Effects of a Single Session of High Intensity Interval Treadmill Training on Corticomotor Excitability following Stroke: Implications for Therapy.

. High intensity interval treadmill training (HIITT) has been gaining popularity for gait rehabilitation after stroke. In this study, we examined the changes in excitability of the lower limb motor cortical representation (M1) in chronic stroke survivors following a single session of HIITT.

The Effect of a Four-Week Balance Training Program on Anticipatory Postural Adjustments in Older Adults: A Pilot Feasibility Study.

Background: Balance deterioration in older adults limits their activities of daily living, community participation, and is a significant risk factor for falls. One contributory element to this functional decline is impairment of anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs).

Objectives: To evaluate the role and feasibility of a novel training program in improving APAs for balance control of older adults.

Direction-specific impairments of limits of stability in individuals with multiple sclerosis.

Objectives: Impaired postural control in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with falls. The objective was to evaluate the direction-specific limits of stability in people with MS.

Methods: Balance control of 18 individuals with relapsing-remitting MS and 18 healthy controls was assessed using instrumented (Limits of Stability (LOS) test) and clinical (Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale) tests.

Anticipatory and compensatory postural adjustments in individuals with multiple sclerosis in response to external perturbations.

Deficit in balance control is a common and often an initial disabling symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of the study was to investigate the organization of anticipatory and compensatory postural adjustments in individuals with MS dealing with external perturbations. Ten individuals with MS and ten age-and-gender matched healthy controls were exposed to external perturbations applied at the shoulder level.

Improvement of anticipatory postural adjustments for balance control: effect of a single training session.

Humans use anticipatory and compensatory postural strategies to maintain and restore balance when perturbed. Inefficient generation and utilization of anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) is one of the reasons for postural instability. The aim of the study was to investigate the role of training in improvement of APAs and its effect on subsequent control of posture.

Enhancement of anticipatory postural adjustments in older adults as a result of a single session of ball throwing exercise.

The aim of the study was to investigate the role of short-term training in improvement of anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) and its effect on subsequent control of posture in older adults. Nine healthy older adults were exposed to self-initiated and predictable external perturbations before and after a single training session consisting of throwing a medicine ball. EMG activity of eight trunk and leg muscles and ground reaction forces were recorded before and immediately after the training session.

Aging and balance control in response to external perturbations: role of anticipatory and compensatory postural mechanisms.

The ability to maintain balance deteriorates with increasing age. Anticipatory and compensatory postural adjustments (APAs and CPAs, respectively), both, are known to be affected in the elderly. We examined the effect of aging on the ability of older adults to utilize APAs and its effect on subsequent control of posture (CPAs).

The effect of aging on anticipatory postural control.

The aim of the study was to investigate the differences in anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) between young and older adults and its effect on subsequent control of posture. Ten healthy older adults and thirteen healthy young adults were exposed to predictable external perturbations using the pendulum impact paradigm. Electromyographic activity of the trunk and leg muscles, the center of pressure (COP), and center of mass (COM) displacements in the anterior-posterior direction were recorded and analyzed during the anticipatory and compensatory postural adjustments (CPAs) phases of postural control.

Frequency analysis approach to study balance control in individuals with multiple sclerosis.

Background: The ability to control balance is often compromised in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and is considered to be a strong contributing factor toward their increased risk of falls.

New Method: The aim of the study was to demonstrate that frequency analysis of postural sway could be used to investigate postural control in people with MS. Ten individuals with MS and ten age-and-gender matched healthy subjects stood on the force platform with eyes open or closed.

Effect of a textured insole on balance and gait symmetry.

Asymmetry of standing balance and gait is common in individuals with neurological disorders, and achieving symmetrical stance and gait is an important goal of rehabilitation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a novel discomfort-induced approach (that is based on using a single textured insole) on the alteration in the symmetry of gait and balance. Eleven healthy subjects (6 females and 5 males, mean age of 28.

The role of clinical and instrumented outcome measures in balance control of individuals with multiple sclerosis.

Purpose. The aim of the study was to investigate differences in balance control between individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) and healthy control subjects using clinical scales and instrumented measures of balance and determine relationships between balance measures, fatigue, and disability levels in individuals with MS with and without a history of falls. Method.

Effect of light finger touch in balance control of individuals with multiple sclerosis.

Deficit in balance control is a common and often an initial disabling symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS). The purpose of this study was to investigate if a light finger touch contact with a stationary surface is effective in improving upright postural stability in MS. Eleven individuals with relapsing-remitting MS were standing on a force platform with eyes open and closed, feet shoulder width apart and together, and with a light touch contact of the right index finger with a stable surface and without any contact.

Feedforward postural control in individuals with multiple sclerosis during load release.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the organization of anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) during self-initiated perturbation in the sagittal plane. Eleven individuals with MS and eleven age-and-gender matched healthy controls were asked to hold a 2.27 kg load in the extended arms and release it using fast arm abduction movements.

Anticipatory postural adjustments in individuals with multiple sclerosis.

Individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) frequently exhibit difficulties in balance maintenance. It is known that anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) play an important role in postural control. However, no information exists on how people living with MS utilize APAs for control of posture.

The role of anticipatory postural adjustments in compensatory control of posture: 2. Biomechanical analysis.

The central nervous system (CNS) utilizes anticipatory (APAs) and compensatory (CPAs) postural adjustments to maintain equilibrium while standing. It is known that these postural adjustments involve displacements of the center of mass (COM) and center of pressure (COP). The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between APAs and CPAs from a kinetic and kinematic perspective.

The role of anticipatory postural adjustments in compensatory control of posture: 1. Electromyographic analysis.

Anticipatory (APAs) and compensatory (CPAs) postural adjustments are the two principal mechanisms that the central nervous system uses to maintain equilibrium while standing. We studied the role of APAs in compensatory postural adjustments. Eight subjects were exposed to external predictable and unpredictable perturbations induced at the shoulder level, while standing with eyes open and closed.

Anticipatory postural control following fatigue of postural and focal muscles.

Objective: To investigate the effect of fatigue of postural and focal muscles on anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs).

Methods: Nine healthy adults performed rapid bilateral arm raising movements before and after isometric hamstring (postural) and deltoid (focal/prime mover) muscle fatigue. Muscle force and peak acceleration of the arm movements were recorded to assess the presence of fatigue.