Neue Medien - neue Menschen?

Zwei Reizthemen sind es, die einer anbrechenden Informationsgesellschaft auf den Nägeln brennen. Einmal ist es die - spätestens seit Günther Anders als infantil und antiquiert diffamierte philosophisch-anthropologische Frage nach dem Menschen. Zum Zweiten geht es um die zur ideologischen Standortbestimmung unvermeidlichen Frage nach unserer Haltung angesichts der prosperierenden Informations- und Kommunikationstechniken (=IuK-Techniken). Eine Korrelation beider kann deshalb nicht ohne Reiz sein. Eine Darstellung der in der Themenstellung intendierten Wechselbeziehung zwei er so komplexer, weil ideologiebefrachteter Themen kann unter Intellektuellen, die weder Informatiker, höhere Postbeamte oder EDV-Fachleute sind, kaum Einseitigkeiten vermeiden. (...)  EnglishThe author discusses the inter-relations between the philosophical/anthropological question of what is man, and the new media. First it is shown that there exists an implicit anthropology, a socalled "crypto anthropology" which has adapted scientific terms and concepts; since long, the assumptions ofnatural sciences (e.g.Iinear thinking, reduction on empirical reality, "yes" or "no" thinking, etc), frame the way of human self reflection. Deriving however his self understanding from the function of machin es, man reduces hirnself substantially. The author therefore pleads for re-thinking anthropolgy and ethics, and mainly appeals to the ability of man very early to leam about functioning, facilities and non-facilities ofapplication, organisation, and structures ofmedia and information technology. Not the media and technology must define man, he himselfhas to define in order to use these media appropriately.

Die Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien und die katholische Erwachsenenbildung

Eine Plastik in der Dortmunder Fußgängerzone ist mit folgendem Graffito besprüht: »So many people can determine the way you die, but only you can determine the way you live«. Wie wahr, kann man zu der gespritzten Kommunikation sagen, denn die Kassandra-Rufer, die Unheilspropheten haben Konjunktur. Nicht zuletzt aus der Bibel wissen wir, daß Zeiten des Umbruchs auch Zeiten der Unsicherheit sind; Zeiten der Neuorientierung sind auch immer Zeiten der Desorientierung. So ist es gegenwärtig in der Tat mindestens doppeldeutig, wie berauschend die kulturpessimistische Suada über jeden hinabstürzt, ihn einzuzwängen sucht in ein Lamento von resignativer Aufmüpfigkeit, geboren aus der Abwehr des Neuen und Erwartung des Chaos, oft sogar verständlich aus einer vorfindliehen Hilflosigkeit. Die Masse der Bevölkerung aber »ruhet sanft«; man fühlt sich an Lichtenberg erinnert: »Nichts kann zur Seelenruhe mehr beitragen, als wenn man gar keine Meinung hat«. (...)  English Modern technologies have entailed new conditions for human life. Today many things are practicable and possible, what is not likewise desirable. Responsibilities that have tobe worked out considering the Christian ethics' pointofview result from this conflict. This is a special duty for the institutions ofCatholic adult education. They have the task to accompany people out of Christian values in the orientation crisis caused by modern technology.

Patellar surface strain

We measured longitudinal surface strains on the anterior patella at controlled simulated quadriceps loads, quadriceps angles, and knee flexion angles. We studied both the natural patella and patellas resurfaced with domed, bifaceted, and metal backed polyethylene components. Twelve matched pairs of fresh human cadaver knee specimens were tested. Midanterior longitudinal patellar strains were greatest at knee flexion angles at 45 to 60° of knee flexion. Alterations in quadriceps angle medially and laterally did not decrease recorded strain values significantly. Polyethylene patellar prostheses increased patellar strains but a bifaceted component or “total contact” design minimized this effect. Metal support for the prosthetic patella decreased the recorded surface strains. This study of patellar surface strain at the three midline locations provides experimental results that may prove useful for design and validation of analytic models of the patella. The study also suggests that patellar surface strain measures may provide a method for evaluating the effects of patellar prosthesis design and resurfacing procedures.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/50377/1/1100040314_ftp.pd

The Effect of a Hip Strengthening Program on Mechanics during Running and Single Leg Squatting

STUDY DESIGN: Block randomized controlled trial. OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether a strengthening and movement education program, targeting the hip abductors and hip external rotators, alters hip mechanics during running and during a single-leg squat. BACKGROUND: Abnormal movement patterns during running and single-leg squatting have been associated with a number of running-related injuries in females. Therapeutic interventions for these aberrant movement patterns typically include hip strengthening. While these strengthening programs have been shown to improve symptoms, it is unknown if the underlying mechanics during functional movements is altered. METHODS: Twenty healthy females with excessive hip adduction during running, as determined by instrumented gait analysis, were recruited. The runners were matched by age and running distance, and randomized to either a training group or a control group. The training group completed a hip strengthening and movement education program 3 times per week for 6 weeks in addition to single-leg squat training with neuromuscular reeducation consisting of mirror and verbal feedback on proper mechanics. The control group did not receive an intervention but maintained the current running distance. Using a handheld dynamometer and standard motion capture procedures, hip strength and running and single-leg squat mechanics were compared before and after the strengthening and movement education program. RESULTS: While hip abductor and external rotation strength increased significantly (P<.005) in the training group, there were no significant changes in hip or knee mechanics during running. However, during the single-leg squat, hip adduction, hip internal rotation, and contralateral pelvic drop all decreased significantly (P = .006, P = .006, and P = .02, respectively). The control group exhibited no changes in hip strength, nor in the single-leg squat or running mechanics at the conclusion of the 6-week study. CONCLUSION: A training program that included hip strengthening and movement training specific to single-leg squatting did not alter running mechanics but did improve single-leg squat mechanics. These results suggest that hip strengthening and movement training, when not specific to running, do not alter abnormal running mechanics. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapy, level 2b. NOTE: This is not the final published version. The final version was published in the Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy. 2011 Sep; 41(9): 625-32. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2011.347

Sex differences in knee loading in recreational runners

Patellofemoral pain is the most common chronic pathology in recreational runners. Female runners are at greater risk of developing patellofemoral pain, although the exact mechanism behind this is not fully understood. This study aimed to determine whether female recreational runners exhibit distinct knee loading compared to males. Fifteen males and 15 females recreational runners underwent 3D running analysis at 4.0 m s−1±5%. Sagittal/coronal joint moments, patellofemoral contact forces (PTF) and pressures (PCP) were compared between sexes. The results show that females exhibited significantly greater knee extension (p<0.008, pη2=0.27: males=3.04; females=3.47 N m kg−1) and abduction (p<0.008, pη2=0.28: males=0.54; females=0.82 N m kg−1) moments as well as PTF (p<0.008, pη2=0.29: males=3.25; females=3.84 B.W.) and PCP (p<0.008, pη2=0.26: males=7.96; females=9.27 MPa) compared to males. Given the proposed relationship between knee joint loading and patellofemoral pathology, the current investigation provides insight into the incidence of patellofemoral pain in females