Article
Rehabilitation
Jana Tuijtelaars, Max Keller, Frans Nollet, Merel-Anne Brehm, Jaap van Dieen, Melvyn Roerdink
Summary: This study investigated the fatigue experienced by polio survivors during 6-min walking and how it influenced their normal and adaptive walking. The results showed that leg-muscle activation declined over time during adaptive walking and cardiorespiratory fatigue increased during all tests, especially in polio survivors. Furthermore, walking adaptability was further degraded by cardiorespiratory fatigue during narrow-beam walking in polio survivors. These findings suggest that fatigue might increase the risk of falls among polio survivors.
JOURNAL OF REHABILITATION MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Yali Han, Frank C. Sup, Ziyang Han, Zhangzhang Mi
Summary: Adding mass affects human movement and alters lower limb muscle activities. This study investigated the influence of added mass on lower limbs by analyzing kinematics, muscle activities, and energy consumption. The results showed that with increased mass, muscle activation and joint torque increased, stride time decreased, and energy expenditure raised correspondingly. Overall, participants adjusted their muscle activities and movement patterns in response to added mass, indicating a relationship between energy consumption and added mass.
JOURNAL OF BIONIC ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Biology
Melody W. Young, Samantha K. Lynch, Edwin Dickinson, Allen A. Currier, Elizabeth C. Davoli, Christopher S. Hanna, Hannah M. Fischer, Gianluca A. DiUbaldi, Michael C. Granatosky
Summary: This study investigates how arboreal substrates influence the locomotor behavior of birds, focusing on the rosy-faced lovebird. It found that birds adopt a sidling gait on small and medium diameter poles, but not on the ground, due to their foot morphology. This movement mechanic may be widespread among avian taxa and humans during arboreal locomotion.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Orthopedics
H. T. Philpott, M. M. Carter, T. B. Birmingham, R. Pinto, C. A. Primeau, J. R. Giffin, B. A. Lanting, C. T. Appleton
Summary: The study explored the association between knee synovial perivascular edema and gait biomechanics in patients with knee osteoarthritis. It found that the presence of synovial perivascular edema is associated with aberrant patterns of knee loading, indicating a link between biomechanics and synovial inflammation.
OSTEOARTHRITIS AND CARTILAGE
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Marlene Alonso-Juarez, Robert Fekete, Jose Fidel Baizabal-Carvallo
Summary: Lower limb weakness and allied abnormal sensations are common in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, there is a dissociation between perceived weakness and objective muscle strength in the lower limbs. These abnormal sensations are mostly related to gait freezing, but a causal association is questionable.
THERAPEUTIC ADVANCES IN NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Dmitry Skvortsov, Sergey Kaurkin, Alexey Prizov, Aljona Altukhova, Alexander Troitskiy, Fedor Lazko
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the specific features of gait, knee, and hip function in patients with Grade II medial osteoarthritis. Biomechanical parameters showed significant changes in gait and joint movements in affected and intact limbs. Symptoms included unloading of the affected limb, limiting load on the affected joint, and gait harmonization.
Article
Orthopedics
J. C. Schrijvers, D. Rutherford, R. Richards, J. C. van den Noort, M. van der Esch, J. Harlaar
Summary: This study compared knee biomechanics and muscle activation patterns from different laboratories and found offsets and phase shifts in gait data. Harmonization of protocols improved inter-laboratory comparisons, particularly in muscle activation patterns. Further protocol harmonization is recommended to facilitate valid comparisons and multicenter trials.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Alice M. Benton, Pouya Amiri, David P. Henson, Biranavan Sivapuratharasu, Alison H. Mcgregor, Anthony M. J. Bull
Summary: The study aims to characterize muscle recruitment during gait in persons with bilateral transfemoral and through-knee limb loss. It was found that due to reduced musculoskeletal capacity, compensatory gait strategies are adopted by this population. The study also highlighted the importance of considering the mechanical demand on the hip flexors in rehabilitation interventions to enhance functionality.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Amir Bagheri, Rezvan Hashemi, Ramin Heshmat, Ahmadreza Dorosty Motlagh, Ahmad Esmaillzadeh
Summary: The study identified three major nutrient-based dietary patterns associated with sarcopenia and its components. The anti-inflammatory pattern was inversely related to the odds of sarcopenia and low muscle strength, while the carbo-vit pattern was inversely associated with the odds of low gait speed. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.
