scholarly journals Biomechanism and exercise effect of fitness walking using twin walking sticks

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 899-900
Author(s):  
Ken Yamauchi ◽  
Tsutomu Ichikawa ◽  
Akira Ogita ◽  
Hironori Yoshida ◽  
Hiromichi Hasagawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vertical Direction ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Skeleton Model ◽  
Training Tool ◽  
Exercise Effect ◽  
Length Step ◽  
Walk Ratio ◽  
Rehabilitation Hospitals ◽  
Support Time

Abstract In Japan, walking poles with pairs of sticks developed exclusively for fitness walking have been designed. A new concept of walking style (WS) has been conceived using these walking sticks to “effectively” walk around the city, comprehensive sports parks, or at rehabilitation hospitals. Stick manufacturers are promoting its health benefits; however, evidence supporting these claims is lacking. Hence, this study aimed to measure the influence of walking sticks and evaluate the exercise effect based on functional physical fitness related to WS characteristics. The participants were 12 WS instructors. They engaged in WS at a comfortable speed after walking normally at the same speed (WN) for ∼5 m (seven times), followed by WS again. The walking speed, step length, stride width, walk ratio, one-leg support time, and trajectory of the center of gravity (CG) (in the horizontal and vertical directions of one walking cycle) calculated from the whole-body skeleton model were analyzed. The gait of WS increased the step length, step width, and walking ratio as compared with that of WN (p<0.05). WS likely reduce cadence and one-leg support time (p<0.05). The CG locus in the left-right direction showed no significant differences between WS and WN. The maximum value of the CG locus in the vertical direction was high in WS (p<0.05). WS can be used as a navigation training tool that improves a walker's exercise efficiency and left-right leg coordination, thereby improving walking posture. This may help reduce the anxiety due to injuries and pain that may occur while walking.

scholarly journals Using Biofeedback to Reduce Step Length Asymmetry Impairs Dynamic Balance in People Poststroke

2021 ◽  
pp. 154596832110193
Author(s):  
Sungwoo Park ◽  
Chang Liu ◽  
Natalia Sánchez ◽  
Julie K. Tilson ◽  
Sara J. Mulroy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Angular Momentum ◽  
Sagittal Plane ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Objective Measure ◽  
Frontal Plane ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Berg Balance Scale ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Functional Gait ◽  
Full Body

Background People poststroke often walk with a spatiotemporally asymmetric gait, due in part to sensorimotor impairments in the paretic lower extremity. Although reducing asymmetry is a common objective of rehabilitation, the effects of improving symmetry on balance are yet to be determined. Objective We established the concurrent validity of whole-body angular momentum as a measure of balance, and we determined if reducing step length asymmetry would improve balance by decreasing whole-body angular momentum. Methods We performed clinical balance assessments and measured whole-body angular momentum during walking using a full-body marker set in a sample of 36 people with chronic stroke. We then used a biofeedback-based approach to modify step length asymmetry in a subset of 15 of these individuals who had marked asymmetry and we measured the resulting changes in whole-body angular momentum. Results When participants walked without biofeedback, whole-body angular momentum in the sagittal and frontal plane was negatively correlated with scores on the Berg Balance Scale and Functional Gait Assessment supporting the validity of whole-body angular momentum as an objective measure of dynamic balance. We also observed that when participants walked more symmetrically, their whole-body angular momentum in the sagittal plane increased rather than decreased. Conclusions Voluntary reductions of step length asymmetry in people poststroke resulted in reduced measures of dynamic balance. This is consistent with the idea that after stroke, individuals might have an implicit preference not to deviate from their natural asymmetry while walking because it could compromise their balance. Clinical Trials Number: NCT03916562.

scholarly journals Split-Belt Treadmill Adaptation Transfers to Overground Walking in Persons Poststroke

2009 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 735-744 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darcy S. Reisman ◽  
Robert Wityk ◽  
Kenneth Silver ◽  
Amy J. Bastian
Keyword(s):  
Step Length ◽  
Overground Walking ◽  
Double Support ◽  
Context Switching ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Partial Transfer ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Double Support Time ◽  
Support Time ◽  
Control Locomotion

Background and Objective. Following stroke, subjects retain the ability to adapt interlimb symmetry on the split-belt treadmill. Critical to advancing our understanding of locomotor adaptation and its usefulness in rehabilitation is discerning whether adaptive effects observed on a treadmill transfer to walking over ground. We examined whether aftereffects following split-belt treadmill adaptation transfer to overground walking in healthy persons and those poststroke. Methods. Eleven poststroke and 11 age-matched and gender-matched healthy subjects walked over ground before and after walking on a split-belt treadmill. Adaptation and aftereffects in step length and double support time were calculated. Results. Both groups demonstrated partial transfer of the aftereffects observed on the treadmill ( P < .001) to overground walking ( P < .05), but the transfer was more robust in the subjects poststroke ( P < .05). The subjects with baseline asymmetry after stroke improved in asymmetry of step length and double limb support ( P = .06). Conclusions. The partial transfer of aftereffects to overground walking suggests that some shared neural circuits that control locomotion for different environmental contexts are adapted during split-belt treadmill walking. The larger adaptation transfer from the treadmill to overground walking in the stroke survivors may be due to difficulty adjusting their walking pattern to changing environmental demands. Such difficulties with context switching have been considered detrimental to function poststroke. However, we propose that the persistence of improved symmetry when changing context to overground walking could be used to advantage in poststroke rehabilitation.

