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- Liebermann, Dario G., et al.
(author)
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Spatiotemporal lower-limb asymmetries during stair descent in athletes following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
- 2024
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In: Journal of Electromyography & Kinesiology. - : Elsevier. - 1050-6411 .- 1873-5711. ; 75
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: This study evaluated motor control recovery at different times following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) by investigating lower-limb spatiotemporal symmetry during stair descent performances.Methods: We used a cross-sectional design to compare asymptomatic athletes (Controls, n = 18) with a group of people with ACLR (n = 49) divided into three time-from-ACLR subgroups (Early: <6 months, n = 17; Mid: 6–18 months, n = 16; Late: ≥18 months, n = 16). We evaluated: “temporal symmetry” during the stance subphases (single-support, first and second double-support) and “spatial symmetry” for hip-knee-ankle intra-joint angular displacements during the stance phase using a dissimilarity index applied on superimposed 3D phase plots.Results: We found significant between-group differences in temporal variables (p ≤ 0.001). Compared to Controls, both Early and Mid (p ≤ 0.05) showed asymmetry in the first double-support time (longer for their injured vs. non-injured leg), while Early generally also showed longer durations in all other phases, regardless of stepping leg. No statistically significant differences were found for spatial intra-joint symmetry between groups.Conclusion: Temporal but not spatial asymmetry in stair descent is often present early after ACLR; it may remain for up to 18 months and may underlie subtle intra- and inter-joint compensations. Spatial asymmetry may need further exploration.
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| 2. |
- Pini, Alessia, 1985-, et al.
(author)
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Test-retest reliability measures for curve data : an overview with recommendations and supplementary code.
- 2022
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In: Sports Biomechanics. - : Routledge. - 1476-3141 .- 1752-6116. ; 21:2, s. 179-200
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of available methods for reliability investigations when the outcome of interest is a curve. Curve data, or functional data, is commonly collected in biomechanical research in order to better understand different aspects of human movement. Using recent statistical developments, curve data can be analysed in its most detailed form, as functions. However, an overview of appropriate statistical methods for assessing reliability of curve data is lacking. A review of contemporary literature of reliability measures for curve data within the fields of biomechanics and statistics identified the following methods: coefficient of multiple correlation, functional limits of agreement, measures of distance and similarity, and integrated pointwise indices (an extension of univariate reliability measures to curve data, inclusive of Pearson correlation, intraclass correlation, and standard error of measurement). These methods are briefly presented, implemented (R-code available as supplementary material) and evaluated on simulated data to highlight advantages and disadvantages of the methods. Among the identified methods, the integrated intraclass correlation and standard error of measurement are recommended. These methods are straightforward to implement, enable results over the domain, and consider variation between individuals, which the other methods partly neglect.
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| 3. |
- Arumugam, Ashokan, 1981-, et al.
(author)
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A novel test reliably captures hip and knee kinematics and kinetics during unanticipated/anticipated diagonal hops in individuals with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
- 2020
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In: Journal of Biomechanics. - : Elsevier. - 0021-9290 .- 1873-2380. ; 99
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Unanticipated land-and-cut maneuvers might emulate lower limb mechanics associated with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Reliability studies on landing mechanics of such maneuvers are however lacking. This study investigated feasibility and within-session reliability of landing mechanics of a novel one-leg double-hop test, mimicking a land-and-cut maneuver, in individuals with ACL reconstruction (ACLR). Our test comprised a forward hop followed by a diagonal hop in either of two directions (medial/lateral) under anticipated and unanticipated conditions. Twenty individuals with a unilateral ACLR (aged 24.2 ± 4.2 years, 0.7-10.8 years post-surgery) performed three successful hops/direction per leg. We determined reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]) and agreement (standard error of measurement [SEM]) of 3-dimensional hip and knee angles and moments during the deceleration phase of the land-and-cut maneuver (vulnerable for non-contact ACL injuries). Mean success rate for unanticipated hops was 71-77% and for anticipated hops 91-95%. Both limbs demonstrated moderate-excellent reliability (ICC 95% confidence intervals: 0.50-0.99) for almost all hip and knee peak angles and moments in all planes and conditions, with a few exceptions: poor-good reliability for hip and knee frontal and/or transverse plane variables, especially for lateral diagonal hops. The SEMs were ≤5° and ≤0.23 N·m/kg·m for most peak angles and moments, respectively. Our test seems feasible and showed satisfactory reliability for most hip and knee angles and moments; however, low knee abduction and internal rotation angles and moments, and moderate reliability of these moments deserve consideration. The test appears to challenge dynamic knee control and may prove valuable in evaluation during knee rehabilitation.
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| 4. |
- Arumugam, Ashokan, 1981-, et al.
