Automatic system for analysis of locomotor activity in rodents--a reproducibility study.

Automatic analysis of locomotion in studies of behavior and development is of great importance because it eliminates the subjective influence of evaluators on the study. This study aimed to develop and test the reproducibility of a system for automated analysis of locomotor activity in rats. For this study, 15 male Wistar were evaluated at P8, P14, P17, P21, P30 and P60.

A reproducibility study on musculotendinous stiffness quantification, using a new transportable ankle ergometer device.

The use of biomechanical methods to quantify functional/physiological parameters in malnourished humans can provide new insights into the understanding of effects of malnutrition on human muscles. Therefore, a transportable ankle ergometer device was developed, which allows the quantification of mechanical properties of the human plantarflexor muscles in field experiments. More precisely, the ergometer quantifies isometric force in static conditions and musculotendinous stiffness in dynamic conditions.

A regional model (Northeastern Brazil) of induced mal-nutrition delays ontogeny of reflexes and locomotor activity in rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of malnutrition, induced by a regional basic diet (RBD), on motor development. RBD is a 7.87%-protein diet based on aliments typical of Northeastern Brazil, elaborated after nutritional investigation by Teodosio et al.

Do environmental influences alter motor abilities acquisition? A comparison among children from day-care centers and private schools.

Development occurs in a proper rhythm as result of genetic inheritance and environment factors. This study had the aim to identify some environmental risk factors for the motor development in two groups of healthy children. 100 pre-school aged (five years children) from two day-care centers and a private school were evaluated, in Recife-PE.