scholarly journals A study of vibration exposure and work practices of Loader and Dozer operators in opencast mines

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 3-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bibhuti Bhusan Mandal ◽  
Krishnendu Sarkar ◽  
Veena Manwar
Keyword(s):  
Health Risk ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Vertical Direction ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Reverse Direction ◽  
Work Practices ◽  
Continuous Change ◽  
Background Exposure ◽  
Opencast Mines

Background: Exposure to whole body vibration (WBV) at work and development of musculoskeletal disorders are well linked. Vehicle vibrations are usually perceived to occur in vertical direction and are likely to cause lumbar disorders in operators. Vibration characteristics of the machines need to be studied and compared with work practices which may indicate nature of health risk to operators. This may help in developing specific action plans to control vibration related health risk. Objective: The objectives of the study were, to measure and analyze vibration magnitudes, observe work practices of Loaders and Dozers, evaluate health risk to their operators and to formulate recommendations for control measures. Methods and Material: Frequency weighted Root Mean Square values of acceleration data was collected as per guidelines in ISO 2631-1:1997 using human vibration analyzers. WBV exposure of 40 (Forty) Loader and Dozer operators in eight opencast mines were evaluated to assess health risk using vibration magnitude and corresponding daily exposure durations. Results and Conclusion: The dominant axis of vibration in dozers was found to be X (front to back) in 80% of the equipments. This is different from transporting equipment like Dumpers which have Z axis as dominant axis of vibration. A continuous change of movement in forward and reverse direction and rash driving were found to be contributory factors for increased vibration intensity along X- axis. It was observed that 27(68%) of them showed moderate whereas 12(30%) equipment showed high health risk. It is suggested that vibration control measures should be designed and adopted based not only on the intensity but also on the dominant axis typical to the equipment and work practices.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v2i2.6144 International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, Vol 2. No 2 (2012) 3-7 

scholarly journals Field Study of Morphological Parameters in Step-Pool Streams

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (8) ◽  
pp. 1930 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abbas Torbizadeh ◽  
Ahmad Tahershamsi ◽  
Mohammad Reza Majdzadeh Tabatabai
Keyword(s):  
Field Study ◽  
Cross Sections ◽  
Wave Length ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Morphological Parameters ◽  
Energy Field ◽  
Intermediate Morphology ◽  
Length Step ◽  
Successive Step ◽  
The Difference

Nowadays, step-pool formations have attracted a lot of attention, which are distinguished by the successive arrangements of the bed, suitable geometry, and the tumbling flow pattern, which can highly disperse water energy. Field study of a step–pool channel, along with one of the upper reaches of Kamandan River indicated a strong correlation between several morphological parameters of the river such as reach slope, step length, step height, pool depth, local slope, and the like. The length of the reach under the study is 145 meters and has an intermediate morphology based on Montgomery and Buffington’s classification. Therefore, twelve distinct step units were identified for 145 meters upstream while the rest was formed by steep morphology. In the present study, different definitions of wave length were applied to establish the relationships among the above parameters. For instance, the difference between apexes of every two successive step elevation was found to have a considerable relationship with the wavelength with a determination coefficient of 0.9. In addition, bankfull width and depth, along the profile for different cross-sections, were determined to establish a relationship between these parameters and pool spacing. Further, the parameters were applied to create a relationship with step heights.

Modeling of Human Reactions to Whole-Body Vibration

1987 ◽  
Vol 109 (3) ◽  
pp. 210-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farid M. L. Amirouche
Keyword(s):  
Human Body ◽  
Equations Of Motion ◽  
Vertical Direction ◽  
The Body ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Connective Tissues ◽  
Finite Segment ◽  
Body Vibration ◽  
Forcing Function ◽  
Impulse Function

A computer-automated approach for studying the human body vibration is presented. This includes vertical, horizontal, and torsional vibration. The procedure used is based on Finite Segment Modeling (FSM) of the human body, thus treating it as a mechanical structure. Kane’s equations as developed by Huston et al. are used to formulate the governing equations of motion. The connective tissues are modeled by springs and dampers. In addition, the paper presents the transient response of different parts of the body due to a sinusoidal forcing function as well as an impulse function applied to the lower torso in the vertical direction.

