Search

This study aimed to investigate inter- and intra-athlete technique variability in pre-elite and elite Australian fast bowlers delivering new ball conventional swing bowling. Ball grip angle and pelvis, torso, shoulder, elbow, wrist, upper arm, forearm, and hand kinematics were investigated at the point of ball release for inswing and outswing deliveries. Descriptive evaluations of group and individual data and k-means cluster analyses were used to assess inter- and intra-bowler technique variability. Inter-athlete technique and ball grip variability were identified, demonstrating that skilled bowlers use individualised strategies to generate swing. Functional movement variability was demonstrated by intra-athlete variability in successful swing bowling trials. Bowlers demonstrated stable technique parameters in large proximal body segments of the pelvis and torso, providing a level of repeatability to their bowling action. Greater variation was observed in bowling arm kinematics, allowing athletes to manipulate the finger and ball position to achieve the desired seam orientation at the point of ball release. This study demonstrates that skilled bowlers use individualised techniques and grips to generate swing and employ technique variations in successive deliveries. Coaches should employ individualised training strategies and use constraints-led approaches in training environments to encourage bowlers to seek adaptive movement solutions to generate swing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Hip pain is associated with reduced hip muscle strength, range of movement (ROM), and decreased postural stability. Singleleg squat is a reliable and valid method to measure dynamic balance. Objective: To evaluate the influence of physical characteristics and use of a decline board on squat performance in a hip pain population. Design: Cross-sectional study setting. Clinical Patients: In total, 33 individuals scheduled for arthroscopic hip surgery were matched with 33 healthy controls. Interventions: Hip and ankle ROM, hip strength, and trunk endurance were assessed, along with knee and trunk kinematics during squat on flat and 25° decline surfaces. Main Outcome Measures: Between-group and surface differences in alignment, between-group strength and ROM, and associations between alignment and physical characteristics were assessed and determined using mixed model analysis of variance and Pearson R. Results: The hip pain group had significantly less strength and ROM for all directions except abduction strength and ankle dorsifiexion (P > .02). No differences existed between lire 2 groups for trunk (P < .70) or knee displacement (P < .46) during squat on either surface. When the 2 groups were combined (n = 66), decline squat significantly reduced knee medial displacement in both limbs by approximately 1 cm (P < .01). Decline squat reduced uxink lateral movement on 1 side only (P = .03). Reduced knee displacement during decline squat showed fair association with less hip-extension strength (r = -29), hip-flexion strength (r = -.25), and less dorsifiexion (r = -.24). Strength and range were not associated with trunk displacement. Conclusions: Decline squat reduced medial knee and lateral trunk displacement regardless of hip pain. Reductions may be greater in those with lesser hip muscle strength and dorsifiexion. Use of a decline board during squat for improving knee and trunk alignment should be considered as a goal of exercise intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compared the effects of rest redistribution (RR) on kinetic and kinematic variables during the countermovement shrug (CMS). Twenty-one male subjects (age 27.2 ± 3.3. years, height 1.78 ± 0.07 m, body mass 77.2 ± 10.6 kg, relative 1 repetition maximum (1RM) power clean [PC] 1.22 ± 0.16 kg·kg-1) performed the CMS using 140% of 1RM PC with 3 traditional sets of 6 repetitions (TS), 9 sets of 2 repetitions with RR [45 s rest after 2 repetitions] (RR45), and 6 sets of 3 repetitions with RR [72 s rest after 3 repetitions] (RR72). There were no significant or meaningful differences (p > 0.05, g = 0.00-0.15) between set configurations for any variables for the average of the 18 repetitions. There were no significant (p > 0.05) or meaningful (g = 0.00-0.14) differences for configuration and configuration × set for peak (PF) and mean force (MF), peak velocity (PV), impulse, phase duration, peak velocity decline, peak velocity maintenance, and rating of perceived exertion. There was significantly greater (p = 0.034) albeit small (g = 0.15) difference for mean velocity (MV) during TS compared with RR72. There were no significant or meaningful differences (p > 0.05, g = 0.00-0.09) between sets for PF, MF, PV, MV, impulse, and duration across TS, RR45, and RR72. Rest redistribution protocols did not result in greater kinetics or kinematics during the CMS compared with TS, when total rest time was equated. Thus, shorter more frequent rest periods during the CMS may not be required to maintain force-time characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of complex training (CT) session design on acute postactivation performance enhancement (PAPE) of loaded jump squat(s) (JS) and ballistic bench throw(s) (BBT) was examined. This study further investigated whether relative strength is a moderating factor in PAPE in response to 3 distinct CT protocols. Fourteen Australian Football League (AFL) Academy athletes performed 3 different protocols comprising 85% 1 repetition maximum (1RM) back squats and bench press, and 30% 1RM loaded JS and BBT, differing in the sequencing of exercise order (i.e., complex pairs performed in isolation or with additional exercise interspersed within the intracomplex recovery period) and duration of the intracomplex recovery (2.5, 5, or 15 minutes). Differences in JS and BBT performance between CT protocols were trivial except for JS eccentric depth and eccentric impulse where small to moderate substantial differences were observed between protocols 2 and 3 in various sets; a small difference was observed between protocols 1 and 3 for eccentric depth. Small differences between protocols 1 and 2 were observed in set 1 in BBT peak velocity (ES= -20.26) and peak power (W·kg-1 ) (ES =-0.31). Small magnitudes of PAPE and decrements in performance were observed in some variables within protocols, yet effects across sets were inconsistent. Relative strength was negatively associated with JS performance (i.e., stronger athletes demonstrated a lower magnitude of PAPE) yet positively associated with PAPE of BBT peak force (N·kg-1 ) and peak power (W·kg-1 ). Alternating lower-body and upper-body complex sets and performance of ancillary exercise within the intracomplex recovery does not contribute to cumulative fatigue throughout the session and does not detrimentally affect subsequent JS and BBT performance. The manipulation of complex-set sequences offers practitioners a timeefficient means of providing both lower-body and upper-body heavy-resistance and ballistic training stimuli to achieve chronic training adaptations in maximal strength and power, with targeted improvements in specific kinetic and kinematic variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: It is important to validate single-leg squat visual rating criteria used in clinical practice and research. Foot orthoses may improve single-leg squat performance in those who demonstrate biomechanics associated with increased risk of lower limb injury. Objective: Validate visual rating criteria proposed by Crossley et al, by determining whether athletes rated as poor single-leg squat performers display different single-leg squat biomechanics than good performers; and evaluate immediate effects of foot orthoses on single-leg squat biomechanics in poor performers. Design: Comparative cross-sectional study. Setting: University laboratory. Participants: 79 asymptomatic athletes underwent video classification of single-leg squat performance based on established visual rating criteria (overall impression, trunk posture, pelvis "in space," hip movement, and knee movement), and were rated as good (n = 23), fair (n = 41), or poor (n = 15) performers. Intervention: A subset of good (n = 16) and poor (n = 12) performers underwent biomechanical assessment, completing 5 continuous single-leg squats on their dominant limb while 3-dimensional motion analysis and ground reaction force data were recorded. Poor performers repeated the task standing on prefabricated foot orthoses. Main Outcome Measures: Peak external knee adduction moment (KAM) and peak angles for the trunk, hip, knee, and ankle. Results: Compared with good performers, poor performers had a significantly lower peak KAM (mean difference = 0.11 Nm/kg, 95% confidence interval = 0.02 to 0.2 Nm/kg), higher peak hip adduction angle (−4.3°, −7.6° to −0.9°), and higher peak trunk axial rotation toward their stance limb (3.8°, 0.4° to 7.2°). Foot orthoses significantly increased the peak KAM in poor performers (−0.06 Nm/kg, −0.1 to −0.01 Nm/kg), with values approximating those observed in good performers. Conclusions: Findings validate Crossley et al's visual rating criteria for single-leg squat performance in asymptomatic athletes, and suggest that "off-the-shelf" foot orthoses may be a simple intervention for poor performers to normalize the magnitude of the external KAM during single-leg squat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of variable load jump squats (JSs) on acute drop jump (DJ) performance across multiple sets was examined. Seventeen elite rugby sevens athletes performed 3 DJs after 3 repetitions of a JS conditioning activity (CA) performed at 30 or 50% 1RM back squat loads. Acute postactivation performance enhancement (PAPE) in DJ kinetic and kinematic variables was assessed using a commercially available force platform (1,000 Hz). Postactivation performance enhancement was predominant after the 30% 1RM load with the greatest frequency of potentiation exhibited in set 3. The 50% 1RM CA resulted in substantial decrements in DJ performance with the exception of active stiffness, reactive strength index (flight:contact time), and contact time. Moderate differences were observed between the 50 and 30% 1RM loads for peak power (W), impulse (N·s), and force at zero velocity (N); active stiffness was the only variable where PAPE was greater in the 50% 1RM CA (ES: small). Active stiffness was the only variable to display favorable associations with relative strength in both the JS 30% 1RM (ES: 0.38 ± 0.20; moderate) and 50% 1RM (ES: 0.24 ± 0.23; small) CA loads. The JS 30% 1RM CA results in greater magnitude and frequency of PAPE of DJ kinetic and kinematic variables and is recommended if seeking to target PAPE in a range of DJ performance variables. Heavier JS loads may be appropriate if enhancement of muscle stiffness and stretch-shortening cycle efficiency is required. Consideration of targeted kinetic and kinematic variables when selecting CA intensity in complex training design is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the sustainability of Robot-assisted upper limb therapy (RT-UL) as part of routine occupational therapy and physiotherapy clinical practice. Two separate audits, 12 months apart, of RT-UL computer data records were undertaken to determine sustainability in a subacute rehabilitation unit. Records of the two audits were compared in terms of the number of early subacute stroke survivors using RT-UL, the number of RT-UL sessions, duration of RT-UL sessions, and disciplines prescribing RT-UL. During Audit 1 58% (n = 18) of stroke survivors received RT-UL compared to 50% (n = 7) in Audit 2. The total number of RT-UL