Mechanography

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Please improve this article if you can. (October 2007)

Mechanography is a medical diagnostic measurement method for motion analysis by means of physical parameters. The variation of the ground reaction forces over the time of a motion like typical every day movements (eg. chair rise or jumps) are measured and centre of gravity related physical parameters like relative maximum forces, velocity, power output, kinetic energy, potential energy, height of jump or whole body stiffness[1] are calculated. If the ground reaction forces are measured separately for left and right leg in addition body imbalances during the motions can be analysed. This enables for example to document the results of therapy[2].

[edit] Fields of Application

Typical fields of applications of Mechanography are in the field of Geriatrics. In opposite to many other established measurements methods like Chair Rising Test, Stand-up and Go test and others[3][4] the maximum power output relative to body weight during a jump of maximum height measured by Mechanography is a much better reproducible and does not have a training effect even when repeated more frequently[5].

Based on this test (maximum relative power output of a jump as high as possible) Runge et al and Schönau et al defined reference values of a fit population in order to match the individual power output in relation to bodyweight, age and gender[6][7]. Runge et al also showed the interrelation between the measured individual power output and the neuromuscular caused fall risk[8].

Due to this objective and highly reproducible quantification of typical every day movements by means of physical parameters the Mechanography is well suited to document the physical state of a person[6] as well as the effects of training or therapy[2].

[edit] Resources

  1. ^ Farley CT, Houdijk HH, Van Strien C, Louie M: Mechanism of leg stiffness adjustment for hopping on surfaces of different stiffnesses, Mechanism of leg stiffness adjustment for hopping on surfaces of different stiffnesses, PMID 9729582
  2. ^ a b Fricke O, Witzel C, Schickendantz S, Sreeram N, Brockmeier K, Schoenau E: Mechanographic characteristics of adolescents and young adults with congenital heart disease, Eur J Pediatr. 2007 May 22, PMID 17516086
  3. ^ Robbins AS, Rubenstein LZ, Josephson KR, Schulman BL, Osterweil D, Fine G: Predictors of falls among elderly people. Results of two population-based studies, Arch Intern Med. 1989 Jul;149(7):1628-33, PMID 2742437
  4. ^ Cummings SR, Nevitt MC, Browner WS, Stone K, Fox KM, Ensrud KE, Cauley J, Black D, Vogt TM: Risk factors for hip fracture in white women. Study of Osteoporotic Fractures Research Group, N Engl J Med. 1995 Mar 23;332(12):767-73, PMID: 7862179
  5. ^ Rittweger J, Schiessl H, Felsenberg D, Runge M: Reproducibility of the jumping mechanography as a test of mechanical power output in physically competent adult and elderly subjects, J Am Geriatr Soc. 2004 Jan;52(1):128-31, PMID 14687327
  6. ^ a b Runge M, Rittweger J, Russo CR, Schiessl H, Felsenberg D: Is muscle power output a key factor in the age-related decline in physical performance? A comparison of muscle cross section, chair-rising test and jumping power, Clin Physiol Funct Imaging. 2004 Nov;24(6):335-40, PMID 15522042
  7. ^ Fricke O, Weidler J, Tutlewski B, Schoenau E: Mechanography - a new device for the assessment of muscle function in pediatrics, Pediatr Res. 2006 Jan;59(1):46-9. Epub 2005 Dec 2, PMID 16327004
  8. ^ Runge M, Hunter G: Determinants of musculoskeletal frailty and the risk of falls in old age, J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact. 2006 Apr-Jun;6(2):167-73, PMID 16849828
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