Gait & posture
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This study determined whether walking at the preferred stride frequency minimizes muscle activity compared with other cadences at the same speed. Anthropometric measurements were recorded from 10 subjects and used to estimate their predicted resonant stride frequency. The preferred walking speed and stride frequency were determined from freely adopted walking on a treadmill. ⋯ VO2, GA and TA activity were all minimal at the preferred stride frequency and increased for faster or slower cadences. BF and RF activity were minimal across a broad range of slow frequencies including the preferred stride frequency and increased for faster frequencies. The preferred stride frequency that humans readily adopt during walking minimizes the activation of the GA, TA, BF and RF muscles, which in turn minimizes the overall metabolic cost.
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Human dynamic models have been used to estimate joint kinetics during various activities. Kinetics estimation is in demand in sports and clinical applications where data on external forces, such as the ground reaction force (GRF), are not available. The purpose of this study was to estimate the GRF during gait by utilizing distance- and velocity-dependent force models between the foot and ground in an inverse-dynamics-based optimization. ⋯ The estimated full GRF had the lowest root mean square (RMS) errors at the slow walking speed (1.0m/s) with 4.2, 1.3, and 5.7% BW for anterior-posterior, medial-lateral, and vertical forces, respectively. The estimated shear forces were not significantly different between the full-GRF and shear-GRF models, but the RMS errors of the estimated knee joint kinetics were significantly lower for the shear-GRF model. Providing COP and vertical GRF with sensors, such as an insole-type pressure mat, can help estimate shear forces of the GRF and increase accuracy for estimation of joint kinetics.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of physical activity assessed using hip- and wrist-worn accelerometers.
It is unclear how physical activity estimates differ when assessed using hip- vs wrist-worn accelerometers. The objective of this study was to compare physical activity assessed by hip- and wrist-worn accelerometers in free-living older women. ⋯ Accelerometer-assessed physical activity using hip- vs wrist-worn devices was moderately correlated in older, free-living women. However, further research needs to be conducted to examine comparisons of specific activities or physical activity intensity levels.
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Despite the strong relationship between freezing of gait (FOG) and turning in Parkinson's disease (PD), few studies have addressed specific postural characteristics during turning that might contribute to freezing. ⋯ Our results revealed no subgroup differences in COM behavior during uninterrupted turning. However, we found a reduced medial deviation, a forward COM shift and a decreased step width in freezers just before FOG episodes. These abnormalities may play a causal role, as they could hamper stability and fluent weight shifting necessary for continued stepping during turning.
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Comparative Study
Foot sole skin vibration perceptual thresholds are elevated in a standing posture compared to sitting.
Foot sole sensitivity is commonly assessed while individuals are seated or prone; however the primary role of foot sole cutaneous feedback is for the control of upright stance and gait. The aim of this study was to compare vibration perceptual thresholds across the foot sole between sitting and standing postures. Vibration perceptual thresholds were measured in sitting and standing postures in 18 healthy participants (8 male) using a custom vibration device. ⋯ In addition, threshold differences between the heels and metatarsals for lower frequency vibratory stimuli were more pronounced while standing, with higher thresholds observed at the heels. Our results demonstrate that standing significantly alters sensitivity across the foot sole. Therefore, conducting perceptual tests at the foot sole during stance could potentially provide more direct information about the ability of cutaneous afferents to signal tactile information in a state where this feedback can contribute to postural control.