Discipline: Biological Sciences
Subcategory: Physiology and Health
Session: 1
Room: Virginia B
Aaron Griffith - Delaware State University
Co-Author(s): 1-3Von Homer, Delaware State University Dover, DE ; 1Melissa Harrington, Delaware State University, Dover, DE; 1 Aaron Griffith,Delaware State University, Dover, DE ;1 R. Christopher Mason, Delaware State University, Dover, DE;1 Adam Kuperavage, Delaware State University, Dover, DE; 3 Charlene Hafer-Macko, Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC) Baltimore, MD ;3 Richard Macko, Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), Baltimore, MD; Larry Forrester Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC) Baltimore, MD; 3 Roy Anindo Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), Baltimore, MD; 4 John Sorochan,University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN; 4 Songing Zhang, University of Tennessee Knoxville, TN; 2 Zeeshan Anwar Barry University, School of Podiatric Medicine, Miami, FL
Our investigators are characterizing neuromuscular function using three experiments that test two hypotheses. First, that the application of Non-custom foot orthotics will significantly decrease distal lower extremity injuries directly associated with foot orthotic modality regardless of footwear type. Second, we believe this will be due to better energy dissipation in primary muscle movers of the foot and ankle complex. By the altering input signals through mechanoreceptors in the skin and muscle into the plantar foot, the orthotic will ultimately cause proper alignment and stability of the foot, changing the ‘muscle tuning’ of the lower extremity, producing a change in muscle activity ideally dampening soft tissue vibrations with the lower extremity muscles. Both hypothesis are supported by the preferred movement pathway theory. The overall goal of my research is to characterize ankle torque and its correspondence to the damping of specific muscles in the lower extremity that are primary movers of the ankle joint with and without a standardized intervention. The specific aims of the current project are: 1) to investigate the long term effects of monitored prophylactic application of Non Custom Foot Orthotics on foot and ankle related injury in collegiate athletes; 2) To examine the etiology of distal lower extremity injury associated with foot orthotic modality in various field and court sports by comparing changes in lower extremity neuromuscular stability and muscle tension during sport specific movement and normal walking gait parameters; and 3) To examine the interaction at the base of support between footwear, in-shoe interface and terrain. Research subjects will perform the Y-Balance excursion test which can be correlated with injury risk, while having specific joint kinematics recorded along with Electromyography in four specific muscle stabilizers of the foot and ankle. Tibialis Anterior, Peroneus Longus and the Medial and Lateral Gastrocnemius will be characterize independently and in conjunction with one another in performance of foot and ankle stabilization under various conditions. We expect to see changes in neuromuscular effort and threshold of fatigue directly relating to the economy of ankle movement during specific athletic activity with and without orthotic intervention. Characterizing ankle torque and its correspondence to damping of specific muscles that are the primary movers of the ankle joint with and without standardize intervention, we hope to quantify the effect of foot orthotics and shoes on the neuromuscular system, and to establish an innovative model for determining distal lower extremity injury risk.
Funder Acknowledgement(s): This study is supported by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke grant #R25NS095371
Faculty Advisor: Melissa Harrington; Mazen Shahin; Von Homer, Griff5495@gmail.com
Role: Data Collection; Data Analysis; Subject Recruiting; IRB; Informed Consent Forms; Protocols