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Biomechanics and Neuromuscular Control of Gait and Posture

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A special issue of Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology (ISSN 2411-5142). This special issue belongs to the section "Functional Anatomy and Musculoskeletal System".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 August 2024 | Viewed by 12574

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Philippe Gorce

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Guest Editor

International Institute of Biomechanics and Occupational Ergonomics, Université de Toulon, CS60584, 83041 Toulon, France
Interests: musculoskeletal disorders; systematic reviews and meta-analysis; occupational health; ergonomics; biomechanics; MSD prevalence; safety; public health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

One of the challenges of the 21st century is enabling people to live longer in good health. Maintaining motor functions plays an important role in the well-being and quality of life. Walking and maintaining posture are fundamental to preserving functional independence. From this perspective, understanding the mechanisms that lead to a reduction in the effects of aging, neurodegenerative diseases and other causes is a major multidisciplinary scientific challenge. It is therefore important to understand how motor disorders or alterations (or more generally impairments) modify body biomechanics and motor control of walking or posture. This Special Issue is devoted to recent advances in research into the use of biomechanics and knowledge relating neuromuscular control to understand motor alterations, design new therapies or develop technical aids to restore autonomy. We encourage all articles promoting the latest research in the fields of health, rehabilitation, sport and ergonomics that contribute to improving people's health and quality of life.

Prof. Dr. Philippe Gorce
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

musculoskeletal diseases
neuromuscular
neuromechanics
biomechanics
modeling and simulation
gait and posture
balance
movement analysis
muscle fatigue
electromyography
reaction to ground force
center of pressure
asymmetry

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

13 pages, 1938 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Erosion of Stumble Correction Evoked with Superficial Peroneal Nerve Stimulation in Older Adults during Walking

by Ryan Brodie, Marc Klimstra, Drew Commandeur and Sandra Hundza

J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2024, 9(2), 94; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk9020094 - 27 May 2024

Viewed by 159

Abstract

In healthy young adults, electrical stimulation of the superficial peroneal cutaneous nerve (SPn) innervating the dorsum of the foot has been shown to elicit functionally relevant reflexes during walking that are similar to those evoked by mechanical perturbation to the dorsum of the foot during walking and are referred to as stumble corrective (obstacle avoidance) responses. Though age-related differences in reflexes induced by mechanical perturbation have been studied, toe clearance has not been measured. Further, age-related differences in reflexes evoked by electrical stimulation of SPn have yet to be determined. Thus, the purpose of this study was to characterize age-related differences between healthy young adults and older adults with no history of falls in stumble correction responses evoked by electrical stimulation of the SPn at the ankle during walking. Toe clearance relative to the walking surface along with joint displacement and angular velocity at the ankle and knee and EMG of the tibialis anterior, medial gastrocnemius, biceps femoris and vastus lateralis were measured. The combined background and reflex toe clearance was reduced in the older adults compared with the young in mid-early swing (p = 0.011). These age-related differences likely increase fall risk in the older adult cohort. Further, age-related changes were seen in joint kinematics and EMG in older adults compared with the young such as decreased amplitude of the plantarflexion reflex in early swing in older adults (p < 0.05). These altered reflexes reflect the degradation of the stumble corrective response in older adults. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics and Neuromuscular Control of Gait and Posture)

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12 pages, 1669 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Disc Degeneration and Cervical Spine Intervertebral Motion: A Cross-Sectional Study in Patients with Neck Pain and Matched Healthy Controls

by Jonathan Branney, Alexander Breen, Alister du Rose, Philip Mowlem and Alan Breen

J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2024, 9(1), 55; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk9010055 - 19 Mar 2024

