Posture and muscular behaviour in emergency braking: an experimental approach.

In the field of numerical crash simulations in road safety research, there is a need to accurately define the initial conditions of a frontal impact for the car occupant. In particular, human models used to simulate such impacts barely take into account muscular contracting effects. This study aims to quantify drivers' behaviour in terms of posture and muscular activity just before a frontal impact.

Tibiofemoral joint kinetics during squatting with increasing external load.

Context: There is limited information about the effects of increasing load while squatting.

Objective: To quantify tibiofemoral joint kinetics during squatting with variable loads.

Setting: Research laboratory.

New insights into the function of the vastus medialis with clinical implications.

Purpose: To investigate the gross anatomy of the distal portion of the quadriceps, and to compare the relative contributions of the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) and vastus lateralis (VL) during dynamic weight-bearing conditions.

Methods: Dissection was carried out on 10 cadavers by a longitudinal incision from the anterior superior iliac spine to the patella and completed with upper and lower transverse cuts to reinvestigate the gross anatomy and innervation patterns of the quadriceps femoris. A biomechanical test of knee kinematics was conducted on 10 healthy male volunteers.

Fatigue and muscle-tendon stiffness after stretch-shortening cycle and isometric exercise.

The purpose of the present study was to compare vertical jump performance after 2 different fatigue protocols. In the first protocol, subjects performed consecutive sets of 10 repetitions of stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) contractions. In the second protocol, successive sets of 10 repetitions of isometric contractions were performed for 10 s with the knee at 90 degrees of flexion.

Vastus medialis: anatomical and functional considerations and implications based upon human and cadaveric studies.

Objective: To provide an electrophysiological and functional description of the vastus medialis (VM) and contrast it to an anatomical description.

Methods: Motor points of all superficial portions of the quadriceps were identified on the dominant side of 8 human subjects and electrically stimulated to achieve a light contraction to trace and measure the orientation of the fibers. Electromyography of the VM was then recorded over 2 motor points during isometric and isokinetic maximum knee extensions.

[Design of a prototype operating seat with SESAM (Ergonomic System of Mobile Forearm Rests) mobile armrests designed to optimize the surgeon's ergonomy during pelvic laparoscopy].

Introduction: Pelvic laparoscopic surgery offers multiple advantages for patients, but requires uncomfortable, non-ergonomic positions for the surgeon. Only a remote operator (Robot "slave" reproducing the surgeon's movements performed on a "master" console situated away from the patient), like Da-Vinci or Zeus (Intuitive Surgical) can improve the laparoscopic surgeon's working conditions. The objective of this study, based on an ergonomic analysis and recording of a laparoscopic surgeon's movements, was to define the specifications for the manufacture of an operating seat with armrests, based on the surgeon's position using a remote operator.

[Effect of antenatal gymnastics on childbirth: a study on 50 sedentary women in the Republic of Benin during the second and third quarters of pregnancy].

Antenatal gymnastics is a form of non-pharmacological childbirth preparation methods. It helps maintain rachidian statics and to relieve painful syndromes (joints, lumbar pains) during pregnancy. It also helps correct gravidic problems (leg cramps, back ache, weight increase, etc.