Search

Scapular dyskinesis (SD) is a condition of loss of normal mobility or function of the scapula. SD is frequently observed in patients with other shoulder disorders, such as rotator cuff (RC) tears. This study evaluates the different presentations in clinical outcomes and range of motions (ROMs) in patients suffering from RC tears with and without SD. A total of 52 patients were enrolled, of which 32 patients with RC tears and SD (group A) and 20 patients with RC tears without SD (group B). Statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of clinical outcomes were identified. There were statistically significant differences in terms of flexion (p = 0.019), extension (p = 0.015), abduction (p = 0.005), and external rotation at 90° (p = 0.003) and at 0° (p = 0.025). In conclusion, this prospective study demonstrated that SD influences the clinical presentation of patients with RC tears in terms of clinical outcomes and ROMs, apart from internal rotation. Further studies will need to show whether these differences occur regardless of SD type.

Uma importante etapa do processo de reabilitação de movimentos é o diagnóstico de limitações do paciente. A técnica mais utilizada tradicionalmente por fisioterapeutas consiste na goniometria, exame no qual o paciente realiza movimentos propostos pelo especialista e este mede o ângulo desenvolvido pela articulação com o auxilio de um goniômetro. Este exame é muito influenciado pela experiência do especialista, que de acordo com a sua técnica pode encontrar diferentes resultados do mesmo exame realizado por outro especialista. Assim, surgem alternativas tecnológicas para facilitar esta avaliação, porém muitas alternativas encontradas comercialmente possuem um elevado custo do equipamento e alternativas com menor custo são mais difíceis de ser encontradas, em sua maioria são apenas sistemas utilizados em laboratório e sem uma validação realizada com movimentos reais e com o acompanhamento de especialistas da área. O presente trabalho busca desenvolver um sistema de baixo custo para realizar a tarefa descrita, nesta proposta é utilizado um sensor Kinect, que é capaz de capturar com uma boa precisão os pontos das articulações do indivíduo no espaço. Através dos pontos no espaço são utilizadas equações de ângulo entre retas e filtros para suavizar os valores encontrados online para capturar a amplitude de movimentos dos membros superiores. Para validar o sistema desenvolvido foi realizada uma parceria com o curso de Fisioterapia da Faculdade Anhanguera do Rio Grande, assim é possível comparar resultados obtidos pelo sensor e resultados obtidos através de exames tradicionais de goniometria realizados por alunos do curso. An important step in the movement rehabilitation process is the diagnosis of patient limitations. The technique most traditionally used by physiotherapists is goniometry, an exam which the patient performs movements proposed by the specialist and he measures the angle developed by the joint with the aid of a goniometer. This exam is greatly influenced by the experience of the specialist, who according to his technique can find different results from the same exam performed by another specialist. Thus, technological alternatives emerge to facilitate this evaluation, but many alternatives found commercially have a high cost of equipment and lower cost alternatives are more difficult to find, most are only systems used in the laboratories and without a validation performed with real movements with the accompaniment of experts in this field. The present work seeks to develop a low cost system to perform the described task. In this proposal a Kinect sensor is used, which is able to capture with good precision the points of the individuals joints in space. Through points in space, angle equations between lines and filters are used to smooth out the values found in real time to capture the range of motion of the upper limbs. To validate the developed system, a partnership was made with the Physiotherapy course of the Anhanguera College of Rio Grande, so it is possible to compare results obtained by the sensor and results obtained through traditional goniometry exams performed by students of the course.

