Birth brachial plexus palsy (BBPP) is usually caused by plexus traction during difficult delivery. Although the possibility of complete recovery is relatively high, 5% to 25% of BBPP cases result in prolonged and persistent disability. In particular, muscle imbalance and co-contraction around the shoulder and elbow cause abnormal motor performance, osseous deformities, and joint contracture. Ph...

In the present study, we examined whether individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) systematically vary motion of the trunk and co-contraction in the upper limb as a function of accuracy demands. Four participants with spastic tetraparesis, four with spastic hemiparesis, and four healthy controls were asked to repeatedly move a spoon back-and-forth between two target locations. The task was external...

In Asia, many activities of daily living (ADL) are performed while sitting cross-legged on the floor. This sitting posture rotates the pelvis in a more dorsal direction and lumbar lordosis is more flattened than while sitting on a chair. Sitting cross-legged induces a greater load on the intervertebral discs and spine, especially when in a slumped position that is known to increase disc pressur...

It is shown that the low-pass filter characteristics of the muscle­joint system of the femur­tibia joint of the stick insect Cuniculina impigra result from co-contraction of the extensor and flexor tibiae muscles. The most distal region of the extensor muscle, which contains a high percentage of slow muscle fibres, is involved in this co-contraction. This conclusion results from the fol...

Muscle fatigue is considered as one of the major risk factor causing Musculo-Skeletal Disorder (MSD). To avoid MSD the study of muscle fatigue is very important. For the study of muscle fatigue a new model is developed by modifying the Ruina Ma’s dynamic muscle fatigue model and introducing the muscle co-contraction factor ‘n’ in this model.The aim of this paper is to experimentally validate a ...

This study investigated whether the modular control of changes in direction while running is influenced by perturbations to balance. Twenty-two healthy men performed 90° side-step unperturbed cutting manoeuvres while running (UPT) as well as manoeuvres perturbed at initial contact (PTB, 10 cm translation of a moveable force platform). Surface EMG activity from 16 muscles of the supporting limb ...

There is a growing body of evidence that G protein-coupled receptors function in the context of plasma membrane signaling compartments. These compartments may facilitate interaction between receptors and specific downstream signaling components while restricting access to other signaling molecules. We recently reported that beta(1)- and beta(2)-adrenergic receptors (AR) regulate the intrinsic c...