Sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit kinematics in older adults with and without functional disability: A principal component analysis.

Objective: Sit-to-Stand (Sit-TS) and Stand-to-Sit (Stand-TS) transitions are essential daily movements affected by ageing and disability. This study aimed to explore related kinematic domains in older adults with and without disability.

Methods: A cross-sectional study including adults aged 60 years or older, with (n = 25) and without disability (n = 35).

Principal Component Analysis of Stair Negotiation and Floor Transition Kinematics in Older Adults With and Without Functional Disability: Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Stair negotiation (ascending and descending) and transitions to level walking are complex motor tasks influenced by aging; yet the impact of functional disability on these changes remains underexplored.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the lower limb joint positions, velocities, and the center of mass (CoM) displacement and velocity during stair negotiation and transitions in older adults with and without functional disability.

Methods: Sixty community-dwelling adults, aged 60 years and older, were assessed for lower limb tridimensional joint positions and velocities during the instances of foot contact or leaving the step and foot contact or leaving the floor; the joint range of motion, angular velocity range, and the CoM displacement and angular velocity range were assessed during stair ascend and descend and transitions floor-to-stair and stair-to-floor through an optoelectronic system.

Shoulder and Scapular Function Before and After a Scapular Therapeutic Exercise Program for Chronic Shoulder Pain and Scapular Dyskinesis: A Pre-Post Single-Group Study.

: Scapular adaptations have been associated with shoulder pain. However, conflicting findings have been reported after scapular-focused interventions. The present study aims to evaluate scapula-related outcomes before and after a scapular therapeutic exercise program.

Kinematic and Kinetic Gait Principal Component Domains in Older Adults With and Without Functional Disability: A Cross-Sectional Study.

: Gait kinematic and kinetic changes have been identified in older adults, highlighting the need to explore the principal age-related components and how these are associated with functional disability. This study aims to perform a factor analysis, including gait kinematic and kinetic parameters in older adults to establish determinant gait domains. Additionally, this study aims to identify which domains differentiate those without and with functional disability.

A Comprehensive Understanding of Postural Tone Biomechanics: Intrinsic Stiffness, Functional Stiffness, Antagonist Coactivation, and COP Dynamics in Post-Stroke Adults.

Objective: To analyse the relationship between traditional stiffness and muscle antagonist coactivation in both stroke and healthy participants, using linear and non-linear measures of coactivation and COP during standing, stand-to-sit, and gait initiation.

Methods: Participants were evaluated through a cross-sectional design. Electromyography, isokinetic dynamometer, and force plate were used to calculate coactivation, intrinsic and functional stiffness, and COP displacement, with both linear and non-linear metrics.

Correction: Sousa et al. Physical Activity, Readiness, and Cardiovascular Risk Stratification in the Polytechnics Communities of the Northern Region of Portugal Integrated in Mobility as a Service Concept. 2023, , 3145.

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Effectiveness of specific scapular therapeutic exercises in patients with shoulder pain: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Background: Therapeutic exercise has been considered a useful tool to rehabilitate shoulder pain, namely through its influence on scapular dynamics. Accordingly, the effectiveness of scapular therapeutic exercise needs to be explored. The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of scapular therapeutic exercises in shoulder pain and to identify the most effective exercise type (focal or multijoint) and ways of delivering them (as dose and progression).

A Machine Learning App for Monitoring Physical Therapy at Home.

Shoulder rehabilitation is a process that requires physical therapy sessions to recover the mobility of the affected limbs. However, these sessions are often limited by the availability and cost of specialized technicians, as well as the patient's travel to the session locations. This paper presents a novel smartphone-based approach using a pose estimation algorithm to evaluate the quality of the movements and provide feedback, allowing patients to perform autonomous recovery sessions.

Physical Activity, Readiness, and Cardiovascular Risk Stratification in the Polytechnics Communities of the Northern Region of Portugal Integrated in Mobility as a Service Concept.

The aim of the study is to characterize physical activity (PA) levels and PA readiness as well as stratify cardiovascular risk among the population of polytechnics community members in the north region of Portugal, including students, academic teachers, and non-teacher staff. An online questionnaire about general sample characterization, PA level, and readiness was applied. Of the 717 respondents, 237 were academic teachers, 143 were non-teacher staff, and 337 were students.

Interlimb Coordination during Double Support Phase of Gait in People with and without Stroke.

This study aims to identify differences between participants with and without stroke regarding the ipsilesional and contralesional lower limbs kinematics, kinetics, muscle activity and their variability during double support phase of gait. Eleven post-stroke and thirteen healthy participants performed 10 gait trials at a self-selected speed while being monitored by an optoelectronic motion capture system, two force plates and an electromyographic system. The following outcomes were evaluated during the double support: the time and the joint position; the external mechanical work on the centre of mass; and the relative electromyographic activity.

Long-Term Electrode-Skin Impedance Variation for Electromyographic Measurements.

This study aims to observe the evolution of the electrode-skin interface impedance of surface EMG electrodes over the time taken to determine the time of stabilization. Eight healthy subjects participated in the study. Electrode-skin impedance was evaluated in the rectus abdominal muscle every five minutes, over a total period of 50 min.

Home-Based Rehabilitation of the Shoulder Using Auxiliary Systems and Artificial Intelligence: An Overview.

