Hiroshige Tateuchi

Effects of calcaneal eversion on three-dimensional kinematics of the hip, pelvis and thorax in unilateral weight bearing

Understanding the kinematic chain from foot to thorax will provide a better basis for assessment of malalignment of the body. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of induced calcaneal eversion on the kinematics of the hip, pelvis and thorax in three dimensions under unilateral weight-bearing. Twenty-eight healthy males were requested to stand on one leg under three conditions: normal (standing directly on the floor), and on wedges producing 5° and 10° calcaneal eversion. Recorded kinematic parameters included the angles of the hip joint, pelvis, and thorax in three dimensions. Eversion induced by wedges produced significant increases in hip flexion, hip medial rotation, pelvic anterior tilt, and thoracic lateral tilt and axial rotation to the standing side. In the frontal plane, pelvic lateral tilt to the standing side was decreased in 5° eversion condition compared with normal condition; conversely, it was increased in 10° eversion condition compared with 5° eversion condition. Arch height was negatively correlated with change in thoracic axial rotation to standing side from the normal to 10° eversion (r=-.528, p<.01). We concluded that induced calcaneal eversion affects the three-dimensional kinematics of the thorax through the hip joint and the pelvis.

Kinematic and kinetic characteristics of Masai Barefoot Technology footwear

The Masai Barefoot Technology (MBT) shoe was developed as a walking device to improve gait stability and reduce the joint load. Kinematic changes with MBT shoes have been reported; however, kinetic characteristics with MBT shoes have not been adequately assessed. The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of using MBT footwear on the kinetic and kinematic changes in the lower extremity in healthy males. Fourteen healthy male subjects (mean age: 25.6 ± 5.1 years) underwent three-dimensional gait analysis. Ground reaction forces (GRF) during the shock absorption phase were significantly decreased with MBT shoes compared with stable shoes. Gait with the MBT shoes showed significantly decreased knee extension angle in the early stance phase, a decreased hip extension angle, and an increased ankle dorsiflexion angle in the late stance phase. The peak value of the ankle planter moment, ankle negative power, and vertical component of the GRF significantly decreased with MBT shoes in the late stance phase compared with stable shoes. Therefore, MBT shoes could assist with shock absorption in the early stance phase and maintain the progression force while reducing joint moment and power. The results of this study suggest that MBT shoes might be effective to improve shock absorption, increase knee extensor muscle activity, and assist ankle push-off.

Balance of hip and trunk muscle activity is associated with increased anterior pelvic tilt during prone hip extension

Prone hip extension has been used as a self-perturbation task to test the stability of the lumbopelvic region. However, the relationship between recruitment patterns in the hip and trunk muscles and lumbopelvic kinematics remains unknown. The present study aimed to examine if the balance of hip and trunk muscle activities are related to pelvic motion and low back muscle activity during prone hip extension. Sixteen healthy participants performed prone hip extension from 30° of hip flexion to 10° of hip extension. Surface electromyography (of the gluteus maximus, semitendinosus, rectus femoris, tensor fasciae latae, multifidus, and erector spinae) and pelvic kinematic measurements were collected. Results showed that increased activity of the hip flexor (tensor fasciae latae) relative to that of hip extensors (gluteus maximus and semitendinosus) was significantly associated with increased anterior pelvic tilt during hip extension (r=0.52). Increased anterior pelvic tilt was also significantly related to the delayed onset timing of the contralateral and ipsilateral multifidus (r=0.57, r=0.53) and contralateral erector spinae (r=0.63). Additionally, the decrease of the gluteus maximus activity relative to the semitendinosus was significantly related to increased muscle activity of the ipsilateral erector spinae (r=-0.57). These results indicate that imbalance between the agonist and antagonist hip muscles and delayed trunk muscle onset would increase motion in the lumbopelvic region.