Cílem příspěvku je objasnit, zda má typ práce vliv na tři fyzické vlastnosti člověka. Jsou to obratnost prstů a rukou, síla stisku a rozsah pohybů. Skupina 67 manuálních a 99 kancelářských pracovníků obou pohlaví v různých věkových skupinách byla hodnocena pomocí Purdue Pegboard testu, Grooved Pegboard testu a Complete Minnesota Dexterity testu. Pro stisk rukou byl použit dynamometr Jamar a rozsah pohybů byl měřen standardními goniometry. V oblasti zručnosti se u mužských kancelářských pracovníků projevila vyšší obratnosti než u manuálních ve všech druzích testů. Ženské kancelářské pracovnice prokázaly významné rozdíly pouze v polovině testů. Rozdíly v síle stisku mezi kancelářskými a manuálními pracovníky nebyly statisticky významné. Byl potvrzen pouze rozdíl mezi muži a ženami, kdy ženy měli přirozeně menší sílu. Pokud jde o rozsah pohybů, měli muži pracující v kanceláři lepší hodnoty pouze v 7 kloubech z 36, avšak ženy měly lepší hodnoty až v 22 z 36 kloubů, než ženy pracující manuálně. The paper aims at clarification if a job type has an influence on three physical properties of humans. Those are dexterity of fingers and hands, grip strength and range of motions. A group of 67 manual and 99 office workers both males and females in different age groups were assessed by Purdue Pegboard Test, Grooved Pegboard Test and Complete Minnesota Dexterity Test. For hand grip the Jamar dynamometer was used and range of motions were measured by standard goniometers. In dexterity area male office workers proved higher dexterity than manual in all kinds of testes. Female office workers proved significant differences only in half of the tests. Grip strength differences were not statistically significant between office and manual workers. Only differences between males and females were confirmed. Regarding range of motions male office workers had better values only in 7 joints from 36, however females had better values in 22 from 36 joints.