sessions reduced between audits (148 vs. 36 sessions) reflecting the overall reduction in admission rates for stroke survivors. There was no significant difference between audits in the average number of RT-UL sessions per patient (p = 0.203) nor the length of sessions (p = 0.762). Patients engaged in active therapy more than three-quarters of the time when on the robotic device. Physiotherapists were the primary prescribers of RT-UL when compared to occupational therapists. RT-UL was in continued and regular use with stroke survivors 2 years after initial implementation within an inpatient rehabilitation setting. RT-UL practice was intensive and used routinely with patients. RT-UL is a sustainable and intensive intervention for stroke survivors within an inpatient rehabilitative setting. The cost-benefits of RT-UL should be evaluated from the perspective of the whole rehabilitation service not just at an individual patient level. RT-UL may be considered a "bridging" form of UL practice for those with more limited active UL movement until there is sufficient UL movement and power for more complex real-world task-specific practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overarm throwing is an essential fundamental movement skill (FMS). Competency in throwing is critical to encourage physical activity throughout lifespan. However, the segmental sequencing characteristics of skilled throwing to achieve maximum ball release speed are unclear. Further, the standard instructions for segmental sequencing in coaching manuals are anecdotal and not based on scientific evidence. Therefore, the aim of this study was to establish the critical features of upper‐body sequencing in skilled throwing for maximum speed. This would enable revised instructions for coaching throwing based on scientific evidence. The three‐dimensional kinematics of 144 right‐handed unconstrained maximum overarm throws were captured and analyzed. The quartiles of participants with the fastest and lowest ball release speed, normalized by height, were defined as the Skilled Group and Less Skilled Group, respectively. Paired t‐tests were used to determine the differences in times of successive events within groups and independent t‐tests for between‐group differences in temporal space between events for all sequences. A characteristic segmental sequence of each group was defined as a sequence with significant within‐group differences in two successive events (p < 0.001), while a critical segmental sequence was defined as a sequence with significant differences in temporal space both within groups and between groups (p < 0.001). The Skilled Group had six characteristic sequences, while two were found for the Less Skilled Group, summarized in the conceptual model. A single critical sequence of non‐throwing arm elbow extension prior to shoulder extension was found. Five evidence‐based instructions were recommended to add to the Australian FMS instruction manual. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomechanically, sea turtles could be perceived as birds of the ocean as they glide and flap their forelimbs to produce the necessary forces required for locomotion, making sea turtles an interesting animal to study. However, being an endangered species makes studying the sea turtle's biomechanics a complex problem to solve, both technically and ethically, without causing disturbance. This work develops a novel, non-invasive procedure to develop full three-dimensional kinematics for wild sea turtles by filming the animals in Australia's Great Barrier Reef using underwater drones without disturbing them. We found that the wild animals had very different swimming patterns than previous studies on juveniles in captivity. Our findings show that the flipper goes through a closed-loop trajectory with extended sweeping of the flipper tip towards the centre of the carapace to create a clapping motion. We have named this the "sweep stroke" and in contrast to previously described four-stage models, it creates a five-stage cycle swimming locomotion model. The model presented here could lead to a better comprehension of the sea turtle propulsion methods and their fluid–structure interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frontal plane postures during the ultimate step of sidestepping are linked to increased anterior cruciate ligament injury risk. However, there is a lack of research detailing the kinematic strategies present in the penultimate step. This study, therefore, investigated penultimate and ultimate step kinematics of planned sidestepping (pSS) and unplanned sidestepping (upSS) to further understand the effect of planning time on known ultimate step kinematic and kinetic differences. Sixty male amateur Australian Rules football players performed three trials of straight‐line running (RUN), pSS, and upSS in a randomized order. Mediolateral foot placement and three‐dimensional joint kinematics for the knee, pelvis, and trunk were measured at final foot contact of the penultimate step and initial foot contact of the ultimate step. Peak knee moments were measured during the weight acceptance phase of the ultimate step. In pSS, at the penultimate step final foot contact, the support foot was placed across the midline of the center of mass, in the frontal plane, contralateral to the sidestep direction. Greater trunk lateral flexion toward the sidestep direction and greater negative pelvic lateral tilt were observed in pSS compared with upSS and RUN. Differences between pSS and upSS frontal plane kinematics at penultimate step final foot contact suggest preparatory reorientation strategies are likely constrained by the amount of planning time available. As there are clear differences in preparatory kinematics, we recommend that planning time be considered when training and assessing sidestepping maneuvers and planned and unplanned maneuvers not be treated as interchangeable skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine which potential contributing factors are associated with upper limb associated reaction (AR) expression in individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI). Forty-two participants underwent three-dimensional motion analysis at self-selected walking speed to generate the AR outcome measure, quantifying their upper limb kinematic deviation compared to healthy controls. Clinical assessment included: upper and lower limb hypertonicity, spasticity and strength, balance, dynamic walking stability, arm and leg function, anxiety, arm pain/discomfort, and fear of falling. Significant, moderate-to-strong correlations (r = 0.42–0.74, p < 0.05) existed between upper limb ARs and both hypertonicity and spasticity of the upper limb muscles and the knee extensors. Significant, moderate correlations to ARs (r = 0.42–0.59, p < 0.05) existed for balance, dynamic stability, upper limb strength, and arm function. The severity of AR was significantly different between those with and without hypertonicity of the four tested upper limb muscles, elbow and long finger flexor spasticity, knee extensor spasticity, and reduced dynamic stability (p < 0.05; effect sizes ≥0.80). However, these contributing factors were not present in all participants. Associated reactions are complex and multi-factorial. There were several significant correlations indicating that factors may influence AR severity. While positive upper motor neuron syndrome features should be prioritised for clinical assessment, these factors are not prerequisites for ARs. Upper limb associated reactions are a complex and multi-factorial phenomenon. Upper limb muscle hypertonicity and spasticity should be prioritised for assessment; however, they are not prerequisites for associated reactions. Hypertonicity and spasticity should be differentiated as they may have differing relationships to associated reactions. Knee extensor hypertonicity and spasticity, postural stability, upper limb strength, and arm function may also be contributing factors to consider. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescent tennis players are at risk for low back pain (LBP). Recent research has demonstrated a potential mechanical etiology during serves; however, groundstrokes have also been suggested to load this region. Therefore, this study compared lumbar mechanics between players with and without a history of LBP during open and square stance tennis forehands and backhands. Nineteen elite, adolescent, male tennis players participated, 7 with a history of recurrent disabling LBP and 12 without. Differences in three-dimensional lumbar kinetics and kinematics were compared between pain/no pain groups and groundstrokes using linear mixed models (P < .01). There were no significant differences between pain/no pain groups. Relative to a right-handed player, groundstroke comparisons revealed that forehands had greater racquet velocity, greater lumbar right lateral flexion force, as well as upper lumbar extension/rightward rotation and lower lumbar right rotation/lateral flexion movements that were closer to or further beyond end of range than backhands. Backhands required upper lumbar leftward rotation that was beyond end range, while forehands did not. Given that players typically rotated near to their end of range during the backswing of both forehands and backhands, independent of pain, groundstrokes may contribute to the cumulative strain linked to LBP in tennis players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate temporal variation in running intensity across and within halves and evaluate the agreement between match-analysis indices used to identify fluctuations in running intensity in rugby sevens. Methods: Data from a 15-Hz global positioning system (GPS) were collected from 12 elite rugby sevens players during the IRB World Sevens Series (N = 21 full games). Kinematic (eg, relative distance [RD]) and energetic (eg, metabolic power [MP]) match-analysis indices were deter- mined from velocity--time curves and used to investigate between-halves variations. Mean MP and RD were used to identify peak 2-minute periods of play. Adjacent 2-minute periods (prepeak and postpeak) were compared with peak periods to identify changes in intensity. MP and RD were expressed relative to maximal oxygen uptake ( ...O2max) and speed at ...O2max, respectively, and compared in their ability to describe the intensity of peak periods and their temporal occurrence. Results: Small to moderate reductions were present for kinematic (RD; 8.9%) and energetic (MP; 6%) indices between halves. Peak periods (RD = 130 m/min, MP =13 W/kg) were higher (P < .001) than the match average (RD = 94 m/min, MP = 9.5 W/kg) and the prepeak and postpeak periods (P < .001). RD underestimated the intensity of peak periods compared with MP (bias 16%, limits of agreement [LoA] ± 6%). Peak periods identified by RD and MP were temporally dissociated (bias 21 s, LoA ± 212 s). Conclusions: The findings suggest that running intensity varies between and within halves; however, the index used will influence both the magnitude and the temporal identification of peak periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Accelerometer peak impact accelerations are being used to measure player physical demands in contact sports. However, their accuracy to do so has not been ascertained. Purpose: To compare peak-impact-acceleration data from an accelerometer contained in a wearable tracking device with a 3-dimensional motion-analysis (MA) system during tackling and bumping. Methods: Twenty-five semielite rugby athletes wore a tracking device containing a 100-Hz triaxial accelerometer (MinimaxX S4, Catapult Innovations, Australia). A single retroreflective marker was