Effects of high-velocity resistance training on muscle function, muscle properties, and physical performance in individuals with hip osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial

Objective: To investigate the effects of high-velocity resistance training on muscle function, muscle properties, and physical performance in patients with hip osteoarthritis by comparison with those of low-velocity resistance training. Design: Single-blind randomized controlled trial. Setting: Home-based exercise programmes. Subjects: A total of 46 women with hip osteoarthritis were randomly assigned to the high-velocity (n = 23) or low-velocity (n = 23) training group. Interventions: Both groups underwent an eight-week daily home-based resistance training programme using an elastic band. Exercises involved hip abduction, extension, and flexion and knee extension. Participants in the high-velocity group performed the concentric phase of each repetition as rapidly as possible and returned to the initial position eccentrically in 3 s. Participants in the low-velocity group performed both the concentric and eccentric phases in 3 s. Main measures: The following outcome measures were evaluated: isometric muscle strength, muscle power, muscle thickness, muscle echo intensity, maximum walking speed, Timed Up and Go test, 3-minute walking test, Harris Hip Score, and hip pain. Results: Decreases in the time for performing the Timed Up and Go test (mean changes: high-velocity group −0.46 s, low-velocity group −0.23 s) and echo intensity of the gluteus maximus (mean changes: high-velocity group −6.8, low-velocity group −1.0) were significantly greater in the high-velocity group than in the low-velocity group. No significant difference was observed in changes of other outcome measures between the groups. Conclusion: This study revealed that high-velocity training for patients with hip osteoarthritis has partially a greater effect on muscle properties and physical performance than low-velocity training.

Muscle Mass and Composition of the Hip, Thigh and Abdominal Muscles in Women With and Without Hip Osteoarthritis

The objective of this study was to compare muscle mass and composition between individuals with and without hip osteoarthritis. Twenty-four women with hip osteoarthritis (OA group) and 16 healthy women (healthy group) participated in this study. Muscle thickness (MT) and echo intensity (EI) were measured as indices of muscle mass and composition, respectively, using ultrasound imaging. Seven muscles were examined: gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, quadriceps femoris, rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique and transversus abdominis. MT of only quadriceps femoris in the OA group was significantly thinner than that in the healthy group. EIs of gluteus medius, quadriceps femoris and rectus abdominis were significantly higher in the OA group than those in the healthy group. Thus, actual contractile tissue of gluteus medius and rectus abdominis substantially decreased, although muscle mass was similar, whereas both quantitative and qualitative changes occurred in quadriceps femoris in patients with hip OA.

The effect of angle and moment of the hip and knee joint on iliotibial band hardness.

Although several studies have described kinematic deviations such as excessive hip adduction in patients with iliotibial band (ITB) syndrome, the factors contributing to increased ITB hardness remains undetermined, owing to lack of direct in vivo measurement. The purpose of this study was to clarify the factors contributing to an increase in ITB hardness by comparing the ITB hardness between the conditions in which the angle, moment, and muscle activity of the hip and knee joint are changed. Sixteen healthy individuals performed the one-leg standing under five conditions in which the pelvic and trunk inclination were changed in the frontal plane. The shear elastic modulus in the ITB was measured as an indicator of the ITB hardness using shear wave elastography. The three-dimensional joint angle and external joint moment in the hip and knee joints, and muscle activities of the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, tensor fasciae latae, and vastus lateralis, which anatomically connect to the ITB, were also measured. ITB hardness was significantly increased in the posture with pelvic and trunk inclination toward the contralateral side of the standing leg compared with that in all other conditions (increase of approximately 32% compared with that during normal one-leg standing). This posture increased both the hip adduction angle and external adduction moment at the hip and knee joint, although muscle activities were not increased. Our findings suggest that coexistence of an increased adduction moment at the hip and knee joints with an excessive hip adduction angle lead to an increase in ITB hardness.

