (i) maintaining a high SF and a short SL and (ii) decreasing the SF but increasing the SL. In addition, it has been shown that in steep (>28%) and technical descents, the average SF of the runners was higher. This happened when their SL was shorter in lower steep and technically challenging descents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanical Spectrum of Human Sport Performance Ⅱ)

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14 pages, 3783 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Feasibility of Dynamic Musculoskeletal Function Analysis of the Vastus Lateralis in Endurance Runners Using Continuous, Hands-Free Ultrasound

by Marloes Sjoerdsma, Cristina Caresio, Benjamin Tchang, Amber Meeder, Frans van de Vosse and Richard Lopata

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(4), 1534; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11041534 - 8 Feb 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3278

Abstract

Dynamic imaging of the skeletal muscles used to be strenuous and often impossible to perform manually. Accordingly, long-term dynamic musculoskeletal imaging has not been performed. The feasibility of long-term dynamic musculoskeletal functional analysis using hands-free ultrasound will be demonstrated in ten healthy endurance [...] Read more.

Dynamic imaging of the skeletal muscles used to be strenuous and often impossible to perform manually. Accordingly, long-term dynamic musculoskeletal imaging has not been performed. The feasibility of long-term dynamic musculoskeletal functional analysis using hands-free ultrasound will be demonstrated in ten healthy endurance runners. After every kilometer, the vastus lateralis muscle was imaged whilst running using a fixated probe connected to a smart phone. The image quality was quantified by estimation of the probe-skin contact preservation and the field-of-view stability. Moreover, the pennation angles and muscle thicknesses were computed automatically. Long-term dynamic acquisition was successful in nine out of ten runners. Probe-skin contact loss ranged between 0 and 57% of the gait cycle. The biggest change in field-of-view occurred during the first kilometer with an average decline in complex-wavelet structural similarity index of 0.21, followed by an onward total decrease of 0.09, on average. The mean pennation angle and thickness were approximately constant, with the average fluctuation being 0.94 degrees and 0.11 cm, respectively. The feasibility of long-term musculoskeletal function analysis has been demonstrated, with probe-skin contact loss the main limiting factor. Dynamic, hands-free ultrasound might enable research for a more profound insight in the prevention and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanical Spectrum of Human Sport Performance Ⅱ)

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8 pages, 680 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Different Gymnastic Balls Affect Postural Balance Rather Than Core-Muscle Activation: A Preliminary Study

by Alex Rizzato, Antonio Paoli and Giuseppe Marcolin

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(3), 1337; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11031337 - 2 Feb 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3091

Abstract

Background: In proprioceptive training, unstable devices produce multidirectional perturbations that must be counterbalanced by the postural control systems and core-muscle activation. We investigated whether different sizes and shapes of three gymnastic balls could affect core-muscle activation and postural balance when performing the same [...] Read more.

Background: In proprioceptive training, unstable devices produce multidirectional perturbations that must be counterbalanced by the postural control systems and core-muscle activation. We investigated whether different sizes and shapes of three gymnastic balls could affect core-muscle activation and postural balance when performing the same exercise. Methods: Eleven young healthy subjects were assessed on the balls, assuming two body postures (bipedal seated and unipedal seated) and performing a dynamic exercise. Two balls were spherical with different diameters, and one was ovoid. Postural balance and muscle activation were assessed through center of pressure (CoP)-related parameters and surface electromyography. Results: Statistical analysis showed a significant effect of the gymnastic balls (p < 0.001) and the body postures (p < 0.001) for the CoP-related parameters, with the ovoid shape and the bipedal sitting representing the easiest conditions. Core-muscle activation was affected only by body postures, with a higher activation in the unipedal sitting (p < 0.01). In the dynamic exercise, significant differences were only detected for the CoP-related parameters (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The shapes and sizes of the gymnastic balls produced different degrees of destabilization under the same body posture but left the core-muscle activation unaltered. In the dynamic exercise, the conformation of the balls did not represent the main determinant in producing destabilizing effects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanical Spectrum of Human Sport Performance Ⅱ)

