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Biomechanics and Motor Control of Gait and Postural Control
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Biomechanics and Motor Control of Gait and Postural Control

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2023) | Viewed by 9117

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Torsten Brauner

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biomechanics & Movement Sciences, Deutsche Hochschule für Gesundheit und Sport (DHGS), 85737 Ismaning, Germany
Interests: biomechanics; motion analysis; artificial intelligence; data sciences
Prof. Dr. Konstantin Beinert

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Physiotherapy, Deutsche Hochschule für Gesundheit und Sport (DHGS), 68163 Mannheim, Germany
Interests: physiotherapy; neck; shoulder; pain; balance

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Postural control and human gait are probably two of the most elementary competencies of the locomotion system. Exactly how elementary they are is often appreciated only once they fail to function properly. Here, the complex interaction between the neural control network, bony alignments and muscle functions becomes obvious.

The biomechanical analysis of gait has accelerated due to the ongoing developments in motion analytical methods. Recent topics that receive major research attention include open-field data collection with IMUs and similar sensors, the role of various tissues (e.g., fascia, tendons) on movement patterns as well the effect of movement on these tissues, and, of course, developments in footwear.

On the one hand, research on postural control is quite active in the field of the elderly population, as the growing elderly population in society creates challenges for medical systems worldwide. On the other hand, in sports and high-performance settings, dynamic motor control and stability have received intensive research attention. Examples include dose–response relationships in sensorimotor training, dynamic stability diagnostics, and the development of complex models explaining motor control.

We invite you to participate in this Special Issue on biomechanics and the motor control of gait and postural control. By contributing your work, you will help researchers working in these areas as well as clinicians using cutting-edge diagnostic tools and innovative therapy interventions.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Advances in experimental and analytical methods in biomechanics;
  • Studies of the role of variables such as age, sex, weight, shoes, and surface on gait and postural control;
  • Development of new models to explain biomechanical mechanisms underlying motor learning and rehabilitation;
  • Relationships between posture and movement;
  • Assessment of postural control;
  • Assessment of postural control in relation to risk of falls;
  • Learning and postural control;
  • Postural control and disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and cerebral palsy;
  • Sensory contributions to postural control;
  • Postural control in sports;
  • Development of new methods and technologies for assessment and training of postural control.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Torsten Brauner
Prof. Dr. Konstantin Beinert
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • injury
  • impairment
  • overuse
  • stance
  • proprioception
  • equilibrium
  • balance
  • sensorimotor training
  • falling
  • kinematics
  • kinetics
  • IMU
  • EMG

