Manipulation of task constraints is the most effective motor learning method for reducing risk factors for ACL injury during side-step cutting in both male and female athletes.

This study compared the efficacy of linear, non-linear and differential methods on variables related to ACL injury risk of a side-step cutting task in male and female basketball players. Thirty males and thirty females practiced basketball skills in sixty 90-minute sessions across 5 months. Ten players trained in each of the LP, NLP and DL female/male groups separately. Before and after the intervention, each player was tested on a side-step cutting task. A repeated 3 × 2 × 2 factorial ANOVA with repeated measures was performed for each biomechanical variable. Variables (trunk, hip, and knee flexion angle, knee valgus angle, ankle dorsiflexion angle, hip, knee, and ankle ROM, peak VGRF and knee extension/flexion, knee moment and ankle dorsiflexion moment) all revealed significant test by group interactions (P < 0.05) but no significant group by sex interactions (P > 0.05). In both sex, biomechanical changes were better in the NLP, followed by the DL and LP. It is argued that the advantage of the NLP method results from increased exploration of movement solutions induced by the manipulation of task constraints. Therefore, according to the NLP, it is possible to manipulate the constraints without feedback and the model/pattern can keep the athlete away from possible risks.

Effects of an 8-week multimodal exercise program on ground reaction forces and plantar pressure during walking in boys with autism spectrum disorder.

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disability with first signs appearing in children aged 3 years and younger. Given that autism spectrum disorder is accompanied by a broad range of symptoms such as impaired sensory, neurological, and neuromotor functions, it appears plausible to argue that an intervention program focusing on multimodal exercise rather than single-mode exercise might be more effective in treating this wide variety of symptoms. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a multimodal exercise program entitled Sports, Play, and Active Recreation for Kids on variables of ground reaction forces and plantar pressure during walking in boys with autism spectrum disorder. METHODS: Twenty-four autism spectrum disorder boys aged 7-11 years were recruited and randomly allocated into an intervention or a waiting control group. Sports, Play, and Active Recreation for Kids was conducted over a period of 8 weeks with three weekly sessions. This training protocol includes aerobic dance and jump rope exercises as well as running games. Pre- and post-training, ground reaction forces and plantar pressure variables were recorded while walking at a constant walking speed of 0.9 m/s using a foot scan embedded in a 15-m walkway. RESULTS: Significant group-by-time interactions were found for the first peak of vertical ground reaction force, loading rate, and peak pressure at the medial heel region (all p = 0.001-0.49, d = 0.89-1.40). Post-hoc analyses showed significant pre-post decreases for the first peak of vertical ground reaction force (p = 0.001, d = 1.27), loading rate (p = 0.009, d = 1.11), and peak pressure at the medial heel region (p = 0.021, d = 1.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that a joyful and multimodal exercise program has positive effects on kinetic walking characteristics of autism spectrum disorder boys. Accordingly, we recommend to implement this type of exercise in prepubertal autism spectrum disorder boys to improve gait kinetics. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT20170806035517N4. Registered on November 8, 2021. This study was approved by the Ethical Committee of the University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran (IR.UMA.REC.1400.019). The study was conducted in accordance with the latest version of the Declaration of Helsinki.

Effect of textured foot orthoses on walking plantar pressure variables in children with autism spectrum disorders.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of textured foot orthoses on plantar pressure variables in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Thirty boys were divided into two groups based on their health status, namely: autism spectrum disorder and healthy matched controls. Plantar pressure data were captured during stance phases of shod walking with and without textured foot orthoses. Remarkably larger peak force under the toe1 and metatarsal1 and peak pressure under the toe1 and toe2-5 regions were observed in the autism group comparing with the healthy group, while lower peak force under the toe1, metatarsal1 and metatarsal2 were seen during walking with textured foot orthoses comparing with the cases of walking without them. The results showed higher values of peak pressure under metatarsal3, metatarsal4 and metatarsal5 for the textured foot orthoses walking against the cases without them. Also, analysis depicted huge reductions from pre-to-posttest for the peak pressure under toe2-5 only cases within the autism group. The reason of observing higher peak values of forces and pressures within their forefoot can potentially be their tendency to walk on their toes comparing against the healthy control children. This causes lower pressure values within all toes and the first metatarsal regions during normal walking with textured foot orthoses than walking without them. The findings revealed that the use of textured foot orthoses reduced peak pressure under toe2-5 only in the autism group. This suggests that the use of such interventions can help boys with ASDs move more safely.