Skater's Cramp: A Possible Task-Specific Dystonia in Dutch Ice Skaters.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Skater's cramp is an involuntary lower leg movement in skilled speed skaters. We aim to evaluate whether skater's cramp is compatible with task-specific dystonia.

Methods

A case-control study tested 5 speed skaters exhibiting symptoms of skater's cramp and 5 controls. Affected skaters completed a standardized questionnaire and neurological examination. Video analyses included skating normally, intensely, and with extra mass around the skater's ankles. An Inertial Motion Capturing (IMC) device mounted on both skates provided angular velocity data for both feet.

Results

Median time of onset of skater's cramp occurred after 12 (range 3-22) years of speed skating. Skater's cramp appeared as task specific; its onset was sudden and correlated to stress and aberra

SUBMITTER: Nijenhuis B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6749809 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature