Physiotherapists' Views on the Software Monitoring Application of a Wearable Assistive Glove.

The FutureGlove project aims to further develop the CarbonHand system (a wearable assistive glove) by introducing a new software monitoring application. Within this study, we consulted five physiotherapists during online sessions to gain their views on use of data and patients' empowerment. These first insights suggested that more data needs to be collected than it is doing now to monitor the patients' progress, that therapists would like to personalize the amount of freedom they provide to their patients, and that they would like decision support for algorithms, but they do not fully trust them.

The co-contraction index of the upper limb for young and old adult cyclists.

Bicycling is a popular and convenient means of transportation amongst the elderly in the Netherlands. However, the uptake of the electric bicycle resulted in an increase of single-sided bicycle accidents amongst the elderly (Veiligheid, 2010). Since elderly are prone to severe injuries, bicycle stability is currently a popular research topic.

Cycling strategies of young and older cyclists.

This study concentrates on the cycling strategies of older cyclists (54-62year olds) in comparison to young cyclists (20-30year olds). While cycling in a safe laboratory set-up, controlled lateral perturbations are applied to the rear of the bicycle. Three possible strategies to keep balance are analysed for a young and older aged group: steering, lateral trunk movement and outward knee movement.

Can vertebral density changes be explained by intervertebral disc degeneration?

One of the major problems facing the elderly spine is the occurrence of vertebral fractures due to low bone mass. Although typically attributed to osteoporosis, disc degeneration has also been suggested to play a role in vertebral fractures. Existing bone adaptation theories and simulations may explain the biomechanical pathway from a degenerated disc to an increased fracture risk.