Biomechanics Commons^™

Walking Easier By Attaching A Spring-Mass To The Body: A Preliminary Simulation, Hiva Razavi, Philippe Malcolm

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

When carrying or pushing a load, more force is needed to accelerate and decelerate the additional mass, increasing Ground Reaction Force (GRF). However, this can be reduced by synchronizing the object's movement with the individual's Center of Mass (COM) using antiphase acceleration and deceleration. Past studies have shown this can decrease muscle work and metabolic costs. This study aimed to determine optimal spring parameters to minimize horizontal GRF (GRFh) when pushing a cart by connecting the human to the cart with a spring and damper system.

Three walking conditions were simulated in MATLAB: 1) Normal walking; 2) Walking with a …

Accelerometry-Based Analysis Of Postural Sway In Parkinson's Disease Patients With Levodopa-Induced Dyskinesia, Chandler Brock

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, with patient numbers projected to double to 12 million in the next 20 years. Levodopa-induced dyskinesia (LID) is a major problem associated with the long-term use of levodopa for symptomatic treatment of PD. These involuntary movements can become disabling and may interfere with quality of life. Our prior research showed that PD w/ LID were less stable while standing (i.e., increased postural sway) and had a higher incidence of falls. The aim of this study is to determine if postural sway properties are altered by LID via decomposing the sway signal. We …

Attenuated Skeletal Muscle Metabolism Explains Blunted Reactive Hyperemia After Prolonged Sitting, Cody Anderson, Elizabeth Pekas, Michael Allen, Song-Young Park

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

Introduction: Although reduced post-occlusive reactive hyperemia (PORH) after prolonged sitting (PS) has been reported as impaired microvascular function, no specific mechanism(s) have been elucidated. One potential mechanism, independent of microvascular function, is that an altered muscle metabolic rate (MMR) may change the magnitude of PORH by modifying the oxygen deficit achieved during cuff-induced arterial occlusions. We speculated that if MMR changes during PS, this may invalidate current inferences about microvascular function during PS. Objective: Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine if peripheral leg MMR changes during PS and to ascertain whether the change in the oxygen deficit …

The Effect Of Exoskeleton Footwear On Joint Angular Motion During Walking In Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease, Zahra Salamifar, Farahnaz Fallahtafti, Iraklis I. Pipinos, Jason M. Johanning, Sara Myers

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

Gait, Lower Extremity, Peripheral Artery Disease, Joint Angle, Exoskeleton Footwear, Exoskeleton, Assistive Device, Walking.

The Top 50 Most Cited Articles On The Medial Patellofemoral Ligament (Mpfl): A Bibliometric Analysis, Varag Abed, Alex Duvall, Jonathan D. Rexroth, Alyssa Goodwin, Joseph Liu, Austin Stone

Medical Student Research Symposium

Objectives: To determine which original articles on the topic of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) have been cited the most in the literature utilizing a bibliometric approach. Secondarily, to determine temporal trends between article types.

Methods: Articles on the topic of the MPFL were identified by utilizing the Web of Science Database. The search yielded 1,596 results and the top 50 cited original articles were collected for further analysis. The following information was gathered for all included articles: title, first author's name, journal name, year of publication, impact factor of the journal in 2021, total number of citations of the …

Muscular Strength Predicts Phase Angle In Breast Cancer Survivors, Trevor Short, Cheri Teranishi-Hashimoto, Paulette Yamada

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 4: Issue 1, Article 4, 2023. Phase angle (PhA) has emerged as a prognostic indicator of survival and quality of life (QOL) in cancer patients. Identifying measures of physical fitness that correlate with PhA can provide guidance toward optimizing cancer rehabilitation programs and future research. The purpose was to examine the relationship between PhA and physical fitness in breast cancer survivors. Sixty-three breast cancer survivors (60 ± 9 years, PhA 4.59±0.52, mean±SD) completed assessments for muscular strength, muscular endurance, cardiorespiratory endurance, flexibility, and body composition. PhA and body composition were measured using bioimpedance …

