Enhanced Foot Proprioception Through 3-Minute Walking Bouts with Ultra-Minimalist Shoes on Surfaces That Mimic Highly Rugged Natural Terrains.

The use of minimalist shoes can lead to enhanced foot somatosensory activation and postural stability but can also increase the incidence of overuse injuries during high-impact or prolonged activities. Therefore, it appears useful to explore new strategies that employ minimalist shoes to effectively facilitate the somatosensory activation of the foot while minimizing acute and cumulative joint stress and risk of injury. To this purpose, this study introduces a novel exercise paradigm: walking for three minutes in ultra-minimalist shoes on artificial flat surfaces designed to mimic highly rugged natural terrains.

The role of a mindful movement-based program (Movimento Biologico) in health promotion: results of a pre-post intervention study.

Introduction: Mindful movement is a comprehensive approach that integrates various bodily, emotional and cognitive aspects into physical activity, promoting overall well-being. This study assessed the impact of a mindful movement program, known as Movimento Biologico (MB), on participants psychological well-being (PWB), positive mental health (PMH), sense of coherence (SOC), and interoceptive awareness.

Methods: MB program was conducted for students attending the bachelor's degree in Kinesiology and Sport Sciences of University of Perugia over 8 weeks (from October 16 to November 27, 2022).

Disseminated nocardiosis and anti-GM-CSF antibodies.

Infections that are unusually severe or caused by opportunistic pathogens are a hallmark of primary immunodeficiency (PID). Anti-cytokine autoantibodies (ACA) are an emerging cause of acquired immunodeficiency mimicking PID. Nocardia spp.

Electromyographic and Stabilometric Analysis of the Static and Dynamic "Standing Bird Dog" Exercise.

(1) Background: The "bird dog" exercise is considered one of the most effective therapeutic exercises for lumbopelvic rehabilitation and the prevention and treatment of low back pain. The "standing bird dog" (SBD) exercise, executed in a single-leg stance, constitutes a natural and challenging variation in the "bird dog"; nevertheless, this exercise has not yet been investigated. This study provides a stabilometric and electromyographic analysis of the SBD performed in static and dynamic conditions and in ipsilateral and contralateral variations; (2) Methods: A time-synchronized motion capture system, wireless electromyography sensors, and triaxial force platform were used to analyze the selected SBD exercises; (3) Results: In dynamic conditions, the gluteus maximum, multifidus, lumbar erector spinae, and gluteus medius reached a mean activation level higher than in the static condition, with peak activation levels of 80%, 60%, 55%, and a 45% maximum voluntary isometric contraction, respectively.

Dynamics of Two-Link Musculoskeletal Chains during Fast Movements: Endpoint Force, Axial, and Shear Joint Reaction Forces.

This study provides a dynamic model for a two-link musculoskeletal chain controlled by single-joint and two-joint muscles. The chain endpoint force, and the axial and shear components of the joint reaction forces, were expressed analytically as a function of the muscle forces or torques, the chain configuration, and the link angular velocities and accelerations. The model was applied to upper-limb ballistic push movements involving transverse plane shoulder flexion and elbow extension.