Biomechanics Commons^™

The Correlation Between Ankle Proprioception And Lower Extremity Muscle Reactions In Response To Simulated Lateral Ankle Sprains, Erin M. Carroll

Theses and Dissertations

Context: Lateral ankle sprains are one of the most commonly occurring sport-related injuries. The somatosensory system is primarily responsible for monitoring the position of the joints in space during movement. This system functions by way of neurological structures that provide proprioceptive and neuromuscular input to the brain. Motor control of the lower extremity relies on proprioceptive input to the central nervous system (CNS) and local neuromuscular control of each joint to produce coordinated, global muscular responses to external events. Previous research has investigated links between proprioception and neuromuscular control in relationship to ankle inversion separately, but none have searched for …

Biomechanical Assessment Of The Lower Extremity Following An Unexpected Ankle Perturbation, Emilia Gladys Schempp

Theses and Dissertations

A deeper understanding of the response to an unexpected ankle perturbation could help provide insight into ankle sprain injury avoidance strategies. This study compared lower extremity electromyographic and kinematic measures between unexpected ankle perturbation and normal walking conditions, including muscle amplitudes and reaction times, dominant limb joint angles and velocities. Trial conditions included a walking control condition, unexpected 30° inversion, and unexpected 18° combined inversion and plantarflexion. With randomized trials, 20 healthy volunteers walked along the custom-built walkway that unexpectedly released into the described ankle perturbations. Significant differences were found for peak and average EMG of the peroneus longus and …

The Effect Of Load On The Kinetics And Kinematics Of The Lower Extremity During Landing, Michael Akira Sullivan

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: To understand the differences in the lower extremity kinetics and kinematics as load increases during jump landings. Methods: Ten male participants (20.4 years ± 2.41 years, 108.8kg ± 14.02kg) took part in two testing sessions. The first testing session involved testing each participant’s 1-repetition max in the hexagonal barbell deadlift. The second testing session involved the data collection of the jumping trials for each participant. Participants performed their countermovement jumps under seven randomized conditions. Six of the conditions involved the hex bar using loads equivalent to 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60% estimated 1-repetition max of the hexagonal …

Modeling Individual Muscle Forces In The Lower Extremity During Loaded And Unloaded Hexbar Vertical Jumps, Abigail Salvadore

Theses and Dissertations

Hexagonal barbell (HB) loaded jumps are often used in training to increase lower extremity power. Given the importance of coordinated muscular effort in achieving maximal power output, an understanding of how the lower extremity musculature individually performs during loaded jumps would be advantageous. The purpose of this study is to describe the effect of load on individual muscle forces, muscle torques, and the contribution to the net joint moment (NJM) during the concentric phase of loaded HB jumps.10 male collegiate athletes performed 5 maximal HB jumps at 0%, 20%, 40% and 60% of their HB deadlift 1-repetition maximum. Filtered Ground …

Developing And Comparing Sensor For Movement Analysis And Biofeedback, Umaiyaal Vasudevaraja

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Recent advances in the field of wearable technology are now at a peak in the sports field and the medical field. The validity, reliability, and application of such systems are still under research and yet to be revealed.

Purpose: This study aims to design and constructing the Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) hardware with the required software to collect accelerometer data for potential use in human movement studies and test the efficacy of the collected IMU accelerometer data by comparing it with the motion capture data.

Methods: In this study, the IMU sensor is coupled with the Arduino, loaded with …

Effects Of Attentional Focus Cues On Soccer Trap Kinematics And Performance, Ladule Lako Losarah

Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this research was to assess how the kinematic performance of an inside of the foot soccer ball control movement changed with an internal, external, or holistic attentional focus coaching cue. The researchers used pendulum catapult to launch a soccer ball from 8.5 meters at the participant. Ten female active NCAA division 1 soccer players received one of three cues, or no cue, and then had five trials to control the ball onto an artificial turf mat to score 1-3 points depending on where the ball landed. Participants completed a manipulation check survey to ascertain the efficacy …

Differences In Lower Limb Kinetics In College Age Female Gymnasts To Coaches’ Perceived Efficiency In A Specific Counter Movement Jump Technique, Stephen Christopher Avgerinos

