Temporospatial Variables Research Articles

Temporospatial and kinetic gait variables of Doberman Pinschers with and without cervical spondylomyelopathy.

To characterize and compare gait variables in Doberman Pinschers with and without cervical spondylomyelopathy (CSM). 18 Doberman Pinschers (9 clinically normal dogs and 9 CSM-affected dogs). A neurologic examination was performed on all dogs. The diagnosis of CSM was confirmed with MRI. Temporospatial and kinetic gait variables were measured by use of a pressure-sensitive walkway. Temporospatial variables evaluated included stance phase duration, swing phase duration, gait cycle duration, stride length, and gait velocity. Kinetic variables evaluated included peak vertical force and vertical impulse. Random-effects linear regression was used to determine the difference between CSM-affected and clinically normal dogs for each of the 7 variables. Values for temporospatial variables were significantly smaller in the thoracic limbs of CSM-affected dogs, compared with values for the thoracic limbs of clinically normal dogs. For the kinetic variables, peak vertical force was significantly higher in the thoracic limbs than the pelvic limbs for all dogs. Vertical impulse values were higher in the thoracic limbs than the pelvic limbs. There were significant differences in mean vertical impulse between the thoracic and pelvic limbs for both groups. In this study, significant differences in temporospatial variables were identified between the thoracic limbs of clinically normal and CSM-affected dogs, with the values being smaller for the CSM-affected dogs than for the clinically normal dogs. A pressure-sensitive walkway may provide a valid, practical option for rapid, objective assessment of gait and response to treatment in dogs with CSM.

Atrial Tachycardias After Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Manifest Different Waveform Characteristics: Implications for Characterizing Tachycardias.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation patients often manifest atrial tachycardias (AT) with atypical ECG morphologies that preclude accurate localization and mechanism. Diagnostic maneuvers used to define ATs during electrophysiology studies can be limited by tachycardia termination or transformation. Additional methods of characterizing post-AF ablation ATs are required. We evaluated the utility of noninvasive ECG signal analytics in postablation AF patients for the following features: (1) Localization of ATs (i.e., right vs. left atrium), and (2) Identification of common left AT mechanisms (i.e., focal vs. macroreentrant). Atrial waveforms from the surface ECG were used to analyze (1) spectral organization, including dominant amplitude (DA) and mean spectral profile (MP), and (2) temporospatial variability, using temporospatial correlation coefficients. We studied 94 ATs in 71 patients who had undergone prior pulmonary vein isolation for AF and returned for a second ablation: (1) right atrial cavotricuspid-isthmus dependent (CTI) ATs (n = 21); (2) left atrial macroreentrant ATs (n = 41) and focal ATs (n = 32). Right CTI ATs manifested higher DAs and lower MPs than left ATs, indicative of greater stability and less complexity in the frequency spectrum. Left macroreentrant ATs possessed higher temporospatial organization than left focal ATs. Noninvasively recorded atrial waveform signal analyses show that right ATs possess more stable activation properties than left ATs, and left macroreentrant ATs manifest higher temporospatial organization than left focal ATs. Further prospective analyses evaluating the role these novel ECG-derived tools can play to help localize and identify mechanisms of common ATs in AF ablation patients are warranted.

Influence of calibration protocols for a pressure-sensing walkway on kinetic and temporospatial parameters.

To evaluate the influence on the kinetic and temporospatial parameters of calibration protocols with point and step techniques for a pressure-sensing walkway. Nine Labrador dogs were used. Two protocols of point calibration technique (C1 and C2) and eight protocols of step calibration technique (C3 to C10) were performed. In C1, weight was added to a stool to match the body mass of each dog. In C2, weight was added to the stool to match a 46.1 kg person. The other eight calibration protocols represented combinations of the following factors: 46.1 kg and 96.1 kg persons, barefoot or wearing sneakers, and stepping onto the platform with one or two feet. The calibration protocols did not affect the temporospatial variables or percentages of body weight (%BW) distribution. Significant differences were found in both PVI (peak vertical force) and VI (vertical impulse) between barefoot versus wearing sneakers, 46.1 kg versus 96.1 kg person, and stepping onto the platform with one foot versus two feet. When comparing C1 with other protocols, significant differences were observed in PVF and VI for both forelimbs and hindlimbs. When comparing C2 with other protocols, significant differences were observed in PVF and VI for both forelimbs and hindlimbs in all protocols. The PVF and VI were influenced by the calibration protocol used, but the %BW distribution and temporospatial parameters were not. Using the same calibration protocol for all dogs within the same group eliminated the variability of the kinetic data caused by the calibration.

