1
|
Kearns ZC, DeVita P, Paquette MR. Gender differences on the age-related distal-to-proximal shift in joint kinetics during running. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2024; 34:e14552. [PMID: 38116683 DOI: 10.1111/sms.14552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
The increased running participation in women and men over 40 years has contributed to scientific interest on the age-related and gender differences in running performance and biomechanics over the last decade. Gender differences in running biomechanics have been studied extensively in young runners, with inconsistent results. Understanding how gender influences the age-related differences in running mechanics could help develop population-specific training interventions or footwear to address any potential different mechanical demands. The purpose of this study was to assess gender and age effects on lower limb joint mechanics while running. Middle-aged men (57 ± 5 years) and women (57 ± 8 years) and young men (28 ± 6 years) and women (30 ± 6 years) completed five overground running trials at a set speed of 2.7 m/s while lower limb kinematics and ground reaction forces were collected. Lower limb joint kinetics were computed, normalized to body mass and compared between age and gender groups using two-factor analyses of variance. Women reported slower average running paces than men and middle-aged runners reported slower running paces than young runners. We confirmed that young runners run with more ankle, but less hip positive work and peak positive power compared to middle-aged runners (i.e., age-related distal-to-proximal shift in joint kinetics). We also present a novel finding that women run with more ankle, but less hip peak positive power compared to men suggesting an ankle dominant strategy in women at a preferred and comfortable running pace. However, the age-related distal-to-proximal shift in joint kinetics was not different between genders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zoey C Kearns
- College of Health Sciences, University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Paul DeVita
- Department of Kinesiology, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA
| | - Max R Paquette
- College of Health Sciences, University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Close EL, Garcia MC, Bazett-Jones DM. Pre-pubertal runners demonstrate greater variability in running kinematics than post-pubertal runners. Gait Posture 2024; 107:136-140. [PMID: 37244771 DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adolescents undergo a period of motor incoordination during puberty characterized by high movement variability. It is unknown if differences in running kinematics variability exist among adolescent long-distance runners. RESEARCH QUESTION Is kinematic variability different among male and female adolescent long-distance runners of different stages of physical maturation? METHODS We enrolled 114 adolescent long-distance runners (ages 8-19, F = 55, M = 59) in this secondary analysis of a larger cross-sectional study. Participants completed a three-dimensional overground running analysis at a comfortable self-selected speed. Peak frontal, sagittal, and transverse plane hip, knee, and ankle/shoe joint angles from the right leg were identified during stance phase for at least five trials. Variability in running kinematics was quantified as the standard deviation of the peak joint angles among the running trials for each participant. Participants were stratified by sex and stage of physical maturation (pre-, mid-, post-pubertal) and two-way ANOVAs compared between-subjects variability among groups (p ≤ .05). RESULTS Significant sex by maturation interactions were observed for hip external rotation and ankle external rotation variability. Sex differences were observed for hip internal rotation, with males demonstrating greater variability, and ankle internal rotation, with females demonstrating greater variability. Pre-pubertal runners demonstrated significantly greater variability than mid-pubertal runners for hip flexion, and greater variability than post-pubertal runners for hip flexion, hip adduction, hip internal rotation, and knee flexion. SIGNIFICANCE Pre-pubertal adolescent long-distance runners demonstrate greater stance phase variability in running kinematics than post-pubertal adolescent long-distance runners, while adolescent males and females demonstrate similar variability. Anthropometric and neuromuscular changes that occur during puberty likely influence running patterns and may contribute to more consistent kinematic patterns for post-pubertal runners.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eryn L Close
- College of Health and Human Services, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Micah C Garcia
