Biomechanics and Fashion: Contributions for the Design of Clothing for the Elderly

AbstractThe aging population is a growing reality in many societies and is leading to significant changes in public health policies and the strengthening of the economic sector of these countries. This scenario intensified discussions about ageing and its determinants within several areas and thus substantially reflected on the design and the projective aspects of certain objects. It is due to cognitive and physical constraints of this group, which imply the need for differentiated products that are designed properly in favor of psychological, emotional, cognitive and physical well-being of the elderly. Once the clothing remains integrated with the body, its design and constructive aspects become essential in promoting positive experience in product usage. Understanding the factors present in the acquisition and use of clothing by the elderly are relevant to the design actions of these products. Therefore, considerations about their anatomical, biomechanical and psychological characteristics must be worked in order to ensure the integrity of the movements, as well as comfort, safety and inclusion of these individuals

AVALIAÇÃO DO ALCANCE FUNCIONAL DE INDIVÍDUOS COM LESÃO MEDULAR ESPINHAL USUÁRIOS DE CADEIRA DE RODAS

Medullar lesions consists in any type of trauma that causes motor and/or sensorial disturbs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the functional reach in paraplegic individuals, users of wheelchairs, as well as the influence of preservation of partial or total abdominal muscles. For that, 13 participants diagnosed with paraplegia, mean age 37 ± 11 years, users of a wheelchair for at least one year, were divided into two groups: G1 (levels above T8) and G2 (levels below T8). All the subjects were submitted to the Functional Reach Test, adapted to the sitting position. The statistical analysis consisted by the non-parametric test Mann Witney-U test, with a significant level of 5% (p<0.05). Regarding the results, the median of the reached distance was 8.3 cm (amplitude of 6.9-49.2 cm) for G1, and 12.3 cm (amplitude of 10.8-37.9 cm) for G2. Comparing the medians between groups, there was a statistically difference (p = 0.04) regarding the values. In conclusion, the paraplegic individuals with partial or total preservation of the abdominal muscles motricity have showed great capacity of functional reach

UMA RELAÇÃO ENTRE DESIGN E PERCEPÇÃO DE DESCONFORTO EM CARROS DE COMPETIÇÃO BAJA SAE

Design, Vehicles' Ergonomics, Comfort The present paper analyses the relationship between design and comfort among pilots of Baja SAE competitionvehicles. The results indicate that differences between the two models under evaluation, affected the room available to use the control-panel, the driver's posture, and consequently;  the comfort in the cockpit. The paper ends by recommending changes in the design to improve its ergonomic aspects.Design, Ergonomia de transporte, Conforto O presente artigo analisa a influência do design na percepção de conforto em pilotos do veículo de competição BAJA SAE. Os resultados indicam que diferenças nos designs de dois modelos, afetaram o espaço livre de manuseio dos controles, a postura, e consequentemente a sensação de conforto. O artigo encerra recomendando ajustes para um design mais ergonômico