Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy - Mr. A. Joseph Threlkeld, PT, PhD

Kinematics, Ground Reaction Force, and Muscle Balance Produced by Backward Running

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST

Mr. A. Joseph Threlkeld, Terry S. Horn, Geralyn Wojtowicz, James G. Rooney, Robert Shapiro
This study was conducted at the University of Kentucky Biodynamics Laboratory in Lexington, KY and was partially supported by a grant from the Kentucky Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association.

Backward running (BR) is employed for conditioning and for rehabilitation in sports, orthopaedics, and neurology. Our purposes were to compare kinematics and training effects of BR to forward running (FR). Ten runners (6 males, 4 females, ages 20-34 years) were assigned to a backward running (BRG) or control (FRG) group. Subject isokinetic muscular torque production (IMTP) and biomechanics during FR and BR at 3.58 m/sec were studied at the beginning and after 8 weeks of training. Stance time was significantly shorter during BR. The peak vertical component of the ground reaction force (Fz) and Fz impulse were significantly less during BR. After training, knee extensor IMTP of the BRG increased significantly at 75 and 120°/sec. We concluded that BR produced lower Fz stress than FR and improved knee extensor torque at low speeds. Backward running may be clinically useful for reducing stress to injured joints and for increasing knee extensor strength.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1989;11(2):56-63.

Patellofemoral Alignment: Reliability

Mon, 05 Feb 2007 09:45:00 EST

David A. Tomsich, Arthur J. Nitz, Mr. A. Joseph Threlkeld, Robert Shapiro

Clinical assessment of the patellofemoral alignment is frequently performed, yet the repeatability of these measurements has not been previously investigated. This study examined the reliability of measuring patellofemoral alignment. The Q angle, A angle, and patellar orientation (mediolateral tilt, mediolateral position, superoinferior tilt, and rotation) of 27 healthy subjects were measured over 3 trials using standardized positioning and operationally defined goniometric, pluri-cal caliper, and visual estimation measurement techniques. Intratester and intertester intraclass correlation coefficients of measurements obtained with the pluri-cal caliper and goniometer ranged from .52 to .86 and .003 to .61, respectively. Intratester and intertester standard errors of the instrumented measurements ranged from 1.6° to 3.5° and 3.2° to 6.8° (.28 and .55 cm for mediolateral position), respectively. Intratester kappas of visually estimating patellar orientation ranged from .40 to .57. Intertester kappas were between .03 and .30. The results suggest that both clinical estimation and instrumented measurement of patellofemoral alignment may be unreliable.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1996;23(3):200-208.

Key Words: reliability, patellofemoral, alignment