Muscle Activation and Torso Movement during Exercise using Novel Fiberglass Resistance Poles

Background: A novel form of functional training utilizes flexible fiberglass poles for resistance. Similar to elastic bands, as the poles flex, resistance increases. To date, no studies have examined activation patterns associated with such implements. Objective: This study examined muscle activation and torso rotation using different pole resistance intensities during a “push-pull” rotational core exercise. Methods: Twenty-one subjects (16 women, 5 men; age=20.4±1.3y) completed 6 trials of 10 repetitions each of a standing push and pull movement with 3 different pole tensions (very light, light, moderate). Muscle activation (electromyography) for the anterior and posterior deltoid, abdominal oblique, and paraspinal muscles were recorded. Concentric contractions during the push phase (PUSH) and the pull load (PULL) phases were recoded, and percent maximal voluntary contraction (%MVC) was computed. Markers on the acromion process and a vertically mounted camera were used to record torso rotation during each push and pull. ANOVA for each muscle and PUSH and PULL was used for comparisons across pole intensity. Results: Significant main effects for torso rotation were seen, with rotation with the very light pole (Push= 61.9 ± 9.20, Pull= 64.8 ± 14.00) significantly greater than moderate (Push= 52.0 ± 12.80, Pull= 54.9 ± 10.10). EMG data were highly variable, with no differences in muscle activation detected across pole resistance loads. Conclusion: Variability of the EMG data prevent clear resolution of activation patterns. However, torso rotation is limited with heavier pole resistance since increased pole flex also increases resistance.

How Lighting can Bring a Bridge to Life

<p>As a design office specialising in both bridge design and outdoor lighting, we know from experience what good lighting can do for a bridge and its surroundings. Our lecture will focus on several real-life projects where adding light has played an important role in transforming a bridge into an experience. As these projects will also show, lighting design can serve different purposes:</p><ul><li><p>Providing functional lighting to ensure safety</p></li><li><p>Enhancing the bridge’s appearance / Creating a specific night-time atmosphere</p></li><li><p>Telling the story behind the bridge and/or its location</p></li></ul><p>Among the examples shown will be the Hovenring, the hovering roundabout bicycle and pedestrian bridge in Eindhoven, where we have created a well-functioning and spectacular lighting design without a single light pole and a railway, pedestrian and wildlife bridge with illuminated railing that portrays images of the site’s history as well as local wildlife.</p>

Challenging chest drainage: a case report

Introduction. Chest trauma is one of the most common causes of death corresponding to 20 to 25 % of cases. The majority of the patients (85%), can be managed with only a tube thoracostomy. Our objective by presenting this case report is to provide an example of how to manage a challenging chest tube thoracostomy in a patient with cardiac hernia diagnosed in the preoperative phase, based on signs of computed tomography. Case report. A 45-year-old male presented to our emergency department who fell from a light pole 7 meters high. He fell to the ground on his back. Physical examination revealed a huge subcutaneous emphysema on his entire anterior chest wall and presented no sensitivity or movements below the navel line. After the initial assessment and management care, the patient improved. As the patient stabilized we decided to go to CT. The scan revealed pericardial rupture with only the right pericardial circumference intact, the heart herniated into the left pleural space, bilateral pneumothorax, small right hemothorax and a relevant subcutaneous emphysema surrounding the chest. We decided to perform the blunt dissection technique to insert chest tubes bilaterally because of safety. After performed it the patient was transferred to cardiothoracic department. Discussion. There is a variety of techniques to perform tube thoracostomy but the blunt dissection remain the safer, especially when we are facing an anatomic distortion of the heart. Conclusion. We present a case report of a challenging thoracic drainage performed in a patient with traumatic cardiac hernia, which procedure was successful.

Comprehensive performance analysis and optimal design of smart light pole for cooperative vehicle infrastructure system

On the basis of the finite element theory, in this study, a theoretical design and simulation practice to carry out steady-state static analysis, structural dynamics analysis, and electromagnetic interferencecharacteristics analysis on smart light poles, is combined. On this basis, a design of modular weight reduction and cost reduction was proposed, which realized the multi-objective parameter optimization of the smart light pole. The simulation results show that the mass of the optimized light pole can be reduced by 14.2%, and the material cost can be reduced by 14.7%. At the same time, the comprehensive performance of the optimized smart light pole can still meet the design requirements of the industry standards. The research results provide a reference for the lightweight design and the comprehensive analysis of the smart light pole in the future.