Search

The success of kinematic analysis that relies on inertial measurement units (IMUs) heavily depends on the performance of the underlying algorithms. Quantifying the level of uncertainty associated with the models and approximations implemented within these algorithms, without the complication of soft-tissue artefact, is therefore critical. To this end, this study aimed to assess the rotational errors associated with controlled movements. Here, data of six total knee arthroplasty patients from a previously published fluoroscopy study were used to simulate realistic kinematics of daily activities using IMUs mounted to a six-degrees-of-freedom joint simulator. A model-based method involving extended Kalman filtering to derive rotational kinematics from inertial measurements was tested and compared against the ground truth simulator values. The algorithm demonstrated excellent accuracy (root-mean-square error ≤ 0.9 °, maximum absolute error ≤ 3.2 °) in estimating three-dimensional rotational knee kinematics during level walking. Although maximum absolute errors linked to stair descent and sit-to-stand-to-sit rose to 5.2° and 10.8°, respectively, root-mean-square errors peaked at 1.9° and 7.5°. This study hereby describes an accurate framework for evaluating the suitability of the underlying kinematic models and assumptions of an IMU-based motion analysis system, facilitating the future validation of analogous tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measuring joint kinematics is a key requirement for a plethora of biomechanical research and applications. While x-ray based systems avoid the soft-tissue artefacts arising in skin-based measurement systems, extracting the object's pose (translation and rotation) from the x-ray images is a time-consuming and expensive task. Based on about 106'000 annotated images of knee implants, collected over the last decade with our moving fluoroscope during activities of daily living, we trained a deep-learning model to automatically estimate the 6D poses for the femoral and tibial implant components. By pretraining a single stage of our architecture using renderings of the implant geometries, our approach offers personalised predictions of the implant poses, even for unseen subjects. Our approach predicted the pose of both implant components better than about 0.75 mm (in-plane translation), 25 mm (out-of-plane translation), and 2° (all Euler-angle rotations) over 50% of the test samples. When evaluating over 90% of test samples, which included heavy occlusions and low contrast images, translation performance was better than 1.5 mm (in-plane) and 30 mm (out-of-plane), while rotations were predicted better than 3−4°. Importantly, this approach now allows for pose estimation in a fully automated manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim o f this study was to quantify how step length and the front tibia angle influence joint angles and loading conditions during the split squat exercise. Eleven subjects performed split squats with an additional load of 25% body weight applied using a barbell. Each subject’s movements were recorded using a motion capture system, and the ground reaction force was measured under each foot. The joint angles and loading conditions were calculated using a cluster-based kinematic approach and inverse dynamics modeling respectively. Increases in the tibia angle resulted in a smaller range of motion (ROM) of the front knee and a larger ROM of the rear knee and hip. The external flexion moment in the front knee/hip and the external extension moment in the rear hip decreased as the tibia angle increased. The flexion moment in the rear knee increased as the tibia angle increased. The load distribution between the legs changed < 25% when split squat execution was varied. Our results describing the changes in joint angles and the resulting differences in the moments of the knee and hip will allow coaches and therapists to adapt the split squat exercise to the individual motion and load demands of athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: Potential applications of the presented motion analysis protocol are clinical evaluations of joint function, e.g., for comparisons between different treatment regiments or evaluation of pre–postoperative improvements. Furthermore, the provided repeatability measures serve as a base for meaningful data interpretation as well as for comparison with different biomechanical hand models. The purpose of this study was to develop a motion analysis protocol that allows the simultaneous assessment of all hand and finger joint movements. The objective was to demonstrate repeatability for future clinical applications in functional assessments. This study includes selection of marker positions, movement tasks, kinematic approaches and a comparison of the two most commonly used finger marker sets. By using a test–retest measurement of the range of motion in twenty healthy volunteers, the repeatability of the developed protocol was validated. Estimated