FRONTIERS IN NUTRITION
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Stuart C. Millar, Kieran Bennett, Mark Rickman, Dominic Thewlis
Summary: This study assessed the changes in lower limb sagittal plane joint angles during a six-minute walk test for people with mild-moderate knee osteoarthritis. The results showed no significant differences in hip and knee joint angles between the first and last minute of the test, but a reduction in ankle joint plantarflexion was observed in the last minute. There were no significant differences in walking speed or joint range of motion.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
C. N. Gambelli, J. Bredin, A. -C M. Doix, J. Garcia, V. Tanant, M. Fournier-Mehouas, C. Desnuelle, S. Sacconi, S. S. Colson
Summary: This study aimed to assess the effect of tibialis anterior muscle weakness on foot drop and minimum toe clearance in patients with facioscapulohumeral dystrophy during gait. It was found that patients with severe tibialis anterior muscle weakness exhibited increased foot drop in swing, while patients with mild weakness only showed foot drop in late swing. Manual muscle testing is a simple, cheap and effective method to assess tibialis anterior muscle weakness and seems promising for identifying facioscapulohumeral dystrophy patients at an increased risk of tripping.
CLINICAL BIOMECHANICS
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
N. F. J. Waterval, K. Veerkamp, T. Geijtenbeek, J. Harlaar, F. Nollet, M. A. Brehm, M. M. van der Krogt
Summary: The study validated a predictive simulation framework for walking with bilateral plantarflexor weakness and showed a quadratic relationship between plantarflexor strength and walking energy cost and speed. The simulations indicated that pathological gait features emerge especially when bilateral plantarflexor weakness exceeds 60%.
Article
Neurosciences
Ines Vandekerckhove, Mariska Wesseling, Hans Kainz, Kaat Desloovere, Ilse Jonkers
Summary: This study explored the effect of hip muscle weakness and femoral deformities on the gait performance of children with cerebral palsy and typical developing subjects. The results showed that apparent equinus and stiff knee gait were more limited by hip weakness and femoral deformities, while jump gait, true equinus, and especially crouch were more robust. This suggests that surgical correction of femoral deformities may be more effective than strength training of hip muscles in enhancing CP gait performance.
Article
Neurosciences
Elza van Duijnhoven, Marit van der Veen, Fieke S. Koopman, Frans Nollet, Sjoerd M. Bruijn, Merel-Anne Brehm
Summary: Gait stability is impaired in polio survivors with plantarflexor weakness, characterized by increased step width and step length variability and lower MoSAP. These factors are related to the elevated energy cost of walking in polio survivors.
Article
Neurosciences
Matthew G. King, Anthony G. Schache, Adam Semciw, Kane J. Middleton, Joshua J. Heerey, Joanne L. Kemp, Prasanna Sritharan, Mark J. Scholes, Benjamin F. Mentiplay, Kay M. Crossley
Summary: The study found no significant differences in joint work during walking, but differences were observed in the relative contribution of knee joint negative work during single-leg drop jump in females. Additionally, the iHOT33 score was significantly associated with hip and ankle joint work.
Letter
Surgery
Jaap J. van Netten, Nicolaas C. Schaper, Jan Apelqvist, Sicco A. Bus, Robert J. Hinchliffe, Benjamin A. Lipsky
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF VASCULAR AND ENDOVASCULAR SURGERY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Jennefer B. J. Zwaferink, Wim Custers, Irma Paardekooper, Heleen A. Berendsen, Sicco A. Bus
Summary: Adding a full-length carbon reinforcement to the outsole of a diabetes-specific shoe significantly reduces peak pressures at the metatarsal heads in high-risk people with diabetes, without compromising walking comfort.
Article
Neurosciences
N. F. J. Waterval, K. Veerkamp, T. Geijtenbeek, J. Harlaar, F. Nollet, M. A. Brehm, M. M. van der Krogt
Summary: The study validated a predictive simulation framework for walking with bilateral plantarflexor weakness and showed a quadratic relationship between plantarflexor strength and walking energy cost and speed. The simulations indicated that pathological gait features emerge especially when bilateral plantarflexor weakness exceeds 60%.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Niels F. J. Waterval, Merel-Anne Brehm, Jaap Harlaar, Frans Nollet
Summary: The study showed that in individuals with calf muscle weakness, the current supplier recommendations for the stiffness level of the ankle-foot orthoses are often too stiff, achieving only 80% of the energy cost reduction compared to the experimentally optimized stiffness. It is recommended to experimentally optimize the stiffness to maximize treatment outcomes.
JOURNAL OF NEUROENGINEERING AND REHABILITATION
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
N. F. J. Waterval, M. A. Brehm, J. Harlaar, F. Nollet
Summary: Individuals with unilateral plantar flexor weakness exhibit higher impact forces on the contralateral leg compared to healthy subjects. Energy cost optimized dorsiflexion leaf AFOs can significantly reduce this force and improve impact symmetry in individuals with unilateral plantar flexor weakness.