(author)
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Introducing a novel test with unanticipated medial/lateral diagonal hops that reliably captures hip and knee kinematics in healthy women
- 2019
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In: Journal of Biomechanics. - : Elsevier. - 0021-9290 .- 1873-2380. ; 82, s. 70-79
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Despite a vast literature on one-leg hops and cutting maneuvers assessing knee control pre/post-injury of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), comprehensive and reliable tests performed under unpredictable conditions are lacking. This study aimed to: (1) assess the feasibility of an innovative, knee-challenging, one-leg double-hop test consisting of a forward hop followed by a diagonal hop (45°) performed medially (UMDH) or laterally (ULDH) in an unanticipated manner; and (2) determine within- and between-session reliability for 3-dimensional hip and knee kinematics and kinetics of these tests. Twenty-two healthy women (22.3 ± 3.3 years) performed three successful UMDH and ULDH, twice 1–4 weeks apart. Hop success rate was 69–84%. Peak hip and knee angles demonstrated moderate to excellent within-session reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.67–0.99, standard error of measurement [SEM] ≤ 3°) and poor to excellent between-session reliability (ICC CI: 0.22–0.94, SEM ≤ 3°) for UMDH and ULDH. The smallest real difference (SRD) was low (≤ 5°) for nearly all peak angles. Peak hip and knee moments demonstrated poor to excellent reliability (ICC CI: 0–0.97) and, in general, moments were more reliable within-session (SEM ≤ 0.14 N.m/kg.m, both directions) than between-session (SRD ≤ 0.43 N.m/kg.m). Our novel test was feasible and, in most but not all cases, provided reliable angle estimates (within-session > between-session, both directions) albeit less reliable moments (within-session > between-session, both directions). The relatively large hip and knee movements in the frontal and transverse planes during the unanticipated hops suggest substantial challenge of dynamic knee control. Thus, the test seems appropriate for evaluating knee function during ACL injury rehabilitation.
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| 7. |
- Markström, Jonas, 1985-, et al.
(author)
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A minority of athletes pass symmetry criteria in a series of hop and strength tests irrespective of having an ACL reconstructed knee or being noninjured
- 2023
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In: Sports Health. - : Sage Publications. - 1941-7381 .- 1941-0921. ; 15:1, s. 45-51
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Between-leg symmetry in 1-leg hop and knee strength performances is considered important after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) to facilitate a safer return to sport. While few athletes with ACLR demonstrate symmetry in test batteries, reference data for noninjured athletes are lacking, thus questioning how ACLR-specific poor symmetry is.Hypothesis: Athletes with ACLR (hamstring autograft) show lower symmetry and have a lower proportion of symmetric individuals than noninjured athletes for knee flexion strength but not for hop for distance, vertical hop, and knee extension strength.Study design: Cross-sectional.Level of Evidence: Level 3.Methods: A total of 47 athletes with ACLR (median 13.0 months post-ACLR) who had returned to their sport, and 46 noninjured athletes participated. Symmetry was calculated between the worse and better legs for each test and combinations of them using the limb symmetry index (LSIWORSE-BETTER, ranging from 0% to 100%). The 2 groups were compared for these values and the proportions of individuals classified as symmetric (LSIWORSE-BETTER ≥90%) using independent t-tests and Fisher’s exact tests, respectively.Results: Athletes with ACLR were less symmetric than noninjured athletes for knee flexion strength with a lower LSIWORSE-BETTER (83% vs 91%, P < 0.01) and a lower proportion of symmetric individuals (39% vs 63%, P = 0.04). No differences between groups were revealed for the hop tests, knee extension strength, or combinations of tests (P > 0.05). Only 17% of the athletes with ACLR and 24% of the noninjured athletes demonstrated symmetric performances for all 4 tests.Conclusion: Athletes with ACLR (hamstring autograft) showed poorer symmetry in knee flexion strength than noninjured athletes, although both groups had few individuals who passed the test battery’s symmetry criteria.Clinical relevance: Symmetry is uncommon among athletes irrespective of ACLR and should be considered regarding expected rehabilitation outcomes and return-to-sport decisions post-ACLR.
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| 9. |
- Markström, Jonas, 1985-, et al.
(author)
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Atypical lower limb mechanics during weight acceptance of stair descent at different time frames after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
- 2022
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In: American Journal of Sports Medicine. - : Sage Publications. - 0363-5465 .- 1552-3365. ; 50:8, s. 2125-2133
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture may result in poor sensorimotor knee control and, consequentially, adapted movement strategies to help maintain knee stability. Whether patients display atypical lower limb mechanics during weight acceptance of stair descent at different time frames after ACL reconstruction (ACLR) is unknown.Purpose:To compare the presence of atypical lower limb mechanics during the weight acceptance phase of stair descent among athletes at early, middle, and late time frames after unilateral ACLR.Study Design:Controlled laboratory study.Methods:A total of 49 athletes with ACLR were classified into 3 groups according to time after ACLR—early (<6 months; n = 17), middle (6-18 months; n = 16), and late (>18 months; n = 16)—and compared with asymptomatic athletes (control; n = 18). Sagittal plane hip, knee, and ankle angles; angular velocities; moments; and powers were compared between the ACLR groups’ injured and noninjured legs and the control group as well as between legs within groups using functional data analysis methods.Results:All 3 ACLR groups showed greater knee flexion angles and moments than the control group for injured and noninjured legs. For the other outcomes, the early group had, compared with the control group, less hip power absorption, more knee power absorption, lower ankle plantarflexion angle, lower ankle dorsiflexion moment, and less ankle power absorption for the injured leg and more knee power absorption and higher vertical ground reaction force for the noninjured leg. In addition, the late group showed differences from the control group for the injured leg revealing more knee power absorption and lower ankle plantarflexion angle. Only the early group took a longer time than the control group to complete weight acceptance and demonstrated asymmetry for multiple outcomes.Conclusion:Athletes with different time frames after ACLR revealed atypically large knee angles and moments during weight acceptance of stair descent for both the injured and the noninjured legs. These findings may express a chronically adapted strategy to increase knee control. In contrast, atypical hip and ankle mechanics seem restricted to an early time frame after ACLR.Clinical Relevance:Rehabilitation after ACLR should include early training in controlling weight acceptance. Including a control group is essential when evaluating movement patterns after ACLR because both legs may be affected.
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