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Johnston, William
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Johnston, William
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Johnston, William
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- PublicationObjective quantification of a clinical dynamic balance assessmentObjective: To investigate whether addition of inertial sensor data can provide additional insight into the nature of postural stability deficits during a clinical dynamic balance assessment, with a view to enhancing accuracy of post-concussion monitoring protocols. Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Setting: University performance laboratory. Participants: Fifteen physically active adults (age 234 years, height 1758 cm, weight 67.58 kg). Interventions: An inertial measurement unit (IMU) was mounted at the level of the 4th lumbar vertebra. Subjects completed repeated Y-Balance tests (YBT) 10 minutes and immediately prior to a modified 60 second Wingate anaerobic fatiguing test. Post-fatigue YBTs were completed immediately following the test, and at 10 and 20 minutes.Outcome measures: Normalised YBT reach distances, and IMU derived RMS acceleration, velocity and angular velocity. Main results: Prior to the fatiguing intervention, participants demonstrated excellent stability/reliability for all reach directions (Intra-class correlation coefficient 0.872-0.994). Significantly lower reach distances (P<0.05) were observed immediately post-fatigue for the postero-medial and postero-lateral, but not anterior reach direction. Observed deficits returned to pre-fatigue levels by 10 minutes. However, IMU derived measures of postural stability remained significantly reduced (P<0.05) for up to 20 minute post-fatigue. Conclusions: These results demonstrate the ability of both traditional YBT reach distances and inertial sensor data to detect centrally driven postural stability deficits. However, the inertial sensor provided a greater degree of granularity in characterising the nature of these postural stability deficits. This suggests that addition of IMUs to clinical balance measurement tests/protocols may better detect deficits associated with concussion.
271 - PublicationInertial Sensor Technology Can Capture Changes in Dynamic Balance Control during the Y Balance TestIntroduction: The Y Balance Test (YBT) is one of the most commonly utilised clinical dynamicbalance assessments. Research has demonstrated the utility of the YBT in identifying balancedeficits in individuals following lower limb injury. However, quantifying dynamic balancebased on reach distances alone fails to provide potentially important information related tothe quality of movement control and choice of movement strategy during the reaching action.The addition of an inertial sensor to capture more detailed motion data may allow for the inexpensive,accessible quantification of dynamic balance control during the YBT reach excursions.As such, the aim of this study was to compare baseline and fatigued dynamic balancecontrol, using reach distances and 95EV (95% ellipsoid volume), and evaluate the ability of95EV to capture alterations in dynamic balance control, which are not detected by YBT reachdistances. Methods: As part of this descriptive laboratory study, 15 healthy participants completedrepeated YBTs at 20, 10, and 0 min prior to and following a modified 60-s Wingate testthat was used to introduce a short-term reduction in dynamic balance capability. Dynamicbalance was assessed using the standard normalised reach distance method, while dynamicbalance control during the reach attempts was simultaneously measured by means of the95EV derived from an inertial sensor, worn at the level of the 4th lumbar vertebra. Results:Intraclass correlation coefficients for the inertial sensor-derived measures ranged from 0.76to 0.92, demonstrating strong intrasession test-retest reliability. Statistically significant altera-tions (p < 0.05) in both reach distance and the inertial sensor-derived 95EV measure wereobserved immediately post-fatigue. However, reach distance deficits returned to baseline levelswithin 10 min, while 95EV remained significantly increased (p < 0.05) beyond 20 min forall 3 reach distances. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate the ability of an inertial sensorderivedmeasure to quantify alterations in dynamic balance control, which are not capturedby traditional reach distances alone. This suggests that the addition of an inertial sensor tothe YBT may provide clinicians and researchers with an accessible means to capture subtlealterations in motor function in the clinical setting.