errors of the presented method ranged from 1.2° to 6.4°. Finger joint angles derived from the marker set with two markers per segment showed better repeatability (3.7°) than with markers located on the joints (5.1°). Given the high repeatability found, the presented method appears to be suitable for clinical applications. For the fingers, measurement repeatability can be improved by using at least two markers per segment. Within this study, advanced kinematic approaches, such as functional determination of joint centers and axes, are applied to the analysis of hand movements. The provided standard values and estimate of the minimal detectable differences provide a valuable basis for meaningful data interpretation and may be used for future comparison with other protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Symmetry during lifting is considered critical for allowing balanced power production and avoidance of injury. This investigation assessed the influence of elevating the heels on bilateral lower limb symmetry during loaded (50% of body weight) high-bar back squats. Methods: Ten novice (mass 67.6 ± 12.4 kg, height 1.73 ± 0.10 m) and ten regular weight trainers (mass 66.0 ± 10.7 kg, height 1.71 ± 0.09 m) were assessed while standing on both the flat level floor and on an inclined board. Data collection used infra-red motion capture procedures and two force platforms to record bilateral vertical ground reaction force (GRFvert) and ankle, knee and hip joint kinematic and kinetic data. Paired t-tests and statistical parametric mapping (SPM1D) procedures were used to assess differences in discrete and continuous bilateral symmetry data across conditions. Results: Although discrete joint kinematic and joint moment symmetry data were largely unaffected by raising the heels, the regular weight trainers presented greater bilateral asymmetry in these data than the novices. The one significant finding in these discrete data showed that raising the heels significantly reduced maximum knee extension moment asymmetry (P = 0.02), but in the novice group only. Time-series analyses indicated significant bilateral asymmetries in both GRFvert and knee extension moments mid-way though the eccentric phase for the novice group, with the latter unaffected by heel lift condition. There were no significant bilateral asymmetries in time series data within the regular weight training group. Conclusions: This investigation highlights that although a degree of bilateral lower limb asymmetry is common in individuals performing back squats, the degree of this symmetry is largely unaffected by raising the heels. Differences in results for discrete and time-series symmetry analyses also highlight a key issue associated with relying solely on discrete data techniques to assess bilateral symmetry during tasks such as the back squat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA), resulting in similar kinematics to native knees, is functionally superior to total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, ACL deficiency is generally considered to be a contraindication. The main purpose of this study was to investigate if UKA in ACL-deficient knees would result in similar kinematics to conventional UKA with an intact ACL.Methods: Ten conventional UKA patients were compared to eight ACL-deficient patients with a reduced tibial slope to compensate for instability, resulting from the deficient ACL. Knee kinematics was evaluated with a moving fluoroscope, tracking the knee joint during daily activities. In a standing position (baseline), posterior shift of the femur was observed for ACL-deficient UKA patients, compared to conventional UKA patients.Results: A significant posterior femoral shift in the ACL-deficient group was observed during the first 25% (near extension) of deep knee bend, while there was no difference in kinematic waveforms for all other activities. No significant range of motion differences across different activities between the two UKA groups were detected, except for an increase of medial AP translation in the ACL-deficient group, during deep knee bend and stair descent.Conclusion: Despite the posterior femoral shift due to ACL deficiency, both UKA groups showed similar kinematic waveforms, indicating that posterior tibial slope reduction can partially compensate for ACL function. This supported our hypothesis that fixed bearing UKA can be a viable treatment option for selected ACL-deficient patients, allowing patient-specific kinematics. While anteroposterior laxity can be compensated, rotational stability was a prerequisite for this approach.Level Of Evidence: III. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research assessed the influence of various heel elevation conditions on spinal kinematic and kinetic data during loaded (25% and 50% of body weight) high-bar back squats. Ten novice (mass 67.6 ± 12.4 kg, height 1.73 ± 0.10 m) and ten regular weight trainers (mass 66.0 ± 10.7 kg, height 1.71 ± 0.09 m) completed eight repetitions at each load wearing conventional training shoes standing on the flat level floor (LF) and on an inclined board (EH). The regular weight training group performed an additional eight repetitions wearing weightlifting shoes (WS). Statistical parametric mapping (SPM1D) and repeated measures analysis of variance were used to assess differences in spinal curvature and kinetics across the shoe/floor conditions and loads. SPM1D analyses indicated that during the LF condition the novice weight trainers had greater moments around L4/L5 than the regular weight trainers during the last 20% of the lift (P < 0.05), with this difference becoming non-significant during the EH condition. This study indicates that from a perspective of spinal safety, it appears advantageous for novice weight trainers to perform back squats with their heels slightly elevated, while regular weight trainers appear to realize only limited benefits performing back squats with either EH or WS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Joint stability is a primary concern in total knee joint replacement. The GMK Sphere prosthesis was specifically designed to provide medial compartment anterior–posterior (A–P) stability, while permitting rotational freedom of the joint through a flat lateral tibial surface. The objective of this study was to establish the changes in joint kinematics introduced by the GMK Sphere prosthesis during gait activities in comparison to conventional posterior‐stabilized (PS) fixed‐bearing and ultra‐congruent (UC) mobile‐bearing geometries. The A–P translation and internal/external rotation of three cohorts, each with 10 good outcome subjects (2.9 ± 1.6 years postop), with a GMK Sphere, GMK PS or GMK UC implant were analysed throughout complete cycles of gait activities using dynamic videofluoroscopy. The GMK Sphere showed the smallest range of medial compartment A–P translation for level walking, downhill walking, and stair descent (3.6 ± 0.9 mm, 3.1 ± 0.8 mm, 3.9 ± 1.3 mm), followed by the GMK UC (5.7 ± 1.0 mm, 8.0 ± 1.7 mm, 8.7 ± 1.9 mm) and the GMK PS (10.3 ± 2.2 mm, 10.1 ± 2.6 mm, 11.6 ± 1.6 mm) geometries. The GMK Sphere exhibited the largest range of lateral compartment A–P translation (12.1 ± 2.2 mm), and the largest range of tibial internal/external rotation (13.2 ± 2.2°), both during stair descent. This study has shown that the GMK Sphere clearly restricts A–P motion of the medial condyle during gait activities while still allowing a large range of axial rotation. The additional comparison against the conventional GMK PS and UC geometries, not only demonstrates that implant geometry is a key factor in governing tibio‐femoral kinematics, but also that the geometry itself probably plays a more dominant role for joint movement than the type of gait activity. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of Orthopaedic Research® published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Orthopaedic Research Society. J Orthop Res 37:2337–2347, 2019 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Before conclusions can be drawn with respect to the quality of adaptations in human gait, the day-to-day consistency of the variables of interest must be known. The present study estimated the day-to-day consistency of kinematic variables collected during barefoot walking and running. Sixteen healthy subjects performed two gait analysis sessions based on skin markers. Test sessions were at least 1 week apart. In total, 48 ranges of motion were monitored for the hip, knee, ankle, and midfoot joint. Based on differences between the repeated gait analysis sessions, the day-to-day consistency was estimated. It was found that the day-to-day consistency was of the magnitude of 3 to 4 degrees for almost all ranges of motion independently of the test condition, the investigated joints, or the cardinal body plane. It was concluded that future studies on effects of interventions or on the characterization of pathological versus normative gait should consider the provided values of day-to-day consistency to improve their interpretation and conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The human hand is the most frequently used body part in activities of daily living. With its complex anatomical structure and the small size compared to the body, assessing the functional capability is highly challenging. The aim of this review was to provide a systematic overview on currently available 3D motion analysis based on skin markers for the assessment of hand function during activities of daily living. It is focused on methodology rather than results. A systematic review according to the PRISMA guidelines was performed. The systematic search yielded 1349 discrete articles. Of 147 articles included on basis of title, 123 were excluded after abstract review, and 24 were included in the full-text analysis with 13 key articles. There is still limited knowledge about hand and finger kinematics during activities of daily living. A standardization of the task is required in order