Biomedical subjects

Neil Messenger

Publications and source records attributed to Neil Messenger.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Forefoot, rearfoot and shank coupling: effect of variations in speed and mode of gait.

BACKGROUND: Although there is a wealth of research into the kinematic coupling between the foot and shank, it remains unclear whether the relationship is stable across speed and mode of gait. The aim of this study was to determine whether the coupling relationship between the forefoot, rearfoot and shank differed between walking and running, and across different running speeds. METHODS: Twelve subjects walked/ran barefoot over-ground at one walking and three running speeds. The shank, rearfoot and forefoot were modelled as rigid segments and three-dimensional joint kinematics were determined using a seven camera ProReflex system. Coupling between the forefoot, rearfoot and shank was assessed using cross-correlation and vector coding techniques. FINDINGS: Cross-correlation of rearfoot eversion/inversion with shank internal/external rotation was lower in walking (r=0.49) compared to running (r>0.95). This was also the case between rearfoot frontal plane and forefoot sagittal plane motion (walking, r=-0.80; running, r=-0.96). Rearfoot frontal plane and forefoot transverse plane cross-correlation was high in both running and walking (r>0.90), but there was little evidence of any coupling between rearfoot frontal plane and forefoot frontal plane motion in any condition. No differences in cross-correlations were found between the three running speeds. INTERPRETATION: Kinematic coupling between the forefoot, rearfoot and shank was weak during walking relative to running. In particular, the low cross-correlation between rearfoot eversion/inversion and shank internal/external rotation during walking implies the two motions are not rigidly linked, as has been assumed in previous injury models.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Changes in foot and lower limb coupling due to systematic variations in step width.

BACKGROUND: Motion at the midfoot joints can contribute significantly to overall foot motion during gait. However, there is little information regarding the kinematic coupling relationship at the midfoot. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the coupling relationship at the midfoot and subtalar joints was affected when step width was manipulated during running. METHODS: Twelve subjects ran over-ground at self-selected speeds using three different step widths (normal, wide, cross-over). Coupling at the midfoot (forefoot relative to rearfoot) and subtalar (rearfoot relative to shank) joints was assessed using cross-correlation techniques. FINDINGS: Rearfoot kinematics were significantly different from normal running in cross-over running (P<0.05) but not in wide running. However, coupling between rearfoot eversion/inversion and shank rotation was consistently high (r>0.917), regardless of step width. This was also the case for coupling between rearfoot frontal plane motion and forefoot sagittal plane (r<-0.852) and forefoot transverse plane (r>0.946) motion. There was little evidence of coupling between rearfoot frontal plane motion and forefoot frontal plane motion in any of the conditions. INTERPRETATION: Forefoot frontal plane motion appeared to have little effect on rearfoot frontal plane motion and thus, had no effect on motion at the subtalar joint. The strong coupling of forefoot sagittal and transverse plane motions with rearfoot frontal plane motion suggests that forefoot motion exerts an important influence on subtalar joint kinematics.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Kinematics of cycling in relation to anterior knee pain and patellar tendinitis.

The coronal and sagittal plane leg movements of 24 experienced male cyclists were assessed using video analysis while cycling on a Kingcycle windload simulator. The cyclists were grouped into those with a history of injury and an asymptomatic group on the basis of self-reported injury status. The ages, cycling experience, competition distances and competition speeds of the two groups were compared using Student's t-test. No significant differences (P < 0.05) were found for any of these variables. The maximum and minimum shank adduction, shank adduction velocities, knee flexion and ankle dorsiflexion values were also compared using Student's t-test. Significant differences were found at the point of maximum adduction (1.9 degrees; P = 0.019) and minimum dorsiflexion (4.9 degrees; P = 0.014). These differences indicated more dorsiflexion and greater abduction on the part of the symptomatic cyclists, supporting previous research that found that cyclists with a history of injury differ from those without a history of injury in the coronal plane leg movement patterns they adopt. Also, the most extreme medial position of the knee relative to the ankle occurred during knee extension. This supports the potential injury mechanism proposed by Francis (1986), which had previously only been examined using coronal plane kinematics.

Adult↗