“Water immersed inverted pendulum” : a physiomechanical model of shallow water walking at different depths and speeds

Durante a caminhada, o corpo humano realiza trocas de energia mecânica como um pêndulo invertido. A cada ciclo de passada é observada essa transformação entre energia cinética horizontal e energia potencial gravitacional do centro de massa. Esse mecanismo de pêndulo invertido atua como uma estratégia de minimização de gasto energético durante a caminhada. Considerando que esse mecanismo é dependente de fatores internos e externos à tarefa de caminhada, e que foi um produto dos agentes de pressão evolutiva em nossa espécie, surge o questionamento sobre o comportamento desse mecanismo de minimização de gasto energético do pêndulo invertido durante condições dinâmicas modernas como a caminhada em água rasa: uma atividade física muito popular e disseminada para um amplo espectro de populações. O objetivo principal desta dissertação foi desenvolver um modelo fisiomecânico do comportamento do pêndulo invertido durante a caminhada em água rasa por homens adultos saudáveis. Nossa hipótese foi que o mecanismo de pêndulo invertido durante a caminhada em água rasa seria afetado pelas forças de empuxo e de arrasto, e que existiria uma profundidade ótima para o custo de transporte mínimo de caminhada devido à interação entre essas duas forças. A dissertação é dividida em quatro seções principais. 1) Após uma apresentação geral (capítulo 1), nós introduzimos a justificativa para o objetivo principal desta dissertação (capítulo 2) e fornecemos uma base teórica para nosso modelo fisiomecânico do “pêndulo invertido molhado” da caminhada em água rasa (capítulos 3 e 4). 2) Reportamos uma revisão sistemática (capítulo 5 – estudo 1) de estudos observacionais de variáveis fisiológicas e biomecânicas de caminhada em água rasa em comparação com a caminhada em solo seco. 3) Com o objetivo de desenvolver um modelo fisiomecânico da caminhada em água rasa, realizamos um estudo experimental (capítulo 6– estudo 2) em que parâmetros fisiológicos, cinéticos e espaço-temporais foram analisados em quatro profundidades (joelho, quadril, umbigo e xifóide) e em cinco velocidades (0,2, 0,4, 0,6, 0,8 m/s e velocidade confortável autosselecionada) durante a caminhada em água rasa por nove homens adultos saudáveis (28 ± 8 anos, 77,7 ± 9,2 kg, 1,78 ± 0,04 m). 4) Finalmente, as conclusões gerais da dissertação são apresentadas no capítulo 7. O “pêndulo invertido imerso na água” é um modelo fisiomecânico de caminhada em água rasa representado por um diagrama de corpo livre considerando as forças de empuxo e de arrasto atuantes sobre um pêndulo invertido imerso. O resultado principal dessa dissertação é um valor mínimo de custo de transporte na profundidade do quadril apenas na menor velocidade de caminhada analisada (0,2 m/s), em decorrência, provavelmente, de uma relação ótima entre as forças de empuxo e de arrasto nessa condição. Nas velocidades restantes, a profundidade mais econômica de caminhada foi na profundidade do joelho. O gasto energético durante a caminhada em água rasa parece ser influenciado tanto pela profundidade e velocidade de caminhada, o que poderia ser atribuído às forças de empuxo e de arrasto. Futuros estudos testando esse modelo fisiomecânico em outras profundidades, velocidades de caminhada, populações e com um modelo de estimativa da força de arrasto aperfeiçoado são sugeridos.During walking, the human body operates a mechanical energy exchange as an inverted pendulum. At each stride, there is an exchange between the forward kinetic energy and the gravitational potential energy of the center of mass. This inverted pendulum mechanism actuates as an energy saving strategy of walking. Considering that this mechanism is dependent on both intrinsic and extrinsic factors related to walking task and that these factors are product of the evolutionary pressures to our specie, arises the question of the response of the inverted pendulum energy saving during current dynamic conditions as shallow water walking (SWW): a prevalent and disseminate physical exercise to a wide range of populations. The present dissertation's main goal was to propose a physiomechanical model of inverted pendulum response during SWW by healthy adult men. We hypothesized that the inverted pendulum mechanism during SWW would be affected by the buoyancy and drag forces and that would exist an optimal depth for the minimal cost of walking due to the interplay between these forces. The dissertation was divided into four main sections. 1) After a general presentation (chapter 1), we introduced the dissertation's primary aim justification (chapter 2) and provided a theoretical basis for our "water immersed inverted pendulum" physiomechanical model of SWW (chapters 3 and 4). 2) We reported a systematic review (chapter 5 - study 1) of observational studies focusing on physiological and biomechanical responses of SWW in comparison to dry land walking. 3) Aiming to develop a physiomechanical model of SWW, we performed an experimental study (chapter 6 - study 2) where physiologic, kinetic, and spatiotemporal parameters were measured at four depths (knee, hip, umbilical, and xiphoid) and five speeds (0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 m/s, and at comfortable self-selected speed) during SWW by nine healthy adult men (28 ± 8 years, 77.7 ± 9.2 kg, 1.78 ± 0.04 m). 4) Finally, we present the dissertation general conclusions in chapter 7. The "water immersed inverted pendulum" is an SWW physiomechanical model represented by a free body diagram that considers both buoyancy and drag forces acting on an immersed inverted pendulum. The main finding was a minimum cost of transport at the hip depth during the slowest walking speed analyzed (0.2 m/s), probably due to the optimal interplay between buoyancy and drag forces at this condition. For the remaining speeds, the most economical depth was at knee. The energy expenditure during SWW seems to be influenced by both depth and walking speed, which could be attributed to buoyancy and drag forces. Future studies testing this physiomechanical model in other depths, speeds, populations, and an improved drag force estimation model are suggested