to overcome the nonrepetitive nature and high variability of upper limb motion and ensure repeatability of task performance. To yield a progress in the analysis of human hand movements, an assessment of human kinematics including fingers, wrist, and thumb and an identification of relevant parameters that characterize a healthy motion pattern during functional tasks are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Video-fluoroscopic analysis can provide important insights for the evaluation of outcome and functionality after total knee arthroplasty, allowing the in vivo assessment of tibiofemoral kinematics without soft tissue artefacts. To enable measurement of the knee throughout activities of daily living such as gait, robotic systems like the moving fluoroscope have been developed that follow the knee movement and maintain the joint in front of the image intensifier. Since it is unclear whether walking while being accompanied by moving fluoroscope affects normal gait, the objective of this study was to investigate its influence on gait characteristics in healthy subjects. In addition, the impact of the motors’ noise was analysed. By means of skin markers analysis (VICON MX system, Oxford Metrics Group, UK) and simultaneous measurement of ground reaction forces (Kistler force plates, Kistler, Switzerland), gait characteristics when walking with and without the moving fluoroscope as well as with and without ear protectors in combination with the moving fluoroscope, were obtained in young (n = 10, 24.5y ± 3.0y) and elderly (n = 9, 61.6y ± 5.3y) subjects during level gait and stair descent. Walking with the moving fluoroscope significantly decreased gait velocity in level gait and stair descent over the respective movement without the fluoroscope. Statistical analysis, including gait velocity as a covariate, resulted in no differences on the ground reaction force parameters. However, some kinematic parameters (ankle, knee and hip ranges of motion, minimal knee angle in late stance phase, maximal knee angles in stance and swing phase) seemed to be modified by the presence of the moving fluoroscope, but statistical comparison was limited due to velocity differences between the conditions. Wearing ear protectors to avoid the influence of motor sound during walking with the moving fluoroscope caused no significant difference. Walking with the moving fluoroscope has been shown to decrease gait velocity and small alterations in kinematic parameters were observed. Therefore, gait and movement alterations due to the moving fluoroscope cannot completely be excluded. However, based on the absence of differences in ground reaction force parameters (when adjusted for velocity within ANCOVA), as well as based on the comparable shape of the angular curves to the slow control condition, it can be concluded that changes in gait when walking with the moving fluoroscope are small, especially in comparison to natural slow walking. In order to allow assessment of joint replacement with the moving fluoroscope, including an understanding of the effects of joint pain, clinical analyses can only be compared to gait activities showing similarly reduced velocities. Importantly, the reduced gait speeds observed in this study are similar to those observed after total knee arthroplasty, suggesting that analyses in such subjects are appropriate. However, the moving fluoroscope would likely need to be optimized in order to detect natural gait characteristics at the higher gait velocities of healthy young subjects. The moving fluoroscope can be applied for comparisons between groups measured with the moving fluoroscope, but care should be taken when comparing data to subjects walking at self-selected speed without the moving fluoroscope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Videofluoroscopy has been shown to provide essential information in the evaluation of the functionality of total knee arthroplasties. However, due to the limitation in the field of view, most systems can only assess knee kinematics during highly restricted movements. To avoid the limitations of a static image intensifier, a moving fluoroscope has been presented as a standalone system that allows tracking of the knee during multiple complete cycles of level- and downhill-walking, as well as stair descent, in combination with the synchronous assessment of ground reaction forces and whole body skin marker measurements. Here, we assess the ability of the system to keep the knee in the field of view of the image intensifier. By measuring ten total knee arthroplasty subjects, we demonstrate that it is possible to maintain the knee to within 1.8 ± 1.4 cm vertically and 4.0 ± 2.6 cm horizontally of the centre of the intensifier throughout full cycles of activities of daily living. Since control of the system is based on real-time feedback of a wire sensor, the system is not dependent on repeatable gait patterns, but is rather able to capture pathological motion patterns with low inter-trial