Hung Tien Bui

Comparison and analysis of three different methods to evaluate vertical jump height

The purpose of this study was to compare three methods to assess vertical jump height, to determine their limitations and to propose solutions to mitigate their effects. The chosen methods were the contact mat, the optical system and the Sargent jump. The testing environment was designed such that all three systems simultaneously measured the vertical jump height. A total of 41 kinesiology students (18 women, 23 men, mean age 23·2 ± 4·5 years) participated in this study. Data show that the contact mat and the optical system essentially provide similar results (P = 0·912) and that the correlation coefficient between the two systems was 0·972 (r2 = 0·944). However, it was found that the Sargent jump has a tendency to overestimate the height, providing a measurement that is significantly different from the other two methods as the jumps are higher than 30·64 cm (P = 0·044). Through the design of the experiment, several sources of errors were identified and mathematically modelled. These sources include optical sensor placement, flat‐footed landing and hip/knee bend. Whenever possible, the errors were quantified and solutions were proposed.

Assessment of the impact of an exercise program on the physical and functional capacity in patients with autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay: An exploratory study

Autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay (ARSACS) is a neuromuscular disorder caused by the mutation of the SACS gene. Clinical symptoms of this disease include progressive ataxia, spasticity, and peripheral neuropathy. Similar to other neuromuscular disorders, these patients are prone to physical deconditioning which may lead to a loss of functional capacity. This paper aims to evaluate the impact of a training program on the physical fitness and the functional capacity of ARSACS patients. Twelve patients (age: 28.1 ± 8.2 years) participated in this study. They followed an eight-week training program including physical activities, strength-power and aerobic training. Compared to the initial evaluation, measures of physical fitness and functional capacity were significantly improved (p ≤ 0.05) for 11 of the 12 tests. Positive gains were also observed for fall frequency and for upper-limb incoordination. This paper supports the importance of a training program for ARSACS patients in order to improve their quality of life. Through these types of interventions, it may be possible to slow down the progression of the disease and help maintain functional capacity.

WITHDRAWN: Assessment of the impact of an exercise program on the physical and functional capacity in patients with autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay: An exploratory study

Ahead of Print article withdrawn by publisher. This withdrawal is for above article due to the misoperation of advance online publication.

Measurement properties of a new wireless electrogoniometer for quantifying spasticity during the pendulum test in ARSACS patients

INTRODUCTION Autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix/Saguenay (ARSACS) is a neuromuscular disorder that induces spasticity in lower limbs. The Wartenberg pendulum test is a classical method of assessing lower limb spasticity based on the dynamics of the pendular leg motion. However, in its original form, this test only provides subjective results and do not allow accurate assessment of spasticity. METHODS Thirteen ARSACS patients were assessed using a new wireless electrogoniometer to measure spasticity by quantifying oscillation amplitudes and relaxation indices during the Wartenburg pendulum test. The validity of the instrument was evaluated by comparing its measurements to a known precise goniometer whereas discriminant validity was evaluated by comparing healthy participants and ARSACS patients. Reliability was measured using intraclass correlation (ICC) between pendulum test scores obtained at different moments in time. RESULTS Data from different tests show that the proposed device is accurate (standard error of measurement of 0.0005°), discriminates healthy and ARSACS patients (most variables have p=0.00) and provides repeatable results (significant ICC usually higher than 0.64 and p<0.05). DISCUSSION The proposed tool allows the clinician to analyze pendulum oscillation amplitudes and ratios and thus, provide an index of spasticity for the patients affected by ARSACS. This is important as the original procedure is only evaluated visually and the progression cannot be detected until the condition changes drastically. Thus, the system proposed meets the requirements of being useful, precise and user-friendly in the evaluation of patients in a research as well as a clinical environment.

Computer-based assessment of upper-limb incoordination in autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay patients: A pilot study

Ataxia refers to a group of neurological disorders characterized by a lack of coordination during voluntary movements. One of the most commonly used tests to assess upper-limb coordination is the Archimedes spiral test. The purpose of this research is to present an innovative computer-based Archimedes spiral test that can accurately assess coordination. Forty nine individuals (age: 25.2±7.1years) were recruited including thirteen patients diagnosed with Autosomal Recessive Spastic Ataxia of Charlevoix/Saguenay (ARSACS). Participants were instructed to trace a spiral on the touch-screen with the tip of their index finger at a self-paced velocity by following an on-screen spiral template. Mean error and maximum error as well as frequency analysis were calculated to classify healthy and ARSACS participants. While mean and maximum errors provided good results, the highest classification success rate was obtained using frequency analysis, particularly between f=1.2Hz and f=1.7Hz. Interpretation of traditional paper-drawn Archimedes spirals is limited, and several computerized versions have been reported. Herein, we present a custom-made tool that allows discrimination of measures assessing ataxia in ARSACS. This utilizes a proposed frequency method that may have the potential to track the evolution of upper-limb incoordination in patients and therefore help clinicians and scientists to better monitor their patients.