Transverse Plane Motion Research Articles

A functional model to describe the action of the adductor muscles at the hip in the transverse plane

Anatomical texts agree on most muscle actions, with a notable exception being the action of the adductors of the hip in the transverse plane. Some texts list an action of the adductor brevis (AB), adductor longus (AL), and/or adductor magnus (AM) as internal rotation, whereas others list an action of external rotation. The purpose of this article is to present a functional model in support of the action of external rotation. Transverse plane motion of the femur at the hip during normal gait is driven by subtalar joint motion during the loading response, terminal stance, and preswing phases. During the loading response, the subtalar joint pronates, and the talus adducts. This talar adduction results in the lower leg, and subsequently the femur, internally rotating. During terminal stance and preswing, the opposite occurs; the subtalar joint supinates as the talus abducts in response to forces generated from the lower extremity and in the forefoot. Electromyographic (EMG) studies indicate varied activity in the AB, AL, and AM during the loading response, terminal stance, and preswing phases of the gait cycle. A careful analysis of EMG activity and kinematics during gait suggests that, in the transverse plane, the adductors may be eccentrically controlling internal rotation of the femur at the hip during the loading response, rather than the previously reported role as concentric internal rotators. In addition, these muscles may also concentrically produce external rotation of the femur at the hip during terminal stance and preswing. Physical therapists should consider this important function of the hip adductors during gait when evaluating a patient and designing an intervention program. Anatomical texts should consider listing the concentric action of external rotation of the femur at the hip as one action of the AB, AL, and AM, particularly when starting from the anatomic position.

Changes in foot and lower limb coupling due to systematic variations in step width

Motion at the midfoot joints can contribute significantly to overall foot motion during gait. However, there is little information regarding the kinematic coupling relationship at the midfoot. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the coupling relationship at the midfoot and subtalar joints was affected when step width was manipulated during running. Twelve subjects ran over-ground at self-selected speeds using three different step widths (normal, wide, cross-over). Coupling at the midfoot (forefoot relative to rearfoot) and subtalar (rearfoot relative to shank) joints was assessed using cross-correlation techniques. Rearfoot kinematics were significantly different from normal running in cross-over running (P<0.05) but not in wide running. However, coupling between rearfoot eversion/inversion and shank rotation was consistently high (r>0.917), regardless of step width. This was also the case for coupling between rearfoot frontal plane motion and forefoot sagittal plane (r<-0.852) and forefoot transverse plane (r>0.946) motion. There was little evidence of coupling between rearfoot frontal plane motion and forefoot frontal plane motion in any of the conditions. Forefoot frontal plane motion appeared to have little effect on rearfoot frontal plane motion and thus, had no effect on motion at the subtalar joint. The strong coupling of forefoot sagittal and transverse plane motions with rearfoot frontal plane motion suggests that forefoot motion exerts an important influence on subtalar joint kinematics.

The repeatablity of spinal motion of normal and scoliotic adolescents during walking

The main aim of this study was to assess the within-day repeatability of measuring trunk and spinal motion during walking using external markers and a motion analysis system. A secondary aim was to compare the repeatability of motion between the scoliotic and normal spine. The sagittal and coronal plane trunk and spinal motion, three-dimensional pelvic and shoulder motion of 9 normal and 19 scoliotic adolescents was assessed. Intra-subject within-day repeatability was evaluated using waveform similarity statistics. Trunk sagittal and coronal plane motion was fairly repeatable. Repeatability of spinal frontal plane motion was fair, but that of sagittal plane motion is poor. Pelvic coronal and transverse plane motion was very reproducible but pelvic sagittal plane motion was very variable. Shoulder motion in all three planes was found to have a poor level of repeatability. A relationship possibly exists between the range of motion and repeatability values. Although the scoliotic adolescents had less variable spinal motion, differences from the normal subjects were not statistically significant. However, the scoliotic subjects had significantly more repeatable sagittal and coronal plane pelvic motion and coronal plane shoulder motion. The results of this study suggest that trunk sagittal and coronal plane motion and spinal coronal plane motion of normal and scoliotic adolescents can be reliably measured within a single test session.

Interobserver reliability of osteopathic palpatory diagnostic tests of the lumbar spine: improvements from consensus training.