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11 pages, 3400 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Intra-Segment Coordination Variability in Road Cyclists during Pedaling at Different Intensities

by Rezvan Mehri, Ali Abbasi, Shahram Abbasi, Mehdi Khaleghi Tazji and Kianoush Nazarpour

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(24), 8964; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10248964 - 16 Dec 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2817

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study is to examine the lower extremity intra-segment coordination and variability of road cyclists during pedaling at different intensities. Methods: Eleven semi-professional road cyclists perform four trials at workloads of 50%, 75%, 100%, and 125% of their maximum [...] Read more.

Background: The purpose of this study is to examine the lower extremity intra-segment coordination and variability of road cyclists during pedaling at different intensities. Methods: Eleven semi-professional road cyclists perform four trials at workloads of 50%, 75%, 100%, and 125% of their maximum power output in a randomized order. Thigh, shank, and foot range of motions (ROM) and the coordination and variability of these segments are compared across different pedaling intensities. Results: Foot ROM in the sagittal plane and shank ROM in the transverse plane are significantly different between different pedaling intensities. Moreover, specific coupling patterns and variabilities are observed across the pedaling cycle; however, they were not significantly different across different pedaling intensities in four pedaling phases. Conclusion: The results highlight the role of knee extensors and plantar flexors during the first and second half of the propulsion phase of pedaling, respectively. Thigh abduction dominancy with faster movement compared to the shank indicates a more valgus stress during the propulsive phase of pedaling, which can increase the risk of overuse injuries in the knee. Moreover, the smaller variability during the transition between the propulsive and recovery phases indicates a reduction in degrees of freedom and may increase the risk of overuse injuries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanical Spectrum of Human Sport Performance Ⅱ)

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20 pages, 1620 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Duty Factor Reflects Lower Limb Kinematics of Running

by Aurélien Patoz, Thibault Lussiana, Adrien Thouvenot, Laurent Mourot and Cyrille Gindre

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(24), 8818; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10248818 - 9 Dec 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3975

Abstract

The aim was to identify the differences in lower limb kinematics used by high (DF_high) and low (DF_low) duty factor (DF) runners, particularly their sagittal plane (hip, knee, and ankle) joint angles and pelvis and foot segment angles during [...] Read more.

The aim was to identify the differences in lower limb kinematics used by high (DF_high) and low (DF_low) duty factor (DF) runners, particularly their sagittal plane (hip, knee, and ankle) joint angles and pelvis and foot segment angles during stance. Fifty-nine runners were divided in two DF groups based on their mean DF measured across a range of speeds. Temporal characteristics and whole-body three-dimensional kinematics of the running step were recorded from treadmill runs at 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18 km/h. Across speeds, DF_high runners, which limit vertical displacement of the COM and promote forward propulsion, exhibited more lower limb flexion than DF_low during the ground contact time and were rearfoot strikers. On the contrary, DF_low runners used a more extended lower limb than DF_high due to a stiffer leg and were midfoot and forefoot strikers. Therefore, two different lower limb kinematic mechanisms are involved in running and the one of an individual is reflected by the DF. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanical Spectrum of Human Sport Performance Ⅱ)

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10 pages, 1582 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sport-Specific Differences in Power–Velocity–Force Profiling during Trunk Rotations at Different Loads

by Erika Zemková, Oliver Poór and Michal Jeleň

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(23), 8366; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10238366 - 25 Nov 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2176

Abstract

This study investigates differences in power and velocity at different loads and power and force at different velocities during trunk rotations in athletes who practice sports with rotational demands on the trunk. Athletes of combat (n = 23), fighting (n = 39), ball [...] Read more.

