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Objective To compare the spatial-temporal parameters and walking kinematics of toddlers wearing biomimetic shoes, regular shoes (daily use owned shoes), and barefoot. Methods Spatial-temporal parameters (speed, step length, and stride width), the mean vertical displacement of the center of mass (COM), knee flexion peak, and maximal foot height were analyzed. Results Children were not different in biomimetic shoes and barefoot conditions on speed, step length, and COM vertical displacement. There was no difference among conditions on stride width and foot height. The knee flexion peak was greater in shod conditions than barefoot. The regular shoes showed greater COM vertical displacement than biomimetic shoes and barefoot. Conclusion The findings showed that shoes affected the walking pattern in young children, but a shoe with a biomimetic design had a lesser effect on the walking pattern.

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Abstract Objective To compare the spatial-temporal parameters and walking kinematics of toddlers wearing biomimetic shoes, regular shoes (daily use owned shoes), and barefoot. Methods Spatial-temporal parameters (speed, step length, and stride width), the mean vertical displacement of the center of mass (COM), knee flexion peak, and maximal foot height were analyzed. Results Children were not different in biomimetic shoes and barefoot conditions on speed, step length, and COM vertical displacement. There was no difference among conditions on stride width and foot height. The knee flexion peak was greater in shod conditions than barefoot. The regular shoes showed greater COM vertical displacement than biomimetic shoes and barefoot. Conclusion The findings showed that shoes affected the walking pattern in young children, but a shoe with a biomimetic design had a lesser effect on the walking pattern.

Resumo Objetivo O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar os parâmetros espaço temporais e cinemáticos da marcha de crianças típicas em três condições: descalças, usando calçados biomiméticos e, calçados de uso diário (não biomiméticos - próprios das crianças). Métodos Foram analisadas variáveis espaço temporais (velocidade, comprimento e largura da passada), deslocamento vertical do centro de massa (CM), pico de flexão do joelho e altura máxima do pé, coletados via avaliação tridimensional do movimento. Resultados Comparado com a condição descalça, o uso do calçado biomimético não foi estatisticamente diferente em relação a velocidade da marcha, comprimento da passada e altura do pé. A largura da passada e a altura do pé não foi diferente estatisticamente entre as condições estudadas. O pico de flexão do joelho foi maior nas condições com calçados comparado a condição descalça. Os calçados de uso diário apresentaram maior deslocamento vertical do COM do que nas condições com o calçado biomimético e descalço. Conclusão Os achados deste trabalho reafirmam que o uso do calçado influencia a marcha de crianças, especificamente na fase de desenvolvimento da marcha mas, que calçados com um design biomimético tem menores impactos no padrão de marcha das crianças.

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The upper body and trunk muscles are crucial to perform soccer kicks. Resistance training targeting these muscles may modify the pattern adopted during kicking. This study aimed to investigate the effect of resistance training of the arm and anterior trunk muscles on instep kicking kinematics. Twenty-six male participants were randomly allocated into a training group or control group. The training group underwent resistance training of arm and trunk muscles and practiced the instep kick for 8 weeks. The control group only practiced kicking during the same period. The trunk, hip, and knee kinematics were assessed during the instep kick before and after the intervention. Kinematics were analyzed according to their data distribution with statistical parametric or nonparametric mapping. The effect of the training on the 1-repetition maximum test was analyzed using a repeated-measures multivariate analysis of variance. The training group showed greater hip extension after the training during the backswing phase (Hedge g effect size of 0.316-0.321) and increased 1-repetition maximum for all exercises. There were no other differences. The present study documented the nonlocal effect of strengthening training in which arm and trunk muscle training resulted in changes in hip kinematics during the backswing phase of the instep kick.

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Objective To evaluate the biomechanical behavior of the medial longitudinal arch (MLA) of the foot and the kinematic parameters of the lower limbs with biomimetic footwear (BF) and non-biomimetic (NB1, NB2, NB3 and NB4) footwear in children at the beginning of the gait acquisition phase. Methods Four toddlers were evaluated at the beginning of the gait acquisition phase under the following conditions: walking barefoot, ambulation with BF and NB1, NB2, NB3 and NB4 footwear in hard floor. BF is described as biomimetic because of its property of emulating natural and irregular floors through a dynamic internal insole. The MLA and kinematics of the hip, knee, and ankle during gait were evaluated by three-dimensional motion analysis system. The similarity between the kinematic curves of barefoot and footwear conditions was analyzed by root mean square error (RMSE). Results The use of BF presented the highest magnitude of MLA and the greatest difference in relation to barefoot condition (higher RMSE). The BF showed less difference in the kinematics of the knee and ankle joints during gait when compared to barefoot condition (lower RMSE). NB2 footwear presented hip kinematics more similar to barefoot condition (lower RMSE). Conclusion Biomimetics footwear and NB2 shoes (both with wider forefoot region) generated smaller differences in lower limbs compared to barefoot. In addition, the MLA was higher in the BF, probably because different design from other shoes.

