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The natural development of static lower limb varus/valgus alignments during early childhood is well understood. However, our understanding of dynamic lower limb frontal plane alignments is limited, and we lack normative descriptions of this phenomenon for both boys and girls. This study investigated dynamic lower limb alignment during jump-landings in preschool children, focusing on associations with sex, age, and motor performance. Dynamic lower limb alignment was measured as the Knee-to-Ankle Separation Ratio (KASR) in 605 children aged 3-6 years using markerless motion capture. Based on KASR measurements, we categorized the children into three kinematic groups: Valgus, Intermediate, and Varus. Median KASR scores were 0.86 (0.80-0.96) overall, 0.89 (0.81-0.98) for boys, and 0.85 (0.78-0.92) for girls. Over 75% of the children exhibited some level of dynamic knee valgus during jump-landings (KASR < 1). However, roughly two-thirds of the children in the Valgus group were girls. Age-adjusted differences in motor performance were small and only statistically significant for jump height and length in girls. These findings suggest that dynamic knee valgus during jump-landings is a common occurrence in preschool children, especially among girls. The potential relationship between dynamic lower limb alignment and age and motor performance warrants further investigation.

Abstract Background Evidence on how to improve daily physical activity (PA) levels following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) or medial uni-compartmental knee arthroplasty (mUKA) by motivational feedback is lacking. Moreover, it is unknown whether a focus on increased PA after discharge from the hospital improves rehabilitation, physical function, and quality of life. The aim of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) nested in a prospective cohort is (a) to investigate whether PA, physical function, and quality of life following knee replacement can be increased using an activity monitoring device including motivational feedback via a patient app in comparison with activity monitoring without feedback (care-as-usual), and (b) to investigate the potential predictive value of PA level prior to knee replacement for the length of stay, return to work, and quality of life. Methods The study is designed as a multicenter, parallel-group, superiority RCT with balanced randomization (1:1) and blinded outcome assessments. One hundred and fifty patients scheduled for knee replacement (TKA or mUKA) will be recruited through Odense University Hospital, Denmark, Vejle Hospital, Denmark and Herlev/Gentofte Sygehus, Denmark. Patients will be randomized to either 12 weeks of activity monitoring and motivational feedback via a patient app by gamification or 'care-as-usual,' including activity monitoring without motivational feedback. The primary outcome is the between-group change score from baseline to 12-week follow-up of cumulative daily accelerometer counts, which is a valid proxy for average objectively assessed daily PA. Discussion Improving PA through motivational feedback following knee replacement surgery might improve post-surgical function, health-related quality of life, and participation in everyday life. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT06005623. Registered on 2023–08-22. Trial status Recruiting.

Abstract Background Body weight unloaded treadmill training has shown limited efficacy in further improving functional capacity after subacute rehabilitation of ischemic stroke patients. Dynamic robot assisted bodyweight unloading is a novel technology that may provide superior training stimuli and continued functional improvements in individuals with residual impairments in the chronic phase after the ischemic insult. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of dynamic robot-assisted versus standard training, initiated 6 months post-stroke, on motor function, physical function, fatigue, and quality of life in stroke-affected individuals still suffering from moderate-to-severe disabilities after subacute rehabilitation. Methods Stroke-affected individuals with moderate to severe disabilities will be recruited into a prospective cohort with measurements at 3-, 6-, 12- and 18-months post-stroke. A randomised controlled trial (RCT) will be nested in the prospective cohort with measurements pre-intervention (Pre), post-intervention (Post) and at follow-up 6 months following post-intervention testing. The present RCT will be conducted as a multicentre parallel-group superiority of intervention study with assessor-blinding and a stratified block randomisation design. Following pre-intervention testing, participants in the RCT study will be randomised into robot-assisted training (intervention) or standard training (active control). Participants in both groups will train 1:1 with a physiotherapist two times a week for 6 months (groups are matched for time allocated to training). The primary outcome is the between-group difference in change score of Fugl-Meyer Lower Extremity Assessment from pre-post intervention on the intention-to-treat population. A per-protocol analysis will be conducted analysing the differences in change scores of the participants demonstrating acceptable adherence. A priori sample size calculation allowing the detection of the minimally clinically important between-group difference of 6 points in the primary outcome (standard deviation 6 point, α = 5% and β = 80%) resulted in 34 study participants. Allowing for dropout the study will include 40 participants in total. Discussion For stroke-affected individuals still suffering from moderate to severe disabilities following subacute standard rehabilitation, training interventions based on dynamic robot-assisted body weight unloading may facilitate an appropriate intensity, volume and task-specificity in training leading to superior functional recovery compared to training without the use of body weight unloading. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT06273475. Trial status: Recruiting. Trial identifier: NCT06273475. Registry name: ClinicalTrials.gov. Date of registration on ClinicalTrials.gov: 22/02/2024.

