Goniometric Data Research Articles

RETRACTED: A regressed phase analysis for coupled joint systems

This study aims to address shortcomings of the relative phase analysis, a widely used method for assessment of coupling among joints of the lower limb. Goniometric data from 15 individuals with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy were recorded from the hip and knee joints during ambulation on a flat surface, and from a single healthy individual with no known motor impairment, over at least 10 gait cycles. The minimum relative phase (MRP) revealed substantial disparity in the timing and severity of the instance of maximum coupling, depending on which reference frame was selected: MRP(knee-hip) differed from MRP(hip-knee) by 16.1±14% of gait cycle and 50.6±77% difference in scale. Additionally, several relative phase portraits contained discontinuities which may contribute to error in phase feature extraction. These vagaries can be attributed to the predication of relative phase analysis on a transformation into the velocity-position phase plane, and the extraction of phase angle by the discontinuous arc-tangent operator. Here, an alternative phase analysis is proposed, wherein kinematic data is transformed into a profile of joint coupling across the entire gait cycle. By comparing joint velocities directly via a standard linear regression in the velocity-velocity phase plane, this regressed phase analysis provides several key advantages over relative phase analysis including continuity, commutativity between reference frames, and generalizability to many-joint systems.

Treatment of Post-Mastectomy Lymphedema with Laser Therapy: Double Blind Placebo Control Randomized Study

In post-mastectomy patients, lymphedema has the potential to become a permanent progressive condition and become extremely resistant to treatment. Thus, it can results in function impairment and decrease quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of low level laser therapy (LLLT) on limb volume, shoulder mobility, and hand grip strength. Fifty women with breast cancer-related lymphedema were enrolled in a double-blind, placebo controlled trial. Patients were randomly assigned to active laser (n = 25) and placebo (n = 25) groups and received irradiation with Ga-As laser device that had wavelength of 904 nm, power of 5 mW, and spot size of 0.2 cm(2) over the axillary and arm areas, three times a week for 12 wk. The total energy applied at each point was 300 mjoules over seven points, giving a dosage of 1.5 joules/cm(2) in the active group. The placebo group received placebo therapy in which the laser had been disabled without affecting its apparent function. Limb circumference, shoulder mobility, and grip strength were measured before treatment and at 4, 8, and 12 wk. The two groups had similar parameters at baseline. The reduction of limb volume tended to decline in both groups. The trend being more significantly pronounced in active LLLT group than placebo at 8 and 12 wk, respectively (P < 0.05). Goniometric data for shoulder mobility and hand grip strength were statistically significance for LLLT group than for placebo. Laser treatment was found to be effective in reducing the limb volume, increase shoulder mobility, and hand grip strength in approximately 93% of patients with postmastectomy lymphedema.

Pronation and supination after forearm fractures in children: Reliability of visual estimation and conventional goniometry measurement

Background Forearm fractures are common amongst children and often result in limited rotational function. In daily practice, pronation and supination of the arm are often visually estimated or measured using a conventional goniometer. The aim of this study was to compare the reliability of these two methods in paediatric patients who had previously sustained a forearm fracture. Methods Intra- and interrater reliability of visual estimation and conventional goniometry were determined in 47 children who had previously sustained a forearm fracture. Results Intra- and interrater reliability of visual estimation and conventional goniometry was fair to excellent, with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) ranging between 0.75 and 0.94. In addition, the overall goniometer data consistently showed lower smallest detectable differences (SDDs) compared to the visual estimation data, also indicating better reliability for the goniometer method. Conclusions A conventional goniometer is an easy, fast and reliable method to determine the pronation and supination in a child who had sustained a forearm fracture. If an uncooperative child hinders the measurement, visual estimation is a good second choice. Measurements are more reliable when repeated by the same professional.