attached to the device, with its position recorded by a 12-camera MA system during 3 physical-collision tasks (tackle bag, bump pad, and tackle drill; N = 625). The accuracy, effect size, agreement, precision, and relative errors for each comparison were obtained as measures of accelerometer validity. Results: Physical-collision peak impact accelerations recorded by the accelerometer overestimated (mean bias 0.60 g) those recorded by the MA system (P < .01). Filtering the raw data at a 20-Hz cutoff improved the accelerometer's relationship with MA data (mean bias 0.01 g; P > .05). When considering the data in 9 magnitude bands, the strongest relationship with the MA system was found in the 3.0-g or less band, and the precision of the accelerometer tended to reduce as the magnitude of impact acceleration increased. Of the 3 movements performed, the tackle-bag task displayed the greatest validity with MA. Conclusions: The findings indicate that the MinimaxX S4 accelerometer can accurately measure physical-collision peak impact accelerations when data are filtered at a 20-Hz cutoff frequency. As a result, accelerometers may be useful to measure physical collisions in contact sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The swimming turn significantly contributes to overall race performance. Whilst the importance of the turn is well established within the literature, the biomechanical parameters that are most important to turn performance remain unclear. The aim of this study was to identify the key biomechanical parameters that influence freestyle and butterfly turn time within an elite population. An elite population was defined to include athletes who had represented Australia at a minimum of one international competition. Retrospective data from 39 male freestyle turns, 41 female freestyle turns, 21 male butterfly turns and 23 female butterfly turns were analysed. Regression analysis was used to identify the biomechanical parameters (e.g., peak power per kg, total time in underwater work) that were important to turn performance. Analysis revealed that no individual parameter strongly predicted turn performance for any of the investigated subsets. Results of the present study suggest that a holistic approach should be taken to improve turn performance. This would involve making technique changes to a number of biomechanical parameters rather than focussing on a single parameter. Developing training programmes in this way will increase the effectiveness of prescribed interventions and assist in maximising improvement made to turn performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The separation between Australia and Antarctica occurred during the final stages of the break‐up of Pangea. Reconstructions of the rifting of the Australian plate away from Antarctica show fast spreading rates since Mid‐Eocene (45 Ma). These reconstructions can be used to understand and quantify the forces driving the Australia/Antarctica separation, and to test hypotheses on mechanisms that may be of shallow (i.e., lithosphere) or deep (i.e., mantle) origin. Analytical calculations indicate that plate‐boundary forces are highly unlikely to be a plausible candidate to explain such a separation. Thus, we use a recently developed global coupled models of mantle and lithosphere dynamics, here we show that this event, whose kinematics are reproduced in our models within the bounds of the reconstruction uncertainties, owes to a significant degree to the pressure‐driven asthenospheric Poiseuille flow associated with the mantle buoyancy field inherited from viscous circulation history throughout the Mesozoic. On the contrary, in simulations when such a buoyancy field is replaced by another one resulting from a random distribution of mantle temperature–thus not representative of Earth's mantle circulation history–the rapid northward motion of Australia does not occur. Similarly, suppressing contemporaneous plate‐boundary processes (i.e., subduction of the Pacific ridge at the Aleutians and healing of the India‐Australia ridge) from our models does not have a noticeable effect on the Australia‐Antarctica kinematics. Thus, a pressure‐driven Poiseuille mantle flow must be considered, at least in this example and possible elsewhere, as a main driver of plate tectonics. Key Points: Reconstructions of the rifting of the Australian plate away from Antarctica shows fast spreading rates since Mid‐Eocene (45 Ma)Analyzed mechanisms to separate the Australian plate from Antarctica using coupled global models of mantle and lithosphere dynamicsResults indicate that the separation between the Australian and Antarctica plate was driven by an asthenospheric pressure Poiseuille flow [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The medial pivot TKA design was introduced in the 1990s. These are fixed-bearing, medial-conforming implants with virtually no translation in the medial part of the knee, in contrast to the flat lateral part of the insert allowing for translation similar to the native knee during flexion and extension. Most primary TKAs performed in Norway and Australia are cruciate-retaining. All of the medial pivot implants in our study are cruciate-sacrificing but without a post-cam mechanism. The medial pivot implant design was developed to more closely mimic native knee motion, in the hope of improving function, and not primarily as a more constrained knee for difficult cases. In the past 10 to 12 years, a second-generation medial-pivot design has emerged, but there are no larger registry studies on the survival of these implants. Both cruciate-retaining and medial pivot designs are reported in the Australian and Norwegian registries, allowing for large-scale, comparative survivorship studies.Questions/purposes: (1) Is there any difference in survival between the medial pivot design and the three most commonly used cruciate-retaining TKA designs? (2) Is there any difference in survival among the different medial pivot implant designs? (3) What are the main indications for revision of medial pivot TKAs?Methods: Registry data from the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry and Norwegian Arthroplasty Register from 2005 until the end of 2017 were used to compare the five different brands of medial pivot TKA designs (total primary TKAs assessed: 6310). In Australia, the study group of medial pivot implants represented 9% (6012 of 72,477) of the total number of cemented/hybrid TKAs without patellar resurfacing; 345 had cementless femoral components. In Norway, the study group represented 1% (298 of 47,820) of the total number of TKAs with cemented tibias without patellar resurfacing; all had cemented femoral components. The control group consisted of the three most commonly used cruciate-retaining TKA designs (n = 70,870; Australia n = 54,554; Norway n = 16,316). All TKAs used a fixed-bearing, cemented tibial component and did not involve patella resurfacing. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was assessed to estimate survivorship. We compared the groups by calculating the hazard ratios (HR) using Cox regression adjusted for age, gender and preoperative diagnosis with 95% CI. To answer our third question, we calculated the percentage of each revision indication from the total number of revisions in each group, and used a Cox regression analysis to compare revision causes and HRs. Analyses were performed separately by each registry. Accounting for competing risks (Fine and Gray) did not alter our findings [].Results: After controlling for potential confounding variables such as gender, age and preoperative diagnosis, we found an increased revision risk for the medial pivot compared with cruciate-retaining TKA designs in Australia (HR 1.4 [95% CI 1.2 to 1.7]; p < 0.001), but not in Norway (HR 1.5 [95% CI 0.9 to 2.4]; p = 0.1). Two brands of the medial pivot design reported to the AOANJRR showed an increased risk of revision compared with cruciate-retaining designs: the Advance® II MP (HR 1.7 [95% CI 1.2 to 2.6]; p = 0.004) and the GMK® Sphere (HR 2.0 [95% CI 1.5 to 2.6]; p < 0.001), whereas the MRK (HR 0.7 [95% CI 0.4 to 1.5]; p = 0.4), the Evolution® MP (HR 1.4 [95% CI 1.0 to 1.9]; p = 0.06) and the SAIPH® (HR 0.9 [95% CI 0.5 to 1.5]; p = 0.7) showed no difference. The most common reasons for revision of medial pivot implants in Australia were infection (27%), pain alone (19%), patellar erosion (13%), loosening/lysis (12%); in Norway the primary indications were loosening/lysis (28%), instability (28%), malalignment (11%) and pain alone (11%).Conclusions: The medial pivot TKA design as a group had a higher revision rate than cruciate-retaining fixed-bearing controls in TKA performed without patellar component resurfacing. By brand, the Advance II MP and the GMK Sphere had inferior survivorship, whereas the MRK, the SAIPH and the Evolution MP had no differences in survivorship compared with cruciate-retaining controls. In Australia, TKAs with the medial pivot design without patella resurfacing had a higher rate of revisions for instability, malalignment, and patella erosion. In Norway, there was an increased risk of revision for lysis and loosening compared with the cruciate-retaining design. Several of these implants had short follow-up in this study. Further registry studies with longer follow up are therefore necessary.Level Of Evidence: Level III, therapeutic study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: TKA generally has excellent long-term survivorship. When a new knee system supersedes a previous model, increased survivorship, improved functional performance, or both may be expected, because key areas of design modification are often targeted to address wear, stability, and the patellofemoral articulation. However, not all design changes are beneficial, and to our knowledge, knee arthroplasty has not been systematically evaluated in the context of design changes that occur during the development of new knee arthroplasty systems.Questions/purposes: Using the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry (AOANJRR) we performed multiple old-to-new comparisons of frequently used contemporary knee implants to ask: (1) does overall prosthesis survivorship free from revision increase when a new knee prosthesis system is introduced to replace a prior prosthesis system? (2) Has survivorship free from revision improved for the revision indications of wear, instability, and patellofemoral articulation issues, where development efforts have been concentrated?Methods: Data from the AOANJRR from September 1999 to December 2017 were used to compare the survivorship of prostheses free from revision at a maximum of 17 years in procedures where a new design model was introduced to replace a prior knee system from the same manufacturer. Only prosthesis systems used in a minimum of 2000 primary TKA procedures for osteoarthritis that had a minimum of 5 years of follow-up were included. Varus-valgus constrained and hinge TKA designs were excluded. Cruciate-retaining, posterior-stabilized, and medial pivot-design knees were considered separately. The new and old prosthesis systems were paired for analysis. Survivorship was calculated with Kaplan Meier estimates and comparisons were performed using the Cox proportional hazards method. Subanalyses according to the three main revision indications were performed, and where possible, analyses were performed based on polyethylene types (highly cross-linked polyethylene and ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene), combined and separated. Revision was defined as a reoperation of a previous knee arthroplasty in which one or more of the components was removed, replaced, or added. There