High metabolic cost and low energy expenditure for typical motor activities among individuals in the chronic phase after stroke.

Background And Purpose: Energy variables, such as metabolic cost (MC) and energy expenditure (EE), are important characteristics of motor activities that can influence daily activity and have implications for health. In individuals poststroke, these variables have previously been described only for walking. Our goal was to characterize the MC and EE of typical motor activities among individuals in the chronic phase poststroke and compare them with those of able-bodied individuals.

Modular mechatronic system for stationary bicycles interfaced with virtual environment for rehabilitation.

Background: Cycling has been used in the rehabilitation of individuals with both chronic and post-surgical conditions. Among the challenges with implementing bicycling for rehabilitation is the recruitment of both extremities, in particular when one is weaker or less coordinated. Feedback embedded in virtual reality (VR) augmented cycling may serve to address the requirement for efficacious cycling; specifically recruitment of both extremities and exercising at a high intensity.

VRACK: measuring pedal kinematics during stationary bike cycling.

Ankle impairment and lower limb asymmetries in strength and coordination are common symptoms for individuals with selected musculoskeletal and neurological impairments. The virtual reality augmented cycling kit (VRACK) was designed as a compact mechatronics system for lower limb and mobility rehabilitation. The system measures interaction forces and cardiac activity during cycling in a virtual environment.

Energy expenditure and exercise intensity of interactive video gaming in individuals poststroke.

Background: Off-the-shelf activity-promoting video games (AVGs) are proposed as a tool for promoting regular physical activity among individuals poststroke.

Objective: To characterize the energy expenditure (EE), exercise intensity, and energy metabolism of individuals poststroke, while playing AVGs in different positions, from different consoles, and to compare the performance with comfortable walking and with able-bodied individuals.

Methods: Eleven poststroke and 8 able-bodied participants played in standing Wii-Boxing Xbox-Boxing, Wii-Run and Penguin, and also Wii-Boxing in sitting.

Cross-correlations of center of mass and center of pressure displacements reveal multiple balance strategies in response to sinusoidal platform perturbations.

Compared to static balance, dynamic balance requires a more complex strategy that goes beyond keeping the center of mass (COM) within the base of support, as established by the range of foot center of pressure (COP) displacement. Instead, neuromechanics must accommodate changing support conditions and inertial effects. Therefore, because they represent body's position and changes in applied moments, relative COM and COP displacements may also reveal dynamic postural strategies.

Initial electro-mechanical response to rearward perturbation.

The objective of this study was to examine the combined electromyographic (EMG) and mechanical response to a rearward perturbation and to separate the response into three categories: preset properties of the muscle, reflex changes to the muscle, and active changes to the muscle. We hypothesized that an active response is required to maintain balance on a moving platform. Eleven healthy adult subjects stood on a platform oscillating at three frequencies (0.

Position sense in the lumbar spine with torso flexion and loading.

Proprioception plays an important role in appropriate sensation of spine position, movement, and stability. Previous research has demonstrated that position sense error in the lumbar spine is increased in flexed postures. This study investigated the change in position sense as a function of altered trunk flexion and moment loading independently.