227Scopus© Citations 16 - PublicationWearable sensing and mobile devices: the future of post-concussion monitoring?(Future Medicine, 2017-02-08)
; ; ; In the past decade, concussion has received large amounts of attention in public, medical and research circles. While our understanding of the nature and management of concussion has greatly improved, there are still major limitations which need to be addressed surrounding the identification of the injury, determining when an individual is safe to return to normal activity, and what factors may contribute to the development of post-concussion syndrome (PCS).The current model of concussion management involves a triage evaluation in the acute stage of injury, focusing on the classic signs and symptoms of concussion. Next, the clinician attempts to evaluate key components of cerebral function through clinical symptom evaluation, and traditional assessments of motor and neurocognitive function [1]. The development of the sports concussion assessment tool (SCAT) saw a massive leap forward in the strategies employed in the management of concussion, as it acknowledged the multifactorial nature of concussion, and provided a standardised means for clinicians to assess the many domains of cerebral function [2]. While these methods have demonstrated some promise in the acute stage, they are not designed for serial monitoring (particularly in instances where PCS develops) [3], and provide us with very little clinically relevant information that can assist clinicians in the return to learn/ sport/ performance process.342 - PublicationInvestigating normal day to day variations in postural control in a healthy young population (age 18-40) using wii balance boards(BMJ Publishing Group, 2015-10)
; ; ; ; ; ; Objective me asurements of postural control are frequently used to examine the causes of, features associated with, and therapeutic interventions for ankle instability. However, researchers have typically used single-session measures to represent postural control at one point in time. Recent studies in a healthy elderly population demonstrate significant variations in day-to-day postural control and suggest that single-session measurement may not truly reflect postural control capabilities. An investigation into patterns of day-to-day variation in postural control in a younger population are warranted.248 - PublicationInvestigating the effects of maximal anaerobic fatigue on dynamic postural control using the Y-Balance Test(Elsevier, 2018-01)
; ; ; ; ObjectivesThe Y Balance Test is one of the most commonly used dynamic balance assessments, providing an insight into the integration of the sensorimotor subsystems. In recent times, there has been an increase in interest surrounding its use in various clinical populations demonstrating alterations in motor function. Therefore, it is important to examine the effect physiological influences such as fatigue play in dynamic postural control, and establish a timeframe for its recovery.DesignDescriptive laboratory study.MethodsTwenty male and female (age 23.75 4.79 years, height 174.12 8.45 cm, mass 69.32 8.76 kg) partaking in competitive sport, completed the Y Balance Test protocol at 0, 10 and 20 min, prior to a modified 60 s Wingate fatiguing protocol. Post-fatigue assessments were then completed at 0, 10 and 20 min post-fatiguing intervention.ResultsIntraclass correlation coefficients demonstrated excellent intra-session reliability (0.9760.982) across the three pre-fatigue YBT tests. Post-hoc paired sample t-tests demonstrated that all three reach directions demonstrated statistically significant differences between pre-fatigue and the first post-fatigue measurement (anterior; p = 0.019, posteromedial; p = 0.019 & posterolateral; p = 0.003). The anterior reach direction returned to pre-fatigue levels within 10 min (p = 0.632). The posteromedial reach direction returned to pre-fatigue levels within 20 min (p = 0.236), while the posterolateral direction maintained a statistically significant difference at 20 min (p = 0.023).ConclusionsMaximal anaerobic fatigue has a negative effect on normalised Y balance test scores in all three directions. Following the fatiguing protocol, dynamic postural control returns to pre-fatigue levels for the anterior (<10 min), posteromedial (<20 min) and posterolateral (>20 min).657Scopus© Citations 25 - PublicationValidation of temporal gait metrics from three IMU locations to the gold standard force plate(IEEE, 2016-08-20)
; ; ; ; The purpose of this work is to compare temporal gait parameters from three different IMU locations to the gold standard force platform. 33 subjects (12 F, 21 M) performed twenty gait trials each while wearing inertial measurement units (IMUs) on the trunk, both shanks and both feet. Data was simultaneously collected from a laboratory embedded force plate. Step times were derived from the raw IMU data at the three IMU locations using methods that have been shown to be accurate. Step times from all locations were valid compared to the force plate. Foot IMU step time was the most accurate (Pearson = .991, CI width = 3.00e2), the trunk IMU was the next most accurate (Pearson = .974, CI width = 4.85e2) and shank step time was the least accurate (Pearson = .958, CI width = 6.80e2). All three sensing locations result in valid estimations of step time compared to the gold standard force plate. These results suggest that the foot location would be most appropriate for clinical applications where very precise temporal parameter detection is required.542Scopus© Citations 10 - PublicationInertial sensory data provides depth to clinical measures of dynamic balance(BMJ, 2017-09-17)
