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Hip strength has been shown to influence the incidence of injury in women's football. The first objective of our study was to examine the differences in isometric strength of the adductors and abductors between two test positions (0° vs. 45° hip angle). Our second objective was to verify the sensitivity of the two test positions in discriminating between women footballers with and without a history of groin pain in the last twelve months. One hundred and one elite players from the Slovenian women's football league were tested. The isometric strength of the adductors, abductors, and the ratio between hip abductor and adductor strength in two different test positions were assessed. We found statistically significant differences (p < 0.05; effect size range 0.12–0.13) between the two test positions in hip adduction, abduction strength, and abductor/adductor strength ratio. The ROC analysis showed that only the abductor/adductor strength ratio at the 0° hip angle position can differentiate between players with and without a history of groin pain, with an optimal cut-off point of ≤ 1.01 (p < 0.05; AUC = 0.734). The results should help practitioners plan hip strength training for returning to sport or preventing groin pain among women football players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The golf swing has been associated with mechanical injury risk factors at many joints. One swing, the Minimalist Golf Swing, was hypothesised to reduce lumbar spine, lead hip, and lead knee ranges of motion and peak net joint moments, while affecting swing performance, compared to golfers' existing swings. Existing and MGS swings of 15 golfers with handicaps ranging from +2 to −20 were compared. During MGS downswing, golfers had 18.3% less lumbar spine transverse plane ROM, 40.7 and 41.8% less lead hip sagittal and frontal plane ROM, and 39.2% less lead knee sagittal plane ROM. MGS reduced lead hip extensor, abductor, and internal rotator moments by 17.8, 19.7 and 43%, while lead knee extensor, abductor, adductor and external rotator moments were reduced by 24.1, 26.6, 37 and 68.8% respectively. With MGS, club approach was 2° shallower, path 4° more in-to-out and speed 2 m/s slower. MGS reduced certain joint ROM and moments that are linked to injury risk factors, while influencing club impact factors with varying effect. Most golf injuries are from overuse, so reduced loads per cycle with MGS may extend the healthy life of joints, and permit golfers to play injury-free for more years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study objective is to test general- and sport-specific adaption during a single training on the Flexibility Trainer. The device is designed to trigger residual muscle tone decreases of the hip-joint muscles by providing (nearly) isokinetic resistance during a full range of motion strength training in adduction/abduction and flexion/extension direction. Static hip flexion and abduction as well as kinematics of double side kicks were analysed on 15 participants before and after training (or rest for controls) to assess general flexibility and sport-specific movement range. Tests were recorded by a Vicon® motion capturing system. Static hip flexion and abduction as well as leg vector spreading angles (VSA) at different nodes of the kick were selected to determine adaptions of active and passive flexibility. Normalised hip joint moments, movement velocities and VSA were calculated to evaluate the training with the device. ANOVAs with 4-repeated measures and Friedman tests were performed to identify time differences and Bonferroni post-hoc test to identify between-subject effects. Significant differences were found for both static flexibility tests (Flexion = 13.65%; Abduction = 9.94%) and the VSA at specific action phases (≤15.15%). Results indicate that short-term adaptions when training with the Flexibility Trainer are exceeding comparable literature showing improved flexibility and sport-specific performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this review was to evaluate the efficiency of using ankle foot orthosis (AFO) on the loads applied on the knee joint in the subjects with knee osteoarthritis (OA) based on available literature. A search was done in some data bases including Medline, PubMed, Cochrane central register of controlled trial (CCTR), Embase, and ISI web of knowledge. The key words selected by national library of medicine were selected in this study. Those included Ankle foot orthosis (AFO) in combination with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Based on the aforementioned key words, 25 papers were selected. Based on abstracts and titles, 9 papers were finalized. AFO reduces knee adduction moment, which is more than lateral wedge. Moreover, AFO is more comfortable than other interventions. Although use of AFO reduces knee adduction moment, its effect on pain and functional performance is still controversial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to compare the coordination patterns and levels of coordination variability of healthy and injured runners with iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS). Sixty runners divided into four groups (15 healthy males, 15 healthy females, 15 males with ITBS and 15 females with ITBS) ran at a steady and freely chosen pace on an over-ground track, and their coordination patterns of the lower limbs were calculated during 10 running stances using the vector coding technique. Both male and female runners with ITBS showed a greater dominance of the pelvis segment and the anti—phase patterns in the frontal plane thigh—pelvis coupling (p = 0.001, η2 = 0.36). In addition, injured female runners showed a greater hip adduction dominance, whereas injured males presented a greater anti—phase pattern in the transverse plane—frontal plane hip coupling (p = 0.003, η2 = 0.08). The levels of coordination variability during running stance did not change between ITBS injured and healthy runners in any of the couplings. Currently injured runners with ITBS appeared to present altered coordination patterns on the hip couplings that were partly dependent on gender but did not lead to changes in the coordination variability levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: To date, little research is available that objectively quantifies female adolescent singing-voice characteristics in light of the physiological and functional developments that occur from puberty to adulthood. This exploratory study sought to augment the pool of data available that offers objective voice analysis of female singers in late adolescence. Methods: Using long-term average spectra (LTAS) and inverse filtering techniques, dynamic range and voice-source characteristics were determined in a cohort of vocally healthy cis-gender female adolescent singers (17 to 19 years) from high-school choirs in Aotearoa New Zealand. Non-parametric statistics were used to determine associations and significant differences. Results: Wide intersubject variation was seen between dynamic range, spectral measures of harmonic organisation (formant cluster prominence, FCP), noise components in the spectrum (high-frequency energy ratio, HFER), and the normalised amplitude quotient (NAQ) suggesting great variability in ability to control phonatory mechanisms such as subglottal pressure (Psub), glottal configuration and adduction, and vocal tract shaping. A strong association between the HFER and NAQ suggest that these non-invasive measures may offer complimentary insights into vocal function, specifically with regard to glottal adduction and turbulent noise in the voice signal. Conclusion: Knowledge of the range of variation within healthy adolescent singers is necessary for the development of effective and inclusive pedagogical practices, and for vocal-health professionals working with singers of this age. LTAS and inverse filtering are useful non-invasive tools for determining such characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of our study was to compare the force steadiness and the discharge characteristics of motor units in the tibialis anterior (TA) during ankle dorsiflexion and foot adduction produced by submaximal isometric contractions with the dominant and non-dominant foot. Fifteen young men performed maximal and submaximal contractions at five target forces with both legs, and motor unit activity in TA was recorded using high-density electromyography. Maximal force and the fluctuations in force during submaximal contractions were similar between the two legs (p > 0.05). Motor unit activity was characterized by measures of mean discharge rate (MDR), coefficient of variation