Abstract Background Knowledge of the prevalence and socio-demographic characteristics of physical impairments is limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of physical impairments among adults in Denmark, both in total and according to nine common diagnostic subgroups, describe the socio-demographic and socio-economic profile, and compare the data with those of the general adult population. Methods This descriptive, cross-sectional, register-based study evaluated the general socio-demographic and socio-economic variables, including sex, age, geographical region, origin, educational level, occupation, marital status, and disability level, of adults with physical impairments extracted by diagnosis from the Danish National Patient Register and Statistics Denmark by 31 December 2018. These data were compared with those of the general adult population in Denmark extracted from Statistics Denmark by January 2019. Results In total, 606,857 adults with physical impairments were identified. Of the nine selected diagnoses, osteoarthritis (69.4%) was the most prevalent, followed by acquired brain injury (29.0%), rheumatoid arthritis (6.7%), multiple sclerosis (2.6%), spinal cord injury (1.5%), cerebral palsy (1.2%), amputation (0.7%), muscular dystrophy (0.5%), and poliomyelitis (

Children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) show a reduced physical activity (PA) level compared with their typically developed peers. This study aimed to identify potential predictors of objectively evaluated habitual PA using data from a national clinical registry—the Cerebral Palsy Follow-Up Program (CPFP)—and proxy-reported questionnaires. Data from the CPFP database showed that female sex was associated with a lower PA level. Additional questionnaire data revealed age, popliteal angle limitation, Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument–Sports and Physical Functioning Scale score, screen time, Functional Mobility Scale score at 50 m, and fatigue as predictors. The proposed models can be used for the prediction and early detection of the PA level and consequently for the potential improvement among ambulant/semiambulant individuals with CP. Further research should investigate the predictive impact of personal, social, and environmental factors on the PA level and the gap in PA levels between girls and boys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Previous studies on hip survival following periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) have reported isolated data for the treatment of 1 underlying condition, making comparison between patient groups difficult. We report the hip survival after PAO in patients with acetabular dysplasia (AD), acetabular retroversion (AR), congenital dislocation of the hip (CDH), and Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD) with total hip arthroplasty (THA) as primary endpoint and secondarily the risk of subsequent hip-related operations other than THA. Patients and methods: From 1997 to December 2021, 1,501 hips (1,203 patients) underwent PAO in a single center (Odense University Hospital). We identified conversions to THA and other subsequent hip-related operations through patient files and the Danish National Patient Registry (DNPR). Results: 123 (8.2%) of the total cohort of 1,501 hips were converted to THA within the study period. The overall Kaplan–Meier hip survival rate was 71% (95% confidence interval [CI] 61–79) at 24 years with a mean follow-up of 7.6 years (range 0.02–25). The individual Kaplan–Meier hip survival rates at 15 years were 81% (CI 76–86) for AD, 94% (CI 91–96) for AR, 84% (CI 66–93) for CDH, and 66% (CI 49–79) for LCPD. In total, the overall risk of additional hip-related operations was 48% (of which 92% were screw removal). Conclusion: Encouragingly, 71% of hips were preserved 24 years after PAO. We found that AR patients had the highest (94%) PAO survivorship at 15 years compared with the other underlying hip conditions. Almost half of PAO patients may undergo later additional surgery, of which screw removal is the primary intervention. Overall long-term survival, risk factors for conversion to THA, and risk of additional surgery are relevant information for shared decision-making.

