Editorial

3 pages, 171 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Special Issue of New Trends in Neuromechanics and Motor Rehabilitation

by Nyeonju Kang

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(15), 7902; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12157902 - 06 Aug 2022

Viewed by 920

Neuromechanics has been focused on to investigate both behavioral characteristics and underlying neurophysiological mechanisms for various population, including healthy adults, elderly people, and patients with musculoskeletal and neurological diseases [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Neuromechanics and Motor Rehabilitation)

Research

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12 pages, 1155 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Variability and Complexity of Knee Neuromuscular Control during an Isometric Task in Uninjured Physically Active Adults: A Secondary Analysis Exploring Right/Left and Dominant/Nondominant Asymmetry

by Nicholas C. Clark and Jamie Pethick

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(9), 4762; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12094762 - 09 May 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1134

Abstract

Work is needed to better understand the control of knee movement and knee health. Specifically, work is needed to further understand knee muscle force control variability and complexity and how it is organized on both sides of the body. The purpose of this [...] Read more.

Work is needed to better understand the control of knee movement and knee health. Specifically, work is needed to further understand knee muscle force control variability and complexity and how it is organized on both sides of the body. The purpose of this study was to explore side-to-side comparisons of magnitude- and complexity-based measures of knee muscle force control to support future interpretations of complexity-based analyses and clinical reasoning in knee injury control. Participants (male/female n = 11/5) performed constant-force isometric efforts at 50% maximal effort. Force variability was quantified during the constant-force efforts using a coefficient of variation (CV%) and force complexity using approximate entropy (ApEn) and detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) α. Outcomes were right/left and dominant/nondominant group-level and individual-level comparisons. A limb-symmetry index was calculated for each variable and clinically significant absolute asymmetry was defined (>15%). The only significant side-to-side difference was for right/left DFA α (p = 0.00; d = 1.12). Maximum absolute asymmetries were (right/left, dominant/nondominant): CV 18.2%, 18.0%; ApEn 34.5%, 32.3%; DFA α 4.9%, 5.0%. Different side-to-side comparisons yield different findings. Consideration for how side-to-side comparisons are performed (right/left, dominant/nondominant) is required. Because a significant difference existed for complexity but not variability, this indicates that both complexity-based and magnitude-based measures should be used when studying knee muscle force control. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Neuromechanics and Motor Rehabilitation)

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11 pages, 964 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Core Stabilization Exercise Programs on Changes in Erector Spinae Contractile Properties and Isokinetic Muscle Function of Adult Females with a Sedentary Lifestyle

by Hyungwoo Lee, Chanki Kim, Seungho An and Kyoungkyu Jeon

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(5), 2501; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12052501 - 28 Feb 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2461

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect of core stabilization exercises on the contractile properties and isokinetic muscle function of adult females with a sedentary lifestyle. We enrolled 105 adult females. Tensiomyography was performed on the erector spinae, and the isokinetic muscular functional [...] Read more.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of core stabilization exercises on the contractile properties and isokinetic muscle function of adult females with a sedentary lifestyle. We enrolled 105 adult females. Tensiomyography was performed on the erector spinae, and the isokinetic muscular functional test was performed on the trunk at an angular velocity of 60°/s and 90°/s. All participants performed the exercise for 60 min per day, 3 times a week, for 7 weeks. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was performed at a significance level of 0.05. Tensiomyography (TMG) of the erector spinae revealed no significant post-exercise change in the contraction time; however, there was a significant post-exercise increase in the maximum radial displacement and mean velocity until 90% of the TMG was displaced. Additionally, the isokinetic muscular functional test of the trunk revealed a significant post-exercise increase in almost all variables. Our findings demonstrated that the core stabilization exercise reduced stiffness in the erector spinae, increased the velocity of erector spinae contraction, and effectively improved the isokinetic muscular function of the trunk. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Neuromechanics and Motor Rehabilitation)

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7 pages, 6527 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Postural Instability after Stepping on a Stair in Older Adults: A Pilot Study

by Hyokeun Lee and Kyungseok Byun

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(24), 11885; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112411885 - 14 Dec 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1350

Abstract

This study aimed to examine how older adults (OA) control their postural stability after stepping on a stair in comparison to young adults (YA). Ten OA and 10 YA participated in this study. Participants ascended a single stair (15 cm high by 30 [...] Read more.