This study investigates differences in power and velocity at different loads and power and force at different velocities during trunk rotations in athletes who practice sports with rotational demands on the trunk. Athletes of combat (n = 23), fighting (n = 39), ball (n = 52) and water sports (n = 19) with a mean age of 23.8 ± 1.5 years performed standing trunk rotations on each side with bars of different weights (from 1 kg up to 50 kg) placed on their shoulders. The findings showed significant between-group differences in mean power in the acceleration phase of trunk rotations, especially at higher weights (≥10.5 kg) or lower velocities (≤334.2 rad/s). The power at 10.5 kg was significantly higher in fighting than water (p = 0.035; d = 0.86), combat (p = 0.001; d = 1.53) and ball sports athletes (p = 0.001; d = 1.48), with no significant differences between the two latter groups; at 15.5 kg, it was higher in water than combat (p = 0.027; d = 0.91) and ball sports athletes (p = 0.009; d = 1.17) but not those in fighting sports; and at 20 kg, it was higher in water than combat (p = 0.013; d = 0.98) and ball sports athletes (p = 0.006; d = 1.33), with no significant differences with those in fighting sports. This testing is sensitive in discriminating between athletes of various sports, which may reflect the specificity of their training, including trunk rotations at various velocities under different load conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanical Spectrum of Human Sport Performance Ⅱ)

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9 pages, 629 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Susceptibility to Head Injury during Backward Fall with Side Aligning of the Body

by Andrzej Mroczkowski

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(22), 8239; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10228239 - 20 Nov 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2407

Abstract

(1) Background: The aim of this article is to investigate the susceptibility to head injuries in physical education students who do not train a specific sports discipline and those who use the fall performed backward with side aligning of the body technique. The [...] Read more.

(1) Background: The aim of this article is to investigate the susceptibility to head injuries in physical education students who do not train a specific sports discipline and those who use the fall performed backward with side aligning of the body technique. The other goal is the biomechanical analysis of the impact of the fall technique on the likelihood of head injury. (2) Methods: the study included 57 students, divided into two research groups. Group A consisted of 32 students who had not practiced any sport in a sports club before. Group B consisted of 25 students who, by practicing martial arts, had acquired the skill of the fall performed backward with side aligning of the body. A rotating training simulator (RTS) was used to force the fall backwards. (3) Results: students from group B made significantly fewer “head” errors when falling backwards than in group A. Increasing the speed of falling did not increase the number of “head” errors in group B, but only in group A. The type of the fall test performed affected the increase in the number of “head” errors only in group A. (4) Conclusions: practicing selected sports disciplines in which the fall backwards occurs can protect one against head injuries by acquiring appropriate motor habits. The use of the fall performed backward with side aligning of the body technique with the occurrence of horizontal inertia forces causing a fall reduces the risk of head injuries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanical Spectrum of Human Sport Performance Ⅱ)

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11 pages, 2421 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Rearfoot, Midfoot, and Forefoot Motion in Naturally Forefoot and Rearfoot Strike Runners during Treadmill Running

by Alessandra B. Matias, Paolo Caravaggi, Ulisses T. Taddei, Alberto Leardini and Isabel C. N. Sacco

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(21), 7811; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10217811 - 4 Nov 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 5090

Abstract

Different location and incidence of lower extremity injuries have been reported in rearfoot strike (RFS) and forefoot strike (FFS) recreational runners. These might be related to functional differences between the two footstrike patterns affecting foot kinematics and thus the incidence of running injuries. [...] Read more.