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis reports the results of a quantitative research project which examined kinetics of female collegiate gymnasts aged 18 to 21 performing a ‘punching’ counter-movement jump (CMJ) technique that is taught and required for exemplar scoring during NCAA competition. Twelve female gymnasts were recruited from the competitive team at Illinois State University. Participation was voluntary and athletes were not compensated. Each gymnast performed 8 punch-CMJ trials without coaching instruction except to perform a punching CMJ. The method of performing this CMJ began by stepping off from a 33 cm elevation, ‘punching’ off the force plates, and finishing with a landing …

Comparison Of Clinician Assisted Versus Unassisted Pnf Stretching On Hamstring Flexibility, Isometric Force Output, And Maximum Vertical Jump Height, Joel T. Lockhart

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Hamstring strains are among one of the most common acute injuries that occur in soccer players. Previous research has shown that reduced hamstring flexibility is a risk factor for injury, however this is modifiable through stretching. Some stretching techniques have contributed to decreased performance on measures important to success in sport. Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) is one effective stretching technique to improve hamstring flexibility, but requires a trained partner or clinician to perform properly. It is unknown if the performance of PNF stretching without a clinician’s assistance could be as effective. It is also unknown if PNF stretching affects …

The Effects Of Trx Suspension Training On An Asymmetrical Weight Shift During A Double-Leg Squat, Samantha J. Shruck

Theses and Dissertations

Context: It is estimated that 54% of all sport related injuries are to the lower extremity, specifically the knee and ankle. Following injury, many individuals demonstrate an asymmetrical weight shift during a double-leg squat, which may increase risk of further injury. Asymmetries are driven by a variety of factors including range of motion and neuromuscular control. The goal of rehabilitation is to identify asymmetrical movement and utilize evidence-based techniques to retrain deficient movement patterns. The double-leg squat is a reliable movement task to identify asymmetrical weight shifts. Based on the theory and purpose of suspension training (TRX), it may be …

Range Of Motion And Plantar Foot Pressures In Those With And Without A Lateral Hip Shift During An Overhead Squat, Erin M. Lally

Theses and Dissertations

Context: Asymmetrical loading between lower limbs can theoretically be explained as an inequality of strength, neuromuscular control, or subconscious reliance on one leg more than the other. Asymmetries are often identified utilizing costly equipment such as force plates and 3D motion analysis cameras. It is important to establish less costly ways of identifying movement and loading asymmetries for clinicians to utilize. One qualitative assessment that may identify asymmetries is a ‘lateral hip shift’ during an overhead squat. Objective: To identify differences in lower extremity range of motion (ROM) and plantar foot pressures in individuals with and without a lateral hip …

The Effects Of Opedix < Sup > Tm < / Sup > Knee Support System, Philip Mathew

Theses and Dissertations

INTRODUCTION: Knee supports are often employed to decrease adductor angle and/or adductor moment and thus medial knee joint loading in persons with medial knee osteoarthritis. It is compelling that these gait alterations would also be considered beneficial in healthy individuals from a prophylactic application. While the Opedix product was designed specifically as a knee support system, in the present study lower extremity kinematic chain with emphasis on hip and knee were investigated.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to test Opedix garments and describe the changes in sagittal (X), frontal (Y), and transverse (Z) planes for both kinematic and …

The Effects Of A Foot-Toe Orthosis On Dynamic Balance And Hallux Valgus Angle, Adam Richard Kelly

Theses and Dissertations

Context: Decreased balance has been identified as a risk factor for lower extremity injury in several populations. Previous literature has investigated the effects of using orthotics, textured insoles and textured surfaces on balance. However, no research exists on the effects of a foot-toe orthosis on dynamic balance. Objective: To determine the effects of a foot-toe orthosis on dynamic balance and hallux valgus angle. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Setting: Athletic Training research laboratory. Participants: Sixty-three healthy and recreationally active collegiate students. (age: 21.59±1.49yrs, height 172.48±8.99cm, mass 73.86kg±15.64kg) Interventions: Participants were randomly allocated to one of three groups that received either …

Correlation Of Shoulder And Elbow Kinetics With Ball Velocity In College Baseball Pitchers, Eric Post

Theses and Dissertations

Specific injuries at the elbow and glenohumeral joints have been linked to several kinetic variables that occur throughout the throwing motion. Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) sprains have been linked to excessive elbow valgus and shoulder external rotation torques occurring during the late-cocking phase of throwing. Shoulder external rotation torque during the late arm-cocking phase and shoulder distraction forces during the deceleration phase contribute to tears of the labrum. Additionally, it is believed that the peak distraction force generated during the arm deceleration phase also contributes to SLAP tears and rotator cuff pathologies. Very little research has been done to directly …