for interspike interval (CoV for ISI), and standard deviation of the filtered cumulative spike train (SD of fCST). There were no statistically significant differences in motor unit activity between legs during ankle dorsiflexion. In contrast, the MDR and the CoV for ISI but not the SD of fCST, were greater for the non-dominant foot compared with the dominant foot during foot adduction. Nonetheless, these differences in motor unit activity were not sufficient to influence the force fluctuations during the submaximal contractions. These results indicate that control of the force produced by TA during the two actions was not influenced by limb dominance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: To report the unusual fundus features of a case with unilateral Duane retraction syndrome (DRS) with same-side extensive macular retinoschisis. Methods: A 75-year-old woman was diagnosed to have DRS type 3 and several multimodal fundus imaging modalities were performed. Results: There was limited abduction and adduction, globe retraction, and narrowing of the palpebral fissure on the adduction of the left eye without a compensatory face turn. Concurrently, spectral domain optical coherence tomography revealed marked macular retinoschisis and severe vitreoretinal traction without any evidence of dye leakage or pooling on fluorescein angiography in the left eye. Discussion: Various ocular abnormalities may rarely accompany DRS and the present case is the first reported case of most likely coincidental macular retinoschisis in association with DRS [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Walking and running at different speeds are common in daily life. This study investigated 6 degrees of freedom (DOF) kinematics of normal knees of Chinese during walking and running. Forty healthy participants were investigated in 4 conditions: comfortable walking, normal walking, slow running and ordinary running. The range of motion (ROM) and peak values in 6 DOF kinematics were analysed. As the speed increased, a general increase in flexion, lateral and proximal translations occurred. Significant increases of ROM in flexion/extension, axial rotation and medial/lateral translations were observed. The ROM of adduction/abduction, anterior/posterior and proximal/distal translations were greatest during normal walking. The maximum and minimum flexion/extension, maximum internal rotation and tibial lateral translations increased with the increase of speed. The maximum and minimum tibial proximal translations in running were found being greater than walking. A phenomenon between walking and running was observed: both tibial proximal/distal and medial/lateral translations increased when changed from walking to running. Non-linear transition exists in 6 DOF kinematics during walking to running. Discoveries in this study may have potential clinical values to serve as references of normal walking and running in the management of knee injury and knee rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unanticipated trunk perturbation is commonly observed when anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries occur during direction-changing manoeuvres. This study aimed to quantify the effect of mid-flight medial-lateral external trunk perturbation directions/locations on ACL loading variables during sidestep cuttings. Thirty-two recreational athletes performed sidestep cuttings under combinations of three perturbation directions (no-perturbation, ipsilateral-perturbation, and contralateral-perturbation relative to the cutting leg) and two perturbation locations (upper-trunk versus lower-trunk). The pushing perturbation was created by customised devices releasing a slam ball to contact participants near maximum jump height prior to cutting. Perturbation generally resulted in greater peak vertical ground reaction force and slower cutting velocity. Upper-trunk contralateral perturbation showed the greatest lateral trunk bending away from the travel direction, greatest peak knee flexion and abduction angles, and greatest peak internal knee adduction moments compared to other conditions. Such increased ACL loading variables were likely due to the increased lateral trunk bending and whole-body horizontal velocity away from the cutting direction caused by the contralateral perturbation act at the upper trunk. The findings may help understand the mechanisms of indirect contact ACL injuries and develop effective cutting techniques for ACL injury prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose was to evaluate the intra- and inter-session reliability of hip isometric strength assessment using a frame-stabilized dynamometer (FSD) and to compare the results in the hip adduction (ADD) and abduction (ABD) strength assessment using handheld dynamometer (HHD). Twenty participants (24.2 [2.6] years, 69.3 [10.0] kg) underwent testing on an FSD (ADD and ABD short and long-lever, internal [IR] and external rotation [ER] tests) and using an HHD (ADD and ABD long-lever tests). Analysis revealed excellent (ICC2.k > 0.90) relative intra-set and inter-set reliability for two visits and good reliability for test-retest results (ICC2.1 0.79–0.90), regardless of the test. Among the tests, SEM and MDC were the highest for the IR and ER results. In comparison with HHD, long-lever ADD strength was higher and long-lever ABD strength was lower when measured using FSD. Although both measurements have been shown to be highly reliable, the discrepancy between the devices exists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Femoral torsion is an important parameter to accurately quantify when planning for the correction of structural pathomorphology. The purpose of this study was to quantify the influence of limb positioning during image acquisition and of alignment techniques on femoral torsion measurements, by measuring the change in femoral torsion angle, upon digital rotations that simulate flexion/extension and adduction/abduction positions of the femur. Femoral torsion measurements were reduced up to 1° and increased up to 0.35° per each degree of flexion and abduction, respectively. The estimation of femoral torsion measurements yielded a difference up to 5.8° between the aligned and non-aligned cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laryngeal carcinomas cause vocal cord (VC) mobility problems. Other than evaluation through flexible laryngoscopy, rare reports concerning CT findings for the motion of the VC or arytenoid cartilage (AC) are found. To explore a novel evaluation of the mobility of the AC in glottic carcinoma. In 39 patients with glottic carcinoma grouped upon lesion locations and AC mobilities, laryngeal CT scans were collected during inspiration and phonation. AC static position and motion data were compared between paired lesion and control sides. No significant difference showed in the group with glottic carcinoma invading the anterior 2/3 of VC. In the abnormal mobility group, significant AC position changes and weaker motion of most measurements were proved on the lesion side. Lesion invading the posterior 1/3 of VC also resulted in an adducted, medially rotated and forward-tilted AC, rotation of axial angle (RAA) was the only motion item that decreased significantly. In most glottic cancer cases, CT and laryngoscope had similar judgments for AC mobility. For lesions extending to the cartilaginous VC with laryngoscopically confirmed normal mobility, CT measurement of RAA showed the feasibility of being an indicator for the earliest motion problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The HumanTrak captures human movement through markerless motion tracking and can be a crucial tool in military physical screening. Reliability was examined in eighteen healthy participants who completed shoulder and hip ROM, and dynamic tasks in three body armour conditions. Generally, for all conditions, good to excellent reliability was observed in shoulder abduction and flexion, hip abduction and adduction, and dynamic squats knee and hip flexion (ICC ≥ 0.75 excluding outliers). Shoulder adduction and hip flexion demonstrated moderate to excellent reliability (ICC ≥ 0.50). Shoulder and hip extension and the drop jump were unreliable (ICC: 0.10–0.94, 0.15–0.89, and 0.30–0.82, respectively) due to the large distribution of ICC scores. Tasks with ROM values ≥ 100° involving movement towards or perpendicular to the HumanTrak camera tended to have greater reliability than movements moving away from the camera and out of the perpendicular plane regardless if body armour was worn. Practitioner summary: The HumanTrak analyses ROM in a time-efficient manner in a military setting. This study established