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BACKGROUND Growth in tibia length is considered to be particularly sensitive to environmental stress. AIM To estimate the effect of parental migration status on the relative length of the tibia in their school-age children. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Data included a nationwide random sample of 17,155 schoolchildren, 7-18 years of age, examined between 1966 and 1969 in Poland who provided information on anthropometric measurements and demographic and social characteristics. Parental migration status was based on paternal migration history. After standardisation by LMS method, z-scores of relative tibia length and z-scores of height were used for analysis. Three-way ANOVA was used to evaluate the influence of migration on tibia length-to-height ratio. RESULTS Sons of migrants have a significantly higher tibia length-to-height ratio compared to sons of non-migrants. Children of non-migrants were taller than children of migrants among boys in medium SES and among girls in high and low SES. Relative tibia length indicated significant effects of migration among boys in all age categories and in late adolescent girls: sons of migrants had a higher ratio and daughters of migrants had a lower tibia length-to-height ratio. CONCLUSION It is possible that migration experiences of the parents may have influenced the growth of their offspring. The results emphasise the potential importance of research addressing the impact of different types of migration on growth of children.

The purpose of the study was to determine the correlation between anthropometric characteristics and playing ability of university level male Basketball players. For this purpose, a total of 250 male Basketball players were chosen from the Universities of Northern India. The purposive sampling method was used to select the sample. The subjects were tested for their anthropometric characteristics and Basketball playing ability. For anthropometry, the variables such as Upper arm length, Lower arm Length, Total arm length, Hand length, Hand span, Upper Leg Length, Lower Leg Length, Total leg length, Upper Arm Circumference, Forearm Circumference, Thigh Circumference, Calf Circumference, Biacromial Diameter, Wrist Diameter, Biceps Skinfold, Suprailiac Skinfold, Subscapular Skinfold and Triceps Skinfold. For playing ability, AAHPERD Basketball skill test was used. Results revealed that all the anthropometric characteristics were related to the Basketball playing ability except Triceps skinfolds and Subscapular skinfolds. It can be concluded from the study that anthropometric characteristics play important role in Basketball performance.

Traditional dewatered cassava mash sieving device developed by local craftsmen in Nigeria exposes users to work-related musculoskeletal discomfort (WMSD), among other drawbacks such as low throughput capacity, high energy, and time input. This research seeks to develop an improved manual dewatered cassava mash (DCM) machine which alleviates this exposure as well as enhance productivity. Anthropometric parameters of 150 cassava processors from three senatorial districts of Rivers state were collected and analyzed. From the data of body parts of processors measured, an improved manual DCM machine was developed. The result of the measurement analyzed using t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that there was no statistically significant difference between the male and female parameters measured within a zone and between the three zones investigated. The measured parameters yielded the following mean values for the 5th, 50th and 95thpercentile of the generated data: elbow height sitting (D) of 15.00, 19.23 and 22.67; lower leg length (E) of 38.80, 44.03 and 48.87, elbow to fingertip (F) of 38.27, 48.23 and 52.43; thigh clearance (H) of 9.83, 13.17 and 18.00; hip breadth (J) of 28.33, 32.83 and 42, respectively in centimeters for the three zones. Also, the ergonomic dimensions for a more comfortable posture for the machine were recommended: 72cm for machine height, 53 cm for machine width, 68cm for machine length, and a sitting range of 36-50 cm.

Health disorders suffered by elementary and junior high school children were first noticed in Japan in the early 1970s. Simultaneous evidence indicated that although Japanese school children are ill, they are also not healthy. Class and health teachers in Japan observed that poor postures were common in elementary and junior high school children. The objective of this research was to develop a simple method for allocating chairs in accordance with the child's stage of growth. The following problems were identified with school chairs: In 1986, an additional survey was conducted to investigate how teachers and children selected chair sizes. When asked why they selected the particular chair size, many subjects answered that their decision was based on personal preference and the fact that their teacher judged it suitable. Lower leg length, upper leg length, and body weight each affects chair selections. Body weight is closely related with selected seat depths.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the structural properties (length and cross‐sectional area) of both the Patellar and Achilles tendons at around adolescent growth spurt. One hundred‐twenty children and adolescents participated in this study. Based on estimated age at peak height velocity, the participants were separated into three groups (before takeoff of adolescent growth spurt group, from takeoff of adolescent growth spurt until peak height velocity group and after peak height velocity group). An ultrasonography technique was used to determine structural properties of the Patellar and Achilles tendons. Significant group difference was observed in tendon length for the Patellar and Achilles tendons among groups. However, there were no significant differences in the ratio of the Patellar tendon to upper leg length and the ratio of the Achilles tendon to lower leg length among groups. The cross‐sectional area of all regions for the Patellar and Achilles tendons in adolescents with after takeoff adolescent growth spurt group was greater than those of before takeoff adolescent growth spurt group. These results indicate that the cross‐sectional area of both the Patellar and Achilles tendons increase with takeoff of adolescent growth spurt and tendons lengthen without the changes in the ratio of tendon length to bone length. In addition, the increases in the cross‐sectional area of both the Patellar and Achilles tendons occur in whole regions but not specific regions., Tendon cross‐sectional area increases with takeoff of adolescent growth spurt. Tendon cross‐sectional area increases in whole regions but not specific regions.

Background: Length-for-age is considered the indicator of choice in monitoring the long-term impact of chronic nutritional deficiency. Aim: We hypothesized that short term increments of body weight cross-correlate with increments of the lower leg length. Sample and methods: We re-analyzed the association between weekly measurements of weight and of lower leg length in 34 healthy German children, aged 2.9-15.9 years. The data are a subset of measurements originally published in 1988 (Hermanussen et al. 1988a). As the growth measurements were often not equally spaced in time due to interposed holidays and illness, the incremental rates for weight and lower leg length were smoothed using spline functions. Autocorrelation and cross-correlation functions were calculated for weight increments and lower leg length increments. Results: Height and weight increments are pulsatile. Autocorrelations indicated that mini growth spurts occur at irregular intervals. Lack of cross-correlations between weight and lower leg length indicated that mini spurts in weight gain do not coincide with mini spurts in length gain even when considering lag times of up to 10 weeks. Short term changes of weight gain and lower leg length gain in healthy children show no temporal association.