Automatismos posturais antecipatórios e compensatórios durante a execução de abdução e flexão de ombro com diferentes cargas em ambiente aquático

Introdução: os automatismos posturais são alterações nos níveis de atividade de músculos posturais, visando à estabilização corporal e preservação da postura. No entanto, a literatura sobre o comportamento dos automatismos posturais durante a imersão no ambiente aquático é escassa. Objetivo: analisar e comparar a atividade eletromiográfica (EMG) dos automatismos posturais antecipatórios (APAs) e compensatórios (CPAs) durante a realização de movimentos unilaterais de ombro com cargas de peso e arrasto no ambiente aquático por indivíduos saudáveis. Materiais e métodos: foi analisada a atividade EMG do APA e do CPA dos músculos eretor espinal, oblíquo interno e glúteo médio bilateralmente. A análise estatística foi realizada por teste t para amostras pareadas ou teste de Wilcoxon, e análise do M-Modes pela análise do componente principal (PCA). O índice de significância adotado foi de α<0,05. Resultados: não foram detectadas diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os automatismos posturais APA e CPA em nenhum dos exercícios. O APA apresentou maiores valores de atividade EMG na abdução em comparação com a flexão; ao passo que o CPA não demonstrou diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os movimentos. Os APAs e CPAs tiveram valores significativamente maiores nos movimentos contra força de arrasto do que os com peso. Os movimentos com peso demonstraram padrões paralelos (M-Modes) de ativação e inibição muscular. Conclusão: Os exercícios avaliados não apresentaram diferenças entre os automatismos APA e CPA. Ainda, os resultados demonstram que exercícios resistidos pelo arrasto apresentaram maior atividade postural antecipatória e compensatória que os com carga peso.Introduction: The postural automatisms are modulations in the activity levels of postural muscles, aiming body stabilization and preservation of posture. However, the literature on the behavior of postural automatisms during immersion in the aquatic environment is scarce. Objective: To analyze and compare the electromyographic (EMG) activity of anticipatory (APAs) and compensatory (CPAs) postural automatisms during unilateral shoulder movements with weight and drag loads while in immersion in aquatic environment by healthy individuals. Materials and methods: the EMG activity of APAs and CPAs were analyzed from the muscles bilaterally: spinal erector, internal oblique and gluteus medium. Statistical analysis was performed by t test for paired samples or Wilcoxon test, and analysis of M-Modes by principal component analysis (PCA). The significance index adopted was α < 0.05. Results: Statistically significant differences were not detected between the postural automatism APA and CPA in any of the exercises. APA EMG activity showed higher values in the abduction compared with the flexion; whereas the CPA showed no statistically significant differences between the movements. APA and CPA demonstrate higer EMG activity in movements with drag in comparision with those with weight. Movements with weight showed parallel patterns (M Modes) of muscle activation and inhibition. Conclusions: The exercises evaluated did not present differences between APA and CPA activity. Still, the results demonstrate that drag load exercises presented higher anticipatory and compensatory postural activity than those with weight load

