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At least 1,063 records · Page 59Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Studies on spatial orientation and posture control and changes in otolith function due to linear acceleration loading.

Otolith function is directly affected by weightlessness at the time of movement in outer space, and changes occur in the mode of response. It has been known for some time that such changes occur in the posture and gait of astronauts just after they return from a trip into space. It is thought that the cause of these changes is disuse atrophy of the antigravity muscles. However, in the present study, experimental subjects underwent repeated linear acceleration loading over a long period of time, and instability of the head and a decrease in posture control, especially in relation to the gait, were observed for the first time. To date, it has been said that the otolith function has a close relationship with ocular counter rolling. However, when the otolith organ was stimulated, the response was seen to be head instability and an irregular effect on the gait. It is surmised that these findings will facilitate future research into the otolith function under gravity-free conditions.

Acceleration↗
PubMed1989

Age related decline in postural control mechanisms.

In order to study voluntary and reflexive mechanisms of postural control, young and elderly persons were given large-fast and small-slow ankle-rotation postural disturbances while standing on a movable platform capable of measuring ground reaction forces. Large-fast rotations were employed to activate long-loop reflexes, and small-slow rotations were employed to tap the higher level sensory integration aspects of postural control. Overall, the elderly persons exhibited more perturbation induced sway and showed a slowing in voluntary, as opposed to reflexive mechanisms of correcting postural disturbance. For both age groups, reflexive mechanisms were found to be relatively intact. When small perturbations were given, the elderly persons swayed more than young participants and produced sporadic reflexive activity. Moreover, elderly persons did not adapt to the small perturbations and exhibited increased postural sway to repetitive presentation of the perturbation, whereas young participants substantially decreased their postural sway. These data demonstrate that elderly persons are at some disadvantage when posture is under the control of slower, higher level sensory integrative mechanisms.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Peripheral artery disease, diabetes, and reduced lower extremity functioning.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize lower extremity function and dysfunction in peripheral artery disease (PAD) patients with and without diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 460 men and women with PAD (147 with diabetes) were recruited from three academic medical centers. Assessments included ankle brachial index (ABI), neuropathy score, 6-min walk distance, 4-m walking velocity, Walking Impairment Questionnaire (0-100 scale, 100 = best), and summary performance score (SPS) (0-12 scale, 12 = best). RESULTS: The mean ABI was similar in PAD patients with and without diabetes. PAD patients with diabetes were younger, had a higher BMI, had a worse neuropathy score, and had a greater number of cardiovascular comorbidities compared with those without diabetes. Participants with diabetes were less likely to report classical symptoms of intermittent claudication and more likely to report exertional leg pain, which sometimes started at rest. After adjusting for age, those with diabetes had a shorter mean 6-min walk distance (1,040 vs. 1,168 feet, P < 0.001), slower fast-pace 4-m walk velocity (0.83 vs. 0.90 m/sec, P < 0.001), and a lower SPS (7.3 vs. 8.6, P < 0.001) than those without diabetes. Patients with diet-controlled diabetes performed better than those on diabetes medications. Differences in lower extremity functioning between patients with and without diabetes were largely attenuated but not abolished for SPS and fast-pace 4-m walk velocity after adjustment for type of exertional leg pain, neuropathy score, and number of cardiovascular comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with PAD and diabetes have poorer lower extremity function than those with PAD alone. This difference in functioning appears to be largely explained by diabetes-associated neuropathy, differences in exertional leg symptoms, and greater cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes.

Arterial Occlusive Diseases↗
PubMed2005

Perception of large change in distribution of heel pressure during backward leaning.

We investigated the perception of the large change in distribution of heel pressure during backward leaning. Subjects were 12 healthy adults who reported perceiving a large change in distribution of heel pressure by a handheld switch while leaning voluntarily backward on a sole pressure analyzer and on a heel force plate. The large change was indicated at the center of heel pressure. Morphological features of the foot were measured on an X-ray film. The position of heel pressure center and the morphological locations were represented as relative distance (%) from the hindmost point of the heel, where foot length represented 100%. Center of heel pressure changed largely during backward leaning, and the position at which large change occurred was the same as that of the peak of the distribution. Large change in distribution of heel pressure was perceived at a position 1.3% posterior from that at which the large change actually occurred. The correlation between perceived and actual positions was significant (r = .91). Significant correlations were found between position of a large change of center and locations of heel pressure of both the lateral process of the calcaneal tuberosity and the top of the talar trochlea (r = .86; r = .71, respectively). The results indicate that subjects accurately perceive large changes in distribution of heel pressure and that the morphological features of the foot contribute to these changes.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Acute effects of a single bout of resistance exercise on postural control in elderly persons.

