1
|
Bolt R, Heuvelmans P, Benjaminse A, Robinson MA, Gokeler A. An ecological dynamics approach to ACL injury risk research: a current opinion. Sports Biomech 2024; 23:1592-1605. [PMID: 34375159 DOI: 10.1080/14763141.2021.1960419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Research of non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury risk aims to identify modifiable risk factors that are linked to the mechanisms of injury. Information from these studies is then used in the development of injury prevention programmes. However, ACL injury risk research often leans towards methods with three limitations: 1) a poor preservation of the athlete-environment relationship that limits the generalisability of results, 2) the use of a strictly biomechanical approach to injury causation that is incomplete for the description of injury mechanisms, 3) and a reductionist analysis that neglects profound information regarding human movement. This current opinion proposes three principles from an ecological dynamics perspective that address these limitations. First, it is argued that, to improve the generalisability of findings, research requires a well-preserved athlete-environment relationship. Second, the merit of including behaviour and the playing situation in the model of injury causation is presented. Third, this paper advocates that research benefits from conducting non-reductionist analysis (i.e., more holistic) that provides profound information regarding human movement. Together, these principles facilitate an ecological dynamics approach to injury risk research that helps to expand our understanding of injury mechanisms and thus contributes to the development of preventative measures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruben Bolt
- Department of Human Movement Sciences, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Pieter Heuvelmans
- Department of Human Movement Sciences, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Anne Benjaminse
- Department of Human Movement Sciences, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- School of Sport Studies, Hanze University Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Mark A Robinson
- Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Faculty of Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Alli Gokeler
- Exercise Science and Neuroscience Unit, Department Exercise & Health, Paderborn University, Paderborn, Germany
- Amsterdam Collaboration for Health and Safety in Sports, Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Sports Medicine, OCON Centre of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, Hengelo, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Brink KJ, McKenzie KL, Straight CR, O'Fallon KS, Kim SK, Likens AD. Altered movement dynamics in soldiers undergoing multiple bouts of load carriage. APPLIED ERGONOMICS 2024; 119:104315. [PMID: 38754256 DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Kolby J Brink
- Department of Biomechanics, University of Nebraska Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA.
| | - Kari L McKenzie
- US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center, Natick, MA, USA
| | - Chad R Straight
- US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center, Natick, MA, USA
| | - Kevin S O'Fallon
- US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center, Natick, MA, USA
| | - Seung Kyeom Kim
- Department of Biomechanics, University of Nebraska Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Aaron D Likens
- Department of Biomechanics, University of Nebraska Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Edwards NA, Talarico MK, Chaudhari A, Mansfield CJ, Oñate J. Use of accelerometers and inertial measurement units to quantify movement of tactical athletes: A systematic review. APPLIED ERGONOMICS 2023; 109:103991. [PMID: 36841096 DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2023.103991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The dynamic work environments of tactical athletes are difficult to replicate in a laboratory. Accelerometers and inertial measurement units provide a way to characterize movement in the field. This systematic review identified how accelerometers and inertial measurement units are currently being used to quantify movement patterns of tactical athletes. Seven research and military databases were searched, producing 26,228 potential articles with 78 articles included in this review. The articles studied military personnel (73.1%), firefighters (19.2%), paramedics (3.8%), and law enforcement officers (3.8%). Accelerometers were the most used type of sensor, and physical activity was the primarily reported outcome variable. Seventy of the studies had fair or poor quality. Research on firefighters, emergency medical services, and law enforcement officers was limited. Future research should strive to make quantified movement data more accessible and user-friendly for non-research personnel, thereby prompting increased use in tactical athlete groups, especially first responder agencies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nathan A Edwards
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The Ohio State University, 453 W 10th Ave, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA; Human Performance Collaborative, The Ohio State University, 1961 Tuttle Park Place, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA; Sports Medicine Research Institute, The Ohio State University, 4835 Fred Taylor Drive, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
| | - Maria K Talarico
- Human Systems Integration Division, DEVCOM Analysis Center, U.S. Army Futures Command, 7188 Sustainment Rd, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, 21005, USA.