보행경로 너비에 따른 노인의 시 · 공간적 보행 분석

본 연구의 목적은 노인과 정상 성인의 보행경로 너비에 따른 보행 시, 시 공간적 보행 변수의 변화를 알아보기 위함이다. 연구의 대상자는 낙상의 경험이 없는 건강한 노인 20명과 20대 성인 18명으로 하였으며, 3가지 다른 너비의 보행경로(평상시 보행(usual walking), 좁은 너비 보행(narrow base walking), 한줄 보행(centerline-guided walking)에서 보행을 실시하였다. 평상시 보행은 보행경로에 제한을 두지 않았고, 좁은 너비 보행은 각 대상자의 양측 ASIS 사이의 거리를 1/2로 나눈 너비를 보행경로로 설정하였으며, 한줄 보행은 보행경로 중앙에 한 줄을 표시하여 보행을 실시하였다. 보행을 실시하는 동안, GAITRite system을 이용하여 시 공간적 보행 변수의 변화를 비교 분석하였다. 보행경로 너비에 따른 시 공간적 보행 변수 비교에서 20대 성인은 모든 변수에서 유의한 차이를 나타내지 않았으나, 노인의 경우 보행속도, 분속수, 양 뒤꿈치 사이 기저면, 기능적 보행지수가 통계적으로 유의하게 감소하였다(p<.05). 본 연구의 결과를 통해 노인은 20대 성인에 비해 보행경로의 너비가 좁아질수록 낙상에 대한 두려움으로 인해 보행변수에 영향을 미친다는 것을 확인할 수 있었으며, 이를 통해 노인의 낙상 예방 훈련을 위한 적절한 보행너비에 대한 이론적 근거를 제시할 수 있을 것으로 생각된다. The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in temporospatial variables in healthy elderly and healthy adults during usual walking, narrow base walking and centerline-guided walking. Twenty healthy elderly and nineteen healthy adults were participated in this study. In each conditions, the subjects were walked on a 6m walkway at comfortable self-selected speeds under three conditions : (1) usual walking, (2) walking within a 50% of the distance between the subject's ASIS (3) walking along a centerline. GAITRite system was used for kinematic analysis to assess the temporospatial variables. There were no significant changes in healthy adults(p>.05), but walking speed, cadence, H-H base support, functional ambulation performance were significantly decreased progressively as pathway narrowed in elderly adults(p<.05). The results show that elderly people had more difficulty with walking on narrow pathway for fear of falling. This study provides data for use in basic research into safe walking and preventing falling for elderly.

Kinematic and temporospatial assessment of habituation of Labrador retrievers to treadmill trotting

This study investigated differences in kinematic and temporospatial variables in treadmill-naïve dogs when introduced to treadmill trotting and the time required to for them to become habituated to the treadmill. Twenty-four healthy Labrador retrievers, with an age range of 22–36months and with no history of orthopaedic disease, were included in the study. A motion capture system registered kinematic variables of the carpus, elbow, tarsus and stifle, along with stride time and stance duration, at 240Hz. Six sessions, each lasting 8–10min, walking and trotting on the treadmill were performed with each dog, with three sessions on each of two consecutive days. The between-stride variability of total angular displacement of the carpus, elbow, stifle and tarsus, as well as the stride and stance time, was higher during the day 1 trotting sessions than in the last session of day 2. These stabilised to non-significant levels before the second session on the second day of measurements and thus habituation was achieved.