The Pursuit Of Peak Athletic Performance, Trevor Short

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 4: Issue 1, Article 3, 2023. Achieving peak performance in sports is a multifactorial phenomenon that spans several scientific disciplines. The optimization of human performance requires a comprehensive and systematic assessment that identifies potential performance-inhibiting factors. The result of such analysis allows for more individualized and accurate evaluation, athlete monitoring, and training interventions. Thus, there is a need for a multidisciplinary model of peak performance to guide practitioners when conducting a comprehensive analysis. The purpose of this manuscript is to provide a brief but practical vade mecum for practitioners to consider in the …

Changes In Attitudes And Functional Performance After An Educational Intervention And Participation In The Dime In Cadets, Emily Gabriel, Cameron Powden

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

Introduction: Cadets frequently suffer from lower extremity injuries, but fail to participate in effective injury prevention programs (IPPs). The purpose of this study was to determine if an intervention focused on benefits and barriers of IPP with participation in an IPP would change attitudes towards participating in IPPs and functional performance. Methods: Thirty-four ROTC cadets (Male: n=28, Age: 19.67±1.45 years, Height: 175.57±8.30cm, Mass: 75.38±14.30kg) volunteered to participate in the study. Participants completed the Health Belief Model Scale (HBMS), Theory of Planned Behavior Scale (TPBS), Y-Balance test, Landing Error Scoring System, 2-mile run, push-up test, and sit-up test. During the Army …

The Theory Of Planned Behavior As A Framework To Identify Attitudes And Perceptions Of Athletic Trainers Towards Quality Improvement, Meredith Madden, Dominique M. Ross

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

Purpose: The BOC announced a concept for continuing professional certification for athletic trainers (ATs), including an optional quality improvement (QI) project to examine practice performance. The purpose of this study was to examine current attitudes, perceived control and subjective norms of ATs regarding QI. Method: Data was collected using a qualitative descriptive design. A web-based survey was distributed via email and social media. Open-ended questions were evaluated by two independent coders using a general inductive approach. Results: Three major themes emerged: reservations about QI, benefits of QI, and impacts on the profession. Conclusions: When integrated into the Theory of Planned …

Effects Of A Race Timer On The 3-Minute All-Out Test For Critical Power, Paul Mandell, Boe Burrus, Taylor Bloedon

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 4: Issue 1, Article 2, 2023. The 3-min all-out cycling test (3MT) elicits valuable fitness metrics including V̇O_2peak, HR_max, Critical Power (CP), and Work Above End Power (WEP; equivalent to work prime; W’). Twelve (n = 12) healthy active males were recruited to participate in the current study on the effects of the implementation of a race timer on the 3MT. Participants completed a V̇O_2peak test and one 3MT familiarization trial before completing one standard 3MT and one 3MT with the presence of a countdown race timer in …

Tuna Turning, Frank E. Fish

Biology Data Repository

No abstract provided.

Biomechanically-Consistent Skin Stretch As An Intuitive Mechanism For Sensory Feedback: A Preliminary Investigation In The Lower Limb, Jenny A. Kent

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

The proprioceptive loss accompanied by lower limb amputation can impair function and mobility. We explore a simple, mechanical skin-stretch array configured to generate superficial tissue behaviour that might occur with movement about an intact joint. Four adhesive pads attached around the circumference of the lower leg were connected via cords to a remote “foot” mounted on a ball joint attached to the underside of a fracture boot, such that “foot” reorientation would result in skin stretch. In two discrimination experiments performed with and without the connection, with no view of the mechanism, and with minimal training, unimpaired adults (i) estimated …

Comparison Of Supine And Vertical Bioimpedance Measurements In Young Adults, Jeremy B. Ducharme, Chloe Clark, Jonathan M. Houck, Holly Hall, Avadney Gerard-Osbourne, Ann Gibson

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 3: Issue 1, Article 11, 2022. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) methods estimate health parameters such as phase angle (PhA) and body fat percentage (%BF) from various positional and electrode configurations. PhA and %BF are known biological markers of cellular and physical health, respectively, and can be used to predict various health-related conditions and therefore require accurate assessment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of body position during BIA by investigating the difference and agreement between PhA and %BF using RJL (supine) and InBody (vertical) analyzers. Thirty-eight young adults (23.4 …

