A human trunk model was developed to simulate the effect of a high vertical loading on trunk flexural stiffness. A force-length relationship is attributed to each muscle of the multi-body model. Trunk stiffness and muscle forces were evaluated experimentally and numerically for various applied loads. Experimental evaluation of trunk stiffness was carried out by measuring changes in reaction force following a sudden horizontal displacement at the T10 level prior to paraspinal reflexes induction. Results showed that the trunk stiffness increases under small applied loads, peaks when the loads were further increased and decreases when higher loads are applied. A sensitivity analysis to muscle force-length relationship is provided to determine the model's limitations. This model pointed out the importance of taking into account the changes in muscle length to evaluate the effect of spinal loads beyond the safe limit that cannot be evaluated experimentally and to predict the trunk instability under vertical load.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10255842.2012.736501 | DOI Listing |
Pediatr Exerc Sci
December 2024
Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bitlis Eren University, Bitlis,Turkey.
Objectives: To compare muscle tone and stiffness in ambulatory children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy (UCP) with typically developing peers and explore their relationship with postural balance and functional mobility.
Methods: Forty ambulatory children with UCP and age-matched typically developing peers were assessed for tone and stiffness of lumbar spinal extensors, gastrocnemius, and hamstring muscles using a myotonometer. Functional mobility was evaluated with the 2-Minute Walk Test, and the Timed Up and Go Test, while postural balance was evaluated using the Pediatric Balance Scale and the Trunk Control Measurement Scale (TCMS).
J Clin Densitom
November 2024
Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, 2713, Qatar. Electronic address:
Background: Bone mineral density (BMD) is an indicator of bone health that predicts future bone fractures. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) is used to assess the severity of symptoms related to pain, stiffness, and function in diseased hip and knee joints. Here we assessed whether BMD measured at specific sites predicts WOMAC scores in healthy individuals whilst controlling for sociodemographic variables.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPLoS One
December 2024
CarVasCare Research Group, Facultad de Enfermería de Cuenca, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Cuenca, Spain.
Background: As individuals age, the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) increases, largely due to progressive stiffening of the arteries. This relationship underscores the critical need to monitor arterial stiffness as a predictor of CVD outcomes. While aerobic exercise has demonstrated benefits for vascular health, the influence of flexibility, particularly trunk flexibility, on arterial stiffness remains underexplored.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Gastroenterol
December 2024
Department of Surgery, Japanese Red Cross Kochi Hospital, Hadaminami-Machi, Kochi City, Kochi, 780-8562, Japan.
Background: Direct measurement of portal venous pressure (PVP) is invasive, so the hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) is commonly measured to evaluate portal hypertension (PH). HVPG is the gold standard for estimating PVP but few reports have covered standardized measurement techniques.
Methods: This study validated standardized techniques for PVP measurement.
J Pain Res
December 2024
Home Health Care, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy.
Musculoskeletal pain (MSP), which impacts bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments, is a substantial worldwide pain disorder, characterized by muscle soreness, fatigue, inflammation, muscle spasms, sleep disruptions, and functional limitations. MSP is predominantly managed within the primary care setting. Recent consensus recognizes that heat therapy (HT) may provide potential benefits, especially in treating chronic MSP.
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