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BACKGROUND: Running-induced fatigue has received much attention in recent years. However, very few studies have investigated the effect of fatigue on lower limb biomechanics in three planes. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate biomechanical changes in the lower limb in three planes following running-induced fatigue. METHODS: Fifteen male novice runners were included in the study and performed three running trails pre- and post-fatigue. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests or paired-sample t tests were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Lower limb biomechanics significantly changed, especially kinetic parameters, when fatigue occurred. The peak ankle dorsiflexion angle and range of motion of the knee joint in the frontal plane increased. As for kinetic parameters, in the ankle joint, the peak external rotation moment, peak abduction power and peak internal rotation power increased. In the knee joint, the peak abduction and external rotation moment, peak flexion power, peak adduction and abduction power also increased. In the hip joint, the peak flexion moment was decreased, peak adduction and abduction moment, peak external rotation power, peak adduction and abduction power moment were increased. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study may contribute to our understanding of the impact of fatigue and provide some helpful information to prevent related injuries.

Standing long jump (SLJ) is complicated by the challenge of motor coordination in both the upper and lower segments. This movement is also considered to be a fundamental skill in a variety of sports. In particular, SLJ is an important test index for middle school students for assessing their physical fitness levels. This assessment takes the form of a physical fitness test high school entrance examination in some countries such as China. This minireview summarizes recent studies that have investigated how to improve the standing long jump performance from different aspects which include arm motion, takeoff angle, standing posture, warming-up exercise, and handheld weight. The common study limitations, controversial knowledge, and future research direction are also discussed in detail.

The original idea for bionic shoes (BSs) involves combining the function of unstable foot conditions and the structure of the human plantar. The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences between the normal shoes (NS) and the BS during the stance phases of walking and running. A total of 15 Chinese males from Ningbo University were recruited for this study (age: 24.3 ± 2.01 years, height: 176.25 ± 7.11 cm, body weight (BW): 75.75 ± 8.35 kg). The participants were asked to perform a walking and running task. Statistical parametric mapping (SPM) analysis was used to investigate any differences between NSs and BSs during the walking and running stance phases. The results demonstrated that there were significant differences found (21.23–28.24%, p = 0.040, 84.47–100%, p = 0.017) in hip extension and flexion between the NS and the BS during the walking stance phase. There were no significant differences found in ankle and moment during the running stance phase. Significant differences were found in the rectus femoris (5.29–6.21%, p = 0.047), tibialis anterior (14.37–16.40%, p = 0.038), and medial gastrocnemius (25.55–46.86%, p &lt, 0.001) between the NS and the BS during the walking stance phase. Significant differences were found in rectus femoris (12.83–13.10%, p = 0.049, 15.89–80.19%, p &lt, 0.001), tibialis anterior (15.85–18.31%, p = 0.039, 21.14–24.71%, p = 0.030), medial gastrocnemius (80.70–90.44%, p = 0.007), and lateral gastrocnemius (11.16–27.93%, p &lt, 0.001, 62.20–65.63%, p = 0.032, 77.56–93.45%, p &lt, 0.001) between the NS and the BS during the running stance phase. These findings indicate that BSs are more efficient for muscle control than unstable shoes and maybe suitable for rehabilitation training.

Traditional Chinese exercise (TCE) has gradually become one of the widespread complementary therapies for treatment and recovery of cancers. However, evidence based on the systematic evaluation of its efficacy is lacking, and there appears to be no conclusion regarding the setting of TCE interventions. The purpose of this systematic review is to summarize the current randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that outline the effects of TCE on cancer patients. Relevant studies were searched by GOOGLE SCHOLAR, SCIENCEDIRECT, and WEB OF SCIENCE using “traditional Chinese exercise” and “cancer.” Only RCTs published in peer-reviewed English journals were included. A total of 27 studies covering 1616 cancer patients satisfied the eligibility criteria for this review. Despite the methodological limitation and relatively high risk of bias possessed by some included studies, positive evidence was still detected on the effects of TCE on these cancer-related health outcomes in physical, psychological, and physiological parameters. The 60-min or 90-min course of TCE intervention for two to three times per week for 10 to 12 weeks was found to be the most common setting in these studies and has effectively benefited cancer patients. These findings add scientific support to encourage cancer patients to practice TCE during or after conventional medical treatment. Nevertheless, future well-designed RCTs with improved methodology and larger sample size on this field are much warranted for further verification. Published version

Barefoot and shod running has received increased attention in recent years, however, the influence of morphology-related foot function has not been explored. This study aimed to investigate morphology-related jumping and running biomechanical functions in habitually barefoot and shod males. A total of 90 barefoot males (Indians) and 130 shod males (Chinese), with significant forefoot and toe morphology differences, participated in a vertical jump and running test to enable the collection of kinematic and kinetic data. The difference of pressure distribution in the hallux and forefoot was shown while jumping and running. The unrestricted forefoot and toes of the barefoot group presented flexible movement and leverage functions to expand the forefoot loading area during performance of the two tasks. Findings related to morphology functions, especially in the forefoot and toe may provide useful information for footwear design.

This study was aimed to analyze the foot posture index and plantar pressure characteristics of fifteen badminton players and fifteen controls. The hypothesis was that people with the habit of playing badminton would be significantly different with nonplaying people in foot posture index, 3D foot surface data, and plantar pressure distribution. Nine regions of plantar pressure were measured by using the EMED force platform, and badminton players showed significantly higher peak pressure in the hallux (p=0.003), medial heel (p=0.016), and lateral heel (p=0.021) and force-time integral in the hallux (p=0.002), medial heel (p=0.026), and lateral heel (p=0.015). There is no asymmetrical plantar pressure distribution between the left foot and the right foot of players. The mean foot posture index values of male and female badminton players are 5.2 ± 1.95 and 5.7 ± 1.15, respectively, and comparatively, those values of male and female controls are 1.5 ± 1.73 and 1.7 ± 4.16, respectively. This study shows that significant differences in morphology between people with the habit of playing badminton and people without that habit could be taken as a factor for a future study in locomotion biomechanics characteristics and foot shape of badminton players and in a footwear design in order to reduce injury risks.

To investigate the effects between pregnant women (PW) and non-pregnant women (NW) on foot kinematics during walking using the Oxford foot model (OFM). Twenty women with last trimester of pregnancy and 23 non-pregnant women were involved in this study. Three-dimensional motion of the forefoot, hindfoot and tibia during walking were recorded by a Vicon motion analysis system. Two force platforms were used to record the ground reaction force. Compared with NW, PW demonstrated greater plantar flexion and internal rotation of hindfoot and internal tibial rotation during initial contact, greater forefoot eversion and hindfoot external rotation during push off. Moreover, PW showed greater external tibial rotation than NW during toe off and the centre of pressure (COP) trajectory moved to the 2nd to 3rd metatarsal at this stage. It appears that the altered foot kinematics of pregnant women may contribute to the redistribution of joints loads and the maintenance stability at a comfortable walking pace.