Stepping exercises improve muscle strength in the early postoperative phase after total hip arthroplasty: a retrospective study.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the effect of stepping exercises in addition to conventional physical therapy on the recovery of muscle strength and walking speed after total hip arthroplasty. DesignThis was a retrospective study with 6 wks of follow-up care and evaluation. Patients (n = 30) undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty for hip osteoarthritis were divided into two groups based on whether stepping exercises were performed after surgery. The control group (n = 15) received supervised conventional physical therapy for 6 wks. The stepping group (n = 15) performed stepping exercises with conventional physical therapy. Outcome measures were lower limb muscle strength and walking speed at 6 wks postoperatively. ResultsThe stepping group showed significantly higher recovery of the hip abductor and the knee extensor muscle strengths on the involved side compared with the control group. There were no significant differences between the two groups in walking speed and hip extensor, hip flexor and knee flexor strength on the involved side. ConclusionsOur findings suggest that stepping exercises may be effective in facilitating the muscular recovery of the hip abductors and knee extensors in the early postoperative phase after total hip arthroplasty.

Dynamic hip joint stiffness in individuals with total hip arthroplasty: relationships between hip impairments and dynamics of the other joints.

BACKGROUND Little is known about hip joint stiffness during walking (dynamic joint stiffness) and the effect of hip impairments on biomechanical alterations of other joints in patients with total hip arthroplasty. METHODS Twenty-four patients (mean age 61.7 years) who underwent unilateral (n=12) or bilateral total hip arthroplasty (n=12) and healthy subjects (n=12) were recruited. In addition to kinematic and kinetic variables, dynamic hip joint stiffness which was calculated as an angular coefficient of linear regression of the plot of the hip flexion moment vs. hip extension angle during the late stance of gait, was measured. Group differences were compared using one-way ANOVA and Tukeys post-hoc test, and relationships between primary hip impairments and secondary gait impairments were found using partial correlation coefficients adjusted for gait speed and stride length. FINDINGS Dynamic hip joint stiffness was 47% higher on the side with the more pronounced limp in patients with bilateral arthroplasty than in healthy controls. In the same patients, increased dynamic hip joint stiffness was significantly associated especially with increased ankle plantarflexion moment on the ipsilateral side. In patients with unilateral arthroplasty, decreased hip power was significantly related to increased ankle plantarflexor power, only on the non-operated side. INTERPRETATION We found that dynamic hip joint stiffness was an important factor in assessing relationships between hip impairments and dynamics in other joints, especially in patients with bilateral total hip arthroplasty. The effects of altering hip joint stiffness on gait biomechanics need to be explored.

Effects of toe and ankle training in older people: A cross-over study

Aim:  Maintenance of physical function in the elderly is important. Previous studies have focused mainly on training‐center‐based interventions, accompanied by training staff or equipped with training machinery. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of toe and ankle training for the elderly.

Effects of trunk rotation on scapular kinematics and muscle activity during humeral elevation

Trunk rotation often accompanies humeral elevation, during daily activities as well as sports activities. Earlier studies have demonstrated that changes in spinal posture contribute to scapular motion during humeral elevation. However, the effect of trunk rotation on scapular kinematics during humeral elevation has received scant attention. This study aimed to clarify how trunk rotation affects scapular kinematics and muscle activities during humeral elevation. Electromagnetic motion capture and electromyography were used to assess scapular and clavicular motion and muscle activity in the right and left sides of 12 healthy young men. The subjects were seated and instructed to elevate both arms with the trunk in neutral, ipsilaterally rotated, or contralaterally rotated position. Ipsilaterally rotated trunk position decreased the internal rotation (by 5°, relative to neutral trunk position) and increased the upward rotation (by 4°, relative to neutral trunk position) of the scapula. Trunk position did not affect clavicular motion during humeral movement. Electromyography showed that contralaterally rotated trunk position increased the activity of the upper trapezius and serratus anterior muscles and decreased the activity of the lower trapezius. Therapists should consider the importance of trunk rotation, which may be the key to developing more efficient rehabilitation programs.