This study aimed to examine how older adults (OA) control their postural stability after stepping on a stair in comparison to young adults (YA). Ten OA and 10 YA participated in this study. Participants ascended a single stair (15 cm high by 30 cm wide) which was secured atop one of the force plates. Ground reaction forces (GRFs) and center of pressure (COP) motion data were obtained from the force plate under the stair. After standing on the stair with both feet, GRFs and COP data for a 3 s duration were analyzed to assess postural variables, including time to stabilization (TTS), COP velocity (COPVEL), and COP sway area (COPSWAY). A significant difference in TTS in the anterior–posterior direction between OA and YA (p = 0.032) was observed, indicating that OA had difficulty stabilizing their body posture after the stair ascent compared to YA. For COP postural variables, no significant differences in COPVEL (p = 0.455) and COPSWAY (p = 0.176) were observed between OA and YA. Study findings indicate that older adults have less capacity to regain postural stability compared to young adults following a challenging dynamic movement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Neuromechanics and Motor Rehabilitation)

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15 pages, 3025 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Pattern of Affective Responses to Dance-Based Group Exercise Differs According to Physical Fitness, as Measured by a Smartwatch

by Yujin Kim, Jihye Kim and Minjung Woo

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(23), 11540; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112311540 - 06 Dec 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1664

Abstract

The present study investigated the effect of a dance-based aerobic exercise, on the affective experiences of participants with different fitness levels. Thirty-two college students were enrolled in the same dance fitness course, tested using a physical fitness test (the National Fitness Project 100) [...] Read more.

The present study investigated the effect of a dance-based aerobic exercise, on the affective experiences of participants with different fitness levels. Thirty-two college students were enrolled in the same dance fitness course, tested using a physical fitness test (the National Fitness Project 100) and grouped accordingly to 15 sports majors (high-fit group) and 17 non-sports majors (low-fit group). Together, they participated in a single-session dance fitness program using 11 basic dance steps incorporated in Zumba rhythms of merengue and reggaeton for 47 min including warm-up and cool-down. Pre- and post-exercise affects were measured using the PANAS-X transmitted to each participant’s smartphone. During exercise, participants’ heart rate (HR) and their responses to the felt arousal scale (FAS) and the feeling scale (FS) by exercise section were measured using tailor-made applications on a smartwatch. Results showed that the intensity of exercise for the same exercise program was lower in the high-fit group than in the low-fit group, as evidenced by %HRmax. In addition, the pattern of affective change throughout the exercise sections was different according to the groups’ fitness levels, while the affective improvement was greater in the high-fit group. This study confirmed that physical fitness is a major variable influencing the relationship between exercise and affect. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Neuromechanics and Motor Rehabilitation)

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9 pages, 2232 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bilateral Deficits during Maximal Grip Force Production in Late Postmenopausal Women

by Jin-Su Kim, Moon-Hyon Hwang and Nyeonju Kang

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(18), 8426; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11188426 - 10 Sep 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1502

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate bilateral deficit patterns during maximal hand-grip force production in late postmenopausal women. Twenty late postmenopausal and 20 young premenopausal women performed maximal isometric grip force production tasks with dominant and nondominant hands and both hands, [...] Read more.

The purpose of this study was to investigate bilateral deficit patterns during maximal hand-grip force production in late postmenopausal women. Twenty late postmenopausal and 20 young premenopausal women performed maximal isometric grip force production tasks with dominant and nondominant hands and both hands, respectively. For late postmenopausal women, pulse wave analysis was used for identifying a potential relationship between maximal hand-grip strength and risk factors of cardiovascular disease. The findings showed that late postmenopausal women produced significantly decreased maximal hand-grip strength in dominant and nondominant and bilateral hand conditions compared to those of premenopausal women. Bilateral deficit patterns appeared in late postmenopausal women. For late postmenopausal women, decreased dominant and bilateral hand-grip forces were significantly related to greater bilateral deficit patterns. Further, less maximal hand-grip strength in unilateral and bilateral hand conditions correlated with greater central pulse pressure. These findings suggested that age-related impairments in muscle strength and estrogen deficiency may interfere with conducting successful activities of bilateral movements. Further, assessing maximal dominant hand-grip strength may predict bilateral deficit patterns and risk of cardiovascular disease in late postmenopausal women. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Neuromechanics and Motor Rehabilitation)

