INTRODUCTION: Coupling in the distal foot may be due, at least in part, to the foot's windlass mechanism. This mechanism has been demonstrated passively, but its role in dynamic movement is still unclear. A systematic manipulation of metatarsophalangeal (MTP) mechanics may help determine to what extent distal foot coupling during dynamic and active movement is due to the windlass mechanism versus active muscle contractions or springlike ligaments. Furthermore, exploring the windlass mechanism in feet with varying foot structure may aid our understanding of the relationship between foot structure and foot function. PURPOSE: The overall purpose of this study is to investigate the kinematic and kinetic coupling between the MTP and midtarsal joints through a systematic manipulation of the windlass mechanism (achieved through methodical changes to MTP motion). Additionally, we aimed to explore the relationship between foot structure and the efficacy of the windlass mechanism during passive, active, and dynamic movement. METHODS: First, arch height and flexibility were measured using the Arch Height Index Measurement System. Next, participants performed four order-randomized conditions where MTP extension was isolated: 1) Seated Passive MTP Extension, 2) Seated Active MTP Extension, 3) Standing Passive MTP Extension, and 4) Standing Active MTP Extension. Lastly, participants performed three heel raise conditions that manipulated the starting position of the MTP joint: 1) Neutral: normal heel raise, 2) ToeExt: heel raise with the toes placed on an inclined surface of 30 degrees to put the MTP joint into extension, and 3) ToeFlex: heel raise with the toes placed on a declined surface of 30 degrees to put the MTP joint into flexion. All conditions were performed to a metronome of 40 beats per minute to control angular velocity. A kinetic multisegment foot model was created in Visual 3D software and used to calculate ankle, midtarsal, and MTP joint angles, moments, powers, and work. RESULTS: Kinematic coupling was approximately six times greater in the heel raise conditions compared to the isolated MTP extension conditions and suggests that the windlass mechanism only plays a small role in dynamic tasks. This is likely due to the greater involvement of active muscle contractions during heel raises. As the starting position of the MTP joint became increasingly extended, the amount of negative work at the MTP joint increased concomitantly with increased positive work done at the midtarsal joint, while net distal-to-hindfoot work remained unchanged. Our combined results suggest that there is substantial coupling within the distal foot, but this coupling is likely attributed to more than simple passive energy transfer from the windlass mechanism. Future investigations into the intrinsic foot muscle activation and biarticular muscle effects are likely needed to determine the source of this coupling. Lastly, the relationship between foot structure and function is still unclear and our results suggest that arch height or arch flexibility alone may not be adequate predictors of dynamic foot function.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The objective of this work was to study the relationship between liquid discharge and suspended sediment discharge by various methods. The study was carried out at Menino Deus IV Fluviometric Station, located in Santa Maria/RS. It was relating to solid discharge in suspension, using all samples in full waves and without precipitation, with the liquid discharge using the integrated sampler USDH 48 and ISCO sampler punctual. The coefficient of determination of 93.4 % and 85.0 %, were obtained respectively, to the samplers USDH 48 and ISCO, can be considered a good correlation. Also were related the turbidity with the sediments concentration in suspension, obtaining the solid discharge calculated with the liquid discharge using the sampler integrator USDH 48. A correlation coefficient of 93.0 % with all samples and the ISCO 85.2 % were obtained. It was observed that the automatic measurements by turbidity become a viable alternative due to the easy to install and to possible a continuous monitoring and automatic, without the presence of a technician in place, further obtaining similar results to the traditional methods which is recommended in this study. To determine the liquid discharge, the hydrometric windlass traditional method and the acoustic method was used, using an Acoustic Doppler Profiler (ADP). It can be concluded that with the depths less than 0.28 m, the ADP did not execute the reading speed and the presented reading failures. Thus, for measurements in these conditions, it is suggested to use the hydrometric windlass, because it is a device that provides more detail and flexibility when handling. / O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar as relações entre descarga líquida e descarga sólida em suspensão segundo diferentes métodos. O trabalho foi realizado na Estação Fluviométrica Menino Deus IV, localizada em Santa Maria/RS. Relacionou-se a descarga sólida em suspensão, utilizando todas as amostras em ondas de cheia e dias sem precipitação, com a descarga líquida utilizando o amostrador integrado USDH 48 e o amostrador pontual ISCO. Obteve-se coeficientes de determinação de 93,4% e 85,0%, respectivamente para os amostradores USDH 48 e ISCO, podendo ser considerada uma boa correlação. Relacionou-se também a turbidez com a concentração de sedimentos em suspensão, obtendo a descarga sólida calculada com a descarga líquida utilizando o amostrador integrador USDH 48. Obteve-se um coeficiente de correlação de 93,0% com todas as amostras e com o ISCO de 85,2%. Observou que as medições automáticas de turbidez tornam-se uma alternativa viável em função da facilidade de instalação e por possibilitar um monitoramento contínuo e automático, sem a presença de um técnico no local, além da obtenção de resultados próximos aos métodos tradicionais sendo este o recomendado neste estudo. Para a determinação da descarga líquida, utilizou-se o método tradicional do molinete hidrométrico e o método acústico, utilizando o Acoustic Doppler Profiler (ADP). Pode-se concluir que com as profundidades inferiores a 0,28 m, o ADP não apresentou falhas na leitura de velocidade. Assim, para medições nestas condições, sugere-se utilizar o molinete hidrométrico, pois é um equipamento que fornece mais detalhes e agilidade no momento de manuseio.