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This work aimed to determine the influence of strengthening or weakening of the transversus abdominis (TrA) muscle on loads in the lumbar spine using musculoskeletal modelling methods. The input kinematic data of two positions (a standing position and a position during a sitting-down task) were angles in the elbow joint (0°;4°), shoulder joint (0°;3°), hip joint (0°;75°) and knee joint (0°;69°) as well as the torso tilt angle (0°;32°). It was shown that a change in the TrA physiological cross section area (PCSA) has a crucial impact on lumbar spine loads (2xTrA PCSA causes a reduction in the force in joint L5-S1 by 11% for a standing position and by 25% for a sitting-down position) and value of intra-abdominal pressure.

Purpose: The research work aimed to perform the mathematical modelling-based assessment concerning the effect of the position of the pelvis in the sagittal plane on loads present in the musculoskeletal system in the standing position. Methods: The analysis of the effect of various positions of the pelvis was performed using the Free Posture Model in the AnyBody Modeling System software. Simulated positions involving various values of pelvis inclination ranged from the extreme pelvic retroposition (–7°) through normative values (0–23°) to the extreme pelvic anteversion (33°). Results: The lowest resultant reaction forces in the intervertebral joints recorded for an angle of inclination restricted within the range of 9–27° and segment L5–S1 amounted to less than 0.7 BW. A change in the pelvic inclination from the normative values towards retroposition or anteversion resulted in the increased muscular activity of the erector spinae, transverse abdominal muscles as well as internal and external oblique muscles. Regarding the lower limbs, changes in the activity were observed in the biceps femoris muscle, iliac muscle, gluteus minimus, gluteus medius and the gluteus maximus. Conclusion: The results obtained in the research-related tests confirmed that the pelvic inclination affects loads present in the musculoskeletal system. The abovenamed results will be used to develop therapeutic exercises aimed to reduce loads present in the musculoskeletal system. The aforesaid exercises will be used to teach participants how to properly position their pelvis and how to activate individual groups of muscles.

This study presents the analysis of the gait of a patient with infantile cerebral palsy provided with orthoses and various types of footwear with an individually adjusted sole. The research work involved the use of state-of-the-art methods of gait kinematics measurements as well as indicative methods describing gait and enabling its classification. The analysis also included energy expenditure during gait. The results obtained in the study were analysed for the possibility of improving the locomotor abilities of the patient provided with orthopaedic aids in relation to footwear types.

Purpose The objective of the work was to determine biomechanical parameters influencing loads affecting the musculoskeletal system and shock absorption during the landing phase in Grand Jete, Entrelace and Ballonne. Methods Motion kinematics measurements of the landing phase in GrandJete, Entrelace and Ballonne were carried out using the optical APAS system, and measurements of the GRF components - using Kistler platform. The research was carried out for three professional dancers. Kinematic and kinetic parameters of the landing were analysed. Results The mean maximum GRF value in relation to the classical dancer amounted to 8.16 ± 1.37 N/BW. During landing, the joints of the lower limb are affected by external force moments of high values (ankle - 3.04 ± 0.54 [Nm/BW], knee - 7.56 ± 5.53 [Nm/BW], hip - 10.97 ± 6.80 [Nm/BW]). The maximum value of the external force moments in the joint were strongly negatively correlated with the value of the angle in the hip joint at the moment of the first contact with the ground. It was noticed that the obtainment of maxGRF was preceded by a decrease in kinetic energy of approximately 50%. Conclusions Factors affecting loads present in the musculoskeletal system during the shock absorption of a leap are: GRF values, the values of external force generated inside the joints and a change in the value of kinetic energy. The safe shock absorption after landing is influenced by properly positioned limb at the moment of the first contact, a greater range of movements in the joints and longer time from the moment of the first contact to the obtainment of maxGRF.

