Aged adults with DS can significantly improve muscle strength and balance by adopting suitable programs of treadmill walking.

Excessive foot pronation has been considered to be related to anterior knee pain. We undertook a prospective study to test the hypothesis that exertional anterior knee pain is related to the static and dynamic parameters of foot pronation. Two weeks before beginning basic training lasting for 14 weeks, 473 infantry recruits were enrolled into the study and underwent two-dimensional measurement of their subtalar joint displacement angle during walking on a treadmill. Of the 405 soldiers who finished the training 61 (15%) developed exertional anterior knee pain. No consistent association was found between the incidence of anterior knee pain and any of the parameters of foot pronation. While a statistically significant association was found between anterior knee pain and pronation velocity (left foot, p = 0.05; right foot, p = 0.007), the relationship was contradictory for the right and left foot. Our study does not support the hypothesis that anterior knee pain is related to excessive foot pronation.

Significant levels of muscular fatigue alter the co-ordination patterns and the ability to accomplish proper daily functions, especially in patients with initial low levels of strength. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the strength and endurance of the quadriceps and hamstring muscles in trans-tibial amputees. Concentric strength and endurance of the thigh muscles were measured bilaterally by an isokinetic dynamometer. The measured variables were torque and angle. For the endurance test, a fatigue index was calculated. Peak torque for extension and flexion was significantly higher in the sound limb (p<0.01). The fatigue index for extension was not significantly different in the sound limb from the amputated limb. The fatigue index for flexion is significantly higher in the sound limb (p<0.01). The finding may imply that from a metabolic point of view, the muscles of the amputated limb function properly. It is of great importance to reduce the bilateral deficit and the degree of atrophy as soon as possible in order to improve the level of performance. By choosing a correct strength and endurance training programme, one may expect to get a significant and good reaction from the muscles of the amputated limb as is expected from training the muscles of a sound limb.

Longer duration of foot pronation may have a protective effect from stress fractures of the femur and tibia. This finding may promote the understanding of stress fracture pathomechanism, assist in the identification of subjects with increased risk who need augmented monitoring throughout training, and assist in future planning of impact reducing aids.

In functional terms, the biomechanical outcomes of open surgery and percutaneous repair for acute ruptures of the Achilles tendon are both effective.