Bu çalışmanın amacı, vücut ağırlığı ile yapılan skuat egzersizi sırasında kalça, diz ve ayak bileği eklem hareket genişliklerini ve yere uygulanan kuvvetleri detaylı şekilde analiz etmektir. Çalışmaya, kuvvet egzersiz geçmişine sahip, haftada en az 3 gün kuvvet egzersizi yapmaya devam eden, sağ bacağı dominant olan 20 erkek (yaş: 23,7±3,2, boy: 178,8±7,12cm., kilo: 78,74±11,48 kg., vücut kütle indeks:25±3,83 kg/m2, vücut yağ oranı: %12,83±,4,74) katılmıştır. Katılımcılar ek ağırlık kullanmadan vücut ağırlığı ile tükenene kadar 4 adet yük hücresi üzerinde (her bir ayağın ön ve arka kısımlarında birer tane yük hücresi olacak şekilde) skuat egzersizi yaptırıldı, hareket sırasında skuat uygulama formuna müdahale edilmedi ve kuvvet verileri alındı. Eş zamanlı olarak, performans sırasında gerçekleşen eklem hareket genişliği analizi için video kaydı alındı. Skuat temposu metronom (45 vuruş/dak., 1:0:1:0) ile sabitlendi. Elde edilen veriler %33’lük bölümlere ayrılarak (3 bölüm), %95 güven aralığında, çarpıklık değeri (Skewness), basıklık değeri (Kurtosis) ve normal dağılım istatistiği (Shapiro-Wilks) testleri uygulandı. Verilerin karşılaştırılmasında Paired Sample T-test fark istatistiği analizi uygulandı ve istatistiki anlamlılık düzeyi olarak “p≤0.05” kabul edildi. Skuat performansının 1.%33’lük, 2.%33’lük ve 3.%33’lük bölümünde; sağ ve sol ayaklar arasında yere uygulanan kuvvetlerde anlamlı farklılık bulunamamıştır (sırasıyla; p=0,974; p=0,484; p=0,715). Sağ ve sol ayağın ön kısımlarının yere uyguladığı kuvvetler toplamı ile sağ ve sol ayağın arka kısımlarının yere uyguladığı kuvvetler toplamı arasında 1., 2. ve 3.%33lük bölümlerde anlamlı farklılık bulunmuştur (sırasıyla; p=0,001; p=0,001; p=0,002). Sağ ayağın ön ve arka kısımlarının yere uyguladığı kuvvetler arasında 1., 2. ve 3.%33’lük bölümlerde anlamlı farklılık bulunmuştur (sırasıyla; p=0,001; p=0,001; p=0,002). Sol ayağın ön ve arka kısımlarının yere uyguladığı kuvvetler arasında sadece 1.%33’lük bölümde anlamlı fark bulunmuşken (p=0,024), 2. ve 3.%33’lük bölümlerde anlamlı farklılık saptanamamıştır (sırasıyla; p=0,114; p=0,343). Skuat performansında gerçekleşen eklem hareket genişlikleri incelendiğinde, kalça eklem hareket genişliği 1.%33’lük bölüm ile 3.%33’lük bölüm arasında (p=0,044), 2.%33’lük bölüm ile 3.%33’lük bölüm arasında (p=0,034) anlamlı farklılık bulunmuştur. Diz eklem hareket genişliğinin 1.%33 ve 3.%33’lük bölümü arasında (p=0,014) ve 2.%33’lük bölüm ile 3.%33 bölüm arasında (p=0,005) anlamlı farklılık bulunmuştur. Ayak bileği eklem hareket genişliğinin 1.%33’lük bölümü ile 2.%33’lük bölümü arasında (p=0,045) anlamlı farklılık bulunmuştur. Ayak bileğinin eklem hareket genişliğinde diğer bölümlerde anlamlı farklılık bulunamamıştır. Bu sonuçlara göre skuat performansı sırasında dominant bacak ile destek bacağı arasında yere uygulanan kuvvetlerde bir denge vardır. Vücut ağırlığı dağılımı ayakların arka kısmında olmasına rağmen, performansın sonlarında ön ayaklara doğru bir yük aktarımı vardır. Sol (destek ayak) ayağın ön ve arka kısımlarının yere uyguladıkları kuvvetlerdeki farklılık, performans sonlarına doğru birbirine yaklaşmıştır, sol ayağın ön ve arka kısımları dengeli bir şekilde yere kuvveti uygulamaya başlamıştır, sağ ayakta böyle bir durumla saptanmamıştır. Bu sonuç; yorgunluk oluştukça ön-arka dengede daha çok destek ayağın rol oynadığını düşündürmektedir. Performans sonlarına doğru yorgunluk oluşmasıyla beraber; kalça, diz ve ayak eklem hareket genişliğinin arttığı bulunmuştur. Performansın ilerleyen safhalarında öne doğru yere uygulanan kuvvetlerin artmasında bu eklem hareket genişliklerinin rol oynadığı söylenebilir., The aim of this study was to analyze in detail the effects of ROMs of trunk, knee, hip, ankle and ground reaction forces during bodyweight squat exercise. 20 volunteer male who have dominant right leg, strenght exercise background and continue to strenght exercises for at least 3 days a week (age: 23,7±3,2, height: 178,8±7,12cm., weight: 78,74±11,48 kg., BMI: 25±3,83 kg/m2, fat rate: %12,83±,4,74) were participated in this study. Squat exercise was performed on 4 load cells (the fore and hind parts of each foot on two different load cells for one foot) until the participants were failure to continue without any additional weight. They performed self-selected depth squat. Simultaneously, video recording was started for range of motion analysis during performance. Squat tempo was fixed with metronome (45 bpm./min., 1:0:1:0). The obtained data were divided into three 33% sections and also skewness, kurtosis and normal distribution statistics (Shapiro-Wilks) tests were performed in 95% confidence interval. Paired Sample T-test difference statistics were used to compare the data and statistical significance level was set at “p≤0.05”. 1st. 33%, 2nd. 33% and 3rd. 33% of squat's performance; no significant difference was found on the ground reaction forces between the right and left feet. (respectively ;p = 0.974; p = 0.484; p = 0.715,). A significant difference was found between all the ground reaction forces applied to ground by the back parts of the right feet and left feet (1st.33% p = 0.001; 2nd.33% p = 0.001; 3rd.33% p = 0.002). A significant difference was found between 1st., 2nd. and 3rd. 33% sections on the ground reaction forces by the fore and hind parts of the right foot. (respectively; p = 0.001; p = 0.001; p = 0.002). On the ground reaction forces applied to the fore and hind parts of the left foot only a significant difference was found in 1st.33% section (p = 0,024), while there was no significant difference in the second and third 33% section (respectively; p = 0,114; p = 0,343 ). In terms of range of motions in the squat performance , significant differences were found between the range of motion of the trunk, between 1st.33% and 3rd.33% (p = 0.044), 2nd.33% and 3rd.33%, (p = 0.034). Significant differences were found between range of motions knee joint 1st. 33% and 3rd. 33% (p = 0.014); 2nd. 33% and 3rd.33% (0.005). Significant differences were only found between 1st. 33% and 2nd. 33% of the range of motion of ankle (p = 0.045). There was no significant difference in the range of motion of ankle joint in other sections. According to these results, there is a balance in terms of the force applied to the ground between the dominant leg and the support leg during the performance of squat. Although the body weight distribution is at the back of the feet, there is a load transfer towards the forefoots at the end of the performance. The differences applied to ground reaction forces by the fore and hind parts of the left (support foot) foot was balanced by the load distribution towards the end of the performance. This suggests that the support foot makes more effort for balance as fatigue occurs. End-of-performance fatigue can cause trunk, knee and ankle of range of motions increase. It can be said that increase of ground reaction forces towards to front, these forces is effected by increases of range of motions.