Biomechanical Deviations During Level Walking Associated With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

To identify which gait deviations are consistently associated with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and how these are influenced by disease severity, the involved compartment, and sex. Five electronic databases and reference lists of publications were searched. Cross-sectional, observational studies comparing temporospatial variables, joint kinematics, and joint moments between individuals with KOA and healthy controls or between KOA subgroups were considered for review. Only publications scoring ≥50% on a modified methodology quality index were included. Because of the number of gait deviations examined, only biomechanical variables reported by ≥4 publications were further analyzed. Where possible, a meta-analysis was performed using effect sizes (ES) calculated from discrete variables. In total, 41 publications examining 20 variables were included. The majority of consistent gait deviations associated with KOA were exhibited by those with severe disease in the temporospatial domain. Individuals with severe KOA exhibited greater stride duration than controls (ES 1.35 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.03, 1.67]) and a decrease in cadence (ES -0.75 [95% CI -1.12, -0.39]) compared with controls. The evidence for kinematic and joint moment change was primarily limited or conflicting. There was a lack of evidence for alterations in the external knee adduction moment. Individuals with KOA exhibit a range of gait deviations compared with controls. Despite its common usage in KOA gait studies, we did not find consistent evidence that knee adduction moment differs between those with and without KOA or between disease severity levels. Further research examining the reasons for a lack of difference in many gait variables in those with knee OA is needed.

Kinetic and temporospatial parameters in male and female cats walking over a pressure sensing walkway.

BackgroundSeveral factors may influence kinetic data measurements, including body conformation and body mass. In addition, gender differences in gait pattern have been observed in healthy humans. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the kinetic and temporospatial parameters in clinically healthy male and female cats using a pressure-sensitive walkway. Eighteen crossbreed adult cats were divided into two groups: G1 had ten male cats (nine neutered) aged from 1 to 4 years and body mass 3.1-6.8 kg; G2 had eight spayed female cats, aged from 1 to 6 years and body mass 3.3-4.75 kg. The data from the first five valid trials were collected for each cat. A trial was considered valid if the cat maintained a velocity between 0.54-0.74 m/s and acceleration from -0.20 to 0.20 m/s2. The peak vertical force (PVF), vertical impulse (VI), gait cycle time, stance time, swing time, stride length, and percentage body weight distribution among the four limbs were determined. In addition, the lengths of each forelimb and each hind limb were measured using a tape with the animal standing.ResultsNo significant differences were observed in each group in either the forelimbs or the hind limbs or between the left and right sides for any of the variables. For both groups, the PVF (%BW), the VI, and the percentage body weight distribution were higher at the forelimbs than the hind limbs. The stride length was larger for males; however, the other kinetic and temporospatial variables did not show any statistically significant differences between the groups. The lengths of the forelimbs and hind limbs were larger in the male cats. There was a significant moderate positive correlation between the stride length and the length of the limbs.ConclusionsIn conclusion, the only difference observed between male and female cats was the stride length, and this was due to the greater body size of male cats. This difference did not affect other temporospatial or kinetics variables.

Hindfoot Motion Following STAR Total Ankle Arthroplasty

One of the rationales for total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) is that it may retard the changes of hypermobility and accelerated arthritis in the hindfoot after ankle arthrodesis. Until recently, it has not been possible to quantify or even objectively demonstrate biomechanical findings to substantiate the theory that postsurgical biomechanical changes in the ankle produce changes in the kinematics of the hindfoot. Standard gait analysis has treated the foot as a single biomechanical unit. This study was undertaken to describe the hindfoot motion following Scandinavian Total Ankle Replacement (STAR) TAA by using multisegment foot model gait analysis. Forty-six patients with a mean age of 66 years underwent a 3D gait analysis following TAR. Mean interval between surgery and gait analysis was 4.9 years (range 2 to 9). The contralateral limb was used as control for each patient. Temporospatial variables and kinematic parameters were studied. Temporospatial results showed statistically significant differences. Stance time on the affected side was 61.1% ± 2.2% of the gait cycle compared to 63.2% ± 2.1% for the unaffected side. Step length was 55.6 cm ± 10 on the affected side compared to 53.9 cm ± 10 for the unaffected side. Kinematics results were statistically significant: Ankle range of motion (ROM) on the arthroplasty side was 16.8 ± 4.5 degrees compared to 23.6 ± 5.0 on the unaffected side. Sagittal plane ROM was 12.7 ± 4.2 degrees on the arthroplasty side and 17.3 ± 3.5 degrees on the unaffected side. Coronal plane ROM was 4.7 ± 2.4 degrees on the arthroplasty side and 7.5 ± 2.4 degrees on the unaffected side. Transverse plane ROM on the arthroplasty side was 4.1 ± 1.5 degrees and 4.9 ± 1.6 on the unaffected side. This study showed that, in addition to previously documented diminution in sagittal plane motion and gait velocity, some of the residual abnormalities of gait following TAR were comprised of differences in hindfoot function. These results relate to the growing recognition of the importance of understanding hindfoot mechanics apart from those of the tibiotalar joint. Level III, comparative case series.