PHYSIOMECHANICAL MODEL OF SHALLOW WATER WALKING: DRAG AND BUOYANCY FORCES AFFECTING THE COST OF TRANSPORT

Although the physiologic and biomechanical responses of shallow water walking (SWW) have been studied extensively, a physiomechanical model aiming to define the mechanical determinants of cost of transport (C) of SWW is lacking. Therefore, we investigated the SWW by healthy men at different speeds (0.2, 0.4, 0.6 m/s) and depths (knee, hip, umbilical, xiphoid). The objectives of this study were 1) to analyze the C response during SWW by healthy men and 2) to propose a physiomechanical model of SWW by determining the C response and its correlation with drag force and buoyancy forces during SWW. The C had a minimal value at intermediary speeds only in the knee depth, while in the other deeper depths, the C presented a monotonic rise with the speed increase. A minimum C was found at hip depth during 0.2 m/s, suggesting an optimization between the effects of buoyancy and drag forces at this condition. These findings could be applied in the exercise prescription of SWW for different populations, as indicators of the relative importance of hydrostatic and hydrodynamic forces effects on energy expenditure during SWW

Postural adjustments and biomechanics during gait initiation and obstacle negotiation: a cmparison between akinetic-rigid and hyperkinetic Parkinson’s disease

Individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) exhibit different combinations of motor symptoms. The most frequent subtypes are akinetic-rigid (AK-R) and hyperkinetic (HYP). Motor symptoms, such as rigidity and bradykinesia, can directly affect postural adjustments and performance in daily tasks, like gait initiation and obstacles negotiation, increasing the risk of falls and functional dependence. Objective: To compare postural adjustments and biomechanical parameters during the gait initiation and obstacle negotiation of people with AK-R and HYP PD and correlate with functional mobility and risk of falls. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Thirty-three volunteers with PD were divided into two groups according to clinical motor manifestations: AK-R (n = 16) and HYP (n = 17). We assessed the anticipatory (APA), compensatory (CPA) postural adjustments analyzing kinematic, kinetic and, electromyographic parameters during the gait initiation and obstacle negotiation tests. We applied independent T-tests and Pearson correlation tests for comparisons and correlations, respectively (α = 0.05). Results: In the APA phase of the gait initiation test, compared to the functional HYP group, the AK-R group showed shorter time for single support (p = 0.01), longer time for double support (p = 0.01) accompanied by a smaller first step (size, p = 0.05; height, p = 0.04), and reduced muscle activation of obliquus internus (p = 0.02). Similarly, during the first step in the obstacle negotiation test, the AK-R group showed less step height (p = 0.01) and hip excursion (p = 0.02), accompanied by a reduced mediolateral displacement of the center of pressure (p = 0.02) during APA, and activation of the gluteus medius (p = 0.02) and the anterior tibialis (p = 0.04) during CPA in comparison with HYP group. The findings suggest that people with AK-R present impaired postural adjustments during gait initiation and obstacles negotiation compared to hyperkinetic PD. Based on defined motor symptoms, the proposition presented here revealed consistent postural adjustments during complex tasks and, therefore, may offer new insights onto PD motor evaluation and neurorehabilitation

Automatismos posturais antecipatórios e compensatórios durante a execução de abdução e flexão de ombro com diferentes cargas em ambiente aquático

