SAGITTAL PLANE RESISTANCE TORQUE IN ANKLE BRACES

Ligaments of the ankle joint complex are among the most frequently damaged structures during sports and physical activity (Eils et al., 2002). One common intervention used to prevent ankle ligament injury is the application of lace-up style ankle braces. These braces, usually made of non stretch nylon materials, increase the mechanical stability at the ankle joint by restricting the allowable range of motion thereby limiting strain on joint ligaments. Ankle braces are primarily designed to restrict motion in the frontal plane to limit ankle inversion and eversion without impeding the plantar-dorsi flexion (PF) motion (Eils et al., 2002). However, studies examining the effect of bracing on ankle motion during drop jumping have found a significant reduction in sagittal plane ankle motion while braced (DiStefano et al., 2008). Previous studies have examined isolated ankle range of motion restriction around the PF axis with different brace types (e.g. Eils et al 2002), but these studies were not able to distinguish the resistance torque due to the brace alone. The purpose of the present study was to measure the passive mechanical resistance torque around the ankle PF axis generated by a range of commercially available ankle braces while moving through the sagittal plane

Using differential reinforcement of high rates of behavior to improve work productivity : a replication and extension

Background: Due to deficits in adaptive and cognitive functioning, productivity may pose challenges for individuals with intellectual disability in the workplace.Method: Using a changing‐criterion embedded in a multiple baseline across partici‐pants design, we examined the effects of differential reinforcement of high rates of behaviour (DRH) on the rate of data entry (i.e., productivity) in four adults with intel‐lectual disability.Results: Although the DRH procedure increased the rate of correct data entry in all four participants, none of the participants achieved the criterion that we set with novice undergraduate students.Conclusions: Our results indicate that DRH is an effective intervention to increase rate of correct responding in individuals with intellectual disability, but that achiev‐ing the same productivity as workers without disability may not always be possible

Stereotypic head twirls, but not pacing, are related to a ‘pessimistic’-like judgment bias among captive tufted capuchins (Cebus apella)

Abnormal stereotypic behaviour is widespread among captive non-human primates and is generally associated with jeopardized well-being. However, attributing the same significance to all of these repetitive, unvarying and apparently functionless behaviours may be misleading, as some behaviours may be better indicators of stress than others. Previous studies have demonstrated that the affective state of the individual can be inferred from its bias in appraising neutral stimuli in its environment. Therefore, in the present study, in order to assess the emotional state of stereotyping individuals, 16 captive tufted capuchins (Cebus apella) were tested on a judgment bias paradigm and their faecal corticoid levels were measured in order to assess the intensity of the emotional state. Capuchins with higher levels of stereotypic head twirls exhibited a negative bias while judging ambiguous stimuli and had higher levels of faecal corticoids compared to subjects with lower levels of head twirls. Levels of stereotypic pacing, however, were not correlated with the monkeys’ emotional state. This study is the first to reveal a positive correlation between levels of stereotypic behaviour and a ‘pessimistic’-like judgment bias in a non-human primate by employing a recently developed cognitive approach. Combining cognitive tests that evaluate the animals’ affective valence (positive or negative) with hormonal measurements that provide information on the strength of the emotional state conduces to a better understanding of the animals’ affective state and therefore to their well-being