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13 pages, 2104 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Foot Contact Dynamics and Fall Risk among Children Diagnosed with Idiopathic Toe Walking

by Rahul Soangra, Michael Shiraishi, Richard Beuttler, Michelle Gwerder, LouAnne Boyd, Venkatesan Muthukumar, Mohamed Trabia, Afshin Aminian and Marybeth Grant-Beuttler

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(6), 2862; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11062862 - 23 Mar 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3203

Abstract

Children that are diagnosed with Idiopathic Toe walking (cITW) are characterized by persistent toe-to-toe contacts. The objective of this study was to explore whether typical foot contact dynamics during walking predisposes cITW to a higher risk of falling. Twenty cITW and age-matched controls [...] Read more.

Children that are diagnosed with Idiopathic Toe walking (cITW) are characterized by persistent toe-to-toe contacts. The objective of this study was to explore whether typical foot contact dynamics during walking predisposes cITW to a higher risk of falling. Twenty cITW and age-matched controls performed typical and toe walking trials. The gait parameters related to foot contact dynamics, vertical force impulses during stance, slip, and trip risk were compared for both groups. We found that cITW manifest less stable gait and produced significantly higher force impulses during push-off. Additionally, we found that cITW had a higher slip-initiation risk that was associated with higher foot contact horizontal and vertical velocities in addition to lower transitional acceleration of center of mass. We found that cITW exhibited a higher trip risk with toe clearance being significantly lower when compared to healthy counterparts. This study allowed for a quantitative description of foot contact dynamics and delineated typical from toe walking among cITW. Overall, the results indicate that cITW are less stable during typical walking and are prone to a higher risk of slip and trip-like falls. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Neuromechanics and Motor Rehabilitation)

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12 pages, 15268 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Changes in Spinal-Reflex Excitability during Static Stretch and/or Explosive Contraction

by Kyeong Eun Min, YongSuk Lee and Jihong Park

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(6), 2830; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11062830 - 22 Mar 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2030

Abstract

To examine individual or combined effects of static stretch and explosive contraction on quadriceps spinal-reflex excitability (the peak Hoffmann’s reflex normalized by the peak motor-response) and the latency times of the Hoffmann’s reflex and motor-response. Fourteen healthy young males randomly experienced four conditions [...] Read more.

To examine individual or combined effects of static stretch and explosive contraction on quadriceps spinal-reflex excitability (the peak Hoffmann’s reflex normalized by the peak motor-response) and the latency times of the Hoffmann’s reflex and motor-response. Fourteen healthy young males randomly experienced four conditions (stretch, contraction, stretch + contraction, and control—no intervention). For the stretch condition, three sets of a 30 s hold using the modified Thomas test on each leg were performed. For the contraction condition, three trials of maximal countermovement vertical jump were performed. Quadriceps spinal-reflex excitability and the latent period of each value on the right leg were compared at pre- and post-condition. All measurement values across conditions were not changed at any time point (condition × time) in spinal-reflex excitability (F_6,143 = 1.10, p = 0.36), Hoffmann’s reflex latency (F_6,143 = 0.45, p = 0.84), motor-response latency (F_6,143 = 0.37, p = 0.90), and vertical jump heights (F_2,65 = 1.82, p = 0.17). A statistical trend was observed in the contraction condition that spinal-reflex excitability was increased by 42% (effect size: 0.63). Neither static stretch nor explosive contraction changed the quadriceps spinal-reflex excitability, latency of Hoffmann’s reflex, and motor-response. Since our stretch protocol did not affect jumping performance and our contraction protocol induced the post-activation potentiation effect, either protocol could be used as pre-exercise activity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Neuromechanics and Motor Rehabilitation)

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10 pages, 1280 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Limb-Specific Resistance Training on Central and Peripheral Artery Stiffness in Young Adults: A Pilot Study

by Minyoung Kim, Ruda Lee, Nyeonju Kang and Moon-Hyon Hwang

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(6), 2737; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11062737 - 18 Mar 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1366