Article
Rehabilitation
Jana Tuijtelaars, Martine Jeukens-Visser, Frans Nollet, Merel-Anne Brehm
Summary: This study explored factors associated with walking adaptability and found that leg muscle weakness and reduced balance confidence are limiting factors for walking adaptability in polio survivors. The study also revealed that target-stepping performance is related to falling. These findings are important for fall prevention in polio survivors.
ARCHIVES OF PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
N. F. J. Waterval, V. L. Meekes, M. T. Hooijmans, M. Froeling, R. T. Jaspers, J. Oudeman, A. J. Nederveen, M. A. Brehm, F. Nollet
Summary: This study investigated the changes in plantar flexor function during walking in individuals with neuromuscular diseases using diffusion tensor imaging and T2 imaging. The results showed a correlation between T2 relaxation time and plantar flexor strength, ankle moment, and power, while fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity were only related to plantar flexor strength.
CLINICAL BIOMECHANICS
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Jana Tuijtelaars, Merel-Anne Brehm, Frans Nollet, Melvyn Roerdink
Summary: This study demonstrated the validity and reproducibility of the C-Mill walking-adaptability assessment in polio survivors. Adding walking-adaptability assessment, particularly the more challenging tests, to currently used clinical tests could improve fall-risk evaluation in this population.
Editorial Material
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Niels F. J. Waterval, Merel-Anne Brehm
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elza van Duijnhoven, Fieke S. Koopman, Hilde E. Ploeger, Frans Nollet, Merel-Anne Brehm
Summary: This study found that specialized care orthoses provided better treatment outcomes compared to usual care orthoses for adults with NMD. Guideline-based orthotic care within a multidisciplinary expertise setting could improve goal attainment and walking ability.
Review
Rehabilitation
Sander Oorschot, Merel-Anne Brehm, Joost Daams, Frans Nollet, Eric Lucas Voorn
Summary: This study summarized the evidence on the efficacy of aerobic exercise on aerobic capacity in slowly progressive neuromuscular diseases (NMDs). The findings showed that aerobic exercise can improve aerobic capacity directly post-intervention, but the long-term efficacy remains unclear.
ANNALS OF PHYSICAL AND REHABILITATION MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Laura M. M. Oudenhoven, Marjolein M. M. Van Der Krogt, Sanne Ettema, Karin Roeleveld, Merel A. A. Brehm, Annemieke I. I. Buizer
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effects of fatigue on kinematics, kinetics, and energy cost of walking in children with cerebral palsy. The results showed that kinematic deviations occurred in children with cerebral palsy during prolonged walking, while kinetics and energy cost of walking did not significantly change. Therefore, an individualized approach is recommended to study the effects of physical fatigue on gait in clinical practice.
DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE AND CHILD NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
N. F. J. Waterval, M. A. Brehm, K. Veerkamp, T. Geijtenbeek, J. Harlaar, F. Nollet, M. M. van der Krogt
Summary: In order to maximize the effects of dorsal leaf ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) on gait in people with bilateral plantarflexor weakness, the AFO properties should be matched to the individual. This study investigated the interaction of AFO bending stiffness with neutral angle and footplate stiffness on gait function. The results showed that higher AFO bending stiffness and dorsiflexion of the neutral angle minimized energy cost of walking and normalized joint kinematics and kinetics.
JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS
(2023)
Article
Rehabilitation
Jana Tuijtelaars, Max Keller, Frans Nollet, Merel-Anne Brehm, Jaap van Dieen, Melvyn Roerdink
Summary: This study investigated the fatigue experienced by polio survivors during 6-min walking and how it influenced their normal and adaptive walking. The results showed that leg-muscle activation declined over time during adaptive walking and cardiorespiratory fatigue increased during all tests, especially in polio survivors. Furthermore, walking adaptability was further degraded by cardiorespiratory fatigue during narrow-beam walking in polio survivors. These findings suggest that fatigue might increase the risk of falls among polio survivors.
JOURNAL OF REHABILITATION MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Rehabilitation
Bart Raijmakers, Roelofine A. Berendsen-De Gooijer, Hilde E. Ploeger, Fieke S. Koopman, Frans Nollet, Merel-Anne Brehm
Summary: This study investigated the use of custom-made knee-ankle-foot orthoses in daily life and the differences in usability factors between users and discontinued users among polio survivors. The majority of survivors used their knee-ankle-foot orthoses in daily life. Factors related to continued use include walking ability without orthosis, expectations of the orthosis, previous orthosis experience, and type of knee-ankle-foot orthosis provided.
JOURNAL OF REHABILITATION MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Nina Gras, Torsten Brauner, Scott Wearing, Thomas Horstmann
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the challenge posed by progressively unstable balance devices to bipedal stance during early functional rehabilitation in THA patients. The results showed that increasingly compliant balance pads provided a progressive challenge, while the challenge posed by the oscillating platform was lower and independent of the ability to stand independently.