- College of Health and Human Services, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Röhrl F, Federolf P, Mohr M. Ergonomic saddle design features influence lumbar spine motion and can reduce low back pain in mountain biking. Sports Biomech 2023:1-17. [PMID: 38126726 DOI: 10.1080/14763141.2023.2284173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Low back pain is common in mountain biking due to the sustained flexion of the lumbar spine, particularly during fatiguing hill climbs. In this study, we investigated whether an ergonomic mountain bike saddle including a raised rear, a longitudinal dip, and a subtle lateral instability (the 'Active'-technology) can reduce acute low back pain at the end of a hill climb (>1 h) in a group of mountain bikers with a history of cycling-related low back pain (n = 28). In addition, we conducted a laboratory experiment to investigate the isolated effects of the 'Active'-technology on the cyclists' pelvis and spine motion as well as on the activity of surrounding muscles. The field test demonstrated a significant reduction in numerical low back pain ratings with the experimental saddle compared to the riders' own standard saddle (p = 0.001, strong effect). The laboratory-based data suggested that the 'Active'-technology does lead to potentially beneficial effects on pelvis-spine kinematics and muscle activity, which in combination with an optimised saddle geometry may explain the observed reduction in low back pain following mountain bike hill climbing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Florian Röhrl
- Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Peter Federolf
- Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Maurice Mohr
- Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kubicka AM. Changes in plasticity of the pelvic girdle from infancy to late adulthood in Homo sapiens. Sci Rep 2023; 13:9698. [PMID: 37322042 PMCID: PMC10272276 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36703-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous research on the effects of body mass on the pelvic girdle focused mostly on adult females and males. Because the ontogenetic plasticity level in the pelvis remains largely unknown, this study investigated how the association between body mass index (BMI) and pelvic shape changes during development. It also assessed how the large variation in pelvic shape could be explained by the number of live births in females. Data included CT scans of 308 humans from infancy to late adulthood with known age, sex, body mass, body stature, and the number of live births (for adult females). 3D reconstruction and geometric morphometrics was used to analyze pelvic shape. Multivariate regression showed a significant association between BMI and pelvic shape in young females and old males. The association between the number of live births and pelvic shape in females was not significant. Less plasticity in pelvic shape in adult females than during puberty, perhaps reflects adaptation to support the abdominopelvic organs and the fetus during pregnancy. Non-significant susceptibility to BMI in young males may reflect bone maturation accelerated by excessive body mass. Hormonal secretion and biomechanical loading associated with pregnancy may not have a long-term effect on the pelvic morphology of females.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Maria Kubicka
- Department of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71C, 60-625, Poznań, Poland.
- PaleoFED Team, Département Homme et Environnement, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle. Musée de l'Homme, UMR 7194, CNRS, Place du Trocadéro 17, 75016, Paris, France.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Dorschky E, Camomilla V, Davis J, Federolf P, Reenalda J, Koelewijn AD. Perspective on "in the wild" movement analysis using machine learning. Hum Mov Sci 2023; 87:103042. [PMID: 36493569 DOI: 10.1016/j.humov.2022.103042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances in wearable sensing and machine learning have created ample opportunities for "in the wild" movement analysis in sports, since the combination of both enables real-time feedback to be provided to athletes and coaches, as well as long-term monitoring of movements. The potential for real-time feedback is useful for performance enhancement or technique analysis, and can be achieved by training efficient models and implementing them on dedicated hardware. Long-term monitoring of movement can be used for injury prevention, among others. Such applications are often enabled by training a machine learned model from large datasets that have been collected using wearable sensors. Therefore, in this perspective paper, we provide an overview of approaches for studies that aim to analyze sports movement "in the wild" using wearable sensors and machine learning. First, we discuss how a measurement protocol can be set up by answering six questions. Then, we discuss the benefits and pitfalls and provide recommendations for effective training of machine learning models from movement data, focusing on data pre-processing, feature calculation, and model selection and tuning. Finally, we highlight two application domains where "in the wild" data recording was combined with machine learning for injury prevention and technique analysis, respectively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eva Dorschky
- Machine Learning and Data Analytics (MaD) Lab, Department Artificial Intelligence in Biomedical Engineering (AIBE), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Valentina Camomilla
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy
| | - Jesse Davis
- Department of Computer Science and Leuven.AI, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Peter Federolf
- Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Jasper Reenalda
- Biomedical Signal and Systems group, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands; Roessingh Research and Development, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Anne D Koelewijn