Background: An improved understanding of the current practice of standing frame use may have implications for supporting parents in managing standing frames. We aimed to investigate how parents of children with cerebral palsy perceive and manage standing frame use in home settings. Methods: We conducted a mixed methods study with an explanatory sequential design, first collecting and analysing quantitative questionnaire data and then using these results to inform a qualitative follow‐up phase to explain them. The questionnaire was answered by 103 parents of children with cerebral palsy across five countries, Denmark, Norway, Great Britain, Canada and the United States, and 12 Danish families participated in the subsequent interviews. A descriptive analysis was conducted using the questionnaire data. The qualitative data were analysed using a directed content analysis, enabling integration of the quantitative and qualitative data. Results: The quantitative analysis showed that 89% of the parents felt confident with their child's standing frame, and 82% felt they had sufficient knowledge about how their child's standing frame could/should be used. However, the qualitative analysis showed that even when feeling confident, the parents experienced insecurity regarding whether their child was positioned correctly, and being responsible for positioning was challenging. Conclusion: Our study implies a need for providing educational materials to assist the parents in ensuring optimal positioning of their child in the standing frame to decrease insecurity. Additionally, our study suggests a need to provide more thorough information about the benefits of using a standing frame and ensure alignment of expectations in relation to the child's prognosis of functional independence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Standing frames are commonly used by healthcare professionals in their practice with children with cerebral palsy (CP) who do not have an independent standing function. A better understanding of healthcare professionals' attitudes and experiences with standing frames may impact practice and rehabilitation. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the standing frame practice among healthcare professionals and expand their attitude and experience with the use of standing frames for children with CP. Methods: This is an explanatory sequential mixed methods study. A cross‐sectional survey was conducted, providing quantitative data on 210 healthcare professionals' use of standing frames. The quantitative data were descriptively analysed. Subsequently, the results from the survey were followed up with five focus group interviews of healthcare professionals (n = 14). The qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis, enabling integration between the quantitative and qualitative data. Results: When quantitative and qualitative data are integrated, expansion between the two datasets occurred. The quantitative dataset emphasised the use of GMFCS levels as a guideline for recommending standing frames, whereas the qualitative data showed that the healthcare professionals' recommendations were based on individual needs. Furthermore, the healthcare professionals expanded the quantitative data, showing that the healthcare professionals' considerations regarding age and dosage were based on clinical experience, and saw the standing frame as having many benefits. Conclusion: The healthcare professionals had a child‐centred approach, where the child's need for using a standing frame was assessed based on the functional level, stage of development, cognitive level and clinical assessment. All of these considerations showed that the use of standing frames for children with CP was individualised, thereby making it difficult to make unified descriptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clinimetric properties of new technology should be evaluated in relevant populations before its implementation in research or clinical practice. Markerless motion capture is a new digital technology that allows for data collection in young children without some drawbacks commonly encountered with traditional systems. However, important properties, such as test-retest reliability, of this new technology have so far not been investigated. We recorded 63 preschool children using markerless motion capture (The Captury GmbH, Saarbrüken, Germany) while they performed squats and standing broad jumps. A retest session was conducted after 1 week. Recordings from the test session were processed twice to estimate the software-driven instrumental variability. Recordings from the first and second test sessions were compared to evaluate the week-to-week test-retest reliability. Statistical tests included 95% limits of agreement and intraclass correlations of absolute agreement (ICC). Jump length performance and four kinematic variables demonstrated acceptable instrumental variability (ICC > 0.76). The week-to-week reliability was excellent for jump length performance (ICC = 0.90) but poor to moderate (ICC

Abstract Background Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) is used widely as an off-label treatment for pain despite limited evidence for its effectiveness. A few small trials with a high risk of bias have investigated the effect of LDN on pain associated with fibromyalgia in women, but larger and more methodologically robust studies are needed. The primary aim of this randomized controlled trial is to investigate if 12 weeks of LDN treatment is superior to placebo in reducing the average pain intensity during the last 7 days in women with fibromyalgia. Methods A single-center, permuted block randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial will be performed in Denmark. Randomization comprises 100 women aged 18–64 years diagnosed with fibromyalgia who will be treated with either LDN or placebo for 12 weeks including a 4-week titration phase. The primary outcome is change in average pain intensity (during the last 7 days) from baseline to 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes are other fibromyalgia-related symptoms, i.e., tenderness, fatigue, sleep disturbance, stiffness, memory problems, depression, anxiety and measures of global assessment, physical function, impact of fibromyalgia, pain distribution, and health-related quality of life. Intention-to-treat analysis will be performed, and the number of responders with a more than 15%, 30%, and 50% improvement of pain after 12 weeks will be calculated for the LDN and placebo groups. Exploratory outcomes include measures of pain sensitivity, muscle performance, and biomarkers. Discussion This study will contribute with high-level evidence on the efficacy of low-dose naltrexone for the treatment of pain in women with fibromyalgia. Secondary outcomes include both disease-specific and generic components investigating whether LDN influences other symptoms than pain. Explorative outcomes are included to provide greater insight into the mechanism of action of LDN and possibly a better understanding of the underlying pathology in fibromyalgia. Trial registration EudraCT 2019-000702-30. Registered on 12 July 2019. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04270877. Registered on 17 February 2020

