This study compared spinopelvic parameters in asymptomatic scoliosis and asymptomatic patients with radiographic evidence of femoroacetabular impingement.

Nabi, Vugar, Halil Demirkiran, Bulent Atilla, Mazhar Tokgozoglu, and Omur Caglar. "The prevalence of radiographic femoroacetabular impingement morphology in adolescent spine patients." Medicine Science | International Medical Journal 10, no. 2 (2021), 524. doi:10.5455/medscience.2021.04.108

KEY POINTS: FAI MORPHOLOGY & ADOLESCENT SPINES

• There is a significant association between between spinal deformity and the presence of femoroacetabular impingement morphology. 

There was no relationship between femoroacetabular impingement morphology and spinopelvic parameters.

• Abnormal morphology or biomechanics in the pelvis or spine inherently affect each other by way of the lumbosacral junction.
• Changes in spinal alignment alter hip biomechanics and may also predispose an...

This study looked at knee joint biomechanics in a young, healthy population with no activity restrictions, with a focus on energy storage and return (ESAR)  prostheses. The authors recognise that the study had a small sample size, and discuss potential sources of error for their data collection, but are confident about the clinical application of their findings.

Orekhov G, Robinson AM, Hazelwood SJ, Klisch SM (2019) Knee joint biomechanics in transtibial amputees in gait, cycling, and elliptical training. PLoS ONE 14(12): e0226060.

KEY POINTS: KNEE BIOMECHANICS FOR TRANSTIBIAL AMPUTEES

• There is a high prevalence of joint pain and osteoarthritis (OA) in unilateral transtibial and transfemoral amputee populations.
• Transtibial amputees are more likely to develop OA in the intact knee.

Abnormal gait biomechanics include asymmetric ground reaction forces, muscle activation patterns, and knee joint kinetics between limbs.

 

• ...

This transcript includes highlights from the live, interactive session of our Clinical Conversation: Footwork Options for Pregnancy.

If you missed the live webinar, you can read about some of the biomechanical changes during pregnancy, as well as footwork options for your clinical Pilates practice below. 

Please join our next live event, where you can participate in our Case Study discussion and Q&A session. 

Check out our upcoming Clinical Conversations here. 

OUR FEET AS OUR FOUNDATION

•  Pilates sessions traditionally begin with footwork and other strength work to set a foundation for movement.
• By spending time building strength through the feet, you can help to support a stable and dynamic support for standing, and for upright movement.
• This is an incredibly functional place to begin, and it's no different when working with a pregnant body.

 CLINICAL PILATES EMBODIED ANATOMY: FOOTWORK...

This transcript includes highlights from the live, interactive session of our Clinical Conversation: What is a Neutral Head Position? 

If you missed the live webinar, you can read about neutral head position and how to integrate it into your clinical Pilates practice below. 

Please join our next live event, where you can participate in our Case Study discussion and Q&A session. 

Check out our upcoming Clinical Conversations here. 

WHAT DO WE MEAN BY NEUTRAL? 

• The optimal alignment of a joint.
  • A position of efficiency.
• The position of a joint where the bones that make up the joint are placed in the optimal position for maximal movement.
• The midrange of a joint, where there is the least amount of load on the ligaments and non-muscular tissues around the joint.
  • Stabilizing muscles are working...

This review is a critical assessment of recent advances in the utilization of mechanical stimuli towards exploiting nervous tissue growth and formation. The authors discuss current in vitro systems designed to restate the mechanical environment of developing neural tissues, and the advancements made in integrating these systems into the clinical setting.

Pfister, Bryan J., Jonathan M. Grasman, and Joseph R. Loverde. "Exploiting biomechanics to direct the formation of nervous tissue." Current Opinion in Biomedical Engineering 14 (2020), 59-66. doi:10.1016/j.cobme.2020.05.009.