Establishing reliable palpatory tests continues to be a critical, yet elusive, step in osteopathic medical research and evidence-based clinical practice. The authors investigated the interobserver reliability of common osteopathic palpatory tests used to evaluate the lumbar spine. Subjects (N=119) were recruited from the faculty, staff, and students of Kirksville (MO) College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCOM) of A.T. Still University of Health Sciences. Three osteopathic medical examiners residency trained in neuromusculoskeletal medicine initially evaluated lumbar segments on subjects from one subgroup (n=42) in a blinded assessment. The examiners performed palpatory tests of tenderness and tissue texture changes, as well as--in three planes--vertebral positional asymmetry and motion asymmetry. Kappa statistics (kappa) were used to evaluate interobserver reliability. Following a period of consensus training, subjects from another subgroup (n=77) were evaluated in a blinded assessment for those palpatory tests that seemed most likely to produce reliable findings. The interobserver reliability was then re-evaluated. During the initial evaluation of interobserver reliability, kappa ranged from -0.02 to 0.34, within the poor-to-fair reliability range. Following consensus training, reliability improved, rising into the moderate range for tissue texture changes (kappa=0.45) and into the substantial range for tenderness assessments (kappa=0.68). Reliability for positional asymmetry in the transverse plane (kappa=0.34) and rotational motion asymmetry (kappa=0.20) were improved but remained in the fair range. The authors concluded that consensus training improved the interobserver reliability of common osteopathic palpatory tests of the lumbar spine. In two of the four tests that were studied--tissue texture and tenderness--acceptable kappa values for clinical tests were achieved after consensus training.

The effect of prosthetic torsional stiffness on the golf swing kinematics of a left and a right-sided trans-tibial amputee.

The golf swing is a biomechanically complex movement requiring three-dimensional movements at the ankle joint complex (AJC), the hips and shoulders. Trans-tibial amputees lose the natural AJC movements as many prostheses do not allow three dimensional foot movements. Torsion devices have been developed and incorporated into prostheses to facilitate internal and external transverse plane rotations. These devices can help amputees to compensate for the loss of movement and to reduce shearing stresses at the stump-socket interface. The primary aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of three torsion devices on body rotations during the golf swing. Two trans-tibial amputees (one right-sided and one left-sided) were analysed using three-dimensional video analysis at address (ADR), the top of the backswing (TBS) and at the end of the follow-through (EFT). The participants played shots with a 3-wood under three different prosthetic conditions (two with a torsion device set to different stiffness values, and one with no torsion device). The results showed that the torsion device served to improve the hip and shoulder rotations of the left-side amputee without increasing perceived stress at the stump. The torsion device had minimal effect on the hip and shoulder rotations of the right-side amputee, although perceived stress was reduced. The difference in results between the right-sided and left-sided amputees was due to the different requirements of each foot during the golf swing. The main problem faced by the right-side amputee was a loss of the sagittal plane movement of ankle joint plantarflexion at EFT, rather than the transverse plane movement.

Transverse plane motion at the ankle joint.

The ankle is often considered to have little or no capacity to move in the transverse plane. This is clear in the persistent concept that it is the role of the subtalar joint to accommodate the transverse plane motion of the leg while the foot remains in a fixed transverse plane position on the floor. We present data from noninvasive in vivo study of the ankle subtalar complex during standing internal and external rotation of the leg and study of the ankle subtalar complex during walking. These data reinforce the results of cadaver study and invasive in vivo study of the ankle/subtalar complex. We suggest that the ankle is capable of considerable movement in the transverse plane (generally greater than 15 degrees) and that its role in the mechanism that allows the foot to remain in a fixed transverse plane position on the floor while the leg rotates in the transverse plane, is not simply the transfer of the transverse plane moment to the subtalar joint, but is accommodation of some of the necessary movement.