| | - Ajit Chaudhari
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The Ohio State University, 453 W 10th Ave, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA; Sports Medicine Research Institute, The Ohio State University, 4835 Fred Taylor Drive, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA; Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Ohio State University, 201 W. 19th Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, 140 W. 19th Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
| | - Cody J Mansfield
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The Ohio State University, 453 W 10th Ave, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA; Sports Medicine Research Institute, The Ohio State University, 4835 Fred Taylor Drive, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
| | - James Oñate
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The Ohio State University, 453 W 10th Ave, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA; Human Performance Collaborative, The Ohio State University, 1961 Tuttle Park Place, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA; Division of Athletic Training, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The Ohio State University, 453 W 10th Ave, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA; Sports Medicine Research Institute, The Ohio State University, 4835 Fred Taylor Drive, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Effect of Load Carriage Lifestyle on Kinematics and Kinetics of Gait. Appl Bionics Biomech 2023; 2023:8022635. [PMID: 36816755 PMCID: PMC9931482 DOI: 10.1155/2023/8022635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Backpacks are commonly worn by many people for multiple purposes. This study investigated the effects of habitual wearing of backpacks on lower limb kinematics and kinetics. Fourteen participants were recruited for analysis. All participants performed four randomly assigned scenarios, including running and walking at speeds of 3.5 and 1.5 m/s, respectively, with and without load carriage. The motion analysis system and force plate were used to investigate the lower limb kinematics and kinetics. A paired sample t-test was performed for statistical measurement with a significance level of α = .05. The results indicated that active force, breaking force, impact peak, loading rate, active peak, maximum braking, hip flexion, and hip range of motion were substantially higher under load carriage conditions than under walking condition, however, time to peak was lower. Conversely, during load carriage running, active force, braking impulse, time to peak, ankle plantarflexion, and ankle range of motion were all higher than those during running. Carrying a backpack weighing 10% of the body weight induced different foot strike patterns at both speeds; during load carriage walking, the hip tended to flex more; whereas, during load carriage running, the ankle tended to flex more. In conclusion, human body seems to adopt different gait strategies during load carriage walking and running. That is, the hip strategy is used during walking, while the ankle strategy is used during running.
Collapse
|
5
|
Nonlinear Analyses Distinguish Load Carriage Dynamics in Walking and Standing: A Systematic Review. J Appl Biomech 2022; 38:434-447. [PMID: 36170973 DOI: 10.1123/jab.2022-0062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Load carriage experiments are typically performed from a linear perspective that assumes that movement variability is equivalent to error or noise in the neuromuscular system. A complimentary, nonlinear perspective that treats variability as the object of study has generated important results in movement science outside load carriage settings. To date, no systematic review has yet been conducted to understand how load carriage dynamics change from a nonlinear perspective. The goal of this systematic review is to fill that need. Relevant literature was extracted and reviewed for general trends involving nonlinear perspectives on load carriage. Nonlinear analyses that were used in the reviewed studies included sample, multiscale, and approximate entropy; the Lyapunov exponent; fractal analysis; and relative phase. In general, nonlinear tools successfully distinguish between unloaded and loaded conditions in standing and walking, although not in a consistent manner. The Lyapunov exponent and entropy were the most used nonlinear methods. Two noteworthy findings are that entropy in quiet standing studies tends to decrease, whereas the Lyapunov exponent in walking studies tends to increase, both due to added load. Thus, nonlinear analyses reveal altered load carriage dynamics, demonstrating promise in applying a nonlinear perspective to load carriage while also underscoring the need for more research.
Collapse
|
6
|
Walsh GS, Harrison I. Gait and neuromuscular dynamics during level and uphill walking carrying military loads. Eur J Sport Sci 2021; 22:1364-1373. [PMID: 34231431 DOI: 10.1080/17461391.2021.1953154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The neuromuscular system responds to perturbation and increasing locomotor task difficulty by altering the stability of neuromuscular output signals. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of two different military load carriage systems on the dynamic stability of gait and muscle activation signals. 14 army office cadets (20 ± 1 years) performed 4-minute treadmill walking trials on level (0%) and uphill (10%) gradients while unloaded, and with 11 kg backpack and 11 kg webbing loads while the activity of 6 leg and trunk muscles and the motion of the centre of mass (COM) were recorded. Loaded and uphill walking decreased stability and increased magnitude of muscle activations compared to loaded and level gradient walking. Backpack loads increased the medio-lateral stability of COM and uphill walking decreased stability of vertical COM motion and increased stride time variability. However, there was no difference between the two load carriage systems for any variable. The reduced stability of muscle activations in loaded and uphill conditions indicates an impaired ability of the neuromuscular control systems to accommodate perturbations in these conditions which may have implications on the operational performance of military personnel. However, improved medio-lateral stability in backpack conditions may indicate that participants were able to compensate for the loads used in this study, despite the decreased vertical stability and increased stride time variability evident in uphill walking. This study did not find differences between load carriage systems however, specific load carriage system effects may be elicited by greater load carriage masses.Highlights Loaded and uphill walking decreased dynamic stability of muscle activationsLower activation stability indicates impaired neuromotor resistance to perturbationBackpack and webbing loads produced similar effects on muscle activations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gregory S Walsh
- Department of Sport, Health Sciences and Social Work, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | - Isabel Harrison
- Department of Sport, Health Sciences and Social Work, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Walsh GS, Low DC. Military load carriage effects on the gait of military personnel: A systematic review. APPLIED ERGONOMICS 2021; 93:103376. [PMID: 33540208 DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2021.103376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Carrying heavy loads results in biomechanical changes to gait and to an increased risk of injury in soldiers. The aim of this review is to examine the effects of military specific load carriage on the gait of soldiers. The Web of Science, PubMed and CINAHL databases were searched, a total of 1239 records were screened and 20 papers were included in the review. Participant, load and task characteristics and a summary of key findings were extracted. Due to heterogeneity in the reviewed studies, analysis was restricted to qualitative synthesis. There were limited effects on spatio-temporal variables but consistently reported increased trunk, hip and knee flexion and increased hip and knee extension moments. Muscle activation of lower limb and trunk muscles were also increased with loads. However, there were some conflicting findings for most parameters reviewed and apart from spatio-temporal parameters the findings of this review were in line with previous reviews of combined military and civilian populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gregory S Walsh
- Department of Sport, Health Sciences and Social Work, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK.
