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Biomedical subjects

G S Fleisig

Publications and source records attributed to G S Fleisig.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

An analytical model of the knee for estimation of internal forces during exercise.

An analytical model of the knee joint was developed to estimate the forces at the knee during exercise. Muscle forces were estimated based upon electromyographic activities during exercise and during maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA), muscle fiber length at contraction and the maximum force produced by an unit PCSA under MVIC. Tibiofemoral compressive force and cruciate ligaments' tension were determined by using resultant force and torque at the knee, muscle forces, and orientations and moment arms of the muscles and ligaments. An optimization program was used to minimize the errors caused by the estimation of the muscle forces. The model was used in a ten-subject study of open kinetic chain exercise (seated knee extension) and closed kinetic chain exercises (leg press and squat). Results calculated with this model were compared to those from a previous study which did not consider muscle length and optimization. Peak tibiofemoral compressive forces were 3134 +/- 1040 N during squat, 3155 +/- 755 N during leg press and 3285 +/- 1927 N during knee extension. Peak posterior cruciate ligament tensions were 1868 +/- 878 N during squat, 1866 +/- 383 N during leg press and 959 +/- 300 N for seated knee extension. No significant anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tension was found during leg press and squat. Peak ACL tension was 142 +/- 257 N during seated knee extension. It is demonstrated that the current model provided better estimation of knee forces during exercises, by preventing significant overestimates of tibiofemoral compressive forces and cruciate ligament tensions.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament↗
PubMed1998

Biomechanics of the knee during closed kinetic chain and open kinetic chain exercises.

PURPOSE: Although closed (CKCE) and open (OKCE) kinetic chain exercises are used in athletic training and clinical environments, few studies have compared knee joint biomechanics while these exercises are performed dynamically. The purpose of this study was to quantify knee forces and muscle activity in CKCE (squat and leg press) and OKCE (knee extension). METHODS: Ten male subjects performed three repetitions of each exercise at their 12-repetition maximum. Kinematic, kinetic, and electromyographic data were calculated using video cameras (60 Hz), force transducers (960 Hz), and EMG (960 Hz). Mathematical muscle modeling and optimization techniques were employed to estimate internal muscle forces. RESULTS: Overall, the squat generated approximately twice as much hamstring activity as the leg press and knee extensions. Quadriceps muscle activity was greatest in CKCE when the knee was near full flexion and in OKCE when the knee was near full extension. OKCE produced more rectus femoris activity while CKCE produced more vasti muscle activity. Tibiofemoral compressive force was greatest in CKCE near full flexion and in OKCE near full extension. Peak tension in the posterior cruciate ligament was approximately twice as great in CKCE, and increased with knee flexion. Tension in the anterior cruciate ligament was present only in OKCE, and occurred near full extension. Patellofemoral compressive force was greatest in CKCE near full flexion and in the mid-range of the knee extending phase in OKCE. CONCLUSION: An understanding of these results can help in choosing appropriate exercises for rehabilitation and training.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Biomechanics of windmill softball pitching with implications about injury mechanisms at the shoulder and elbow.

Underhand pitching has received minimal attention in the sports medicine literature. This may be due to the perception that, compared with overhead pitching, the underhand motion creates less stress on the arm, which results in fewer injuries. The purpose of this study was to calculate kinematic and kinetic parameters for the pitching motion used in fast pitch softball. Eight female fast pitch softball pitchers were recorded with a four-camera system (200 Hz). The results indicated that high forces and torques were experienced at the shoulder and elbow during the delivery phase. Peak compressive forces at the elbow and shoulder equal to 70-98% of body weight were produced. Shoulder extension and abduction torques equal to 9-10% of body weight x height were calculated. Elbow flexion torque was exerted to control elbow extension and initiate elbow flexion. The demand on the biceps labrum complex to simultaneously resist glenohumeral distraction and produce elbow flexion makes this structure susceptible to overuse injury.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Biomechanics of overhand throwing with implications for injuries.

Proper throwing mechanics may enable an athlete to achieve maximum performance with minimum chance of injury. While quantifiable differences do exist in proper mechanics for various sports, certain similarities are found in all overhand throws. One essential property is the utilisation of a kinetic chain to generate and transfer energy from the larger body parts to the smaller, more injury-prone upper extremity. This kinetic chain in throwing includes the following sequence of motions: stride, pelvis rotation, upper torso rotation, elbow extension, shoulder internal rotation and wrist flexion. As each joint rotates forward, the subsequent joint completes its rotation back into a cocked position, allowing the connecting segments and musculature to be stretched and eccentrically loaded. Most notable is the external rotation of the shoulder, which reaches a maximum value of approximately 180 degrees. This biomechanical measurement is a combination of true glenohumeral rotation, trunk hyperextension and scapulothoracic motion. Near the time of maximum shoulder external rotation (ERmax), shoulder and elbow musculature eccentrically contract to produce shoulder internal rotation torque and elbow varus torque. Both the shoulder and the elbow are susceptible to injury at this position. At ball release, significant energy and momentum have been transferred to the ball and throwing arm. After ball release, a kinetic chain is used to decelerate the rapidly moving arm with the entire body. Shoulder and elbow muscles produce large compressive forces to resist joint distraction. Both joints are susceptible to injury during arm deceleration.