Příspěvek je zaměřen na změny související s věkem s ohledem na motorické funkce a síly. Příspěvek stručně rekapituluje navrhovanou metodiku a měřící postupy. Jemná motorika byla měřena pomocí Purdue Pegboard Test a Grooved Pegboard Test. Pro celkovou zručnost rukou byl použit Complete Minnesota Dexterity Test. Síla stisku byla měřena Jamar dynamometrem a pro měření rozsahu pohybů byly využity klasické goniometry. Příspěvek dále popisuje předběžné výsledky dvou věkových skupin žen (25–29 a 60–73) a jejich porovnání. Jak bylo očekáváno, mladší skupina žen měla lepší výsledky při testování obratnosti, síly stisku a rozsahu pohybů v některých kloubech. Nicméně některé rozsahy pohybů však byly lepší u starších žen pravděpodobně díky cvičení. Určitá nepřesnost se mohla také vyskytnout v průběhu měření, čemuž bude v dalších měřeních zamezeno. Prezentované výsledky jsou zatím předběžné a slouží primárně k vyhodnocení navržené metodiky. Výzkum bude pokračovat a v budoucnu bude rozšířen i na další věkové skupiny a také na populaci mužů. The paper is focused on age related changes regarding motor abilities and forces. The paper briefly reviews proposed methodology and measuring procedures. The fine fingers dexterity was measured by Purdue Pegboard Test and Grooved Pegboard Test. For hand dexterity the Complete Minnesota Dexterity Test was used. Hand grip strength was evaluated by Jamar dynamometer and range of motions were measured by classic goniometers. Furthermore the paper presents preliminary results of two female age groups (25-29 and 60-73) and their comparison. As expected younger group of female performed better in dexterity testing, hand grips and some range of motions. However some ranges of motions were better in older female group probably due to exercise. Some inaccuracy also might occur during measurement which will be eliminated in the future. These are just preliminary results which served for evaluation of proposed methodology. The research will carry on and will be extended in the future to other age groups and also to male population.

Osteoartritis (OA) is one of the most frequent causes of pain, loss of function and disability in adults. The prevalence of OA is expected to increase substantially in the future. Knee OA is the most common subset of OA. Therapeutic ultrasound (US) is one of several physical therapy modalities suggested for the management of pain and loss of function due to OA. The purpose of our study was to investigate the efficacy of US therapy in reducing pain and functional loss and improving the quality of life in patients with knee OA in comparison to sham US therapy. The study involved 62 patients. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. The patients in group 1 (n = 30) were administered 1 W/cm(2), 1 MHz continuous US, and the patients in group 2 (n = 32) were administered sham US. The US treatment was applied for 8 min to each knee, 16 min in total, 5 d a wk, for a total of 10 sessions during 2 wk. The patients were evaluated immediately after treatment and 1 mo after therapy according to the visual analog scale (VAS), night pain, range of motion, morning stiffness, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Lequesne and Short Form-36 (SF-36) scales and 6 min walking distance. Improvement in pain and joint functions was observed in both groups according to the evaluation immediately after treatment and at 1 mo after the therapy. According to the evaluation results immediately after treatment, there was significant improvement in all pain scales (VAS, WOMAC, Lequesne, SF-36), morning stiffness and 6 min walking distance in patients receiving real US treatment (p < 0.05), but only in some pain scales (VAS, WOMAC) and functions in the group receiving sham US (p < 0.05). Significantly better improvement was observed in some pain scales (SF-36), functions (WOMAC, SF-36) and 6 min walking distance in the real US group. At 1 mo after therapy, no significant difference was observed between groups except for improvement in night pain in the real US group. In conclusion, US therapy has been found to be effective in reducing pain and improving physical function in the short term, but this positive effect was not persistent in the long term. However, we believe that the results of our study may contribute to ongoing research for the treatment of patients with knee OA, and further systematic investigation on larger patient populations may delineate the role of US in knee OA treatment.

