Search

Smart wearable devices detection and recording of people's everyday activities is critical for health monitoring, helping persons with disabilities, and providing care for the elderly. Most of the research that is being conducted uses a machine learning-based methodology; however, these approaches frequently have issues with high computing resource consumption, burdensome training data gathering, and restricted scalability across many contexts. This research suggests a behaviour detection technology based on multi-source sensing and logical reasoning to address these problems. In order to realize the natural fusion of signal processing and logical reasoning in behavior recognition research, this work designs a lightweight behavior recognition solution using the pertinent theories of ontology reasoning in classical artificial intelligence. Machine learning technology is also employed for behavior recognition using the same data set. Once the best model has been chosen, the cross-person recognition results after testing and modification of parameters are 90.8% and 92.1%, respectively. This technology was used to create a behaviour recognition system, and several tests were run to assess how well it worked. The findings demonstrate that the suggested strategy achieves over 90% recognition accuracy for 11 different daily activities, including jogging, walking, and stair climbing. Additionally, the suggested strategy dramatically minimises the quantity of user-provided training data needed in comparison to machine learning-based behaviour identification techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) are potential treatments for ameliorating age‐related physical dysfunctions caused by sarcopenia, cachexia and chronic illnesses such as cancer. The purpose of this systematic review is to analyse the effect of SARMs on physical performance and body and evaluate their safety profile. Methods: A systematic review search criteria following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines was performed in three databases for studies reporting physical parameter outcomes after SARM intervention. Study variables included title, author, publication date, study year, number of patients, dosage, mean age, mean follow‐up time, pre and post‐intervention outcomes and rates of complications. Results: Nine studies, including 970 patients with a mean age of 57.1 years (35.3−75.9) and a mean follow‐up of 80 days (14−180), were included. Six SARMs were analysed: LGD‐4033, PF‐06260414, GSK2881078, GTx‐024, MK‐0773 and OPK‐88004. Mean pre‐intervention stair climbing power (five studies), one repetition maximum leg press (four studies) and short physical performance battery (SPPB) score (two studies), lean body mass (seven studies) and fat mass (five studies) were 352.24 W (69.79−678.7), 1822.77 N (1176.8−2407.3), 9.15 (7.95−9.9), 49.46 kg (30.94−63.9) and 21.99 kg (13.3−33), respectively. Mean post‐intervention values were 315.16 W (89.46−525.73 W), 2191.27 N (1375.87−2462.9 N), 9.79 (8.88−10.4), 50.86 kg (31.02−67.29) and 21.85 kg (12.54−32.16), respectively. Conclusion: SARMs have a positive effect on physical performance and body composition and are associated with moderate rates of mild to moderate adverse effects (AEs) and a low rate of severe AEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Methods Results Interpretation This study aimed to evaluate the potential of exercise as an abortive treatment for patients with cluster headache (CH).A cross‐sectional survey was conducted among CH patients at a single center in Korea. Demographics and headache characteristics were compared between those who found exercise effective and those who did not. We analyzed the type and intensity of exercise used. Headache improvement was measured as intensity reduction, with ≥50% improvement defined as a reduction in intensity by half or more. Exercise intensity was categorized as moderate (“possible to talk but hard to sing”) or high (“difficult to speak without pausing”). Case reports of patients exercising during CH attacks were also reviewed.Among 167 registered CH patients, 136 patients provided responses about exercise during CH attacks; 39.7% (54/136) attempted exercise as treatment. Improvement was reported by 42.6% (23/54), with ≥50% improvement in 29.6% (16/54). Patients who found exercise effective had lower Headache Impact Test‐6 scores. Effective exercises included running (39.1%), squats (30.4%), and stair climbing (21.7%), with high‐intensity exercise effective for 52.2% and moderate intensity for 43.5%. Among the 23 patients who benefited from exercise, 18 reported their most effective treatment, which were exercise alone in 50% (9/18), followed by exercise with triptans in 38.9% (7/18), and oxygen with or without triptans in 5.5% (1/18).About 40% of CH patients attempted exercise for acute CH