Article
Neurosciences
Sharon M. H. Tsang, Evest H. W. Chan, Jason Y. H. Chan, Gladys P. Y. Huang, Kelly K. T. Lam, Eunice W. Y. Lam, Allan C. L. Fu, Eliza R. Sun
Summary: This study examined the differences in postural adjustments between erect, hyperlordotic, and swayback postures when facing external perturbations. The findings suggest that adopting hyperlordotic and swayback postures alters the contributions of the active and passive subsystems of the spine in postural control, potentially reducing the spine's ability to withstand loading and shear forces.
Article
Neurosciences
Hsin-yi Wang, Cheng-Yi Ho, Min-Chun Pan
Summary: This study investigated the differences in lumbar and hip movements during gait and muscle activities related to knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients and healthy participants. The results showed that KOA patients used a hyperlordotic lumbar and hip flexed strategy, leading to excessive stress on the lower extremity joints during gait.
Article
Neurosciences
Yoshitaka Otani, Osamu Aoki
Summary: This study found that feelings of fear affect postural control but not the internal focus of attention. This finding may be useful in assessments and interventions for older adults with a fall risk.
Article
Neurosciences
Haruki Toda, Hiroaki Hobara, Mitsunori Tada
Summary: This study investigated sex differences in lower limb dynamic joint stiffness (DJS) during walking in older adults. The results showed that ankle DJS was lower in older women, which was caused by the reduced ankle plantarflexion moment. However, knee DJS did not elucidate the cause of knee osteoarthritis (OA) in older women.
Article
Neurosciences
Luis H. Cubillos, Elliott J. Rouse, Thomas E. Augenstein, Varun Joshi, Edward S. Claflin, Chandramouli Krishnan
Summary: The study found that the reliability of stiffness, viscosity, and inertia of the ankle joint was good to excellent during standing. During walking, the reliability of stiffness and viscosity was also good to excellent, while that of inertia was fair to good. The minimal detectable change (MDC) ranged widely, but was higher for inertia during walking.
Article
Neurosciences
Alexandra F. Dejong Lempke, Danielle L. Hunt, Sarah B. Willwerth, Pierre A. d'Hemecourt, William P. Meehan III, Kristin E. Whitney
Summary: Adolescent athletes alter their gait patterns throughout a marathon race, and there are correlations between biomechanical features and race performance among young marathoners.
Article
Neurosciences
Ali Esmaeili, Sayed Esmaeil Hosseininejad, Amirali Jafarnezhadgero, Valdeci Carlos Dionisio
Summary: This study investigates the effects of footwear type, navicular drop and ankle pronation on lower limb joint stiffness during running. The results show that navicular drop and dynamic ankle pronation do not affect joint stiffness, but footwear type significantly affects joint stiffness. Conventional footwear increases ankle and hip joint stiffness while reducing knee joint stiffness, which may have implications for injury risk.
Article
Neurosciences
Takahiro Watanabe, Tomoya Takabayashi, Takanori Kikumoto, Yudai Kikuchi, Shunsuke Suzuki, Shiori Hiratsuka, Masayoshi Kubo
Summary: This study suggests that there are differences in abductor hallucis activity between individuals with chronic ankle instability and ankle sprain copers, indicating neuromuscular dysfunction in these patients, which leads to pain and instability symptoms.
Letter
Neurosciences
Susan M. Linder, Mandy Miller Koop, Jay L. Alberts
Article
Neurosciences
Elza van Duijnhoven, Marit van der Veen, Fieke S. Koopman, Frans Nollet, Sjoerd M. Bruijn, Merel-Anne Brehm
Summary: Gait stability is impaired in polio survivors with plantarflexor weakness, characterized by increased step width and step length variability and lower MoSAP. These factors are related to the elevated energy cost of walking in polio survivors.
Article
Neurosciences
Rebecca Hemming, Alister du Rose, Liba Sheeran, Robert van Deursen, Valerie Sparkes
Summary: In a forward bending task, there is a relationship between trunk muscle activation and regional thoracic and lumbar kinematics in NSCLBP subgroups, indicating different motor control strategies adopted by different subgroups when performing bending tasks.
Review
Neurosciences
Carina Pohle, Linda Becker, Jochen Baumeister
Summary: This systematic review is the first to compile evidence on the effect of the menstrual cycle on postural control. The evidence regarding the influence of the menstrual cycle on postural control is unclear. However, a trend of decreased postural control from the early follicular phase to the ovulatory phase was observed in balance tasks that eliminated or altered sensory input.