In this study the influence of chair characteristics on comfort, discomfort, adjustment time and seat interface pressure is investigated during VDU and non-VDU tasks: The two investigated office chairs, both designed according to European and Dutch standards are different regarding: 1) seat cushioning and shape, 2) backrest angle and 3) controls. Thirty subjects in total, both male and female, participated in two experiments: twenty in the first and ten in the second. Significant differences are found for ease of adjustment and adjustment time of controls, independent of the tasks. Related to tasks, a significant difference was found for the backrest range of motion. For non-VDU tasks a larger range of backrest motion was preferred by 70% of the subjects. The chair design differences were most clear for comfort and adjustment time of controls, followed by comfort of backrest angle. No differences are found between seat pan comfort and discomfort, first impressions and peak interface pressure. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The present paper deals with the formulation of novel closed-form algorithms for the kinematic synthesis of quasi-constant transmission ratio planar four-bar and slider–crank linkages. The algorithms are specific for both infinitesimal and finite displacements. In the first case, the approach is based on the use of kinematic loci, such as centrodes, inflection circle, and cubic of stationary curvature, as well as Euler–Savary equation. In the second case, the design equations follow from the application of Chebyshev min–max optimality criterion. These algorithms are aimed to obtain, within a given range of motion, a quasi-constant transmission ratio between the driving and driven links. The numerical examples discussed allow a direct comparison of structural errors for mechanisms designed with different methodologies, such as infinitesimal Burmester theory and the Chebyshev optimality criterion.

In this study the influence of chair characteristics on comfort, discomfort, adjustment time and seat interface pressure is investigated during VDU and non-VDU tasks: The two investigated office chairs, both designed according to European and Dutch standards are different regarding: 1) seat cushioning and shape, 2) backrest angle and 3) controls. Thirty subjects in total, both male and female, participated in two experiments: twenty in the first and ten in the second. Significant differences are found for ease of adjustment and adjustment time of controls, independent of the tasks. Related to tasks, a significant difference was found for the backrest range of motion. For non-VDU tasks a larger range of backrest motion was preferred by 70% of the subjects. The chair design differences were most clear for comfort and adjustment time of controls, followed by comfort of backrest angle. No differences are found between seat pan comfort and discomfort, first impressions and peak interface pressure. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

This paper describes postural behaviour in static reaching sidewards, and the role of the trunk in particular. It turned out that the trunk (chest, pelvis) is not involved when reaching sidewards up to roughly 40-50°(depending on the reach distance). At greater angles the arm, the chest, and the pelvis each contribute at a particular rate to get the index finger onto target. These rates are reasonably similar to the average contributions of the arm, chest, and pelvis to the total of the range of motions of the arm, chest, and pelvis, suggesting that these segments share the musculoskeletal load equally. Copyright © 2003 SAE International.

This paper describes postural behaviour in static reaching sidewards, and the role of the trunk in particular. It turned out that the trunk (chest, pelvis) is not involved when reaching sidewards up to roughly 40-50°(depending on the reach distance). At greater angles the arm, the chest, and the pelvis each contribute at a particular rate to get the index finger onto target. These rates are reasonably similar to the average contributions of the arm, chest, and pelvis to the total of the range of motions of the arm, chest, and pelvis, suggesting that these segments share the musculoskeletal load equally. Copyright © 2003 SAE International.

Background Medical doctors are essential for the German public and occupational health system. They ensure the productivity of German society by enabling people to regain and recover their health. That is why the physicians’ health and hence their productivity require special attention. Musculoskeletal disorders have a high prevalence in this work area. As a consequence, movement sequences, range of motions, and body postures of physicians in the course of the working day are in focus of this research project. Methods For this investigation 21 male or female junior physicians of various conservative medical disciplines will be covered. Data will be collected over one working day (approx. 9 hours). The CUELA system attached to the test person’s body detects body posture and/or movements. This biomechanical measurement system ensures a locomotor and posture analysis that includes movement sequences, movement intensity, and range of motions to qualify the work tasks. For data analysis intra- and inter-professional comparisons are chosen. Conclusions Working movement sequence analysis of physicians by means of the CUELA system is exclusive and novel in its focus. Up to now, knowledge of the working tasks of medical doctors has only been acquired by real-time observation approaches to work activity. In addition to this method of analysis, the CUELA system is able to record quantified biomechanical data about musculoskeletal loads of ordinary working tasks. Workloads and activities of physicians can be improved by ergonomic work design to reduce musculoskeletal disorders by utilizing the data collected. The healthcare system in Germany will thus be optimized by improving medical doctors’ health. Consequently, MAGRO-MSA will also be used for other healthcare professions such as nurses and physicians assistants.