management, with 30% experiencing over 50% improvement. While evidence is limited, exercise may help alleviate headaches and could be considered an adjunctive treatment for CH attacks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climbing stairs is relatively challenging for seniors, post-stroke individuals or even healthy young men when carrying heavy objects. In this paper, we have developed a rigid-soft hybrid exosuit that helps the wearer to climb the stairs by offering a driving torque to the knee joint. By combining the advantage of rigid and soft exoskeletons, the exosuit is more comfortable when assisting wearers at a high level of assistance. To simplify the detection system, but keep it versatile, only the surface electromyography sensor is used to detect human movement. This paper uses a hierarchical control strategy based on gait detection and force tracking. To verify the capability of this exosuit system, we conducted experiments with four healthy users walking upstairs in different levels of assistance and climbing speeds. By comparing the muscle activity of participants with exosuit and without exosuit, the vastus lateralis activity was reduced by 3% to 15%, depending on the subject. This research shows the assisting capability of this exosuit under different assistance levels and climbing speeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Regular physical activity (PA) has a beneficial effect on joint pain, stiffness, strength, flexibility, and aerobic capacity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the level of PA in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and to identify potential barriers to this activity. Material and Methods: The study involved 132 patients with RA. Participants completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy—Fatigue Scale (FACIT-F), the Tampa Scale for kinesiophobia (TSK), Strength, Ambulation, Rising from a chair, Stair climbing and history of Falling questionnaire (SARC-F) for sarcopenia assessment, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for depression. Basic socio-epidemiological data, disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28), duration of disease, and therapy information were retrieved from electronic patient records. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify subpopulations of patients. Results: The study included 109 women (82.6%) and 23 men (17.4%). Low levels of PA were observed in 16 patients (12%), moderate levels in 70 patients (53%), and high levels in 42 patients (35%). Symptoms of pronounced fatigue were significantly associated with low PA (28.5 ± 11.3 vs. 37 ± 7 vs. 37 ± 10; p = 0.002). The risk of sarcopenia was significantly higher in RA patients with low PA (p = 0.05). Kinesiophobia was present in all three groups (65.2%). LCA identified two classes. In the first class, patients were more likely to be non-exercisers compared to the second class. Patients in the first class were characterized by a higher probability of being female, obese, with lower education levels. Patients in the first class had pronounced fatigue, kinesiophobia and more frequent symptoms of depression. The second class (65% of the total population) included patients who exercised moderately to frequently (93%) and were middle-aged. They were less obese, highly educated, employed, and majority of them achieved low disease activity or remission. In addition, they had lower risks for sarcopenia, depression, fatigue, and kinesiophobia. Conclusions: This study showed that RA patients with moderate and high levels of PA have better disease control, fewer symptoms of fatigue and depression, and a lower risk of sarcopenia. However, kinesiophobia was significantly present in all three groups, indicating a need for further promotion of this non-pharmacological treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This 6‐week pilot study aimed to investigate the feasibility, perceived efficacy, and participation perspectives of a university campus stair climbing‐based exercise snack (ES) intervention and to compare it to moderate‐intensity continuous training (MICT). Healthy, young, inactive adults (age: 21.6 ± 2.3 years, BMI: 22.5 ± 3.6 kg/m2) were randomly assigned to three groups (ES, MICT, and Control [CON]). ES (n = 14, 6 females) and MICT (n = 13, 9 females) groups performed three sessions per week over 6 weeks, while the control group (n = 15, 9 females) maintained their habitual lifestyle. ES involved 3 × ~30 s 'all‐out' stair‐climbing (6 flights, total 126 steps and 18.9 m elevation) bouts separated by > 1 h rest, and MICT involved 40 min stationary cycling at 60%–70% HRmax. Mixed linear effect models were used to explore within and between‐group differences, and the change in magnitude was determined using mean difference (MD), 95% confidence interval (CI), and Cohen's d effect size. Fourteen