that shoulder abduction and adduction (no body armour) and shoulder, hip, and knee flexion were the most reliable measurement for all conditions. Further work is required for movements across different planes. Abbreviations: ROM: range of motion; NBA: no body armour; BA: unloaded body armour; BA9: body armour with 9 kg; RGB: red, green, blue; ICC: intra-class correlation; SEM: standard error of measurement; MDC: minimal detectable change: MSE: mean square error; r: pearson correlations; N: sample size [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to compare a biaxial ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) with a lateral wedge insole in terms of the biomechanical and clinical outcomes in individuals with knee osteoarthritis. A cross-over randomized design was used where 31 individuals (25 females and six males, mean age of 52.19 ± 4.12 years) with knee osteoarthritis wore each intervention for two weeks with two weeks washout period. Three-dimensional kinematic and kinetic data and clinical outcomes were collected to evaluate the effects of each intervention on knee adduction moment (KAM), pain, stiffness, and function. Both orthoses significantly improved pain by 17 and 22%, function by 11 and 14%, the first peak KAM by 15.7 and 19.2%, the second peak KAM by 10.4 and 16.7%, and KAM impulse by 14.8 and 22.2%, respectively. However, the biaxial AFO significantly reduced the KAM and improved function compared to the lateral wedge insole (p < 0.01). The results of this study have shown that both orthoses have a potential role in the conservative management of medial knee osteoarthritis. The biaxial AFO proved statistically better at improving function and KAM; though these differences do not seem to be clinically significant. Orthotic interventions have been reported to be effective in the management of medial knee osteoarthritis. Lateral wedge insole and biaxial ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) are effective in the improvement of pain, function, and knee adduction moment (KAM) in people with medial knee osteoarthritis. The biaxial AFO, compared with lateral wedge insole, contributes to statistically more improvement of function and KAM. However, these differences do not seem to be clinically significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: We report a case of large angle exotropia in a child with limitation of adduction in the left eye with a radiological finding of hypoplastic medial rectus. Methods: A 3- year- old male child presented with left eye large angle exotropia, left face turn, -4 adduction limitation and severe amblyopia. Orbital imaging revealed hypoplasia of the medial rectus and intraoperatively a thin medial rectus was noted. The surgical procedure planned was lateral rectus recession combined with Modified Nishida's technique in the left eye. In this technique the superior and inferior recti were transposed medially by inserting non-absorbable sutures in the sclera posteriorly, closer to the upper and lower borders of the medial rectus muscle. Result: There was improvement in adduction of left eye and reduction of original deviation following maximal lateral rectus recession and a modified Nishida's approach. The early and optimal correction of exotropia also improved the compliance to patching with subsequent gain in visual acuity of the amblyopic eye. Conclusion: Modified Nishida's technique has the advantage of no muscle splitting and no tenotomy, remains a less invasive surgical procedure to correct large deviations. The modification of placing the bellies closer to medial rectus augments the effect and further improves adduction in cases with severe limitation of adduction. This technique can thus be considered as a possible surgical approach in young children with large angle exotropia due to hypoplastic medial rectus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the amplitude of movement in anophthalmic sockets reconstructed with conical or spherical orbital implants with and without an external ocular prosthesis (EOP), and whether the fornix depth could play a role. Methods: Prospective observational study involving unilateral anophthalmic sockets evaluated the amplitude of movement with conical (20 subjects) or spherical (16) non-porous orbital implants, with and without an EOP, having the contralateral eye as the control group. Standardized photographs were obtained in the four gaze directions and measurements were performed using the Image J software. The upper and lower fornix depths were measured using rulers. Results: Compared to the contralateral eye, the median movement amplitude without EOP was smaller with conical implants in supraduction (−0.88 mm, p=0.008), abduction (−2.26 mm, p<0.001) and adduction (−0.91 mm, p=0.008). Spherical implants had reduced movement only in abduction (−2.63 mm, p<0.001). Conical and spherical implants had similar amplitudes of movement in all versions, and were always smaller compared to the control. The median movement amplitude with the EOP was −3.05 mm (p=0.001) than without the EOP in abduction and −2.07 mm (p=0.020) in adduction, regardless of implant format. The fornix depth did not affect the orbital implants or EOP movement amplitude's median. Conclusion: Conical and spherical implants provide similar amplitude of movement and fornix depth did not have an influence on it. The amplitude of movement was significantly limited compared to the contralateral eye and was even more reduced if the EOP was in place with conical or spherical implant formats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 61-year-old man underwent left medial wall and floor fracture repair with a Suprafoil® implant. He had postoperative orbital congestion and lower eyelid swelling that persisted for over seven weeks. Examination demonstrated hyperglobus with supraduction, infraduction, and adduction deficits. Imaging revealed a 3.7 × 3.6 × 2.6 cm isodensity along the implant, thought to be hematoma. The patient elected to pursue exploration and possible drainage. Intraoperatively, there was no hematoma; rather, we found a fibroinflammatory rind along the periorbita surrounding the implant. This was biopsied, and the implant was removed, as the fractures had sufficiently healed. Pathology showed dense fibroconnective tissue with associated inflammation. The patient completed a steroid taper with improvement in all symptoms and resolution of diplopia. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of such a prominent orbital inflammatory reaction to nylon foil, a departure from the delayed hematic cysts typically associated with these implants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anomalous ocular muscle insertions are a rare cause of ocular motility disturbances. We report the clinical presentation and the intraoperative findings of two cases with an abnormally nasally inserted superior oblique tendons presenting with a Brown syndrome-like clinical picture. Case no 1 was a 5-year-old girl presenting with a chin up position. There was bilateral limitation of elevation in adduction, −4 on the right side and −3 on the left side with +1 downshoot on adduction on either side Patient was orthotropic in down-gaze with small V-pattern exotropia. Case no 2 was a 4-year-old boy presenting with an esotropia of 35Δ that was partially corrected with his spectacles to 20Δ. Ductions showed −4 defective elevation in adduction of the right eye. Surgical exploration in both cases revealed abnormal nasal insertion of the superior oblique tendons. The line of insertion had a convexity facing superonasally. The posterior fibers were inserted 7–8 mm posterior and just nasal to the nasal border of the superior rectus insertion, while the anterior fibers were shorter and inserted 5 mm nasal and 4 mm posterior to the nasal edge of superior rectus insertion. In both cases, there was an improvement in the elevation on adduction after superior oblique lengthening. Abnormal nasal insertion of the superior oblique muscle enhances the depressor effect of the muscle and can create a Brown-like picture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effect of a handball-specific fatigue protocol on hip and knee kinematics. Twenty female handball athletes performed three trials of the single-leg landing (SLL), sidestep cutting manoeuvre (SCM), and drop vertical jump (DVJ) before and after the fatigue protocol. Knee and hip angle waveforms were compared using statistical parametric mapping (p < 0.05). During the SLL, the fatigue increased hip adduction (4–7% cycle) and knee abduction (4–9% and 25–27%). For the SCM, hip flexion was reduced under fatigue during 14–29% and 44–68% of the cycle. Similarly, the knee