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Abstract Objective To evaluate the biomechanical behavior of the medial longitudinal arch (MLA) of the foot and the kinematic parameters of the lower limbs with biomimetic footwear (BF) and non-biomimetic (NB1, NB2, NB3 and NB4) footwear in children at the beginning of the gait acquisition phase. Methods Four toddlers were evaluated at the beginning of the gait acquisition phase under the following conditions: walking barefoot, ambulation with BF and NB1, NB2, NB3 and NB4 footwear in hard floor. BF is described as biomimetic because of its property of emulating natural and irregular floors through a dynamic internal insole. The MLA and kinematics of the hip, knee, and ankle during gait were evaluated by three-dimensional motion analysis system. The similarity between the kinematic curves of barefoot and footwear conditions was analyzed by root mean square error (RMSE). Results The use of BF presented the highest magnitude of MLA and the greatest difference in relation to barefoot condition (higher RMSE). The BF showed less difference in the kinematics of the knee and ankle joints during gait when compared to barefoot condition (lower RMSE). NB2 footwear presented hip kinematics more similar to barefoot condition (lower RMSE). Conclusion Biomimetics footwear and NB2 shoes (both with wider forefoot region) generated smaller differences in lower limbs compared to barefoot. In addition, the MLA was higher in the BF, probably because different design from other shoes.

Resumo Objetivo Avaliar o comportamento do arco longitudinal medial do pé (ALM) e os parâmetros cinemáticos dos membros inferiores durante a deambulação com calçados biomiméticos (CBs) e não biomiméticos (NB1, NB2, NB3 e NB4) em crianças no início da fase de aquisição da marcha. Métodos Foram avaliadas quatro crianças no início da fase de aquisição da marcha nas seguintes condições: andar descalço, andar com CBs e calçados NB1, NB2, NB3 e NB4 em solo plano. O calçado biomimético é descrito como biomimético por emular pisos naturais e irregulares por meio de uma palmilha interna dinâmica. O ALM e a cinemática do quadril, joelho e tornozelo durante a marcha foram avaliados por meio de sistema de análise do movimento tridimensional. A similaridade entre as curvas cinemáticas das condições descalça e com calçado foi analisada por meio do cálculo de root mean square error (RMSE). Resultados O CB foi o que apresentou maior magnitude do ALM e maior diferença do ALM em relação à condição descalça (maior RMSE). O CB apresentou ainda menor diferença na cinemática das articulações do joelho e tornozelo durante a marcha quando comparado à condição descalça (menor RMSE). O calçado NB2 apresentou a cinemática do quadril mais semelhante à condição descalça (menor RMSE). Conclusão Os calçados CB e NB2 que apresentam a região do antepé mais larga geraram menores diferenças na cinemática dos membros inferiores. Além disso, o ALM foi maior no CB provavelmente devido a seu design ser diferente daquele dos demais calçados.

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This study aimed to investigate the regularity of the lower limb joint kinematics in runners with and without a history of running-related injuries. The second aim was to verify if the movement pattern regularities are different among the lower limb joints. Eighteen asymptomatic recreational runners with and without a history of running-related injury participated in this study. Lower limb kinematics in the sagittal plane were recorded during running on a treadmill at a self-selected speed. The regularities of the time series of hip, knee, and ankle were analysed using sample entropy (SampEn). A mixed analysis of variance was used to investigate differences between groups and among joints. Runners with a history of injury had lower SampEn values than runners without a history of injury. Ankle kinematics SampEn was higher than that of the knee and hip. Knee kinematics had higher values of SampEn than that of the hip. Runners with a history of running-related injury had greater joint kinematic's regularity. This result suggests that, even in asymptomatic runners, previous injuries could influence the movement pattern regularity. Also, the regularity was different among joints. The ankle demonstrated the lowest regularity, reinforcing the different functions that lower limb joints perform during running.