Development of a Closed Kinetic Chain Power Training Device for the Hip Rotators

Introduction: Golfers with optimal transverse plane rotational capability, particularly through the hip joints are better able to generate effective golf swing power. Unfortunately, a device that enables controlled, progressively increased training resistance to the hip rotator muscles in a manner that functionally simulates the golf swing does not presently exist. The purpose of this single subject, crossover design study was to compare hip rotator muscle electromyographic (EMG) amplitudes and activation sequences during a golf swing, and during a simulated golf swing on a pneumatic resistance closed kinetic chain exercise device designed specifically to train the muscular rotators of the hips. Methods: A 52-year-old nonimpaired, right handed male (180 cm, 81.9 kg) who had trained on the device for six months served as the test subject. Following static stretching of the low back and extremities, the subject performed a standard warm-up of 10–12 progressively more intense practice golf swings with a standard driver. Following this bilateral hip external rotator/abductor (gluteus maximus) and hip adductor/internal rotator muscle groups were instrumented with surface EMG electrodes and in-shoe plantar pressure sensors (for event timing purposes). Norquest (Noraxon, Scottsdale, AZ) EMG and Pedar (Novel, Minneapolis, MN) pressure sensor systems triggered from side-by-side laptop computers were used for both data collection and analysis. Each trial consisted of three complete movements for the given condition with alternating order to control for potential order effects. Although the device can also provide eccentric resistance, only minimal (35–40 psi) and moderate (75–80 psi) concentric resistances were evaluated. Results: Both minimal (MIN) and moderate (MOD) device resistances displayed similar muscle activation duration, timing of peak EMG amplitudes, and muscle activation sequencing (relative to peak left foot plantar force onset) compared to the golf swing for the right and left gluteus ▭ maximus (GM) and hip adductor (HA) muscles (Fig. 1). As the device was set with increasing concentric resistance, progressive and predictable increases in right (17%, 37%) and left (9%, 28%) peak GM (Fig. 2) and right (5%, 33%) and left (25%, 30%) HA (Fig. 3) muscle activation amplitudes were observed.Fig. 1Fig. 2Fig. 3Discussion: The pneumatic resistance closed kinetic chain exercise device provided an effective and safe method of progressively increasing concentric resistance to increase hip rotator power during transverse plane movement. By applying resistance in functionally similar movement patterns and velocities, the hip rotators can be trained to facilitate greater crossover to golf performance. Comparative training effect studies on specific golf performance parameters and with other sport movements that require hip rotator muscle power are being planned.

The relationship between transverse plane leg rotation and transverse plane motion at the knee and hip during normal walking.

The purpose of this study was to test the clinical hypothesis that the magnitude and temporal characteristics of rearfoot complex motion are closely correlated with those of the transverse plane motion at the knee and hip. Twenty subjects underwent kinematic assessment during walking at 108 steps/minute. The transverse plane rotation of the leg relative to the foot was used to indicate rearfoot complex pronation and supination. Taking into account errors inherent in kinematic assessment involving skin mounted markers, it is unlikely that a correlation exists between the range of internal leg rotation during the contact phase and the total range of transverse plane leg rotation during gait and the corresponding values for the transverse plane motion at the knee and hip. Correlation tests were performed to assess the temporal characteristics of the motions at the joints that showed that there was no correlation between the transverse plane motion in the rearfoot complex, knee and hip. Thus the hypothesis that the magnitude and temporal characteristics of rearfoot complex motion are closely correlated with the transverse plane motion at the knee and hip was rejected.

Gait analysis after ankle arthrodesis

The purpose of this study was to employ a computerized motion analysis system to identify the effect of ankle arthrodesis on the three-dimensional kinematic behavior of the rear and fore foot during level walking. A three-segment rigid body model was used to describe the motion of the foot and ankle. The results demonstrated that sagittal plane motion of the hindfoot was significantly decreased in the foot of patients having had ankle arthrodesis compared to normal subjects. The kinematic data indicated a generalized stiffness of the hindfoot on the involved foot in the sagittal plane. Sagittal plane movement in the forefoot and transverse plane movements in the hindfoot and forefoot increased in patients compared to controls.

Sagittal plane biomechanics. American Diabetes Association

During walking, the center of body mass must pass from behind the weightbearing foot to in front of it. For this to take place, the foot must function as a sagittal plane pivot. Because the range required for this motion is approximately five times as great as both frontal and transverse plane motion, its evaluation should become an essential part of a podiatric biomechanical assessment. Lack of proper sagittal plane motion and its sequelae are described.

Evanescent-wave guiding of atoms in hollow optical fibers.