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 4241 KiB  
Article
Reliability and Validity of the Variability Model Testing Procedure for Somatic Dysfunction Assessment: A Comparison with Gait Analysis Parameters in Healthy Subjects
by Luca Vismara, Andrea Bergna, Andrea Gianmaria Tarantino, Fulvio Dal Farra, Francesca Buffone, Davide Vendramin, Veronica Cimolin, Serena Cerfoglio, Luca Guglielmo Pradotto and Alessandro Mauro
Healthcare 2024, 12(2), 175; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12020175 - 11 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2475
Abstract
Somatic dysfunction (SD) is an altered body function involving the musculoskeletal system. However, its clinical signs—tissue texture abnormalities, positional asymmetry, restricted range of motion, and tissue tenderness—did not achieve satisfactory results for reliability. A recent theoretical model proposed a revision assessing the movement [...] Read more.
Somatic dysfunction (SD) is an altered body function involving the musculoskeletal system. However, its clinical signs—tissue texture abnormalities, positional asymmetry, restricted range of motion, and tissue tenderness—did not achieve satisfactory results for reliability. A recent theoretical model proposed a revision assessing the movement variability around the joint rest position. The asymmetry and restriction of motion may characterize functional assessment in osteopathic clinical practice, demonstrating the reliability required. Hence, this study investigated the reliability of the new variability model (VM) with gait analysis (GA). Three blind examiners tested 27 young healthy subjects for asymmetry of motion around rest position and the SD grade on six body regions. The results were compared to the VICON procedure for 3D-GA. The inter-rater agreement for the detection of reduced movement variability ranged from 0.78 to 0.54, whereas for SD, grade ranged from 0.64 to 0.47. VM had a sensitivity and specificity of 0.62 and 0.53, respectively, in SD detection compared to step length normality. Global severity grade of SD demonstrated moderate to good correlation with spatial-temporal parameters. The VM showed palpatory reliability and validity with spatial–temporal parameters in GA. Those findings contribute to the innovation for SD examination with implications for the clinical practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics and Motor Control of Gait and Postural Control)
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15 pages, 3355 KiB  
Article
Light-Weight Wearable Gyroscopic Actuators Can Modulate Balance Performance and Gait Characteristics: A Proof-of-Concept Study
by Bram T. Sterke, Katherine L. Poggensee, Gerard M. Ribbers, Daniel Lemus and Heike Vallery
Healthcare 2023, 11(21), 2841; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11212841 - 27 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1147
Abstract
Falling is a major cause of morbidity, and is often caused by a decrease in postural stability. A key component of postural stability is whole-body centroidal angular momentum, which can be influenced by control moment gyroscopes. In this proof-of-concept study, we explore the [...] Read more.
Falling is a major cause of morbidity, and is often caused by a decrease in postural stability. A key component of postural stability is whole-body centroidal angular momentum, which can be influenced by control moment gyroscopes. In this proof-of-concept study, we explore the influence of our wearable robotic gyroscopic actuator “GyroPack” on the balance performance and gait characteristics of non-impaired individuals (seven female/eight male, 30 ± 7 years, 68.8 ± 8.4 kg). Participants performed a series of balance and walking tasks with and without wearing the GyroPack. The device displayed various control modes, which were hypothesised to positively, negatively, or neutrally impact postural control. When configured as a damper, the GyroPack increased mediolateral standing time and walking distance, on a balance beam, and decreased trunk angular velocity variability, while walking on a treadmill. When configured as a negative damper, both peak trunk angular rate and trunk angular velocity variability increased during treadmill walking. This exploratory study shows that gyroscopic actuators can influence balance and gait kinematics. Our results mirror the findings of our earlier studies; though, with more than 50% mass reduction of the device, practical and clinical applicability now appears within reach. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics and Motor Control of Gait and Postural Control)
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13 pages, 1595 KiB  
Article
The Effects of Fatigue on the Lower Limb Biomechanics of Amateur Athletes during a Y-Balance Test
by Congyu Huang, Jingyi Ye, Yang Song, Balint Kovács, Julien S. Baker, Zhuqing Mao and Yaodong Gu
Healthcare 2023, 11(18), 2565; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11182565 - 16 Sep 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1166
Abstract
The Y-Balance Test (YBT) is a reliable tool for assessing the dynamic balance of athletes’ lower limbs. This study aimed to compare the effects of the YBT on lower limb biomechanics before and after fatigue. Sixteen adult male recreational athletes were recruited for [...] Read more.
The Y-Balance Test (YBT) is a reliable tool for assessing the dynamic balance of athletes’ lower limbs. This study aimed to compare the effects of the YBT on lower limb biomechanics before and after fatigue. Sixteen adult male recreational athletes were recruited for the study, and motion capture in combination with a force plate was used to collect kinematic, dynamics, and center of pressure (COP) data of the dominant leg during YBT testing before and after fatigue. Based on the research findings, there were significant statistical differences in the distances reached during the YBT in three directions before and after fatigue. After fatigue, there is a significant decrease in the ROM of the hip and knee joints in all three directions. Also, there is a significant increase in hip joint torque in the anterior- and posterior-lateral directions, while a significant decrease in hip and ankle joint torque is observed in the posterior-medial direction. Moreover, there is an increasing trend in positive and negative joint work for the hip, knee, and ankle joints in all three directions after fatigue. The range of COP displacement also increases following fatigue. The decline in YBT scores demonstrates the detrimental impact of fatigue on the dynamic balance of the lower limbs of adult male amateur athletes. We hope that these results can provide information for athletes and coaches to better understand the effects of fatigue on the dynamic balance of lower limbs, so as to carry out targeted lower limb balance training and prevent sports injuries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics and Motor Control of Gait and Postural Control)