Purpose: The objective of the work was to define a new comprehensive method of evaluating gait pathology (Gait Kinematics Index, Global Symmetry Index and Gait Deviations Profile). Methods: The article presents in detail a mathematical algorithm of a new comprehensive method of evaluating gait pathology. Input data for the algorithm are the kinematic parameters of gait. The method is based on the determination of the following parameters: standardized angular variables (Wji), kinematic indicators of gait (KIj), gait cycle indicators (GCIi), Gait Kinematic Index (GKI), Gait Deviations Profile (GDP, GDPj), Global Symmetry Index (GSI) and Symmetry Indices (SIj) for kinematic gait values. The algorithm is based on the determination of the difference between results obtained in relation to the kinematics of movement of a given patient and the average value obtained in relation to the standard in each percentage of a gait cycle. The proposed method was tested using results obtained for 59 healthy persons and one patient with locomotor function disorder. Results: The GKI values for the reference group amounted to 0.89 ± 0.23. Information which can be obtained using the proposed gait assessment method was presented using an example of a patient with the disorder of locomotor functions. Areas of gait deviations, which were identified on the basis of the determined indicators, were presented in a graphic form using GDP. Conclusions: The new gait assessment method makes it possible to identify gait using a single numerical value, evaluate movements in individual joints and in subsequent moments as well as to assess the symmetry of gait.

Background and objectives: Virtual reality (VR) is increasingly often finding applications in physiotherapy and health promotion. Recent years have seen the use of advanced technologies in the promotion of physical activity (PA) in society. New simulators, e.g., treadmills, enable the performance of PA (e.g., locomotive movements) in VR (artificially created virtual world). The question of how such movements are similar to natural forms of human locomotion (march, run) inspired the comparative analysis of physiological gait and gait in VR on a multidirectional Omni treadmill. Materials and Methods: The tests involved the use of the BTS Smart system for the triplanar analysis of motion. The test involved 10 healthy females aged 20&ndash, 24 (weight: 52 &plusmn, 3.1 kg, height 162 &plusmn, 5.4 cm). Measurements were performed at two stages. The first stage involved the standard assessment of physiological gait, whereas the second was focused on gait forced by the Omni treadmill. The following gait parameters were analyzed: Flexion-extension in the ankle, knee joint and hip joint, rotation in the hip joint and knee joint, foot progression, adduction-abduction in the knee joint and hip joint, pelvic obliquity, pelvic tilt, pelvic rotation as well as energy expenditure and the movement of the body center of mass. Results: The analysis of the test results revealed the existence of differences in the kinematics of physical gait and gait on the treadmill. The greatest differences were recorded in relation to the dorsal-plantar flexion in the ankle, the foot progression, the rotation of the knee joint, pelvic tilt and rotation. In addition, the gait on the treadmill is characterized by the longer duration of the stance phase and reduced ranges of the following movements: Flexion-extension in the ankle, knee joint and hip joint, adduction-abduction in the hip joint as well as rotation in the ankle and hip joint. The values of potential, kinetic and total energy recorded in relation to forced gait are significantly lower than those of physiological gait. Conclusions: Because of the fact that the parameters of gait on the Omni platform vary significantly from the parameters of physical gait, the application of the Omni treadmill in the re-education of gait during rehabilitation should be treated with considerable care. Nonetheless, the treadmill has adequate potential to become a safe simulator enabling active motion in VR using locomotive movements.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to assess and compare kinematic and dynamic aspects of ‘grand pas de chat’ dancing element performed by ballet dancers: a female and a male. METHOD: Tests were carried out with the use of the motion analysis system and the force plate. RESULTS: The research enabled kinematic and dynamic analysis of elements performed by dancers. The results made it possible to indicate when, during dancers’ movement, the greatest loads in their body occur. Also differences in kinematics of landing performed by female and male were observed. CONCLUSION: According to directives on technique and esthetics required in classical ballet by Vaganova [1] female rather than male performance of landing phase after ‘grand pas de chat’ was done safer. For amateurs an instruction on safe landing preserving sufficient amortisation should be incorporated.

The research aimed to identify the standards of gait-related kinematic quantities and normalcy indices of the Gillette Gait Index related to adults aged between 20 and 24. In addition, it was decided to compare the standard obtained for adults with the gait standard of children. The study group consisted of 32 healthy adults aged 20 to 24. The tests were performed using the BTS Smart system. The original applications developed in the Matlab environment for all of the children subjected to the tests enabled the identification of the Gillette Gait Index (GGI). Detailed analysis involved a set of sixteen variables describing gait kinematics; the above-named variables are used when creating the GGI. Within the framework of this work, a comparative statistical analysis of 16 parameters constituting the GGI was performed between the groups of adults and children. This analysis showed statistically significant differences for 9 variables. The results obtained in this work indicate that there is the necessity of using adequate gait norm for a particular age. The obtained parameter values of the GGI were also compared with results obtained by other authors. The identified trajectories of the kinematic quantities can be used as normative in relation to adult patients.