flexion decreased between 7–36% and 53–73%. Besides, during the fatigue state, the athletes reduced the hip abduction between 0–11% of the cycle and increased the knee abduction between 20–23%. During the DVJ task, when fatigued, the hip flexion decreased between 19–44% of the cycle and the knee flexion between 1–16% and 18–77%. The fatigue protocol altered the lower limb kinematics, decreasing knee and hip flexions during the SCM and DVJ and increasing the knee valgus during both single-leg landing tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common type of arthritis, affecting millions of people around the world. Angiopoietin-2 (Angpt-2) has a role in the development of chronic inflammatory diseases. We aimed to assess the serum Angpt-2 levels in knee OA patients and to investigate the association of Angpt-2 gene polymorphism(rs3020221 C/T) with knee OA susceptibility and severity. Angiopoietin-2(rs3020221C/T) gene polymorphism was identified in 254 knee OA patients and 227 healthy controls using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Serum Angpt-2 was measured using ELISA. The Arabic version of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) Index and Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grading score were used to assess the clinical and radiological severity of OA and their relationship with Angpt-2(rs3020221C/T) gene polymorphism was investigated. Serum Angpt-2 levels were significantly higher in knee OA patients than in the controls (P =.001). OA patients with C/T genotype had a four times greater risk of developing OA than other genotypes (OR = 4.39, 95% CI = 2.85–6.76). Additionally, the T allele presented more in OA patients 224/508 (44%) with two times risk of developing OA (OR = 1.86, 95% CI = 1.43–2.43, p =.001). Angpt-2 SNP (rs3020221C/T) genotype C/T was significantly associated with elevated serum Angpt-2 levels (14.15 ± 5.62 ng/ml). The serum Angpt-2 levels are significantly elevated in OA patients and Angpt-2 gene polymorphism (rs3020221 C/T) may be a risk factor for OA development and both are associated with the severity of knee OA. Carriers of the C/T genotype have a significantly higher serum Angpt-2 levels and a greater risk of developing OA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

No objective criteria exist for progressing athletes into cutting manoeuvres following ACL reconstruction (ACLR). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between a jump-cut task (JC) and the single-limb squat (SLS) in both ACLR and healthy controls. Case-control, laboratory based. Twenty-three participants with a history of ACLR (Age = 21 ± 3 years; Height = 174.5 ± 7.2 cm; Mass = 76.2 ± 9.9 kg) and 23 healthy controls participants (Age = 21 ± 3 years; Height = 173.8 ± 9.2 cm; Mass = 75.0 ± 10.5 kg) were included. Kinematics were collected bilaterally. Correlations between tasks were evaluated for kinematics. Independent sample t-tests were used to evaluate differences between groups for each dependent variable. Peak trunk rotation and medial knee displacement were strongly correlated (p < 0.001, r2 = 0.63), between tasks. ACLR group performed SLS and JC tasks with less sagittal plane motion compared to healthy controls (p < 0.05). Lack of frontal and transverse plane control during SLS resulted in positions of increased lateral trunk flexion, hip adduction, and medial knee displacement during JC. The SLS may be considered for use as a clinical predictor of JC during rehabilitation following ACLR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Box and jump landing tasks are commonly used to study lower extremity injury mechanisms, such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. Arm restriction during these tasks is typically determined via researcher preference. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare three-dimensional lower extremity kinematics and kinetics during bilateral box and jump landings, and to determine the effects of arm restriction. Twenty-eight participants (14 males, 14 females) completed three bilateral landings tasks: box landings with arms unrestricted (BLA), box landings with arms restricted against the trunk (BLNA) and jump landings (JL). Right leg joint kinematics and kinetics were collected and compared between landing tasks. No statistically significant differences were found between BLA and BLNA, therefore arm restriction did not appear to influence lower extremity variables during bilateral box landings. However, specific injury-related variables, such as peak knee adduction moment differed between box and jump landings (BLNA: 0.31 ± 0.3 Nm/(kg·m)); JL: 0.45 ± 0.3 Nm/(kg·m); p = 0.020). Our results suggest that based on study purpose, careful consideration is needed when determining what bilateral landing task to choose during data collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined lower extremity joint kinematics in individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) and controls during unanticipated and anticipated single-leg drop landings onto a laterally inclined platform. Physically active adults with CAI 15 (n = 15) and controls (n = 15) performed an unanticipated and anticipated 30 cm single-leg drop landing onto a 20° laterally inclined platform. Three-dimensional ankle, knee and hip-joint kinematics were recorded 200 ms pre- to 200 post-landing and analysed with a 2 (group) × 2 (landing condition) SPM ANOVA (p < 0.05). Results revealed individuals with CAI displayed significantly greater ankle internal rotation post-landing across both landing conditions. Anticipated landings elicited significantly greater pre-landing ankle inversion and external rotation, knee abduction and hip adduction. Additionally, significantly less ankle inversion, knee and hip flexion, and knee adduction and hip abduction were present during post-landing of the anticipated landing. Greater ankle internal rotation during landing may contribute to the ankle 'giving way' in individuals with CAI. However, preparatory and reactive proximal-joint kinematics were similar in both groups during landing. This highlights the possible role of the knee and hip joints in assisting with ankle-joint stability during anticipated inversion perturbations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main aim was to examine whether patients with persistent upper quadrant pain have higher end-point variability in goal directed pointing movements than pain-free controls when the pointing task is performed in total darkness and under full vision. An additional aim was to study associations between the magnitude of end-point variability and a clinical movement control test battery and self-rated functioning among patients. Seventeen patients and 17 age- and gender-matched pain-free controls performed a pointing task that evaluated end-point variability of repetitive shoulder movements in horizontal adduction and abduction with full vision, and abduction with no visual information, completed a movement control test battery of neck and shoulder control tests and answered questionnaires. Patients had higher end point variability for horizontal abduction when performed with no visual information. For horizontal adduction the variability was higher, but only when it was controlled for movement time. No significant correlations were found between end-point variability and self-rated functioning, nor between end-point variability and neuromuscular control of the glenohumeral joint. This study provides preliminary evidence that patients with persistent neck/shoulder pain can partly compensate proprioceptive deficits in goal-directed arm movement when visual feedback is present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe the variability in: (1) the contributions of 3D hip and knee kinematics to the dynamic knee valgus (DKV) movement pattern during a single limb squat in women with patellofemoral pain; and (2) the 3D strategies used to reduce DKV following an intervention. Methods: Secondary analysis of a feasibility study investigating a movement training intervention. In 23 participants, 2D knee frontal plane projection angles (FPPA) and 3D hip and knee frontal and transverse plane angles at peak knee flexion were calculated during a single limb squat at pre- and post-intervention, and the change in 2D and 3D angles computed. 