Purpose of the study – to design the algorithm of selection for rational surgical tactics for treatment of patients with coxo-vertebral syndrome.Material and methods. 175 patients with coxo-vertebral syndrome were included into the study who underwent total hip replacement in the period from 2009 till 2016. The authors analyzed outcomes of treatment of 134 patients at midterm follow up of 9 months (range from 8 to 10 months) after the surgery. Mean age of patients was 54,4±12,7 y.o. Patients were subdivided into a test group (94 patients) and control group (81 patients). Standard THR approaches were used in the control group by restoring anatomical center of rotation and lower leg length. The suggested algorithm of the optimal procedure selection was applied in the test group. Clinical and functional data was evaluated by Harris Hip Score and Oswestry score. Radiographic evaluation was performed based on x-rays of vertebral-pelvic complex in standing position, by functional x-rays, CT and MRI. Evaluation of differences significance between the groups was performed by MannWhitney U-test and McNemar test.Results. Application of proposed surgical approaches allowed to increase the number of patients with good clinical and functional outcomes (test group – 82,4%, control group – 26,7%) and achieve better function of hip joint and patients’ life quality in short-term postoperative period. Excellent outcomes by Harris hip score were observed in 53,2% of patients, in control group – in 9,7%. Share of the patients complaining of lumber pain, limping and need for a walking stick after THR in the test group was less than in control group. Share of patients demonstrating pain at palpation of spinous processes, with positive test of elevated extended leg and radicular syndrome was also significantly less in test group as compared to control group.Conclusion. Practical application of proposed algorithm for selection of a rational tactics of surgical treatment for patients with combined degenerative and distrophic pathology of the hip joint and spine allows in short-term after THR to statistically significantly improve treatment outcomes in comparison with patients that underwent conventional preoperative planning and THR.

In our previous paper [M. Rępalska et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 90, 024103 (2019)], a new method for measuring the growth of children based on the measurement of the lower leg length during foot movement was described. This current paper presents more measurements being conducted to ensure the effectiveness of the proposed arrangement. The study was carried out at weekly intervals with a research group amounting to 20 participants. The presented results show that the method allows for the identification of even a weekly increase in the lower leg length at different velocities of growth. In addition, the method enables the estimation of the trend characterizing each individual and can distinguish the periods of time during which perturbative factors in the process of growth may arise. A metrological analysis was also conducted, allowing a qualitative evaluation of the results, which are presented together with the measurement uncertainties.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of a 4-week explosive-type strength training program for the plantar flexors on the rate of torque development and postural stability. The participants were 56 elderly men and women divided into training (17 men and 15 women) and control (14 men and 10 women) groups. The participants in the training group underwent explosive-type strength training of the plantar flexors 2 days per week for 4 weeks. Training consisted of 3 sets of 10 repetitions of explosive plantar flexion lasting less than 1 s. The following parameters were determined: muscle volume of the plantar flexors estimated by the muscle thickness and lower leg length, maximal voluntary contraction torque and rate of torque development of plantar flexion, and one-leg standing ability. The training increased the maximal voluntary contraction torque and rate of torque development, but corresponding increases in muscle volume and one-leg standing ability were not found. These results suggest that, for elderly individuals, the 4-week explosive-type strength training of the plantar flexors is effective for increasing the maximal voluntary contraction torque and rate of torque development of plantar flexion but is not effective for improving postural stability.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this cadaveric study was to clarify the proximal limit for the subvastus approach (SVA) in total knee arthroplasty to decrease potential vascular injury. METHODS Seventy embalmed knees underwent a modified SVA using a 14-cm oblique medial incision. Anatomical features of the descending genicular artery (DGA) were investigated with regard to variation, distance of the vessels from surgical landmarks, and sex differences. RESULTS The DGA was identified in 62 knees (89%), while it was absent in 8 knees (11%); in the latter, the articular, saphenous, and muscular branches arose separately from the femoral artery. The mean distances from the tibial tuberosity and medial joint line to the origin of the DGA were 15.5 ± 1.6 cm and 12.6 ± 1.6 cm, respectively. Both distances were significantly longer in males than in females (P < .01, respectively). A strong positive correlation was found between the distance from the tibial tuberosity to the origin of the DGA and the distance from the medial joint line to the origin of the DGA (Spearman's correlation coefficient, R2 = 0.72, P < .01). A weak positive correlation was found between the distance from the tibial tuberosity to the origin of the DGA and lower leg length (R2 = 0.13, P < .01). No vascular injuries were observed in this surgical exposure. CONCLUSION The DGA showed several variations and was absent 11% of the time. An oblique medial incision within 14 cm from the tibial tuberosity followed by arthrotomy is considered a safe zone for the SVA.

Aim This cross-sectional study was designed to characterize by age the ratios of limb segments length to height and extremities–trunk ratio and body proportions of southern Chinese children. Methods Data were collected from students (n = 4715) from five school, aged 6–17 years, in the city of Chongqing. Their standing height, sitting height, arm span, forearm length, upper arm length, leg length, lower leg length, and ratios of extremities to trunk length were determined. Results Sitting height, forearm length, upper arm length, arm span, and lower leg length were highly correlated with standing height (r > 0.9; P < 0.05). The ratio of extremities to trunk increased till about 13 years of age for both genders. Conclusions The length of extremities and their ratio to sitting height reflect regular changes of growth in Chinese children as their age, and limb segments length is highly correlated with height.

