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Session: Motor Control II
Session starts: Friday 25 January, 13:00
Presentation starts: 13:45
Room: Lecture room 558

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Astrid van der Zijden (Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre - Research department, Sint Maartenskliniek Nijmegen)
Esther Tanck (Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre)
Dennis Janssen (Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre)
Nico Verdonschot (Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre - Laboratory for Biomechanical Engineering, University of Twente, Enschede )

Abstract:
Sideways falls onto the hip are a major cause of hip fractures in the elderly [1]. The fracture risk depends on the ratio of the load applied to the bone during impact and the fracture (failure) load [2]. Previous studies indicated that Martial Arts (MA) fall techniques decrease hip impact forces in sideways falls [3]. The aim of this study is to combine various modeling techniques to assess the different aspects involving the femoral fracture risk and to examine whether fall biomechanics are different in falls involving the MA technique versus a natural fall arrest strategy (Block). In vivo falling experiments with judokas were conducted and 3D marker and force plate data were recorded (Vicon, Oxford, UK and Motion Analysis Inc., CA, USA). The impact forces and energies of the body segments before, during, and after impact were derived from the kinematic data by use of Matlab (R2011B, Mathworks, USA) and 3D musculoskeletal modeling (AnyBody™). Additionally, loading configurations derived from the in vivo experiments were applied to finite element models of the femoral bone to predict the fracture loads (Marc Mentat 2007 r1). Finally, the relation between the impact and fracture loads was determined to examine the protective effects of the MA technique on the hip fracture risk. The results from this study have provided insight on the effects of MA fall techniques on hip impact load and energies in sideways falls, and contribute to guidelines for fall training programs for the elderly and osteoporotic patients. The innovative combining of modeling techniques has shown the importance of applying realistic fall loading configurations to fracture models: the accuracy of predicting fracture load and location has improved compared to previous studies in literature. Furthermore, the models developed in our study can be used to evaluate other fracture prevention interventions and designs, for example compliant flooring and hip protectors. REFERENCES [1] P. Kannus, P. Leiponen, J. Parkkari, M. Palvanen and M. Jarvinen, “A sideways fall and hip fracture”, Bone, Vol. 39(2), pp. 383–384, (2006). [2] W.C. Hayes, E.R. Myers, S.N. Robinovitch, A. van den Kroonenberg, A.C. Courtney and T.A. McMahon, “Etiology and prevention of age-related hip fractures”, Bone, Vol. 18(1), pp. S77–S86, (1996). [3] B.E. Groen, V. Weerdesteyn and J. Duysens, “Martial arts fall techniques decrease the impact forces at the hip during sideways falling”, J of Biomech., Vol. 40(2), pp. 458–462, (2007).