Supporting physical activity for health: What activities would people with transtibial amputation like to perform?

Background: Participation in physical activity (PA) for health by people with transtibial amputation (PTTA) may moderate comorbidities experienced by this population. It is more likely that interventions which aim to increase participation by PTTA in PA for health will increase participation if the type of PA used is tailored to the preferences of the PTTA.

Objective: This study aimed to identify the types of PA performed by PTTA, the types of PA PTTA who performed no physical activities would like to adopt, and if these outcomes were influenced by the cause of amputation.

Action observation perspective influences the effectiveness of combined action observation and motor imagery training for novices learning an Osoto Gari judo throw.

Combined action observation and motor imagery (AOMI) training improves motor skill performance, but limited research has investigated possible moderating factors for this intervention. This study examined the influence of action observation (AO) perspective on the effectiveness of AOMI training for novices learning a 'shadow' Osoto Gari judo throw. Thirty novice participants were randomly assigned to AOMI training that displayed egocentric footage (AOMI) or allocentric footage (AOMI) of the Osoto Gari, or Control training.

Training program intervention to encourage physical activity for health in people with transtibial amputation: A feasibility study.

Background: People with transtibial amputation (PTTA) would benefit from increased physical activity levels (PAL) but generic programs developed to support increased PAL do not address the barriers which PTTA experience.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of a 12-week training program, developed for PTTA, on their PAL.

Methods: Ten PTTA participated in a 12-week training program, which involved one instructor-led supervised group session per week.

Voluntary torque production is unaffected by changes in local thermal sensation during normothermia and hyperthermia.

New Findings: What is the central question of this study? Hyperthermia reduces the human capacity to produce muscular force, which is associated with decreased neural drive: does mitigating a reduction in neural drive by altering localised thermal sensation help to preserve voluntary force output? What is the main finding and its importance? Altering thermal sensation by cooling and heating the head independent of core temperature did not change neural drive or benefit voluntary force production. Head cooling did slow the rate of rise in core temperature during heating, which may have practical applications in passive settings.

Abstract: This study investigated altered local head and neck thermal sensation on maximal and rapid torque production during voluntary contractions.

Heat acclimation reduces the effects of whole-body hyperthermia on knee-extensor relaxation rate, but does not affect voluntary torque production.

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of acute hyperthermia and heat acclimation (HA) on maximal and rapid voluntary torque production, and their neuromuscular determinants.

Methods: Ten participants completed 10 days of isothermic HA (50 °C, 50% rh) and had their knee-extensor neuromuscular function assessed in normothermic and hyperthermic conditions, pre-, after 5 and after 10 days of HA. Electrically evoked twitch and octet (300 Hz) contractions were delivered at rest.

The effects of combined action observation and motor imagery on corticospinal excitability and movement outcomes: Two meta-analyses.

Motor simulation interventions involving motor imagery (MI) and action observation (AO) have received considerable interest in the behavioral sciences. A growing body of research has focused on using AO and MI simultaneously, termed 'combined action observation and motor imagery' (AOMI). The current paper includes two meta-analyses that quantify changes in corticospinal excitability and motor skill performance for AOMI compared to AO, MI and control conditions.

Progressive hyperthermia elicits distinct responses in maximum and rapid torque production.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of progressive whole-body hyperthermia on maximal, and rapid voluntary torque production, and their neuromuscular determinants.

Design: Repeated measures, randomised.

Methods: Nine participants performed sets of neuromuscular assessments in HOT conditions (∼50°C, ∼35% relative humidity) at rectal temperatures (T) of 37, 38.

Lower limb tri-joint synchrony during running gait: A longitudinal age-based study.

Biomechanical research exploring the age-based mechanics of running gait can provide valuable insight into the reported decline in master endurance running performance. However, few studies have shown consistent biomechanical differences in the gait of trained distance runners compared to their younger counterparts. It might be that differences occur in the interaction between joints.

The effect of alterations in foot centre of pressure on lower body kinematics during the five-iron golf swing.

The research aimed to evaluate the effects of an intervention aimed at altering pressure towards the medial aspect of the foot relating to stability mechanisms associated with the golf swing. We hypothesised that by altering the position of the foot pressure, the lower body stabilisation would improve which in turn would enhance weight distribution and underpinning lower body joint kinematics. Eight professional golf association (PGA) golf coaches performed five golf swings, recorded using a nine-camera motion analysis system synchronised with two force platforms.

Stance limb kinetics of older male athletes endurance running performance.

The aim of this study was to examine the age-based, lower limb kinetics of running performances of endurance athletes. Six running trials were performed by 24 male athletes, who were distinguished by three age groupings (S35: 26-32 years, M50: 50-54 years, M60+: 60-68 years). Lower limb coordinate and ground reaction force data were collected using a nine camera infra-red system synchronised with a force plate.

Asymmetrical loading demands associated with vertical jump landings in people with unilateral transtibial amputation.

Loading symmetry during vertical jump landings between a person with amputation's intact and prosthetic limbs was assessed to determine the role of each limb in controlling the downward momentum of the center of mass during landing. Six participants with unilateral transtibial amputation (TTA) and ten nondisabled participants completed 10 maximal vertical jumps, of which the highest jump was analyzed. Contralateral symmetry was assessed through the Symmetry Index (SI), while symmetry at the group level was assessed through a Mann-Whitney U test.

Mechanisms to absorb load in amputee running.

Background: We aimed to determine if a shock absorbing pylon (SAP) influenced the ground reaction force characteristics and the shock absorbing mechanisms compared to a rigid pylon (Rigid) during the loading phase in running.

Objectives: To determine if the SAP influences the mechanisms of loading compared to the Rigid condition.

Study Design: A convenience sample of transtibial amputees participated in a laboratory-based study.

Patellar tracking during the gait cycle.

Purpose: To assess normal patellar tracking during walking using the 9-camera infrared system.

Methods: Four men and 6 women aged 25 to 33 (mean, 29) years each performed 16 walking trials on one occasion. They had prominent patellae with minimal soft tissues (minimising skin artefacts), and their knees and lower limbs were normal and symmetrical.

Kinetic and kinematic compensations in amputee vertical jumping.

A unilateral transtibial amputation causes a disruption to the musculoskeletal system, which results in asymmetrical biomechanics. The current study aimed to assess the movement asymmetry and compensations that occur as a consequence of an amputation when performing a countermovement vertical jump. Six unilateral transtibial amputees and 10 able-bodied (AB) participants completed 10 maximal vertical jumps, and the highest jump was analyzed further.

The biomechanics of one-footed vertical jump performance in unilateral trans-tibial amputees.

This study investigated vertical jumps from single support for two trans-tibial amputees from a standing position. The mechanisms used to achieve flight and the compensatory mechanisms used in the production of force in the absence of plantarflexors are detailed. Two participants completed countermovement maximum vertical jumps from the prosthetic and the sound limbs.

The reliability of kinetic and kinematic variables used to analyse normal running gait.

The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability of 24 kinetic and kinematic variables from three synchronized systems used to represent normal running gait. Five male runners (mean 23.4 years, mass 80.