Risk-of-falling related to outcomes improved in community-dwelling older adults after a 6-week sideways walking intervention: A feasibility and pilot study

Background Aging increases fall risk and alters gait mechanics and control. Our previous work has identified sideways walking as a potential training regimen to decrease fall risk by improving frontal plane control in older adults’ gait. The purposes of this pilot study were to test the feasibility of sideways walking as an exercise intervention and to explore its preliminary effects on risk-of-falling related outcomes. Methods We conducted a 6-week single-arm intervention pilot study. Participants were community-dwelling older adults ≥ 65 years old with walking ability. Key exclusion criteria were neuromusculoskeletal and cardiovascular disorders that affect gait. Because initial recruitment rate through University of Nebraska at Omaha and Omaha community was slower than expected (3 participants∙week− 1), we expanded the recruitment pool through the Mind & Brain Health Labs registry of the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Individualized sideways walking intervention carried out under close supervision in a 200 m indoor walking track (3 days∙week− 1). Recruitment and retention capability, safety, and fidelity of intervention delivery were recorded. We also collected (open-label) walking speed, gait variability, self-reported and performance-based functional measures to assess participants’ risk-of-falling at baseline and post-intervention: immediate, and 6 weeks after the completion of the intervention. Results Over a 7-month period, 42 individuals expressed interest, 21 assessed for eligibility (21/42), and 15 consented to participate (15/21). Most of the potential participants were reluctant to commit to a 6-week intervention. Desired recruitment rate was achieved after revising the recruitment strategy. One participant dropped out (1/15). Remaining participants demonstrated excellent adherence to the protocol. Participants improved on most outcomes and the effects remained at follow-up. No serious adverse events were recorded during the intervention. Conclusions Our 6-week sideways walking training was feasible to deliver and demonstrated strong potential as an exercise intervention to improve risk-of-falling outcomes in community-dwelling older adults. In a future trial, alternative clinical tools should be considered to minimize the presence of ceiling/floor effects. A future large trial is needed to confirm sideways walking as a fall prevention intervention

3D KINEMATIC ANALYSIS OF THE THREE MAIN STROKES IN PADDLE TENNIS MOTOR PATTERNS

Paddle tennis coaches are lacking of scientific support in order to devise the most effective individual training program of stroke technique. Therefore, 30 kinematics and the temporal structure of the movements of three paddle tennis strokes have been analysed. Specifically, they have been calculated spatial-temporal variables of two successful trials of three main strokes (tray-smash, Hook-smash and Exit-wall drive) performed by a world class player

MULTI-MUSCLE SYNERGIES DURING LIFTING AND LOWERING TASKS: AN UNCONTROLLED MANIFOLD ANALYSIS

In ergonomics, lifting tasks can be categorized according to their risk level of suffering work-related low back disorders (WRLBD). The aim of this study was to investigate whether trunk muscles form synergies that stabilize the time profile of selected performance variables that have been used previously to characterize the risk level for developing WRLBD. At the neuromuscular level, the spatiotemporal pattern of motoneuronal activity was quantified by applying matrix factorization algorithm with Varimax rotation. With this procedure, synergies were quantified using the framework of the UCM hypothesis. The results supported the hypothesis that trunk muscles form synergies to stabilize the time profile of variables that are being also used to characterize the risk of injury

3D KINEMATICS APPLIED TO THE STUDY OF INDIVIDUAL BMX GATE START TECHNIQUE

Even if the BMX modality has been included in the schedule of the Olympic Games since Beijing 2008, there is a lack of scientific studies concerning this sport. According to the opinion of many trainers and experts, the start of the race is very important and both neuromuscular potential and sport technique are very relevant aspects of sport performance. The purpose of this study was to analyze the technique of three top young athletes of BMX during the starting gate in order to obtain relevant information to support their trainer’s decisions