This study examined the association between anthropometric variables, Functional Movement Screen (FMS) scores and 100 m freestyle swimming performance in early adolescent swimmers. Fifty competitive, national level, youth swimmers (21 males, 29 females, mean age ± SD = 13.5 ± 1.5 years, age range 11–16 years) performed an “all-out” 100 m freestyle (front crawl) swim as fast as they could in a 50 m pool. A median divide for 100 m timed swim was also used to divide the sample into faster or slower groups. Height, body mass, skinfolds and limb lengths were also assessed. Maturation was calculated by proxy using anthropometric measures and participants also undertook the FMS as a measure of functional performance. Backwards linear regression indicated a significant model (p = 0.0001, Adjusted R2 = 0.638) explaining 63.8% of the variance in swim performance with total sum of skinfolds, upper leg length, lower leg length, hand length and total height significantly contributing to the model. Swimmers who were classed as fast had lower total sum of skinfolds (p = 0.005) and higher total FMS score (p = 0.005) compared to their slower peers. In summary, this study indicates that anthropometric variables significantly explained the variance in 100 m freestyle swimming performance in youth swimmers.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between muscle volume (MV) and joint torque for the plantar flexors (PF) in 40 young (20 men and 20 women) and 33 elderly (19 men and 14 women) individuals in consideration of the voluntary activation (VA) of PF and ratio of intramuscular adipose tissue within PF assessed by ultrasonographic echo intensity (EI). MV was estimated from the thickness of PF on ultrasonography and the lower leg length using a prediction equation previously reported. The maximal voluntary contraction torque of isometric plantar flexion was measured as TQMVC. VA (%) was assessed using the twitch interpolation technique, and maximal joint torque calculated by TQMVC/VA × 100 was adopted as TQ100%. The correlation coefficients between MV and TQMVC (r = 0.518) and between MV and TQ100% (r = 0.602) were both significant, with the latter being significantly higher than the former. When a stepwise multiple regression analysis using MV and EI as independent variables and TQ100% as the dependent variable was performed, MV (β = 0.554) and EI (β = -0.203) were both selected as significant contributors for estimating TQ100%. Additionally, the residual errors of TQ100% using the multiple regression equation (independent variables: MV and EI; 18.6 ± 14.4 Nm) were significantly lower than those using the simple regression equation (independent variable: MV; 36.6 ± 28.0 Nm). These results suggest that the consideration of VA and EI with muscle size results in a closer muscle size-strength relationship than previously achieved.

The aim of the present study was to investigate lower limb anthropometric and composition variables related to running economy (RE) and running performance in a homogeneous group of high level European distance runners. RE at the speeds of 14, 16 and 18 km·h−1(189 ± 12; 188 ± 11; 187 ± 11 O2ml·kg−1·km−1) and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) (67.3 ± 2.9 ml·kg−1·min−1) of 13 high level distance runners were determined on a motorised treadmill. Anthropometric variables and body composition were measured. The BMI was related to RE at the speed of 14 (r2= 0.434; p = 0.014), 16 (r2= 0.436; p = 0.014) and 18 km·h−1(r2= 0.389; p = 0.023). Lower leg length was negatively related to RE at the speed of 16 and showed such a tendency at the speed of 14 and 18 km·h−1. VO2maxindicated a moderate relationship with RE at the speeds of 14, 16 and 18 km·h−1(r2= 0.372, p = 0.030; r2= 0.350, p = 0.033; r2= 0.376, p = 0.026, respectively) which was confirmed by subsequent partial correlation analysis. While lower leg length and the BMI presented a relationship with RE, none of the calculated body composition and anthropometric proportions were related to RE or performance. The relationship between RE and VO2maxwould confirm the notion that RE could be at least partly compensated by VO2maxto achieve high performance results.

A new method for measuring the growth of children is presented, based on the measurement of the lower leg length during foot movement. This is a touch measurement, but the obtained characteristic of the measured lower leg length, as a function of the pressure force, is reduced to a non-contact measurement. A setup prototype is built and preliminary research conducted. Based on the results obtained, it is concluded that the method allows the observation of increases in child lower leg length at frequent intervals (e.g., weekly). The developed measurement method has a high accuracy, and the results allow for differentiation between periods of child good health and indisposition.

Introduction: This study was aimed to determine the correlation between body-height with lower extremity length and to predict the formula for body-height prediction of the Mentawai ethnic group. Material and Methods: The research was conducted at several places on Sipora Island with a sample size of 201 persons and analyzed through a Spearman correlation test as well as simple and multiple linear regression analyses. Results: The simple linear equation for male upper leg was Y = 130.291 + 0.674 upper leg length (±7.496), female Y = 129.484 + 0.489 upper leg length (±4.522) and for male Lower leg was Y = 130.488 + 0.934 lower leg length (±4.520), female Y = 129.423 + 0.681 lower leg length (±3.590). The multiple linear regression equation for males was Y = 114.193 + 0.437 upper leg + 0.81 lower leg (±6.615) and for females was Y = 117.150 + 0.357 upper leg + 0.572 lower leg (±4.773). Discussion and Conclusion: The Mentawai ethnic adult aged male body height, upper leg length, and lower leg length were greater than in females. As well, there was a significant correlation between body height with upper leg length and lower leg length.The obtained regression equotions can be used in the future to predict Mentawai ethnic adult-aged male and female body-heigth.

AB Purpose: The objective of this study is to investigate the acute effects of static stretching (SS) on muscle hardness of the gastrocnemius medialis (MG) and gastrocnemius lateralis (LG). Methods: Twenty young men participated in this study. MG and LG hardness was measured using shear wave ultrasound elastography before and after three bouts of 2-min SS. The measurement site of muscle hardness was at 30% of the lower leg length from the popliteal crease to the lateral malleolus. Similarly, the passive range of motion (ROM) of dorsiflexion, musculotendinous unit (MTU) stiffness determined by the slope of the portion of the passive torque-angle curve from 15[degrees] to 25[degrees], and joint torque developed during isometric maximal voluntary plantarflexion at 0[degrees] of ankle joint angle were also measured before and after SS. Results: SS increased ROM and decreased MTU stiffness significantly but did not change joint torque. The main effects of test time and muscle group on muscle hardness were significant without a significant interaction of these variables. Both differences between the relative changes in the MG and LG hardness and between the muscle hardness ratios before and after SS were not significant. A significant correlation between the muscle hardness ratios before and after SS was found. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that three bouts of 2-min SS of the plantar flexors is useful for preventing muscle injury, improving muscle condition, and maintaining muscle strength, and that the acute effects of SS on the muscle hardness of MG and LG are of the same degree

Although chair seat height affects the performance of sit-to-stand movement, no previous study has examined the influence of chair seat height on the 30-second chair stand test (CST).Fifty-five community-dwelling older adults (age 70.0 ± 6.3 years) performed the test from the standard height of 43 cm and then from five randomly ordered seat heights from 80 to 120 % of each participant's lower leg length.Chair seat height significantly influences the performance of community-dwelling older adults' 30-s CST (F = 57.50, p 0.001). The mean score for standard conditions was significantly lower from those at 120, 110, and 100 % conditions (p 0.05). No significant difference was observed between the standard and 80 % conditions (p 0.95) and between the standard and 90 % conditions (p = 0.353). When comparing the scores between the randomly ordered chair seat heights, all comparisons were significantly different (p 0.001) except for the difference between the 120 and 110 % conditions (p = 0.104).Chair seat height's relation to the lower leg length should be considered when interpreting 30-s CST scores. Additionally, it is necessary to optimize the chair seat height when using the 30-s CST as an outcome measure for exercise intervention or to screen for people with weaker lower extremities.

