Clinical biomechanics
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Clinical biomechanics · Feb 2009
Evidence of a pelvis-driven flexion pattern: are the joints of the lower lumbar spine fully flexed in seated postures?
Seated postures are achieved with a moderate amount of lumbo-sacral flexion and sustained lumbo-sacral spine flexion has been associated with detrimental effects to the tissues surrounding a spinal joint. The purpose of this study was to determine if the lower intervertebral joints of the lumbo-sacral spine approach their end ranges of motion in seated postures. ⋯ This is the first study to quantitatively show that the lower lumbo-sacral joints approach their total range of motion in seated postures. While not directly measured, the findings suggest that there could be increased loading of the passive tissues surrounding the lower lumbo-sacral intervertebral joints, contributing to low back pain and/or injury from prolonged sitting.
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Clinical biomechanics · Feb 2009
The postural response of the pelvic floor muscles during limb movements: a methodological electromyography study in parous women without lumbopelvic pain.
Pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain is common. More than 30% of women have persistent pain 3 months after giving birth. There is no consensus regarding the pathology. However, coordination of muscle activity by appropriate timing and amplitude is necessary for maintaining adequate stability in the lumbopelvic area. The aim was to develop a method using surface electromyography to detect a feed-forward response in the pelvic floor muscles during limb movements performed at a comfortable speed applicable in future studies for women with lumbopelvic pain. ⋯ The findings suggest a feed-forward response in the pelvic floor muscles during leg and arm lifts in women who had previously given birth and were without lumbopelvic pain. Movements performed at a comfortable speed seem to be useful in order to detect such a response.
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Clinical biomechanics · Jan 2009
Friction between finger flexor tendons and the pulley system in the crimp grip position.
Disruption of the finger flexor tendon pulleys are the most often occurring injury in rock climbers due to bowstringing of tendons during crimp grip position. The aim of this study was to quantify friction between the flexor tendons and pulleys and the influence of high load and speed of movement as a potential factor of pulley disruption. ⋯ Considerable friction between flexor tendons and pulleys is apparent and therefore may have an influence on pulley injuries. Particularly during the crimp grip position where the proximal interphalangeal joint is flexed about 90 degrees shows the greatest amount of friction. However there was no change of friction during high speed motion and no other than linear increase during high load.
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Clinical biomechanics · Jan 2009
Resistance training is accompanied by increases in hip strength and changes in lower extremity biomechanics during running.
Movement and muscle activity of the hip have been shown to affect movement of the lower extremity, and been related to injury. The purpose of this study was to determine if increased hip strength affects lower extremity mechanics during running. ⋯ The hip abductors and external rotators were strengthened, leading to an alteration of lower extremity joint loading which may reduce injury risk. These exercises could be used in the rehabilitation, or prevention, of lower extremity injuries.
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Clinical biomechanics · Dec 2008
Comparative StudyKinematic trajectories while walking within the Lokomat robotic gait-orthosis.
Background One of the most popular robot assisted rehabilitation devices used is the Lokomat. Unfortunately, not much is known about the behaviors exhibited by subjects in this device. The goal of this study was to evaluate the kinematic patterns of individuals walking inside the Lokomat compared to those demonstrated on a treadmill. ⋯ We found that despite being firmly attached to the device there was still subject movement relative to the Lokomat. This led to variability in the patterns, where subjects altered their gait pattern from step to step. These results are clinically important as a variable step pattern has been shown to be a more effective gait training strategy than one which forces the same kinematic pattern in successive steps.