3D angles at pre-intervention were summed for each participant to create cumulative bar graphs. Similar graphs were created for change in 3D angles. For visual comparison, graphs were ordered by increasing knee FPPA or change in knee FPPA. Results: The knee FPPA decreased from a mean of 7.2 degrees (SD: 7.1) to a mean of −8.9 degrees (SD: 8.9) following the intervention. A large portion of DKV, and change in DKV, was due to hip adduction and knee lateral rotation, yet participants with similar knee FPPA and change in knee FPPA displayed variation in all 3D components and change in 3D components. Conclusion: People who demonstrate similar observed movement patterns during a weight-bearing task may use different 3D strategies for execution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inflammation and activation of the immune system induced by SARS-CoV-2 are mediated by a pro-oxidant microenvironment that can induce cytotoxic effects that enhance tissue damage, favoring organic deterioration. We investigated whether the induction of oxidative stress and inflammation by COVID-19 infection could inhibit mitochondrial function and cause cellular damage in leukocytes. We evaluated levels of oxidative/inflammation markers and their correlation with mitochondrial function and leukocyte cell death in COVID-19 patients at two moments: viremia and severe sepsis with multi-organ failure. COVID-19 induces increased oxidative stress and inflammation markers that activate cellular damage processes. In the viremia stage, an increase in peroxide, nitric oxide, carbonylated proteins, and IL-6 was observed, which was correlated with a marked inhibition of mitochondrial function, decreased cell viability, early apoptosis, necrosis, and leukocytes-reactivity. The severe sepsis stage with multi-organ failure also showed a further increase in levels of peroxide, carbonylated proteins, and IL-6, with a slight decrease in nitric oxide. This oxidative process and inflammation were correlated with less inhibition of mitochondrial function, decreased cell viability and an increase in late apoptosis, and morphology changes evidencing damage in the leukocytes. SARS-CoV-2 induced damage promotes levels of oxidative stress and inflammation markers and mitochondrial dysfunction that potentiate morphological changes and cell death in leukocytes. These processes explain the rapid changes in the immune system, and that present an initial over-activation and early massive death due to SARS-CoV-2 infection, promoting endothelial-alveolar damage that would cause multi-organ failure, sustained by oxidative stress and inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technologies to assist senior individuals with active walking are important. This experiment aimed to investigate whether a customised insole geometry would reduce the risk of falls and locomotive injuries. The tested insole incorporated a built-in inclination to assist ankle dorsiflexion (2.2°) and eversion (4.5°). Twenty-six older adults and 30 younger counterparts undertook gait assessment with and without the experimental insole while 3 D motion capture and force plates recorded gait. The insole increased swing foot-ground clearance, with.43 cm for the older adults' dominant foot. The insole also prevented excessive lateral centre of pressure movement. The main insole effects on foot contact mechanics were (i) prolonged time to foot-flat (.015 s) and (ii) improved energy efficiency (2%). Reduced knee adduction moment (>15%) was observed in the older group. Shoe insoles to provide dorsiflexion and eversion support may have the potential to reduce the risk of falls and locomotion-related injuries for older adults. Practitioner Summary: Using 3 D gait assessment techniques this research investigated shoe-insoles incorporating ankle dorsiflexion and eversion support features. It was shown that falls risk and locomotive injuries could be reduced by the application of orthotics to support ankle dorsiflexion and eversion. Shoe-orthotics may provide practical low-cost solutions to correcting gait impairments. Abbreviations: MFC: minimum foot clearance; CoP: centre of pressure; OA: osteoarthritis; GRF: ground reaction forces; IREDS: infra-red light emitting diodes; PE: potential energy; KE: kinetic energy; IQR: interquartile range; ANOVA: analysis of variance [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the outcomes of and review the indications for Inferior oblique muscle belly transposition in adults with diplopia and small-angle hypertropia associated with mild or moderate upshoot in adduction. We retrospectively analyzed data for the six patients who underwent the technique. Surgery was performed by suturing the inferior oblique belly to the sclera at 5 mm posterior to the temporal pole of the inferior rectus. Data were collected from October 2018 to April 2020. All six patients had diplopia and mild hypertropia (≤6 prism diopters [pd]) in primary position. Mean preoperative hypertropia was 4.17 pd (range, 2–6 pd). Mean age was 51 ± 28.71 years. The diagnoses were fourth nerve paresis (5) and dissociated vertical deviation (1). All patients had mild/moderate upshoot in adduction. Torticollis was observed in four cases. Diplopia resolved in 5 of the 6 cases. The mean final vertical deviation was 2 pd in straight gaze. Torticollis was eliminated in 2 patients and improved in another 2. The upshoot in adduction was totally eliminated in the six patients. Transitory mild limitation of elevation in adduction was observed in two patients during the first week after surgery. No ocular torsion was diagnosed after surgery. Mean time from surgery was 11.5 months. No overcorrections were recorded. Inferior oblique muscle belly transposition with myopexy is a good alternative procedure in patients with diplopia associated with mild-to-moderate upshoot in adduction and small-angle hypertropia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine the kinematics of athletes with good and poor lumbopelvic stability (LPS) based on clinical rating criteria of single leg squat (SLS) and dip test (DT) The aim was to establish if good and poor LPS categorization is supported by differences in kinematic variables. Sixty-two recreational athletes had their LPS categorized using clinical rating criteria for SLS and DT as good, poor or neither good nor poor. Kinematic measures were examined in those with good (N = 8) or poor (N = 14) LPS and results compared to the rating criteria. Multiple clinical rating criteria for good and poor LPS groups were distinguished by kinematic measures. Smoothness of motion for both SLS and DT distinguished good and poor LPS. Minimal (good) or discernible movement (poor) out of the starting plane was confirmed with kinematic measures. For SLS these movements were: weight-bearing hip adduction, non-weightbearing hip abduction, pelvic rotation, and trunk sideflexion, and for DT: weightbearing hip adduction, non-weightbearing hip abduction and pelvic obliquity. Additionally, hip dissociation (SLS) distinguished good and poor LPS. Athletes with good and poor LPS have different kinematic measures in single leg squat and dip test. Multiple clinical rating criteria of LPS that distinguish good and poor stability were confirmed by kinematic measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The open stance forehand has been hypothesized to be more traumatic for knee injuries in tennis than the neutral stance forehand. This study aims to compare kinematics and kinetics at the knee during three common forehand stroke stances (attacking neutral stance ANS, attacking open stance AOS, defensive open stance DOS) to determine if the open stance forehand induces higher knee loadings and to discuss its potential relationship with given injuries. Eight advanced tennis players performed eight repetitions of forehand strokes with each stance (ANS: forward run and stroke with feet parallel with the hitting direction, AOS: forward run and stroke with feet perpendicular to the hitting direction, DOS: lateral run and stroke with feet perpendicular to the hitting direction) at maximal effort. All the trials were recorded with an optoelectronic motion capture system. The flexion-extension, abduction-adduction, external-internal rotation angles, intersegmental forces and torques of the right knee were calculated. Ground reaction forces were measured with a forceplate. The DOS increases vertical GRF, maximum knee flexion and abduction angles, range of knee flexion-extension, peak of compressive, distractive and medial knee forces, peak of knee abduction and external rotation torques. Consequently, the DOS appears potentially more at risk for given knee injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sex differences in common sports injuries to the lower extremity have been reported. Biomechanical factors of the hip have been investigated between sexes with regard to running-related injury. This study investigates gluteal muscle forces between sexes to aid in our understanding of sex-related biomechanical factors in running. Twenty-one