- Machine Learning and Data Analytics (MaD) Lab, Department Artificial Intelligence in Biomedical Engineering (AIBE), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Van Andel S, Mohr M, Schmidt A, Werner I, Federolf P. Whole-body movement analysis using principal component analysis: What is the internal consistency between outcomes originating from the same movement simultaneously recorded with different measurement devices? Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:1006670. [DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.1006670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A growing number of studies apply Principal Component Analysis (PCA) on whole-body kinematic data to facilitate an analysis of posture changes in human movement. An unanswered question is, how much the PCA outcomes depend on the chosen measurement device. This study aimed to assess the internal consistency of PCA outcomes from treadmill walking motion capture data simultaneously collected through laboratory-grade optical motion capture and field-suitable inertial-based motion tracking. Data was simultaneously collected using VICON (whole-body plug-in gait marker positions) and Xsens (body segment positions) from 20 participants during 2-min treadmill walking. Using PCA, Principal Movements (PMs) were determined using two commonly used practices: on an individual and a grouped basis. For both, correlation matrices were used to determine internal consistency between outcomes from either measurement system for each PM. Both individual and grouped approach showed excellent internal consistency between outcomes from the two systems among the lower order PMs. For the individual analysis, high correlations were only found along the diagonal of the correlation matrix while the grouped analysis also showed high off-diagonal correlations. These results have important implications for future application of PCA in terms of the independence of the resulting PM data, the way group-differences are expressed in higher-order PMs and the interpretation of movement complexity. Concluding, while PCA-outcomes from the two systems start to deviate in the higher order PMs, excellent internal consistency was found in the lower order PMs which already represent about 98% of the variance in the dataset.
Collapse
|
7
|
Debertin D, Wachholz F, Mikut R, Federolf P. Quantitative downhill skiing technique analysis according to ski instruction curricula: A proof-of-concept study applying principal component analysis on wearable sensor data. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:1003619. [PMID: 36237214 PMCID: PMC9552888 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.1003619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Downhill skiing technique represents the complex coordinative movement patterns needed to control skiing motion. While scientific understanding of skiing technique is still incomplete, not least due to challenges in objectively measuring it, practitioners such as ski instructors have developed sophisticated and comprehensive descriptions of skiing technique. The current paper describes a 3-step proof-of-concept study introducing a technology platform for quantifying skiing technique that utilizes the practitioners' expert knowledge. The approach utilizes an inertial measurement unit system (Xsens™) and presents a motion analysis algorithm based on the Principal Movement (PM) concept. In step 1, certified ski instructors skied specified technique elements according to technique variations described in ski instruction curricula. The obtained data was used to establish a PM-coordinate system for skiing movements. In step 2, the techniques parallel and carving turns were compared. Step 3 presents a case study where the technique analysis methodology is applied to advise an individual skier on potential technique improvements. All objectives of the study were met, proving the suitability of the proposed technology for scientific and applied technique evaluations of downhill skiing. The underlying conceptual approach - utilizing expert knowledge and skills to generate tailored variability in motion data (step 1) that then dominate the orientation of the PMs, which, in turn, can serve as measures for technique elements of interest - could be applied in many other sports or for other applications in human movement analyses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Debertin
- Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Institute for Automation and Applied Informatics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Felix Wachholz
- Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ralf Mikut
- Institute for Automation and Applied Informatics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Peter Federolf
- Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Promsri A. Sex Difference in Running Stability Analyzed Based on a Whole-Body Movement: A Pilot Study. Sports (Basel) 2022; 10:sports10090138. [PMID: 36136393 PMCID: PMC9506143 DOI: 10.3390/sports10090138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A sex-specific manner in running tasks is considered a potential internal injury risk factor in runners. The current study aimed to investigate the sex differences in running stability in recreational runners during self-preferred speed treadmill running by focusing on a whole-body movement. To this end, principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to kinematic marker data of 22 runners (25.7 ± 3.3 yrs.; 12 females) for decomposing the whole-body movements of all participants into a set of principal movements (PMs), representing different movement synergies forming together to achieve the task goal. Then, the sex effects were tested on three types of PCA-based variables computed for individual PMs: the largest Lyapunov exponent (LyE) as a measure of running variability; the relative standard deviation (rSTD) as a measure of movement structures; and the root mean square (RMS) as a measure of the magnitude of neuromuscular control. The results show that the sex effects are observed in the specific PMs. Specifically, female runners have lower stability (greater LyE) in the mid-stance-phase movements (PM4−5) and greater contribution and control (greater rSTD and RMS) in the swing-phase movement (PM1) than male runners. Knowledge of an inherent sex difference in running stability may benefit sports-related injury prevention and rehabilitation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arunee Promsri
