34 research outputs found

    Methodological considerations in the assessment of shoulder function

    No full text
    THESIS 6804Introduction: Normal shoulder function requires primarily the efficient and coordinated action of the glenohumeral joint and scapulothoracic articulation. The mobility and partially the stability of the scapula on the thoracic wall and the humeral head on the glenoid fossa depend on the synchronous action of the surrounding musculature. Strength imbalance, muscle weakness or uncoordinated function of these muscles, are some of the factors that have been proposed as possible causes for shoulder pathology. The purpose of this study was to investigate methodological aspects in the assessment of shoulder function

    Effects of Artificially Induced Breast Augmentation on the Electromyographic Activity of Neck and Trunk Muscles during Common Daily Movements

    No full text
    A female breast can be a potential source of musculoskeletal problems, especially if it is disproportionately large. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of artificially induced breast volume on the EMG activity of neck and trunk musculature during common everyday movements. The EMG activity of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM), the upper trapezius (UT), and the thoracic and lumbar erector spinae (TES, LES) were recorded during 45° trunk inclination from the upright standing and sitting postures (TIST45°, TISI45°) as well as during stand-to-sit and sit-to-stand (STSI, SIST) in 24 healthy females with minimal and ideal breast volume (M-NBV, I-NBV). All movements were performed before and after increasing M-NBV and I-NBV by 1.5-, 3.0-, 4.5-, and 6-times using silicone-gel implants. Significantly higher EMG activity for TES and LES were found at 6.0- and ≥4.5-times increase the I-NBV, respectively, compared to smaller breast volumes during TIST45°. EMG activity of UT was higher, and TES was lower in M-NBV females compared to I-NBV females in all movements but were significantly different only during SIST. The female breast can affect the activity of neck and trunk muscles only when its volume increases above a certain limit, potentially contributing to muscle dysfunction

    Acute effects of voluntary breathing patterns on postural control during walking

    No full text
    Introduction: Breathing and postural control is reported to be both neuromuscularly and mechanically interdependent. To date, the effects of voluntary abdominal and thoracic breathing (VAB and VTB) on the EMG activity of muscles involved in both respiratory and postural functions, as well as gait biomechanics related to these breathing patterns, have not been investigated in young, healthy adults. The aim of the study was to evaluate the EMG responses of neck and trunk muscles, as well as the kinematic, stability, and kinetic parameters of gait induced by VAB and VTB compared to involuntary breathing (INB). Methods: Twenty-four healthy, physically active participants (12 men and 12 females) were required to complete three two-minute walking sessions on an instrumented treadmill (e.g. devices with capacitive sensors embedded beneath the running belt) at 5.0 km h−1, first with INB and then alternatively with VAB and VTB. A respiratory inductive plethysmography unit was used to provide real-time visual feedback of the breathing pattern performed by each participant. The EMG activity of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM), upper trapezius (UT), thoracic and lumbar erector spinae (TES and LES), as well as spatiotemporal (step width, stride length, stride time, stance phase, swing phase, and cadence), stability (anteroposterior and mediolateral center of pressure trajectory), and dynamic gait parameters (vertical ground reaction forces, vGRF) were recorded during each testing condition. Results: Our findings revealed that both voluntary breathing patterns significantly affected the EMG activity of the SCM (p < 0.01) and UT (p < 0.05), with the activity between these muscles, as expressed by the SCM:UT ratio, being more balanced during VAB (0.94) and VTB (1.05) compared to INB (0.73). Additionally, VAB walking led to a narrower step width (p < 0.01) and reduced vGRF over the forefoot (p < 0.01) compared to INB walking. Neither VAB nor VTB influenced the activation levels of the LES and TES, nor did they affect other spatiotemporal, stability, or dynamic gait parameters (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that certain gait parameters (e.g. step width, forefoot vGRFs) are primarily influenced by VAB compared to INB, likely due to the more balanced activation of the SCM and UT muscles. This balanced activation may enhance head stability and control during walking, thereby contributing to improved postural control. © 202