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to investigate the effect on physical performance of combining whole-body vibration exercise (WBV) with parathyroid hormone 1–34 (teriparatide) compared to teriparatide alone. Methods A secondary analysis from a RCT where postmenopausal women with severe osteoporosis were randomised to WBV plus teriparatide (intervention) or teriparatide alone (control). WBV was applied three times/week (6x1min WBV:1 min rest, (peak acceleration 3.6 g)) for twelve months. Both groups received teriparatide 20 μg s.c./day. The primary endpoint (bone mineral density) is reported elsewhere. Physical performance measures (Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Timed-Up-and-Go (TUG), leg extension power, and grip strength) were obtained at baseline, three-, six-, and twelve months, lean mass at baseline and twelve months. Data were analysed with mixed linear regression model or robust cluster regression in an intention to treat analysis. Results Thirty-five women aged (mean ± SD) 69 ± 7) years were recruited of which thirty-two (91%) completed the twelve months follow-up (WBV + teriparatide = 15, teriparatide = 17). SPPB score (mean ± SD) improved significantly at three months in the WBV + teriparatide group from 9.13 ± 2.03 to 10.35 ± 1.69 (p = 0.014) with a statistical trend towards a between-group change in favor of the WBV + teriparatide group (0.86 [95%CI(− 0.05,1.77), p = 0.065]). Both groups improved in leg extension power during the study period whereas no changes were seen in TUG, grip strength, or lean mass in either group. No statistical significant between-group differences were observed. Conclusion WBV may improve some short-term aspects of physical performance in severely osteoporotic postmenopausal women who are receiving teriparatide treatment. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov, ID:NCT02563353

Abstract Background Children with cerebral palsy often exhibit an altered gait pattern; however, it is uncertain whether the use of an instrumented gait analysis in interdisciplinary interventions affects the perceived experience of family-centered service (FCS) and/or gross motor function. The aim of this study is to investigate whether individually tailored interdisciplinary interventions, based on an instrumented gait analysis report, has a superior effectiveness on perceived FCS and gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy, compared to ‘care as usual’ without the use of instrumented gait analysis. Furthermore, to investigate potential associations between perceived FCS and gross motor function improvement with the goal of improving future therapy on gross motor function. Method This is a sequel analysis on tertiary outcome measures from a prospective, single blind, randomized, parallel group study including two groups of 30 children aged 5–8 years with spastic cerebral palsy at Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I-II (n = 60). The intervention group underwent a three-dimensional gait analysis, from which a clinical report was written with recommendations on interdisciplinary interventions, such as physical therapy, orthopedic surgery, orthotics or spasticity management. To assess effectiveness on perceived FCS and gross motor function, at baseline, 26 weeks and 52 weeks, the five domains in the Measure of Processes of Care (MPOC-20) (Enabling and partnership, Providing general information, Providing specific information about the child, Respectful and supportive service, and Coordinated and comprehensive care) and the Gross Motor Function Measurement (GMFM-66) were used as outcome measures. Results No significant differences in between-group change scores in any of the five MPOC-20 domains were observed (p = 0.40–0.97). In favor of the intervention group a significantly higher between-group change score in GMFM-66 (mean difference: 3.05 [95%CI: 1.12–4.98], p = 0.003) after 52 weeks was observed. Conclusion The addition of an instrumented gait analysis report to ‘care as usual’ did not improve the parents’ perceptions of FCS in treatment of children with cerebral palsy. However, superior improvement in the GMFM-66 was observed in the intervention group, suggesting meaningful gross motor function improvement. Trial registration Clinical Trials, NCT02160457 . Registered June 10th 2014.

