scholarly journals Multidimensional Measures of Physical Activity and Their Association with Gross Motor Capacity in Children and Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (20) ◽  
pp. 5861
Author(s):  
Corinna N. Gerber ◽  
Lena Carcreff ◽  
Anisoara Paraschiv-Ionescu ◽  
Stéphane Armand ◽  
Christopher J. Newman
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Performance Metrics ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Ongoing Debate ◽  
Gross Motor ◽  
Inertial Measurement ◽  
Pattern Complexity ◽  
Measurement Units ◽  
And Performance

The current lack of adapted performance metrics leads clinicians to focus on what children with cerebral palsy (CP) do in a clinical setting, despite the ongoing debate on whether capacity (what they do at best) adequately reflects performance (what they do in daily life). Our aim was to measure these children’s habitual physical activity (PA) and gross motor capacity and investigate their relationship. Using five synchronized inertial measurement units (IMU) and algorithms adapted to this population, we computed 22 PA states integrating the type (e.g., sitting, walking, etc.), duration, and intensity of PA. Their temporal sequence was visualized with a PA barcode from which information about pattern complexity and the time spent in each of the six simplified PA states (PAS; considering PA type and duration, but not intensity) was extracted and compared to capacity. Results of 25 children with CP showed no strong association between motor capacity and performance, but a certain level of motor capacity seems to be a prerequisite for the achievement of higher PAS. Our multidimensional performance measurement provides a new method of PA assessment in this population, with an easy-to-understand visual output (barcode) and objective data for clinical and scientific use.

scholarly journals Rein Tension in Transitions and Halts during Equestrian Dressage Training

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 712 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agneta Egenvall ◽  
Hilary M. Clayton ◽  
Marie Eisersiö ◽  
Lars Roepstorff ◽  
Anna Byström
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Models ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Inertial Measurement Units ◽  
Inertial Measurement ◽  
Measurement Units

In dressage, the performance of transitions between gaits and halts is an integral part of riding sessions. The study aimed to evaluate rein tension before, during and after the transitions between different gaits and the transitions into halts. The kinematic (inertial measurement units) data for the head and croup, and rein tension data, were collected (128 Hz) from six professional riders each riding three of their own horses, training levels varying from basic to advanced, during normal training sessions. The activities were categorised into gaits, halts and transitions based on video evaluation. The transitions were categorised as without (type 1) or with (type 2) intermediate steps that are not normally present in the gaits preceding or following the transition. The differences in the median rein tension before/during/after transitions, between the types and left/right reins were analysed in mixed models. The rein tension just before the transition was the strongest determinant of tension during the transition. The rein tension was slightly lower during upward transitions compared to downward transitions, reflecting the pattern of the preceding gait. Type 1 and 2 downward transitions were not different regarding rein tension. The left rein tension was lower than right rein tension. The rein tension associated with the transitions and halts varied substantially between riders and horses. The generally strong association of the gaits and their inherent biomechanics with rein tension should be taken into account when riding transitions and halts.

scholarly journals Gross motor function is an important predictor of daily physical activity in young people with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy

2014 ◽  
Vol 56 (12) ◽  
pp. 1163-1171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theofani A Bania ◽  
Nicholas F Taylor ◽  
Richard J Baker ◽  
H Kerr Graham ◽  
Leila Karimi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Young People ◽  
Motor Function ◽  
Daily Physical Activity ◽  
Important Predictor ◽  
Spastic Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Gross Motor ◽  
Gross Motor Function

scholarly journals Effects of a training programme of functional electrical stimulation (FES) powered cycling, recreational cycling and goal-directed exercise training on children with cerebral palsy: a randomised controlled trial protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. e024881 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen L Armstrong ◽  
Roslyn N Boyd ◽  
Megan J Kentish ◽  
Christopher P Carty ◽  
Sean A Horan
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Motor Function ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Gross Motor ◽  
Sit To Stand ◽  
Children With Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Randomised Controlled

IntroductionChildren with cerebral palsy (CP) experience declines in gross motor ability as they transition from childhood to adolescence, which can result in the loss of ability to perform sit-to-stand transfers, ambulate or participate in leisure activities such as cycling. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) cycling is a novel technology that may provide opportunities for children with CP to strengthen their lower limbs, improve functional independence and increase physical activity participation. The proposed randomised controlled trial will test the efficacy of a training package of FES cycling, adapted cycling and goal-directed functional training to usual care in children with CP who are susceptible to functional declines.Methods and analysisForty children with CP (20 per group), aged 6–8 years and classified as Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels II–IV will be recruited across South East Queensland. Participants will be randomised to either an immediate intervention group, who will undertake 8 weeks of training, or a waitlist control group. The training group will attend two 1 hour sessions per week with a physiotherapist, consisting of FES cycling and goal-directed, functional exercises and a 1 hour home exercise programme per week, consisting of recreational cycling. Primary outcomes will be the gross motor function measure and Canadian occupational performance measure, and secondary outcomes will include the five times sit-to-stand test, habitual physical activity (accelerometry), power output during cycling and Participation and Environment Measure-Children and Youth. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, postintervention (8 weeks) and 8 weeks following the intervention (retention).Ethics and disseminationEthical approval has been obtained from Griffith University (2018/037) and the Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service (CHQHHS) Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC/17/QRCH/88). Site-specific approval was obtained from CHQHHS research governance (SSA/17/QRCH/145). Results from this trial will be disseminated via publication in relevant peer-reviewed journals.Trial registration numberACTRN12617000644369p.

scholarly journals Full Real-Time Positioning and Attitude System Based on GNSS-RTK Technology