Viewed by 1035

Abstract

While neck pain can be defined in clinical terms, in most cases the underlying pathophysiology is largely unknown. Regional cervical spine range of motion is often found to be reduced in patients with neck pain compared to persons without pain although it is not clear if the decreased range is cause or effect. Less is known about the role of intervertebral kinematics and how that might be related to the presence of disc degeneration. In this study, the prevalence of intervertebral disc degeneration and continuous cervical intervertebral motion were both measured utilizing quantitative fluoroscopy (QF) in patients with subacute or chronic neck pain (n = 29) and gender-matched healthy controls (n = 30). A composite disc degeneration (CDD) score was calculated for each participant from the first, neutral, lateral fluoroscopic image. Intervertebral motion sharing parameters of motion-sharing inequality (MSI) and motion-sharing variability (MSV) were derived from the active cervical motion sequences obtained while patients were seated. The objective was to determine if average age, CDD, MSI, and MSV values were correlated and if there were differences in these variables between the neck pain group and the healthy control group. Correlation analysis was conducted for age, CDD, MSI, and MSV in each group. Age was moderately correlated with MSV in cervical spine extension in patients only (r = 0.63, p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the prevalence of disc degeneration (CDD) between patients, who had on average mild pain and related disability, and healthy controls (median CDD 2 both groups, p = 0.94). There were also no significant differences in either flexion or extension intervertebral motion-sharing inequality or variability (MSI or MSV) between groups as measured during active cervical motion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics and Neuromuscular Control of Gait and Posture)

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10 pages, 2169 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Able-Bodied Study for Potential Usage of a Knee Scooter as a Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) Gait Training Device

by Jaewook Kim, Yekwang Kim, Juhui Moon and Seung-Jong Kim

J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2024, 9(1), 45; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk9010045 - 4 Mar 2024

Viewed by 1190

Abstract

Post-stroke gait is characterized by slow and asymmetrical hemiparetic gait. This is attributed to the paretic lower limb which has limited plantar propulsion. The most effective method to restore paretic limb function is constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT), which promotes the usage of the paretic limb by restricting the movement of the unafflicted limb. However, due to the necessity of both lower limbs to perform gait, CIMT methods could not be directly applied for gait rehabilitation. In this study, we explore the feasibility of utilizing a knee scooter as a means to facilitate CIMT gait training. We hypothesize that if lower limb kinematics and muscle activation patterns during gait with a knee scooter match that of natural gait, the knee scooter could be utilized for CIMT gait training. We measured the lower-limb joint angles, plantar force, EMG patterns, stride length, and step times of 13 healthy subjects during gait with a knee scooter and natural gait. The results suggest that the gait patterns while using the knee scooter closely resemble those of natural gait. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics and Neuromuscular Control of Gait and Posture)

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14 pages, 2107 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Unveiling the Chaos in Postural Control in Adults with Achondroplasia

by Inês Alves, Maria António Castro, Sofia Tavares and Orlando Fernandes

J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2024, 9(1), 39; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk9010039 - 26 Feb 2024

Viewed by 1184

Abstract

Background: Achondroplasia is a rare genetic skeletal condition characterized by disproportionate short stature. There is limited evidence on postural control in adults with achondroplasia and how lower limb lengthening (intervention) interacts with body dynamics. This study investigated sway variability during quiet standing in adults with achondroplasia with natural growth (N) and with lower limb lengthening (LL). Methods: Sixteen adults performed bilateral/unilateral standing tasks. Linear (total excursion, amplitude, and ellipse area) and nonlinear (sample entropy and correlation dimension) center of pressure sway metrics were analyzed in the anteroposterior/mediolateral directions. Relationships between posture metrics, strength, and physical activity were explored. Between-groups statistics were calculated. Results: The LL group exhibited amplified linear sway, indicating larger postural deviations, and reduced sample entropy and correlation dimension, indicative of more rigid and repeated corrections. The N group exhibited more unpredictable and adaptive movement corrections. Numerous correlations emerged between strength and posture measures, with relationships altered by intervention. Conclusions: Adults with achondroplasia display distinct balance strategies influenced by intervention. The results indicate that LL is associated with altered variability and adaptability compared to natural development. Relationships with muscle strength spotlight a key role of muscle capacity in postural control modulation after growth alterations in this population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics and Neuromuscular Control of Gait and Posture)

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8 pages, 242 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Evaluation of the Balance Test and MuscleLab Test for the Early Detection of Femoroacetabular Impingement

by Roberto Centemeri, Michele Augusto Riva, Michael Belingheri, Maria Emilia Paladino, Marco Italo D’Orso and Jari Intra

J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2023, 8(4), 159; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk8040159 - 14 Nov 2023