Advancements in modern medicine have bolstered the usage of home-based rehabilitation services for patients, particularly those recovering from diseases or conditions that necessitate a structured rehabilitation process. Understanding the technological factors that can influence the efficacy of home-based rehabilitation is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes. As technologies continue to evolve rapidly, it is imperative to document the current state of the art and elucidate the key features of the hardware and software employed in these rehabilitation systems.

Could Electromyographic and Pressure Related Signals Identify Differences in Abdominal Activity and Postural Control between Women with and without C-Section?

Background: Scars interfere with the motor system; however, the influence of c-section scars has not been described yet. The aim of this study is to relate the presence of abdominal scars from a caesarean section with changes in postural control-stability and orientation and abdominal and lumbar neuromuscular control in the orthostatic position.

Methods: Cross-sectional analytical observational study comparing healthy primiparous women with caesarean delivery ( = 9) and physiologic delivery ( = 12) who have delivered more than one year before.

Differences in Trapezius Muscle H-Reflex between Asymptomatic Subjects and Symptomatic Shoulder Pain Subjects.

In chronic shoulder pain, adaptations in the nervous system such as in motoneuron excitability, could contribute to impairments in scapular muscles, perpetuation and recurrence of pain and reduced improvements during rehabilitation. The present cross-sectional study aims to compare trapezius neural excitability between symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects. In 12 participants with chronic shoulder pain (symptomatic group) and 12 without shoulder pain (asymptomatic group), the H reflex was evoked in all trapezius muscle parts, through C3/4 nerve stimulation, and the M-wave through accessory nerve stimulation.

Repeatability and Temporal Consistency of Lower Limb Biomechanical Variables Expressing Interlimb Coordination during the Double-Support Phase in People with and without Stroke Sequelae.

Reliable biomechanical methods to assess interlimb coordination during the double-support phase in post-stroke subjects are needed for assessing movement dysfunction and related variability. The data obtained could provide a significant contribution for designing rehabilitation programs and for their monitorisation. The present study aimed to determine the minimum number of gait cycles needed to obtain adequate values of repeatability and temporal consistency of lower limb kinematic, kinetic, and electromyographic parameters during the double support of walking in people with and without stroke sequelae.

Health-Related Telemonitoring Parameters/Signals of Older Adults: An Umbrella Review.

Aging is one of the greatest challenges in modern society. The development of wearable solutions for telemonitoring biological signals has been viewed as a strategy to enhance older adults' healthcare sustainability. This study aims to review the biological signals remotely monitored by technologies in older adults.

Systematic Review on the Applicability of Principal Component Analysis for the Study of Movement in the Older Adult Population.

Principal component analysis (PCA) is a dimensionality reduction method that has identified significant differences in older adults' motion analysis previously not detected by the discrete exploration of biomechanical variables. This systematic review aims to synthesize the current evidence regarding PCA use in the study of movement in older adults (kinematics and kinetics), summarizing the tasks and biomechanical variables studied. From the search results, 1685 studies were retrieved, and 19 studies were included for review.

Indicators and Instruments to Assess Components of Disability in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Systematic Review.

The epidemiological demands of aging point to the need for characterizing older adults regarding health and disability. This systematic review aims to summarize the indicators (instruments) identifying different components of disability as a result of aging exposition in community-dwelling older adults, considering the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health framework. Taking the PRISMA 2020 recommendations as a reference, studies with community-dwelling older adults, reporting the development and/or age disability modifications were included.

Postural control during turn on the light task assisted by functional electrical stimulation in post stroke subjects.

Postural control mechanisms have a determinant role in reaching tasks and are typically impaired in post-stroke patients. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) has been demonstrated to be a promising therapy for improving upper limb (UL) function. However, according to our knowledge, no study has evaluated FES influence on postural control.

Scapular Dynamic Muscular Stiffness Assessed through Myotonometry: A Narrative Review.

Several tools have been used to assess muscular stiffness. Myotonometry stands out as an accessible, handheld, and easy to use tool. The purpose of this review was to summarize the psychometric properties and methodological considerations of myotonometry and its applicability in assessing scapular muscles.

Optimal multi-field functional electrical stimulation parameters for the "drinking task - reaching phase" and related upper limb kinematics repeatability in post stroke subjects.

Background: No specific guidelines for the management of functional electrical stimulation (FES) parameters in post stroke patients have been defined yet, despite its frequent use. The purpose of this study is to characterize the optimal FES parameters that assist the reaching phase of drinking task ("drinking task - reaching phase") on post stroke subjects and to analyze the related upper limb (UL) movement quality indicators repeatability.

Methods: An observational study with a test and re-test design involving ten post stroke subjects with UL dysfunction was performed.

Optimal Multifield Functional Electrical Stimulation Parameters for the "Turn on the Light" Task and Related Upper Limb Kinematics Repeatability in Poststroke Subjects.

Objective: To characterize the optimal functional electrical stimulation (FES) parameters that assist the turn on the light task (TOTL) on poststroke participants and to analyze the related upper limb (UL) kinematics repeatability.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Human movement research center.

The Acute Effects of Manual and Instrument-Assisted Cervical Spine Manipulation on Pressure Pain Threshold, Pressure Pain Perception, and Muscle-Related Variables in Asymptomatic Subjects: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the immediate effects in asymptomatic participants of manual and instrument-assisted cervical manipulation on pressure pain thresholds, pressure pain perception, and muscle mechanical properties (tone, stiffness, and elasticity) over muscles anatomically related and unrelated to the manipulated level.

Methods: Fifty-nine asymptomatic participants (34 women and 25 men; age [mean ± standard deviation] = 21.1 ± 1.