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Full-Text Articles in Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering

Musculoskeletal Adaptation Of Young And Older Adults In Response To Challenging Surface Conditions, Amy E. Holcomb, Nicholas L. Hunt, Amanda K. Ivy, Aidan G. Cormier, Tyler N. Brown, Clare K. Fitzpatrick Nov 2022

Musculoskeletal Adaptation Of Young And Older Adults In Response To Challenging Surface Conditions, Amy E. Holcomb, Nicholas L. Hunt, Amanda K. Ivy, Aidan G. Cormier, Tyler N. Brown, Clare K. Fitzpatrick

Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Over 36 million adults over 65 years of age experience accidental falls each year. The underlying neuromechanics (whole-body function) and driving forces behind accidental falls, as well as the effects of aging on the ability of the musculoskeletal system to adapt, are poorly understood. We evaluated differences in kinematics (lower extremity joint angles and range of motion), kinetics (ground reaction force), and electromyography (muscle co-contraction), due to changes in surface conditions during gait in 14 older adults with a history of falling and 14 young adults. We investigated the impact of challenging surfaces on musculoskeletal adaptation and compared the mechanisms …


Postural Control Differences Between Patients With Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction And Healthy People During Gait, Junsig Wang, L. Daniel Latt, Robert D. Martin, Erin M. Mannen Feb 2022

Postural Control Differences Between Patients With Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction And Healthy People During Gait, Junsig Wang, L. Daniel Latt, Robert D. Martin, Erin M. Mannen

Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: Patients with posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) may exhibit postural instability during walking likely due to a loss of medial longitudinal arch, abnormal foot alignment, and pain. While many studies have investigated gait alterations in PTTD, there is no understanding of dynamic postural control mechanisms in this population during gait, which will help guide rehabilitation and gait training programs for patients with PTTD. The purpose of the study was to assess dynamic postural control mechanisms in patients with stage II PTTD as compared to age and gender matched healthy controls. Methods: Eleven patients with stage II PTTD (4 males …


Musculoskeletal Adaptation Of Young And Older Adults In Response To Environmental, Physical, And Cognitive Conditions, Amy E. Holcomb Aug 2021

Musculoskeletal Adaptation Of Young And Older Adults In Response To Environmental, Physical, And Cognitive Conditions, Amy E. Holcomb

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Accidental falls present a large functional and financial burden among people aged 65 years and older. Falls, injuries associated with falls, and the fear of falling decrease quality of life, physical function, and independence for older adults. To prevent falls, improve stability, and protect joints from damage or injury, the typical response to "challenging" conditions include cautious gait, increase muscle co-contraction, and decreased range of motion. These compensatory strategies are more pronounced in the older adult population with apprehensive "cautious" gait at slower speeds, decreased knee flexion, and increased muscle activation around the knee and ankle. The underlying mechanisms and …


The Relationships Between Muscle, External, Internal And Joint Mechanical Work During Normal Walking, Kotaro Sasaki, Richard R. Neptune, Steven A. Kautz Mar 2009

The Relationships Between Muscle, External, Internal And Joint Mechanical Work During Normal Walking, Kotaro Sasaki, Richard R. Neptune, Steven A. Kautz

Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Muscle mechanical work is an important biomechanical quantity in human movement analyses and has been estimated using different quantities including external, internal and joint work. The goal of this study was to investigate the relationships between these traditionally used estimates of mechanical work in human walking and to assess whether they can be used as accurate estimates of musculotendon and/or muscle fiber work. A muscle-actuated forward dynamics walking simulation was generated to quantify each of the mechanical work measures. Total joint work (i.e. the time integral of absolute joint power over a full gait cycle) was found to underestimate total …