The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of short-term (14d) unilateral leg immobilization using a simple knee brace (60° flexion)/crutchmediated model on muscle function and morphology in men (M, N=13) and women (W, N=14). Isometric and isokinetic (concentric SLOW, 0.52 rad•s-1 and FAST, 5.24 rad•s-1) knee extensor peak torque was determined at three time points (PRE, DAY -2, and DAY -14). At the same time points, magnetic resonance imaging was used to measure the cross-sectional area of the quadriceps femoris and DEXA scanning was used to calculate leg lean mass. Muscle biopsies were taken from vastus lateralis at PRE and DAY-14 for myosin ATPase and myosin heavy chain analysh Women showed greater decreases (PRE vs. DAY-14) compared to men in specific strength (N•cm-2) for isometric (M=3.1±13.3, W=17.1±15.9%; p= 0.055, [mean±SD]) and concentric SLOW (M=4.7±11.3, W=16.6±18.4%; p<0.05) contractions. There were no immobilization-induced sex-specific differences in the decrease in quadriceps femoris cross-sectional area (M=5.7±5.0, W=5.9±:5.2%) or leg lean mass (M=3.7±4.2, W=2.7±2.8%). There were no fiber type transformations, and the decrease in Type I (M=4.8±5.0, W=5.9±3.4%), IIa (M=7.9±9.9, W=8.8±8.0%) and Ilx (M=10.7±10.8, W=10.8±12.1 %) fiber areas was similar between sexes. These findings indicate that immobilization-indt: ced loss of knee extensor muscle strength is greater in women compared tc men in spite of a similar extent of atrophy at the myofiber and whole muscle levels after only 14d of unilateral leg immobilization. Furthermore, we have described an effective and safe method of knee immobilization that results in significant reductions in quadriceps muscle strength and fiber size. / Thesis / Master of Science (MS)

ITC/USA 2009 Conference Proceedings / The Forty-Fifth Annual International Telemetering Conference and Technical Exhibition / October 26-29, 2009 / Riviera Hotel & Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada / Even after rehabilitation, patients with lower-limb amputation may continue to exhibit suboptimal gait. A wireless telemetry system, featuring force sensors, accelerometers, control electronics and a Bluetooth transmission module was developed to measure plantar pressure information and remotely monitor patient mobility. Plantar pressure characterization studies were performed to determine the optimal sensor placement. Finally, the wireless telemetry system was integrated with a previously developed haptic feedback system in order to allow remote monitoring of patient mobility during haptic system validation trials.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / Persons with lower limb amputations (LLA) experience different challenges in the community. These challenges include the physical, psychological and social function of an individual. Little is known in Malawi on what persons with lower limb amputations go through in the communities where they live. Therefore, the study aimed at exploring and determining community experiences of persons with LLA in Malawi. The study sought to address the following objectives: 1) To determine the functional and psychological status of persons with LLA in the community; 2) To explore and describe experiences on social participation of persons with LLA in the community; 3). To explore experiences on community re-integration following LLA. A mixed method approach was applied where quantitative and qualitative data were collected simultaneously to provide a more holistic overview of the experiences of persons with LLA at one point in time. The study setting was Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) and Kamuzu Central Hospitals (KCH) (500 miles), located in Malawi. A sample of 180 participants was recruited to participate in the study. Three self-administered questionnaires (socio-demographic questionnaire, OPUS module of lower extremity functional status, and a Beck’s depression inventory scale) and a semi-structured interview guide were used for data collection. Thematic data analysis was used to analyze qualitative data, while quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Ethical clearance was obtained from the University of the Western Cape Biomedical Research Ethics Committee (BMREC) and College of Medicine Research Ethics Committee (COMREC). Permission to conduct the study was obtained from KCH (500 miles) and QECH. Privacy andconfidentiality was strictly observed such that data obtained was anonymous. It was kept in a secure place, and electronic data was secured using a password.

