The influence of muscle strength on the gait profile score (GPS) across different patients

BACKGROUND Muscle strength greatly influences gait kinematics. The question was whether this association is similar in different diseases. METHODS Data from instrumented gait analysis of 716 patients were retrospectively assessed. The effect of muscle strength on gait deviations, namely the gait profile score (GPS) was evaluated by means of generalised least square models. This was executed for seven different patient groups. The groups were formed according to the type of disease: orthopaedic/neurologic, uni-/bilateral affection, and flaccid/spastic muscles. RESULTS Muscle strength had a negative effect on GPS values, which did not significantly differ amongst the different patient groups. However, an offset of the GPS regression line was found, which was mostly dependent on the basic disease. Surprisingly, spastic patients, who have reduced strength and additionally spasticity in clinical examination, and flaccid neurologic patients showed the same offset. Patients with additional lack of trunk control (Tetraplegia) showed the largest offset. CONCLUSION Gait kinematics grossly depend on muscle strength. This was seen in patients with very different pathologies. Nevertheless, optimal correction of biomechanics and muscle strength may still not lead to a normal gait, especially in that of neurologic patients. The basic disease itself has an additional effect on gait deviations expressed as a GPS-offset of the linear regression line.

42'195 Meter ins Rampenlicht - Standortmarketing durch Marathonevents in Schweizer Städten

Mit der Durchführung von Sportevents werden vielfältige Hoffnungen verbunden. Unter anderem können Events Informationen über eine Destination transportieren und dadurch das zukünftige Verhalten von relevanten Zielgruppen wie Touristen oder Investoren beeinflussen. Die vorliegende Studie untersucht anhand von drei Marathonevents die Wechselwirkung zwischen Event und Destination sowie die Strategien zur Optimierung der positiven Effekte. Dabei zeigt sich, dass die Passung der Eventthematik zu den Destinationsschwerpunkten sowie der frühzeitige Einbezug aller relevanten Stake Holder Schlüsselrollen spielen. Alle drei betrachteten Marathonevents nehmen im Standortmarketing der jeweiligen Destination keine zentrale Rolle ein, sondern leisten in moderatem Umfang einen Beitrag zum Destination Branding.