Gait & posture
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Freezing of gait (FOG) is a major risk factor for falls and fall-related injuries in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). The characteristics of gait in PD patients with FOG have been studied but remain controversial. To investigate gait characteristics of FOG in PD, this study analyzed the forward and backward walking of patients with PD. ⋯ During backward walking, the freezers exhibited slower walking speed, shorter stride length, and increased asymmetry of step length. Kinematic analysis of backward walking revealed smaller range of motion in hip and ankle joints and lower step height in freezers. Further investigations of backward walking might expand our understanding of the pathophysiology of FOG in patients with PD.
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Individuals with lower extremity fractures are often instructed on how much weight to bear on the affected extremity. Previous studies have shown limited therapy compliance in weight bearing during rehabilitation. In this study we investigated the effect of real-time visual biofeedback on weight bearing in individuals with lower extremity fractures in two conditions: full weight bearing and touch-down weight bearing. ⋯ Ambulatory monitoring weight bearing after lower extremity fractures showed that therapy compliance is low, both in full and touch-down weight bearing. Real-time visual biofeedback resulted in significantly higher peak loads in full weight bearing and increased accuracy of individual steps in touch-down weight bearing. Real-time visual biofeedback therefore results in improved therapy compliance after lower extremity fractures.
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Impaired arm swing is a common motor symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD), and correlates with other gait impairments and increased risk of falls. Studies suggest that arm swing is not merely a passive consequence of trunk rotation during walking, but an active component of gait. Thus, techniques to enhance arm swing may improve gait characteristics. ⋯ In contrast, no statistically significant changes in trunk sway were observed with ArmSense cues compared to baseline walking. At a fast pace, changes in gait parameters were less systematic. Even though ArmSense cues only specified changes in arm swing amplitude, we observed changes in multiple gait parameters, reflecting the active role arm swing plays in gait and suggesting a new therapeutic path to improve mobility in people with PD.
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While the relevance of falls in raising the risk of fractures, hospitalization and disability in older age is well recognized, the factors influencing the onset of fractures and the need for ward admission after a fall have yet to be fully elucidated. We investigated which factors and fall dynamics were mainly associated with fall-related injuries and hospitalization among elderly persons accessing the Emergency Department (ED) following a fall. ⋯ Outcomes of falls in older age depend not only on any fall-related injuries, but also on factors such as polypharmacy, cognitive status and fall dynamics.
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Although the vast majority of hamstring injuries in male soccer are sustained during high speed running, the association between sprinting kinematics and hamstring injury vulnerability has never been investigated prospectively in a cohort at risk. ⋯ Deficient core stability, enabling excessive pelvis and trunk motion during swing, probably increases the primary injury risk. Although sprinting encompasses a relative risk of hamstring muscle failure in every athlete, running coordination demonstrated to be essential in hamstring injury prevention.