Orthoses and auxiliaries are important to the people with lower limb disabled in their daily lives. The purpose of this study is to survey and discuss the existing walking auxiliary mechanism for the lower limb disabled people, and to design a new walking auxiliary mechanism to improve their walking gesture. In order to develop a new auxiliary mechanism for the people with lower limb disabled, commercial orthoses and patents are colleted, analyzed, classified, and compared to each others. Several interviews with a lower limb disablement are arranged and understand what they need. After integrating all the collected information as the design input, theories of mechanism structure synthesis, dimension synthesis, mechanism analysis are utilized to develop a mechanism design of auxiliary for lower limb disabled people to walk, to go up and down the stair. The Pro-Engineering, a CAD software, is used for solid modeling and the Visual Nastran, a CAE software, is applied for motion simulation. The results of computer simulations of walking and climbing up stairs are compared to that of video taken from the interviewed people.

Anti-pronation taping is commonly used by clinicians in the management of lower limb musculoskeletal pain and injury. Despite its frequent use in the clinical setting the mechanism(s) underlying its efficacy is not completely understood. For example, there is evidence that anti-pronation taping produces a biomechanical effect, but there has been little investigation of other mechanisms such as neurophysiological or psychological effects. Additionally, studies to date have been performed in mostly asymptomatic populations and have focused on the initial effect of tape (i.e. immediately following application and through a short duration of activity). Improved understanding of the underlying physiological mechanism(s) of anti-pronation tape is likely to facilitate improved knowledge of the technique, which may optimise its clinical application and contribute to clinical selection guidelines. The aims of this thesis were developed to address several of the limitations in the current anti-pronation taping literature. To facilitate an investigation of the comparative initial physiological effect of anti-pronation tape in a symptomatic and asymptomatic population, the first aim of this thesis was to compare neuromotor control (control of muscle activation and movement patterns) of gait, foot posture and foot mobility between asymptomatic individuals and individuals with a history of exercise related leg pain. The second aim of this thesis was to investigate the initial physiological effects of anti-pronation tape, specifically its neurophysiological (i.e. effect on muscle activation patterns) and biomechanical (i.e. effect on movement patterns, foot posture, foot mobility) effects. Thirdly this thesis aimed to investigate the duration of these initial physiological effects following tape removal. The fourth and fifth aims were to investigate the long term biomechanical and neurophysiological effects of anti-pronation taping i.e. following continual use over a clinically relevant period. In the first instance our aim was to investigate the effect of continual use on neuromotor control of gait, foot posture and foot mobility, and secondly to investigate the effect of continual use on the technique’s initial neurophysiological and biomechanical effects. Individuals with exercise related leg pain demonstrated lower activation of gluteus medius and lateral gastrocnemius during gait, but we observed no differences in lower limb movement patterns or foot posture and foot mobility between the two groups. The initial effect of tape was similar in individuals with and without exercise related leg pain. Specifically application of tape produced a reduction in activation of tibialis posterior, tibialis anterior and medial gastrocnemius, and increased activation of peroneus longus. There was a reduction in foot mobility, ankle plantarflexion and abduction excursion and an increase in ankle dorsiflexion and adduction excursion. Reduced muscle activation and increased motion was also observed at more proximal segments (knee, hip, pelvis), but were of smaller magnitude than at the foot and ankle. Changes in foot mobility, ankle kinematics and leg muscle activity did not continue following the removal of tape, but at more proximal segments (i.e. pelvis, hip and knee) small changes in kinematics and muscle activity were observed following the removal of tape. In regards to long term effects, continual use of tape for approximately 12 days produced a small increase in arch height when compared to a control. We did not observe a change in muscle activation or motion patterns, nor did continual use of the technique influence its initial neurophysiological or biomechanical effects (i.e. reduction in muscle activity, reduction in foot mobility, altered lower limb motion). The studies from this thesis provide evidence that anti-pronation tape should be considered in the management of individuals where reduced midfoot mobility, control of ankle motion or reduced activation of the leg muscles is desired, regardless of symptomatic status. When applied for approximately 12 days, anti-pronation tape produced a small increase in arch height ratio, but no alteration in neuromotor control. We are not aware of any definitive data on what constitutes a clinically meaningful increase in arch height, but results from a published case series suggests that our findings of a small increase in arch height may be clinically relevant for the treatment of lower extremity overuse injuries. Continual use of tape for a clinically relevant period does not alter its initial effects on foot posture and mobility or neuromotor control during gait. It would appear that the initial effects of anti-pronation tape are robust even after continuous use over a period of 11 days.