Arm↗
PubMed1993

Biomechanics of the elbow during baseball pitching.

By understanding pitching biomechanics, therapists can develop better preventive and rehabilitative programs for pitchers. The purpose of this study was to quantify and explain the joint motions, loads, and muscle activity that occur at the elbow during baseball pitching. Seven healthy, adult pitchers were examined with synchronized high-speed video digitization and surface electromyography. Elbow extension before ball release corresponded with a decrease in biceps activity and an increase in triceps activity. A varus torque of 120 Nm, acting to resist valgus stress, occurred near the time of maximum shoulder external rotation. Previous cadaveric research showed that the ulnar collateral ligament by itself cannot withstand a valgus load of this magnitude. Triceps, wrist flexorpronator, and anconeus activity during peak valgus stress suggests that these muscles may act as dynamic stabilizers to assist the ulnar collateral ligament in preventing valgus extension overload.

Arm↗
PubMed1993

Biomechanics of pitching with emphasis upon shoulder kinematics.

The American Sports Medicine Institute conducts research to increase understanding of mechanisms involved in upper extremity injuries to throwing athletes. This paper presents a qualitative overview of pitching and a detailed quantitative description of arm motion about the shoulder during this highly dynamic activity. Data on kinematics of arm motions about the shoulder are presented for 29 elite throwers. The major motion about the shoulder is external/internal rotation. Scapulothoracic and glenohumeral flexibility permit the arm to reach an externally rotated position of 175 degrees. Approximately 30 msec before release, the arm internally rotates 80 degrees, reaching peak angular velocities near 7,000 degrees/sec. In rehabilitation of injured throwers, there is a need to appreciate the highly dynamic nature of this skill and to attempt to simulate these dynamic motions and loads as part of the final phase of treatment before the athlete returns to competition.

Acceleration↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Kinetics of baseball pitching with implications about injury mechanisms.

Elbow and shoulder kinetics for 26 highly skilled, healthy adult pitchers were calculated using high-speed motion analysis. Two critical instants were 1) shortly before the arm reached maximum external rotation, when 67 N-m of shoulder internal rotation torque and 64 N-m of elbow varus torque were generated, and 2) shortly after ball release, when 1090 N of shoulder compressive force was produced. Inability to generate sufficient elbow varus torque may result in medial tension, lateral compression, or posteromedial impingement injury. At the glenohumeral joint, compressive force, joint laxity, and 380 N of anterior force during arm cocking can lead to anterior glenoid labral tear. Rapid internal rotation in combination with these forces can produce a grinding injury factor on the labrum. After ball release, 400 N of posterior force, 1090 N of compressive force, and 97 N-m of horizontal abduction torque are generated at the shoulder; contribution of rotator cuff muscles in generating these loads may result in cuff tensile failure. Horizontal adduction, internal rotation, and superior translation of the abducted humerus may cause subacromial impingement. Tension in the biceps tendon, due to muscle contraction for both elbow flexion torque and shoulder compressive force, may tear the anterosuperior labrum.

Acceleration↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A comparison of tibiofemoral joint forces and electromyographic activity during open and closed kinetic chain exercises.

We chose to investigate tibiofemoral joint kinetics (compressive force, anteroposterior shear force, and extension torque) and electromyographic activity of the quadriceps, hamstring, and gastrocnemius muscles during open kinetic chain knee extension and closed kinetic chain leg press and squat. Ten uninjured male subjects performed 4 isotonic repetitions with a 12 repetition maximal weight for each exercise. Tibiofemoral forces were calculated using electromyographic, kinematic, and kinetic data. During the squat, the maximal compressive force was 6139 +/- 1708 N, occurring at 91 degrees of knee flexion; whereas the maximal compressive force for the knee extension exercise was 4598 +/- 2546 N (at 90 degrees knee flexion). During the closed kinetic chain exercises, a posterior shear force (posterior cruciate ligament stress) occurred throughout the range of motion, with the peak occurring from 85 degrees to 105 degrees of knee flexion. An anterior shear force (anterior cruciate ligament stress) was noted during open kinetic chain knee extension from 40 degrees to full extension; a peak force of 248 +/- 259 N was noted at 14 degrees of knee flexion. Electromyographic data indicated greater hamstring and quadriceps muscle co-contraction during the squat compared with the other two exercises. During the leg press, the quadriceps muscle electromyographic activity was approximately 39% to 52% of maximal velocity isometric contraction; whereas hamstring muscle activity was minimal (12% maximal velocity isometric contraction). This study demonstrated significant differences in tibiofemoral forces and muscle activity between the two closed kinetic chain exercises, and between the open and closed kinetic chain exercises.

Adult↗