Publicaties

Quantifying thoracic spine mobility with reliable and valid tools is a challenge for clinicians in practice. The aim of this study is to determine the reliability and validity of a smartphone device, bubble inclinometer and universal goniometer to quantify the static kyphotic curve and active range of motion of the thoracic spine. A total of 17 participants (mean age = 23.7 ± 2.3 years) underwent repeated measurements with three raters, on three ...

Altered tibiofemoral contact forces represent a risk factor for osteoarthritis onset and progression, making optimization of the knee force distribution a target of treatment strategies. Musculoskeletal model-based simulations are a state-of-the-art method to estimate joint contact forces, but they typically require laboratory-based input and skilled operators. To overcome these limitations, ambulatory methods, relying on inertial measurement ...

BACKGROUND: The gait modification strategies Trunk Lean and Medial Thrust have been shown to reduce the external knee adduction moment (EKAM) in patients with knee osteoarthritis which could contribute to reduced progression of the disease. Which strategy is most optimal differs between individuals, but the underlying mechanism that causes this remains unknown. RESEARCH QUESTION: Which gait parameters determine the optimal gait modification ...

The Achilles tendon (AT) is the strongest tendon in humans, yet it often suffers from injury. The mechanical properties of the AT afford efficient movement, power amplification and power attenuation during locomotor tasks. The properties and the unique structure of the AT as a common tendon for three muscles have been studied frequently in humans using in vivo methods since 1990's. As a part of the celebration of 50 years history of the ...

BACKGROUND: Being aware of possible gait impairments in Ponseti-treated clubfoot children might be useful for optimizing initial and additional treatment. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to identify kinematic gait abnormalities in children with clubfoot treated with the Ponseti method (with and without relapse). METHODS: A systematic search was conducted. Studies comparing kinematic gait parameters of Ponseti-treated ...

Hundred years ago, Fenn demonstrated that when a muscle shortens faster, its energy liberation increases. Fenn's results were the first of many that led to the general understanding that isometric muscle contractions are energetically cheaper than concentric contractions. However, this evidence is still primarily based on single fiber or isolated (ex vivo) muscle studies and it remains unknown whether this translates to whole body metabolic ...

Background: Foot orthoses (FOs) have been used to alter lower limb kinematics and kinetics in pronated feet. A clear relationship between FOs' features, e.g., the amount of wedging and support, and the corresponding biomechanical responses is vital for the design and prescription of FOs. In this study, we sought to determine if changing the level of the forefoot wedge would cause a linear response in the multi-segment foot kinematics during ...

BACKGROUND: Functioning in children consists of different aspects, including their ability to execute activities and participate in life situations. Several studies on children with clubfeet showed limited motor abilities and walking capacity compared with healthy control children, while other studies showed comparable athletic abilities and gross motor development. Although participation in activities of daily life plays an important role in ...

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis is a highly prevalent disease affecting the hip and knee joint and is characterized by load-mediated pain and decreased quality of life. Dependent on involved joint, patients present antalgic movement compensations, aiming to decrease loading on the involved joint. However, the associated alterations in mechanical loading of the ipsi- and contra-lateral lower limb joints, are less documented. Here, we documented the ...