Introduction Children and adolescents with cerebral palsy may be trapped in a vicious circle of low physical fitness, resulting in deconditioning that causes a further decrease in physical activity (PA), a lower quality of life and an increased risk of developing non-communicable diseases. Therefore, establishing a healthy and active lifestyle during childhood is even more important for individuals with a disability. However, the factors that influence habitual PA in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy remain unknown.The present protocol outlines a prospective cohort study with the aim of investigating potential predictors of habitual PA in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy in order to provide evidence for optimising PA levels and associated overall health.Methods and analysis This prospective cohort study will enrol participants with cerebral palsy between the ages of 8 and 15 years at Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I–III. Using a modified version of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health model as a conceptual analytical framework, the analysis will be divided into six components and will provide predictors for habitual PA measured by accelerometry. The potential predictive variables are registry data on physical function (Danish Cerebral Palsy Follow-Up Programme); validated proxy-reported questionnaires on quality of life (Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory), overall health, pain and participation in daily activities (Paediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument) and supplementary questions regarding sleep, screen time and socioeconomic status.Ethics and dissemination The project is approved by the Danish Data Protection Agency (19/16396) and has been declared not notifiable by the Regional Committee on Health Research Ethics, cf. Committee Act Art. 14, paragraph 1 (S-20192000-23). The study results will be published in international peer-reviewed journals, presented at international conferences, and published in a PhD dissertation.Trial registration number NCT04614207.

Abstract Background Investigations into the possible associations between early in life motor function and later in life musculoskeletal health, will require easily obtainable, valid, and reliable measures of gross motor function and kinematics. Marker-based motion capture systems provide reasonably valid and reliable measures, but recordings are restricted to expensive lab environments. Markerless motion capture systems can provide measures of gross motor function and kinematics outside of lab environments and with minimal interference to the subjects being investigated. It is, however, unknown if these measures are sufficiently valid and reliable in young children to warrant further use. This study aims to document the concurrent validity of a markerless motion capture system: “The Captury.” Method Measures of gross motor function and lower extremity kinematics from 14 preschool children (age between three and 6 years) performing a series of squats and standing broad jumps were recorded by a marker-based (Vicon) and a markerless (The Captury) motion capture system simultaneously, in December 2015. Measurement differences between the two systems were examined for the following variables: jump length, jump height, hip flexion, knee flexion, ankle dorsi flexion, knee varus, knee to hip separation distance ratio (KHR), ankle to hip separation distance ratio (AHR), frontal plane projection angle, frontal plane knee angle (FPKA), and frontal plane knee deviation (FPKD). Measurement differences between the systems were expressed in terms of root mean square errors, mean differences, limits of agreement (LOA), and intraclass correlations of absolute agreement (ICC (2,1) A) and consistency of agreement. Results Measurement differences between the two systems varied depending on the variables. Agreement and reliability ranged from acceptable for e.g. jump height [LOA: − 3.8 cm to 2.2 cm; ICC (2,1) A: 0.91] to unacceptable for knee varus [LOA: − 33° to 19°; ICC (2,1) A: 0.29]. Conclusions The measurements by the markerless motion capture system “The Captury” cannot be considered interchangeable with the Vicon measures, but our results suggest that this system can produce estimates of jump length, jump height, KHR, AHR, knee flexion, FPKA, and FPKD, with acceptable levels of agreement and reliability. These variables are promising for use in future research but require further investigation of their clinimetric properties.

Abstract Background There are no standardized therapy guidelines for rehabilitation of calcaneus fractures. While there is consensus on non or partial weight-bearing, the use of supporting devices such as specific foot ankle orthosis is still a matter of debate. Recently, a heel-unloading orthosis (“Settner shoe”) was introduced for aftercare of these fractures, allowing walking by shifting the load to the middle-foot and forefoot. This orthosis enables early mobilization of patients suffering from either one-sided or two-sided fractures. The Settner shoe can be applied in non-operative therapy and after surgery. Specifically in calcaneus fractures, early regain of physical activity has been highlighted as one of the key factors for quality of life and the ability to return to work. Thus, we hypothesize that mobilization with the Settner shoe results in improved quality of life and greater physical activity within the first 3 months. Methods This is going to be analyzed by a randomized controlled study comparing treatment with and without this specific orthosis. The secondary outcome measure is the time point of return to work in patients aged between 18 and 60 years, with calcaneus fracture. Furthermore, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score, a 3-dimensional gait analysis, and the Euroqol-5 dimension-3 level (EQ-5D-3 L) questionnaire for quality of life are assessed. Discussion This is the first trial applying a standardized rehabilitation protocol in patients with calcaneus fractures, aiming to improve the non-operative part of treatment by use of an orthosis. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03572816. Registered on 27 July 2018.