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OBJECTIVE: To compare the gait event identification of five algorithms recommended in the literature with those provided by force plate (gold standard) in children with unilateral or bilateral spastic cerebral palsy (SCP). METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of the gait of three girls and four boys with a mean age of 8.6±4.7 years. Four children had unilateral SCP with an equinus gait pattern, and the remaining three children exhibited bilateral SCP with a slide/drag gait pattern. Kinematic and kinetic gait data were collected during barefoot walking at a comfortable speed. From a total of 202 steps, the detection of 202 foot-strike (FS) and 194 toe-off (TO) events by each algorithm was compared with the detection of these same events by the force plate. The error between the events detected by the algorithms and those detected by the force plate was determined in milliseconds. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the errors among the algorithms. RESULTS: The algorithm reported by Ghoussayni et al. showed the best performance in all situations, except for the identification of FS events on the unaffected side in children with unilateral SCP. For these events, the algorithms reported by Desailly et al. and Zeni et al. showed the best performance. CONCLUSION: Ghoussayni et al.'s algorithm can be used to detect gait events in children with SCP when a force plate is not available.

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BACKGROUND: Improvement of postural control in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy is a primary goal in child rehabilitation. OBJECTIVE: A systematic review investigated whether combining balance-training interventions with other active interventions enhances the effects of the active intervention alone on postural control of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy. METHODS: Searches were performed in MEDLINE, PEDro, CINAHL, Cochrane and EMBASE databases without date or language restrictions. Randomized controlled trials investigating the combination of balance-training interventions with other active interventions on the postural control of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy were included. Two independent reviewers screened studies, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality of included studies. Meta-analysis was conducted, and quality of the evidence followed the GRADE methodology. Pooled data were presented using standardized mean difference and 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: Seven studies involving 194 participants were included in this review. A large additional effect on postural control was found when balance-training interventions were combined with Neurodevelopmental Treatment at short-term (standardized mean difference of 1.3; 95% confidence interval 0.5, 2.0, p=0.001). The quality of the evidence was very low due to publication bias, imprecision and inconsistency. CONCLUSION: Combining balance-training interventions with other active interventions may enhance effects on postural control of this population at short-term. As the estimated effect had only very low quality of evidence to support it, larger studies with low risk of bias are needed.

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BACKGROUND: Modifications of posture in a segment may influence the posture of adjacent and nonadjacent segments and muscular activity. The spine-shoulder and spine-pelvis relationships suggest that the pelvis may influence shoulder posture. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of the active reduction of the anterior pelvic tilt on shoulder and trunk posture during static standing posture and on the electromyographic activity of the scapular upward rotators during elevation and lowering of the arm. METHODS: Thirty-one young adults were assessed in a relaxed standing position and a standing position with 30% active reduction of the anterior pelvic tilt. The pelvic tilt, trunk posture, and forward shoulder posture during the static standing posture and the electromyographic activity during elevation and lowering of the arm were assessed. RESULTS: Paired t-tests indicated that the active reduction of the anterior pelvic tilt reduced the trunk extension (MD=1.09; 95%CI=-2.79 to -1.03). There were no effects on the forward shoulder posture (MD=0.09; 95%CI=-0.92 to 1.09). Repeated measures of analyses of variance indicated an increase in lower trapezius electromyographic activity (MD=3.6; 95%CI=1.28 to 5.92). There was a greater reduction in upper trapezius activity after pelvic tilt reduction during arm elevation (MD=1.52%; 95%CI=-2.79 to -0.25) compared to that during the lowering phase. There were no effects of pelvic tilt reduction on the electromyographic activity of the serratus anterior (MD=3.26; 95%CI=-3.36 to 9.87). CONCLUSION: The influence of pelvic posture on the trunk posture and lower trapezius activation should be considered when assessing or planning exercise for individuals with shoulder or trunk conditions.

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PURPOSE: Reduced propulsive capability can impact negatively on mobility activities of many children with spastic unilateral cerebral palsy (SUCP). This study investigated the effect of a task-oriented training program combined with functional electrical stimulation (FES) on the motor capacity of children with SUCP. METHODS: Single-case A-B design with follow-up. Gross motor function and biomechanical walking data of 4 children with SUCP were measured repeatedly across the baseline, intervention, and follow-up phases. Intervention was a task-oriented training program combined with FES applied on the gastrocnemius. Outcome variables included gait speed, impulsive torque, and ankle/hip power generation ratio. The 2-SD band and celeration line methods compared outcomes among the baseline, intervention, and follow-up periods. RESULTS: One child improved walking speed. All children improved impulsive torque and ankle/hip power ratio of the affected leg. All children improved gross motor function. CONCLUSION: The intervention improved children's propulsive capability and positively influenced their mobility.

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