A Comparison Of Spatial-Temporal Gait Variability In Over-Ground And Treadmill Walking In Children With Autism, René Ubaldo Sanchez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) experience an increased sedentary lifestylewhich results in elevated risk for being overweight and obese. A low-cost and viable solution to increase physical activity while accommodating for social-behavioral barriers such as stereotypy, aggressive, or non-verbal characteristics, may be treadmill-related interventions. Gait variability during treadmill ambulation has not been extensively researched in the ASD population, therefore the aim of this study was to quantify the acute effects of treadmill usage on spatial-temporal gait parameter variability when compared to overground walking. Three-dimensional kinematic data were obtained through motion analysis where 5 children with ASD were outfitted with …

A Biomechanical Analysis Of Back Squats: Motion Capture, Electromyography, And Musculoskeletal Modeling, Eva Maria Urdiales Maddox

Human Movement Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Previous literature evaluating maximal back squats have failed to identify key components of the study decisions and procedures that would allow for duplication. Firstly, the existence of a sticking region in maximally weighted resistance exercises is frequently discussed and has been described as a force-reduced transition phase between an acceleration phase and a strength phase of a lift. However, the etiology has yet to be agreed upon. Second, Electromyography (EMG) is frequently used to assess muscle activations. However, no best practice for EMG normalization has been proposed. Two methods are commonly implemented for normalizing EMG: a maximum voluntary isometric contraction …

Comparison Of Spine–Pelvis Kinematics Variability During Sit-To-Stand And Stand-To-Sit In People With & Without Chronic Low Back Pain: A Vector Coding And Statistical Parametric Mapping Approach, Narges Jangjoo, Elham Alijanpour, Saeid Khodabakhsh, Seyed Sadredin Shojaedin, Roozbeh Naemi

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

There is evidence in the literature to suggest that low back pain may change spine–pelvis coordination during activities of daily living. This study aimed to compare the variability of the spine– pelvis coordination during sit-to-stand in people with and without LBP. Ten healthy individuals with a history of LBP and ten individuals without history of LBP participated in this study. Three-dimensional kinematic data of the upper trunk (UT), lower trunk (LT), lower back (LB), and pelvis segments during sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit were recorded using a multi-segmental spine and pelvis models using a motion capture system. The coordination patterns and the …

Three-Dimensional Motion Analysis For Occupational Therapy Upper Extremity Assessment And Rehabilitation: A Scoping Review, Stephen W. Hill, Samantha Mong, Quyen Vo

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Three-dimensional (3D) human motion analysis provides objective, quantitative, and reliable kinematic data that are valuable in rehabilitation. Clinicians, including occupational therapists and other specialists, can apply this technology to quantify patients’ upper extremity (UE) motion during functional tasks. A better comprehension of altered body mechanics serves to guide clinical reasoning, develop evidence-based interventions, and monitor patients’ progress through follow-up. However, the scientific literature has yet to emphasize the practicality of using 3D motion analysis as a clinical measurement tool.

Method: This scoping review appraised 20 articles that used 3D motion analysis to quantify UE movements for individuals …

Comparison Of The Effect Of Aerobic And Resistance Exercise On Short Term Memory On Healthy Adults, Frederick P. Wijaya, Ery Hermawati M.Sc, Willy Handoko M.Biomed

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

Background: Exercise is known to improve the cognitive function, including short-term memory. Exercise can induce structural and functional changes of the brain, i.e. synaptic plasticity. Exercise is categorized into two groups: aerobic exercise and resistance exercise. Studies have shown that both groups of exercises can improve short-term memory function.

Objectives: this research is aimed to compare the effect of aerobic and resistance exercise on short-term memory on healthy adults.

Methods: Participants were given the choice to be admitted into either exercise group, aerobic or resistance. Short-term memory (forward digit span) were measured before and after the intervention.

