The use of open data as a material for learning

Open data has potential value as a material for use in learning activities. However, approaches to harnessing this are not well understood or in mainstream use in education. In this research, early adopters from a diverse range of educational projects and teaching settings were interviewed to explore their rationale for using open data in teaching, how suitable activity designs could be achieved, and the practical challenges of using open data. A thematic analysis was conducted to identify patterns and relationships in these open data-based practices that have already emerged. A document analysis of teaching materials and other related artefacts was used to augment and validate the findings. Drawing on this, common approaches and issues are identified, and a conceptual framework to support greater use of open data by educators is described. This paper also highlights where existing concepts in education and educational technology research, including inquiry-based learning, authenticity, motivation, dialogue, and personalisation can help us to understand the value and challenges of using open data in education

Flexion Relaxation and Its Relation to Pain and Function over the Duration of a Back Pain Episode

BACKGROUND: Relaxation of the erector spinae often occurs in healthy individuals as full trunk flexion is achieved when bending forward from standing. This phenomenon, referred to as flexion relaxation is often absent or disrupted (EMG activity persists) in individuals reporting low back pain (LBP). METHODS AND RESULTS: Self-reported pain and disability scores were compared to EMG measures related to the flexion relaxation (FR) phenomenon by 33 participants with LBP at up to eight sessions over a study period of up to eight weeks. Fourteen participants served as a control group. In the protocol, starting from standing participants bent forward to a fully flexed posture, and then extended the trunk to return to standing position. A thoracic inclinometer was used to measure trunk posture. Surface electrodes located at the L2 and L5 levels recorded EMG amplitudes of the erector spinae. Ratios of EMG amplitudes recorded during forward bending to amplitudes at full flexion, and ratios of extension to full flexion were calculated. EMG amplitudes and their ratios were compared between control and LBP groups at the initial visit. No significant differences between groups were found except at the L5 location at full flexion. Correlations of the ratios to pain and function scores recorded in repeated sessions over the LBP episode also were compared between LBP group participants classified as having transient, recurrent or chronic symptoms. In another analysis participants were grouped by whether their symptoms resolved over the study period. CONCLUSIONS: The transient LBP group had significantly stronger correlations between pain and function to both ratios, than did those with more chronic LBP symptoms. Participants who experienced symptom resolution generally had stronger correlations of ratios to both pain and function than those with partial or no resolution. Improved understanding of these relationships may provide insight in clinical management of LBP

Load and speed effects on the cervical flexion relaxation phenomenon

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The flexion relaxation phenomenon (FRP) represents a well-studied neuromuscular response that occurs in the lumbar and cervical spine. However, the cervical spine FRP has not been investigated extensively, and the speed of movement and loading effects remains to be characterized. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the influence of load and speed on cervical FRP electromyographic (EMG) and kinematic parameters and to assess the measurement of cervical FRP kinematic and EMG parameter repeatability.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Eighteen healthy adults (6 women and 12 men), aged 20 to 39 years, participated in this study. They undertook 2 sessions in which they had to perform a standardized cervical flexion/extension movement in 3 phases: complete cervical flexion; the static period in complete cervical flexion; and extension with return to the initial position. Two different rhythm conditions and 3 different loading conditions were applied to assess load and speed effects. Kinematic and EMG data were collected, and dependent variables included angles corresponding to the onset and cessation of myoelectric silence as well as the root mean square (RMS) values of EMG signals. Repeatability was examined in the first session and between the 2 sessions.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Statistical analyses revealed a significant load effect (P < 0.001). An augmented load led to increased FRP onset and cessation angles. No load × speed interaction effect was detected in the kinematics data. A significant load effect (P < 0.001) was observed on RMS values in all phases of movement, while a significant speed effect (P < 0.001) could be seen only during the extension phase. Load × speed interaction effect was noted in the extension phase, where higher loads and faster rhythm generated significantly greater muscle activation. Intra-session and inter-session repeatability was good for the EMG and kinematic parameters.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The load increase evoked augmented FRP onset and cessation angles as well as heightened muscle activation. Such increments may reflect the need to enhance spinal stability under loading conditions. The kinematic and EMG parameters showed promising repeatability. Further studies are needed to assess kinematic and EMG differences between healthy subjects and patients with neck pain.</p

Toe-touch test. A measure of its validity

The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between the vertical fingertip-floor distance (FFD) and the hip and vertebral components of trunk flexion during the toe-touch test. Measurements were taken from lateral photographs of each subject standing in the erect and maximally flexed positions. The subjects were healthy young men (n = 16) and women (n = 17). The mean FFD was 3 cm below floor level (-3 cm) with a standard deviation of 8 cm. Reliability of this measure was indicated by a test-retest correlation coefficient of .97. The FFD was a measure of both trunk (r = -.85) and hip flexion (r = -.79), but not of vertebral flexion (r = .10). At maximum trunk flexion, therefore, FFD is mainly a measure of the extensibility of the hamstring muscles that limit hip flexion when the knees remain extended. The toe-touch test was determined to be unsuitable for monitoring the effect of a treatment regimen to improve vertebral mobility because the partial correlation coefficient between vertebral flexion and FFD was -.64 (p less than .01), with the effect of hip flexion held constant. Although this correlation is significant, it means that less than half of the variation in FFD can be explained by changes in vertebral mobility. For this group of young adults, no significant correlations existed between the FFD and limb length and abdominal girth at maximum trunk flexion

Hand positions at possible critical points in the stoop-iift movement

Erectores spinae exhibit a period of electrical silence during trunk flexion from the erect position and return extension. This study defined the positions of the fingertips relative to the floor at the end-points of the period of myoelectric silence. These points are termed ‘critical1 and were investigated in 15 male and 15 female young adults (x = 21 years). The two critical points were similar in terms of the fingertip- floor distance (, Y = 030m) and significantly different from the maximally flexed position (x = 0.04 m). There were no significant differences between the experi­mental groups in the flexed positions. Anthropometric differences had little effect on the measures. The fingertip-floor distance provided a good estimate of trunk and hip flexion but was a poor indicator of the degree of flexion of the thoracolumbar vertebral column