Gait adaptations to different paths of stair descent

Gait characteristics during stair descent have been characterized for a straight descent path; however, pedestrians are likely to encounter a variety of staircase designs that allow one to descend at an angle (i.e. an oblique or monumental staircase). The purpose of this study was to determine the temporospatial lower limb joint kinematics differences between descending a staircase on straight versus oblique descent paths. Sixteen subjects (8 males, 8 females) descended a staircase under three different conditions: straight descent and at a 25° and 45° angle compare to the straight path. Cycle time, cadence, speed, step width, and step length were significantly affected by descent angle, while the proportion of the cycle dedicated to the stance and swing phases remained constant over the descent paths. Peak knee flexion angle increased by approximately 2.5° in the 45° condition compared to the 0° condition (p=0.0044); however, the remainder of the time series was unchanged. A decreased step width and increased step length occurred to allow the foot to sufficiently clear the steps. Changes in the temporospatial variables, hip joint angle and a constant stance/swing proportion demonstrates that these adaptations may be made to maintain characteristics of the gait cycle and prevent subjects from adopting an unfamiliar gait pattern.

Impact of leg length and body mass on the stride length and gait speed of infants with normal motor development: A longitudinal study

Gait acquisition is supported by changes in the neuromusculoskeletal system of the child. Changes in the dimensions of the body structures resulting from the growth of the child partly explain gait improvement in the first year of life. To evaluate whether changes in body mass and leg length modulate the effect of independent gait practice (experience) on gait speed and stride length. Thirty-two infants with normal development were monitored monthly from the acquisition of independent gait until six months post-acquisition. Longitudinal evaluations included measurements of the body mass and leg length of each child. Temporospatial variables of gait (speed and stride length) were documented using the Qualisys Pro-reflex(r) system. The data were analyzed using multilevel regression models, with a significance level of α=0.05. An effect of the practice time on speed (p<0.0001) and stride length (p<0.0001) was observed. The change in leg length had a marginal effect on the rate of gait speed change: children whose leg growth was faster showed a higher rate of speed change (p=0.07). No other effects of anthropometric parameters were observed. The results suggest that the practice time promotes the improvement of the gait pattern of infants in the first year of life. However, the effects of the leg length and body weight of infants on the benefit of practice time remain undefined.

The evaluation of an inexpensive, 2D, video based gait assessment system for clinical use

The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical potential of an augmented-video-based-portable-system (AVPS). The AVPS included a walkway grid mat made of vinyl flooring, flat paper bull's eye markers, four photoswitches mounted on tripods, a light-indicator, a video camera, and a computer with ProTrainer System software. The AVPS output was compared to a “gold standard” 3D Vicon Motion Analysis System both statically and dynamically over a fixed range (−90° to +90°) using a two-segment-goniometric-rig marked with both bull's eye and retroreflective markers. At each segment angle position, three trials of data were captured. The reliability of the AVPS was also tested using three raters. Further twelve, young, healthy subjects participated in a concurrent validity study in which they performed six gait trials which were simultaneously recorded by both systems. Both motion analysis systems showed low levels of intra subject variability in all kinematic variables indicated by the size of the standard deviations across the six trials. There were no significant differences between the motion systems with respect to the kinematic variables (P>0.05). The results showed a high intra- and inter-rater reliability for both the kinematic and temporo-spatial parameters. With respect to gait events the lowest ICC value for the intra-rater reliability test was 0.993 for the kinematic variables, and ranged from 0.941 to 0.956 for the temporo-spatial variables and 0.731 to 0.954 for the tibia inclination angles. The validation data suggest the AVPS is capable of generating highly reliable and repeatable data when applied to normal subjects and could be used within the clinical setting.