Results: there were …

Effects Of Ohio Opioid Prescribing Policy On Postsurgical Prescriptions Following Sports Procedures, Joseph Henningsen Md, Scott Huff Md, Andrew Schneider Md, Fady Hijji Md, Andrew Froehle Phd, Anil Krishnamurthy Md

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

Background: Prescribed opioid medication after orthopedic sports surgery has been shown to exceed patient requirements. In 2017, as a response to the opioid epidemic, Ohio passed Opioid Prescribing Guidelines (OPG) limiting narcotic prescriptions for acute pain. This study sought to evaluate the effects of the OPG on prescribing behavior of orthopedists following knee arthroscopy (KA), shoulder arthroscopy (SA), and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Methods: An institutional database was queried to calculate morphine equivalent dose (MED) prescribed at discharge, acute follow-up (<90 days), and chronic follow-up (>90 days) and compare MED pre- and post-OPG. Cases were identified over a 2-year period starting …

The Effect Of Varied Recumbent Stepping Conditions On Lower Extremity Muscle Activity, Michael Hoff, Michelle M. Smith, Katie M. Grismer, Lainey M. Studebaker, Caleb A. Colon, Allison Kinney, Kimberly Edginton Bigelow, Kurt Jackson

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 3: Issue 1, Article 9, 2022. The purpose of this study was to measure lower extremity muscle activity during recumbent stepping under varied conditions. We hypothesized that different stepping conditions would lead to significant changes in muscle activity. Fifteen healthy adults (4 men, 11 women; mean age 24.5 ± 7.7 yrs) provided informed consent to participate. During a single session, electromyography (EMG) was used to measure muscle activity of the tibialis anterior (TA), medial gastroc (MG), rectus femoris (RF), and biceps femoris (BF) muscles as a percent of maximal voluntary contraction (%MVC) during …

Wearing Judogi In A Humid Tropical Environment: Effect On Performance And Hydro-Electrolytic Parameters, Simplice Moussouami, Yvon Rock Ghislain Alongo, André Georges Moulongo, Paul Roger Mabounda Kounga, Erode Mabika Nzoumba, Issiako Bio Nigan

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 3: Issue 1, Article 8, 2022. Extremely high heat stress environmental conditions in sub-Saharan Africa influences sports performance. The aim of this study was to assess physical changes and physiological responses associated with wearing judogi during 8 weeks training session in a hot environment. In this quasi-experimental study, trained male judokas (20.06 ± 1.24 years old), were assessed before and after a training session, while either wearing a judogi (experimental group n = 12) or cotton tee shorts (control group n = 12). All athletes completed testing and were evaluated for anthropometric, physiological …

Joint Angle Variability Is Altered In Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease After Six Months Of Exercise Intervention, Farah Fallahtafti, Zahra Salamifar, Mahdi Hassan, Hafizur Rahman, Iraklis Pipinos, Sara A. Myers

Journal Articles

Supervised exercise therapy (SET) is a conservative non-operative treatment strategy for improving walking performance in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). Gait variability is altered in patients with PAD, but the effect of SET on gait variability is unknown. Forty-three claudicating patients with PAD underwent gait analysis before and immediately after a 6-month SET program. Nonlinear gait variability was assessed using sample entropy, and the largest Lyapunov exponent of the ankle, knee, and hip joint angle time series. Linear mean and variability of the range of motion time series for these three joint angles were also calculated. Two-factor repeated measure …

Clinical Practice Guidelines: The Road Map To Better Care, Mary I. Fisher

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses are important tools in translating research evidence into clinical practice as they critically evaluate and summarize the body of evidence on clinical topics. Clinicians can use these studies to quickly survey the current literature base to increase understanding of a clinical diagnosis they make, with the intent of using this information to improve their clinical practice. A well-written systematic review or meta-analysis, with critical evaluation of study quality, is then that Cliffs Note version of what to know and what to do. Therefore, with the proliferation of systematic reviews and meta-analyses, we should see a corresponding …

The Effects Of Ladder Training On Sprint And Change Of Direction Performance, Trevor Short, Tina Manos, Justus Ortega, Andrew Peterson, Young Sub Kwon

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 3: Issue 1, Article 7, 2022. Ladder training is a form of multidirectional lower limb plyometric training utilized by coaches and athletes in a variety of sports. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of ladder training (LT) on sprint (20-m) and change of direction (COD) (L-drill) kinematics. Fourteen NCAA D-2 Basketball players were matched on baseline performance rankings and randomly assigned to a LT (n = 7) or conventional training (CT) (n = 7) group. The LT group performed all the CT exercises with the addition of …

Screening And Assessment Of Cancer-Related Fatigue: An Executive Summary And Road Map For Clinical Implementation, Joy C. Cohn, Shana Harrington, Jeannette Lee, Daniel Malone, Mary I. Fisher

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Background: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) prevalence is reported as high as 90%. Cancer-related fatigue is multidimensional and associated with lower health-related quality of life. Effective screening and assessment are dependent upon use of valid, reliable, and clinically feasible measures. This Executive Summary of the Screening and Assessment of Cancer-related Fatigue Clinical Practice Guideline provides recommendations for best measures to screen and assess for CRF based on the quality and level of evidence, psychometric strength of the tools, and clinical utility.