Reliability Limits Of The Modified Thomas Test For Assessing Rectus Femoris Muscle Flexibility About The Knee Joint

The modified Thomas test is commonly used in the clinical setting to assess flexibility about the thigh region. To evaluate the clinical reliability of the modified Thomas test for evaluating the flexibility of the rectus femoris muscle about the knee joint. Descriptive laboratory study using a test-retest design. Institution-based clinical orthopaedic setting. Fifty-seven individuals between the ages of 18 and 45 years with no history of trauma participated. Of those, 54 completed the study. Three Board-certified athletic therapists with an average of 12.67 years of sport medicine expertise assessed rectus femoris flexibility using pass/fail and goniometer scoring systems. A retest session was completed 7 to 10 days later. Parametric and nonparametric tests were used to compare participants' test-retest results. Chance-corrected kappa values (intrarater x = 0.40, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.30, 0.54; interrater x = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.23, 0.41) indicated generally poor levels of reliability for pass/fail scoring. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values (intrarater x = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.55, 0.76; interrater x = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.40, 0.60) indicated fair to moderate levels of reliability for goniometer data. Measurement error values (standard error of measurement = 7 degrees , method error = 6 degrees , and coefficient of variation = 13%) and Bland-Altman plots (with 95% limits of agreement) further demonstrated the degree of intrarater variance for each examiner when conducting the test. These results call into question the statistical reliability of the modified Thomas test and provide clinicians with important information regarding its reliability limits when used to clinically assess flexibility of the rectus femoris muscle about the knee joint in a physically active population. More research is needed to ascertain the variables that may confound the statistical reliability of this orthopaedic technique.

Orbital structure of the meteor complex according to radar observations in Kazan. 1. Apparent distributions of aphelia

The results of an analysis of the orbital structure of the meteor complex accessible for radar observations at northern midlatitudes are reported. Experimentally, the study is based on the long-term monitoring of the influx of meteor matter into the Earth’s atmosphere performed with the meteor radar of Kazan State University starting from 1986. The study uses a discrete quasi-tomographic method to measure the radiants and velocities of meteor showers based on goniometric data of the meteor radar and diffraction measurements of meteor velocities. The discretization of the detection environment—in particular, in terms of velocity—is shown to result in no substantial loss of measurement accuracy. The error of the measured velocity of the shower does not exceed 1.5 km/s for a standard deviation of a single velocity measurement equal to 3 km/s. Microshower representation is used with microshowers either representing the correlated part of the sporadic complex or being partial streams of major and minor showers, or fragments of the dust environment of minor bodies passing by Earth or falling onto it. The data of measurements made over the entire annual cycle are used to construct combined maps of the distribution of the observed 2263 microshowers (a total of 22 604 orbits) by their inclination, aphelion distance, and longitudes of the ascending nodes of their orbits. The observing conditions are shown to have a significant effect on the parameters of the distribution of aphelion distances for different months, and the corresponding distributions for prograde and retrograde orbits are shown to differ fundamentally. A specific feature of such distribution maps is that they allow uniform representation of both meteor showers and irregularities of the sporadic complex.

Canine hip extension range during gait

Assessment of canine gait is frequently used by veterinary clinicians to establish the presence of orthopaedic pain. As up to 30% of canine orthopaedic conditions affect the pelvic limb, knowledge of pelvic limb biomechanics during gait is very important. Previous studies have investigated the biomechanics at the tarsus and stifle, but little information is available regarding hip motion during gait. The aim of this study was to determine the maximum hip extension range achieved during the stance phase of gait in normal canines. In addition, this study aimed to determine the difference between maximum passive hip extension and maximum hip extension during gait. Using a sample of 30 morphologically similar normal dogs, mean maximum passive hip extension was measured using a goniometer and mean maximum hip extension range during gait was determined videographically. Inter- and intra-assessor reliability studies performed at the start of the study showed that the measurement tools and techniques used in this study were valid and reliable. The goniometric data showed that mean maximum passive hip extension range was 162.44 degrees (+/-3.94) with no significant difference between the left and the right hind limbs. The videographic data showed that mean maximum hip extension range during gait was 119.9 degrees (+/-9.26) with no significant difference between the left and right hind limbs. The results of this study provided reference values for active and passive hip extension range and showed that the degree of hip extension range required for normal gait is significantly less than maximum passive hip extension range.