The research aimed to determine the standards of kinematic quantities and indices of regularity, namely the Gillette Gait Index and the Gait Deviation Index related to children aged between 7 and 17 as well as the identification of differences concerning the above-named quantities according to age and height. The study group consisted of 56 healthy children aged 7 to 17. The tests were performed using the BTS Smart system. The original applications developed in the Matlab environment for all of the children subjected to the tests enabled the identification of the Gillette Gait Index (GGI) and the Gait Deviation Index (GDI). Detailed analysis involved a set of sixteen variables describing gait kinematics; the above-named variables are used when creating the GGI. The children were divided into five groups in relation to age and six groups in relation to height. Time values of the angles of the joints were registered and then the GGI and the GDI were calculated. Sixteen parameters composing the GGI were determined for all of the children constituting the test group. The confirmation or the exclusion of differences between age-related and height-related groups was based on statistical analysis. The identified courses of the kinematic time series can be used as normative in relation to patients aged 7–17.

The aim of the work was to assess locomotion functions and posture stability of patients who had undergone prenatal or postnatal surgery for myelomeningocele. The gait tests were conducted with BTS System and the stabilographic tests with the dynamographic platform by Zebris. Eight patients operated for myelomeningocele, 4 prenatally and 4 postnatally, have undergone the analysis. A thorough analysis was made of the set of space-time, kinematic parameters, values of the Gillette Gait Index and Gait Deviation Index. The patients’ posture stability was assessed on the basis of the path length and the ellipse area. The obtained results were compared with the standard values. The conducted biomechanical examinations of indicate that regardless of the time when the closing of the myelomeningocele was done, the patients show biggest disorders in the motion of the pelvis. Posture stability of children with myelomeningocele is reduced when compared to a group of healthy children.

The aim of the research was to determine the energy changes during the gait cycle for a group of healthy children and a group of patients with cerebral palsy, and to compare the value of energy expenditure (EE) with the determined values of the Gillette Gait Index (GGI) and the Gait Deviation Index (GDI).The study group consisted of 56 children with regular gait and 56 patients with diagnosed cerebral palsy (CP). The gait kinematics was determined by BTS Smart System. Based on the identified position of the body mass, the following parameters were determined: the potential energy, kinetic energy, and total energy. The values were standardized to 100% of the gait cycle. The values of the Gillette Gait Index (GGI) and the Gait Deviation Index (GDI) were calculated using the authors' own software.Values of potential, kinematic and mechanical energy changes and mean values of total energy (energy expenditure - EE) were calculated for a reference group and for patients with CP. The obtained results were standardized in relation to the body mass and stride length. Furthermore, the values of the Gillette Gait Index (GGI) and the Gait Deviation Index (GDI) were calculated. Statistical analysis of the obtained results was performed. The Spearman rank correlation coefficient was defined between the calculated GGI and GDI values and energy expenditure EE.Values of energy expenditure changes can be used as an objective comparative tool for gait results concerning children with various neurological and orthopaedic dysfunctions.

The aim of this study was to assess locomotor functions of patients with cerebral palsy and qualified for various treatment procedures on the basis of indicative methods and parameters constituting the Gillette Gait Index. The studied group consisted of 57 healthy children and 60 children with different types CP and different degrees of disability: REH - patients subjected to physiotherapy only, BOT - patients subjected to the injection of botulinum toxin and intensive rehabilitation and RIZ - patients qualified for the surgical procedure of the selective dorsal rhizotomy. Gait investigations were carried out using BTS Smart system and the gait assessment was made on the basis of gait indices methods (GGI, GDI). The statistical analysis demonstrated that the most diversified parameters characterising patients with CP qualified for various treatments are: knee flexion at initial contact, time of peak knee flexion, range of knee flexion, range of pelvic tilt.

More frequently fall of older people can be caused by increasing of the degeneration of a human motor system and a human maintaining balance system. The aim of study was to determine the association of balance and risk of falling of older people lived at a social welfare home. The authors examined the dependence between the ability to maintain balance in the upright position and the assessment of balance and risk of falling in a functional way. The study group were consisted of 26 elderly people. Postural stability examinations was carried out based on the Romberg test, while the functionally balance was evaluated with a Up&Go test. The statical tests did not manifest significant correlation between the static and dynamic stabiliography parameters, but one proved that there existed strong differences for obtained ellipse area results, among the group of patients performing the Up&Go Test within shorter and longer time than 20 sec.