Background: Several previous investigations have determined potential risk factors for stress fractures in athletes and military personnel. Purpose: To determine factors associated with the development of stress fractures in female athletes. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 88 female athletes (cross-country, n = 29; soccer, n = 15; swimming, n = 9; track and field, n = 14; volleyball, n = 12; and basketball, n = 9) aged 18 to 24 years were recruited to participate in a longitudinal bone study and had their left distal tibia at the 4%, 20%, and 66% sites scanned by peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT). Patients included 23 athletes who developed stress fractures during the following year (cases). Whole body, hip, and spine scans were obtained using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Analysis of covariance was used to determine differences in bone parameters between cases and controls after adjusting for height, lower leg length, lean mass, fat mass, and sport. Results: No differences were observed between cases and controls in any of the DXA measurements. Cases had significantly greater unadjusted trabecular bone mineral content (BMC), greater polar moment of inertia (PMI) at the 20% site, and greater cortical BMC at the 66% site; however, after adjusting for covariates, the differences became nonsignificant. When analyses were repeated using all individuals who had ever had a stress fracture as cases (n = 31) and after controlling for covariates, periosteal circumference was greater in the cases than the controls (71.1 ± 0.7 vs 69.4 ± 0.5 mm, respectively; P = .04). Conclusion: A history of stress fractures is associated with larger bones. These findings are important because larger bones were previously reported to be protective against fractures and stress fractures, but study findings indicate that may not always be true. One explanation could be that individuals who sustain stress fractures have greater loading that results in greater periosteal circumference but also results in the development of stress fractures.

Koley S. A study of anthropometric profile of indian inter-university male cricketers. J. Hum. Sport Exerc. Vol. 6, No. 2, pp. 427-435, 2011. The purpose of this study was of two-fold, firstly, to evaluate the anthropometric profile of Indian inter-university cricketers and, secondly, to search the correlations among the anthropometric characteristics studied (if any). To serve this purpose, twelve anthropometric characteristics were taken on purposively selected 98 Indian inter-university (nine Indian universities) male cricketers aged 16-25 years (mean 21.03 years, ± 1.72) participated in the competitions organized in Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India. An adequate number of controls (n = 99, mean age 21.50 years, ± 1.13) were also collected from the same place for comparisons. The findings of the present study indicated statistically significant differences (p≤ 0.05 - 0.000) in weight, BMI, thigh length, total leg length, calf and hip circumferences, percent body fat and back strength between cricketers and controls. Also, significantly positive correlations (p≤ 0.05 - 0.01) were noted among the linear measurements, viz. height, thigh length, lower leg length; and the circumferential measurements, viz. mid thigh circumference, hip

Unintentional synchronization of stepping occurs frequently between two people walking side by side, yet little is known regarding the neurological and biomechanical mechanisms that underlie this coupling. The purpose of this study was to quantify the relationship between leg length differential, select variables related to sensory feedback, and unintentional, interpersonal synchronization during gait. Methods Twenty pairs of participants stepped on side by side treadmills under six different conditions in which visual, auditory, and tactile feedback were altered. Results When compared with an estimate of synchronization expected to occur by chance, synchronization of stepping was significantly greater in each sensory condition examined. Overall, 62% of pairs exhibited unintentional step frequency locking. Pairs that exhibited entrainment had significantly lower leg length differences between partners (independent t -test, p = .044), and a significant relationship was found between leg length difference and both difference in frequency of stepping ( R 2 = .258, p R 2 = 0.307, p = .011). Altering sensory information appeared to have little effect on the amount of step frequency locking, but improved phase angle locking. Specifically, the addition of a mechanical coupling between participants resulted in a significant increase in the amount of time spent phase locked when compared with the case where normal vision and sound were restricted between participants. Discussion These data suggest that unintentional gait entrainment can be reproduced in a laboratory setting using side by side treadmills, and that anthropometric properties, such as leg length, have a significant effect on gait synchronization. Further, alterations in sensory information can affect unintentional, interpersonal synchronization, but this behavior appears to be relatively robust to changes in sensory feedback pathways related to gait.

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships between possible predictive measures of a 50 m front crawl swimming and a 22.86 m flutter kicking speed. Ten women who were National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I collegiate swimmers and 10 women who were recreational swimmers (mean +/- SD = 20.6 +/- 1.6 years; 66.7 +/- 10.3 kg; 166.7 +/- 8.8 cm) volunteered for the study. Anthropometric measures were obtained including height, leg length, lower leg length, and foot length. Ankle flexibility was assessed by measuring ankle plantar flexion and ankle inversion. Lower body power was measured using a vertical jump. Swimming and kicking speed were measured as the time to complete a 50 m front crawl and a 22.86 m flutter kick, respectively. Significant moderate correlations were demonstrated between ankle plantar flexion and flutter kicking speed (r = 0.509); age and 22.86 m kick time (r = 0.608); age and 50 m swim time (r = 0.476); and 50 m swim time and 22.86 m kick time (r = 0.790). No significant correlations were observed between any of the anthropometric measurements or vertical jump power with either kicking or swimming speed. As anecdotally noted by swim coaches over the years, this study provides some actual data showing that ankle flexibility significantly influences flutter kick capability. Surprisingly, vertical jump power and body size were not strong predictors of kicking or swimming speed in this group of subjects. Strength and conditioning coaches, swim coaches, and athletes should evaluate and carefully develop ankle flexibility to positively contribute to kicking capabilities.

