Role of ankle mobility in foot rollover during gait in individuals with diabetic neuropathy

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the ankle range of motion during neuropathic gait and its influence on plantar pressure distribution in two phases during stance: at heel-strike and at push-off. Methods: Thirty-one adults participated in this study (control group, n = 16; diabetic neuropathic group, n = 15). Dynamic ankle range of motion (electrogoniometer) and plantar pressures (PEDAR-X system) were acquired synchronously during walking. Plantar pressures were evaluated at rearfoot. midfoot and forefoot during the two phases of stance. General linear model repeated measures analysis of variance was applied to investigate relationships between groups, areas and stance phases. Findings: Diabetic neuropathy patients walked using a smaller ankle range of motion in stance phase and smaller ankle flexion at heel-strike (P = 0.0005). Peak pressure and pressure-time integral values were higher in the diabetic group in the midfoot at push-off phase when compared to heel-strike phase. On the other hand, the control group showed similar values of peak pressure in midfoot during both stance phases. Interpretation: The ankle mobility reduction observed could be associated to altered plantar pressure distribution observed in neuropathic subjects. Results demonstrated that midfoot and forefoot play a different role in subjects with neuropathy by receiving higher loads at push-off phase that are probably due to smaller ankle flexion at stance phase. This may explain the higher loads in anterior areas of the foot observed in diabetic neuropathy subjects and confirm an inadequate foot rollover associated to the smaller ankle range of motion at the heel-strike phase. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Risk analysis of tractor rollover in the normal operation in field

Tractor rollover represent a primary cause of death or serious injury in agriculture and despite the mandatory Roll-Over Protective Structures (ROPS), that reduced the number of injuries, tractor accidents are still of great concern. Because of their versatility and wide use many studies on safety are concerned with the stability of tractors, but they often prefer controlled tests or laboratory tests. The evaluation of tractors working in field, instead, is a very complex issue because the rollover could be influenced by the interaction among operator, tractor and environment. Recent studies are oriented towards the evaluation of the actual working conditions developing prototypes for driver assistance and data acquisition. Currently these devices are produced and sold by manufacturers. A warning device was assessed in this study with the aim to evaluate its performance and to collect data on different variables influencing the dynamics of tractors in field by monitoring continuously the working conditions of tractors operating at the experimental farm of the Bologna University. The device consists of accelerometers, gyroscope, GSM/GPRS, GPS for geo-referencing and a transceiver for the automatic recognition of tractor-connected equipment. A microprocessor processes data and provides information, through a dedicated algorithm requiring data on the geometry of the tested tractor, on the level of risk for the operator in terms of probable loss of stability and suggests corrective measures to reduce the potential instability of the tractor.

Heavy truck pilot crash test rollover.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

90-degree dolly rollover test of an electric vehicle per FMVSS 208 test procedure - 1977 Electra-Van 500. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Multidisciplinary accident investigation. Freeway off-ramp departure; school bus rollover; 29 fatalities. MDAI team report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Simulation of restrained occupant dynamics during vehicle rollover. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Crashworthiness Research Division, Washington, D.C.

Sensitivity analysis of vehicle tripped rollover model. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Rollover potential of vehicles on embankments, sideslopes and other roadside features. Final report.

Federal Highway Administration, Office of Safety and Traffic Operations Research and Development, McLean, Va.

Evaluation of rollover procedure - 45-degree dolly rollovers. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Simulations of rollover tests. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Development of vehicle rollover maneuver. Volume I. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Development of vehicle rollover maneuver. Volume II. Executive summary report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Rollover accidents; a bibliography.

Mode of access: Internet.

Final design and implementation plan for evaluating the effectiveness of FMVSS 220--school bus rollover protection, FMVSS 221--school bus body joint strength, FMVSS 222--school bus seating and crash protection.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Analytical study for evaluation of rollover test devices. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.