- Department of Physical Therapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao 56000, Thailand; ; Tel.: +66-54-466-666 (ext. 3817)
- Unit of Excellence in Neuromechanics, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao 56000, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Luz BC, Dos Santos AF, Serrão FV. Are Altered Kinematics in Runners With Patellofemoral Pain Sex Specific? Sports Health 2022; 14:822-828. [PMID: 35596521 DOI: 10.1177/19417381221088582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Altered kinematics have been frequently observed in runners with patellofemoral pain (PFP), and few studies have aimed to understand the influence of sex on kinematics of this population. The aim of this study was to investigate whether altered hip and knee kinematics in runners with PFP are sex specific. HYPOTHESIS Kinematics will be different between female and male runners with and without PFP. STUDY DESIGN Case-control study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level 2. METHODS Eighty-four runners were divided into 4 groups: 42 runners with PFP (20 women, 22 men) and 42 asymptomatic runners (21 women, 21 men). Three-dimensional gait analyses of the hip in the frontal and transverse plane and the knee in the frontal plane were analyzed at self-selected running speed on a treadmill. One-way analysis of covariance was used to test for differences in kinematic variables between groups. RESULTS Women with PFP ran with a significantly greater peak hip adduction compared with men with PFP (mean difference [MD] = 4.45°; P = 0.00; effect size [ES] = 0.58) and male control subjects (MD = 4.2°; P = 0.01; ES = 0.54) and greater hip adduction range of motion (ROM) than men with PFP (MD = 3.44°; P = 0.01; ES = 0.49). No significant differences were identified between women with and without PFP. Female control subjects ran with greater peak hip adduction than men with PFP (MD = 5.46°; P < 0.01; ES = 0.58) and male control subjects (MD = 5.21°; P < 0.01; ES = 0.55); greater hip adduction ROM than men with PFP (MD = 4.02°; P = 0.00; ES = 0.52) and male control subjects (MD = 2.91°;P = 0.04; ES = 0.36); and greater peak knee abduction than men with PFP (MD = 3.35°; P = 0.02; ES = 0.44) and male control subjects (MD = 3.69°; P = 0.01; ES = 0.4). CONCLUSION Women have greater hip adduction than men regardless of the presence of PFP. There were no kinematics difference between women with and without PFP. Comparisons of hip internal rotation between all groups were nonsignificant. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Altered hip and knee kinematics does not appear to be sex specific in runners with PFP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bruna Calazans Luz
- Department of Physiotherapy, São Carlos Federal University, São Carlos, Brazil
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Federolf P, Angulo-Barroso RM, Busquets A, Ferrer-Uris B, Gløersen Ø, Mohr M, Ó' Reilly D, Promsri A, van Andel S, Wachholz F, Werner I, Zago M. Letter to the editor regarding "The assessment of center of mass and center of pressure during quiet stance: Current applications and future directions". J Biomech 2021; 128:110729. [PMID: 34536902 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2021.110729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Federolf
- Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Rosa M Angulo-Barroso
- Institut Nacional d'Educació Física de Catalunya (INEFC), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain; Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Northridge, CA, United States
| | - Albert Busquets
- Institut Nacional d'Educació Física de Catalunya (INEFC), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Blai Ferrer-Uris
- Institut Nacional d'Educació Física de Catalunya (INEFC), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Øyvind Gløersen
- Department of Physical Performance, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Maurice Mohr
- Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - David Ó' Reilly
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Arunee Promsri
- Department of Physical Therapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Phayao, Muang, Phayao, Thailand; Unit of Excellence in Well-Being and Health Innovation, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Phayao, Muang, Phayao, Thailand
| | - Steven van Andel
- Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Felix Wachholz
- Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Inge Werner
- Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Matteo Zago
- Dipartimento di Meccanica, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy; E4Sport Laboratory, Politecnico di Milano, Lecco, Italy
| |
Collapse
|