Different location and incidence of lower extremity injuries have been reported in rearfoot strike (RFS) and forefoot strike (FFS) recreational runners. These might be related to functional differences between the two footstrike patterns affecting foot kinematics and thus the incidence of running injuries. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the kinematic patterns of foot joints between naturally RFS and FFS runners. A validated multi-segment foot model was used to measure 24 foot kinematic variables in long-distance recreational runners while running on a treadmill. These variables included the three-dimensional relative motion between rearfoot, midfoot, and forefoot segments. The footstrike pattern was identified using kinematic data and slow-motion videos. Functional analysis of variance was used to compare the time series of these variables between RFS (n = 49) and FFS (n = 25) runners. In FFS runners, the metatarsal bones were less tilted with respect to the ground, and the metatarsus was less adducted with respect to the calcaneus during stance. In early stance, the calcaneus was more dorsiflexed with respect to the shank and returned to a more plantarflexed position at push-off. FFS runners showed a more adducted calcaneus with respect to the shank and a less inverted midfoot to the calcaneus. The present study has showed that the footstrike angle characterizes foot kinematics in running. These data may help shed more light on the relationship between foot function and running-related injuries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanical Spectrum of Human Sport Performance Ⅱ)

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7 pages, 1555 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Lower Hand Wrist Flexion and Twist of the Mallet Head in a Croquet Shot

by Jenny Clarke

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(12), 4192; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10124192 - 18 Jun 2020

Viewed by 4352

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between wrist flexion and the dynamics of the swing of a croquet mallet. Twenty-seven subjects participated in a study which used 3D motion capture equipment along with high-speed and high-definition video to determine if there is a correlation [...] Read more.

This study investigated the relationship between wrist flexion and the dynamics of the swing of a croquet mallet. Twenty-seven subjects participated in a study which used 3D motion capture equipment along with high-speed and high-definition video to determine if there is a correlation between the lateral twist of a croquet player’s swing and the flexion of the wrist during that swing. The study found a significant correlation between the amount of flexion of the wrist from the start of the stroke to the top of the backswing and the twist of the mallet head at the top of the backswing (r = 0.330; p < 0.01). The methodology and findings are relevant to all sports where minimising wrist flexion is favourable for improving the consistency of stroke-making (e.g., golf putting, darts and snooker). Additionally, reducing wrist motion in stroke-making may reduce the incidence of wrist pain and injury in croquet. This second point provides further encouragement for attempting to reduce the amount of wrist flexion during croquet swings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanical Spectrum of Human Sport Performance Ⅱ)

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Review

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11 pages, 1824 KiB

Open AccessReview

Fascial or Muscle Stretching? A Narrative Review

by Carla Stecco, Carmelo Pirri, Caterina Fede, Can A. Yucesoy, Raffaele De Caro and Antonio Stecco

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(1), 307; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11010307 - 30 Dec 2020

Cited by 29 | Viewed by 26429

Abstract

Stretching exercises are integral part of the rehabilitation and sport. Despite this, the mechanism behind its proposed effect remains ambiguous. It is assumed that flexibility increases, e.g., action on muscle and tendon, respectively, but this is not always present in the stretching protocol [...] Read more.

Stretching exercises are integral part of the rehabilitation and sport. Despite this, the mechanism behind its proposed effect remains ambiguous. It is assumed that flexibility increases, e.g., action on muscle and tendon, respectively, but this is not always present in the stretching protocol of the exercises used. Recently, the fasciae have increased popularity and seems that they can have a role to define the flexibility and the perception of the limitation of the maximal range of motion (ROM). Deep fascia is also considered a key element to transmit load in parallel bypassing the joints, transmitting around 30% of the force generated during a muscular contraction. So, it seems impossible dividing the action of the muscles from the fasciae, but they have to be considered as a “myofascial unit”. The purpose of this manuscript is to evaluate the mechanical behavior of muscles, tendons, and fasciae to better understand how they can interact during passive stretching. Stress-strain values of muscle, tendon and fascia demonstrate that during passive stretching, the fascia is the first tissue that limit the elongation, suggesting that fascial tissue is probably the major target of static stretching. A better understanding of myofascial force transmission, and the study of the biomechanical behavior of fasciae, with also the thixotropic effect, can help to design a correct plan of stretching. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanical Spectrum of Human Sport Performance Ⅱ)

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