The aim of this study was to establish the reference values of spatiotemporal parameters, joint angles, ground reaction forces and plantar pressure distribution collected simultaneously on the same measurement path during normal gait in a homogenous group of young, healthy women. Methods: The studied group consisted of 28 healthy women aged 21 years on average. The motion capture system BTS Smart-D, 2 AMTI force platforms and Footscan pedobarographic platform were used in this research. The 14-metre measurement path and the 6-metre distance that examined women had to walk through before entering the measurement area ensured that a natural gait pattern was recorded. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate differences between right and left lower extremities. Results: The applied method enabled collecting several parameters regarding normal female gait biomechanics such as: spatiotemporal parameters, angle-time characteristics as well as range of motion of pelvis, hip, knee and ankle joints in gait cycle, force-time characteristics and peaks of ground reaction force components in stance phase, peak pressure and time of loading of defined foot regions in stance phase. Conclusions: The results may be used by clinicians, physiotherapists or researchers as a reference in diagnosing gait disorders or evaluating patient’s walking pattern. In recent literature there are some disparities in gait parameters reference values even regarding similar research groups. These differences may arise from distinct method, slower or faster gait, other laboratory environment etc. This should be considered and more than one source of normative values should be checked when searching for reference data.
Purpose: Patient recovery after a surgical procedure depends, among other factors, on the amount of the body weight with which patient loads lower limb. Research studies report different results of the degree of body weight with which lower limb is loaded during three-point crutch gait. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of the ground reaction forces (GRF) during crutch gait used by patients after total hip arthroplasty (THA) in the first week after discharge from the orthopaedic units. Methods: Ten female patients diagnosed with primary unilateral coxarthrosis participated in a single measurement session. In order to record kinematic and dynamic variables of this gait pattern motion analysis system was used together with two force plates. The static test of body weight distribution between lower limbs was performed on a dual-top stabilometric plate. Results: The average peak values of loading on the operated (O) limb during mid stance and terminal stance of three-point crutch gait were 64.6% and 64.3% of body weight (BW), respectively, whereas in the case of the nonoperated (NO) limb 103.5%BW and 108.8%BW, respectively. The maximum loads on the crutches were significantly higher (by 9%BW) on the NO side as compared to the O side ( p < 0.05). During the static test, average values of body weight distribution on the O and NO limb were 36%BW and 64%BW, respectively. Conclusions: The patients showed surprisingly similar level of loading on the O limb. The weight bearing on the O limb was lower during static trial than during three-point crutch gait.
Purpose: Dynamic loads during landings determined by the ground reaction forces (GRFs) may elaborate internal loads and increase the risk of overload knee injuries as a result of performing volleyball jumps many times. The study dealt with a biomechanical assessment of dynamic load indicators in female volleyball players for the motion sequence of take-off–landing in blocks and attacks. Methods: Twelve professional female volleyball players participated in the study. Blocks and attacks were filmed by two cameras. GRFs vs. time graphs were recorded with the use of a force platform. Values of dynamic load indicators in terms of the relations of peak of vertical component of GRF, build-up index of this force (BIF), and power output (P) during landing to the vGRF, BIF and P during take-off (L/T) were calculated. Results: The statistically significant ( p < 0.05) highest values of L/T indicators were found for back row attack spikes: 2.4 (vGRF), 12.2 (BIF) and 3.1 (P). In the case of blocks, slide attack spikes and attack line spikes, results of these variables were in range: 1.8÷2.1, 5.9÷7.6 and 2.1÷2.9, respectively. Conclusions: The reduction of GRFs during landings contributes to decreasing the level of the load indicators L/T which should minimize the incidence of anterior cruciate ligament and patellar tendon injuries in female volleyball players.
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