Identifying the Muscle Contraction Activity at Athletes Using Brain Mapping

Background: Understanding the brain function and how it coordinate the motor activity, means to have  a map of brain using a lot of modern technologies which can give us information about the role and functions of different brain areas. Objective: The aim of our study is to explore the brain activity using electroencephalography (EEG) and make the evaluation of differences in brain functions depend on specific sport activity. Methods: We make the study on two lots of athletes from judo (12subjects) and volleyball (11subjects), yrs. 22. All of them have a great sport activity experience and the anthropometric characteristics are similar. For recording the brain activity we use Nihon EEG product. The protocol of the research includes recording of brain activity during muscle contraction and relax of hand flexors. The parameters that we follow up are alpha1, alpha2 and theta waves. The information have been analysed using statistic methods and Pearson coefficient. Judo players present a little bit increase values of theta waves and we observe also a correlation between alpha waves for dominant hemisphere. For the second lot the values of theta waves are highest. Conclusions: Analyse the behaviour of EEG waves could help the trainer and staff for approach the training results in term of build the brain and motor pattern. This is the result of professional approach of training based on neurophysiologic assessment using the brain mapping.</em

SPORT FANS USAGE OF FITNESS APPS

We spend more time at home, but above all, health is a priority. And because exercise is part of a balanced lifestyle, here are mobile sports apps to help you exercise and exercise at home. When the weather outside is not friendly to be able to exercise outdoors or when it is recommended to stay indoors for a long period, as was the case in past years, to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, we must not give up to physical exercises, but we have to find alternative solutions. Here's the best alternative for outdoor exercise: mobile sports apps that help you exercise at home. In the paper "Sport fans usage of fitness Apps" we have presented a brief history of the appearance of fitness applications, a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of these applications and a short description of two studies carried out in this field of sports application

Balance Rehabilitation Approach by Bobath and Vojta Methods in Cerebral Palsy: A Pilot Study

In cerebral palsy (CP) the basis for rehabilitation comes from neuroplasticity. One of the leading therapeutic approaches used in the management of CP is the NDT Bobath therapy and Vojta therapy consists in trying to program the ideal movement patterns for the age. The aim of our research was to analyze, from a functional point of view, the evolution of the biomechanical parameters characterizing the balance, in children with CP. The group of 12 subjects average age of 7 ± 3.28 years. The subject’s evaluation included a functional clinical evaluation by Berg pediatric scale and a biomechanical evaluation performed using the “Stabilometry footboard PoData 2.00” for evaluation the body weight distribution on the foot level. The rehabilitation program was developed based on two methods, NDT Bobath and Vojta. A 90-min physiotherapy session starts with a Vojta therapy activation, for 20 min. Between the two therapies there is a 10-min break, then the session continues with NDT Bobath exercises within the 3 physical exercises proposed for 60 min. 5 days per week, 6 months. The analysis of the data collected before and after the application of the rehabilitation program, regarding the using the Berg scale indicates a progress of 32.35%, (p = 0.0001 p = 0.027 p = 0.027 < 0.05) and also a small effect size of 0.86. Analyzing the results, we find that there is a left-right rebalancing in most patients. The favorable results that were obtained by drawing up a physiotherapy program composed of the combination of the two Vojta and NDT Bobath methods are proof of the fact that both methods are based on the creation of a stimulating peripheral pressure, which, if maintained, generates an extended stereotyped motor response. A pattern of symmetrical muscle contraction is thus created and thus balance and postural control can be achieved. The left-right rebalancing, proven by the percentage distribution analysis of the weight at the lower segmental level, demonstrated that the body alignment approach through the Vojta method on the one hand and the inhibitory facilitating postures/exercises promoted by the NDT Bobath method, allows obtaining a symmetry

Monitoring the Role of Physical Activity in Children with Flat Feet by Assessing Subtalar Flexibility and Plantar Arch Index

Flat foot is a common pediatric foot deformity which involves subtalar flexibility; it can affect the plantar arch. This study analyzes the evolution of two parameters, i.e., plantar index arch and subtalar flexibility, before and after physiotherapy and orthoses interventions, and examines the correlation between these two parameters. Methods: The study included 30 participants (17 boys, 12 girls, average age 9.37 ± 1.42 years) with bilateral flat foot. We made two groups, each with 15 subjects. Assessments of the subtalar flexibility and plantar arch index used RSScan the platform, and were undertaken at two time points. Therapeutic interventions: Group 1—short foot exercises (SFE); Group 2—SFE and insoles. Statistical analyses included Student’s t-test, Cohen’s D coefficient, Pearson and Sperman correlation. Results: Group 1—subtalar flexibility decreased for the left and right feet by 28.6% and 15.9% respectively, indicating good evolution for the left foot. For both feet, a decrease of the plantar index arch was observed. Group 2—subtalar flexibility decreased for the right and left feet by 43.4% and 37.7% respectively, indicating a good evolution for the right foot. For both feet, a decrease of plantar index arch was observed. Between groups, subtalar flexibility evolved well for Group 2; this was attributed to mixt intervention, physical therapy and orthosis. For plantar arch index, differences were not significant between the two groups. We observed an inverse correlation between subtalar flexibility and plantar arch index. Conclusions: Improvement of plantar index arch in static and dynamic situations creates the premise of a good therapeutic intervention and increases foot balance and postural control. The parameter which showed the most beneficial influence was the evolution is subtalar flexibility