repeatability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to measure alterations in sensorimotor skills and balance resulting from slackline training and conventional balance training. Forty-three physically fit subjects were randomized into three groups. Two groups practiced three times a week for 15 minutes, including at least once supervised session, on the slackline or perform conventional balance training for 6 weeks. The control group was not allowed to perform any balance training. Before and after the intervention, the subjects underwent sensorimotor and strength tests. The results of our intra-class correlation analysis showed that the stability parameters from the multifunctional training device (MFT, 0.7), the height during the countermovement jump (CMJ, 0.95) and the maximum force (0.88) during leg press showed excellent reliability. A post hoc comparison indicated a larger effect of conventional training (almost 11% reduction in MFT stability) compared with slackline training in group-wide comparisons of the pre- to the post-training measurements. The factor analysis showed that stability and sensorimotor assessment using MFT were correlated, as were height during CMJ and maximal force during leg press, which represented dynamic strength. Because CMJ had the highest intra-class correlation value, it was chosen over maximum force from leg press. For these reasons, only two out of nine measured parameters, namely MFT stability and CMJ, were analysed across groups. The only observed difference between the two groups was MFT stability (slackline - 1.5%, conventional - 13%), whereas the improvement of CMJ was the same (slackline + 3%, conventional + 3%). It can be concluded that slacklining is partly complementary to conventional sensorimotor training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is the strongest ligament of the knee, serving as one of the major passive stabilizers of the tibio-femoral joint. However, despite a number of experimental and modelling approaches to understand the kinematics and kinetics of the ligament, the normal loading conditions of the PCL and its functional bundles are still controversially discussed. Objectives: This study aimed to generate science-based evidence for understanding the functional loading of the PCL, including the anterolateral and posteromedial bundles, in the healthy knee joint through systematic review and statistical analysis of the literature. Data sources: MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL Eligibility criteria for selecting studies: Databases were searched for articles containing any numerical strain or force data on the healthy PCL and its functional bundles. Studied activities were as follows: passive flexion, flexion under 100N and 134N posterior tibial load, walking, stair ascent and descent, body-weight squatting and forward lunge. Method: Statistical analysis was performed on the reported load data, which was weighted according to the number of knees tested to extract average strain and force trends of the PCL and identify deviations from the norms. Results: From the 3577 articles retrieved by the initial electronic search, only 66 met all inclusion criteria. The results obtained by aggregating data reported in the eligible studies indicate that the loading patterns of the PCL vary with activity type, knee flexion angle, but importantly also the technique used for assessment. Moreover, different fibres of the PCL exhibit different strain patterns during knee flexion, with higher strain magnitudes reported in the anterolateral bundle. While during passive flexion the posteromedial bundle is either lax or very slightly elongated, it experiences higher strain levels during forward lunge and has a synergetic relationship with the anterolateral bundle. The strain patterns obtained for virtual fibres that connect the origin and insertion of the bundles in a straight line show similar trends to those of the real bundles but with different magnitudes. Conclusion: This review represents what is now the best available understanding of the biomechanics of the PCL, and may help to improve programs for injury prevention, diagnosis methods as well as reconstruction and rehabilitation techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Understanding the mechanical loading environment and resulting joint mechanics for activities of daily living in total knee arthroplasty is essential to continuous improvement in implant design. Although survivorship of these devices is good, a substantial number of patients report dissatisfaction with the outcome of their procedure. Knowledge of in vivo kinematics and joint loading will enable improvement in preclinical assessment and refinement of implant geometry. The purpose of this investigation was to describe the mechanics of total knee arthroplasty during a variety of activities of daily living (gait, walking down stairs, and chair rise/sit). Estimates of muscle forces, tibial contact load, location, and pressure distribution was performed through a combination of mobile fluoroscopy data collection, musculoskeletal modeling, and finite element simulation. For the activities evaluated, joint compressive load was greatest during walking down stairs; however, the highest contact pressure occurred during chair rise/sit. The joint contact moment in the frontal plane was mainly varus for gait and walking down stairs, while it was valgus during chair rise/sit. Excursion of the center of pressure on the tibial component was similar during each activity and between the medial and lateral sides. The main determinants of center of pressure location were internal-external rotation, joint load, and tibial insert conformity. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:1576-1587, 2016. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soft tissue artefact affects the determination of skeletal kinematics. Thus, it is important to know the accuracy and limitations of kinematic parameters determined and modelled based on skin marker data. Here, the curvature angles, as well as the rotations of the lumbar and thoracic segments, of seven healthy subjects were determined in the sagittal plane using a skin marker set and compared to measurements taken in an open upright MRI scanner in order to understand the influence of soft tissue artefact at the back. The mean STA in the flexed compared to the extended positions were 10.2±6.1 mm (lumbar)/9.3±4.2 mm (thoracic) and 10.7±4.8 mm (lumbar)/9.2±4.9 mm (thoracic) respectively. A linear regression of the lumbar and thoracic curvatures between the marker-based measurements and MRI-based measurements resulted in coefficients of determination, R2, of 0.552 and 0.385 respectively. Skin marker measurements therefore allow for the assessment of changes in the lumbar and thoracic curvature angles, but the absolute values suffer from uncertainty. Nevertheless, this marker set appears to be suitable for quantifying lumbar and thoracic spinal changes between quasi-static whole body postural changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Injuries to the shoulder are very common in sports that involve overhead arm or throwing movements. Strength training of the chest muscles has the potential to protect the shoulder from injury. Kinematic and kinetic data were acquired in 20 healthy subjects (age: 24.9 ± 2.7 years) using motion capture, force plates for the bench press exercises and load cells in the cable for the cable pulley exercises with 15% and 30% of body weight (BW). Joint ranges of motion (RoM) and joint moments at the shoulder, elbow and wrist were derived using an inverse dynamics approach. The maximum absolute moments at the shoulder joint were significantly larger for the cable pulley exercises than for the bench press exercises. The cable cross-over exercise resulted in substantially different joint angles and loading patterns compared to most other exercises, with higher fluctuations during the exercise cycle. The present results indicate that a combination of bench press and cable pulley exercises are best to train the full RoM and, thus, intra-muscular coordination across the upper limbs. Care has to be taken when performing cable cross-over exercises to ensure proper stabilisation of the joints during exercise execution and avoid joint overloading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on a study on the measurement of kinematics of the lower leg, trunk, and spine during squats. The study was conducted on a total of 30 players who performed unrestricted and restricted barbell squats. It was found that the subjects showed significantly increased in range of motion (ROM) for thoracic curvature during the restricted squats.

Background In order to improve training performance, as well as avoid overloading during prevention and rehabilitation exercises in patients, the aim of this study was to understand the biomechanical differences in the knee, hip and the back between the exercises "Goodmornings" (GMs) and "Deadlifts" (DLs). Methods The kinetics and kinematics of 13 subjects, performing GMs and DLs with an additional 25% (GMs), 25% and 50% (DLs) body weight (BW) on the barbell were analysed. Using the kinetic and kinematic data captured using a 3D motion analysis and force plates, an inverse approach with a quasi-static solution was used to calculate the sagittal moments and angles in the knee, hip and the trunk. The maximum moments and joint angles were statistically tested using ANOVA with a Bonferroni adjustment. Results The observed maximal flexion angle of the knee was 5.3 ± 6.7° for GMs and 107.8 ± 22.4° and 103.4 ± 22.6° for DLs with 25% and 50% BW respectively. Of the hip, the maximal flexion angle was 25% smaller during GMs compared to DLs. No difference in kinematics of the trunk between the two exercises was observed. For DLs, the resulting sagittal moment in the knee was an external flexion moment, whereas during GMs an external extension moment was present. Importantly, no larger sagittal knee joint moments were observed when using