Análise da influência do calço e do movimento de inclinação lateral da coluna vertebral em indivíduos com escoliose idiopática

Pós-graduação em Ciências da Motricidade - IBRC

Influência de calços na orientação postural de indivíduos com escoliose idiopática

INTRODUCTION: The relationship between the orientation of the segments and the adjustments that can be triggered by shoe lift and insoles in scoliotic patients during maintenance of standing position is unclear. OBJECTIVE: To verify static changes and those associated with unilateral manipulations of shoe lift in the postural orientation in people with idiopathic scoliosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experimental group composed of ten patients with idiopathic scoliosis with double curve (less 10°) and control group with ten participants without scoliosis (aging from 13 to 24 years). Participants were videotaped in upright stance, standing with no, low (1 cm), and high (3 cm) shoe lift, which were placed under right and left shoe. In each condition, the participant maintain upright stance for 15 seconds and reflective markers were affixed on specific anatomical places. Postural angles were obtained: high thoracic; medium thoracic; thoracolumbar; and lumbar, as well segmental angles: shoulder; scapula; pelvis; and knee. RESULTS: In the no shoe lift condition, differences were observed between groups for high and medium thoracic angles and for shoulder. With low and high shoe lift under the right foot, difference was observed between shoe lift heights for high thoracic, for pelvis and knee angles. With low and high shoe lift under the left foot, differences between groups were observed for thoracolumbar angle and between shoe lift heights for pelvis and knee angles. CONCLUSIONS: The shoe lift promotes reorientation in the lower regions of the spine and segments of pelvis and knee. It might be suggested that in the scoliosis with double curves, manipulation in the basis of support changes the alignment of the trunk that might promote structural reorganization and the search of new adjustments among segments in individuals with idiopathic scoliosis.

Lift@Weimar : sustainable interaction with food, technology, and the city (Workshop)

This workshop explores innovative approaches to understanding and cultivating sustainable food culture in urban environments via human-computer-interaction (HCI) design and ubiquitous technologies. We perceive the city as an intersecting network of people, place, and technology in constant transformation. Our 2009 OZCHI workshop, Hungry 24/7? HCI Design for Sustainable Food Culture, opened a new space for discussion on this intersection amongst researchers and practitioners from diverse backgrounds including academia, government, industry, and non-for-profit organisations. Building on the past success, this new instalment of the workshop series takes a more refined view on mobile human-food interaction and the role of interactive media in engaging citizens to cultivate more sustainable everyday human-food interactions on the go. Interactive media in this sense is distributed, pervasive, and embedded in the city as a network. The workshop addresses environmental, health, and social domains of sustainability by bringing together insights across disciplines to discuss conceptual and design approaches in orchestrating mobility and interaction of people and food in the city as a network of people, place, technology, and food.

Coupling hybrid-game strategies with particle swarm optimisation for multi-objective high lift systems design optimisation

This paper investigates the High Lift System (HLS) application of complex aerodynamic design problem using Particle Swarm Optimisation (PSO) coupled to Game strategies. Two types of optimization methods are used; the first method is a standard PSO based on Pareto dominance and the second method hybridises PSO with a well-known Nash Game strategies named Hybrid-PSO. These optimization techniques are coupled to a pre/post processor GiD providing unstructured meshes during the optimisation procedure and a transonic analysis software PUMI. The computational efficiency and quality design obtained by PSO and Hybrid-PSO are compared. The numerical results for the multi-objective HLS design optimisation clearly shows the benefits of hybridising a PSO with the Nash game and makes promising the above methodology for solving other more complex multi-physics optimisation problems in Aeronautics.

When the shoe doesn't quite fit: Regulating large commercial airports with expanding roles

Airports, whether publicly or privately owned or operated fill both public and private roles. They need to act as public infrastructure providers and as businesses which cover their operating costs. That leads to special governance concerns with respect to consumers and competitors which are only beginning to be addressed. These challenges are highlighted both by shifts in ownership status and by the expansion of roles performed by airports as passenger and cargo volumes continue to increase and as nearby urban areas expand outward towards airports. We survey five ways in which the regulatory shoe doesn‟t quite fit the needs. Our findings suggest that, while ad hoc measures limit political tension, new governance measures are needed.