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect of limb-specific resistance training on arterial stiffness in young adults. Twenty-four participants were randomly assigned to three groups: upper-limb resistance training (n = 8 (URT)), lower-limb resistance training (n = 8 (LRT)), and control [...] Read more.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of limb-specific resistance training on arterial stiffness in young adults. Twenty-four participants were randomly assigned to three groups: upper-limb resistance training (n = 8 (URT)), lower-limb resistance training (n = 8 (LRT)), and control group (n = 8 (CON)). Both URT and LRT groups performed the limb-specific resistance training at 70–80% of one-repetition maximum twice a week for 8 weeks. The aortic pulse wave velocity and augmentation index (AIx) were measured by the SphygmoCor XCEL to assess central artery stiffness. Peripheral artery stiffness was evaluated by brachial to radial artery pulse wave velocity (ArmPWV) and femoral to posterior tibial artery pulse wave velocity (LegPWV) using Doppler flowmeters. URT significantly reduced AIx (4.7 ± 3.0 vs. 0.3 ± 2.9%, pre vs. post, P = 0.01), and ArmPWV presented a tendency to decrease following URT (10.4 ± 0.3 vs. 8.6 ± 0.8 m/s, pre vs. post, P = 0.06). LRT showed no negative influence on central and peripheral artery stiffness. Changes in serum triglyceride and leg lean body mass after resistance training were significantly associated with changes in AIx and LegPWV, respectively. URT is beneficial in decreasing central artery wave reflection and may help to improve local peripheral artery stiffness even in healthy young adults. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Neuromechanics and Motor Rehabilitation)

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10 pages, 1028 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Obesity on Adaptation Transfer from Treadmill to Over-Ground Walking

by Daekyoo Kim, Phillip C. Desrochers, Cara L. Lewis and Simone V. Gill

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(5), 2108; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11052108 - 27 Feb 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1772

Abstract

Discerning whether individuals with obesity transfer walking adaptation from treadmill to over-ground walking is critical to advancing our understanding of walking adaptation and its usefulness in rehabilitating obese populations. We examined whether the aftereffects following split-belt treadmill adaptation transferred to over-ground walking in [...] Read more.

Discerning whether individuals with obesity transfer walking adaptation from treadmill to over-ground walking is critical to advancing our understanding of walking adaptation and its usefulness in rehabilitating obese populations. We examined whether the aftereffects following split-belt treadmill adaptation transferred to over-ground walking in adults with normal-weight body mass index (BMI) and obese BMI. Nineteen young adults with obesity and 19 age-matched adults with normal weight walked on flat ground at their preferred speed before and after walking on a treadmill with tied belts (preferred speed) and with the split-belt at their preferred speed and at a speed 50% slower than their preferred speed. The adaptation and aftereffects in step length and double-limb support time symmetry were calculated. We found that the amount of temporal adaptation was similar for adults with obesity and with normal weight (p > 0.05). However, adults with obesity showed greater asymmetry for double-limb support time following split-belt treadmill walking compared to adults with normal weight (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the transfer of asymmetry for double-limb support time from the treadmill to over-ground walking was less in adults with obesity than in adults with normal weight (p < 0.05). The transfer of adapted gait following split-belt treadmill walking provides insight into how atypical walking patterns in individuals with obesity could be remediated using long-term gait training. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Neuromechanics and Motor Rehabilitation)

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Review

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12 pages, 815 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Bimanual Movements and Chronic Stroke Rehabilitation: Looking Back and Looking Forward

by James H. Cauraugh and Nyeonju Kang

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(22), 10858; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112210858 - 17 Nov 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3318

Abstract

Executing voluntary motor actions in the upper extremities after a stroke is frequently challenging and frustrating. Although spontaneous motor recovery can occur, reorganizing the activation of the primary motor cortex and supplementary motor area takes a considerable amount of time involving effective rehabilitation [...] Read more.

Executing voluntary motor actions in the upper extremities after a stroke is frequently challenging and frustrating. Although spontaneous motor recovery can occur, reorganizing the activation of the primary motor cortex and supplementary motor area takes a considerable amount of time involving effective rehabilitation interventions. Based on motor control theory and experience-dependent neural plasticity, stroke protocols centered on bimanual movement coordination are generating considerable evidence in overcoming dysfunctional movements. Looking backward and forward in this comprehensive review, we discuss noteworthy upper extremity improvements reported in bimanual movement coordination studies including force generation. Importantly, the effectiveness of chronic stroke rehabilitation approaches that involve voluntary interlimb coordination principles look promising. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in Neuromechanics and Motor Rehabilitation)

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