The aim of this study was to analyze locomotor function of children with cerebral palsy based on changes in muscle length and to evaluate if the muscle length changes may be used as a diagnostic indicator. The study group consisted of 23 people with normal gait and 3 patients with cerebral palsy. Locomotor function tests were performed using the BTS Smart system, while the length of the muscles were determined using mathematical modeling methods with the help of Anybody Modeling System software. In this study the muscle group functioning in connection with the knee joint were analyzed. The results of muscle length changes for children with CP were compared to those of people with no evidence of impaired locomotor function, as well as to the values of GGI and GDI indicators and to kinematic parameters.

Defining the influence of parameters of visual disorders on ability of balancing turns out to be an important process in effective diagnostics. Current diagnostic methods relating mainly to determination of the coefficient of BRUTM (Balance Rehabilitation Unit Trade Mark) depend on lots of tests carried out in a disturbed environment created by Virtual Reality Technology. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of the frequency of visual disturbances on stabilographic values in the virtual reality environment.The study was carried out involving one research group in Virtual Cave. There were induced visual disturbances with different frequencies and with the change of frequency during measuring the position of the center of pressure (COP) in the test. Before each test the reference test was performed. All tests were performed with disorders in two different sceneries: closed and open scenery. All measurements were carried out on an immobile Zebris platform which enables determination of feet pressure distribution. From the measured values of the position of the COP Short Time Fourier Transform (STFT) was calculated.The results of calculation are shown in graphs. Their analysis showed that changing the parameters of disorder frequency in world created using Virtual Reality Technology affects stabilographic parameters. The intensity of these changes is also affected by applied research scenery.Conditions have been set out to carry out similar studies in order to obtain reliable results. The study is the first step in a project to develop a system for diagnosis and rehabilitation of human movement using Virtual Reality Technology.

A three-dimensional analysis of movement is more and more often applied to assess locomotive functions of patients with cerebral palsy (CP). For the past few years there has been a growing interest in gait index methods which enable the evaluation of the patient’s gait with the use of a single numerical value. This research aimed at the assessment of the gait of patients with CP at different stages of treatment on the basis of gait indices Gillette Gait Index (defined by Shutte) and Gait Deviation Index (definied by Schwartz and Rozumalski) as well as finding dependencies between the determined indices values. The studied group consisted of 56 healthy participants and 16 patients with cerebral palsy treated using botulinum toxin. On the grounds of the determined indexes, the improvement of gait was observed in the case of 75 % of patients with CP. Statistically significant differences were found between GGI and GDI values obtained in the initial investigation and after 6 months following the administration of botulinum (PRE and POST). There was a strong linear dependence observed between the GDI and GGI* (\(GGI^*=\ln (\sqrt{GGI})\)) values. No significant dependence was observed between the percentage indices of improvement determined on the basis of the GGI and GDI results obtained (in the PRE and POST examination).

Objective Recently the fast progress in the development of systems attending the three-dimensional gait evaluation is being observed. One of the indexes used to the analysis is Gillette Gait Index (GGI), complying 16 clinically meaningful kinematic and three-dimensional parameters. Methods The study was conducted with application of the three-dimensional system of gait analysis BTS Smart and carried by the team of pediatric neurologists, physiotherapists and engineers. Spatial-time parameters of gait and courses of angles of joint of lower limbs were determined on the basis of conducted research. Those parameters were used in estimation of Gillette Gait Index. The analyzed group consisted of ten CP patients treated with botulin toxin (three children with hemiparesis, seven with diparesis), intensively rehabilitated after the botulin treatment. The data were compared to four patients put on rehabilitation without the botulin treatment. The patients treated with botulin were evaluated three times: before the botulin administration, then three and six months after it. In the other patients' group the evaluation was conducted three months after rehabilitation start. The results of gait evaluation were compared to the gait pattern of the healthy children; the normal values were worked out by the authors. Results After the botulin treatment and rehabilitation the increase of the gait speed and frequency of steps were observed; the GGI decreased both after three and six months of observation. The locomotive function of the patients' improved in 70% of them. Conclusion The authors regard the results presented above as the pilot-study; the evaluation of the larger groups of children with cerebral palsy is conducted. In the authors' opinion the objective method of CP children gait evaluation may be the helpful tool for clinicians to optimize the way of CP children treatment. Study realized as a part of the DEC-2011/01/B/NZ7/02695 project, financed by National Science Centre.