Reliability of the Ely's test for assessing rectus femoris muscle flexibility and joint range of motion

Rehabilitative protocols and orthopadic research are significantly influenced by the ability to perform reliable measures of specific physical attributes or functions. The hypothesis was that the Ely's test for evaluating rectus femoris flexibility and joint range of motion (ROM) is a reliable clinical tool. Participants (n = 54) were between the ages of 18 and 45, and had no history of trauma. Three clinicians with orthopedic expertise assessed quadriceps flexibility and joint ROM using pass/fail and goniometer scoring systems. A retest session was completed 7 to 10 days later. Statistically, Kappa values for pass/fail scoring (intrarater $\bar {X}=0.52$, interrater $\bar {X}=0.46$) and ICC values (intrarater $\bar {X}=0.69$, interrater $\bar {X}=0.66$) for goniometer data both indicated that the Ely's test demonstrated only moderate levels of intra- and interrater reliability. Measurement error values (SEM = 4 degrees , ME = 4 degrees , and CV = 3%) and Bland and Altman plots (with 95% Limits of Agreement) further demonstrated the degree of intrarater variance for each examiner when executing the Ely's test in a clinical setting. Results call into question the statistical reliability of the Ely's test, and provide clinicians with important information regarding the reliability limits of the Ely's test when used to clinically evaluate flexibility and joint ROM in a physically active population. More research is required to determine the variables that may confound statistical reliability of this orthopedic technique that is commonly used in a clinical setting to assess function about the thigh region.

Mobilidade articular dos dedos não lesados pós-reparo em lesão dos tendões flexores da mão

Joint range of motion of uninjured fingers after repairs to flexor tendon injuries of the hand Objective: To assess the range of motion (ROM) in hands that underwent tendon repair in the flexor digitorum superficialis and flexor digitorum profundus muscles of the fingers, comparing the data between the fingers on the injured hand, and between the injured and uninjured hands. Method: Active goniometry was performed on 15 patients, making a total of 120 fingers (60 on injured hands and 60 on noninjured control hands). The patients were examined at the time of removing the plaster splint. Early mobilization was performed using the modified Duran method. Goniometric data were used for recording the TAM (total active motion) values of the fingers on the injured and uninjured (control) hands. To analyze the data, the functional index formula proposed by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) was utilized, and for statistical calculations the mixed-effect model was selected. Results: The ASSH formula for the injured fingers classified the movement as “good” in 18.33%, “fair” in 18.33% and “poor” in 63.34%. The means, in degrees, of the measurements for all the fingers were compared with each other within each group (control and injured) and between the groups. A significant difference was found between control and injured groups. There was no statistical difference between the TAM of each finger on the injured hand. Conclusion: Independent of how many fingers on one hand had suffered tendon injuries, the uninjured fingers also presented diminished active ROM during the period immediately after removal of the immobilization.

Muscular responses during motor imagery as a function of muscle contraction types

This study was designed to gain more insight into the mechanisms underlying motor imagery (MI). While there is ample evidence that motor performance and MI share common central neural mechanisms, the question whether MI is accompanied by subliminal electromyographic (EMG) activity remained unsolved. Thirty right-handed volunteers were asked to lift or to imagine lifting a weighted dumbbell using different types of muscle contraction, i.e. heavy concentric, light concentric, isometric and eccentric contractions. EMG activity from 9 muscles of the dominant arm (agonist, antagonist, synergist and fixator muscles) was monitored. Autonomic nervous system responses were also recorded on the non-dominant hand, thus attesting mental activity at the peripheral level. A significant increased pattern of EMG activity was recorded in all muscles during MI, when compared to the rest condition, while the goniometric data did not reveal any movement. Although being subliminal, the magnitude of this activation was found to be correlated to the mental effort required to lift a weight mentally, as more EMG activity was recorded during imaginary lifting of heavy than light concentric contractions. When considering the different types of contraction, our results provided evidence of selective changes in EMG activity. Especially, the imagined eccentric condition elicited a significant weaker muscular activity than all other conditions. In addition, the changes in the EMG pattern mirrored those usually observed during physical movement. These findings support the hypotheses of a selective effect of MI at the level of muscular activity and of incomplete inhibition of the motor command during MI.

The evolution of diamond morphology in the process of dissolution: Experimental data

In this paper, we report results of experiments on the dissolution of octahedral, pseudo-dodecahedral, and cubic natural diamond crystals in water-containing carbonate and silicate systems at high-pressure and high-temperature conditions in the diamond stability field. The dissolution agents used include CaCO3, CaMg(CO3)2, CaMgSi2O6, and kimberlite from the Udachnaya pipe, Yakutia, with addition of distilled water. The obtained diamond dissolution forms were studied using scanning electron microscopy and double-beam interferometry. A quantitative analysis of rounded diamonds was carried out by the photogoniometry method. The experimental data show that diamonds change their morphology from octahedrons, dodecahedrons, and cubes to tetrahexahedroids when dissolved in water-containing systems. Octahedron transforms into tetrahexahedroid when the weight loss is 20–25%; cube, when the loss is >50%; and pseudo-dodecahedron passes into tetrahexahedroid when the weight loss is as low as 10%. Comparison of crystal morphology, surface features, and goniometric data of diamond dissolution forms produced in water-containing systems and of rounded natural diamonds showed their complete identity. It has been established that the morphological variations of rounded natural diamonds depend on the initial habit of the crystals and the degree of their dissolution. With the significant dissolution of the starting crystals the dissolution forms of initial octahedrons, pseudo-dodecahedron, and cubes are similar. The evolution of the diamond crystals morphology is terminated with the formation of tetrahexahedroid with curvature parameters AÂ = 36°07′, ND = 13°15′, and DD = 13°15′. The obtained quantitative data allowed us to construct a scheme for the morphological evolution of natural diamond crystals during their dissolution.

Reliability of the Thomas test for assessing range of motion about the hip

Objectives Rehabilitative protocols and research are significantly influenced by the ability to perform reliable measures of specific physical attributes or functions. The hypothesis was that the Thomas test for evaluating range of motion about the hip joint is a reliable clinical assessment tool. Subjects Participants ( n=54) were between the ages of 18 and 45, and had no history of trauma. Methods Three Board-Certified Athletic Therapists assessed hip range of motion using pass/fail and goniometer scoring systems. A re-test session was completed seven to ten days later. Results Statistically , Kappa values for pass/fail scoring (intra-rater ℜ=0.47, inter-rater ℜ=0.39) and ICC values (intra-rater ℜ=0.52, inter-rater ℜ=0.60) for goniometer data both indicated that the Thomas test demonstrated poor intra and inter-rater reliability. However, measurement error values (SEM=1°, ME=2°, and CV=15%) and Bland and Altman plots demonstrated that there was only a small degree of intra-rater variance for each examiner when executing the Thomas test in a clinical setting. Conclusions Results call into question the statistical reliability of the Thomas test, but provide clinicians with important information regarding the reliability limits of the Thomas test when used to clinically evaluate hip range of motion and ilio-psoas muscle flexibility in a physically active population. More research is required in order to determine the variables that may confound statistical reliability of this orthopaedic technique that is commonly used in a clinical setting to assess hip function.

Microshower Structure of the Meteor Complex

Meteor radar observations of ionized trails in the Earth’s atmosphere provide observations that do not depend on weather conditions and time of day and provide good statistics for analysis. Further development in the new quasitomographic analysis of the goniometric data of the Kazan meteoric radar has revealed a number of very weak meteoric streams with rates of more than 5–6 meteors per day. In addition to the known large meteor showers, we have found up to as many as 1000 small showers per month that we have named microshowers. We shall operationally define a microshower as the minimal meteoric stream which can be detected with the Kazan meteoric radar while quasitomographic procedures of processing interferometer data are used.

Dynamic positioning of a mobile robot using a laser-based goniometer

Positioning is a fundamental problem in mobile robot navigation. Several approaches to cope with the dynamic positioning problem have been made. Most of them are based on the inconsistent use of the algorithm for static positioning enhanced by predictive algorithms. In this paper, a method that guarantees the consistent use of this algorithm at any time under dynamic condition is presented. It combines vehicle kinematics and laser-based goniometer data for real time simulation of the evolution of the straight lines between the laser-based goniometer and the set of artificial landmarks used. Experimental results showing the accuracy of this method are presented.

