Physiomed Australia

    Clinical Research

    Evidence-based research supporting our equipment and clinical applications.

    2023The KneeCojean T, Batailler C, Robert H, Cheze L

    GNRB® Laximeter with Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Complete and Partial Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear Detection: A Prospective Diagnostic Study with Arthroscopic Validation on 214 Patients

    This landmark prospective study compared the GNRB® arthrometer against MRI for detecting healthy ACL, complete tears, and partial tears — with arthroscopy as the gold standard across 214 surgical patients. MRI sensitivity for partial ACL tears was just 29.51%; the GNRB®/DYNEELAX® technology achieved 73.77% — more than double. For complete tears, GNRB® matched MRI. The study concluded that GNRB® is a valuable complementary device to MRI and is superior for identifying partial tears, which MRI most commonly misses and which directly influence surgical decision-making.

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    2024Translational Sports MedicineNascimento N, Kotsifaki R, Papakostas E, Zikria BA, Alkhelaifi K, Hagert E, Olory B, D'Hooghe P, Whiteley R

    DYNEELAX® Robotic Arthrometer Reliability and Feasibility on Healthy and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injured/Reconstructed Persons

    Conducted at Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital in Doha, Qatar — one of the world's leading sports medicine institutions — this prospective cohort study assessed DYNEELAX® reliability across 48 participants (82 knees: healthy, ACL-injured, and ACL-reconstructed). Using standardised knee tightening at 90 N ± 5 N, the device demonstrated excellent intratest reliability across all metrics, with ICC values of 0.91–0.96. The minimum detectable change for anterior translation was 0.83 mm — confirming DYNEELAX® as a reliable tool for both clinical diagnosis and longitudinal post-surgical monitoring.

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    2024CureusUnal P, Samargandi R, Schmitt A, Letissier H, Berhouet J

    GNRB® Knee Arthrometer: Inter- and Intra-observer Reliability and Learning Curve

    This French multi-centre study evaluated inter- and intra-observer reproducibility of the GNRB® arthrometer, measuring anterior translation in 20 healthy knees at 154 N and 200 N across a senior surgeon and a junior resident working independently. Senior examiners demonstrated excellent reproducibility (ICC > 0.75 for all measurements). Junior examiners reached statistically excellent reproducibility after a learning curve of approximately 20 knees. Inter-observer ICC between senior and junior was excellent (> 0.75), confirming that the GNRB®/DYNEELAX® system produces consistent measurements across clinical operators once a brief training period is completed.

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    2024ArthroscopyGuegan S et al.

    All the Menisco-Ligamentary Structures of the Medial Plane Play a Significant Role in Controlling Anterior Tibial Translation and Tibial Rotation of the Knee: Cadaveric Study of 29 Knees with the Dyneelax® Laximeter

    Using the DYNEELAX® to measure laxity in 29 cadaveric knees after sequential sectioning of medial structures, this study quantified the specific contribution of each medial ligament to anterior tibial translation and tibial rotation. Findings confirmed that multiple medial structures — not just the ACL — play significant roles in controlling combined translational and rotational instability. This mechanistic understanding directly informs surgical planning for multi-ligament reconstructions and validates DYNEELAX®'s dual-axis measurement as clinically essential.

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    2018BMC Research NotesHabets B, Staal JB, Tijssen M, van Cingel R

    Intrarater Reliability of the Humac NORM Isokinetic Dynamometer for Strength Measurements of the Knee and Shoulder Muscles

    This study evaluated the test-retest reliability of the Humac NORM isokinetic dynamometer across 54 participants, testing concentric and eccentric strength of knee and shoulder muscles at multiple angular velocities. ICC values for knee tests ranged from 0.74–0.89 and shoulder tests from 0.72–0.94, demonstrating good to excellent reliability for clinical and research use.

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    2016American Journal of OrthopedicsBugbee WD, Pulido PA, Goldberg T, D'Lima DD

    Use of an Anti-Gravity Treadmill for Early Postoperative Rehabilitation After Total Knee Replacement: A Pilot Study to Determine Safety and Feasibility

    This pilot randomised controlled trial assessed the safety and feasibility of the AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill for early rehabilitation following total knee replacement surgery. The device was found to be safe with no adverse events, and therapists expressed 100% satisfaction with its clinical utility for facilitating early weight-bearing and mobility recovery.

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    2020Frontiers in NeurologyAgostini V, Ghislieri M, Rosati S, Balestra G, Knaflitz M

    Surface Electromyography Applied to Gait Analysis: How to Improve Its Impact in Clinics?

    This review examines surface electromyography (sEMG) as a non-invasive method for recording muscle electrical activity during movement and gait. The authors identify key barriers to wider clinical adoption and propose strategies to bridge the gap between research and routine practice, enabling clinicians to implement objective, evidence-based rehabilitation assessment.

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    2014Journal of Aging and Physical ActivityBiggan JR, Melton F, Horvat MA, Ricard M, Keller D, Ray CT

    Increased Load Computerised Dynamic Posturography in Prefrail and Nonfrail Community-Dwelling Older Adults

    This study examined how environmental and cognitive stressors affect postural control in community-dwelling older adults at different frailty levels using computerised dynamic posturography. Cognitive dual-tasks significantly impaired balance scores across both groups, highlighting the importance of multifactorial balance assessment and targeted exercise programs for fall risk reduction.

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    Clinical Applications

    HUMAC NORM and HUMAC Balance systems supplied by Physiomed Australia are used by Australian sports-medicine clinics, elite-sport programs, and research institutions. The references below are publicly available.

    Sports Medicine Clinics

    Live Athletic — Isokinetic Dynamometry

    Live Athletic uses the HUMAC NORM Isokinetic Dynamometer for injury evaluation, targeted loading sessions, and return-to-sport clearance testing — identifying limb strength imbalances and weakness through specific ranges of motion.

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    Live Athletic — ACL Rehabilitation

    HUMAC NORM is used as "gold-standard testing to measure joint torque and muscular symmetry" at multiple stages of Live Athletic's three-phase ACL rehabilitation program.

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    IC Sports Therapies — HUMAC Balance Assessment (Sydney)

    IC Sports Therapies uses the HUMAC Balance system as a computerised balance measurement and training tool for athletes and rehabilitation patients — the first private-practice installation of its kind on Sydney's North Shore.

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    Research & Academic Institutions

    OrthoSport Victoria Institute (OSVi) — Biomechanical Analysis

    OSVi's biomechanics facility uses the HUMAC isokinetic dynamometer alongside Bertec force plates, Xsens 3D motion tracking, and the VALD performance suite for strength and performance testing.

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    University of Melbourne — Department of Physiotherapy

    HUMAC NORM is listed among the research facilities in the School of Health Sciences' Department of Physiotherapy.

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    University of Queensland — Achilles Tendon Research

    Open-access research from UQ eSpace referencing isokinetic dynamometry in Achilles tendon assessment.

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    In the Media

    Sydney Morning Herald — Chloe Molloy (AFLW, Sydney Swans)

    Feature on Sydney Swans AFLW star Chloe Molloy's rehabilitation journey.

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