Do thigh circumference and mass changes alter knee biomechanics during walking?

Obese adults walk with different biomechanics compared to healthy weight adults. Previous studies have focused on knee biomechanics because they are associated with development and progression of osteoarthritis. Changes in thigh mass and circumference that occur as body weight increases may influence gait. The purpose of this study was to determine if increases in thigh mass and circumference alter gait biomechanics. For 20 healthy weight young adults (10 male and 10 female) knee kinematic, kinetic and gait temporospatial variables were collected using a three-dimensional motion capture system and a force platform during over ground walking. Data were collected during control, increased thigh mass, increased thigh circumference, and both increased mass and circumference conditions. Increases in thigh segment parameters reflected changes expected with a 10 point increase in body mass index. Step width was wider during the added circumference and combination conditions compared to the control condition. Increases in thigh circumference associated with obesity increase step width. This suggests the greater step width observed in obese adults compared to healthy weight adults is a result of the physical constraints introduced by their wider thigh segments. Peak knee flexion angle, peak knee extension moment, peak knee adduction angle, and peak knee abduction moment were similar in all conditions. Thus, acute changes in thigh segment parameters did not result in knee biomechanics suggestive of an increased risk of knee osteoarthritis.

Comparison of temporospatial and kinetic variables of walking in small and large dogs on a pressure-sensing walkway

To compare temporospatial variables (TSVs) and kinetic variables (KVs) for fore-limbs and hind limbs of small and large dogs of various breeds during walking and to determine associations among body weight (BW), TSVs, and KVs in these groups. 12 adult dogs with no evidence of lameness. Dogs (grouped according to BW as small [< 10 kg; n = 6] or large [> 25 kg; 6]) were walked in a straight line at their preferred velocity on a wooden platform with an embedded pressure-sensing walkway. Five valid trials were analyzed for each dog; mean TSVs and KVs were determined for each group. The TSVs and KVs for forelimbs and hind limbs were compared between groups, and correlations among BW, TSVs, and KVs were determined. Small dogs had significantly smaller TSVs and KVs than did large dogs. Temporal variables of small dogs and absolute vertical force variables of small and large dogs increased as BW increased. However, normalized peak vertical force and weight distribution values among the 4 limbs were similar between groups. Substantial similarities and differences were detected in gait characteristics between small and large dogs. Results indicated TSVs and KVs can be used for comparison of the walking gait between dogs or for comparison of variables between limbs in an individual dog. Use of the pressure-sensing walkway is a simple method for acquisition of TSVs and KVs for large and small dogs.

Reconstruction of epidemic curves for pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 at city and sub-city levels

To better describe the epidemiology of influenza at local level, the time course of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 in the city of Hong Kong was reconstructed from notification data after decomposition procedure and time series analysis. GIS (geographic information system) methodology was incorporated for assessing spatial variation. Between May and September 2009, a total of 24415 cases were successfully geocoded, out of 25473 (95.8%) reports in the original dataset. The reconstructed epidemic curve was characterized by a small initial peak, a nadir followed by rapid rise to the ultimate plateau. The full course of the epidemic had lasted for about 6 months. Despite the small geographic area of only 1000 Km2, distinctive spatial variation was observed in the configuration of the curves across 6 geographic regions. With the relatively uniform physical and climatic environment within Hong Kong, the temporo-spatial variability of influenza spread could only be explained by the heterogeneous population structure and mobility patterns. Our study illustrated how an epidemic curve could be reconstructed using regularly collected surveillance data, which would be useful in informing intervention at local levels.