New Recovery Strategies in Motor and Cognitive Functions, before, during and after Home-Confinement COVID-19, for Healthy Adults and Patients with Neurodegenerative Diseases: Review

Distancing and confinement at home during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has led to worsening of motor and cognitive functions, both for healthy adults and for patients with neurodegenerative diseases. The decrease in physical activity, the cessation of the intervention of the recovery and the social distance imposed by the lockdown, has had a negative impact on the physical and mental health, quality of life, daily activities, as well as on the behavioral attitudes of the diet. The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the impact of decreasing physical activity and the affected emotional status in healthy adults and patients with neurodegenerative diseases in conditions imposed by the stay at home mandate of COVID-19, along with new interventions, such as telemedicine and telerehabilitation. These interventions include online surveys carried out in multi-languages, semi-structured interviews, intervention smartphones and interventions through online platforms, for instance: Google, WhatsApp, Twitter, ResearchGate, Facebook and LinkedIn. For this study, we selected original papers that were intensively processed using characteristics co-related with physical activity, mental wellbeing, sleep quality, good eating behavior and healthy lifestyle. By searching the last two years of literature, our review presents and demonstrates the benefit of online technological interventions in lockdown, which promote physical exercise patterns and rehabilitation techniques, for healthy adults and patients with neurodegenerative diseases, and the need to develop new strategic directions and governmental measures, designed procedures and health services, which are expected to improve the quality of life, the progress of physical and cognitive functions, mental health and wellbeing for all

Studies on mobile robots for all types of terrain

In the first part of the paper, the authors present the characteristics of the robots for all types of terrain. In the second part, two categories of robots are proposed: a robot with hybrid locomotion system and a modular robot. For the last category, if different modules are combined, a family of modular robots adaptable to different types of terrain can be obtained. The solutions proposed by the authors allow the study of the mobility and adaptability of robots to different types of terrain

Plantar Pressure and Contact Area Measurement of Foot Abnormalities in Stroke Rehabilitation

Background: Evaluation of plantar pressure in stroke patients is a parameter that could be used for monitoring and comparing how the timing of starting a rehabilitation program effects patient improvement. Methods: We performed the following clinical and functional evaluations: initial moment (T1), intermediate (T2), and final evaluation at one year (T3). At T1 we studied 100 stroke patients in two groups, A and B (each 50 patients). The first group, A, started rehabilitation in the first three months after having a stroke, and group B started after three months from the time of stroke. Due to the impediments observed during rehabilitation, we made biomechanic evaluation for two lots, I and II (each 25 patients). Assessment of the patient was carried out by clinical (neurologic examination), functional (using the Tinetti Functional Gait Assessment Test for classifying the gait), and biomechanical evaluation (maximal plantar pressure (Pmax), contact area (CA), and pressure distribution (COP)). Results: The Tinetti scale for gait had the following scores: for group A, from 1.34 at the initial moment (T1) to 10.64 at final evaluation (T3), and for group B, 3.08 at initial moment (T1) to 9 at final evaluation (T3). Distribution of COP in the left hemiparesis was uneven at T1 but evolved after rehabilitation. The right hemiparesis had uniform COP distribution even at T1, explained by motor dominance on the right side. CA and Pmax for lot I increased more than 100%, meaning that there is a possibility for favorable improvement if the patients start the rehabilitation program in the first three months after stroke. For lot II, increases of the parameters were less than lot I. Discussions: The recovery potential is higher for patients with right hemiparesis. Biomechanic evaluation showed diversity regarding compensatory mechanisms for the paretic and nonparetic lower limb. Conclusions: CA and Pmax are relevant assessments for evaluating the effects on timing of starting a rehabilitation program after a stroke

Thermoelectric and thermomagnetic effects of (B1.6Pb0.4) Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox thin films

Measurements of resistivity, Nernst, Seebeck and Hall effects of Bi2223 epitaxial thin films for magnetic fields between 0 and 5T and temperature range 5-300 K are reported.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Effect of 3d element substitution on inter- and intragrain critical temperatures in (bi,pb):2223 system

The inter- and intragrain critical temperatures are differently affected by the natur and concentration of the 3d substituent (Fe,Ni,Zn) for Cu. Decrease of these temperatures is in agreement with the increase in residual resistivity.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Performance of the ALICE Electromagnetic Calorimeter

International audienceThe performance of the electromagnetic calorimeter of theALICE experiment during operation in 2010–2018 at the Large HadronCollider is presented. After a short introduction into the design,readout, and trigger capabilities of the detector, the proceduresfor data taking, reconstruction, and validation are explained. Themethods used for the calibration and various derived corrections arepresented in detail. Subsequently, the capabilities of thecalorimeter to reconstruct and measure photons, light mesons,electrons and jets are discussed. The performance of thecalorimeter is illustrated mainly with data obtained with test beamsat the Proton Synchrotron and Super Proton Synchrotron or inproton-proton collisions at √s = 13 TeV, and compared tosimulations