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Inertial measurement units and normative values enable clinicians to quantify clinical walking tests and set rehabilitation goals. Objectives of this study were (1) to compare time- and distance-based walking tests in individuals with lower limb amputation (iLLA) and normative values following rehabilitation discharge (T1) and 6 weeks after discharge (T2) and (2) to investigate spatiotemporal and foot kinematic parameters over a 6-minute walk test using inertial measurement units. Twelve iLLA participated in this study. Distance, cadence, stance ratio, loading rate ratio, push-up ratio, path length, and minimum toe clearance were analyzed during 6-minute walk test. Nonparametric repeated-measures analysis of variance tests, Bonferroni corrections, were performed. Time of distance-based walking tests diminished at T2 (P < .02). Compared with normative values, walking performance in iLLA was reduced. Cadence at T2 increased significantly (P = .026). Stance ratio increased in both legs at T2 (P < .05). Push-up ratio tended to decrease at T2 in the amputated leg (P = .0003). Variability of path length and minimum toe clearance at T2 were less than at T1 in the nonamputated leg (P < .05). Spatiotemporal improvement at T2 could be due to prosthesis adaptation in iLLA. The lower performance of the functional walk test compared with normative values could be due to amputation and pain-related fatigue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes peripheral neuropathy (DPN) leads to balance impairment among diabetes mellitus (DM). The aims of this study were to (1) distinguish between DM patients who have/do not have DPN and to (2) compare quadriceps' strength and balance performance of DM, DPN, and healthy groups. Fifteen healthy females and 33 females with type 2 diabetic patients participated. The electrodiagnostic method was used to classify diabetic patients into DM and DPN. A dynamometer was used to measure quadriceps' strength. Single-leg standing on a force plate was also used to quantify participants' balance. Smaller conduction velocity and amplitude and greater distal latency of all nerves were observed in the DPN compared with the DM in particular for sensory nerve. In DPN, conduction velocity was asymmetrical. The quadriceps' strength of both legs in DPN and the right leg in DMwas smaller than in the control group. The root mean square of the center of pressure was similar between DMand DPN. But it was larger in DPN than in the control group. DPN is associated with asymmetrical conduction velocity, smaller quadriceps' strength, and weaker balance performance that is suggestive of higher risk of falling. Balance training is recommended for the DPN group during their rehabilitation to reduce their falling risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Decreased flexibility in muscles and joints of lower extremities is commonly observed in runners. Understanding the effect of decreased flexibility on knee walking kinematics in runners is important because, over time, altered gait patterns can make runners vulnerable to overuse injuries or degenerative pathologies. Objectives: To compare hamstring and iliotibial-band (ITB) flexibility and knee kinematics in runners and nonrunners. Design: A descriptive, comparative laboratory study. Setting: Hamstring and ITB flexibility were measured with the active knee-extension test and the modified Ober test, respectively, in both groups of participants. Three-dimensional (3D) walking kinematic data were then recorded at the knee using a motion-tracking system. Participants: 18 runners and 16 nonrunners. Main Outcome Measures: Knee-extension angle (hamstring flexibility) and hip-adduction angle (ITB flexibility). Knee kinematic parameters of interest included knee angle at initial contact, peak knee angles, and knee-angle range in all planes of movement. Results: The runners had a significantly less flexible ITB than the nonrunners (hip adduction [-] and adduction [+] angles, 3.1° ± 5.6° vs -6.4° ± 4.5°; P < .001). The runners demonstrated a greater mean tibial external-rotation angle at initial contact (7.3° ± 5.8° vs 2.0° ± 4.0°; P = .01) and a smaller mean peak tibial internal-rotation angle (-1.6° ± 3.0° vs -4.2° ± 3.2°; P = .04) than the nonrunners. Conclusion: This study provides new insight into the relationship between muscle flexibility and 3D knee kinematics in runners. This supports the premise that there is an association between muscle flexibility and transverse-plane knee kinematics in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]