If the thickness and cross-sectional area of the dorsiflexor muscle group are related in children with cerebral palsy, measurements of muscle thickness may be used to monitor changes in muscle size due to training or immobilisation in these patients. We assessed the validity and reliability of measurements of dorsiflexor muscle-thickness using the cross-sectional area of the muscle group as the criterion-related muscle-size variable. Muscle thickness was measured using ultrasound, and cross-sectional area using MRI in nine children with spastic cerebral palsy (eight with hemiplegia). Test-retest reliability of the muscle-thickness measurements was assessed in six healthy subjects. All measurements were made on both legs at 35% lower leg length. In the children with cerebral palsy, dorsiflexor muscle-thickness and cross-sectional area were well correlated (r(2) = 0.778, P < 0.001), and the reliability of the muscle-thickness measurements was high in the healthy subjects (ICC(2.1) = 0.94, standard error of measurement = 0.04 cm). The dorsiflexor muscle-thickness was 22% less in the affected compared to the non-affected leg in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (P < 0.001). Accordingly, the dorsiflexor cross-sectional area was 32% less in the affected compared to the non-affected leg (P = 0.002). Measurements of dorsiflexor muscle-thickness can be reliably obtained, and they reflect dorsiflexor cross-sectional area in children with cerebral palsy.

Growth of very low birthweight (VLBW) infants is used to monitor nutrition and intrauterine velocity is taken as the desired goal.We hypothesised that beside nutrition growth failure is caused by disease severity.Prospective longitudinal study of 45 VLBW infants undergoing intensive care, mechanical ventilation was used as proxy to disease severity. Nutritional intake, body weight, length, head circumference, and lower leg length (LLL) were measured during the first 5 weeks of life.Birthweight and gestational age were lower in 22 ventilated than in 23 unventilated infants (p0.01). Median daily intake was 3.2 and 2.8 g/kg for protein (n.s.), 108 and 112 kcal/kg for energy (n.s.), 175 and 160 ml/kg for volume (p0.01) up to day 35, respectively. Chronic lung disease occurred in 12 infants, five of whom were treated with dexamethasone. Artificial ventilation (p0.01) and dexamethasone treatment (p0.05) were independent predictors of weight gain. Median weight gain (8.2 and 9.7 g/kg/d), head growth (0.45 and 0.60 cm/week), and LLL growth (0.28 and 0.35 mm/d) were lower (p0.05) in ventilated than in non-ventilated infants, respectively. The correlation of LLL growth with body length (r=0.31, p0.05) and head growth (r=0.42, p0.01) was weak. Dexamethasone arrested growth; median LLL gain was 0.21 and 0.31 mm/d in ventilated infants with and without dexamethasone (p0.05).In VLBW infants, fetal growth rates are not reached with current feeding practice. In addition to inadequate nutrition, factors directly related to disease and treatment contribute to postnatal growth failure.

The height of a chair seat affects the burden on the lower limbs during the sit-to-stand (STS). To develop an objective test to evaluate muscle function of the lower limbs using floor reaction force during a STS, the relationship between chair-seat height and the burden on the lower legs must be assessed. To examine the influence of the chair-seat height, floor reaction forces during a STS performed with 5 chair heights adjusted to each subject's lower leg length were compared. The force production and quickness of movement tended to decrease in the phases of trunk flexion and knee and hip joint extension when performing a STS from a lower chair, when the chair height differed by 20% (6.2 cm) from the lower leg length, and was marked when the difference between chair height and lower leg length became larger. In 52 elderly and 50 young adults, floor reaction forces during a STS performed from a chair of the same height as subjects' lower leg lengths were compared. Elderly persons were inferior in force production (strength) and quickness of movement, which decreased as elderly stood up from a chair of a lower height.

Abnormalities of limbs are important features of some syndromes recognizable at birth. The purpose of this study was to establish normal standards of limbs including arm length, arm circumference, upper arm length, lower arm length, leg length, thigh circumference, upper leg length, and lower leg length. 10,226 infants (5,422 males, 4,804 females) with gestation 28–42 weeks from 12 hospitals were included. The LMS method using maximum penalized likelihood was used to perform model fitting of the anthropometric centiles for these parameters. This study provided the first set of references for the limbs of the infants by gestation and gender. Racial differences were found when comparing with other populations. The parameters are useful for evaluation of morphologic disorders involving the limbs.

AB Purpose: This study aims to identify optimal body size and limb segment length ratios associated with 100-m personal-best (PB) swim speeds in children and adolescents. Methods: Fifty national-standard youth swimmers (21 males and 29 females age 11-16 yr; mean +/- SD age, 13.5 +/- 1.5 yr) participated in the study. Anthropometry comprised stature; body mass; skinfolds; maturity offset; upper arm, lower arm, and hand lengths; and upper leg, lower leg, and foot lengths. Swimming performance was taken as the PB time recorded in competition for the 100-m freestyle swim. To identify the optimal body size and body composition components associated with 100-m PB swim speeds (having controlled for age and maturity offset), we adopted a multiplicative allometric log-linear regression model, which was refined using backward elimination. Results: Lean body mass was the singularly most important whole-body characteristic. Stature and body mass did not contribute to the model, suggesting that the advantage of longer levers was limb-specific rather than a general whole-body advantage. The allometric model also identified that having greater limb segment length ratios [i.e., arm ratio = (low arm)/(upper arm); foot-to-leg ratio = (foot)/(lower leg)] was key to PB swim speeds. Conclusions: It is only by adopting multiplicative allometric models that the abovementioned ratios could have been derived. The advantage of having a greater lower arm is clear; however, having a shorter upper arm (achieved by adopting a closer elbow angle technique or by possessing a naturally endowed shorter upper arm), at the same time, is a new insight into swimming performance. A greater foot-to-lower-leg ratio suggests that a combination of larger feet and shorter lower leg length may also benefit PB swim speeds. (

Objectives: To investigate the impact of short-term growth measurements on predicting the individual growth response to GH treatment, and to elucidate the possible reasons for the limited accuracy of current growth prediction models for GH-treated children. Methods: Short-term growth measurements by knemometry and stadiometer in 99 short, GH-treated children (27 girls, 72 boys), aged 10.3 ± 2.3 years, from the Children’s University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany. Results: GH treatment significantly accelerated the mean height velocity (HV) from 4.3 ± 1.0 to 8.1 ± 1.8 cm/year during the first year of treatment, the average height standard deviation score (SDS) shifted by +0.52 SD. The variation in HV also increased, from S2 = 1.0 before to S2 = 3.4 cm2/year2 during treatment. Lower leg length (LLL) velocity accelerated from 1.6 ± 0.7 before treatment to 3.4 ± 1.0 cm/year during the first 8 weeks of treatment. Four coefficients of correlation appeared clinically meaningful: (1) LLL velocity vs. body HV during the first year of GH treatment (r = 0.87), indicating that GH acts simultaneously on leg and rump growth; (2) early (first 8 weeks) LLL velocity vs. 1-year body HV during treatment, with r = 0.61 (R2 = 0.38), indicating that 38% of the variation in HV during the first year of treatment is already predictable by an initial 8-week period of knemometry; (3) early (first 8 weeks) LLL velocity vs. 1-year LLL velocity during treatment, with r = 0.63 (R2 = 0.39), and (4) early (first 8 weeks) LLL velocity vs. later LLL velocity, up to the end of the first year, with r = 0.53 (R2 = 0.28) indicating that the early response on lower leg growth persists for at least 1 year of GH treatment. Conclusions: (1) Thirty-eight percent of the variation in HV during the first year of GH treatment is predictable by an initial 8-week period of knemometry. This parallels early changes in biochemical markers of bone turnover after GH treatment. (2) There is evidence for a baseline variability in HV both in healthy children and in children with growth disorders that make growth prediction difficult.