Anti-pronation taping is commonly used by clinicians in the management of lower limb musculoskeletal pain and injury. Despite its frequent use in the clinical setting the mechanism(s) underlying its efficacy is not completely understood. For example, there is evidence that anti-pronation taping produces a biomechanical effect, but there has been little investigation of other mechanisms such as neurophysiological or psychological effects. Additionally, studies to date have been performed in mostly asymptomatic populations and have focused on the initial effect of tape (i.e. immediately following application and through a short duration of activity). Improved understanding of the underlying physiological mechanism(s) of anti-pronation tape is likely to facilitate improved knowledge of the technique, which may optimise its clinical application and contribute to clinical selection guidelines. The aims of this thesis were developed to address several of the limitations in the current anti-pronation taping literature. To facilitate an investigation of the comparative initial physiological effect of anti-pronation tape in a symptomatic and asymptomatic population, the first aim of this thesis was to compare neuromotor control (control of muscle activation and movement patterns) of gait, foot posture and foot mobility between asymptomatic individuals and individuals with a history of exercise related leg pain. The second aim of this thesis was to investigate the initial physiological effects of anti-pronation tape, specifically its neurophysiological (i.e. effect on muscle activation patterns) and biomechanical (i.e. effect on movement patterns, foot posture, foot mobility) effects. Thirdly this thesis aimed to investigate the duration of these initial physiological effects following tape removal. The fourth and fifth aims were to investigate the long term biomechanical and neurophysiological effects of anti-pronation taping i.e. following continual use over a clinically relevant period. In the first instance our aim was to investigate the effect of continual use on neuromotor control of gait, foot posture and foot mobility, and secondly to investigate the effect of continual use on the technique’s initial neurophysiological and biomechanical effects. Individuals with exercise related leg pain demonstrated lower activation of gluteus medius and lateral gastrocnemius during gait, but we observed no differences in lower limb movement patterns or foot posture and foot mobility between the two groups. The initial effect of tape was similar in individuals with and without exercise related leg pain. Specifically application of tape produced a reduction in activation of tibialis posterior, tibialis anterior and medial gastrocnemius, and increased activation of peroneus longus. There was a reduction in foot mobility, ankle plantarflexion and abduction excursion and an increase in ankle dorsiflexion and adduction excursion. Reduced muscle activation and increased motion was also observed at more proximal segments (knee, hip, pelvis), but were of smaller magnitude than at the foot and ankle. Changes in foot mobility, ankle kinematics and leg muscle activity did not continue following the removal of tape, but at more proximal segments (i.e. pelvis, hip and knee) small changes in kinematics and muscle activity were observed following the removal of tape. In regards to long term effects, continual use of tape for approximately 12 days produced a small increase in arch height when compared to a control. We did not observe a change in muscle activation or motion patterns, nor did continual use of the technique influence its initial neurophysiological or biomechanical effects (i.e. reduction in muscle activity, reduction in foot mobility, altered lower limb motion). The studies from this thesis provide evidence that anti-pronation tape should be considered in the management of individuals where reduced midfoot mobility, control of ankle motion or reduced activation of the leg muscles is desired, regardless of symptomatic status. When applied for approximately 12 days, anti-pronation tape produced a small increase in arch height ratio, but no alteration in neuromotor control. We are not aware of any definitive data on what constitutes a clinically meaningful increase in arch height, but results from a published case series suggests that our findings of a small increase in arch height may be clinically relevant for the treatment of lower extremity overuse injuries. Continual use of tape for a clinically relevant period does not alter its initial effects on foot posture and mobility or neuromotor control during gait. It would appear that the initial effects of anti-pronation tape are robust even after continuous use over a period of 11 days.