healthy male and female runners were participants. Each ran at a controlled speed of 3.52–3.89 m/s down a 20-m runway. Kinetic and kinematic data were utilised to estimate muscle forces. Multivariate analysis of variance tests were utilised to detect differences in gluteal and hamstring muscle forces, hip and pelvic kinematics, and hip kinetic variables between sexes. Males produced greater peak gluteus maximus force, but lesser peak gluteus medius, minimus, and hamstring force than females during running. Males also demonstrated less hip adduction and greater hip flexion and anterior pelvic tilt than females. Finally, males produced lesser peak hip abduction and external rotation moments than females. Males and females demonstrate differences in gluteal muscle forces and hip kinetics and kinematics during running. Further understanding of underlying muscle forces may offer further insight into biomechanical differences in running between males and females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Including an unanticipated stimulus has significant impacts on lower extremity biomechanics during dynamic movements. It is unknown how a live, human defender affects lower extremity biomechanics. The purpose of this study was thus to determine the effects of two types of unanticipated stimuli (visual stimulus; defensive opponent) on lower extremity kinematics and kinetics in males and females during 45° sidestepping trials. Eight males and eight females completed two unanticipated stimuli sidestepping conditions. Numeric visual analog scales for reaction difficulty and movement realism were collected and analysed using a 2 × 2 mixed-model ANOVA. Three-dimensional hip, knee, and ankle kinematics and kinetics were measured during the stance phase of the sidestep and analysed using statistical parametric mapping. Participants reported greater difficulty and less realistic movements with the visual stimulus. Unanticipated stimulus main effects were observed for knee abduction angle, and hip extension and adduction, and knee extension and adduction moments. Sex main effects were observed for hip flexion, hip abduction, and ankle dorsiflexion angles, as well as hip abduction, ankle plantarflexion and ankle eversion moments and vertical ground reaction forces. Participants responded differently to two unanticipated stimuli. Careful consideration should be used when determining the type of unanticipated stimulus used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study used a statistical parametric mapping method to compare temporal patterns knee joint loads and moments in cyclists pedalling using different saddle heights. Ten recreational cyclists pedalled using three saddle heights (Preferred, High and Low) during a single session. High and Low saddle heights were determined based on dynamically measured knee flexion angles (±10° from their Preferred height). 3D angles for the hip and knee and knee moments and forces were computed using a musculoskeletal model driven by 3D full-body motion and pedal forces. Knee flexion angles presented significant differences between saddle heights for the full crank cycle, without differences for hip adduction/abduction. Patellofemoral force was less for the Preferred compared to the High and Low saddle heights and for the High compared to the Low saddle heights between ~70-160° of the crank cycle. Right tibiofemoral anterior-posterior shear force was reduced for the Preferred compared to the Low saddle heights, without significant effects for the left tibiofemoral joint (p = 0.29–1.00). Large differences in temporal patterns for knee flexion due to changes in saddle height were followed by differences in patellofemoral force mostly when low force magnitudes were being transmitted between the femur and the patella. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A soft robot hand with fingertip haptic feedback for teleoperation is proposed to perform complex tasks and ensure safe and friendly human-machine interaction. This robot hand can perform finger flexion/extension and abduction/adduction motions. A data glove is used to collect the hand joint angle data of the operator. Flexion sensors are embedded in the soft robot hand to monitor the bending angles of the actuators. Pressure sensors on the fingertips of the robot hand collect contact force data, and haptic feedback actuators located on the fingertips of the operator display the contact force to the operator. Characterization tests and teleoperation performance tests involving human participants are performed to prove the feasibility of the soft robot hand. The soft robot hand prototype satisfies the output force requirements and can meet 96.86% of the design requirements of the joint angles. The soft robot hand can be teleoperated to perform nine commonly used motions in daily operational tasks. The success rates of fingertip force discrimination, grasp, and pinch ability experiment are 100%, 95.00%, and 98.33%, respectively. The results of the experiment suggest that the soft robot hand with fingertip haptic feedback can perform complex tasks in teleoperation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large peak hip adduction angle during running is a risk factor for several overuse injuries in women. The purpose of this study was to determine if female runners with a large peak hip adduction angle have differences in eccentric hip abductor muscle strength, hip neuromuscular control, and/or hip width to femoral length ratio (HW:FL) compared to those with a small angle. Hip adduction during running, hip strength, hip control, and HW:FL were measured in sixty healthy female runners (1.66 ± 0.06 m; 63.2 ± 8.3 kg; 27 ± 6 years). Data from twenty runners with the largest and twenty with the smallest peak hip adduction angles were analysed. Between-group differences in hip strength, control, and HW:FL were determined using independent t-tests (p < 0.05). Variables that were significantly different between groups were entered into a regression model. Runners in both groups had similar hip strength (p = 0.90) and control (p = 0.65). HW:FL was greater in the large peak angle group (p = 0.04), but only explained a small amount of peak hip adduction angle variance for all sixty runners (R2 = 0.05). Alarge peak hip adduction angle in some healthy female runners may simply be instinctive as there were no deficiencies in the strength or neuromuscular control constructs assessed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Female volleyball athletes incorporate dynamic and static stretching into a warm-up, with evidence generally supporting dynamic stretching to improve performance. However, the effects of these stretching practices on injury risk during subsequent volleyball manoeuvres have yet to be fully elucidated in the warm-up literature. Three-dimensional kinematic data associated with non-contact, lower extremity injury were recorded on 12 female collegiate club volleyball athletes during unilateral landing tasks on the dominant and non-dominant limb. Participants performed landings as part of a volleyball-simulated manoeuvre prior to and post-dynamic (DWU) and combined dynamic-static (CDS) warm-ups. A significant reduction in non-dominant hip adduction angle was found at 15 min post CDS warm-up (p = 0.016; d = 0.38), however, no other warm-up differences were detected. The non-dominant limb demonstrated greater knee abduction (p = 0.006; d = 0.69) and internal rotation angle (p = 0.004; d = 0.88), suggesting that this limb demonstrates more risky landing patterns that are potentially due to altered trunk positioning upon landing. The results show that the majority of selected landing kinematics are unaffected by additional static stretching to a dynamic warm-up and that the non-dominant limb may be at a higher injury risk in female volleyball athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the kinetic functions of the lower limbs at different hitting-point heights to provide key information for improving batting technique in baseball players. Three-dimensional coordinate data were acquired using a motion capture system (250 Hz) and ground reaction forces were measured using three force platforms (1000 Hz) in 22 male collegiate baseball players during tee-batting set at three different hitting-point heights (high, middle, and low). Kinetic data were used to calculate joint torque and mechanical work in the lower limbs by the inverse dynamics approach. The peak angular velocity of the lower trunk about the vertical axis was smaller under the low condition. The joint torques and mechanical works done by both hip adduction/abduction axes were different among the three conditions. These results indicate that hip adduction/abduction torques mainly contribute to a change in the rotational movement of the lower body about the vertical axis when adjusting for different hitting-point heights. In order to adjust for the low hitting-point height which would be difficult compared with other hitting-point heights, batters should focus on rotating the lower trunk slowly by increasing both hip abduction torques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