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (23) ◽  
pp. 9796
Author(s):  
J. M. Olivart i Llop ◽  
D. Moreno-Salinas ◽  
J. Sánchez
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Software Design ◽  
Reference System ◽  
Inertial Measurement Units ◽  
Inertial Measurement ◽  
Research Areas ◽  
Principal Axes ◽  
Requirement Definition ◽  
Measurement Units ◽  
And Performance

An accurate positioning and attitude computation of vehicles, robots, or even persons is of the utmost importance and critical for the success of many operations in multiple commercial, industrial, and research areas. However, most of these positioning and attitude systems rely on inertial measurement units that must be periodically recalibrated and have a high cost. In the present work, the design of a real-time positioning and attitude system using three positioning sensors based on the GNSS-RTK technology is presented. This kind of system does not need recalibration, and it allows one to define the attitude of a solid by only computing the position of the system in the global reference system and the three angles that the relative positions of the GNSS antennas define with respect to the principal axes of the solid. The position and attitude can be computed in real time for both static and dynamic scenarios. The only limitation of the system is that the antennas need to be in open air to work at full performance and accuracy. All the design phases are covered in the prototype construction: requirement definition, hardware selection, software design, assembly, and validation. The feasibility and performance of the system were tested in both static and dynamic real scenarios.

scholarly journals Gross Motor Capability and Performance of Mobility in Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Comparison Across Home, School, and Outdoors/Community Settings

2004 ◽  
Vol 84 (5) ◽  
pp. 419-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beth L Tieman ◽  
Robert J Palisano ◽  
Edward J Gracely ◽  
Peter L Rosenbaum
Keyword(s):  
Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Controlled Environment ◽  
Community Settings ◽  
Gross Motor ◽  
Gross Motor Function Measure ◽  
Children With Cerebral Palsy ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Function Measure ◽  
At Home

Abstract Background and Purpose. Mobility of children with cerebral palsy (CP) has generally been examined in terms of capability (what a child can do) in a controlled environment, rather than performance (what a child does do) in everyday settings. The purpose of this study was to compare gross motor capability and performance across environmental settings in children with CP. Subjects. The subjects were 307 children with CP, aged 6 to 12 years, who were randomly selected across Ontario, Canada. Methods. Children were grouped by capability (the highest of 3 items achieved on the Gross Motor Function Measure). Performance was measured via a parent-completed questionnaire on usual mobility methods in the home, at school, and in the outdoors or community. Results. There were statistically significant differences in performance across settings for children in all capability groups. Children who were capable of crawling performed crawling more at home than at school or in the outdoors or community. Children who were capable of walking with support performed walking with support more at school than in the outdoors or community. Children who were capable of walking alone performed walking alone more at home than at school or in the outdoors or community, and more at school than in the outdoors or community. Discussion and Conclusion. The results provide evidence that children with CP with similar capability demonstrate differences in performance across settings. The results suggest that physical therapists should examine performance in the settings that are important to the child's daily life.

scholarly journals Mems Technology Quality Requirements as Applied to Multibeam Echosounder

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 59-64
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Bikonis ◽  
Jerzy Demkowicz
Keyword(s):  
Inertial Sensors ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Microelectromechanical System ◽  
Power Efficient ◽  
Inertial Measurement ◽  
Multibeam Echosounder ◽  
Mems Technology ◽  
Measurement Units ◽  
And Performance

Abstract Small, lightweight, power-efficient and low-cost microelectromechanical system (MEMS) inertial sensors and microcontrollers available in the market today help reduce the instability of Multibeam Sonars. Current MEMS inertial measurement units (IMUs) come in many shapes, sizes, and costs - depending on the application and performance required. Although MEMS inertial sensors offer affordable and appropriately scaled units, they are not currently capable of meeting all requirements for accurate and precise attitudes, due to their inherent measurement noise. The article presents the comparison of different MEMS technologies and their parameters regarding to the main application, namely Multibeam Echo Sounders (MBES). The quality of MEMS parameters is crucial for further MBES record-processing. The article presents the results of undertaken researches in that area, and these results are relatively positive for low-cost MEMS. The paper undertakes some vital aspect of using MEMS in the attitude and heading reference system (AHRS) context. The article presents a few aspects of MEMS gyro errors and their estimation process in the context of INS processing flow, as well as points out the main difficulties behind the INS when using a few top MEMS technologies.

scholarly journals Using A Soft Conformable Foot Sensor to Measure Changes in Foot Strike Angle During Running

Sports ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. 184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Herman van Werkhoven ◽  
Kathryn A. Farina ◽  
Mark H. Langley
Keyword(s):  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Sensor Data ◽  
Inertial Measurement ◽  
Analysis Techniques ◽  
Potential Association ◽  
Foot Strike ◽  
Measurement Units ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Reliable Methods ◽  
Strike Angle

The potential association between running foot strike analysis and performance and injury metrics has created the need for reliable methods to quantify foot strike pattern outside the laboratory. Small, wireless inertial measurement units (IMUs) allow for unrestricted movement of the participants. Current IMU methods to measure foot strike pattern places small, rigid accelerometers and/or gyroscopes on the heel cap or on the instep of the shoe. The purpose of this study was to validate a thin, conformable IMU sensor placed directly on the dorsal foot surface to determine foot strike angles and pattern. Participants (n = 12) ran on a treadmill with different foot strike patterns while videography and sensor data were captured. Sensor measures were compared against traditional 2D video analysis techniques and the results showed that the sensor was able to accurately (92.2% success) distinguish between rearfoot and non-rearfoot foot strikes using an angular velocity cut-off value of 0°/s. There was also a strong and significant correlation between sensor determined foot strike angle and foot strike angle determined from videography analysis (r = 0.868, p < 0.001), although linear regression analysis showed that the sensor underestimated the foot strike angle. Conformable sensors with the ability to attach directly to the human skin could improve the tracking of human dynamics and should be further explored.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document