a heavier weight on the barbell during DLs, but higher sagittal moments were found at the hip and L4/L5. Compared to GMs, DLs produced a lower sagittal moment at the hip using 25% BW while generating the same sagittal moment at L4/L5. Conclusions The two exercises exhibited different motion patterns for the lower extremities but not for the trunk. To strengthen the hip while including a large range of motion, DLs using 50% BW should be chosen. Due to their ability to avoid knee flexion or a knee flexion moment, GMs should be preferentially chosen over DLs as ACL rupture prevention exercises. Here, in order to shift the hamstring to quadriceps ratio towards the hamstrings, GMs should be favoured ahead of DLs using 50% BW before DLs using 25% BW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on research conducted to compare the angles and corresponding moments in the knee and hip during restricted and unrestricted squats. Researchers evaluated 20 subjects who performed both types of squats. They found that during the unrestricted squats, the maximum moments in the knee were significantly higher, and those in the hip were significantly lower than during restricted squats and that athletes seeking to strengthen their quadriceps should use unrestricted squats.

Gait analysis is an important instrument to investigate foot and ankle biomechanics in the field of footwear design. Results of this method should be objective and comparable. The purpose of this study was to compare two different approaches to quantify ankle joint kinematics: Functionally determined joint centres/axes (FA) versus a predictive model (PA). A single comprehensive marker set was defined. Twenty-two subjects were analysed, and distinctive gait variables were averaged across five trials. Agreement between methods was quantified according to Bland & Altman (Bland and Altman 1986. Lancet, i (8476), 307). Outcome variables differed remarkably between FA and PA at the talocrural (2-9°) and subtalar joints (1-6°). Considerable differences between variables describing motion of the ankle joint complex were primarily related to the use of different rotational axes and definitions of foot segments. This should be considered when studies using different foot models are compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to understand the ability of fixed-bearing posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)-retaining implants to maintain functionality of the PCL in vivo. To achieve this, elongation of the PCL was examined in six subjects with good clinical and functional outcomes using 3D kinematics reconstructed from video-fluoroscopy, together with multibody modelling of the knee. Here, length-change patterns of the ligament bundles were tracked throughout complete cycles of level walking and stair descent. Throughout both activities, elongation of the anterolateral bundle exhibited a flexion-dependent pattern with more stretching during swing than stance phase (e.g., at 40° flexion, anterolateral bundle experienced 3.9% strain during stance and 9.1% during swing phase of stair descent). The posteromedial bundle remained shorter than its reference length (defined at heel strike of the level gait cycle) during both activities. Compared with loading patterns of the healthy ligament, postoperative elongation patterns indicate a slackening of the ligament at early flexion followed by peak ligament lengths at considerably smaller flexion angles. The reported data provide a novel insight into in vivo PCL function during activities of daily living that has not been captured previously. The findings support previous investigations reporting difficulties in achieving a balanced tension in the retained PCL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following publication of the original article [1], the authors reported an error in the following sentence on page 8: "In general, knee varus (negative ΔD*) is a much more common deficit than valgus, and a more negative ΔD* value in the novice squatters compared to the experienced ones was therefore expected." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The measurement of finger and wrist range of motion (ROM) is of great importance to clinicians when assessing functional outcomes of therapeutic interventions and surgical procedures. The purpose of the study was to assess the repeatability of ROM measurements of the hand joints with manual goniometer and 3D motion capture system and to calculate the minimal detectable difference for both methods. Methods: Active finger and wrist joints ROM of 20 healthy volunteers were assessed using a manual goniometer and 3D motion capture system. Minimal detectable difference (MDD) and standard error of measurement (SEM) were calculated for both measurement systems and compared within the same task. Maximal ROM of all joints was registered twice on two different days to evaluate the test-retest repeatability. The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) was calculated and examined to