The reliability, accuracy and minimal detectable difference of a multi-segment kinematic model of the foot-shoe complex

Kinematic models are commonly used to quantify foot and ankle kinematics, yet no marker sets or models have been proven reliable or accurate when wearing shoes. Further, the minimal detectable difference of a developed model is often not reported. We present a kinematic model that is reliable, accurate and sensitive to describe the kinematics of the foot–shoe complex and lower leg during walking gait. In order to achieve this, a new marker set was established, consisting of 25 markers applied on the shoe and skin surface, which informed a four segment kinematic model of the foot–shoe complex and lower leg. Three independent experiments were conducted to determine the reliability, accuracy and minimal detectable difference of the marker set and model. Inter-rater reliability of marker placement on the shoe was proven to be good to excellent (ICC = 0.75–0.98) indicating that markers could be applied reliably between raters. Intra-rater reliability was better for the experienced rater (ICC = 0.68–0.99) than the inexperienced rater (ICC = 0.38–0.97). The accuracy of marker placement along each axis was <6.7 mm for all markers studied. Minimal detectable difference (MDD90) thresholds were defined for each joint; tibiocalcaneal joint – MDD90 = 2.17–9.36°, tarsometatarsal joint – MDD90 = 1.03–9.29° and the metatarsophalangeal joint – MDD90 = 1.75–9.12°. These thresholds proposed are specific for the description of shod motion, and can be used in future research designed at comparing between different footwear.

A radiological method to determine the accuracy of motion capture marker placement on palpable anatomical landmarks through a shoe

The accuracy of marker placement on palpable surface anatomical landmarks is an important consideration in biomechanics. Although marker placement reliability has been studied in some depth, it remains unclear whether or not the markers are accurately positioned over the intended landmark in order to define the static position and orientation of the segment. A novel method using commonly available X-ray imaging was developed to identify the accuracy of markers placed on the shoe surface by palpating landmarks through the shoe. An anterior–posterior and lateral–medial X-ray was taken on 24 participants with a newly developed marker set applied to both the skin and shoe. The vector magnitude of both skin- and shoe-mounted markers from the anatomical landmark was calculated, as well as the mean marker offset between skin- and shoe-mounted markers. The accuracy of placing markers on the shoe relative to the skin-mounted markers, accounting for shoe thickness, was less than 5mm for all markers studied. Further, when using the developed guidelines provided in this study, the method was deemed reliable (Intra-rater ICCs¼0.50–0.92). In conclusion, the method proposed here can reliably assess marker placement accuracy on the shoe surface relative to chosen anatomical landmarks beneath the skin.

Improving posture and decreasing pain with novel shoe insoles

A single subject longevity study is presented as a case study for the Medical Device Partnering Program (MDPP). The MDPP supports the development of cutting-edge medical devices and assistive technologies, through unique collaborations between researchers, industry, clinical end-users and government. The study aimed to identify what effect the innersole has on specific muscles that may influence stability and whether the innersole had any influence on gait. Three tests were conducted; a standard gait test, dynamic balance test and a standing balance test. Results from the kinematic analysis showed reduced variability in post testing results when compared to pre testing results. Reductions in muscle activation levels were also found across all tests. Further testing with a larger sample size is required to determine if these effects are due to the innersole.

A simulation to describe the effects of in-shoe orthoses

The subtalar joint has been presumed to account for most of the pathologic motion in the foot and ankle, but research has shown that motion at other foot joints is greater than traditionally expected. Although recent research demonstrates the complexity of the kinematic variables in the foot and ankle, it still fails to expand our knowledge of the role of the musculotendinous structures in the biomechanics of the foot and ankle and how this is affected by in-shoe orthoses. The aim of this study was to simulate the effect of in-shoe foot orthoses by manipulation of the ground reaction force (GRF) components and centre of pressure (CoP) to demonstrate the resultant effect on muscle force in selected muscles during both the rearfoot loading response and stance phase of the gait cycle. We found that any medial wedge increases ankle joint load during gait cycle, while a lateral wedge decreases the joint load during the stance phase.

Symmetry of in-shoe force signatures in athletes under field conditions : an application for injury prevention