Introdução: os automatismos posturais são alterações nos níveis de atividade de músculos posturais, visando à estabilização corporal e preservação da postura. No entanto, a literatura sobre o comportamento dos automatismos posturais durante a imersão no ambiente aquático é escassa. Objetivo: analisar e comparar a atividade eletromiográfica (EMG) dos automatismos posturais antecipatórios (APAs) e compensatórios (CPAs) durante a realização de movimentos unilaterais de ombro com cargas de peso e arrasto no ambiente aquático por indivíduos saudáveis. Materiais e métodos: foi analisada a atividade EMG do APA e do CPA dos músculos eretor espinal, oblíquo interno e glúteo médio bilateralmente. A análise estatística foi realizada por teste t para amostras pareadas ou teste de Wilcoxon, e análise do M-Modes pela análise do componente principal (PCA). O índice de significância adotado foi de α<0,05. Resultados: não foram detectadas diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os automatismos posturais APA e CPA em nenhum dos exercícios. O APA apresentou maiores valores de atividade EMG na abdução em comparação com a flexão; ao passo que o CPA não demonstrou diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os movimentos. Os APAs e CPAs tiveram valores significativamente maiores nos movimentos contra força de arrasto do que os com peso. Os movimentos com peso demonstraram padrões paralelos (M-Modes) de ativação e inibição muscular. Conclusão: Os exercícios avaliados não apresentaram diferenças entre os automatismos APA e CPA. Ainda, os resultados demonstram que exercícios resistidos pelo arrasto apresentaram maior atividade postural antecipatória e compensatória que os com carga peso.Introduction: The postural automatisms are modulations in the activity levels of postural muscles, aiming body stabilization and preservation of posture. However, the literature on the behavior of postural automatisms during immersion in the aquatic environment is scarce. Objective: To analyze and compare the electromyographic (EMG) activity of anticipatory (APAs) and compensatory (CPAs) postural automatisms during unilateral shoulder movements with weight and drag loads while in immersion in aquatic environment by healthy individuals. Materials and methods: the EMG activity of APAs and CPAs were analyzed from the muscles bilaterally: spinal erector, internal oblique and gluteus medium. Statistical analysis was performed by t test for paired samples or Wilcoxon test, and analysis of M-Modes by principal component analysis (PCA). The significance index adopted was α < 0.05. Results: Statistically significant differences were not detected between the postural automatism APA and CPA in any of the exercises. APA EMG activity showed higher values in the abduction compared with the flexion; whereas the CPA showed no statistically significant differences between the movements. APA and CPA demonstrate higer EMG activity in movements with drag in comparision with those with weight. Movements with weight showed parallel patterns (M Modes) of muscle activation and inhibition. Conclusions: The exercises evaluated did not present differences between APA and CPA activity. Still, the results demonstrate that drag load exercises presented higher anticipatory and compensatory postural activity than those with weight load

Non-invasive interventions in idiopathic scoliosis: a systematic review

Abstract Introduction: Idiopathic Scoliosis (IS) is an idiopathic curvature of the spine in all three plans, been treated conservatively (non-invasive) or surgicaly (invasive). The effectiveness of noninvasive therapy still remains lacking in a scientific basis to support their evidence-based applicability. Objective: Evaluate the effects of non-invasive interventions in spine lateral inclination in IS through a systematic literature review. Methods: The search of studies in MEDLINE, SCOPUS and COCHRANE databases was performed on 24th March, 2014. The terms used were: Scoliosis, therapeutic exercise, physical therapy. Clinical trials with scoliotic patients undergoing some type of non-invasive intervention were included. The outcome was spine lateral inclination. Results: The research found 941 studies, seven of these were included after a screening performed by two independent reviewers. Six studies (85.7%) have adopted some sort of kinesiotherapeutic technic, and three studies (42.8%) used corrective orthosis. The average intervention time in kinesiotherapeutic technique studies was of 37.6 weeks and 91.6 weeks in the studies of corrective brace. The progression improvement of the spine lateral inclination was reported by 83.3% (5 of 6) of the kinesiotherapeutic technique studies and in 66.6% (2 of 3) of studies with corrective brace. Conclusion: An improvement was found, in general, in the progression of spine lateral inclination in IS subjects of both sexes from 11 to 25 years of age undergoing non-invasive interventions