Viewed by 1393

Abstract

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a common source of hip pain affecting a wide range of subjects. In this work, we assessed two tests, namely the balance test and the MuscleLab test, in comparison with the flexion–abduction–external rotation (FABER) and flexion–adduction–internal rotation (FADIR) tests, in order to evaluate the functionality of the neural–musculoskeletal system of the subjects affected by FAI based on the measurement of biomechanical parameters. Our goal was to investigate the early detection of an altered hip joint and to monitor pathology progression over time. A total of 52 subjects, 29 females and 23 males, with an average age of 42 ± 13 years presenting hip impingement diagnosed using X-ray, were enrolled. Twenty-eight patients without signs of hip impingements were used as the control group. The balance test, which evaluates the capacity of a person to keep the orthostatic position against terrestrial gravity, and the MuscleLab test, which measures the force and power generated by active muscles during a movement, as well as FABER and FADIR tests, were performed in each subject. The balance and MuscleLab tests presented 100% sensitivity and higher sensitivity in FAI diagnosis, with 72.9% and 70.4%, respectively, in comparison with those obtained using FABER and FADIR tests, with 59.6% and 67.3%, respectively. The evaluation of the neural–musculoskeletal system using the balance and MuscleLab tests can help in the early detection of the severity of hip impingements and the assessment of non-operative treatments used over time. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics and Neuromuscular Control of Gait and Posture)

11 pages, 805 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Gait Variability at Different Walking Speeds

by Johnny Padulo, Susanna Rampichini, Marta Borrelli, Daniel Maria Buono, Christian Doria and Fabio Esposito

J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2023, 8(4), 158; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk8040158 - 8 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1952

Abstract

Gait variability (GV) is a crucial measure of inconsistency of muscular activities or body segmental movements during repeated tasks. Hence, GV might serve as a relevant and sensitive measure to quantify adjustments of walking control. However, it has not been clarified whether GV is associated with walking speed, a clarification needed to exploit effective better bilateral coordination level. For this aim, fourteen male students (age 22.4 ± 2.7 years, body mass 74.9 ± 6.8 kg, and body height 1.78 ± 0.05 m) took part in this study. After three days of walking 1 km each day at a self-selected speed (SS) on asphalt with an Apple Watch S. 7 (Apple^TM, Cupertino, CA, USA), the participants were randomly evaluated on a treadmill at three different walking speed intensities for 10 min at each one, SS − 20%/SS + 20%/ SS, with 5 min of passive recovery in-between. Heart rate (HR) was monitored and normalized as %HR_max, while the rate of perceived exertion (RPE) (CR-10 scale) was asked after each trial. Kinematic analysis was performed, assessing the Contact Time (CT), Swing Time (ST), Stride Length (SL), Stride Cycle (SC), and Gait Variability as Phase Coordination Index (PCI). RPE and HR increased as the walking speed increased (p = 0.005 and p = 0.035, respectively). CT and SC decreased as the speed increased (p = 0.0001 and p = 0.013, respectively), while ST remained unchanged (p = 0.277). SL increased with higher walking speed (p = 0.0001). Conversely, PCI was 3.81 ± 0.88% (high variability) at 3.96 ± 0.47 km·h⁻¹, 2.64 ± 0.75% (low variability) at SS (4.94 ± 0.58 km·h⁻¹), and 3.36 ± 1.09% (high variability) at 5.94 ± 0.70 km·h⁻¹ (p = 0.001). These results indicate that while the metabolic demand and kinematics variables change linearly with increasing speed, the most effective GV was observed at SS. Therefore, SS could be a new methodological approach to choose the individual walking speed, normalize the speed intensity, and avoid a gait pattern alteration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics and Neuromuscular Control of Gait and Posture)

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Graphical abstract

9 pages, 278 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Force–Velocity Relationship in Cycling and Arm Cranking: A Comparison of Men and Women

by Jan Heller, Ivana Kinkorova, Pavel Vodicka, Pantelis Theodoros Nikolaidis and Stefan Balko

J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2023, 8(4), 151; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk8040151 - 30 Oct 2023

Viewed by 1312

Abstract

This study was aimed at comparing the force–velocity relationship during cycling and arm cranking in males and females. Thirty-two male and twenty-two female healthy volunteers performed a force–velocity test on a cycle ergometer and a cranking ergometer in a randomly selected order. The theoretical values of the maximum force at zero speed (F₀) and the maximum velocity at zero braking force (v₀) for the lower and upper limbs were determined, and the maximum anaerobic power (Pmax) was calculated from the individual force–velocity relationship. The Pmax and F₀ of the upper limbs related to the lower limbs correspond to 78.2 ± 14.3% and 80.1 ± 17.3% in men and 65.5 ± 12.5% and 74.5 ± 6.5% in women, respectively. The theoretical maximum velocity v₀ of the upper limbs to the lower limbs attained 129.1 ± 29.0% in men and 127.4 ± 26.4% in women. The results of the study can serve as reference data for the force–velocity characteristics of the upper and lower limbs of male and female athletes. The results can be used both in training and rehabilitation programs, where the starting point is the objectification of possible strength deficits in various areas of the force–velocity characteristic spectrum of the muscles of the upper and lower limbs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics and Neuromuscular Control of Gait and Posture)