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12 pages, 1299 KiB  
Article
Effects of Diamond Steps Exercises on Balance Improvement in Healthy Young and Older Adults: A Protocol Proposal
by Shuangyan Shao, Tsubasa Mitsutake and Hitoshi Maruyama
Healthcare 2023, 11(13), 1834; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11131834 - 23 Jun 2023
Viewed by 844
Abstract
Diamond step (DS) exercises are associated with multiple components of postural control and, thus, have the potential to efficiently improve balance ability. This study aimed to verify whether DS exercises contribute to improving balance ability. This study included 35 healthy young people and [...] Read more.
Diamond step (DS) exercises are associated with multiple components of postural control and, thus, have the potential to efficiently improve balance ability. This study aimed to verify whether DS exercises contribute to improving balance ability. This study included 35 healthy young people and 29 older adults. DS exercises were performed continuously for 3 min, four times a week, for 1 month. Balance ability was assessed at baseline and after 1 and 2 months; eight items in total were examined: 30 s chair stand test, functional reach test, standing on one leg with eyes closed, time required for five rounds of DS, left–right DS, Y balance test, open–close stepping test, and finger-to-floor distance. The difficulty, achievement, and lightness/enjoyment of DS exercises were measured after the first practice and 1 month after beginning the exercises as subjective evaluations. Older adults showed improvement in seven of the eight items, with the exception being the one-legged stance with closed eyes. The subjective evaluation showed a decrease in the level of difficulty of DS exercises for older adults. DS exercises may improve balance by effectively utilizing various postural control strategies. These exercises can be effective and easy to implement, given their moderate difficulty level and self-efficacy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics and Motor Control of Gait and Postural Control)
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17 pages, 5104 KiB  
Article
Kinematic Strategies for Sustainable Well-Being in Aging Adults Influenced by Footwear and Ground Surface
by Miao Tian, Ye Lei, Yunyi Wang, Shitan Wang, Jun Li and Shu Yuan
Healthcare 2022, 10(12), 2468; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10122468 - 7 Dec 2022
Viewed by 936
Abstract
Falls are an inescapable problem influencing the health and threatening the safety of older adults. Exploring the kinematic strategies of aging adults can help reduce the risk of falls. To study kinematic strategies of aging adults in response to footwear (flat shoes, toe [...] Read more.
Falls are an inescapable problem influencing the health and threatening the safety of older adults. Exploring the kinematic strategies of aging adults can help reduce the risk of falls. To study kinematic strategies of aging adults in response to footwear (flat shoes, toe spring shoes, rocker sole shoes) and ground surfaces (level ground, grassland and rock road), a 3D motion capture system and subjective stability evaluation, with 14 female participants, were performed. Results indicated that footwear and ground surfaces significantly impacted joint dynamics during walking. Compared with young adults, aging adults tended to adopt a more conservative walking pattern. Wearing different shoes on the three ground surfaces mainly reduced the ROM (range of motion) of the ankle (p < 0.05). By analyzing the objective and subjective results, rocker sole shoes gave aging adults a stronger sense of instability, so they controlled the movement of ankle joint initiatively. When walking on grassland and rock road, aging adults adjusted the movements of hip, knee and ankle joints to maintain gait stability. Aging adults are recommended to strengthen flexibility training of the ankle joint, perform hip adduction and abduction exercises, and wear rocker sole shoes to improve their balance ability and sustainable well-being. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics and Motor Control of Gait and Postural Control)
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9 pages, 1661 KiB  
Article
Gait Improvement by Alerted Push-Off via Heating of Insole Tip
by Kazushige Oshita
Healthcare 2022, 10(12), 2461; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10122461 - 6 Dec 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1597
Abstract
This study investigated the change in the joint angles of the lower limb during gait by heating the tip of the insole to make a conscious push-off with the warm part. Fifteen healthy males performed treadmill walking under three different conditions: CONTROL walked [...] Read more.
This study investigated the change in the joint angles of the lower limb during gait by heating the tip of the insole to make a conscious push-off with the warm part. Fifteen healthy males performed treadmill walking under three different conditions: CONTROL walked as usual, INST was instructed to extend the stride with a push-off from the ball of foot to the toe, and HEAT was asked to walk while attempting to push off the warm area, which was attached to the disposable warmer to the area from the ball of foot to the toe of the insole. A 3D-motion capture system with infrared cameras was used to analyze the gait. The hip joint angle increased significantly under the INST and HEAT. Although the ankle dorsi-flexion at heel strike did not differ significantly for these conditions, ankle plantar-flexion significantly increased at toe-off under the INST and HEAT. Especially, effect size (d) in increased plantar-flexion was large in HEAT (=1.50), whereas it was moderate in INST (=0.68). These results suggest that a heated stimulus during gait enhanced the consciousness of push-off and increased leg swing and ankle plantar-flexion during the terminal stance phase, which may increase the stride length. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics and Motor Control of Gait and Postural Control)
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