Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. Gait abnormalities, such as altered joint kinematics, are common in people with MS (pwMS). Traditional clinical gait assessments may not detect subtle kinematic alterations, but advances in motion capture technology and analysis methods, such as statistical parametric mapping (SPM), offer more detailed assessments. The aim of this study was to compare the lower-limb joint kinematics during gait between pwMS and healthy controls using SPM analysis. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving pwMS and healthy controls. A three-dimensional motion capture system was used to obtain the kinematic parameters of the more affected lower limb (MALL) and less affected lower limb (LALL), which were compared using the SPM analysis. Results: The study included 10 pwMS with mild disability (EDSS ≤ 3) and 10 healthy controls. The results showed no differences in spatiotemporal parameters. However, significant differences were observed in the kinematics of the lower-limb joints using SPM. In pwMS, compared to healthy controls, there was a higher anterior pelvis tilt (MALL, p = 0.047), reduced pelvis elevation (MALL, p = 0.024; LALL, p = 0.044), reduced pelvis descent (MALL, p = 0.033; LALL, p = 0.022), reduced hip extension during pre-swing (MALL, p = 0.049), increased hip flexion during terminal swing (MALL, p = 0.046), reduced knee flexion (MALL, p = 0.04; LALL, p < 0.001), and reduced range of motion in ankle plantarflexion (MALL, p = 0.048). Conclusions: pwMS with mild disability exhibit specific kinematic abnormalities during gait. SPM analysis can detect alterations in the kinematic parameters of gait in pwMS with mild disability.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by axonal degeneration and demyelination. Changes in gait, related to joint kinematics and kinetics, especially at the ankle and knee, have been observed in people with MS (pwMS). Muscle coactivation plays an important role in joint stabilization; however, excessive coactivation may interfere with gait. The aim of this study was to analyze the differences in muscle activation during gait in pwMS compared to healthy individuals. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving pwMS and healthy controls. Surface electromyography was used to record muscle activity during gait. The main outcome measures were the coactivation index (CI) and the area under the curve (AUC), which were calculated for several pairs of lower extremity muscles. Results: Nine pwMS and nine healthy controls were included. When comparing the MS group to the control group, the AUC was significantly higher in the lateral gastrocnemius (p = 0.023) and the CI for the lateral gastrocnemius-anterior tibialis (p = 0.022) and gluteus maximus-lateral gastrocnemius (p = 0.047). Conclusion: Mildly affected pwMS have altered muscle coactivation patterns during gait, especially in the most affected limb. The results highlight the importance of muscle coactivation in pwMS and its possible role in the early detection of gait abnormalities.

Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease that leads to motor, cognitive, and sensory impairments, significantly affecting walking and quality of life. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between quality of life and kinematic walking parameters in individuals with multiple sclerosis, as well as to evaluate the influence of fatigue, balance, and cognitive performance on different aspects of quality of life. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 32 patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis with Expanded Disability Status Scale scores of ≤5.5. Quality of life was assessed using the MusiQoL questionnaire, and clinical variables included fatigue (Fatigue Scale for Motor and Cognitive Functions, Borg scale), balance (Berg Balance Scale), and cognitive performance (Trail Making Test). Walking kinematics were analyzed using the Vicon motion capture system to obtain walking speed, step frequency, and joint asymmetry indices. Spearman correlations and linear regression models were applied. Results showed significant correlations between quality of life and walking speed (rho = 0.506), step frequency (rho = 0.508), and knee asymmetry (rho = −0.525), as well as strong associations with cognitive fatigue (rho = −0.796) and balance (rho = 0.635). Regression models explained up to 58.4% of the variance in the Activities of Daily Living dimension. These findings indicate that quality of life in multiple sclerosis is influenced by both clinical and biomechanical factors, highlighting the importance of comprehensive assessments to guide physiotherapeutic interventions.

Objective: to examine the concordance between estimated power output, blood lactate concentration, and triceps brachii electromyographic (EMG) activity in a T54 elite athlete during an incremental roller ergometer test; Methods: a female T54 competitor performed a maximal incremental protocol on a calibrated roller ergometer. Surface EMG of the triceps brachii and capillary blood lactate concentration were recorded. Mechanical power was estimated through a coast-down modelling approach; Results: simultaneous inflection points in EMG amplitude and lactate concentration were observed at 20 km/h, coinciding with a steep increase in mechanical demand; Discussion: the strong agreement between estimated mechanical output and internal physiological markers reinforces the potential of roller-based assessments for identifying neuromuscular and metabolic thresholds during upper-limb propulsion tasks; Conclusions: indirect power estimation on roller ergometers provides a valid and accessible alternative for individualized load prescription in adapted sport, supporting the integration of physiological testing tools into performance monitoring of athletes with disabilities

Introduction and Objective: Bow stability before release is a key determinant of precision, yet its relationship with upper-limb strength in junior elite archers remains under-characterized. This study aimed to quantify triaxial bow oscillation and examine its association with shooting performance and maximal isometric handgrip strength. Methodology: Using an 8-camera Vicon system, 3D kinematics were recorded to evaluate bow displacement and pulling-hand variability during a standardized pre-release window in recurve archers. Results: Longitudinal oscillation was identified as the most consistent kinematic determinant of performance, showing a large negative association with shooting score. A nearly perfect negative correlation was found between mean score and grouping area (minimum enclosing circle method). While handgrip strength was not associated with performance, bow draw force showed a moderate-to-large positive association with score, though it did not reach statistical significance after correction. Conclusions: These findings highlight the critical role of longitudinal stability over raw hand strength in determining shooting precision among elite junior recurve archers.