In this study extensive measurements were performed with a sensor supported CareToy gym on a group of 28 newborns. Acquired data were processed with dedicated sensor data processing algorithms, providing the possibility of accurate and intensive psychomotor skills analysis of newborns. Several motor skill subfields, such as trunk rotation, arm posture, toy interaction, and postural stability were assessed with specially determined motor pattern parameters. Acquired results of the dedicated motor pattern parameters were compared to normative clinical motor skill analysis data, where statistical analysis confirmed suitability of the data processing algorithms, sensor supported measurement system and dedicated training scenarios for activity stimulation and accurate, intensive assessment of psychomotor skills of newborns.
COBISS.SI-ID: 11444564
Sit-to-stand (STS) transfer training is one of the most demanding tasks in rehabilitation. We have developed an innovative STS trainer that offers variable level of mechanical support as well as various speeds of STS transfer. In a group of neurologically intact individuals we compared kinematics, kinetics and electromyography (EMG) patterns of STS transfer assessed in three experimental conditions with increasing degree of mechanical support (MIN STS-T, MED STS-T and MAX STS-T) to a natural, unassisted STS movement (NO STS-T). Experimental conditions NO STS-T, MED STS-T and MIN STS-T required from subjects to initiate movement with anterior trunk inclination while MAX STS-T required subjects’ passivity. The resulting ankle, knee, hip joint and trunk angles in experimental conditions MED STS-T and MIN STS-T were very similar to experimental condition NO STS-T. Vertical ground reaction force and EMG patterns in the tibialis anterior, quadriceps and hamstrings show a clear trend toward “normal” patterns as the level of mechanical support from the device is progressively reduced. Based on these results we conclude that negligible constraints are imposed by the device on a user’s STS kinematics, which is an important prerequisite for considering the clinical use of the device for training in neurologically impaired population.
COBISS.SI-ID: 2037353
We examined the effects of orthoses for the ankle and foot in the balance of the patient by measuring the dynamic postural responses. Some authors noted that the orthoses for the ankle and foot (AFO) demonstrated no significant improvement in symmetric weight transfer and dynamic control of balance between; when compared the healthy and the affected limb (Simons CD, e soil, 2009), while the functional tests Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Timed Up and Go test, 10 meter walking test, showed significantly better results with the AFO. We found differences in responses when using different AFOs. Clinical tests BBS was measured besides the postural responses to the artificially induced perturbation. We used our own device for generating postural perturbations and measurements of postural responses.
COBISS.SI-ID: 2210921
In this paper we present a novel device for studying dynamic balance during walking that applies pertubrations at pelvis and allows us to measure dynamic balance responses. We describe in detailes mechanism of haptic robot that interacts with subject’s pelvis during walking and enables pelvis movement in all six degrees of freedom. Three degrees of freedom are passive with integrate weight compensation of pelvis module and the remaining three degrees of freedom (pelvis rotation around vertical axis, pelvis displacement in frontal plane and pelvis displacement in sagittal plane) are admittance controlled. Robot is positioned on mobile platform. In second section we describe a study that was conducted on seven healthy subjects where feet movement was followed after subjects were subjected to perturbations in forward/backward left/right directions and around vertical axis. Results showed that perturbations in frontal plane require approprite and coordinated response in all three planes of motion. Perturbations in sagittal plane require appropriate response in sagittal plane whereas perturbations around vertical axis have no significant effect on stepping.
COBISS.SI-ID: 2188905
The study uses inertial sensors to measure ski jumper kinematics and joint dynamics, which was until now only a part of simulation studies. For subsequent calculation of dynamics in the joints, a link-segment model was developed. The model relies on the recursive Newton-Euler inverse dynamics. This approach allowed the calculation of the ground reaction force at take-off. For the model validation, four ski jumpers performed a simulated jump in a laboratory environment on a force platform. The results fit well to the reference system. For field tests, six jumpers participated in the study. The proposed system was able to indirectly provide the values of forces and moments in the joints of the ski-jumpers’ body segments, as well as the ground reaction force during the in-run and take-off phases in comparison to the force platform installed on the table. Kinematics assessment and estimation of dynamics parameters can be applied to jumps from any ski jumping hill.
COBISS.SI-ID: 11022420