Validity of a New 3-D Motion Analysis Tool for the Assessment of Knee, Hip and Spine Joint Angles during the Single Leg Squat.

Rob Langhout,Maarten Barendrecht,Willem-Paul Wiertz,Igor Tak

doi:10.3390/s20164539

Abstract

Aim: Study concurrent validity of a new sensor-based 3D motion capture (MoCap) tool to register knee, hip and spine joint angles during the single leg squat. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: University laboratory. Participants: Forty-four physically active (Tegner ≥ 5) subjects (age 22.8 (±3.3)) Main outcome measures: Sagittal and frontal plane trunk, hip and knee angles at peak knee flexion. The sensor-based system consisted of 4 active (triaxial accelerometric, gyroscopic and geomagnetic) sensors wirelessly connected with an iPad. A conventional passive tracking 3D MoCap (OptiTrack) system served as gold standard. Results: All sagittal plane measurement correlations observed were very strong for the knee and hip (r = 0.929–0.988, p < 0.001). For sagittal plane spine assessment, the correlations were moderate (r = 0.708–0.728, p < 0.001). Frontal plane measurement correlations were moderate in size for the hip (ρ = 0.646–0.818, p < 0.001) and spine (ρ = 0.613–0.827, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The 3-D MoCap tool has good to excellent criterion validity for sagittal and frontal plane angles occurring in the knee, hip and spine during the single leg squat. This allows bringing this type of easily accessible MoCap technology outside laboratory settings.

Highlights

The evaluation of athletes’ kinematics in functional, sports-specific situations continues to receive increasing attention [1,2]
The aim of this study was to determine the concurrent validity of a new 3D motion capture (MoCap) tool for sagittal and frontal plane angles of the knee, hip and spine during a single leg squat
We studied the concurrent validity of a new 3D MoCap tool during a single leg squat task performed in a standing position

Summary

Introduction

The evaluation of athletes’ kinematics in functional, sports-specific situations continues to receive increasing attention [1,2]. Kinematic parameters like the range of motion (ROM), velocity and acceleration are used to quantify so-called quality of movement [1]. Quality of movement is associated with injury risk in athletes, and is evaluated in clinical practice to determine exercise progression and assist in return to play decision making after injury [1,3,4]. In sports involving running, cutting and jumping, decreased spine, hip and knee flexion have been linked to the development of patellofemoral pain and increased strain of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) [5,6,7]. Three-dimensional (3D) motion capture (MoCap) systems using reflective markers are considered the gold standard in measuring kinematics during functional performance tests [8,9]. Feasibility and financial considerations have forced clinicians to adopt two-dimensional (2D) rather

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Discussion

Conclusion