Biomechanics Commons^™

Reliability And Validity Of Knee Moments: 3d Gait Analysis In Subjects With And Without Knee Osteoarthritis, Sara E. Richardson

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Quantifying the reliability and validity of gait data in patients with knee osteoarthritis is required to more confidently evaluate effects of interventions and identify potential responders. 109 patients after high tibial osteotomy underwent 3-dimensional gait analysis consisting of four walking trials to calculate the external knee moments in three anatomical planes. The first two trials were compared to the second two trials to evaluate within-session test re-test reliability. 61 patients were matched to 61 healthy controls of similar age, sex and body mass index. Intraclass correlation coefficients were very high, ranging from 0.93 for peak knee adduction moment to ...

Neuromuscular Function Following Lengthening Contractions, Geoffrey A. Power

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Unaccustomed lengthening contractions have been shown to impair muscle function - however little is known regarding this impairment on muscle power - specifically, the velocity component of power during voluntary contractions in humans. The four studies presented in my thesis investigated power-loss following lengthening contractions in healthy young and old women and young men.

The purpose of Study 1 was to determine reliability of velocity-dependent power of the dorsiflexors using the isotonic mode of the Biodex Dynamometer. I determined the isotonic mode is reliable and can be used to track changes in velocity and power following fatigue and lengthening contractions.

The purpose ...

The Effect Of Physical Activity On Medial Tibial Cartilage Health In Clinical Knee Osteoarthritis, Connie Ma

Open Access Dissertations and Theses

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common chronic disease that often occurs in older adults, affecting their quality of life. The purposes of this study were to examine 1) the relationship between physical activity and medial tibial cartilage volume and thickness in participants with clinical knee OA; and 2) the test-retest reliability of daily step counts produced by participants with knee OA.

The study included 34 participants (age 60.6 ± 6.5 years; body mass index 28.5 ± 5.4 kg/m²). Dependent variables were medial tibial cartilage volume and thickness, measured from magnetic resonance images. Independent variables were average ...

Comparing Thigh Muscle Cross-Sectional Area And Squat Strength Among National Class Olympic Weightlifters, Power Lifters, And Bodybuilders, James J. Di Naso, Brian L. Pritschet, John D. Emmett, Jill W. Owen, Jeffrey Willardson, Travis W. Beck, Jason M. Defreitas, Fabio E. Fontana

Jeffrey Willardson

Few studies have compared anthropometric characteristics among national class athletes from different resistance training disciplines, such as Olympic Weightlifting (OL), Power Lifting (PL), and Bodybuilding (BB). Objective: The purpose of the current study was to determine if significant differences exist in the relationship between thigh muscle cross-sectional area and back squat strength among national class athletes from the sports of OL, PL, and BB. Methods: Fifteen national class athletes were assessed for back squat strength, mid-thigh circumference, and mid-thigh skinfold from which total thigh cross-sectional was estimated. A series of One-Way ANOVAs and Pearson Product Moment Correlations were used to ...

Postural And Muscular Adaptations To Repetitive Simulated Assembly Line Work, Samantha E. Ebata

Open Access Dissertations and Theses

Few studies have shown the process of adaptation in muscle activity and joint angle during prolonged repetitive work. Fifteen healthy men performed 1 minute cycles of automotive-related tasks, which included a finger pull, knob turn, drill press and hose connector push. The experiment occurred on two days, separated by 24 hours. Day 1 required 61 cycles, with 5 cycles on day 2. Electromyography and kinematics of the upper extremity were analyzed at 12-minute intervals. Time to complete work cycle decreased by 6.3 s at the end of day 1 and 5.3 s on day 2. Peak EMG decreased ...

Effect Of Sledge Hockey Configuration On Sledge Hockey Performance, Cliff Worden-Rogers

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the position of a sledge hockey player in their sledge using measurements of knee angle, seat height, and stability. Prior to this study, sledge hockey coaches and athletes used trivial methods to position a player in their seat. Proper positioning can enhance performance and function of the athlete. Nine different positions were evaluated using two on-ice sledge hockey specific tests. Four experienced male sledge hockey players from the London Blizzard who compete in the Ontario Sledge Hockey Association participated in this study. The results suggest a knee angle of 140º with a ...

Effects Of Physical Exertion And Alignment Alterations On Trans-Tibial Amputee Gait, And Concurrent Validity Of Prosthesis-Integrated Measurement Of Gait Kinetics, Goeran Fiedler

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the effects of slight changes in the alignment of the artificial limb of trans-tibial amputees on the walking pattern on the level of forces and moments, particularly when physical exertion levels increase. Two alignment conditions were assessed in ten trans-tibial amputees while walking with low and with "strong" levels of exertion. Two separate data collection methods were utilized simultaneously: a conventional motion analysis, and continuous recordings from prosthesis-integrated force sensors. While the former was used to compare bilateral leg symmetry across conditions, the latter allowed analyzing unilateral step variability within subjects. This paper presents both analyses in ...