participants also completed post‐intervention semi‐structured interviews. Retention rates of 93% (ES, 14/15), 93% (MICT, 13/14), and 100% (CON, 15/15) were achieved from baseline to post‐assessments, with compliance (participants' attendance to scheduled ES sessions) of 97% (733/756 sessions) and 93% (217/234 sessions) in ES and MICT, respectively. No significant differences were found between ES and MICT for future intentions (4.8 ± 1.4 and 5.0 ± 0.9), enjoyment (PACES, 89.0 ± 16.4 and 94.5 ± 11.9), and satisfaction. A significant group × time interaction was found in the quality of life and perceived stress. ES and MICT significantly increased the quality of life by 8% (MD = 5.5 [95% CI = 0.3, 10.7], Cohen's d = 0.64) and 6% (MD = 4.6 [95% CI = 0.9, 8.2], Cohen's d = 0.88) compared to baseline, whereas CON experienced a significant decrease (MD = −7.9 [95% CI = −14.4, −1.6], Cohen's d = 0.56). ES significantly decreased perceived stress by 7% (MD = −4.6 [95% CI = −8.9, −0.3], Cohen's d = 0.58), while MICT (MD = 2.0 [95% CI = −0.1, 4.1], Cohen's d = 0.28) and CON (MD = −2.4 [95% CI = −6.1, 1.3], Cohen's d = 0.22) had no significant effects. The majority (12/14) of participants generally demonstrated positive attitudes toward participation in ES and found it easier than expected while highlighting enablers, barriers, and future recommendations. Stair climbing‐based ES could be integrated into the campus setting, appeared feasible, and was similar to MICT regarding future intentions, enjoyment, and satisfaction. Both ES and MICT might induce relevant positive effects on the quality of life, and ES demonstrated greater benefits compared to MICT or CON for reducing perceived stress. Interviews provided positive insights into fostering adherence to ES among university students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Vigorous intermittent lifestyle physical activity (VILPA) are bursts of incidental vigorous activity that occur during day-to-day activities outside of the exercise-domain. Vigorous intermittent lifestyle physical activity has shown promise in lowering risk of mortality and chronic disease. However, there is an absence of an empirically derived definition. Using physiological and effort-based metrics commonly used to define vigorous intensity, we investigated the minimum time needed to elicit physiological and perceived exertion responses to standardized activities of daily living. Methods: Seventy adults (age = 58.0 ± 9.6 yr; 35 female) completed 9 VILPA activities of daily living in a randomized order, which included fast walking, fast incline walking, stair climbing, stationary cycling, and carrying external weight equal to 5% and 10% of body weight. Metabolic rate (by continuous indirect calorimetry), heart rate (telemetry) and perceived effort (Borg Scale) were measured during exercise. Time to reach VILPA was assessed using %V̇O2max, %HRmax, and rating of perceived exertion thresholds. Results: The mean time to elicit VILPA ranged from 65 to 95 s (mean ± sd = 76.7 ± 3.8 s) for %V̇O2max, 68 to 105 s (mean ± sd = 82.8 ± 6.8 s) for %HRmax, and 20 to 60 s (mean ± sd = 44.6 ± 6.7 s) for rating of perceived exertion. For each of the three indices, there was no difference in the time to elicit VILPA responses by sex or age (P > 0.08), and times were also consistent between activities of daily living tasks. For example, for females and males, the average time to elicit vigorous responses while walking on a flat surface was 85.8 s (±16.9 s) and 80 s (±13.9 s), respectively, and for stair climbing while carrying 10% of body weight the duration was 78.4 s (±17.6 s) and 76.9 (±17.7 s). Conclusions: When participants undertook activities of daily living, VILPA elicited a physiological response at an average of 77 to 83 s for %V̇O2max and %HRmax, and 45 s for perceived exertion. The absence of a difference in the time to reach VILPA between sex and age suggests that a consistent behavioral VILPA translation can be used in interventions and population-based studies designed to assess the health effects of incidental physical activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a control method for semi-autonomous stair climbing using an articulated mobile robot. Stair-climbing motion is achieved by propagating a single backward wave along the body of the robot. The robot moves forward by shifting a part of the body lifted from the step (the elongating part) from front to back. Semi-autonomous stair climbing is accomplished by automatically determining when to shift the elongating part backward based on the relative position between the step and the robot. Furthermore, we developed an actual robot that can measure the relative position between itself and the environment to climb stairs semi-autonomously. The developed robot is equipped with several short-range sensors on the lower part of its body, which can measure the relative distance between the robot and the stair tread surface. The effectiveness of the proposed control method was verified by simulations using a physics simulator and by experiments with the developed robot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Down syndrome (DS) is associated with challenges like increased fat mass and reduced muscle tone. This study aims to analyze the impact of resistance training on improving muscle strength and physical function in individuals with DS. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure for studies published up to August 2023. Standardized mean differences and 95% confidence intervals were used to evaluate the efficacy of resistance training. Results: Eight randomized controlled trials (RCTs), including 127 participants with DS, met the inclusion criteria. Resistance training significantly improved muscle strength in the knee extensors (SMD: 1.009, 95% CI: 0.505–1.513), knee flexors (SMD: 1.133, 95% CI: 0.106 to 2.16), and upper limbs (SMD: 0.748, 95% CI: 0.152–1.343). The SMD for upper limb function was 0.385 (95% CI: 0.004–0.765), showing a small improvement. For walking ability, the SMD was 0.259 (95% CI: −0.171–0.690), and for stair climbing ability, the SMD was 0.257 (95% CI: −0.189–0.703), both indicating no significant changes. Improvements in upper limb physical function were significant, but no notable improvements were seen in lower limb functions. Conclusions: Resistance training for more than four weeks enhances muscle strength in individuals with DS, with greater gains seen in younger participants. While improvements were noted in upper limb physical function, lower limb function remained largely unchanged. These findings suggest that resistance training is a valuable exercise for improving muscle strength and physical function in individuals with DS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Nocturnal lower urinary tract symptoms are common in geriatric rehabilitation inpatients but have not been well described. The aim of this study was to compare patient characteristics stratified by self-reported nocturia severity in geriatric rehabilitation inpatients. Methods: The REStORing health of acutely unwell adulTs (RESORT) is an observational, longitudinal, prospective inception cohort of geriatric rehabilitation inpatients who underwent a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) at admission and discharge. Nocturia was captured by item 7 of the American Urology Association Symptom Score (AUASS) and dichotomised as ≤1 void and >1 void at night as per the International Continence Society definition. Differences in demographic, functional, and medical characteristics of the inpatients with and without nocturia >1 were compared. Results: Overall, 641 inpatients completed the nocturia item (mean age 82.6 [SD 7.7] years, 59.9% female). Nocturia occurred >once per night in 57.4%; mean number of episodes was 1.96 (SD 1.38), ranging from 0 to 5. There was no change in nocturia severity between admission and discharge. Daily urinary incontinence, urinary urgency, and comorbid illness were independently associated with multiple nocturia episodes. A history of falls within the last year, difficulty climbing stairs pre-admission, higher faecal incontinence score, impaired quality of life domains, higher levels of anxiety and depression were significantly more common in inpatients with multiple episodes of nocturia compared to no or only one episode of nocturia. Conclusion: Lower urinary tract symptoms, poor functional status and frailty markers were associated with repeated episodes of nocturia. Targeted intervention may reduce the severity of nocturia, with potential to improve sleep quality, impact therapeutic gains and influence discharge destination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected the physical activity (PA) levels and dietary habits of individuals, particularly children and adolescents in Saudi Arabia, owing to widespread closures and social distancing measures, including school closures. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the impact of distance learning (DL) on PA and dietary habits among public middle school girls during the pandemic. The Arab Teens Lifestyle Questionnaire (ATLS) was used to assess habitual PA, sedentary behavior, and dietary habits. Results: A total of 300 middle school female students, with an average age of 14 years, participated in the study. The results indicated a generally low level of PA among students during DL and after school reopening, with a significant decrease in specific types of PA, such as walking and stair climbing during DL. However, after schools reopened, there was a significant increase in students' participation in activities such as swimming, dancing, and housework (P < 0.05). Moreover, sleep hours and