Anti-pronation taping is commonly used by clinicians in the management of lower limb musculoskeletal pain and injury. Despite its frequent use in the clinical setting the mechanism(s) underlying its efficacy is not completely understood. For example, there is evidence that anti-pronation taping produces a biomechanical effect, but there has been little investigation of other mechanisms such as neurophysiological or psychological effects. Additionally, studies to date have been performed in mostly asymptomatic populations and have focused on the initial effect of tape (i.e. immediately following application and through a short duration of activity). Improved understanding of the underlying physiological mechanism(s) of anti-pronation tape is likely to facilitate improved knowledge of the technique, which may optimise its clinical application and contribute to clinical selection guidelines. The aims of this thesis were developed to address several of the limitations in the current anti-pronation taping literature. To facilitate an investigation of the comparative initial physiological effect of anti-pronation tape in a symptomatic and asymptomatic population, the first aim of this thesis was to compare neuromotor control (control of muscle activation and movement patterns) of gait, foot posture and foot mobility between asymptomatic individuals and individuals with a history of exercise related leg pain. The second aim of this thesis was to investigate the initial physiological effects of anti-pronation tape, specifically its neurophysiological (i.e. effect on muscle activation patterns) and biomechanical (i.e. effect on movement patterns, foot posture, foot mobility) effects. Thirdly this thesis aimed to investigate the duration of these initial physiological effects following tape removal. The fourth and fifth aims were to investigate the long term biomechanical and neurophysiological effects of anti-pronation taping i.e. following continual use over a clinically relevant period. In the first instance our aim was to investigate the effect of continual use on neuromotor control of gait, foot posture and foot mobility, and secondly to investigate the effect of continual use on the technique’s initial neurophysiological and biomechanical effects. Individuals with exercise related leg pain demonstrated lower activation of gluteus medius and lateral gastrocnemius during gait, but we observed no differences in lower limb movement patterns or foot posture and foot mobility between the two groups. The initial effect of tape was similar in individuals with and without exercise related leg pain. Specifically application of tape produced a reduction in activation of tibialis posterior, tibialis anterior and medial gastrocnemius, and increased activation of peroneus longus. There was a reduction in foot mobility, ankle plantarflexion and abduction excursion and an increase in ankle dorsiflexion and adduction excursion. Reduced muscle activation and increased motion was also observed at more proximal segments (knee, hip, pelvis), but were of smaller magnitude than at the foot and ankle. Changes in foot mobility, ankle kinematics and leg muscle activity did not continue following the removal of tape, but at more proximal segments (i.e. pelvis, hip and knee) small changes in kinematics and muscle activity were observed following the removal of tape. In regards to long term effects, continual use of tape for approximately 12 days produced a small increase in arch height when compared to a control. We did not observe a change in muscle activation or motion patterns, nor did continual use of the technique influence its initial neurophysiological or biomechanical effects (i.e. reduction in muscle activity, reduction in foot mobility, altered lower limb motion). The studies from this thesis provide evidence that anti-pronation tape should be considered in the management of individuals where reduced midfoot mobility, control of ankle motion or reduced activation of the leg muscles is desired, regardless of symptomatic status. When applied for approximately 12 days, anti-pronation tape produced a small increase in arch height ratio, but no alteration in neuromotor control. We are not aware of any definitive data on what constitutes a clinically meaningful increase in arch height, but results from a published case series suggests that our findings of a small increase in arch height may be clinically relevant for the treatment of lower extremity overuse injuries. Continual use of tape for a clinically relevant period does not alter its initial effects on foot posture and mobility or neuromotor control during gait. It would appear that the initial effects of anti-pronation tape are robust even after continuous use over a period of 11 days.