    Differences between Systems Using Optical and Capacitive Sensors in Treadmill-Based Spatiotemporal Analysis of Level and Sloping Gait

    No full text
    Modern technology has enabled researchers to analyze gait with great accuracy and in various conditions based on the needs of the trainees. The purpose of the study was to investigate the agreement between systems equipped with optical and capacitive sensors in the analysis of treadmill-based level and sloping gait. The spatiotemporal parameters of gait were measured in 30 healthy college-level students during barefoot walking on 0% (level), −10% and −20% (downhill) and +10% and +20% (uphill) slopes at hiking-related speeds using an optoelectric cell system and an instrumented treadmill. Inter-system agreement was assessed using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICCs) and the 95% limits of agreement. Our findings revealed excellent ICCs for the temporal and between moderate to excellent ICCs for the spatial parameters of gait. Walking downhill and on a 10% slope demonstrated better inter-system agreement compared to walking uphill and on a 20% slope. Inter-system agreement regarding the duration of gait phases was increased by increasing the number of LEDs used by the optoelectric cell system to detect the contact event. The present study suggests that systems equipped with optical and capacitive sensors can be used interchangeably in the treadmill-based spatiotemporal analysis of level and sloping gait

    THE SHORT AND LONG-TERM EFFECT OF WEIGHT-BEARING MOBILIZATION-WITH-MOVEMENT (MWM) AND AUTOMOBILIZATION- MWM TECHNIQUES ON PAIN AND FUNCTIONAL STATUS IN PATIENTS WITH HIP OSTEOARTHRITIS

    No full text
    Background: There is limited evidence to support the therapeutic effect of Manual Therapy on Hip Osteoarthritis (HOA) patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether implementation of weight-bearing mobilization-with-movement (MWM) and auto-mobilization had a significant improvement in pain and functionality after a series of sessions. Methods: Forty patients 50-80 years of age, with HOA, were randomly assigned into two groups. Patients in the treatment group received MWM in standing position and auto-MWM for two weeks, while control patients received a Sham form of MWM. Pain and functionality were measured at baseline, post-treatment and three months’ follow-up,using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS). Mixed ANOVA was used to examine possible differences between treatment phases and between groups, but also interactions among Group and Time factors. Result: The present findings revealed a significant interaction between factors and significant main effects of each Time and Group factors on pain and functionality. The treatment group showed improved post-MWM VAS and LEFS scores compared to baseline scores (p.001). Differences between groups were significant in post-treatment and follow-up scores (p<.001). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that weight bearing-MWM and auto-MWM are a significant treatment approach,improving pain and functionality in hip osteoarthritis patients

    Static Foot Hyperpronation Monitoring in Asymptomatic Young Individuals During Level and Sloped Gait Using an Instrumented Treadmill

    No full text
    Foot hyperpronation is a common anatomical misalignment that may contribute to the development of both localized and distant musculoskeletal overuse injuries. Advancements in modern technology may enable the detection of biomechanical changes in dynamic conditions that cannot be captured through conventional foot alignment assessments. This study aimed to investigate potential differences in spatiotemporal, dynamic, and center of pressure (COP)-related gait parameters, between individuals with foot hyperpronation (n = 21) and those with a neutral foot type (n = 21) under various walking conditions, using an instrumented treadmill. These conditions included walking downhill at &minus;20% slope at 3.5 km&middot;h&minus;1, and at &minus;10% slope at 5.0 km&middot;h&minus;1, level (0%) at 5.0 km&middot;h&minus;1, and uphill at +10% slope at 3.5 km&middot;h&minus;1 and +20% slope at 2.5 km&middot;h&minus;1, each lasting five minutes. The results showed no significant differences in stride length and time, foot rotation, step width, cadence, or gait phase durations between the two groups. However, individuals with hyperpronated feet exhibited a more forward and mediolaterally displaced COP, higher vertical ground reaction forces (vGRFs) at the midfoot, and lower vGRFs at the lateral forefoot. Instrumented treadmills enable clinicians and sports scientists to detect specific traits in individuals with foot hyperpronation, which would otherwise go undetected through static assessments
    corecore