Comparison of Human Surrogate Responses in Underbody Blast Loading Conditions

2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Ott ◽  
D. Drewry ◽  
M. Luongo ◽  
J. Andrist ◽  
R. Armiger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vertical Direction ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Matched Pair ◽  
Loading Conditions ◽  
Occupant Safety ◽  
Vertical Loading ◽  
Impact Biomechanics ◽  
Biomechanical Response ◽  
Hybrid Iii

Abstract Impact biomechanics research in occupant safety predominantly focuses on the effects of loads applied to human subjects during automotive collisions. Characterization of the biomechanical response under such loading conditions is an active and important area of investigation. However, critical knowledge gaps remain in our understanding of human biomechanical response and injury tolerance under vertically accelerated loading conditions experienced due to underbody blast (UBB) events. This knowledge gap is reflected in anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs) used to assess occupant safety. Experiments are needed to characterize biomechanical response under UBB relevant loading conditions. Matched pair experiments in which an existing ATD is evaluated in the same conditions as a post mortem human subject (PMHS) may be utilized to evaluate biofidelity and injury prediction capabilities, as well as ATD durability, under vertical loading. To characterize whole body response in the vertical direction, six whole body PMHS tests were completed under two vertical loading conditions. A series of 50th percentile hybrid III ATD tests were completed under the same conditions. Ability of the hybrid III to represent the PMHS response was evaluated using a standard evaluation metric. Tibial accelerations were comparable in both response shape and magnitude, while other sensor locations had large variations in response. Posttest inspection of the hybrid III revealed damage to the pelvis foam and skin, which resulted in large variations in pelvis response. This work provides an initial characterization of the response of the seated hybrid III ATD and PMHS under high rate vertical accelerative loading.

scholarly journals A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Passive Accessory Joint Mobilization on Acute Ankle Inversion Sprains

2001 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
pp. 984-994 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toni Green ◽  
Kathryn Refshauge ◽  
Jack Crosbie ◽  
Roger Adams
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Joint Mobilization ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Ankle Inversion ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Support Time

Abstract Background and Purpose. Passive joint mobilization is commonly used by physical therapists as an intervention for acute ankle inversion sprains. A randomized controlled trial with blinded assessors was conducted to investigate the effect of a specific joint mobilization, the anteroposterior glide on the talus, on increasing pain-free dorsiflexion and 3 gait variables: stride speed (gait speed), step length, and single support time. Subjects. Forty-one subjects with acute ankle inversion sprains (&lt;72 hours) and no other injury to the lower limb entered the trial. Methods. Subjects were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatment groups. The control group received a protocol of rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). The experimental group received the anteroposterior mobilization, using a force that avoided incurring any increase in pain, in addition to the RICE protocol. Subjects in both groups were treated every second day for a maximum of 2 weeks or until the discharge criteria were met, and all subjects were given a home program of continued RICE application. Outcomes were measured before and after each treatment. Results. The results showed that the experimental group required fewer treatment sessions than the control group to achieve full pain-free dorsiflexion. The experimental group had greater improvement in range of movement before and after each of the first 3 treatment sessions. The experimental group also had greater increases in stride speed during the first and third treatment sessions. Discussion and Conclusion. Addition of a talocrural mobilization to the RICE protocol in the management of ankle inversion injuries necessitated fewer treatments to achieve pain-free dorsiflexion and to improve stride speed more than RICE alone. Improvement in step length symmetry and single support time was similar in both groups.

scholarly journals The spinal control of locomotion and step-to-step variability in left-right symmetry from slow to moderate speeds

2015 ◽  
Vol 114 (2) ◽  
pp. 1119-1128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charline Dambreville ◽  
Audrey Labarre ◽  
Yann Thibaudier ◽  
Marie-France Hurteau ◽  
Alain Frigon
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Burst Duration ◽  
Relative Distance ◽  
Length Step ◽  
Spatial Parameters ◽  
Temporal And Spatial ◽  
Adult Cats ◽  
Left Right Asymmetry ◽  
Treadmill Locomotion

When speed changes during locomotion, both temporal and spatial parameters of the pattern must adjust. Moreover, at slow speeds the step-to-step pattern becomes increasingly variable. The objectives of the present study were to assess if the spinal locomotor network adjusts both temporal and spatial parameters from slow to moderate stepping speeds and to determine if it contributes to step-to-step variability in left-right symmetry observed at slow speeds. To determine the role of the spinal locomotor network, the spinal cord of 6 adult cats was transected (spinalized) at low thoracic levels and the cats were trained to recover hindlimb locomotion. Cats were implanted with electrodes to chronically record electromyography (EMG) in several hindlimb muscles. Experiments began once a stable hindlimb locomotor pattern emerged. During experiments, EMG and bilateral video recordings were made during treadmill locomotion from 0.1 to 0.4 m/s in 0.05 m/s increments. Cycle and stance durations significantly decreased with increasing speed, whereas swing duration remained unaffected. Extensor burst duration significantly decreased with increasing speed, whereas sartorius burst duration remained unchanged. Stride length, step length, and the relative distance of the paw at stance offset significantly increased with increasing speed, whereas the relative distance at stance onset and both the temporal and spatial phasing between hindlimbs were unaffected. Both temporal and spatial step-to-step left-right asymmetry decreased with increasing speed. Therefore, the spinal cord is capable of adjusting both temporal and spatial parameters during treadmill locomotion, and it is responsible, at least in part, for the step-to-step variability in left-right symmetry observed at slow speeds.

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