Mechanography (also referred to as jumping mechanography or Muscle Mechanography[1]) is a medical diagnostic measurement method for motion analysis and assessment of muscle function and muscle power by means of physical parameters. The method is based on measuring the variation of the ground reaction forces over the time for motion patterns close to typical every day movements (e.g. chair rise or jumps). From these ground reaction forces centre of gravity related physical parameters like relative maximum forces, velocity, power output, kinetic energy, potential energy, height of jump or whole body stiffness[2] are calculated. If the ground reaction forces are measured separately for left and right leg in addition body imbalances during the motions can be analysed. This enables for example to document the results of therapy.[3][4] The same methodology can also be used for gait analysis[5][6] or for analysis of stair climbing,[7]grip strength[8] and Posturography.[9] Due to the utilization of every-day movements reproducibility is high over a wide age range[10]
^Taani MH, Kovach CR, Buehring B: Muscle Mechanography: A Novel Method to Measure Muscle Function in Older Adults., Res Gerontol Nurs, 10(1):17-24, 2017; PMID28112354
^Farley CT, Houdijk HH, Van Strien C, Louie M: Mechanism of leg stiffness adjustment for hopping on surfaces of different stiffnesses, Mechanism of leg stiffness adjustment for hopping on surfaces of different stiffnesses, PMID9729582
^Fricke O, Witzel C, Schickendantz S, Sreeram N, Brockmeier K, Schoenau E: Mechanographic characteristics of adolescents and young adults with congenital heart disease, Eur J Pediatr. 2007 May 22, PMID17516086
^Rendenbach C, Kohlmeier C, Suling A, Assaf AT, Catala-Lehnen P, Amling M, Heiland M, Riecke B: Prospective biomechanical analysis of donor-site morbidity after fibula free flap., J Craniomaxillofac Surg, 44(2)::155-9, 2016; PMID26697726
^Veilleux LN, Robert M, Ballaz L, Lemay M, Rauch F: Gait analysis using a force-measuring gangway: Intrasession repeatability in healthy adults, J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact., 11(1):27-33, 2011; PMID21364272
^Veilleux LN, Cheung M, Ben Amor M, Rauch F: Abnormalities in Muscle Density and Muscle Function in Hypophosphatemic Rickets., J Clin Endocrinol Metab, ():, 2012; PMID22639288
^Saxer S, Speich R, Toigo M, Mueller SM, Ulrich Somaini S: Reliability of parameters during stair ascent measured with Leonardo Mechanograph((R)) Stair A in healthy subjects., J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact, 15(3):257-63, 2015; PMID26350944
^Lang I, Busche P, Rakhimi N, Rawer R, Martin DD.: Mechanography in childhood: references for grip force, multiple one-leg hopping force and whole body stiffness., J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact., 13(2)::227-35., 2013; PMID23728109
^Stolzenberg N, Belavý DL, Rawer R, Felsenberg D.: Vibration or Balance Training on Neuromuscular Performance in Osteopenic Women., Int J Sports Med., 34(11):956-62, 2013; PMID23549694
^Matheson LA, Duffy S, Maroof A, Gibbons R, Duffy C, Roth J: Intra- and inter-rater reliability of jumping mechanography muscle function assessments., J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact, 13(4):480-6, 2013; PMID24292618