Many elderly persons are engaging in resistance exercise to counter muscle atrophy due to aging. Here, the acute effects of resistance exercise on postural control mechanisms were examined. Postural control was quantified by mean square center-of-pressure displacements were calculated utilizing force vectors in accordance with previously developed equations. Stabilogram-diffusion plots utilized the displacements as data points after curve-fitting techniques were applied. Two regions, representing the open-loop and closed-loop postural control mechanisms, are shown by the plots and separated at the critical point, which represents the shift in control mechanisms. 21 older adults (age M=71.2, SD=3.84, range 66-81 years) performed three sets of 10-12 repetitions for six resistance exercises for the lower extremity until fatigue. Immediately after exercise, postural stability was reduced. This was represented by a shift of the critical point to the right, indicating an increase in open-loop control. Since resistance training has an acute negative effect on postural control, it is advised to assist elderly clients carefully and immediately after resistance training.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

A field study of step-up exercises with touch for elderly people.

This study assessed step-up exercises appropriate for elderly persons (M age=70.7 yr., SD=7.0). The group did several exercises in 7 sessions per month (average participants per session was 14, SD=3). A 30-sec. chair-stand test (sit-to-stand), questionnaires on activities of daily living, and impressions of the exercises were examined. Activities of daily living were expected to differ on cluster analysis before and after exercise sessions. Each cluster was classified by basic and instrumental activities. The 30-sec. chair-stand test did not significantly improve. Subjects enjoyed doing exercises with touch. Appropriate exercises for elderly persons should promote activities of daily living. Functional movements with touch seem appropriate for maintaining physical fitness and social interaction.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1977

Motor development of autistic monozygotic twins: a case study.

A pair of autistic monozygotic twins were assessed on relevant portions of the Geddes Psychomotor Inventory. Over-all motor development of the 3-yr., 6-mo. old twins was similar and considered a partial consequence of the same genotype and comparable environmental experiences from birth. The twins exhibited poor or unsuccessful performance on tasks requiring abilities in language, communication, and appropriate relationships to objects; superior performance on specific fine manual motor skills, walking balance board, and climbing; at-age performance on tasks which were considered measures of patterned gross movement, balance, postural maintenance, and spatial orientation; and few typical autistic motor characteristics.

Autistic Disorder↗
PubMed1986

Reaction and movement times in men of different ages: a population study.

Tests of psychomotor and motor speed at different levels of complexity were studied in random samples of men aged 31 to 35, 51 to 55, and 71 to 75 yr. The study was performed as a part of a larger research project on health and functional aging. Analyses indicated significantly slower responses among older men at all levels of test complexity (maximal knee extension velocity, tapping rate, simple and choice reaction and movement times). There were marked differences both between the youngest and the middle-aged groups and between the middle-aged and the oldest groups. Within the age groups high psychomotor and motor speed were associated with a favourable functioning of certain senses (vibration sensitivity and postural balance), with a high isometric muscular force, and with a high directly assessed aerobic capacity. The most important covariants of the speed functions within the age groups were, however, cognitive performance, length of education, and perceived health.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Accuracy of weightbearing estimation by stroke versus healthy subjects.

This study was performed to describe and compare the accuracy of weightbearing at three target levels (25, 50, and 75% of body weight) of 14 ambulatory stroke subjects and 14 matched healthy subjects. Weightbearing through a designated lower extremity (stroke subjects-paretic, healthy subjects-randomly selected) was measured with digital scales. No significant difference was found in magnitude of weightbearing (%) between the stroke and healthy groups. Although making significantly greater errors in weightbearing than healthy subjects, stroke subjects did not consistently weightbear under target. Subjects with stroke tested in earlier studies were neither asked to stand symmetrically nor examined to judge whether they were capable of accepting the required weight through the paretic lower extremity. Before assuming that weightbearing asymmetry is a problem in patients with stroke, clinicians should examine weightbearing behavior more specifically.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Application of tetra-ataxiametric posturography in clinical and developmental diagnosis.