An atom placed in a near-resonant laser field is either attracted to or repelled from regions of high intensity depending on the sign of the laser’s detuning from atomic resonance. We have demonstrated that the optical forces induced by laser light guided in a fiber may be used to reflect atoms from the inner wall of a hollow-core optical fiber in a recent work [1,2]. In that demonstration, light was coupled to the lowest-order grazing incidence mode [3] and the laser frequency was tuned to the red side, so that atoms were attracted to the high-intensity region at the center of the fiber. Atoms guided in this way undergo a series of lossless oscillations in the transverse plane and unconstrained motion along the axis. Atoms can also be guided by the evanescent light field of the glass surface surrounding a hollow fiber. With a detuning on the blue side of resonance, atoms are expelled from the high-intensity-field region near the fiber wall. The intensity in the evanescent field is significant at a distance of .=X/2.rr into the hollow region. Consequently, the atoms are nearly specularly reflected from the potential walls. Atom propagation through the fiber in this case is similar to the propagation of light in a multimode, step-index fiber. Evanescent guiding has several advantages over guiding by grazing incidence modes: heating of the atoms due to spontaneous scattering of photons is small in the evanescent case because the atoms spend most of the time in a dark region away from the high laser intensity at the wall. In the grazing incidence configuration, atoms are guided in the high-intensity region, and consequently the spontaneous scattering rate is relatively high. Furthermore, in evanescentwave guiding, the optical potential is generated by light traveling in lossless guided modes. Small-diameter atomic guides of very long length may be practical. By contrast, grazing incidence optical modes decay exponentially with distance [3], effectively limiting the guiding distance to a

The Transverse Plane Motions of Ships

A detailed exposition of the kinematics of the transverse plane motions of ships is provided, with particular attention to the important process of total transverse acceleration in vessel coordinates. The loci of sway, sway velocity and sway acceleration are shown to follow hyperbolic distributions with respect to elevation in both regular and irregular waves. In regular waves the transverse acceleration in earth-fixed and vessel-fixed coordinates are shown to be congruent with a vertical shift in elevation of g/ω2 = λ/(2π). Expressions are given for the elevations minimizing transverse plane processes in regular and irregular waves. In long waves the elevation minimizing total transverse acceleration in vessel coordinates is shown to be g/ωn2 = g[Tn/ /(2π)]2 below the waterline. This is the roll center, which should be used in the traditional analysis of foundation loads. Its location, far below the keel for most vessels, is surprising. The elevation (OP) of the roll axis, which must be used when solving the one-degree-of-freedom equation for roll, is given and is shown to require hydrodynamic coefficients for sway as well as roll. In general, OP does not correspond to an elevation that minimizes any of the transverse plane processes. The effect of hull form, transverse stability and natural roll period on transverse plane motions are examined in an attempt to resolve the dichotomy of views between those who favor ships with low GMT and long natural roll periods and those who favor high GMT with short natural roll periods. It is demonstrated that large values of the beam-to-draft ratio (6/7) with low natural roll periods are advantageous at modest elevations above the waterline. This explains the favorable offshore experience in vessels meeting this description, such as tugs, supply vessels and fishing vessels. At higher elevations long natural periods are shown to present a clear advantage, which supports the preference for low GMT for large passenger vessels, containerships and ships with deck-loads of logs. The trends identified would seem to support the conjecture that, with regard to natural roll period, there is a "forbidden middle" that should be avoided in design.

Quantitative Measurements of Hip Strength in Different Age Groups

The purpose of this study was to develop a clinically useful method of assessing the strength of the hip musculature and to develop a normal data base with this technique. The strength of 72 subjects aged 20-81 years (37 women and 35 men) was measured through the use of a modified Cybex II with an upright stabilization frame for testing sagittal and frontal plane motions; transverse plane motions of internal and external rotation were tested in the seated position. The subjects were tested at multiple isokinetic speeds and isometric angles. Regardless of age or gender, hip extensors were the strongest muscle group, following by flexors, adductors, abductors, and rotators. As the velocity of exercise increased, the magnitude of the torques produced decreased. Demographically, younger men produced the greatest torques and older women the lowest. The strength values of older men and younger women were similar. The results have clinical implications for objective assessment of strength in pathologic patient populations.

Repeatability studies of a television/computer system for measuring spinal and pelvic movements

Repeatability of a television/computer system for measuring spinal and pelvic movements has been studied using both a movement simulator and human subjects. The movement simulator was capable of reproducing independent movements of either pelvis or spine about any one of three mutually perpendicular axes. When the system was tested using this simulator, the least accurate measurement was of the transverse plane movements of the spine. The scatter of the samples about the zero position in each plane for the condition of no movement was also measured using the movement simulator. The standard deviation of the measurements from the mean zero was 1.09 o in the worst case. The scatter was greatest for transverse plane measurements. Repeatability of measurements using human subjects showed the greatest variation in sagittal plane movement of the pelvis (x̄ = 3.4 o, s.d. = 0.90).