Gait ataxia in essential tremor is differentially modulated by thalamic stimulation

Patients with advanced stages of essential tremor frequently exhibit tandem gait ataxia with impaired balance control and imprecise foot placement, resembling patients with a cerebellar deficit. Thalamic deep brain stimulation, a surgical therapy for otherwise intractable cases, has been shown to improve tremor, but its impact on cerebellar-like gait difficulties remains to be elucidated. Eleven patients affected by essential tremor (five females; age 69.8 ± 3.9 years; disease duration 24.4 ± 11.2 years; follow-up after surgery 24.7 ± 20.3 months) were evaluated during the following conditions: stimulation off, stimulation on and supra-therapeutic stimulation. Ten age-matched healthy controls served as the comparison group. Locomotion by patients and controls was assessed with (i) overground gait and tandem gait; (ii) balance-assisted treadmill tandem gait and (iii) unassisted treadmill gait. The two treadmill paradigms were kinematically analysed using a 3D opto-electronic motion analysis system. Established clinical and kinesiological measures of ataxia were computed. During stimulation off, the patients exhibited ataxia in all assessment paradigms, which improved during stimulation on and worsened again during supra-therapeutic stimulation. During over ground tandem gait, patients had more missteps and slower gait velocities during stimulation off and supra-therapeutic stimulation than during stimulation on. During balance-assisted tandem gait, stimulation on reduced the temporospatial variability in foot trajectories to nearly normal values, while highly variable (ataxic) foot trajectories were observed during stimulation off and supra-therapeutic stimulation. During unassisted treadmill gait, stimulation on improved gait stability compared with stimulation off and supra-therapeutic stimulation, as demonstrated by increased gait velocity and ankle rotation. These improvements in ataxia were not a function of reduced tremor in the lower limbs or torso. In conclusion, we demonstrate the impact of thalamic stimulation on gait ataxia in patients with essential tremor with improvement by stimulation on and deterioration by supra-therapeutic stimulation, despite continued control of tremor. Thus, cerebellar dysfunction in these patients can be differentially modulated with optimal versus supra-therapeutic stimulation. The cerebellar movement disorder of essential tremor is due to a typical cerebellar deficit, not to trembling extremities. We hypothesize that deep brain stimulation affects two major regulating circuits: the cortico-thalamo-cortical loop for tremor reduction and the cerebello-thalamo-cortical pathway for ataxia reduction (stimulation on) and ataxia induction (supra-therapeutic stimulation).

Minimally Invasive Compared with Traditional Transgluteal Approach for Total Hip Arthroplasty

Minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty is purported to allow an improved and faster rehabilitation in the immediate postoperative period because of reduced soft-tissue damage compared with total hip arthroplasty performed with use of a standard approach. In the present study, a minimally invasive approach was compared with a traditional standard approach in terms of the effect on gait kinematics as demonstrated with gait analysis and electromyography. Twenty randomized patients who underwent a primary total hip replacement with use of a minimally invasive modified Watson-Jones approach (minimally invasive group) were compared with a group of twenty patients who underwent a total hip arthroplasty with use of a standard transgluteal Hardinge approach (standard group). All patients received the same cementless implant, inserted with use of standard instruments, and all operations were performed by a single, experienced surgeon. The patients were evaluated with use of three-dimensional gait analysis and dynamic electromyograms at three time points: preoperatively, ten days postoperatively, and twelve weeks postoperatively. Temporospatial and joint-kinematic parameters were evaluated. There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to the temporospatial variables of velocity, cadence, step length, and stride length at any tested time point. With regard to the range of motion of the operatively treated hip, the minimally invasive group had a smaller decrease at the ten-day time point in comparison with the standard group. However, this finding was not significant. The reduction in the range of motion was mainly caused by reduced hip extension. A compensatory increase in the pelvic tilt was observed in both groups. One patient in the standard group showed a positive Trendelenburg gait ten days postoperatively; it had disappeared completely at the twelve-week time point. With regard to gait kinematics in the early postoperative period (three months), the present study showed no significant benefit for patients who underwent a total hip arthroplasty through a minimally invasive Watson-Jones approach in comparison with those who were managed with a standard transgluteal approach.