Review

Jump to: Research

17 pages, 484 KiB

Open AccessReview

Role of Sport Vision in Performance: Systematic Review

by Andrea Buscemi, Flora Mondelli, Ilaria Biagini, Stella Gueli, Angela D'Agostino and Marinella Coco

J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2024, 9(2), 92; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk9020092 - 23 May 2024

Viewed by 317

Abstract

Sport Vision is a speciality of multidisciplinary interest aimed at improving the performance of the visual system to achieve benefits in practiced sports, as well as in daily life and in preventive care. The type of training practiced by the athlete, his or her physical condition, cognitive level, and level of fatigue condition affects the speed of the reaction time and, consequently, the speed of motor response. Specific orthoptic exercises, the use of technological devices, the recovery of static and dynamic postural stability by using unstable platforms and the dual-task paradigm can help to achieve the expected results. The aim of this systematic review of Sport Vision was to assess the overall existing literature on Sport Vision, paying particular attention to the effects of visual training and its application in different sports and in rehabilitation and preventive settings. We analysed published English language studies about the role of sport vision in athletic performance from 1950 to 2023. We searched through the Medline database. The PRISMA 2020 checklist was used to assess the transparency and reproducibility of this review. The enrolled papers were evaluated with the Jadad Scale, Amstar 2 Scale and Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. 25 (16 studies, 5 reviews, 2 comments, 1 editorial, 1 descriptive paper) out of 476 studies met the inclusion criteria. Due to the variability in the age of the samples, the different techniques, the treatments among the participants in the studies and the finding of non-evaluable articles, a meta-analysis was not conducted. The limitations of this review are the single database research, the studies analyzed contain a non-statistically representative sample size and the lack of a control group. There is no standardized test to measure performance. It was shown that the development of visual skills can benefit athletes in injury prevention, and can lead to improved sports performance and motor function at any age, acquiring adaptive motor behaviour even when the visual system is impaired, due to task repetition and familiarity of the gesture. We intended to identify a multidisciplinary approach and a manual treatment scheme to optimize the circuitry involved in sport vision in order to increase the results that are achieved, but further studies will be needed to this end. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics and Neuromuscular Control of Gait and Posture)

15 pages, 1664 KiB

Open AccessReview

Managing Lower Limb Muscle Reinjuries in Athletes: From Risk Factors to Return-to-Play Strategies

by Stefano Palermi, Filippo Vittadini, Marco Vecchiato, Alessandro Corsini, Andrea Demeco, Bruno Massa, Carles Pedret, Alberto Dorigo, Mauro Gallo, Giulio Pasta, Gianni Nanni, Alberto Vascellari, Andrea Marchini, Lasse Lempainen and Felice Sirico

J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2023, 8(4), 155; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk8040155 - 6 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3508

Abstract

Muscle injuries and subsequent reinjuries significantly impact athletes, especially in football. These injuries lead to time loss, performance impairment, and long-term health concerns. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of muscle reinjuries, delving into their epidemiology, risk factors, clinical management, and prevention strategies. Despite advancements in rehabilitation programs and return-to-play criteria, reinjury rates remain alarmingly high. Age and previous muscle injuries are nonmodifiable risk factors contributing to a high reinjury rate. Clinical management, which involves accurate diagnosis, individualized rehabilitation plans, and the establishment of return-to-training and return-to-play criteria, plays a pivotal role during the sports season. Eccentric exercises, optimal loading, and training load monitoring are key elements in preventing reinjuries. The potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in predicting and preventing reinjuries offers a promising avenue, emphasizing the need for a multidisciplinary approach to managing these injuries. While current strategies offer some mitigation, there is a pressing need for innovative solutions, possibly leveraging AI, to reduce the incidence of muscle reinjuries in football players. Future research should focus on this direction, aiming to enhance athletes’ well-being and performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics and Neuromuscular Control of Gait and Posture)

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