Metabolic measurement is still the criterion for investigation of the efficiency of mechanical work and for analysis of endurance performance in running. Metabolic demand may be expressed either as the energy spent per unit distance (energy cost of running, C r) or as energy demand at a given running speed (running economy). Systematic studies showed a range of costs of about 20 % between runners. Factors affecting C r include body dimensions: body mass and leg architecture, mostly calcaneal tuberosity length, responsible for 60–80 % of the variability. Children show a higher C r than adults. Higher resting metabolism and lower leg length/stature ratio are the main putative factors responsible for the difference. Elastic energy storage and reuse also contribute to the variability of C r. The increase in C r with increasing running speed due to increase in mechanical work is blunted till 6–7 m s−1 by the increase in vertical stiffness and the decrease in ground contact time. Fatigue induced by prolonged or intense running is associated with up to 10 % increased C r; the contribution of metabolic and biomechanical factors remains unclear. Women show a C r similar to men of similar body mass, despite differences in gait pattern. The superiority of black African runners is presumably related to their leg architecture and better elastic energy storage and reuse.

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between preferred transition speed (PTS) and anthropometric characteristics, body composition and different human body proportions in males. In a sample of 59 male students, we collected anthropometric and body composition data and determined individual PTS using increment protocol. The relationships between PTS and other variables were determined using Pearson correlation, stepwise linear and hierarchical regression. Body ratios were formed as quotient of two variables whereby at least one significantly correlated to PTS. Circular and transversal (except bitrochanteric diameter) body dimensions did not correlate with PTS. Moderate correlations were found between longitudinal leg dimensions (foot, leg and thigh length) and PTS, while the highest correlation was found for lower leg length (r=.488, p.01). Two parameters related to body composition showed weak correlation with PTS: body fat mass (r=-.250, p.05) and amount of lean leg mass scaled to body weight (r=.309, p.05). Segmental body proportions correlated more significantly with PTS, where thigh/lower leg length ratio showed the highest correlation (r=.521, p.01). Prediction model with individual variables (lower leg and foot length) have explained just 31% of PTS variability, while model with body proportions showed almost 20% better prediction (R(2)=.504). These results suggests that longitudinal leg dimensions have moderate influence on PTS and that segmental body proportions significantly more explain PTS than single anthropometric variables.

A newly developed knemometric device for lower leg length measurement in premature and newborn infants is presented and validated. The present study was performed to establish a standardized method of use of this instrument. Two independent observers obtained 10 subsequential readings per measurement in three infants over 43 days, after which analysis showed that 5 subsequential readings per measurement gave comparable technical errors. Thirty-one premature infants were assessed by knemometry by two independent observers. The correlation coefficient of all measurements was 0.998. The acquired technical error (mean Standard Deviation (SD) of 5 sequential readings) over a total observation period of 294 days in all studied infants was 0.06 and 0.05 mm, respectively. By a mean lower leg length growth velocity of 0.52 mm per day the technical error amounted to 11% of daily bone growth. The described mini-knemometer is an accurate device for the detection of daily individual growth. A learning period of 21 days is necessary to obtain reliable results.

We describe a technique of reconstruction for complete midsubstance ruptures of the anterior cruciate ligament in patients with wide open physis, using the central third of the patellar tendon. This specific procedure is named the Clocheville technique. Results were very good in five cases and good in three cases at 2 years minimal follow-up. We neither noticed angular deformity, nor significant change in lower leg length. The Clocheville technique is an excellent alternative for young patients, with residual growth of the knee greater than 15 mm, if presenting an objective instability in activities of daily living or a proven meniscal tear that should be repaired.

Microknemometry, a novel non-invasive technique, allows the accurate measurements of the lower leg length in the conscious rat, not only daily but even in periods smaller than 24 hours. Its use revealed the presence of nonlinear growth increments (mini-growth spurts) with periods between 4 and 5 days, that presented a gradual decline in amplitude when the animals were getting older, and a maximal growth rate between 0600h and 0900h. A sexual dimorphic growth pattern could be established with females growing less and presenting spurts of lower amplitude and smaller duration than males. High doses of recombinant human Growth Hormone (rhGH) stimulated growth velocity in female rates, but did not show any effect on males. Neonatal Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) treatment reduced growth both in males and females. Growth hormone (GH) replacement therapy in MSG treated animals was capable of increasing growth velocity, from day 30 onwards. The recovery was partial in males and complete in females. In intact male rats growth blockade induced by fasting was not followed by a catch up effect after refeeding, although growth velocity tended to increase and a clear catch up effect on weight was detected. Male rats seemed to grow at a maximal speed over at least the first 60 days of life, that cannot be accelerated with GH treatment, whereas female rats did respond to exogenous GH.

SummaryHuman growth is non-linear and short term changes in height velocity cannot be used to predict future growth. This paper discusses the current knowledge of growth dynamics in the context of a historical review of the subject.

To investigate any association between changes in lower leg length (LLL) and urinary growth hormone (uGH) excretion, 4 prepubertal children supplied daily 12-hour overnight urine samples and had daily knemometry performed for 4 weeks. The mean daily and weekly LLL velocity (LLLV) of the group was 0.08 mm/day (95% CI 0.01-0.18) and 0.52 mm/week (range 0.38-0.78), respectively. The mean uGH excretion was 8.9 ng/l (CI 3.7-13.3), and the mean intrasubject coefficient of variation of uGH was 55% (range 32-93). The tallest subject who also had the highest LLLV excreted the least amount of uGH (mean 3.7 ng/l, CI 2.9-4.5). No temporal relationship was evident between daily uGH excretion and LLL changes. There was no evidence of any association between amount of uGH excreted and LLLV. There remains some doubt on the usefulness of uGH measurement as the sole predictor of normal GH production.