were 323,955 TKA procedures and 11 new prosthesis system designs that were introduced to replace an earlier knee system from the same manufacturer. Of these prosthesis system pairs, six were cruciate-retaining prostheses, four were posterior-stabilized designs, and one was a medial pivot design.Results: Six of the 11 knee system pairs showed improved survivorship with the new design, three were no different, and in two, the newer prosthesis systems had a higher rate of revision than the old one did. When revision for wear was analyzed, five prosthesis systems showed improvement, five were no different, and one had a higher rate of revision than the previous system did. There was no improvement in the rate of revision for instability; seven new prosthesis systems showed no difference from the previous system and four new prosthesis systems had a higher rate of revision than the previous system did. A subanalysis of revision for patellofemoral complications showed improvement in two comparisons, no difference in six, and a higher revision rate in two; one could not be calculated because of an insufficient number of revisions for this reason.Conclusions: It is difficult to predict whether a new system will demonstrate better survival than a previous one, and widespread uptake of a new design before a benefit is shown in robust clinical studies is unwise. Similarly, adoption of a new system for which there is no difference in survivorship from a previous model may be premature because a new device may have associated unknown and unintended consequences. Healthcare policy makers and therapeutic device regulators should similarly be guided by results and seek out peer-reviewed evidence before accepting change to established practice. Surgeons must be aware that implant changes may not translate into better survivorship and must seek compelling evidence of improvement in survival and/or function before changing systems.Level Of Evidence: Level III, therapeutic study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patellofemoral arthroplasty (PFA) is one option for the treatment of isolated patellofemoral osteoarthritis, but there are limited data regarding the procedure and results. Because isolated patellofemoral arthritis is relatively uncommon, available case series generally are small, and even within national registries, sample sizes are limited. Combining data from multiple registries may aid in assessing worldwide PFA usage and survivorship.Questions/purposes: We combined and compared data from multiple large arthroplasty registries worldwide to ask: (1) What proportion of patients undergoing primary knee arthroplasty have PFA? (2) What are the patient and prosthesis characteristics associated with PFA in common practice, as reflected in registries? (3) What is the survivorship free from revision of PFA and what are the reasons for and types of revisions?Methods: Data were provided by eight registries that are members of the International Society of Arthroplasty Registries (ISAR) who agreed to share aggregate data: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Sweden, Finland, Norway, the Netherlands, and the United States. De-identified data were obtained for PFA performed from either the beginning of year 2000, or the earliest recorded implantation date after that in each individual registry when PFA data collection commenced, up to December 31, 2016. This included patient demographics, implant use, all-cause revision rate (determined by cumulative percent revision [CPR]), and reasons for and type of revision.Results: During the data collection period, 6784 PFAs were performed in the eight countries. PFAs comprised less than 1% of primary knee replacements in all registries. Patient demographics were comparable in all countries. Patients were generally more likely to be women than men, and the mean age ranged from 50 years to 60 years. All registries showed a high rate of revision for PFA. The 5-year CPR for any reason ranged from 8.0% (95% CI 4.5 to 11.5) in Norway to 18.1% (95% CI 15.5 to 20.7) in the Netherlands. The most common reason for revision across all countries was disease progression (42%, 434 of 1034). Most PFAs (83%, 810 of 980) were revised to a TKA.Conclusions: The revision risk of PFA in all registries surveyed was more than three times higher than the reported revision risk of TKA at the same times. The survivorship of PFA is similar to that of the no-longer-used procedure of metal-on-metal conventional hip replacement. Although there may be potential functional benefits from PFA, these findings of consistent and alarmingly high rates of revision should create concern, particularly as this procedure is often used in younger patients.Level Of Evidence: Level III, therapeutic study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a relationship between pain and movement kinematics during functional tasks, evaluated over time, in individuals with chronic idiopathic neck pain. Ten participants with chronic idiopathic neck pain performed 2 functional tasks (overhead reach to the right and putting on a seatbelt) while evaluated using 8 Oqus 300+ cameras. Kinematic variables included joint angles and range of motion (ROM) (°), head segment relative to neck segment (head-neck [HN]); and head/neck segment relative to upper thoracic segment (head/neck-trunk), velocity (m/s), and time (% of movement phase). Pain was quantified using a 100-mm visual analog scale. Linear mixed effects regression models were used to analyze associations between pain and kinematic variables adjusting for treatment group. For overhead reach, higher pain was associated with less HN peak rotation at baseline (β = –0.33; 95% CI −0.52 to –0.14, P =.003) and less HN total rotation ROM at 6 months (β = –0.19; 95% CI –0.38 to –0.003, P =.048). For the seatbelt task, higher pain was associated with less HN peak rotation (β = –0.52; 95% CI −0.74 to –0.30 to –0.74, P <.001) and less HN total rotation ROM at baseline (β = –0.32; 95% CI –0.53 to –0.10, P =.006). No other movement variables demonstrated meaningful relationships with pain for the reach or seatbelt tasks. Higher pain is associated with less HN peak and total rotation during functional reaching tasks requiring head rotation. Recognizing altered functional kinematics in individuals with chronic neck pain may assist patient management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Structural features of lateral tibiofemoral (TF) joint osteoarthritis (OA) occur in up to half of all people with knee OA, and co-existing lateral TF OA is associated with worse knee pain in people with mixed compartmental knee OA. Clinical guidelines for management of knee OA advocate advice about appropriate footwear, yet there is no research evaluating which types of footwear are best for managing pain associated with lateral TF OA. Biomechanical evidence suggests that "motion-control" footwear, which possess midsoles that are stiffer medially compared to laterally, may shift load away from the lateral compartment of the knee and thus may reduce knee pain associated with lateral TF OA. The primary aim of this study is to compare the effects of motion-control shoes to neutral shoes on knee pain in people with predominantly lateral TF OA.Methods: This will be an assessor- and participant-blinded, two-arm, comparative effectiveness randomized controlled trial (RCT) conducted in Melbourne, Australia. We will recruit a minimum of 92 people with painful lateral TF OA from the community. Participants will be randomly allocated to receive either motion-control shoes or neutral shoes and will be instructed to wear their allocated shoes for a minimum of 6 h per day for 6 months. The primary outcome is change in self-reported knee pain on walking, measured using a numerical rating scale, assessed at baseline and 6 months. Secondary outcomes include other measures of knee pain, physical function, quality of life, participant-perceived change in pain and function, and physical activity levels.Discussion: This study will compare the efficacy of motion-control shoes to neutral shoes for people with painful lateral TF OA. Findings will be the first to provide evidence of the effects of footwear on knee pain in this important subgroup of people with knee OA and allow clinicians to provide accurate advice about the most appropriate footwear for managing pain associated with lateral TF OA.Trial Registration: This trial has been prospectively registered by the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry on 15/11/2018 (reference: ACTRN12618001864213). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patellar tendinopathy (PT) is a leading cause of morbidity in jump‐landing athletes. Landing mechanics are identified as a factor associated with PT and/or patellar tendon abnormality. This study aimed to identify key jump‐landing variables associated with PT. Thirty‐six junior elite basketball players (men n = 18, women n = 18) were recruited from a Basketball Australia development camp. Three‐dimensional (3D) kinematic and ground reaction force (GRF) data during a stop‐jump task were collected as well as ultrasound scans of the patellar tendons and recall history of training load data. Mixed‐model factorial analyses of variance were used to determine any significant between‐group differences. Of the 23 participants included for statistical analyses, 11 had normal bilateral patellar tendons (controls) and eight reported PT (currently symptomatic); however, the four participants categorized as asymptomatic with patellar tendon abnormality on diagnostic imaging were excluded from statistical analyses due to their small sample size. Athletes with PT displayed a similar knee flexion angle at initial foot‐ground contact (IC) and hip extension strategy during a stop‐jump horizontal landing. Despite a similar kinematic technique, athletes with PT utilized a strategy of a longer stance duration phase from IC to peak force. This strategy did not lead to those athletes with PT decreasing their peak vertical GRF nor patellar tendon force during landing but enabled these athletes to land with a lower rate of loading (control 59.2 ± 39.3 vs. PT 29.4 ± 33.7 BW.s‐1). Athletes with PT still reported significantly reduced training volume (control 4.9 ± 1.8 vs PT 1.8 ± 1.1 sessions/wk; total training time/wk control 2.4 ± 1.0 vs PT 1.4 ± 1.1 h/wk). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In Australian Football (AF), the ability to proficiently kick the ball is a critical skill and has been shown to be advantageous to a team's successful performance; however, a valid and reliable match referenced kicking assessment remains absent. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a valid and reliable AF kicking proficiency assessment comparative to match play kicking performance. Method: Youth male Australian Football players (n = 251) from different stages within the AF talent pathway were recruited. The developed AFFB-DKA (Australian Football Field-Based-Dynamic Kicking Assessment) considered particular constraints of match play kicking demands such as kick type, distance, delivery, and locomotion of the player receiving the ball. In total, 14 kicks were completed during the test. Validity (i.e., content, logical and construct) and reliability (i.e., test re-test) were assessed. Results: Findings indicate the kicking test can distinguish across and between age (i.e., U14; U16; U18) and skill groups (i.e., club; sub-elite; elite). The timeframe between U14 and U16 was identified as a potential key period where kicking skill acquisition may be most impressionable; however, further research is recommended to support this. Conclusion: The developed AFFB-DKA is the first Australian Football specific kicking assessment to consider and apply match play kicking constraints to make a more representative, valid and reliable assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of this study were to investigate the frequency, magnitude, and distribution of head impacts sustained by youth AF players over a season of games and report subjective descriptions on the mechanism-of-injury and sign and symptoms experienced. A prospective observational cohort study with participants (n = 19) (age range 13-14 yr., mean ± SD 13.9 ± 0.3 yr.) wearing a wireless impact measuring device behind their right ear over the mastoid process prior to game participation. Participants completed an individual post-game logbook providing feedback responses on recalling having a direct hit to their head with another player or the surface. Players experienced a mean (SD) of 5 (+4) impacts per-player per-game. The peak linear rotation (PLA) median, (95th percentiles) were 15.2g (45.8g). The median (95th percentile) peak rotational acceleration (PRA) were 183,117 deg/s² (594,272 deg/s²). Median (95th percentile) Head Impact Telemetry Severity profile were 15.1 (46.1) and Risk Weighted Exposure Combined Probability were 0.0012 (0.7062). Twelve participants reported sustaining a head impact. Players reporting a head impact had a faster mean impact duration (t(25) = 2.4; p = 0.0025) and had a lower median PLA(g) (F(23,2) = 845.5; p = 0.0012) than those who did not report a head impact. These results show similar measurements to the older junior- (aged 17-19) and seniorleague (20+) players. Furthermore, players who reported sustaining a direct or indirect impact during games had similar measurements to those who did not, thus highlighting the difficulty of concussion recognition, at least with youth. Future research may need to establish the relationship between concussion-like symptoms in the absence of an impact and in relation to concussion evaluation assessments such as the King-Devick and SCAT5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analysing player kinematics during a match using "gold-standard" 3D video-based motion analysis techniques is a difficult prospect indeed. The development of small, wireless, wearable sensors offers the potential to reduce the challenges of measuring kinematics during match-play without hindering performance. The present study examined the viability of using wireless tri-axial accelerometers to examine whether key performance measures of drag flicks executed by expert specialist drag-flickers are predicted by the kinematics of the striking phase. Linear mixed models were used to examine whether the speed and accuracy of players' drag flicks were predicted by the duration of stick-ball contact, and the kinematics of the lead lower limb at stick-ball contact and ball release. Results revealed that stick and lead lower limb kinematics significantly predicted shot accuracy but not shot speed. Shorter drag-time predicted more accurate flicks (p = 0.03) as did a more vertical leg at stick-ball contact (p = 0.016) and a more horizontal thigh at ball release (p = 0.001). This may indicate that there are more ways to produce fast drag flicks than accurate ones. This study illustrates that wireless tri-axial accelerometers can be used on-field to measure the effects of kinematics on key performance measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wide-scale adoption of selective apple harvesting robots is yet to be seen, due to their strict requirement of well-manicured canopies to perform reliably. However, maintaining this standard of canopy is labour and resource-intensive, and an unsustainable practice for farmers in the long term who are already burdened with labour shortages. Without a complete planner and intelligent decision-making, a robotic harvesting platform would struggle to adapt to, and navigate in even typical canopy environments. In this work, we introduce the Monash Apple Retrieving System (MARS), a selective apple harvesting platform that is capable of navigating and harvesting apples in complex canopy environments without the need for canopy simplification. Utilising a four-tier planning process, MARS is able to generate gentle, collision-free harvesting trajectories in complex and unstructured canopies. Extensive trials were conducted over the 2021 and 2022 apple harvesting seasons in Australia, where MARS achieved a harvesting success rate of 62.8% at a cycle time of 9.18 s per apple, with negligible damage to the fruit. Performance increased to 70.8% success rate and 7.91 s of cycle time under ideal visibility conditions. Although performance can be further enhanced with canopy simplification and hardware upgrades, the reported results were achieved under realistic canopy conditions where very limited attempts were made to modify the canopy to create idealistic conditions for robotic harvesting. This baseline performance is promising for farmers who are wanting to utilise robotic harvesting, but do not have the resources to maintain well-manicured canopies. By lowering strict canopy requirements for robotic harvesting, we can improve accessibility of this technology to more farmers who are struggling with labour shortages around the world. • An apple harvesting robot presented can harvest apples in complex canopies. • A comprehensive planner allows the robot to navigate unstructured environments. • A median cycle time of 9.18 s is achieved at a success rate of 62.8%. • The results are a fair representation of harvesting performance in typical canopies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate kicking is essential to team success in Australian football. It is not known how foot-ball impact characteristics influence kicking accuracy, nor is it known if variability in foot-ball impact characteristics is functional or dysfunctional to performance. The aim of this study was to identify the relationship between foot-ball impact characteristics and kicking accuracy and determine if variability in foot-ball impact characteristics influenced performance variability. Ten players performed 30 drop punt kicks toward a target with an Australian football ball. Kicking accuracy (measured as the horizontal distance from the target in the perpendicular direction of the kick), initial ball flight characteristics, and foot-ball impact characteristics, including a novel method to calculate impact location on the ball, were measured. Variability was indicated using standard deviation of foot-ball impact and ball flight characteristics. Multiple linear regression analysis identified azimuth ball flight trajectory as the most important ball flight characteristic influencing kicking accuracy, not ball flight characteristics associated with ball curve. Intra-individual multiple linear regressions identified azimuth ball impact location and foot-ball angle were the two most important factors explaining variance in azimuth ball flight trajectory, the chosen performance measure. Variability existed between and within players. Reduced variability in azimuth ball flight trajectory, the chosen performance measure, was associated with reduced variability in foot-ball impact characteristics. This result indicated variability in foot-ball impact characteristics was dysfunctional for performance in the analysed task. Foot-ball impact characteristics and variability in foot-ball impact characteristics influences accuracy of Australian football drop punt kicking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Some surgeons contend that unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) can easily be revised to a TKA when revision is called for, whereas others believe that this can be complex and technically demanding. There has been little research regarding the efficacy or rationale of using metal augmentation and tibial stem extensions when revising a UKA to a TKA. QUESTION/PURPOSES: (1) Is the use of stem extensions for the tibial component associated with increased survival when revising a UKA to a TKA? (2) Is the addition of modular augments associated with increased survival compared with stem extensions alone? (3) Is TKA design (minimally stabilized versus posterior-stabilized) or (4) tibial fixation (cemented versus cementless) associated with differences in survivorship?Methods: Data from the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry (AOANJRR) were used to analyze implant survival after revision of a UKA to a TKA, comparing results in which tibial components were used with and without modular components. The groups analyzed were TKA without a stem extension, those in which a tibial stem extension was used, and those in which a tibial stem extension was used together with an augment. There were 4438 revisions of UKAs to TKAs available for analysis. The mean duration of followup of patients having the TKA revisions was 5 years (SD, 3.5 years). There were 2901 (65%) procedures in which a tibial stem extension was not used, 870 (20%) procedures with a tibial stem extension, and 667 (15%) with a tibial stem extension and metallic augment. Kaplan-Meier estimates of survivorship were calculated and hazard ratios (HRs) from Cox proportional hazard models, adjusting for age and sex, were used to compare the rate of revision among groups. The overall 10-year cumulative percent revision (CPR) for UKA revised to a TKA was 16%.Results: At 10 years, the CPR was increased when a stem extension was not used (19%; 95% confidence interval [CI],16.5-20.7 without a stem extension compared with 13%; 95% CI, 9.2-17.0 with a stem extension; entire period HR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.10-1.89; p = 0.007). There was no difference in the 10-year CPR when an augment was used together with a stem extension compared with a stem extension alone (HR, 1.26; 95% CI, 0.85-1.86; p = 0.251). When minimally stabilized and posterior-stabilized TKAs were compared, there was no difference in survivorship. Minimally stabilized TKA designs without stem extensions showed higher CPR compared with when stem extensions were used (HR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.16-2.70; p = 0.007), whereas posterior-stabilized designs without stem extensions showed higher CPR only when compared with when stem extensions and augments were both used (HR, 2.16; 95% CI, 1.24-3.77; p = 0.006). Cementless fixation of the tibial component resulted in a higher CPR than when cement was used (HR, 1.36; 95% CI 1.08-1.71; p = 0.008).Conclusions: In this registry study, the risk of repeat revision after revision of a UKA to a TKA was lower when a tibial stem extension was used, but no such difference was found with respect to augments. Our study did not account for the degree of bone loss or surgeon preference when considering stems and augments. Further research to establish the degree of bone loss associated with UKA to TKA revision procedures will help clarify these findings.Level Of Evidence: Level III, therapeutic study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous evidence has shown that males and females display different gait kinematics which may influence the perception of emotions displayed through the same walking gait. We therefore investigated the influence of walker gender on the perception of happiness, sadness, anger and fear displayed through walking movements. Full-light (FL), point-light (PL) and synthetically modelled point-light walkers (SW) of both genders were shown to perceivers over three experiments. Additionally, gender ambiguous synthetic walkers were shown to control for the influence of form, gender stereotypes and idiosyncratic gait movements on