Abstract Background Diseased, injured, or dysfunctional skeletal muscles may demonstrate abnormal function and contractility. Currently, only few in vivo imaging techniques are able to characterize the contractile properties of muscle tissue. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that muscle strain can be tracked in two upper extremity skeletal muscles by speckle-tracking ultrasonography (STU) and correlates with isometric muscle contractions. Methods A convenience sample of 10 healthy, adult volunteers with normal shoulder function were tested. The 5 women and 5 men had a mean age of 45 years (range: 39–59 years) and BMI

Background. Physical activity in elderly patients is crucial for recovery from proximal femoral fractures. Considering the limited possibilities for objective measurement, we aimed to evaluate the use of an accelerometer in this population to determine activity’s association with functional independence, quality of life, and course of recovery. Methods. 52 patients undergoing operative treatment for proximal femur fractures (81.3 ± 7.5 years) were included in a prospective cohort study. 12 patients with fall but without fracture of the lower extremities (80.8 ± 9.5 years) served as control. An Axivity AX3 tracker continuously recorded signal vector magnitudes during the hospital stay. Additionally, 2 ± 1 and 8 ± 3 days (time point 1 and 2) after operation EuroQol-5D and Barthel-20 indices were evaluated. Results. Physical activity increased in all patients with time. Multiple regression analyses revealed that a high Barthel-20 before fracture, a low age, a high body mass index, high albumin, and low C-reactive protein levels were independent predictors for high physical activity at time point 1 (p

Background and purpose — Threshold values defining 3 categories of passive range of motion are used in the Cerebral Palsy follow-Up Program to guide clinical decisions. The aim of this study was to investigate the threshold values by testing the hypothesis that passive range of motion in ankle dorsiflexion is associated with gross motor function and that function differs between the groups of participants in each category. Patients and methods — We analyzed data from 60 ambulatory children (aged 5–9 years) with spastic cerebral palsy. Outcomes were passive range of motion in ankle dorsiflexion with flexed and extended knee and gross motor function (Gait Deviation Index, Gait Variable Score of the ankle, peak dorsiflexion during gait, 1-minute walk, Gross Motor Function Measure, the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Cerebral Palsy Module, and Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument). Results — Significant (p < 0.05) and moderate correlations were documented for range of motion versus Gait Variable Score of the ankle (r = –0.37 and r = –0.37) and range of motion versus peak dorsiflexion (r = 0.49 and r = 0.55). Differences between the groups formed by the categories were shown for Gait Variable Score of the ankle and peak dorsiflexion (p < 0.05). No other significant correlations or differences between the categories were observed. Interpretation — The results suggest that threshold values for ankle dorsiflexion used in the Cerebral Palsy follow-Up Program are of limited clinical value in assessing overall gross motor function, but may be used to identify deviations in ankle-specific gait function.

Abstract Background Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, using hamstring auto-graft is a common surgical procedure, which often leads to persistent hamstring muscle-strength deficiency and reduced function. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to investigate the effect of a combined, progressive, strength and neuromuscular exercise intervention on knee muscle strength, functional capacity and hamstring muscle-tendon morphology in ACL-reconstructed patients with persistent hamstring muscle-strength deficiency compared with controls. Methods/design The study is designed as a multicenter, parallel-group RCT with balanced randomization (1:1) and blinded outcome assessments (level of evidence: II) and will be reported in accordance with the CONSORT Statement. Fifty ACL-reconstructed patients (hamstring auto-graft) with persistent limb-to-limb knee-flexor muscle-strength asymmetry at 12–24 months’ post surgery, will be recruited through outpatient clinics and advertisements. Patients will be randomized to a 12-week progressive, strength and neuromuscular exercise group (SNG) with supervised training twice weekly or a control intervention (CON) consisting of a home-based, low-intensity exercise program. Outcome measures include between-group change in maximal isometric knee-flexor strength (primary outcome) and knee-extensor muscle strength, hamstring-to-quadriceps strength ratios of the leg that has been operated on and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) (secondary outcomes). In addition, several explorative outcomes will be investigated: The International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form (IKDC), the Tegner Activity Score, rate of force development (RFD) for the knee flexors and extensors, tendon regeneration and potential muscle hypertrophy at graft harvest site evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), postural control, kinetic/kinematic gait characteristics and knee-related functional capacity. Discussion This RCT is designed to investigate the effect of combined, progressive-resistance and neuromuscular exercises on knee-flexor/extensor strength, in the late rehabilitation phase following ACL reconstruction. Reduced hamstring strength represents a potential risk factor for secondary ACL rupture and accelerated progression of osteoarthritis. If deemed effective, the intervention paradigm introduced in this study may help to improve current treatment strategies in ACL-reconstructed patients. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT02939677 (recruiting). Registered on 20 October 2016.