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A pattern of excessive hip adduction and internal rotation with medial deviation of the knee has been associated with numerous musculo-skeletal dysfunctions. Research into the role that ankle dorsiflexion (DF) range of motion (ROM) play in lower limb kinematics is lacking. The objective of this cross-sectional, observational study was to investigate the relationship between ankle DF ROM, and hip adduction and hip internal rotation during a step-down test with and without heel elevation in a healthy female population. Hip and ankle ROM was measured kinematically using a ten-camera Optitrack motion analysis system. Thirty healthy female participants (mean age = 20.4 years; SD = 0.9 years) first performed a step-down test with the heel of the weight bearing foot flat on the step and then with the heel elevated on a platform. Ankle DF, hip adduction and hip internal rotation were measured kinematically for the supporting leg. Participants who had 17° or less of ankle DF ROM displayed significantly more hip adduction ROM (p = 0.001; Cohen's d effect size = 1.2) than the participants with more than 17° of DF during the step-down test. Participants with limited DF ROM showed a significant reduction in hip adduction ROM during the elevated-heel step-down test (p = 0.008). Hip internal rotation increased in both groups during the EHSD compared to the step-down test (p > 0.05) Reduced ankle DF ROM is associated with increased hip adduction utilised during the step-down test. Ankle DF should be taken into account when assessing patients with aberrant frontal plane lower limb alignment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Previous research suggests that Mulligan's Mobilisation-with-Movement (MWM) technique for the shoulder produces an immediate improvement in movement and pain. The aims of this study were to investigate the time course of the effects of a single MWM technique and to ascertain the effects of adding tape following MWM in people with shoulder pain. Twenty-five participants (15 males, 10 females), who responded positively to an initial application of MWM, were randomly assigned to MWM or MWM-with-Tape. Range of movement (ROM), pressure pain threshold (PPT) and current pain severity (PVAS) were measured pre- and post-intervention, 30-min, 24-h and one week follow-up. Following a one-week washout period, participants were crossed over to receive a single session of the opposite intervention with follow-up measures repeated. ROM significantly improved with MWM-with-Tape and was sustained over one week follow-up (p < 0.001; 18.8°, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 7.3–30.4), and in PVAS up to 30-min follow-up (38.4 mm, 95% CI 20.6–56.1 mm). MWM demonstrated an improvement in ROM (11.8°, 95% CI 1.9–21.7) and PVAS (40.4 mm, 95% CI 27.8–53.0 mm), but only up to 30-min follow-up. There was no significant improvement in PPT for either intervention at any time point. MWM-with-Tape significantly improved ROM over the one-week follow-up compared to MWM alone (15.9°, 95% CI 7.4–24.4). Both MWM and MWM-with-Tape provide a short-lasting improvement in pain and ROM, and MWM-with-Tape also provides a sustained improvement in ROM to one-week follow-up, which is superior to MWM alone. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Measurement of spinal lumbar range of movement is useful in clinical examination of the spine and for monitoring changes in spinal movement characteristics of individuals over time, particularly in the research context. As the spine exhibits six degrees of movement, three dimensional measurements provide additional information that could benefit the study of spinal conditions. Inertial measurement systems present an innovative method of spinal motion measurement. These systems are small and portable, and of low cost compared to laboratory based three dimensional measurement systems such as electromagnetic and opto-electronic systems. The present study aimed to validate the use of inertial measurement systems in three dimensional spinal range of movement measurement using an electromagnetic tracking system as a reference. Twenty-six healthy participants had their lumbar spine range of movement measured using both an inertial measurement system and an electromagnetic tracking system. Measurements taken by the inertial measurement system were found to be highly correlated with the electromagnetic tracking system (overall regression R 2 0.999, p < 0.005). Measurements showed strong agreement (mean differences between −0.81° and 1.26°) and produced no significant difference from the electromagnetic tracking system (paired t-test p > 0.05). The ranges of movement measured were also highly comparable to those reported in the literature. Inertial measurement systems that consist of triaxial gyroscopes, accelerometers and magnetometers are concluded to be valid tools for three dimensional spinal range of movement measurement within or outside of the laboratory settings due to their cost, size and portability. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper describes the use of a video-based motion capture system to assess spinal mobility in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The aim of the study is to assess reliability of the system comparing it with conventional metrology in order to define and analyze new measurements that reflect better spinal mobility. A motion capture system (UCOTrack) was used to measure spinal mobility in forty AS patients and twenty healthy subjects with a marker set defining 33 3D measurements, some already being used in conventional metrology. Radiographic studies were scored using the modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score index (mSASSS). Test–retest reliability studies were performed on the same day and over a two-week period. Motion capture shows very high reliability with Intraclass Correlation Coefficient values ranging from 0.89 to 0.99, low Standard Error of the Measurement (0.37–1.33 cm and 1.58°–6.54°), correlating very well with the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI) (p < 0.001) and, in some individual measures (cervical flexion, cervical lateral flexion, back inclination, shoulder–hip angle and spinal rotation), with mSASSS (p < 0.01). mSASSS also added significantly to the variance in multivariate linear regression analysis to certain measures (back inclination, cervical flexion and cervical lateral flexion). Quantitative results obtained with motion capture system using the protocol defined show to be highly reliable in patients with AS. This technique could be a useful tool for assessing the outcome of the disease and for monitoring the evolution of spinal mobility in AS patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]