| | - Daniel C Low
- Centre for Human Performance, Exercise and Rehabilitation, Brunel University London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Yentes JM, Raffalt PC. Entropy Analysis in Gait Research: Methodological Considerations and Recommendations. Ann Biomed Eng 2021; 49:979-990. [PMID: 33560467 PMCID: PMC8051436 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-020-02616-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The usage of entropy analysis in gait research has grown considerably the last two decades. The present paper reviews the application of different entropy analyses in gait research and provides recommendations for future studies. While single-scale entropy analysis such as approximate and sample entropy can be used to quantify regularity/predictability/probability, they do not capture the structural richness and component entanglement characterized by a complex system operating across multiple spatial and temporal scales. Thus, for quantification of complexity, either multiscale entropy or refined composite multiscale entropy is recommended. For both single- and multiscale-scale entropy analyses, care should be made when selecting the input parameters of tolerance window r, vector length m, time series length N and number of scales. This selection should be based on the proposed research question and the type of data collected and not copied from previous studies. Parameter consistency should be investigated and published along with the main results to ensure transparency and enable comparisons between studies. Furthermore, since the interpretation of the absolute size of both single- and multiscale entropy analyses outcomes is not straightforward, comparisons should always be made with a control condition or group.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M Yentes
- Center for Research in Human Movement Variability, University of Nebraska at Omaha, 6160 University Drive South, Omaha, NE, 68182-0860, USA.
| | - Peter C Raffalt
- Department of Physical Performance, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Sognsveien 220, 0806, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Effects of Backpack Loads on Leg Muscle Activation during Slope Walking. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/app10144890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Hikers and soldiers usually walk up and down slopes with a load carriage, causing injuries of the musculoskeletal system, especially during a prolonged load journey. The slope walking has been reported to lead to higher leg extensor muscle activities and joint moments. However, most of the studies investigated muscle activities or joint moments during slope walking without load carriage or only investigated the joint moment changes and muscle activities with load carriages during level walking. Whether the muscle activation such as the signal amplitude is influenced by the mixed factor of loads and grades and whether the influence of the degrees of loads and grades on different muscles are equal have not yet been investigated. To explore the effects of backpack loads on leg muscle activation during slope walking, ten young male participants walked at 1.11 m/s on a treadmill with different backpack loads (load masses: 0, 10, 20, and 30 kg) during slope walking (grade: 0, 3, 5, and 10°). Leg muscles, including the gluteus maximus (GM), rectus femoris (RF), hamstrings (HA), anterior tibialis (AT), and medial gastrocnemius (GA), were recorded during walking. The hip, knee, and ankle extensor muscle activations increased during the slope walking, and the hip muscles increased most among hip, knee, and ankle muscles (GM and HA increased by 46% to 207% and 110% to 226%, respectively, during walking steeper than 10° across all load masses (GM: p = 1.32 × 10−8 and HA: p = 2.33 × 10−16)). Muscle activation increased pronouncedly with loads, and the knee extensor muscles increased greater than the hip and ankle muscles (RF increased by 104% to 172% with a load mass greater than 30 kg across all grades (RF: p = 8.86 × 10−7)). The results in our study imply that the hip and knee muscles play an important role during slope walking with loads. The hip and knee extension movements during slope walking should be considerably assisted to lower the muscle activations, which will be useful for designing assistant devices, such as exoskeleton robots, to enhance hikers’ and soldiers’ walking abilities.
Collapse
|