Tetra-ataxiametric posturography is based on the measurement and computerized elaboration of electronic signals emitted by four footplates, one for each heel and toe, respectively. These are sensitive to vertical pressure produced by a subject standing straight but in various positions (feet parallel, in tandem, eyes closed, on pads, etc.). The method yields additional parameters not obtained by the traditional monoplate stabilometers, namely, weight-distribution patterns and correlations among six combinations of paired outputs from the two heels, two toes, heel/toe of each foot, and the two diagonals (tetra-ataxiametric synchronisations). Comparing age-matched learning disabled, mentally retarded, autistic, and hearing impaired (with and without labyrinthine hypofunction) with normal children, significant and clinically meaningful differences were detected between the tetra-ataxiametric measures of stability, interaction between Fourier Spectral Power Ranges of body sway, weight distributions, and synchronisations of toe parts. The same parameters correlated significantly with cognitive school readiness in normal populations. While the stability and spectral quotients show significant developmental changes, weight distribution and toe synchronisations are stable from 5 years onwards. The method is suitable for young subjects and attractive to children who may ordinarily be reluctant to cooperate, such as the autistic ones. The equipment is portable and tests can be conveniently carried out in a child's familiar educational setting.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1992

Postural sway characteristics of single leg stance in men with mental retardation.

This study examined the postural sway characteristics of 10 men with mental retardation and 10 each normal men and women during the one-legged stance test. Significant differences between the men with mental retardation and the other two groups were found on measures of lateral sway and on the sagittal sway:lateral sway ratio.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Differential sensitivity to static visual cues in the control of postural equilibrium in man.

Decreasing the visual sampling rate by reducing the stroboscopic frequency affected the postural performance of human subjects. At low strobe frequencies of up to 2 flashes/sec., at which only static visual cues were available, no decrease in subjects' mean postural sway was previously observed as compared to their equilibrium behavior without vision. In this experiment, to test the hypothesis that there may be a differential sensitivity to static visual cues in the control of postural equilibrium, we examined the possible effects of subjects' sex and previous sports training on this sensitivity. The static postural equilibrium abilities of 70 subjects of both sexes were tested in a sharpened Romberg position. Performance was measured with accelerometers within a vertical cylinder under normal illumination, 2-Hz stroboscopic light, and darkness. Comparisons between the average postural performances under 2-Hz strobe light and darkness showed no significant differences between conditions. Analysis of subjects' individual scores showed that 27% of the sample performed significantly better under the strobe light than in darkness, 57% produced similar performances under both conditions, and 16% performed better in darkness. Although significant differences existed between the postural performances of men and women and between trained and untrained subjects, no differences were observed in the differential sensitivity to static visual cues depending on subjects' sex or on previous physical training.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Age-related changes in postural control and locomotion.

Age-related changes in both postural control and locomotion were investigated. Postural control was evaluated by magnitude of body sway for 131 healthy persons aged 21 to 84 years. Locomotion was evaluated by walking velocity for 217 healthy persons aged 21 to 88 years. Analysis showed that both abilities deteriorated for older persons and particularly age-related changes were more remarkable in locomotion.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

An analysis of a performance by the violinist D. Oistrakh: the hypothetical role of postural tonic-static and entourage movements.

In an interdisciplinary research project carried out by a violinist and a psychophysiologist which is based on a videotape of a performance by the violinist, David Oistrakh, we draw attention to certain postural attitudes and movements which appear in sequences of his rendition of the Brandenburg Concerto N. 4 by Bach and the Concerto for Violin in D Major by Mozart. These postural attitudes and movements occur with a certain regularity and are particular to each piece of music. For example, in the Brandenburg Concerto, one can observe rhythmic oscillations of the musician's whole body, with a shifting of the weight (alternanza di appoggio) from the left to the right foot. The performer's movements were compared with corresponding points of the musical score. Within this analytical framework, we hypothesize that these movements have not only a mechanical postural role but an expressive aesthetic one.

Arousal↗