background: standing workstation can be a strategic approach for many electronics manufacturers to achieve work optimization. however, the well-being of the workers has become a great issue for both workers and employers. the main objective of this research was to study the effects of standing working posture on the workers and their impact to workers’ health and productivity and then to re-des...

Our aim is to develop a safe and reliable closed-loop sensing system for the implanted FES system (‘Praxis24’, Neopraxis Pty. Ltd., Sydney, Australia), which will be light weight and easy to don/doff. Open-loop FES standing has typically been achieved for 10-20 minutes. This system will be used by paraplegic individuals for prolonged standing (20 minutes +), sitstand-sit transfers and stepping....

OBJECTIVE To determine whether Tai Chi Chuan or ballroom dancing promotes better performance with respect to postural balance, gait, and postural transfer among elderly people. METHODS We evaluated 76 elderly individuals who were divided into two groups: the Tai Chi Chuan Group and the Dance Group. The subjects were tested using the NeuroCom Balance Master¯ force platform system with the foll...

Biomechanical and neural mechanisms of balance control during walking are still poorly understood. In this study, we examined the body dynamic stability, activity of limb muscles, and activity of motor cortex neurons [primarily pyramidal tract neurons (PTNs)] in the cat during unconstrained walking and walking with a wide base of support (wide-stance walking). By recording three-dimensional ful...

Experiments were done to determine the amplitude of the monosynaptically mediated H-reflex of the soleus muscle at various phases of the step cycle, using a computer-based analysis procedure. In all subjects tested the amplitude of the H-reflex was strongly modulated in amplitude during the walking cycle and was highest during the stance phase. In many subjects the peak reflex amplitude occurre...

Prolonged standing has been associated with loss of balance, onset of low back pain symptoms and development of fatigue in lower extremity muscles in working populations. Although so far, it is unknown how individuals’ postural stability is affected by standing on rigid versus cushioned platform but many industries are opting for anti-fatigue mats at workstations to reduce fall and injury rela...

Research on foot orthotics is primarily restricted to their effect on the lower limb during running. Research is limited, however, on the potential of foot orthotics to control the mechanics of the foot during walking. The purpose of this study was to examine the interactive effect of foot orthotics and two walking speeds on the angular changes at the rearfoot, ankle, and knee, and temporal eve...

The musculoskeletal redundancy of the body provides multiple solutions for performing motor tasks. We have proposed that the nervous system solves this unconstrained problem through the recruitment of motor modules or functional muscle synergies that map motor intention to action. Consistent with this hypothesis, we showed that trial-by-trial variations in muscle activation for multidirectional...

Good postural stability is needed during most activities in daily life. Balance can be improved with specific training programmes in physiotherapy. The goals of treatment differ, depending on the subject's age and disorders. In clinical practice, postural stability is commonly evaluated by scaled functional tests or by recording body sway on a platform. On the basis of therapeutic modalities, i...

Knee joint pain is a common symptom in obese individuals and walking is often prescribed as part of management programs. Past studies in obese individuals have focused on standing alignment and kinematics in the sagittal and coronal planes. Investigation of 6 degree-of-freedom (6DOF) knee joint kinematics during standing and gait is important to thoroughly understand knee function in obese indi...