emotional gait perception. Each emotion was identified above chance level for both walker genders and in all display conditions though significantly less in PL and SW than in FL. The gender of the walker did not influence the pattern of identifications in FL walkers (Fear > Sad > Happy > Anger > Neutral), but did influence the identification patterns in PL (Female: [Happy = Sad = Fear = Anger] > Neutral; Male: Fear = Sad = [Happy > Anger] > Neutral) and SWs (Female: Happy = Sad = Anger = Fear = Neutral; Male: [Happy = Sad = Anger] > [Fear = Neutral]; Ambiguous: [[Happy = Sad = Anger] > Fear] = Neutral). The gender of the walker and format in which they are displayed influenced the perception of different basic emotions. The constructed SW stimuli also displayed happiness, sadness and anger with equivalent intensity in female, male and gender ambiguous walkers thus untangling the perception-expression entanglement that has plagued previous emotion perception research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose:To assess the orthotic and therapeutic effects of prolonged use of functional electrical stimulation (FES) on fatigue induced gait patterns in people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).Method:Thirteen people with MS completed 3D gait analysis with FES off and on, before and after a fatiguing 6-minute walk, at baseline and after 8 weeks of use of FES.Results:Eleven participants completed all testing. An orthotic effect on gait was not evident on first use of FES. However, therapeutic effects on gait after 8 weeks use were generally positive, including increases in walking speed due to improved neuromuscular control and power generated at the hip and ankle of the more affected limb. The action of FES alone was not sufficient to overcome all fatigue related deficits in gait but there was evidence 8 weeks use of FES can ameliorate some fatigue effects on lower limb kinetics, including benefits to ankle mechanics involved in generating power around push-off during stance.Conclusions:Eight-weeks of FES can benefit the gait pattern of people with MS under non-fatigued and fatigued conditions.Implications for rehabilitationIn some people with MS prolonged use of FES may be necessary before observing positive orthotic effects.Improvements in the neuromuscular control of the more affected lower limb may develop with prolonged use of FES in people with MS.Only some therapeutic benefits of FES are maintained during fatigued walking in people with MS.FES may be considered as a gait retraining device as well as an orthotic intervention for people with MS. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Context: Because of the increasing popularity of participation in Irish dance, the incidence of lower limb injuries is high among this competitive population. Objective: To investigate the effects of fatigue on the peak lower limb and trunk angles as well as the peak lower limb joint forces and moments of competitive female Irish dancers during the performance of a dance-specific single-limb landing. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: Fourteen healthy, female, competitive Irish dancers (age = 19.4 ± 3.7 years, height = 165.3 ± 5.9 cm, mass = 57.9 ± 8.2 kg). Intervention(s): Participants performed an Irish dance- specific leap before and after a dance-specific fatigue protocol. During each landing movement, 3-dimensional lower limb kinematics (250 Hz) and ground reaction forces (1000 Hz) were collected. Paired t tests were performed to determine the differences (P ≤ .05) in lower limb and trunk biomechanics prefatigue and postfatigue. Main Outcome Measure(s): Peak lower limb and trunk angles as well as peak lower limb joint reaction forces and external moments. Results: Compared with the prefatigue trials, dancers landed with reduced ankle plantar flexion (P = .003) and hip external rotation (P = .007) and increased hip-adduction alignment (P = .034) postfatigue. Dancers displayed greater anterior shear (P = .003) and compressive (P = .024) forces at the ankle and greater external knee-flexion moments (P = .024) during the postfatigue compared with the prefatigue landing trials. Conclusions: When fatigued, dancers displayed a decline in landing performance in terms of aesthetics as well as increased ankle- and knee-joint loading, potentially exposing them to a greater risk of injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Undulatory underwater swimming (UUS) is one of the major skills contributing to performance in competitive swimming. UUS has two phases- the upbeat is performed by hip extension and knee flexion, and the downbeat is the converse action. The purpose of this study was to determine which kinematic variables of the upbeat and downbeat are associated with prone UUS performance in an elite sample. Ten elite participants were filmed performing three prone 20 m UUS trials. Seven landmarks were manually digitised to calculate eighteen kinematic variables, plus the performance variable- horizontal centre of mass velocity (VCOM). Mean VCOM was significantly correlated with body wave velocity (upbeat r = 0.81, downbeat r = 0.72), vertical toe velocity (upbeat r = 0.71, downbeat r = 0.86), phase duration (upbeat r = -0.79), peak hip angular velocity (upbeat r = 0.73) and mean knee angular velocity (upbeat r = -0.63), all significant at P < 0.05. A multiple stepwise regression model explained 78% of variance in mean VCOM. Peak toe velocity explained 72% of the variance, and mean body wave velocity explained an additional 6%. Elite swimmers should strive for a high peak toe velocity and a fast caudal transfer of momentum to optimise underwater undulatory swimming performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to explore how asymptomatic athletes with a patellar tendon abnormality (PTA), who are at high risk of developing patellar tendinopathy, alter their landing technique and net patellar tendon loads generated in response to fatigue. Seven asymptomatic players with a PTA performed five successful vertical stop-jump trials before and after a fatigue protocol. Fatigue protocol involved participants repeatedly performing sets of 30 submaximal jump exercises on a sledge apparatus followed by 30 s rest until the task failure criteria were reached. Three-dimensional ground reaction forces, lower limb kinematics and net peak patellar tendon force were recorded during the stop-jump task. No significant between-fatigue condition differences in net patellar tendon loading, or most secondary outcome variables were observed. Only some fatigue changes were seen during the vertical landing phase. Asymptomatic PTA participants did not modify their landing technique or net patellar tendon loading during a stop-jump task in response to fatigue. The lack of between-fatigue condition differences displayed by the asymptomatic PTA participants during both landing phases suggest that these individuals may not be capable of sufficient movement variability in their landing strategies to adapt to fatigue. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: The modified Dunn procedure facilitates femoral capital realignment for slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) through a surgical hip dislocation approach. Iatrogenic postoperative hip instability after this procedure has not been studied previously; however, we were concerned when we observed several instances of this serious complication, and we wished to study it further.Questions/purposes: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the frequency, timing, and clinical presentation (including complications) associated with iatrogenic instability after the modified Dunn procedure for SCFE.Methods: Between 2007 and 2014, eight international institutions performed the modified Dunn procedure through a surgical dislocation approach in 406 patients. During the period in question, indications varied at those sites, but the procedure was used only in a minority of their patients treated surgically for SCFE (31% [406 of 1331]) with the majority treated with in situ fixation. It generally was performed for patients with severe deformity with a slip angle greater than 40°. Institutional databases were searched for all patients with SCFE who developed postoperative hip instability defined as hip subluxation or dislocation of the involved hip during the postoperative period. We reviewed in detail the clinical notes and operative records of those who presented with instability. We obtained demographic information, time from slip to surgery, type of fixation, operative details, and clinical course including the incidence of complications. Followup on those patients with instability was at a mean of 2 years (range, 1-5 years) after the index procedure. Complications were graded according to the modified Dindo-Clavien classification. Radiographic images were reviewed to measure the preoperative slip angle and the presence of osteonecrosis.Results: A total of 4% of patients treated with the modified Dunn procedure developed postoperative hip instability (17 of 406). Mean age of the patients was 13 years (range, 9-16 years). Instability presented as persistent hip pain in the postoperative period or was incidentally identified radiographically during the postoperative visit and occurred at a median of 3 weeks (range, 1 day to 2 months) after the modified Dunn procedure. Eight patients underwent revision surgery to address the postoperative instability. Fourteen of 17 patients developed femoral head avascular necrosis and three of 17 patients underwent THA during this short-term followup.Conclusions: Anterolateral hip instability after the modified Dunn procedure for severe, chronic SCFE is an uncommon yet potentially devastating complication. Future studies might evaluate the effectiveness of maintaining anterior hip precautions for several weeks postoperatively in an abduction brace or broomstick cast to prevent this complication.Level Of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humans naturally select a cadence that minimizes metabolic cost at a constant walking velocity. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of cadence on the medial gastrocnemius ( MG) muscle and tendon interaction, and examine how this might influence lower limb energetics. We hypothesized that cadences higher than preferred would increase MG fascicle shortening velocity because of the reduced stride time. Furthermore, we hypothesized that cadences lower than preferred would require greater MG fascicle shortening to achieve increased muscle work requirements. We measured lower limb kinematics and kinetics, surface electromyography of the triceps surae and MG fascicle length, via ultrasonography, during walking at a constant velocity at the participants' preferred cadence and offsets of ±10%, ±20%, and ±30%. There was a significant increase in MG fascicle shortening with decreased cadence. However, there was no increase in the MG fascicle shortening velocity at cadences higher than preferred. Cumulative MG muscle activation per minute was significantly increased at higher cadences. We conclude that low cadence walking requires more MG shortening work, while MG muscle and tendon function changes little for each stride at higher cadences, driving up cumulative activation costs due to the increase in steps per minute. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to probe the sex-based differences in the stroke and movement dynamics of Grand Slam hard-court tennis. Player and ball tracking data were collated for 102 male and 95 female players during the 2012–2014 Australian Open tournaments. Serve, serve return, groundstroke and movement data were compared between sexes. Serve statistics were the subject of the largest differences, with males achieving significantly faster speeds, aces and unreturned serves while also winning a greater percentage of service points. When returning serve, women contacted the ball closer to the net, lower to the ground and achieved flatter ball trajectories than males. Groundstroke frequencies were similar between sexes, although males hit with greater speed, flatter trajectories and impacted more shots inside the baseline. Distance covered per set or during points won or lost was not sex dependent, yet men exhibited faster average movement speeds. These findings highlight the need for sex-specific training and practice designs that cater to the different stroke dynamics, particularly in relation to the first serve and serve-return, as well as movement speeds. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Carrying a casualty on a stretcher is a critical task within military and emergency service occupations. This study evaluated the impact of manipulating carry speed and the object type in bilateral carries on the ability to predict performance and reflect the physical and physiological requirements of a unilateral stretcher carry. We demonstrated that three task-related predictive tests; a jerry can carry performed at 4.5 km h(-1)or 5.0 km h(-1) and a kettle-bell carry performed at 5.0 km h(-1) were strongly predictive of the physical and physiological demands of an individual participating as part of a four-person stretcher carry team. Therefore, bilateral predictive assessments have the utility for predicting the suitability of employees to effectively and safely conduct a four-person unilateral stretcher carry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose The objective of this study is to compare the balance and gait of 11 people with multiple sclerosis (MS) to 11 healthy controls and to investigate the immediate change after a single intervention based on the Bobath concept on these activities in the MS group. Methods Balance was assessed by ground reaction forces (GRF) and centre of pressure movements during single limb standing (SLS), the Lateral Reach Test (LRT) and the Four Square Step Test (FSST). Gait was evaluated by GRF, ankle kinematics and spatiotemporal measures. Results Baseline measures in the MS group showed significantly greater vertical GRF variability ( p = 0.008) during SLS reached less distance on the LRT ( p = 0.001) and were slower completing the FSST ( p < 0.001). During gait, the MS group walked slower ( p = 0.005) and had less ankle plantarflexion (PF) ( p = 0.001) than the control group. Less peak vertical GRF ( p < 0.001) and peak propulsive GRF ( p = 0.004) at terminal stance and increased vertical GRF in midstance ( p = 0.005) were observed. The measures of balance and gait were re-assessed in the MS group immediately after a 20-min intervention based on the Bobath concept delivered to the most impaired foot and ankle. After the intervention, the MS group had significant changes towards the control group values with reduced mediolateral ( p = 0.002) and vertical ( p = 0.016) GRF variability in the SLS task, faster FSST time ( p = 0.006) and increased ankle PF during gait ( p = 0.002). Discussion This study provides further evidence of balance and gait limitations in people with MS and indicates that a single treatment based on principles of the Bobath concept to the foot and ankle can result in immediate improvements in balance and ankle PF during gait in people with MS. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Musculoskeletal injuries are reported as burdening the military. An identified risk factor for injury is carrying heavy loads; however, soldiers are also required to wear their load as body armour. To investigate the effects of body armour on trunk and hip kinematics during military-specific manual handling tasks, 16 males completed 3 tasks while wearing each of 4 body armour conditions plus a control. Three-dimensional motion analysis captured and quantified all kinematic data. Average trunk flexion for the weightiest armour type was higher compared with control during the carry component of the ammunition box lift (p < 0.001) and sandbag lift tasks (p < 0.001). Trunk rotation ROM was lower for all armour types compared with control during the ammunition box place component (p < 0.001). The altered kinematics with body armour occurred independent of armour design. In order to optimise armour design, manufacturers need to work with end-users to explore how armour configurations interact with range of personal and situational factors in operationally relevant environments. Practitioner Summary:Musculoskeletal injuries are reported as burdening the military and may relate to body armour wear. Body armour increased trunk flexion and reduced trunk rotation during military-specific lifting and carrying tasks. The altered kinematics may contribute to injury risk, but more research is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Stroke rate (SR) has not been considered in previous research examining the relative roles of the limbs in front-crawl performance. This study compared velocity, aerobic power ([Formula: see text]) and metabolic cost (C) between whole body (WB) and arms only (AO) front-crawl swimming across various intensities while controlling SR.Methods: Twenty Australian national swimmers performed six 200 m front-crawl efforts under two conditions: (1) WB swimming and, (2) AO swimming. Participants completed the 200 m trials under three SR conditions: "low" (22-26 stroke-cycles min(-1)), "moderate" (30-34 stroke-cycles min(-1) and "high" (38-42 stroke-cycles min(-1)). [Formula: see text] was continuously measured, with C, velocity, SR, and kick rate calculated for each effort.Results: Regardless of the SR condition and sex, AO velocity was consistently lower than WB velocity by ~11.0 % (p < 0.01). AO [Formula: see text] was lower than WB [Formula: see text] at all SR conditions for females (p < 0.01) and at the "high" SR for males (p < 0.01). C did not differ between WB and AO at any SR for both sexes (p > 0.01). When C was expressed as a function of velocity, WB and AO regression equations differed for males (p = 0.01) but not for females (p = 0.087). Kick rate increased as SR increased (p < 0.01), though the kick-to-stroke rate ratio remained constant.Conclusion: Elite swimmers gain ~11 % in velocity from their kick and, when used in conjunction with the arm stroke at the swimmers' preferred frequency, the metabolic cost of WB and AO swimming is the same. Coaches should consider these results when prescribing AO sets if their intention is to reduce the metabolic load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the prevalence and burden of pain and activity limitations associated with retaining presurgery self-reported knee instability 6 months after total knee replacement (TKR) surgery and to identify early potentially modifiable risk factors for retaining knee instability in the operated knee after TKR surgery.Methods: A secondary analysis was performed using measures obtained from 390 participants undergoing primary unilateral TKR and participating in a randomized clinical trial. Self-reported knee instability was measured using 2 items from the Activities of Daily Living Scale of the Knee Outcome Survey. Outcome measures were knee pain (range 0-20) and physical function (range 0-68) on the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC), stair-climb power, 50-foot walk time, knee range of motion, and isometric knee flexion and extension strength.Results: In this study, 72% of participants reported knee instability just prior to surgery, with 32% retaining instability in the operated knee 6 months after surgery. Participants retaining operated knee instability had significantly more knee pain and activity limitations 6 months after surgery, with mean ± SD WOMAC scores of 4.8 ± 3.7 and 17.5 ± 11.1, respectively, compared to participants without knee instability, with 2.9 ± 3.1 and 9.8 ± 9.2. The multivariable predictor model for retained knee instability included a high comorbidity score (>6), low stair-climb power (<150 watts), more pain in the operated knee (>7 of 20), and younger age (<60 years).Conclusion: Self-reported knee instability is highly prevalent before and after TKR surgery and is associated with a considerable burden of pain and activity limitation in the operated knee. Increasing lower extremity muscle power may reduce the risk of retaining knee instability after TKR surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adverse local tissue reactions (ALTRs) around hip arthroplasties are an important reason for failure of metal-on-metal (MoM) hip implants. Little is known about capsular dehiscence patterns as ALTRs decompress from the hip into the surrounding tissue planes; these patterns may also influence the onset and severity of patient symptoms.Questions/purposes: Through a multicenter study approach, we asked: (1) Is ALTR location related to the surgical approach used for arthroplasty in patients who underwent hip arthroplasty (resurfacing or THA) with a single, recalled hip arthroplasty system? (2) Do ALTR severity and location affect patient-reported outcomes in these patients? (3) Is ALTR severity different between patients who received the resurfacing version of this component (Articular Surface Replacement [ASR]) and those who received the THA implant in this system (ASR XL)?Methods: In a multicenter prospective study of patients who had undergone surgery with use of the ASR and ASR XL hip system (DePuy Orthopaedics, Warsaw, IN, USA), 288 patients (333 hips) from two centers had a metal artifact reduction sequence MRI of the hip performed at a mean time of 6 years postsurgery. Procedures included 166 hips (50%) with ASR resurfacing and 167 hips (50%) with ASR XL THA performed between 2004 and 2010. One hundred twenty-nine hips (39%) had been operated on using a direct lateral approach and 204 using a posterior approach (61%). The EQ-5D, Harris hip score, UCLA activity score, and visual analog scale pain score were obtained for each patient. ALTRs were classified using the Anderson ALTR grading system, and the location, synovial thickness, and diameter of the ATLRs were assessed. The relationship between ALTR location and surgical approach as well as for ALTR severity and patient-reported outcomes were evaluated, and logistic regression was used to identify predictors for moderate-to-severe ALTRs.Results: Moderate or severe ALTRs were identified in 79 hips (24%); 41 of these hips had been operated on using the direct lateral approach and 38 using the posterior approach. In patients in whom the lateral approach was used, 83% had an anterior ALTR. Similarly, 71% of patients in the posterior approach group had posterior ALTRs. There were no differences in patient-reported outcome measures between patients with moderate-to-severe ALTRs and those with no ALTR findings on MRI (p > 0.09). Use of ASR XL was an independent risk factor for moderate-to-severe ALTRs (odds ratio, 2.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-5.5 p = 0.004) and patients with ASR XL also had a thicker synovium (median ASR XL = 3.6 mm [1.2-10.6 mm], median ASR = 2.6 mm [1.2-10.7 mm], p < 0.001) and larger maximal ALTR diameter (median ASR XL = 47.6 mm [14-109.70 mm], median ASR = 38.4 [17.2-118.0 mm], p = 0.02) than patients treated with ASR.Conclusions: The location of ALTRs can be predicted based on the previous surgical approach to the hip. Patients with ASR XL are more likely to develop moderate-to-severe ALTRs compared with ASR patients. An extensive range of patient-reported outcome measures may not identify all patients with ALTRs further supporting the use of MRI as a screening measure for ALTRs.Level Of Evidence: Level II, therapeutic study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a major clinical and public health problem, with no current medications approved as having disease modifying effects. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, or "statins", a drug class widely used to prevent cardiovascular events, could potentially affect OA progression via a number of mechanisms including their effects on lipid metabolism and inflammation. The aim of this multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial is to determine whether atorvastatin reduces the progression of knee structural changes and symptoms over 2 years in patients with symptomatic knee OA.Methods/design: 350 patients with symptomatic knee OA will be recruited through the OA Clinical Trial Network (in Melbourne, Hobart and Adelaide). They will be randomly allocated to the two arms of the study, receiving either 40 mg of atorvastatin or identical placebo once daily for 2 years. Magnetic resonance imaging of the knee will be performed at baseline and 2 years later. Knee structure, symptoms and function will be assessed using validated methods. The primary outcome is annual percentage change in knee cartilage volume. Secondary outcomes include progression of cartilage defects, bone marrow lesions, knee pain and function. The primary analysis will be by intention to treat, but per protocol analyses will also be performed.Discussion: The study will provide high-quality evidence to address whether atorvastatin has a novel disease modifying effect in OA by delaying the structural and symptomatic progression of knee OA. Thus, the trial has major public health and clinical importance, as if found to be beneficial, atorvastatin could produce substantial cost savings by delaying and possibly reducing the need for joint replacement surgery, and provide marked improvements in quality of life for people with OA.Trial Registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12613000190707 , registered on 18 February 2013. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The application of graft tension during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is considered an important feature of ACLR. However, wide variation exists in relation to graft tensioning practice limiting the ability to determine the best approach. Thus, the primary aim of this study was to describe current clinical practice amongst Australian orthopaedic surgeons with respect to graft tensioning and explore influencing factors.Materials and Methods: A survey was developed to address the aims of the study and pilot testing was completed to confirm validity and reliability. The survey population was defined as Australian orthopaedic surgeons, associated with the Australian Orthopaedic Association sub-specialty of knee to target surgeons likely to perform ACLR. The final sampling frame consisted of 192 surgeons.Results: Manual tensioning was the most common method (80.5 %), with a maximum one-handed pull the most frequent description and estimated tension ranged between 41 and 60 N with the knee positioned near full extension. Surgeons using a tensioning device tended to use a higher tension (mean 81.85 N), with the knee positioned at 30° flexion (40 %). Sixteen percent reported individualising tension on viscoelasticity of the graft, graft diameter, patient anthropometry and age. Patient outcomes and available evidence were the primary factors influencing tensioning protocol.Conclusion: Tensioning practices appear to consist of three main approaches, (1) manual tension using a sustained maximum one-handed pull, with tension estimated as 41-60 N, applied near full extension, (2) tensioning device, mean tension of 81.85 N, at 30° knee flexion, (3) individual approach based on size and viscoelastic properties of the graft, patient anthropometry, contralateral comparison to the other knee and age of the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micro-sensors were used to quantify macro kinematics of classical cross-country skiing techniques and measure cycle rates and cycle lengths during on-snow training. Data were collected from seven national level participants skiing at two submaximal intensities while wearing a micro-sensor unit (MinimaxX™). Algorithms were developed identifying double poling (DP), diagonal striding (DS), kick-double poling (KDP), tucking (Tuck), and turning (Turn). Technique duration (T-time), cycle rates, and cycle counts were compared to video-derived data to assess system accuracy. There was good reliability between micro-sensor and video calculated cycle rates for DP, DS, and KDP, with small mean differences (Mdiff% = −0.2 ± 3.2, −1.5 ± 2.2 and −1.4 ± 6.2) and trivial to small effect sizes (ES = 0.20, 0.30 and 0.13). Very strong correlations were observed for DP, DS, and KDP for T-time (r = 0.87–0.99) and cycle count (r = 0.87–0.99), while mean values were under-reported by the micro-sensor. Incorrect Turn detection was a major factor in technique cycle misclassification. Data presented highlight the potential of automated ski technique classification in cross-country skiing research. With further refinement, this approach will allow many applied questions associated with pacing, fatigue, technique selection and power output during training and competition to be answered. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Study Design Controlled laboratory study. Objective To evaluate the ability of 3 methods to assess static foot posture to predict rearfoot and midfoot kinematics during gait. Background Static foot posture is commonly used clinically to infer dynamic function. Limitations of static clinical assessments may be overcome through advances in technologies, including commercially available depth cameras. Methods The Foot Posture Index (FPI) of 31 males (average age, 22.5 years) was assessed using visual observation, a 3-D motion-analysis system, and a depth camera. Pearson correlations were used to evaluate relationships between FPI items and rearfoot and midfoot kinematics during walking. The ability of the static variables to predict dynamic function was assessed using multiple linear regression. Results Most FPI items (85%) were not correlated with foot kinematics, regardless of assessment method. There were 6 fair to moderate correlations between visual FPI items and total rearfoot (r = -0.36 to -0.39, P<.05) and midfoot (r = 0.37 to 0.61, P<.05) motion, 2 fair correlations between 3-D motion-analysis FPI items and total midfoot (r = -0.43, P = .02) and peak rearfoot (r = -0.40, P = .03) motion, and 2 fair correlations between the depth-camera FPI items and average rearfoot (r = -0.38 to 0.44, P<.05) motion. Visual assessment of the FPI provided the best prediction model, explaining 37% of the variance in total midfoot inversion/eversion. Conclusion Static measures of foot posture are weakly correlated with rearfoot or midfoot kinematics, and have limited dynamic prediction ability. Our findings suggest that the FPI may not be an accurate representation of rearfoot or midfoot movement during walking, regardless of the measurement technique employed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study conducted to evaluate the kinematics for performance of faster sprint acceleration among nonstriking experienced batsmen while playing quick single match. Several factors that were calculated by using analysis of variance method includes motion analysis, effect sizes and Pearson's correlations.

The punt kick is a fundamental skill used in several team sports; however, there has been a lack of research on how fatigue affects its technique. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of short-term fatigue on punt-kicking performance. Eight elite and sub-elite Australian Football players performed maximal drop punt kicks on their preferred leg prior to, during and after a match-specific fatigue protocol. Optotrak Certus collected kinematic data from kick foot toe-off until ball contact. Repeated-measures analysis of variance showed a significant increase in 20 m sprint times after each short-term protocol, indicating fatigue. Foot speed did not significantly change with fatigue; however, increases in the range of motion at the pelvis and kicking thigh, along with increases in kicking thigh angular velocity, occurred. For the support leg, maximum knee flexion angular velocity increased while there was greater flexion found at the knee and hip, and greater range of motion at the knee. Players are able to make kinematic adaptations in order to maintain foot speed while punting for maximal distance after short-term efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patellar tendinopathy is the most common knee injury incurred in volleyball, with its prevalence in elite athletes more than three times that of their sub-elite counterparts. The purpose of this study was to determine whether patellar tendinopathy risk factors differed between elite and sub-elite male volleyball players. Nine elite and nine sub-elite male volleyball players performed a lateral stop-jump block movement. Maximum vertical jump, training history, muscle extensibility and strength, three-dimensional landing kinematics (250 Hz), along with lower limb neuromuscular activation patterns (1500 Hz), and patellar tendon loading were collected during each trial. Multivariate analyses of variance ( P < 0.05) assessed for between-group differences in risk factors or patellar tendon loading. Significant interaction effects were further evaluated using post-hoc univariate analysis of variance tests. Landing kinematics, neuromuscular activation patterns, patellar tendon loading, and most of the previously identified risk factors did not differ between the elite and sub-elite players. However, elite players participated in a higher training volume and had less quadriceps extensibility than sub-elite players. Therefore, high training volume is likely the primary contributor to the injury discrepancy between elite and sub-elite volleyball players. Interventions designed to reduce landing frequency and improve quadriceps extensibility are recommended to reduce patellar tendinopathy prevalence in volleyball players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to simultaneously assess the changes in physiology, and kinematic and spatiotemporal features of gait, during prolonged load carriage in individuals without load carriage experience. Eleven males, representative of new military recruits, walked for 120 min at 5.5 km h− 1, 0% grade, on a motorised treadmill while carrying a 22 kg load. The load ( ≤ 30% body mass) was distributed over a weighted vest, combat webbing and replica model firearm, to reflect a patrol order load. Oxygen consumption and heart rate increased throughout the trial; however, apart from a minor increase in step length, there were no changes in the kinematic or spatiotemporal parameters, despite an increase in perceived exertion and discomfort. These data suggest that individuals with no experience in load carriage are able to maintain normal gait during 2 h of fixed speed walking, while carrying a patrol order load ≤ 30% body mass. Practitioner Summary:It is presumed that lower limb injury is associated with prolonged load carriage, especially in new military recruits. Our results suggest that prolonged carriage of a 22 kg load does not cause any functionally relevant gross biomechanical changes despite an increase in the physiological demands and perceived intensity of the task. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]