Evaluation of Dynamic Posture Control when Wearing High-Heeled Shoes Using Star Excursion Balance Test

The Effects of Fatigue on the Lower Limb Biomechanics of Amateur Athletes during a Y-Balance Test

The Y-Balance Test (YBT) is a reliable tool for assessing the dynamic balance of athletes' lower limbs. This study aimed to compare the effects of the YBT on lower limb biomechanics before and after fatigue. Sixteen adult male recreational athletes were recruited for the study, and motion capture in combination with a force plate was used to collect kinematic, dynamics, and center of pressure (COP) data of the dominant leg during YBT testing before and after fatigue. Based on the research findings, there were significant statistical differences in the distances reached during the YBT in three directions before and after fatigue. After fatigue, there is a significant decrease in the ROM of the hip and knee joints in all three directions. Also, there is a significant increase in hip joint torque in the anterior- and posterior-lateral directions, while a significant decrease in hip and ankle joint torque is observed in the posterior-medial direction. Moreover, there is an increasing trend in positive and negative joint work for the hip, knee, and ankle joints in all three directions after fatigue. The range of COP displacement also increases following fatigue. The decline in YBT scores demonstrates the detrimental impact of fatigue on the dynamic balance of the lower limbs of adult male amateur athletes. We hope that these results can provide information for athletes and coaches to better understand the effects of fatigue on the dynamic balance of lower limbs, so as to carry out targeted lower limb balance training and prevent sports injuries.

Ultrasound Color Doppler Measures Neovascularization in Achilles Tendinopathy: Review

Purpose: Color Doppler ultrasonography (CD) has been used to employ in Achilles tendinopathy, there is a need to measure neovascularization in Achilles tendinopathy to reach a consensus for CD application. The object of this systematic retrospect is to summarize the literature regarding whether is a relationship between the neovascularization and Achilles tendinopathy by CD detecting. Method: The databases search of PubMed, Scopus, and Embase extracted 543 articles for title and abstract review. After deleting duplicate papers and evaluating which one meets the inclusion criteria, a total of 8 articles were selected. Results and conclusion: Differentiate a physiological and pathological color Doppler flow in Achilles tendon is important to further clinically diagnose, since neovascularization in tissue structure can be influenced by variation reasons. The standardized tenoangiography protocol be supposed to develop when assessment asymptomatic or symptomatic tendons.

Dynamic Analysis of Lower Limb Exoskeleton Motion and Control Using Differential Transform Method

In this study, the nonlinear dynamic analysis of the motion and control of the lower limb exoskeleton using differential transform method is presented. Devices for medical processes are continuously undergoing improvement such as enhancing and assisting automatic therapies with flexible and configurable programs for treating people with partial disability in lower limbs as applied in lower-limb exoskeleton. The configurable programs in this exoskeleton can be applied to observe and control the motion of the exoskeleton for effective physiotherapy and reduced rehabilitation time for patients with such disability. Hence, a two degree of freedom nonlinear dynamic model for the motion and control of the lower limb exoskeletons was developed for two links. The nonlinear dynamic models are solved by applying the differential transform method (DTM) and verified with the forth order Runge-Kutta numerical method (RK4). The effects of the applied torque on the two links are investigated and it is observed that Link 1 has large negative deflection amplitude that drives link 2 towards the opposite positive direction. An increase in the applied torque resulted in increase in the amplitude of the system for all initial condition considered. This in turns increases the nonlinear dynamic behavior of link 2 due to its lower mass value. The speed of both links dampens out over the history due to the presence of damping term. At equilibrium, both links are in phase and have the same amplitude over the time history. This study provides an analytical tool for observing and controlling the motions of the lower limb exoskeleton and for improving the designs of the medical device.

Effect of additional body weight on arch index and dynamic plantar pressure distribution during walking and gait termination

The medial longitudinal arch is considered as an essential feature which distinguishes humans from other primates. The longitudinal arch plays a supporting and buffering role in human daily physical activities. However, bad movement patterns could lead to deformation of arch morphology, resulting in foot injuries. The authors aimed to investigate any alterations in static and dynamic arch index following different weight bearings. A further aim was to analyze any changes in plantar pressure distribution characteristics on gait during walking and stopping, Twelve males were required to complete foot morphology scans and three types of gait tests with 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% of additional body weight. The dynamic gait tests included walking, planned and unplanned gait termination. Foot morphology details and plantar pressure data were collected from subjects using the Easy-Foot-Scan and Footscan pressure platform. No significant differences were observed in static arch index when adding low levels of additional body weight (10%). There were no significant changes observed in dynamic arch index when loads were added in the range of 20% to 30%, except in unplanned gait termination. Significant maximal pressure increases were observed in the rearfoot during walking and in both the forefoot and rearfoot during planned gait termination. In addition, significant maximum pressure increases were shown in the lateral forefoot and midfoot during unplanned gait termination when weight was increased. Findings from the study indicated that excessive weight bearing could lead to a collapse of the arch structure and, therefore, increases in plantar loading. This may result in foot injuries, especially during unplanned gait termination.

Effects of Different Hardness in Bionic Soles on Lower Limb Biomechanics

The design of modern footwear seems to have an excessive protective effect on the function of the foot. The purpose of this study was to examine how bionic shoes designed would influence the biomechanical index of gait patterns. There were 10 male subjects underwent gait analysis. Normal sports shoes (NS) with flat-soles were selected as control shoes. The experimental shoes comprising of two elasticity levels were defined as soft-sole bionic shoes (SS) and hard-sole bionic shoes (HS). We examined ground reaction forces, plantar pressures and angles of the ankle, knee and hip during walking and jogging conditions. In comparison with standard shoes, wearing bionic shoes reduced the range of motion in some joints during movement and changed the peak angle in the sagittal, frontal and horizontal planes. Moreover, the vertical average loading rates were significantly larger than that of the standard shoes during jogging. The experimental groups showed larger PP or PTI in the foot regions examined except in the lateral forefoot. Also, increases the in the contact area of the midfoot with decreases in the contact area in heel were also observed. In some regions of the foot, the hard sole of the bionic shoes had a lower pressure than that of the soft sole. These findings indicate that the design of the bionic sole in this study can be used to increase toe scratching ability, increase neuromuscular strength and enhance stability and proprioceptive ability. However, the higher plantar pressures in some regions may increase the risk of overuse injuries. The findings from the study indicate preference for the hard bionic shoes during exercise compared to the soft sole.