ERGONOMICS AND “USABILITY” APPLIED ON THE TRAINING OF MUSCULAR FORCE QUALITIES

“Usability” is introduced, for the first time, as an ergonomics criterion concerning the development and functional evaluation of the muscular force qualities training programs, based on the use of biomechanics methodology. Thus, the main purpose of the present study is to introduce ergonomics applied to the training as a method to prevent WRMSDs (Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders) that cause the high loads and efforts as well as overuse, regarding mechanical work and power. “DynaSoft 2.0” is a 3D Inverse Dynamics package that allows for the evaluation of the developed mechanical loads during the repeated series of exercises in the training of muscular force qualities. “DynaSoft 2.0” makes possible the treatment of data not obtained from “turn-key systems” that could be too expensive, and, the user has the possibility to have by own the control of all analysis processes constructing purposeful anthropometric models

A Novel Task to Decrease Step Width Variability in Older Adults

Walking is the most common fall-related activity among older adults. Also, older adults experience greater step width variability when walking. Importantly, increased step width variability during walking has been found to be a strong predictor of fall risk and incidence. Therefore, an intervention for reducing increased step width variability may consequently reduce fall risk for older adults. In the present study, we proposed that lateral stepping training program improve walking in older adults by reducing the increased step width variability to normal values. Therefore, the purpose of the present study is to determine the effect of a six-week lateral stepping training program on step width variability. Four older adults aged over 65 underwent an initial screening, walking for three-minutes at their self-selected comfortable walking speed (baseline speed) on a treadmill. Two older adults with abnormal levels of step width variability (\u3e 0.029 m), and two older adults with normal levels of step width variability (\u3c 0.029 m) were identified and underwent our lateral stepping training three times a week for six weeks. Results showed that the six-week lateral stepping intervention decreased step width variability to normal levels in the two older adults that were identified as having abnormal levels. Moreover, the new comfortable walking speed that the older adults chose after the six-week training was greater than the baseline walking speed. Walking speed also improved in the older adults with normal levels of step width variability. Their step width variability stayed within the normal levels

“DINAMSOFT 1.0”: A SOFTWARE FOR 3D BIOMECHANICAL ANALYSIS OF STANDARD FORCE TRAINING EXERCICES AND WEIGHT LIFTING

The package “DinaSoft 1.0” is a software, developed in MATLAB environment, based in 3D Inverse Dynamics. It also includes special designed modules for Digital Signal Processing, EMG analysis and Stabilometry. It admits data obtained from different commercial electronic systems and instruments and after processing allows technical and scientific staff to obtain feasible information concerning biomechanics and motor control of the standard fitness, training and rehabilitation exercises

ON THE UNCERTAINTY OF MEASUREMENTS CONCERNING THE CENTER OF PRESSURE SIGNALS

The force plate measurement system unavoidably introduces noise in the output signals. The noise in the center of pressure (COP) signal is the propagation noise arises from the combination of the components used to compute it. A framework to analyze the random error in COP signals is introduced based on the “Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty of Measurement” (GUM) approach

“DINAMSOFT 1.0”: A SOFTWARE FOR 3D BIOMECHANICAL ANALYSIS OF STANDARD FORCE TRAINING EXERCICES AND WEIGHT LIFTING

The package “DinaSoft 1.0” is a software, developed in MATLAB environment, based in 3D Inverse Dynamics. It also includes special designed modules for Digital Signal Processing, EMG analysis and Stabilometry. It admits data obtained from different commercial electronic systems and instruments and after processing allows technical and scientific staff to obtain feasible information concerning biomechanics and motor control of the standard fitness, training and rehabilitation exercises

EVALUATION OF POSTURAl STABILITY AND ITS RELATION TO ISOKINETIC PERFORMANCE IN PERSONS WITH CEREBRAL PALSY

There are several studies targeting to the functional evaluation of lower extremities in Cerebral Palsy (CP). However there is lack of information concerning the relationship of lower-limb weakness and certain limitations in functional abilities like postural stability (Mauishi et al. 2001; Engsberg et al. 2000; Nardone, 2001; Wiley and Damiano, 1998; Damiano and Kelly, 1995). The main purpose of this study is to determine the level of neuromuscular potential, assessed by isokinetic tests and its relation to postural stability in persons affected by different types of CP