Non-invasive interventions in idiopathic scoliosis: a systematic review

<div><p>Abstract Introduction: Idiopathic Scoliosis (IS) is an idiopathic curvature of the spine in all three plans, been treated conservatively (non-invasive) or surgicaly (invasive). The effectiveness of noninvasive therapy still remains lacking in a scientific basis to support their evidence-based applicability. Objective: Evaluate the effects of non-invasive interventions in spine lateral inclination in IS through a systematic literature review. Methods: The search of studies in MEDLINE, SCOPUS and COCHRANE databases was performed on 24th March, 2014. The terms used were: Scoliosis, therapeutic exercise, physical therapy. Clinical trials with scoliotic patients undergoing some type of non-invasive intervention were included. The outcome was spine lateral inclination. Results: The research found 941 studies, seven of these were included after a screening performed by two independent reviewers. Six studies (85.7%) have adopted some sort of kinesiotherapeutic technic, and three studies (42.8%) used corrective orthosis. The average intervention time in kinesiotherapeutic technique studies was of 37.6 weeks and 91.6 weeks in the studies of corrective brace. The progression improvement of the spine lateral inclination was reported by 83.3% (5 of 6) of the kinesiotherapeutic technique studies and in 66.6% (2 of 3) of studies with corrective brace. Conclusion: An improvement was found, in general, in the progression of spine lateral inclination in IS subjects of both sexes from 11 to 25 years of age undergoing non-invasive interventions.</p></div

WHOLE BODY MOVEMENT ANALYSIS PROTOCOL - <b>A CONTEMPORARY PERSPECTIVE OF HUMAN MOVEMENT SCIENCES: DYNAMIC COMPLEX SYSTEMS, ORGANIZATIONS OF AUTOPOIETIC MOVEMENT SYSTEMS, FRACTALS AND CHAOS</b> - Doctoral Thesis by Luísa Beatriz Trevisan Trevisan, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (PPGCMH), Brazil.

Este protocolo foi criado e desenvolvido pelos autores como parte integrante da tese de doutorado de Luísa Trevisan, a primeira autora. Este roteiro faz parte do processo de pesquisa desenvolvida e contou com fomento com Bolsa de Pesquisa, obtida por meio do Edital público da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) 05/2021.Propõe-se de maneira simples uma organização e exercício intelectual para análise de redes nas Ciências do Movimento Humano oferece uma perspectiva inovadora e abrangente para a compreensão da complexidade e organização dos sistemas de movimento humano.</p

Bilateral coordination of gait at self-selected and fast speed in patients with multiple sclerosis: a case-control study

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by progressive demyelinating deterioration of nervous tis-sues in the brain and cord, leading to a disruption in the ability of parts of the nervous system to transmit signals. Although dorsal column pathways are compromised in neuropathological studies, gait control assessments, especially on speed effects, have been understudied in MS. Objective: This study aimed to compare bilateral coordination of gait in subjects with MS at self-selected and fast speed and to relate these findings to disease severity (Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS)) and age. Methods: An age-matched and sex-matched case-control study was performed to assess the bilateral coordination of gait of 26 MS subjects by evaluating the gait spatiotemporal parameters captured by an inertial measurement unit sensor. The bilateral variability, accuracy, and overall coordination (the sum of variability and accuracy) were assessed at a self-selected and fast speed, and correlated with disease severity and age. Results: All gait control parameters improved at the fast speed compared to the self-selected walking speed (p &lt; 0.05 for all comparisons). The bilateral coordination of gait was moderately related to disease severity and age (p &lt; 0.05), and the gait spatiotemporal parameters were related to disease severity (p &lt; 0.001, from R=0.66 to R=0.70). Conclusion: Patients with MS showed significant impairment in the bilateral coordination of gait at self-selected compared to fast speed. Functional mobility tests and locomotor interventions should be cautious when analyzed at different paces. Interventions aiming to increase speed can be a proper and safe strategy in locomotor studies

Metabolic cost data

Data extracted from the literature in articles that have cost measurements in treadmill running at speeds between 8 and 25 km/h with an incline of 0 and 1%, for adults aged between 18 and 45 years</p