V pattern arises when the eyes diverge more in up-gaze, as compared to down-gaze, leading to vertical gaze incomitance of a horizontal strabismus. In most cases, the magnitude of V pattern is small to moderate, and a single surgical procedure for the same is enough to correct it. We describe a rare case where an extra-large V pattern (>60 Prism Dioptres (PD)) was present along with large exotropia (70 PD). Craniosynostosis or facial asymmetry was not present. The extra-ocular motility evaluation revealed mild over-elevation in adduction and extreme divergence in up-gaze. Examination of the fundus showed ex-cyclotorsion of both the globes. The V pattern was managed by bilateral inferior oblique muscle recession and full thickness upshift of both lateral rectus muscles. The exotropia was treated by bilateral lateral rectus recession and right eye medial rectus resection. Postoperatively, both the exodeviation and V pattern reduced to less than 10PD. The ex-cyclotorsion was also reduced after the surgery. There was restoration of binocularity and the near stereopsis improved to 170 secs of arc. Thus, extra-large V pattern strabismus may need a combination of procedures to achieve a good motor and sensory outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A possible link between soccer-specific injuries, such as groin pain and the action of hip adductor muscles has been suggested. This study aimed to investigate neuromuscular activation of the adductor magnus (AM) and longus (AL) muscles during instep and side-foot soccer kicks. Eight university soccer players performed the two types of kick at 50%, 75% and 100% of the maximal ball speed. Surface electromyography (EMG) was recorded from the AM, AL, vastus lateralis (VL) and biceps femoris (BF) muscles of both kicking and supporting legs and the kicking motions were three-dimensionally captured. In the kicking leg, an increase in surface EMG with an increase in ball speed during instep kicking was noted in the AM muscle (p < 0.016), but not in AL, VL or BF muscles (p > 0.016). In the supporting leg, surface EMG of both AM and AL muscles was significantly increased with an increase in the ball speed before ball impact during both instep and side-foot kicks (p < 0.016). These results suggest that hip adductor muscles markedly contribute to either the kicking or supporting leg to emphasise the action of soccer kicks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming to evaluate the prevalence of unilateral/bilateral patellofemoral pain (PFP) among young dancers, and to investigate whether different factors are associated with PFP in young dancers, 132 dancers aged 12–14 years were assessed for PFP. Anthropometric parameters, proprioception ability, dynamic postural balance (DPB), and muscle strength were measured. PFP was found in 64.1% of the dancers. No significant differences in the prevalence of dancers with no, unilateral, or bilateral PFP at different ages were found. Significant age effects were found for anthropometric and developmental measurements, and for intensity of training. PFP effect was found for DPB asymmetry, ankle proprioception, and leg-length %height. A higher hip abductor/adductor ratio was associated with PFP in 14-year-old dancers. Binomial logistic regression showed that increased number of hours per day (h/day) and decreased number of hours per week (h/week), low proprioception scores, greater leg length as %height, and more anterior DPB asymmetry were significant predictors of PFP. In conclusion: unilateral/bilateral PFP is common among young dancers. Body morphology, reduced ankle proprioception ability, DPB asymmetry, and increased h/day of practice are associated with PFP. Dance teachers should start monitoring the impact of training and implement injury modification/prevention strategies when their students are at a young age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Monocular transposition of the inferior oblique muscle belly (IOMBT) effectively weakened mild to moderate inferior oblique overaction and corrected small primary position hypertropia. Now we aim to evaluate the efficacy of inferior oblique muscle belly transposition (IOMBT) in treating V pattern strabismus with upshoot in adduction. Methods: This is a retrospective review of 13 patients with V pattern who underwent IOMBT procedure from January 2017 to December 2018. The inclusion criteria were: the amount of V pattern from 15 to 25 pd; the degree of upshoot in adduction from +1 to +3; no or trace vertical deviation in primary gaze position. Bilateral IOMBT was performed to reduce the V pattern. Horizontal rectus muscle surgery was performed at the same stage to correct the horizontal deviation. The angle of deviation in upgaze and downgaze was measured pre- and postoperatively. The degree of elevation in adduction was graded. The amount of V pattern was the difference in horizontal angle between up- and downgaze. The change in the amount of V pattern was assessed postoperatively. Results: All 13 patients had complete resolution of the V pattern. The amount of V pattern changed from 18.92 ± 4.310 prism diopters to 3.462 ± 1.854 prism diopters postoperatively. The mean grade of upshoot in adduction changed from 1.92 to 0.12 postoperatively. No depression in adduction or consecutive A pattern were found after surgery. Conclusions: IOMBT can successfully eliminate the V pattern in patients with mild V pattern esotropia or exotropia with mild to moderate upshoot in adduction. This procedure appears to be a useful addition to our inferior oblique surgical armamentarium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose/Aim: We used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to investigate effects of intraocular pressure (IOP), race, and other factors on optic nerve (ON) traction in adduction, a phenomenon proposed as neuropathic in open angle glaucoma (OAG). Materials and Methods: Thirty-five patients with OAG (26 with maximal untreated IOP ≤21 mmHg, 9 with IOP >21mmHg) and 48 controls underwent axial and quasi-coronal MRI in central gaze and large (27–33°) abduction and adduction. Some underwent MRI at smaller ductions (21–28°). Effects of presence vs. absence of OAG; within OAG whether maximum IOP level was ≤21 mmHg vs. >21 mmHg; adduction angle; race; age; and gender on ON path length and globe translation were analyzed using generalized estimating equations to account for possible intereye correlations of individual subjects. Results: Average visual field mean deviation (±standard error of mean, SEM) was −8.2 ± 1.2 dB in OAG with normal IOP, and −6.1 ± 1.4 in high IOP. In central gaze, ON path in OAG was significantly more redundant than in controls but in both groups the ON became significantly and almost equally straighter in small (~21°) or large (~27°) adduction than in central gaze. With progressive adduction only, globes retracted in OAG (P < 0.005) but not in controls; this was only weakly related to globe size and not to IOP elevation. Globe retraction in adduction was significant only in OAG, and in that group was significantly greater in Asian than white patients (P < 0.02). Conclusions: Although ON tethering in adduction is normal, progressive adduction is associated with abnormal globe retraction in OAG regardless of IOP level. This phenomenon is more prominent in Asians who have OAG. Traction in adduction may cause repetitive strain injury to the ON and peripapillary sclera, thus contributing to the optic neuropathy of glaucoma independent of IOP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A decrease in speed when sprinting on the bend compared with the straight has been attributed to kinetic, kinematic and spatiotemporal modifications. Although maximal speed is dependent on an athlete's ability to accelerate, there is limited research investigating the acceleration phase of bend sprinting. This study used a lower limb and trunk marker set with 15 optoelectronic cameras to examine kinematic and spatiotemporal variables of the lower limb during sprinting on the bend and straight. Nine sprinters completed up to six 30 m maximal effort trials in bend (radius 36.5 m, lane one) and straight conditions. An increase in body lateral lean at touchdown resulted in a number of asymmetric kinematic modifications. Whilst the left limb demonstrated a greater peak hip adduction, peak hip internal rotation and peak ankle eversion on the bend compared with the straight, the right limb was characterised by an increase in peak hip abduction. These results demonstrate that kinematic modifications start early in the race and likely accumulate, resulting in greater modifications at maximal speed. It is recommended that strength and conditioning programmes target the hip, ankle and foot in the non-sagittal planes. In addition, sprint training should prioritise specificity by occurring on the bend. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate both foot arch-shaped architecture and forefoot kinematics during gait. Using a dedicated three-compartment forefoot subdivision, we studied asymptomatic subjects and quantified disorders related to the metatarsal arch. Foot motion and arch shape were measured in 30 healthy subjects with a motion-capture system and force plates. Kinematic results were expressed using a novel model, which anatomically divides the forefoot into three parts. This model integrated the medial longitudinal arch angle and the metatarsal arch height and width. During the first part of stance phase, the medial longitudinal arch flattens and all foot segments move toward dorsiflexion. During terminal stance and preswing phase, medial longitudinal and metatarsal arch restoration was noted with plantarflexion of all segments, an eversion and abduction of the medial forefoot, and an inversion and adduction of the lateral forefoot. Kinematics obtained with the proposed forefoot model corroborates metatarsal arch restoration in late stance. This observation supports the fact that foot architecture is supple until midstance and subsequently creates a rigid lever arm with restored arches to support propulsion. This study's results and methods highlight the potential of the three-compartment model for use in clinical decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In eye movement examination, video-oculographic monocular recording has become more popular than electro-oculographic binocular recording. The aim of this study was to examine the characteristics of monocular movements recorded using video-oculography. In 66 healthy subjects, the horizontal saccades and smooth pursuit eye movements of the right eye within a range of 30º were evaluated using a video-oculographic eye movement recording system. Saccade latency, velocity, accuracy, and smooth pursuit gain were measured and analysed by age and direction. Saccade parameters (latency, velocity, and amplitude) and smooth pursuit gain deteriorated with age in healthy subjects. Saccade velocity and accuracy were significantly larger during adduction than during abduction. The smooth pursuit gain did not differ between adduction and abduction. In conclusion, unlike smooth pursuit eye movements, saccadic eye movements have adduction-abduction asymmetry. In video-oculographic monocular recording of saccades, it is necessary to recognise the possibility of the existence of adduction-abduction asymmetry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lateral ankle stability and how it changes in different footwear has been investigated for years. Research, however, has shown a lack of reliability or sensitivity of available methodologies. This study aimed to evaluate the test-retest reliability and sensitivity of a novel lateral stability protocol, the Submaximal Lateral Shuffle Test (SLST). We recruited 11 and 40 participants to assess reliability and sensitivity of the SLST, respectively. Participants performed the SLST in footwear that differed in collar height and upper stiffness. ICC values showed good to excellent reliability in peak ankle angles and moments, ground reaction forces, impulses, stance time, and performance time. Significantly lower peak inversion and adduction angles and lower medio-lateral push off peak forces were found in the high cut shoes compared to the low cut shoes. The medio-lateral landing peak force showed lower forces in the high cut shoes. The smallest worthwhile change indicated meaningful differences in 70.0–82.5% of participants for inversion, adduction, medio-lateral landing peak, and push off peak forces. These results, however, were not systematic such that there was not a consistent direction of the difference for all participants. In conclusion, the SLST is a promising protocol to further investigate lateral stability in footwear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Muscle imbalance and deficit are key parameters for guiding rehabilitation and sports sessions and avoiding injuries. However, the high cost and non-portable nature of most instruments employed for muscle strength assessment frequently hamper an affordable evaluation in field conditions. This study evaluated the validity and reliability of a low-cost digital dynamometer to assess the maximal isometric strength of upper limb muscles. Fourteen physically active volunteers performed the main movements of the upper limb at maximal isometric strength: flexion-extension, internal-external rotation and abduction-adduction of the shoulder; and flexion-extension of both elbow and wrist. Validity was examined by comparing the strength values from the low-cost digital dynamometer and those measured by an isokinetic dynamometer, assumed as the gold standard. The correlation between both devices was perfect (r > 0.913), while Bland-Altman plots showed absolute agreement between both devices, the maximum range of the values of bias was −0.99–1.00 N in wrist extension. Inter-tester and intra-tester reliability were excellent for all movements (ICC ≥ 0.855). The low-cost digital dynamometer showed strong validity and excellent reliability in assessing maximal isometric strength during the main movements of the upper limb. Professionals may use it for an affordable isometric muscle strength assessment in field situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to determine if sex differences exist in the key elbow and wrist joint injury risk factors during different cartwheel (CW) and round-off (RO) techniques performed by young male and female artistic gymnasts. Sixteen active young gymnasts (8 males and 8 females) performed 30 successful trials of CW and RO with three different hand positions (parallel (10), T-shape (10) and reverse (10)). Synchronised kinematic and kinetic data were collected for each trial. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA (3 × 2, technique × sex) and effect-sizes (ES) were used for statistical analysis. In conclusion, female gymnasts exhibited greater normalised peak vertical ground reaction forces (VGRF), elbow and wrist compression forces and elbow internal adduction moments during CW and RO skills compared with male gymnasts. In both sexes, the parallel and reverse techniques increased peak VGRF, elbow and wrist compression forces and the elbow internal adduction moment. Increased elbow flexion resulted in decreased peak VGRF, elbow compression forces and elbow internal adduction moment. Injury risk factors including elbow extension and internal adduction moment with axial compression force suggest that a CW and RO in reverse and parallel techniques can be hazardous especially for young female gymnasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study compared the role of the adductor magnus muscle (Amag) as a hip extensor while performing active prone hip extension (PHE), PHE with hip adduction (PHE-ADD), and PHE with hip abduction (PHE-ABD) with the gluteus maximus (Gmax) and hamstrings. Methods: The study recruited 22 healthy participants. Electromyography data were recorded from the Amag, Gmax, and medial and lateral hamstrings during PHE, PHE-ADD, and PHE-ABD. Normalized electromyographic data were examined using one-way, repeated-measures analyses of variance. Results: The magnitude of the Amag, Gmax, and hamstring activations did not differ significantly while performing PHE (p = 0.41). Furthermore, the Amag and hamstring activations were significantly greater than the Gmax activation when performing PHE-ADD (p < 0.05). The Gmax showed significantly greater activation during PHE-ABD than the Amag and medial and lateral hamstrings (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Based on these results, we advocate including the Amag as a hip extensor during the PHE test or exercise. Our preliminary results have the potential to be applied directly to the PHE test, for investigating the muscle-activation pattern of the Amag with the Gmax and hamstrings in patients with hip or lower back pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]