Search results for "Motor control"

Evoked responses to transcranial and electrical stimulation during isometric and lengthening contractions of the soleus muscle

2011

The aim of this study was to assess differences in motor control between isometric and lengthening contractions of the soleus muscle. Evoked responses to TMS (MEPs) and electrical stimulation of the peripheral nerve (H-reflexes) where recorded at rest and during isometric and lengthening contractions of the soleus muscle at 20%, 40%, 60% and 80% MVC. Torque and background EMG were averaged over a time window of 100ms prior to stimulation. MEPs were found to be significantly lower (P < 0.05) during lengthening contractions compared to isometric contractions at 40%, 60% and 80% MVC (10.95 ± 0.05 mV vs 9.93 ±0.06 mV ; 1.47 ± 0.07 mV vs 9.7 ± 0.08 mV; 11.48 ± 0.08 mV ± vs 10.14 ± 0.07 mV). The …

Motor problems in children with early-treated congenital hypothyroidism: A matter of failing cerebellar motor control?

1998

This study addresses the question of whether "clumsiness" in children with early treated Congenital Hypothyroidism (CH) might be attributable to cerebellar dysfunction. CH is known to affect rapid perinatal growth of the cerebellum. If this would affect the supposed motor timing function of the cerebellum this should be especially reflected by difficulty in producing fast aiming movements. An experiment was devised in which children made sequences of fast, goal directed movements in order to examine two aspects of fast voluntary movements that are known to be affected by cerebellar injury: dysmetria and dysdiadochokinesis. Three groups of children between the ages of 9 and ii participated: …

Postural Sensorimotor Control on Anorectal Pressures and Pelvic Floor Muscle Tone and Strength: Effects of a Single 5P® LOGSURF Session. A Cross-Sect…

2021

Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) is a functional condition present most frequently in women. Despite pelvic floor muscle training being considered by the International Continence Society (ICS) as the first-line treatment in uncomplicated urinary incontinence, other more comprehensive postural methods as 5P® LOGSURF have emerged. This preliminary cross-sectional study explores the effects of a single 5P® LOGSURF session on pelvic floor muscle (PFM) tone and strength (MVC), resting anal tone, intrarectal pressure, and deep abdominal muscles activation. Thirty women were included (11 without PFD and 19 with PFD). Primary outcome measures were PFM tone, PFM MVC and resting anal tone and secondary…

2017

OBJECTIVE Traditionally, gait analysis has been centered on the idea of average behavior and normality. On one hand, clinical diagnoses and therapeutic interventions typically assume that average gait patterns remain constant over time. On the other hand, it is well known that all our movements are accompanied by a certain amount of variability, which does not allow us to make two identical steps. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in the intra-individual gait patterns across different time-scales (i.e., tens-of-mins, tens-of-hours). METHODS Nine healthy subjects performed 15 gait trials at a self-selected speed on 6 sessions within one day (duration between two subsequent ses…

Musculoskeletal examination in young athletes and non-athletes:the Finnish Health Promoting Sports Club (FHPSC) study

2018

ObjectivesTo determine the inter-rater repeatability of a musculoskeletal examination and to compare findings between adolescent athletes and non-athletes in Finland.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, a musculoskeletal examination assessing posture, mobility and movement control was carried out by a sports and exercise medicine physician on 399 athletes aged 14–17 years and 177 non-athletes. Within 2 weeks another sports and exercise medicine physician repeated the examination for 41 adolescents to test the inter-rater repeatability.ResultsIn total, 10 of the 11 tests performed had at least moderate inter-rater reliability (κ ≥0.4 or percentage agreement &gt;80%). Athletes more often tha…

60-Hour Sleep Deprivation Affects Submaximal but Not Maximal Physical Performance

2018

The effect of 60-h sleep deprivation (SD) on physical performance and motor control was studied. Twenty cadets were measured for aerobic performance (VO2) before and immediately after the SD period. Maximal strength and EMG of the knee extensor muscles were measured before and after 60 h of SD. Balance, reaction times and motor control were assessed every evening and morning during the SD period. Main effects were observed for heart rate (p = 0.002, partial eta squared: 0.669), VO2 (p = 0.004, partial eta squared: 0.621), ventilation (p = 0.016, partial eta squared: 0.049), and lactate concentration (p = 0.022, partial eta squared: 0.501), whereas RER remained unaltered (p = 0.213, partial …

Aging and strength training influence knee extensor intermuscular coherence during low- and high-force isometric contractions

2019

Aging is associated with reduced maximum force production and force steadiness during low-force tasks, but both can be improved by training. Intermuscular coherence measures coupling between two peripheral surface electromyography (EMG) signals in the frequency domain. It is thought to represent the presence of common input to alpha-motoneurons, but the functional meaning of intermuscular coherence, particularly regarding aging and training, remain unclear. This study investigated knee extensor intermuscular coherence in previously sedentary young (18–30 years) and older (67–73 years) subjects before and after a 14-week strength training intervention. YOUNG and OLDER groups performed maximu…

Motor and cognitive development: the role of karate

2014

Background: regular physical activity has an effect on biological responses in both muscles and organs that, in turn, alter the structure and functions of the brain. Therefore, this study aims at comparing motor (sprint, coordination ability and explosive legs strength skills) and cognitive abilities (working memory, attention, executive functioning) in children. Methods: 39 children with average chronological age of 9 years were divided in: Karatekas (n=19) and Sedentary (n=20) groups. Their abilities were measured by motor and cognitive tests. Motor skills were assessed through a battery composed by the 20 mt Sprint test, the Agility test and the Standing board jump Test. Cognitive profil…

Reaching and Grasping a Glass of Water by Locked-In ALS Patients through a BCI-Controlled Humanoid Robot

2017

Locked-in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) patients are fully dependent on caregivers for any daily need. At this stage, basic communication and environmental control may not be possible even with commonly used augmentative and alternative communication devices. Brain Computer Interface (BCI) technology allows users to modulate brain activity for communication and control of machines and devices, without requiring a motor control. In the last several years, numerous articles have described how persons with ALS could effectively use BCIs for different goals, usually spelling. In the present study, locked-in ALS patients used a BCI system to directly control the humanoid robot NAO (Aldebar…

MindBEAGLE — A new system for the assessment and communication with patients with disorders of consciousness and complete locked-in syndrom

2017

Patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC) cannot reply to questions or clinical assessments using voluntary motor control, and therefore it is very difficult to assess their cognitive capabilities and conscious awareness. Patients who are locked-in (LIS) are instead fully conscious, and they can communicate with their preserved eye movements. However, when the residual oculomotor activity is also lost (e.g., patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis disease of very long duration), the locked-in status becomes complete (CLIS). In CLIS patients, detection of conscious awareness may become very challenging, similarly to the subjects with DOC. mindBEAGLE has a physiological testing batte…