; ; ; ; Objectives: Establish the role a single inertial sensor may play in the objective quantification of dynamic postural stability following acute ankle injuries.Background The Y Balance test (YBT) is one of the most commonly utilised clinical dynamic balance assessments. Research has demonstrated the utility of the YBT in identifying balance deficits in those with acute ankle injuries and chronic ankle instability. However, reach distances fail to provide information relating to the quality of balance strategy and dynamic stability. Motion capture systems are often employed to provide micro-level detail pertaining to an individuals postural stability. However, such systems are expensive, lack accessibility, hinder natural movement and require extensive processing expertise. The addition of inertial sensors may allow for the inexpensive, accessible quantification of postural stability in an unconstrained environment.Case Description Forty-two elite under-20 rugby union players were recruited as part of a wider study. Two athletes were identified to have sustained acute ankle injuries two weeks previously; one lateral ankle sprain and one deltoid ligament sprain. A single inertial sensor was mounted at the level of the 4th lumbar vertebra. Participants completed four practice YBTs bilaterally, prior to completing 3 recorded YBTs. Reach distance and inertial sensor data were recorded for each reach excursion.Outcomes When compared to the group mean, both athletes demonstrated no clinically meaningful reduction in reach distances for all three reach directions. However, both athletes demonstrated a higher 95% ellipsoid volume of sway than the healthy control group for all three directions of the YBT when completed on their affected limb.Conclusions Preliminary analysis suggests that inertial sensor data may provide information relating to the quality of dynamic postural stability following an acute ankle injury. Further investigation is required to establish the role that such measures may play in the assessment and management of ankle injuries.76 - PublicationInter-session test-retest reliability of the quantified Y balance testThe Y Balance test is the most common dynamic balance assessment used in clinical practice and research. However, the traditional measure of performance, the reach distance, fails to provide detailed information pertaining to the control of balance during the reach task. Recent research has demonstrated that a single wearable inertial sensor can capture detailed information pertaining to balance performance during the Y balance test, not captured by the traditional reach distances. To date, no research has been conducted investigating the inter-session test-retest reliability of the inertial sensor instrumented YBT. Thirty -two young healthy adults, aged between 18-40 were recruited as part of this study. Participants completed the quantified YBT protocol during two testing sessions, separated by 7-10 days. The findings from this study demonstrated that 26/36 (anterior), 31/36 (posteromedial) and 33/36 (posterolateral) quantified variables demonstrated good-excellent intra-session test-retest reliability. These findings suggest that the inertial sensor quantified YBT can provide a reliable measure of dynamic balance performance. Further research is required to investigate the capability of the quantified YBT to identify individuals at risk of injury/ disease and track recovery/ response to intervention.
418Scopus© Citations 7 - PublicationAthletes with a concussion history in the last two years have impairments in dynamic balance performance(Wiley, 2020-08)
; ; ; ; The purpose of this study was to determine if National Collegiate Athletics Association Division 1 American Football and Ice Hockey athletes with a history of concussion have impaired dynamic balance control when compared to healthy control athletes. This cross‐sectional observational study recruited 146 athletes; 90 control athletes and 56 athletes with a history of concussion. Athletes were tested during a pre‐season evaluation using the inertial‐sensor instrumented Y Balance Test. Independent variables were normalized reach distance, gyroscope magnitude sample entropy, and jerk magnitude root mean square. Kruskal‐Wallis H test and Dunn‐Bonferroni analysis demonstrated that individuals with a concussion history within the last 2 years have statistically significantly lower jerk magnitude root mean square in the posteromedial (Z = 23.22, P = .015) and posterolateral (Z = 24.64, P = .010) reach directions, when compared to the control group. There was no significant difference between those who sustained a concussion longer than two years ago and the control group for the posteromedial (Z = −1.25; P = .889) and posterolateral (Z = 6.44; P = .469) directions. These findings show that athletes with a concussion history within the last two years possess dynamic balance deficits, when compared to healthy control athletes. Conversely, athletes whose injury occurred greater than 2 years ago possessed comparable performance to the healthy controls. This suggests that sensorimotor control deficits may persist beyond clinical recovery, for up to 2 years. Therefore, clinicians should integrate balance training interventions into the return‐to‐play process to accelerate sensorimotor recovery and mitigate the risk of future injury.358Scopus© Citations 6 - PublicationChallenging Concussed Athletes: The Future of Balance Assessment in ConcussionThe assessment and management of sports-related concussion has become a contentious issue in the field of sports medicine. The current consensus in concussion evaluation involves the use of a subjective examination, supported by multifactorial assessment batteries designed to target the various components of cerebral function. Balance assessment forms an important component of this multifactorial assessment, as it can provide an insight into the function of the sensorimotor subsystems post-concussion. In recent times, there has been a call to develop objective clinical assessments that can aid in the assessment and monitoring of concussion. However, traditional static balance assessments are derived from neurologically impaired populations, are subjective in nature, do not adequately challenge high functioning athletes and may not be capable of detecting subtle balance disturbances following a concussive event. In this review, we provide an overview of the importance of assessing motor function following a concussion, and the challenges facing clinicians in its assessment and monitoring. Additionally, we discuss the limitations of the current clinical methods employed in balance assessment, the role of technology in improving the objectivity of traditional assessments, and the potential role inexpensive portable technology may play in providing objective measures of more challenging dynamic tasks.
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