determine if reliability ≥ 0.70 existed. Results: MDD for the 3D motion capture was between 5 and 12° except for the metacarpophalangeal joint (MCP) 1, interphalangeal joint (IP), and MCP5. SEM values lay between 2 and 4° for all joints except for the MCP5, IP, and MCP1. For the goniometric measurements, MDD and SEM were between 12–30° and 4–11°, respectively. The reliability criterion (ICC > 0.7) was achieved for the ROM measurement with the 3D motion capture system for 94% of the joints and in only 65% of the joints with the manual goniometer. Conclusions: Joint ROM assessed with 3D motion analysis showed higher test-retest agreement demonstrating overall better repeatability for this method. Because of the smaller measurement error, the 3D motion capture system has a smaller MDD. Only individual test-rest differences bigger than the MDD can be considered as real changes, and therefore, in an experimental situation, the use of a more precise measurement method can greatly reduce the number of subjects needed for a statistical significance. Goniometer measurements of some joints should be carefully interpreted, due to a low repeatability and reliability. Trial registration: This study is approved by the Ethical Committee Zurich (Kek-ZH-Nr: 2015-0395). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Internal and external rotation exercises of the shoulder are frequently performed to avoid injury and pain. Knowledge about the motion and loadings of the upper extremities during these exercises is crucial for the development of optimal training recommendations. However, a comparison of the angles and corresponding moments in the upper extremities that are achieved during internal and external rotation exercises for the shoulder by using different resistance types has not yet been performed. Therefore, the aim of the study was to examine upper extremity kinetics and kinematics in 3D of the internal and external rotation exercises. Methods: The kinematics and kinetics of 12 participants while they performed 10 different exercises with a constant and with an elastic external load corresponding to 2% body mass was assessed. The motion of the upper extremities was recorded three-dimensionally with a motion capture system, using a newly developed marker set and joint coordinate systems with 28 markers. The applied external load was measured with a load cell placed in series with the external resistance, and moments were calculated using an inverse dynamics approach. Results: The range of motion and the joint loading was highly dependent on the exercises. The range of motion in the glenohumeral joint did not differ significantly between the two resistance types, whereas internal/external rotation moments were significantly higher with constant resistance than those with elastic resistance. Conclusions: Larger or lower moments can, therefore, be achieved through selection of the appropriate resistance type, while the range of motion can be altered through the selection of exercise type. Therefore, the loading motion patterns identified in this study can help to choose suitable shoulder exercises dependent on the training objective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Squatting is a core exercise for many purposes. The tissue loading during squatting is crucial for positive adaptation and to avoid injury. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of narrow, hip and wide stance widths, foot position angles (0°, 21°, and 42°), strength exercise experience, and barbell load (0 and 50% body weight, experts only) during squatting. Methods: Novice ( N = 21) and experienced ( N = 21) squatters performed 9 different variations of squats (3 stance widths, 3 foot placement angles). A 3D motion capture system (100 Hz) and two force plates (2000 Hz) were used to record mediolateral knee displacement ( ΔD* ), range of motion (RoM) at the hip and knee joints, and joint moments at the hip, knee, and lower back. Results: Both stance width and foot placement angles affected the moments at the hip and knee joints in the frontal and sagittal planes. ΔD* varied with stance width, foot placement angles and between the subjects' level of experience with the squat exercise as follows: increasing foot angle led to an increased foot angle led to an increased ΔD* , while an increased stance width resulted in a decreased ΔD* ; novice squatters showed a higher ΔD* , while additional weight triggered a decreased ΔD*. Conclusions: Suitable stance width and foot placement angles should be chosen according to the targeted joint moments. In order to avoid injury, special care should be taken in extreme positions (narrow stand-42° and wide stance-0°) where large knee and hips joint moments were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "How Well Can Skin Marker Analysis Detect the Kinematics of a Total Ankle Arthroplasty? - A Comparison to Videofluoroscopy," by Renate List, Hans Gerber, Mauro Foresti, Silvio Lorenzetti, Pascal Rippstein, and Edgar Stüssi is presented.