KEY POINTS: BIOMECHANICS & THE FORMATION OF NERVOUS TISSUE

• Mechanics can be used to guide and accelerate neuronal expansion.
• The central nervous system plays a key role in initiating the autonomic functions and coordinated actions of every being.
• The peripheral nervous system coordinates signal transmission between the central nervous systems...

Interested in keeping up to date with research relevant to your clinical practice?

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Age-Related Reduction in Motor Adaptation

Wolpe N, Ingram J, Tsvetanov K, et al. (2020). Age-related reduction in motor adaptation: brain structural correlates and the role of explicit memory. Neurobiology of Aging 90: 13-23.

The authors of this study examined the differences in the brain structure and cognition underlying motor adaptation in a population-based cohort. Results support the hypothesis that sensorimotor adaptation is a composite of multiple learning strategies, which are differentially affected by age, and the authors conclude that "that across the lifespan, motor adaptation declines with age as a result of the deteriorating explicit learning system".

Key Points: Motor Adaptation and Age Related Changes

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This literature review argues that clinically we need to observe functional - rather than conventional - biomechanics at the ankle and foot. Functional biomechanics observes that all segments in a joint can be simultaneously mobile. The authors suggest that:

 "The reader should be able to understand how the 3-dimensional biokinetic analysis of the ankle and foot can contribute along with imaging examinations to the clinical setting, thus allowing the construction of a more complete profile of the patient."

Metsavaht L, Leporace G. Current trends for the biokinetic analysis of the foot and ankle. J Foot Ankle. 2020;14(2):191-6.

KEY POINTS: BIOKINETIC ANALYSIS OF THE FOOT & ANKLE

• The central nervous system works as the generator of complex movement patterns based on muscular synergies; the control of active joint stability is coordinated by the neuromuscular system and not by isolated muscle strength or range of motion.
• Functional...

Interested in keeping up to date with research relevant to your clinical practice?

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Current trends in the biokinetic analysis of the foot and ankle

Metsavaht L, Leporace G. Current trends for the biokinetic analysis of the foot and ankle. J Foot Ankle. 2020;14(2):191-6.

This literature review argues that clinically we need to observe functional - rather than conventional - biomechanics at the ankle and foot. Functional biomechanics observes that all segments in a joint can be simultaneously mobile. The authors suggest that "the reader should be able to understand how the 3-dimensional biokinetic analysis of the ankle and foot can contribute along with imaging examinations to the clinical setting, thus allowing the construction of a more complete profile of the patient."

Key Points

• The central...

Researchers used a musculoskeletal model to predict joint contact forces and investigate the variations of joint contact forces due to joint impairment in 18 juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients.

Erica Montefiori et al. Linking Joint Impairment and Gait Biomechanics in Patients with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. Annals of Biomedical Engineering 2019; 47(11): 2155-2167

KEY POINTS: JOINT IMPAIRMENT & GAIT BIOMECHANICS IN JUVENILE IDIOPATHIC ARTHRITIS

• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the commonest rheumatic condition in childhood, although the etiology remains unknown.
• JIA encompasses several subgroups but most generally presents as peripheral arthritis.
  • Clinical presentation includes fever, joint swelling and pain, hepatomegaly, lymphadenopathy, cardiac involvement, splenomegaly, and skin rashes.
• Medical imaging of JIA:
  • Ultrasound is used to assess joint synovial and tendon inflammation.
  • MRI helps with...

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Consolidation of Use-Dependent Motor Memories Induced By Passive Movement Training

G. Tays et al. Consolidation of use-dependent motor memories induced by passive movement training. Neuroscience Letters 732 (2020) 135080.

This study examined the lasting effect of passive training on visuomotor adaptation within a 24-hour timeline.

Key Points

• Adapting to a sensorimotor environment requires complex and dynamic systems that can adjust to the environment within minutes, resulting in long-term performance changes.
• Adaptation is driven by two primary learning mechanisms:
  • Error-based, model-based, or algorithmic learning; and
  • Use-dependent, model-free, or instant-reliant training.
• Use-dependent learning occurs both during active...