Upper Extremity Kinetics in Poultry Processing: A Comparison between Two Different Cutting Tasks

A field study was performed using a new data collection system looking at upper extremity kinetics during two different cutting tasks, wing vs. tender cuts, in three poultry plants. The Ergonomic Work Assessment System (EWAS) was designed to simultaneously record knife forces (Fx, Fy, and Fz), electromyographic (EMG) activity (forearm flexors/extensors), and goniometric data (wrist flexion/extension), all of which may represent risk factors associated with cumulative trauma disorders, specifically carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The objective of this study was to monitor workers in an unencumbered fashion as they performed two different poultry cutting tasks. It was assumed that the variables measured by EWAS would be able to discriminate between the two cuts and quantify possible differences between the two. The results confirmed that EWAS successfully showed significant differences in knife forces between the wing and tender cuts. Knife force differences were also observed between plants for the same cut. Differences in the two cuts were also identified in the EMG and wrist angles. EWAS successfully quantified variables that may represent risk factors associated with CTS in three poultry plants. Knowledge of a better quantitatively described external work environment may enable plants to better design rotation schedules for their deboners.

A Method for Determining the Coordinates of Meteor Shower Radiants from Meteor Radar Goniometric Data

We discuss a new method for measuring the coordinates of meteor shower radiants from meteor radar data. The method uses a high accuracy of radar goniometer measurements of one of the angular coordinates for meteor radiants and collective properties of incident meteor showers. It is based on a computer technology of searching for the coordinates of radiants using the intersections of meteor position lines on the celestial sphere and filtering nonrandom combinations of these intersections. The method allows the following: to detect meteor showers with a rate of more than 5 per day of observations and to separate meteor groups from different meteor showers with different radiants and velocities. The method makes it possible to increase the angular resolution from 10° × 10° achieved with a quasi-tomographic technique to 2° × 2°, with a prospect of a further increase in the accuracy through the individual reduction of separated meteor groups. We use the reduction of one-day-long observations during maximum activity of the Geminids meteor shower in 1993 to illustrate the potentialities of the method. We show an example of detecting a weak meteor shower that was active during December 1993.

MUSCLE ACTIVITY OF THE LOWER LIMB AND TRUNK IN HEALTHY MALES DURING A HORIZONTAL PRESS

The purpose of this study was to assess the electromyography (EMG) of lower limb and trunk musculature during a horizontal press that uses elastic cords for resistance. Ten healthy males (26.25yrs., 117.75kg) participated in this study. A Shuttle 2000–1, (Contemporary Design Corp., Glacier, Washington), was used as the testing device. The Shuttle 2000–1 utilizes elastic cords for resistance. EMG was collected from the following muscles on the right side of the body: Vastus Medialis (VM), Rectus Femoris (RF), Semimembranosus (SM), and Biceps Femoris (BF), The Right and Left Erector Spinae (RES, LES) were also collected. The Root Mean Square (RMS) was used to quantify EMG (mv) activity for each muscle during the horizontal press. The VM and RF were summed to give a representation of Quadricep (Q) function. The SM and BF were also summed to give a representation of Hamstring (H) function and RES and LES were summed to represent Low Back (LB) activity. The Subjects were tested using the cord number that allowed each subject to complete the horizontal press in a controlled manner at a three second count. All subjects used the maximum 8 cords during the movement. EMG and goniometric data were collected from flexion (90 deg.) to extension (0 deg.) for two trials with a three-minute rest between trials. Q, H and LB activity was determined and compared between the first 45 deg. of the movement and the second 45 deg. of the movement. Three paired t-tests were used to assess for differences between first (F) and second (S) halves of the movement for each muscle group. Alpha was set at 0.0167. There was no difference between first and second halves of the movement for Q (F: 39.17 (+13.86), S: 30.99 (+15.35), H (F: 19.21 (+16.42), S: 22.50 (+5.89) and LB (F: 30.10 (+13.26), S: 27.15 (+11.05)). Further research is warranted to compare muscle activity not only between horizontal strengthening devices that use various forms of resistance, but also horizontal strengthening devices and traditional closed-chain exercises, such as the squat.