Introduction: The number of girls and women participating in all levels of soccer has risen greatly in recent years. Rationale for the study: The injury risk is high in soccer, but little is known about the mechanisms by which these injuries occur. Objective: To describe the types of injuries and the mechanisms sustained by teenage girls playing soccer. Design: A descriptive study was done. Method: An injury observation sheet was used to collect data over one week of interregional schools tournament that took place in August 2003, Rustenburg, North West province. For all injuries the following information was documented: type of injury, site of injury, mechanism of injury, cause of injury, part of field, time of ball in play and player position. The teenage girls playing soccer who participated in the USSASSA summer ball games tournament were used. The verbal player informed consent form which provided information on the rights of participants was also drawn and handed to all participants to familiarize themselves with contents prior to a game. Results: Main findings in this study were that the ligament sprains accounted for the highest number (57%) of total injuries sustained by the teenage girls playing soccer. Contusions were the less common type of injury that affected teenage girls. Tackling was the mechanism responsible for most injuries (49%). Strikers were the players’ positions associated with all types of injuries sustained in this study, 72% of strains, 56 %of strains and 45% of total contusions. Goal keepers were not affected by any of the lower limb injuries in this study. Conclusion: Injuries sustained by teenage girls are minor in nature. Sprains and strains are the most common injuries affecting ankles and knees. Injury prevention program can have beneficial results if implemented at developmental stage of their carriers. / Dissertation (MPhyst (Sports Medicine))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Physiotherapy / MPhyst / unrestricted

Exoskeletons can be helpful to patients who suffer from muscular dysfunctions. Recent studies focus on exoskeletons which can perform complex human movements. Further analysis is needed in the area of unusual movements like obstacle clearance to design an assistive device which can deliver effective aid to the intended patients in need. It is necessary to understand the behavior of lower limb muscles when they are subjected to complex physical activity. This study is aimed to analyze the activity of muscles in the lower body during obstacle clearance. Two different levels of obstacle have been maintained, analyzed and compared with a normal gait. The muscle groups taken for the study are quadriceps, hamstrings and plantar flexors. The primary hypothesis is that the quadriceps, Hamstrings, and dorsi flexors tend to have higher muscle activation while performing a complex physical task like stepping over an obstacle with the heights of 20 cms and 36 cms than a normal walking gait. The muscles from those three mentioned groups contribute more to the obstacle clearance compare to that of normal gait. Further research is recommended to expand knowledge about muscle activation.

Powered exoskeletons can assist patients suffering from motor dysfunctions. Recent researches are focused on how to improve the communication system between patient and device. Further research is needed in order to design an EMG based robotic assistive device able to convey intended motions to the patient. The primary need is the understanding of how EMG patterns from different muscles contribute to motions. Studies on muscle synergy have shown how different muscles of lower limbs contribute to gait. This study is aimed to expand the analysis to motions other than gait by analysing ten muscles around the right knee joint. The chosen muscle were soleus, gastrocnemius medialis, gastrocnemius lateralis, peroneus longus, tibialis anterior, rectus femoris, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris and semitendinosus. The main hypothesis is that specific movements are controlled by specific muscle synergies. Motion data and EMG data of eight healthy subjects have been compared in order to outline a coordination pattern specific to four different movements: gait, gait stop and balance, sit to stand and stand to sit. Through the analysis of EMG signals, three muscle synergies have been identified including muscles from the same group, i.e. four plantar flexors, three quadriceps and two hamstrings. It was possible to conclude that the four movements were controlled by the same muscle synergies with different coordination patterns. Further research is recommended to expand the knowledge about muscle synergies.