Estimation of stature is an important step in developing a biological profile for human identification. It may provide a valuable indicator for unknown individual in a population. The aim of this study was to analyses the relationship between stature and lower limb dimensions in the Malaysian population. The sample comprised 100 corpses, which included 69 males and 31 females between age ranges of 20 to 90 years old. The parameters measured were stature, thigh length, lower leg length, leg length, foot length, foot height and foot breadth. Results showed that mean values in males were significantly higher than those in females (P < 0.05). There were significant correlations between lower limb dimensions and stature. Cross-validation of the equation on 100 individuals showed close approximation between known stature and estimated stature. It was concluded that lower limb dimensions were useful for estimation of stature, which should be validated in future studies., {"references":["","J. Sen, S. Ghosh, \"Estimation of stature from foot length and foot\nbreadth among the Rajbanshi: An indigenous population of North\nBengal,\" Forensic Sci. Int., vol. 181, no. 1-3, pp. 55 e1-55 e6, 2008.","M.A. Bidmos, \"Estimation of stature using fragmentary femora in\nindigenous South Africans,\" Int. J. Legal Med., vol. 122, pp. 293-299,\n2007.","A. Ozaslan, M.Y. Iscan, I. Ozaslan, H. Tugcu, S. Koc, \"Estimation of\nstature from body parts,\" Forensic Sci. Int., vol. 3501, pp. 1-6, 2003.","P. Mahakkanukrauh, P. Khanpetch, S. Prasitwattanseree, K. Vichairat,\nD.T. Case, \"Stature estimation from long bone lengths in a Thai\nPopulation,\" Forensic Sci. Int., vol. 210, pp. 279 e1-279e7, 2011.","M.A. Bidmos, \"Stature Reconstruction Using Fragmentary Femora in\nSouth Africans of European Descent,\" J. Forensic Sci., vol. 53, no. 5, pp.\n1044-1048, 2008.","M.R. Dayal, M. Steyn, K.L. Kuykendall, \"Stature estimation from bones\nof South African whites,\" S. Afr. J. Sci., vol. 104, no. 3-4, pp. 124-128,\n2008.","T.W. Auyeung, J.S.W. Lee, T. Kwok, J. Leung, P.C. Leung, J. Woo,\n\"Estimation of stature by measuring fibula and ulna bone length in 2443\nOlder Adults,\" J. Nutrition Health Aging, vol. 13, pp. 931-936, 2009.","D. Radoinova, K. Tenekedjiev, Y. Yordanov, \"Stature Estimation from\nlong bone lengths in Bulgarians,\" H.O.M.O., vol. 52, no. 3, pp. 221-\n232, 2002.","J.K. Lundy, \"Regression equations for estimating living stature from\nlong limb bones in South Africa Negro,\" S. Afr. J. Sci., vol. 79, pp. 337-\n338, 1983.\n[10] J.K. Lundy, M.R. Feldesman, \"Revised equations for estimating living\nstature from long bones of South African Negro,\" S. Afr. J. Sci., vol. 83,\npp. 54-55, 1987.\n[11] M. Trotter, G.C. Glesser, \"Estimation of stature from long bones of\nAmerican Whites and Negroes,\" Am. J. Phys. Anthropol., vol. 10, pp.\n463-514, 1952.\n[12] Department of Statistics, Malaysia, Preliminary Court Report,\nPopulation and Housing Census, Malaysia,\nhttp://www.statistics.gov.my/, 2010.\n[13] K. Krishnan, A. Sharma, \"Estimation of stature from dimension of hands\nand feet in North Indian Population,\" J. Forensic Leg. Med., vol. 14, no.\n6, pp.327-332, 2007.\n[14] S.J. Ulijaszek, C.G.N. Mascie-Taylor, \"Anthropometry: The individual\nand the population,\" Cambridge: University Press Cambridge, 1994, vol.\nxiii, pp. 213.\n[15] SPSS for windows (Version 20.0), SPSS Science, Inc. Chicago, 2005.\n[16] M. Bland, \"An introduction to medical statistics,\" Oxford: Oxford\nUniversity Press, 1995.\n[17] S.G. Sanli, E.D. Kizilkanat, N. Boyan, \"Stature estimation based on hand\nlength and foot length,\" Clin. Anat., vol. 18,pp. 589-596, 2005.\n[18] H. Ozden, Y. Balci, C. Demirustu, A. Turgut, M. Ertugrul,Stature and\nsex estimate using foot and shoe dimensions,\" Forensic Sci. Int., vol.\n147, no. 2-3, pp. 181-184, 2005.\n[19] S.K. Saxena, \"A study of correlations and estimation of stature from\nhand length, hand breadth and sole length,\" Anthropol. Anz., vol. 42, no.\n4, pp. 241-246, 1984.\n[20] C.C. Gordon, J.E. Buikstra, \"Linear Models for the prediction of stature\nfrom foot and boot dimensions,\" J. Forensic Sci., vol. 37, pp. 771-782,\n1992.\n[21] K. Ashizawa, C. Kumakura, A. Kusumoto, S. Narasaki, \"Relative foot\nsize and shape to general body size in Javanese, Filipinas and Japanese\nwith special reference to habitual footwear types,\" Ann. Hum. Biol., vol.\n24, no. 2, pp. 117-129, 1997.\n[22] H.L. Muncie Jr, J. Sobal, J.M. Hoopes, J.H. Tenney, J. W. Warren, \"A\npractical method of estimating stature of bedridden female nursing home\npatients,\" J. Am. Geriartr. Soc., vol. 35, pp. 285-289, 1987.\n[23] M. Chiba, K. Terazawa, \"Estimation of stature from somatometry of\nskull,\" Forensic Sci. Int., vol. 97, pp. 87-92, 1998."]}