Methods: After a systematic review of the literature, studies evaluating CRF measurement tools were assessed for quality; data extraction included psychometrics …

Machine Learning-Based Peripheral Artery Disease Identification Using Laboratory-Based Gait Data, Ali Al-Ramini, Mahdi Hassan, Farah Fallahtafti, Mohammad Ali Takallou, Hafizur Rahman, Basheer Qolomany, Iraklis Pipinos, Fadi Alsaleem, Sara A. Myers

Journal Articles

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) manifests from atherosclerosis, which limits blood flow to the legs and causes changes in muscle structure and function, and in gait performance. PAD is underdiagnosed, which delays treatment and worsens clinical outcomes. To overcome this challenge, the purpose of this study is to develop machine learning (ML) models that distinguish individuals with and without PAD. This is the first step to using ML to identify those with PAD risk early. We built ML models based on previously acquired overground walking biomechanics data from patients with PAD and healthy controls. Gait signatures were characterized using ankle, knee, …

Modeling, Analysis, And Simulation To Reveal The Mechanisms Of Ciliary Beating, Louis Woodhams

McKelvey School of Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Cilia are microscopic cellular appendages that help us breathe by clearing our airways, maintain the health of our central nervous system by circulating cerebrospinal fluid, and allow us to reproduce by transporting eggs and propelling sperm cells. Cilia even determine the asymmetry of our internal organs during embryonic development. However, the mechanisms underlying ciliary beating are not fully understood. Questions remain as to how arrays of the motor protein dynein generate the propulsive waveforms observed in cilia and how structural elements within the cilium and its connection to the cell deform during beating. In the current work, mathematical modeling, analysis, …

Advancing The Assessment And Treatment Of Signs And Symptoms Of Parkinson Disease, David Scott May

WUSM Theses and Dissertations – All Programs

People with PD often report signs and symptoms that negatively impact quality of life. Among these are balance difficulties, impaired gait, and FOG. New treatment and assessment strategies for these signs and symptoms are needed, as current techniques are limited. While new treatment and assessment strategies continue to emerge, gaps in knowledge persist. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been utilized in many people with PD throughout the 21st century, but it is unknown specifically how subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) affects balance. Alternative treatment strategies, such as a dental mouthpiece, have also been proposed. While dental mouthpieces have shown …

A Biomechanical Approach To Prevent Falls In Ergonomic Settings, Sachini Kodithuwakku Arachchige

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Fall-related injuries are exceptionally prevalent in occupational settings. While endangering the workers’ health, falls cause poor productivity and increased economic burden in the workplace. Hence, identifying these threats and training workers to achieve proper postural control is crucial. Purpose: Study 1: To investigate the ankle joint kinematics in unexpected and expected trip responses during single-tasking (ST), dual-tasking (DT), and triple-tasking (TT), before and after a physically fatiguing exercise. Study 2: To investigate the impact of virtual heights, DT, and training on static postural stability and cognitive processing. Methods: Study 1: Twenty collegiate volunteers (10 males and females, one left …

Utilization Of Finite Element Analysis Techniques For Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Surgical Planning, Michael A. Polanco

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis, a three-dimensional deformity of the thoracolumbar spine, affects approximately 1-3% of patients ages 10-18. Surgical correction and treatment of the spinal column is a costly and high-risk task that is consistently complicated by factors such as patient-specific spinal deformities, curve flexibility, and surgeon experience. The following dissertation utilizes finite element analysis to develop a cost-effective, building-block approach by which surgical procedures and kinematic evaluations may be investigated. All studies conducted are based off a volumetric, thoracolumbar finite element (FE) model developed from computer-aided design (CAD) anatomy whose components are kinematically validated with in-vitro data. Spinal ligament stiffness …