This research was designed to validate a simple, low-cost push-off retraining protocol in healthy participants based on task-specific training that could be implemented during overground walking in the clinic. 

Bertrand-Charette M, Nielsen JB, Bouyer LJ (2021) A simple, clinically applicable motor learning protocol to increase push-off during gait: A proof-of-concept. PLoS ONE 16(1): e0245523.

KEY POINTS: MOTOR LEARNING & GAIT

• Gait control is often compromised after neural injury.
• Error-based motor learning protocols can improve overall walking ability in neurologically impaired populations.
• Experimentally-controlled error-based motor learning is a potential protocol for training motor recovery after injury.

Reduced push-off force is a prevalent gait impairment, which correlates to a reduced gait speed and limits mobility and activities of daily living.

• Applying controlled perturbations during gait in the laboratory setting can induce...

This review article explains the networks that the trunk in vertebrates with limbs, and also how the central nervous system acts dynamically on the musculoskeletal system.

Guillaud E, et al. Locomotion and dynamic posture: neuro-evolutionary basis of bipedal gait. Neurophysiologie Clinique/Clinical Neurophysiology (2020),  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neucli.2020.10.012

KEY POINTS: LOCOMOTION & DYNAMIC POSTURE

• Dynamic control of gait is supported by:
  
  • Locomotor activity that is produced by specialized rhythmogenic spinal circuits called central pattern generators (CPGs), and which cyclically drive axial and leg muscle activity (p.8)
  • Posture control systems which involve long spinal/supraspinal loops, and the integration of various sensory inputs (e.g. proprioceptive, visual and vestibular) at various supraspinal levels resulting in long latency responses (p.8).
    
    
• Dynamic balance in limbed vertebrates requires proper coordination of all...

This study sought elucidate the influence that foot posture has on the relationship between toe flexor strength and functional performance in older adults. The authors recognise the study's limitations: the study cohort was limited to women, and did not measure body kinematics or muscle activity.

Kusagawa, Y., Kurihara, T., Imai, A., Maeo, S., Sugiyama, T., Kanehisa, H., & Isaka, T. (2020). Toe flexor strength is associated with mobility in older adults with pronated and supinated feet but not with neutral feet. Journal of foot and ankle research, 13(1), 55. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13047-020-00422-y

KEY POINTS: TOE FLEXOR STRENGTH & MOBILITY IN OLDER ADULTS

• Both pronated and supinated foot postures influence rearfoot frontal plane motion, plantar pressure distribution, and muscle activity in the lower limb during gait.
• Individuals with pronated feet require increased intrinsic muscle activity to stabilize the...

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Locomotion and Dynamic Posture: Neuro-evolutionary Basis of Bipedal Gait

Guillaud E, et al. Locomotion and dynamic posture: neuro-evolutionary basis of bipedal gait. Neurophysiologie Clinique/Clinical Neurophysiology (2020),  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neucli.2020.10.012

This review article explains the networks that the trunk in vertebrates with limbs, and also how the central nervous system acts dynamically on the musculoskeletal system.

Key Points

• Dynamic control of gait is supported by:
  
  • Locomotor activity that is produced by specialized rhythmogenic spinal circuits called central pattern generators (CPGs), and which cyclically drive axial and leg muscle activity (p.8)
  • Posture control systems which involve long...

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Footwear Alters Lower Extremity Coordination Variability

Romer, Braden H., Wendi Weimar, and John Fox. "Footwear Alters Lower Extremity Coordination Variability." Perceptual and Motor Skills 126, no. 5 (2019), 764-778. doi:10.1177/0031512519863183.

This was a small study gauging the influence of footwear on motor coordination, and thus results are not transferable across populations. However, the findings are interesting from a clinical perspective, as this adds to information re: training for functional tasks with appropriate footwear.

Key Points

• Footwear, footwear components, and tactile feedback are capable of producing significant changes in gait mechanics and lower extremity muscle activity.
• The amplitude and...

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...

This is a systematic review of 50 papers looking at how biomechanical changes during pregnancy will affect quality of life in this population.

Conder, R., Zamani, R. and Akrami, M. (2019). The Biomechanics of Pregnancy: A Systematic Review. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 4(4), pp.72-87.

KEY POINTS: BIOMECHANICS OF PREGNANCY

• Most statistically significant results are found in the third trimester.
• While anterior pelvic tilt, lumbar lordosis, and thoracic kyphosis increase during pregnancy, this wasn’t consistent across studies, and is therefore likely related to individual factors.
• Back pain during pregnancy is not related to spinal changes.

Postural control is decreased during pregnancy. However, stability is increased by the third trimester.

• During pregnancy, the risk of falls increases due to decreases in postural control and stability.
• Falls risk is increased in pregnant women who demonstrate decreased ankle...