Purpose: Forward Walking (FW) and Backward Walking (BW) on different gradients of the treadmill is a common exercise for LOWER EXTREMITY rehabilitation. However, limited studies are found about the three-dimensional analysis of LOWER EXTREMITY and status of the knee joint during FW and BW on different gradients. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the LOWER EXTREMITY joints KINEMATICS during FW and BW on incline and decline surfaces.Methods: The current research has a quasi-experimental design. Sixteen healthy males with the mean (SD) age of 22.4 (2.5) years, volunteered to participate in this study. The subjects’ FW and BW with their preferred speed on a treadmill at four gradients (-7.5%, 0%, +5% and+10%), were analyzed by using motion capture system. All data were analyzed using paired sample t test (P<0.05).Results: Significant differences were seen between FW and BW in most angular variables in sagittal plane. However, there were no significant differences between FW and BW in most parameters of knee angle in frontal plane.Conclusion: Based on the results, with increase in FW inclination and decrease in BW inclination, the knee varus angle in frontal plane reduces. Therefore, FW on the upslope surfaces or BW on downslope surfaces, probably is a suitable solution to reduce the loads exerted on medial compartment of the knee.

Background and Aim Genuvarum is one of the most common disorders of the LOWER extremities, which is a disorder of the normal leg. Since Genu varum and Genu valgum can affect the postural control by creating internal and external rotation of the foot and ankle, the present study was conducted to evaluate balance and gait KINEMATICS in patients with Genu varum.Materials and Methods A total of 15 male students with genu varum, with the average age of 20.2±0.94 years, height of 174±4.59 cm, and weight 64±3.27 kg, and 15 male students without genu varum, average age of 19.93±0.88 years, height of 174±4.2 cm, and weight 69.8±4.2kg, participated in the study. To measure gait KINEMATICS and balance, motion analysis and force plate systems were used.Results No significant difference was observed in the anteroposterior index of balance between the two groups, but regarding the mediolateral index of balance, patients had more swing. There was no significant difference between the gait kinematic in two groupwither.Conclusion Regarding the results of the present study, participants with Genu varumin daily activities, especially sports activities, will be in trouble, and may be at risk of falling and injury.

Background and Aims Since fatigue in different regions of the LOWER extremities can effectively alter the movement pattern of this part of the body and cause joint-related kinematic changes that increase the risk of injury and mental fatigue, which may be a factor in reducing productivity and injury. Therefore, the study of kinematic changes during fatigue can have helpful results. This study aimed to investigate the effect of LOWER EXTREMITY fatigue on knee joint KINEMATICS during landing in adult soccer players. Methods Ten adult male soccer players (Mean±, SD = age: 20. 7±, 1. 05 years,Height: 178. 9±, 4. 17 cm,Weight: 71. 55±, 8. 04 kg) participated in this study. Subjects performed a pre-test, which included jumping and landing on a 40-cm box, and recording cameras of the valgus motion analyzer, flexion, and knee rotation. The Kingtools section of the plugin software attached to the Cortex software was used for segmentation and kinematic information. The LOWER EXTREMITY fatigue protocol consisted of 10 repetitions of single-leg squats up to 90 degrees of knee flexion, 20 vertical jumps with a single leg, and 1 repetition of step –, going up and down a 31cm step. The Borg scale was used to measure fatigue. Before and after the fatigue protocol, a single-leg hop was used to determine the level of fatigue. After the fatigue protocol, a post-test was performed. Data were analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk test for normality of the data, and paired t-test was used to compare mean in pre-test and post-test independent variables. Results The paired t-test results for comparison of kinematic data showed that contact flexion had a significant difference from pre-test to post-test and other kinematic variables had no significant changes from pre-test to post-test. Statistical significance was considered at P≤, 0. 05. Conclusion According to the findings of this study, it can be concluded that LOWER EXTREMITY fatigue in the present study partly caused kinematic changes in predicting ACL injury. Kinematic changes have included a decrease in Contact flexion, which is one of the predictors of ACL injury during landing.