Preventing limb collapse during gait: Control strategies in the severely weak lower extremity

The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical potential of an augmented-video-based-portable-system (AVPS). The AVPS included a walkway grid mat made of vinyl flooring, flat paper bull's eye markers, four photoswitches mounted on tripods, a light-indicator, a video camera, and a computer with ProTrainer System software. The AVPS output was compared to a “gold standard” 3D Vicon Motion Analysis System both statically and dynamically over a fixed range (−90° to +90°) using a two-segment-goniometric-rig marked with both bull's eye and retroreflective markers. At each segment angle position, three trials of data were captured. The reliability of the AVPS was also tested using three raters. Further twelve, young, healthy subjects participated in a concurrent validity study in which they performed six gait trials which were simultaneously recorded by both systems. Both motion analysis systems showed low levels of intra subject variability in all kinematic variables indicated by the size of the standard deviations across the six trials. There were no significant differences between the motion systems with respect to the kinematic variables (P > 0.05). The results showed a high intra- and inter-rater reliability for both the kinematic and temporo-spatial parameters. With respect to gait events the lowest ICC value for the intra-rater reliability test was 0.993 for the kinematic variables, and ranged from 0.941 to 0.956 for the temporo-spatial variables and 0.731 to 0.954 for the tibia inclination angles. The validation data suggest the AVPS is capable of generating highly reliable and repeatable data when applied to normal subjects and could be used within the clinical setting.

Repeated measures of normal adult gait

The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical potential of an augmented-video-based-portable-system (AVPS). The AVPS included a walkway grid mat made of vinyl flooring, flat paper bull's eye markers, four photoswitches mounted on tripods, a light-indicator, a video camera, and a computer with ProTrainer System software. The AVPS output was compared to a “gold standard” 3D Vicon Motion Analysis System both statically and dynamically over a fixed range (−90° to +90°) using a two-segment-goniometric-rig marked with both bull's eye and retroreflective markers. At each segment angle position, three trials of data were captured. The reliability of the AVPS was also tested using three raters. Further twelve, young, healthy subjects participated in a concurrent validity study in which they performed six gait trials which were simultaneously recorded by both systems. Both motion analysis systems showed low levels of intra subject variability in all kinematic variables indicated by the size of the standard deviations across the six trials. There were no significant differences between the motion systems with respect to the kinematic variables (P > 0.05). The results showed a high intra- and inter-rater reliability for both the kinematic and temporo-spatial parameters. With respect to gait events the lowest ICC value for the intra-rater reliability test was 0.993 for the kinematic variables, and ranged from 0.941 to 0.956 for the temporo-spatial variables and 0.731 to 0.954 for the tibia inclination angles. The validation data suggest the AVPS is capable of generating highly reliable and repeatable data when applied to normal subjects and could be used within the clinical setting.

Interrater Reliability of Videotaped Observational Gait-Analysis Assessments

The purpose of this study was to determine the interrater reliability of videotaped observational gait-analysis (VOGA) assessments. Fifty-four licensed physical therapists with varying amounts of clinical experience served as raters. Three patients with rheumatoid arthritis who demonstrated an abnormal gait pattern served as subjects for the videotape. The raters analyzed each patient's most severely involved knee during the four subphases of stance for the kinematic variables of knee flexion and genu valgum. Raters were asked to determine whether these variables were inadequate, normal, or excessive. The temporospatial variables analyzed throughout the entire gait cycle were cadence, step length, stride length, stance time, and step width. Generalized kappa coefficients ranged from .11 to .52. Intraclass correlation coefficients (2,1) and (3,1) were slightly higher. Our results indicate that physical therapists' VOGA assessments are only slightly to moderately reliable and that improved interrater reliability of the assessments of physical therapists utilizing this technique is needed. Our data suggest that there is a need for greater standardization of gait-analysis training.

Evolution trends and comparative ontogenesis in primate cranium

A better definition of Homo is sought within the framework of the Primates and is considered in dynamic terms of temporo-spatial variability and onto-phylogenetic trends.