Interobserver repeatability and validity of an observation method to assess physical loads imposed on the upper extremities

Interobserver repeatability and validity were assessed for a new semiquantitative, time-based observation method for the estimation of physical loads imposed on the upper extremities. Six risk factors of upper extremity disorders were included in the method: repetitive use of hand, use of hand force, pinch grip, non-neutral wrist posture, elevation of upper arm, local mechanical pressure. Two occupational health nurses were trained to use the method. They observed 127 work cycles at a food-processing plant and a paper mill. The method was validated against expert observations from the video, continuous recordings of myoelectric activity (EMG) of forearm muscles, and wrist posture measured with goniometers. Interobserver repeatability was good or moderate for repetitive use of hand, hand force, pinch grip (range κ = 0.58–0.71 on the right; 0.60–0.61 on the left side). Interobserver repeatability was moderate or poor for non-neutral wrist posture, elevation of the upper arm and local mechanical pressure. Validity ranged from moderate to good for repetitive use of hand, use of hand force, pinch grip and non-neutral wrist posture when expert observation was used as reference standard. When observations were validated against force estimations (EMG) and wrist goniometer data, validity was poor. In the absence of generally accepted reference values, arbitrarily chosen limits were used for the proportional duration of some physical load factors. Studies should be carried out to assess the limits that best diVerentiate between safe and hazardous jobs.

Effect of endpoint conditions on position and velocity near impact in tennis

Smoothing to obtain accurate position and velocity data near impacts in sport biomechanics studies is complicated by the accelerations of impact, endpoint effects and the smoothing technique used. Wrist goniometric data with two levels of random noise added were used to examine three endpoint modelling conditions for obtaining accurate position and velocity data at impact in the tennis forehand. The common approach of smoothing through impact created distortions of the position signal up to 100 ms before impact and resulted in consistent underestimations (-3.2%) of wrist angle and angular velocity (-67.9%) at impact. New linear and polynomial extrapolation conditions smoothed with all techniques provided lower root mean squared errors than the smoothing-through-impact condition, with discrete wrist positions at impact within 1.1% of the criterion data. Both the new linear and polynomial conditions can be used to make more accurate angular position and velocity estimates for tennis impacts, whereas the smoothing-through-impact condition creates spurious decreases in speed before impact that in the past have been assumed to be aspects of skilful movement.

Alignment and joint motion in the normal foot.

Biomechanical evaluation of the foot is based on the assumption that a vertical stance position of the calf and the calcaneus in subtalar neutral (the "ideal foot") provides optimal function with minimal risk of injury. The purpose of this study was to discuss the concept of the "ideal foot" with reference to a set of normative goniometric data. One-hundred and twenty-one healthy subjects (59 men and 62 women; mean age = 35 years; range = 20-50 years) participated in a standardized clinical assessment of ankle and subtalar joint motion, subtalar neutral, forefoot alignment, calcaneal stance, and the tibia to vertical angle. All subtalar measurements were referred to the neutral position. A majority had a subtalar neutral in slight valgus (overall mean = 2 degrees), a forefoot in moderate varus (overall mean = 6 degrees), and a calcaneal stance in valgus (overall mean = 7 degrees). The mean tibia to vertical angle was 6 degrees in varus. Women had a greater range of ankle and subtalar joint motion than men but age had little influence. None of the subjects conformed to the "ideal foot," which appears to be rare and should be abandoned in favor of a reference based on clinical observation rather than on theoretical considerations.

Practical Application of a Biaxial Goniometer to the Wrist Joint

The objectives of this study were: 1) to determine errors in wrist angle measurements from a commercially-available biaxial electrogoniometer and 2) to develop a calibration routine in order to correct for these errors. Goniometric measurements were simultaneously collected with true angular data using a fixture that allowed wrist movement in one plane while restricting motion in the orthogonal plane. These data were collected in two sets of trials: 1) flexion/extension with radial/ulnar deviation restricted and 2) radial/ulnar deviation with flexion/extension restricted. During these trials, discrete 30 degree increments of forearm rotation were studied. The results showed the expected cross talk and zero drift errors during forearm rotation. The application of mathematical equations that describe the effect of goniometer twist during forearm rotation resulted in significant error reduction for most trials. The calibration technique employs both a slope and a displacement transformation to improve the accuracy of angular data. The calibration technique may be used on data collected in the field if forearm rotation is measured simultaneously with the goniometer data.