The aetiology behind overuse injuries such as stress fractures is complex and multi-factorial. In sporting events where the loading is likely to be uneven (e.g. hurdling and jumps), research has suggested that the frequency of stress fractures seems to favour the athlete’s dominant limb. The tendency for an individual to have a preferred limb for voluntary motor acts makes limb selection a possible factor behind the development of unilateral overuse injuries, particularly when repeatedly used during high loading activities. The event of sprint hurdling is well suited for the study of loading asymmetry as the hurdling technique is repetitive and the limb movement asymmetrical. Of relevance to this study is the high incidence of Navicular Stress Fractures (NSF) in hurdlers, with suggestions there is a tendency for the fracture to develop in the trail leg foot, although this is not fully accepted. The Ground Reaction Force (GRF) with each foot contact is influenced by the hurdle action, with research finding step-to-step loading variations. However, it is unknown if this loading asymmetry extends to individual forefoot joints, thereby influencing stress fracture development. The first part of the study involved a series of investigations using a commercially available matrix style in-shoe sensor system (FscanTM, Tekscan Inc.). The suitability of insole sensor systems and custom made discrete sensors for use in hurdling-related training activities was assessed. The methodology used to analyse foot loading with each technology was investigated. The insole and discrete sensors systems tested proved to be unsuitable for use during full pace hurdling. Instead, a running barrier task designed to replicate the four repetitive foot contacts present during hurdling was assessed. This involved the clearance of a series of 6 barriers (low training hurdles), place in a straight line, using 4 strides between each. The second part of the study involved the analysis of "inter-limb" and "within foot loading asymmetries" using stance duration as well as vertical GRF under the Hallux (T1), the first metatarsal head (M1) and the central forefoot peak pressure site (M2), during walking, running, and running with barrier clearances. The contribution to loading asymmetry that each of the four repetitive foot contacts made during a series of barrier clearances was also assessed. Inter-limb asymmetry, in forefoot loading, occurred at discrete forefoot sites in a non-uniform manner across the three gait conditions. When the individual barrier foot contacts were compared, the stance duration was asymmetrical and the proportion of total forefoot load at M2 was asymmetrical. There were no significant differences between the proportion of forefoot load at M1, compared to M2; for any of the steps involved in the barrier clearance. A case study testing experimental (discrete) sensors during full pace sprinting and hurdling found that during both gait conditions, the trail limb experienced the greater vertical GRF at M1 and M2. During full pace hurdling, increased stance duration and vertical loading was a characteristic of the trail limb hurdle foot contacts. Commercially available in-shoe systems are not suitable for on field assessment of full pace hurdling. For the use of discrete sensor technology to become commonplace in the field, more robust sensors need to be developed.

The development of a kinematic model to quantify in-shoe foot motion

A multi-segment foot model was used to develop an accurate and reliable kinematic model to describe in-shoe foot kinematics during gait.

The shoe sellers of Karoussades

A short travel memoir about the village of Karoussades, Corfu. Early on my first day in the village, a message came that two respectable ladies of Karoussades, its shoe sellers, needed a section of wall lime-washed. They were willing to use the black market labour organized from the Pirate’s taverna, where I waited for my first job—but they did ask that he send someone polite...

A novel manoeuvering model based on low-aspect-ratio lift theory and Lagrangian mechanics

This paper proposes a physically motivated reappraisal of manoeuvring models for ships and presents a new model developed from first principles by application of low aspect-ratio aerodynamic theory and Lagrangian mechanics. The coefficients of the model are shown to be related to physical processes, and validation is presented using the results from a planar motion mechanism dataset.

The effect of an in–shoe orthotic heel lift on loading of the Achilles tendon during shod walking

- Study Design Controlled laboratory study - Objective To investigate the effect of a 12–mm in–shoe orthotic heel lift on Achilles tendon loading during shod walking using transmission–mode ultrasonography. - Background Orthotic heel lifts are thought to lower tension in the Achilles tendon but evidence for this effect is equivocal. - Methods The propagation speed of ultrasound, which is governed by the elastic modulus and density of tendon and is proportional to the tensile load to which it is exposed, was measured in the right Achilles tendon of twelve recreationally–active males during shod treadmill walking at matched speeds (3.4±0.7 km/h), with and without addition of a heel lift. Vertical ground reaction force and spatiotemporal gait parameters were simultaneously recorded. Data were acquired at 100Hz during 10s of steady–state walking. Statistical comparisons were made using paired t–tests (α=.05). - Results Ultrasound transmission speed in the Achilles tendon was characterized by two maxima (P1, P2) and minima (M1, M2) during walking. Addition of a heel lift to footwear resulted in a 2% increase and 2% decrease in the first vertical ground reaction force peak and the local minimum, respectively (P<.05). Peak ultrasonic velocity in the Achilles tendon (P1, P2, M2) was significantly lower with addition of an orthotic heel lift (P<.05). - Conclusions Peak ultrasound transmission speed in the Achilles tendon was lower with the addition of a 12–mm orthotic heel lift, indicating the heel lift reduced tensile load in the Achilles tendon, thereby counteracting the effect of footwear. These findings support the addition of orthotic heel lifts to footwear in the rehabilitation of Achilles tendon disorders where management aims to lower tension within the tendon. - Level of Evidence Therapy, level 2a