Objective: The thickness of the triceps surae muscle complex was assessed by ultrasound in a young adult Nigerian population. Its relationship with some anthropometric variables and sexual dimorphism was also assessed. Subjects and Methods: Sixty young adults (30 males and 30 females) between the ages of 19 and 30 years were recruited for the study. Anthropometric protocols for height, weight, foot length (FL) lower leg length (LLL) and mid calf circumference (MCC) were observed. Results: Results show that the mean thickness of the calf muscle complex (CMT) was 81.65 ± 8.92 mm for all the subjects; 83.70 ± 8.73 mm for males; 79.95 ± 8.56 mm for females. The mean mid calf circumference (MCC) was 35.26 ± 2.61 cm for all subjects; 36.41 ± 3.56 cm for males; 34.10 ± 3.33 cm for females. Pearson’s correlation coefficient showed that CMT correlated positively with height, weight, BMI and BSA in the sample subjects. However, such correlations were not observed among the male subjects. MCC also correlated with some anthropometric parameters (height, weight, BMI, BSA, FL) measured. Conclusion: The findings from this study will form the bases for further research on relationships of the calf muscle complex. It also indicates that males have thicker Calf muscles and CMT has a positive relationship with height, weight, BMI and BSA especially among the female subjects.

Estimation of stature is an important step in developing a biological profile for human identification. It may provide a valuable indicator for an unknown individual in a population. The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between stature and lower limb dimensions in the Malaysian population. The sample comprised 100 corpses, which included 69 males and 31 females between the age range of 20–90 years old. The parameters measured were stature, thigh length, lower leg length, leg length, foot length, foot height and foot breadth. Results showed that the mean values in males were significantly higher than those in females (p < 0.05). There were significant correlations between lower limb dimensions and stature. Cross-validation of the equation on 100 individuals showed close approximation between known stature and estimated stature. It was concluded that lower limb dimensions were useful for estimation of stature, which should be validated in future studies.

As the knemometer is increasingly being used to study changes in lower leg length in conditions associated with weight changes it is important to clearly delineate the relationship between these two variables. Lower leg length and weight were measured in 26 children and nine adults including one pregnant woman. There was a weak but positive relationship between lower leg length and weight fluctuation in children. Daily fluctuations in weight as well as lower leg length were higher in women than men; median lower leg length fluctuation: women, 0.16 mm (P5-0, P95-0.7); men, 0.1 mm (P5-0, P95-0.48) p approximately 0.02, Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Median weight fluctuation: women 0.15 kg (P5-0, P95-0.54); men, 0.1 kg (P5-0, P95-0.5) p = 0.94 (Wilcoxon signed-rank test). Sustained weight gain in pregnancy led to a reduction in lower leg length followed by an increase which was coincident with the appearance of dependent oedema. Lower leg length changes are likely to be positively related to changes in weight when the latter are only modest in magnitude. However, greater sustained increases in weight are likely to have an opposite effect on lower leg length due to direct compression of the lower leg. Due consideration of weight is essential in longitudinal studies of lower leg length changes, especially in conditions which are associated with significant changes in weight.

The influences of age and sex on the cross-sectional area (CSA) and isometric strength of the ankle dorsiflexors and plantarflexors (PF) were investigated in four age groups of 121 boys and 121 girls aged: 7–9, 10–12, 13–15, and 16–18 years. A single anatomical cross-section was determined at 30% of the distance from the articular cleft between the femur and tibiacondyles by using an ultrasonic apparatus. In both sexes, the increase in age was associated with significant increases in the CSA and strength (ST) of these opposing muscle groups. The sex differences became apparent in the 13–15 year group for CSA and in the 16–18 year group for ST but the differences reduced considerably when CSA and ST were expressed per unit of the second power of the lower leg length (CSA·LL −2) and the product of CSA and the lower leg length (ST·CSA −1·LL −1), respectively. However,CSA·LL −2 of both muscles had a tendency to be increased at and over the age of 10–12 years, and was the highest at 16–18 years, andST·CSA −1·LL −1 of PF showed higher values in the older boys than in the younger. Thus, it appeared that, at least in the reciprocal muscle groups of the ankle joint, the sex differences in muscle CSA and ST during growth could be accounted for by differences in LL and muscle mass, respectively. However, other factors must also be involved to explain completely the age differences in these variables.

The objective of this work was to evaluate carcass characteristics and testicular biometry of non-castrated Hereford (H), 3/4H 1/4 Nellore (N), 5/8H 3/8N and 3/4 Charolais (C) 1/4 N males, slaughtered at fourteen months of age. No statistical difference occurred among genetic groups for final and carcasses weights and dressing percentages. The sawcut yield was higher in 3/4CN than other genotypes. Ribcut yield was higher for 5/8HN in relation to 3/4HN and 3/4CN. Longissimus dorsi area was higher for 3/4CN (71.5 cm 2 ) animals in relation to Hereford (63.5 cm 2 ). Hereford animals also showed lower leg length than all other groups. The 3/4CN males showed lower (2.6 mm) subcutaneous fat thickness than Hereford (5.0 mm), 5/8HN (4.1 mm) and 3/4HN (4.1 mm) ones. In conclusion, all genetic groups get compatible carcass characteristics for young cattle market. Besides, muscular development related characteristics, such as conformation and sawcut yield, were better in Charolais crossbred genotype, while characteristics related to fat deposition, such as fat thickness and ribcut yield, were better in Hereford and crossbred Hereford genotypes. KEYWORDS: crossbred; feedlot; Hereford; Nellore; yield.

PURPOSE The present study highlighted a novel motor point location index (MPLI) for the precise localization of the motor point (MP) of the tibialis anterior (TA) using a regression equation. METHODS Twenty healthy young adults (female=8; mean age ± SD=18.50 ± 0.32) were volunteered for this study. The regression analysis was performed by correlating the MP locations with anatomical landmarks. The TA muscle's MP location was bilaterally determined by needle electromyography (EMG) measurement. The anatomical landmarks included lower leg length (LLL), tibial tuberosity-intermalleolar line length (TT-ILL), the knee width (KW) and the leg width (LW). RESULTS The excellent correlation between the TT-ILL and the vertical MP location was obtained, R(2) 0.815. Approximately 82% of the variance of the vertical MP location was accounted for by its linear relationship with the TT-ILL. The high correlation between the LW and the horizontal MP location was observed, R(2)=0.764. Approximately 77% of the variance of the horizontal MP location index was accounted for by its linear relationship with the LW. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that the anatomical landmarks were useful to accurately predict MP locations for the TA muscle. Clinically, this MP location index using regression equations may be alternative for the current method that was not previously affordable.