TV-watching time increased compared to the DL period. Despite the prevalence of students frequently consuming soft drinks, sugary treats, fried and fast foods, as well as sweets and chocolates during the lockdown, middle school girls also consumed a lot of fruits and vegetables. Conclusion: Assessing students' habitual PA and dietary habits during the lockdown may provide insights into their future health and well-being post-pandemic. This assessment can help in identifying strategies to redirect current PA levels to maintain health and prevent potential long-term health implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estimation of the knee joint strength by maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) is a common practice to assess strength, coordination, safety to return to work or engage in sports after an injury, and to evaluate the efficacy of treatment modalities and rehabilitation strategies. In this study, we utilize a previously validated coupled finite element‐musculoskeletal model of the lower extremity to explore the sensitivity of output measures (posterior cruciate ligament [PCL]/muscle/contact forces and passive moments) in knee MVIC flexion exercises at seated position. To do so, at three knee flexion angles (KFA), input measures (resistance moment and contribution moments of quadriceps and gastrocnemii) were varied at four levels each using the Taguchi design of experiment. Our findings reveal significant increases in PCL forces with KFA (p < 0.01), net MVIC moment (p < 0.01), and resistance moment of quadriceps (p < 0.01). In contrast, they drop at larger activity in gastrocnemii (p < 0.01). Tibiofemoral (TF) contact forces increase with the net MVIC moment (p < 0.01). The passive knee flexion moment, while highly dependent on the location at which computed, also increases with the net MVIC moment (p < 0.01). Changes in KFA, MVIC moment, and proportions thereof carried by quadriceps and/or gastrocnemii substantially affect biomechanics of the joint. Compared with level walking and stair ascent, slightly larger contact forces/stresses and much greater PCL forces are computed. This study improves our understanding of the knee joint behavior during MVIC in effective evaluation and rehabilitation interventions. Besides, it emphasizes the importance of positioning the joint center in model studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the course of basic activities of daily living (ADL) from admission up to six months after the stroke and the longitudinal associations between stroke-related neurological deficits at admission to the stroke unit and course of basic ADL. Materials and Methods: 180 individuals with a first-ever stroke were assessed at admission to the stroke unit and at follow-ups of three and six months. Stroke-related neurological deficits were assessed at admission with the National Institutes of Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Independence in basic ADL was assessed at admission and three and six months after the stroke by the Modified Barthel Index (MBI). Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) were performed. Results: Dependence in basic ADL reduced overtime, with most changes occurring over the first three months. Individuals, who had moderate/severe stroke-related neurological deficits (NIHSS ≥6) at admission, had higher chances of becoming more dependent in activities related to feeding (OR:1.27;95%CI = 1.03-1.55;p = 0.021), bathing (OR:1.30;95%CI = 1.11-1.50;p = 0.0005), dressing (OR:1.19;95%CI = 1.04-1.36;p = 0.010), transfers (OR:1.24;95%CI = 1.05-1.46;p = 0.0072), stair climbing (OR:1.46;95%CI = 1.27-1.66;p < 0.0001), and ambulation (OR:1.21;95%CI = 1.02-1.43;p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Decreases in dependence in basic ADL occurred mainly over three months after the stroke and showed different patterns for specific ADL. Baseline moderate/severe stroke-related neurological deficits were associated with poor functional status in basic ADL over the follow-up period. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: Stroke survivors experience dependence in basic activities of daily living (ADL) which is reduced over six months after the stroke and showed different individual variability in patterns of recovery. Patients with moderate/severe stroke-related neurological deficits had higher chances of becoming dependent in activities related to feeding, bathing, dressing, transfers, stair climbing, and ambulation. Rehabilitation professionals should consider assessing stroke-related neurologic deficits within the first hours after stroke, with particular attention to individuals with moderate/severe impairments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The document delves into various historical events and figures, such as the Aber Day Kegger in Montana, the Andrus Hotel in Dillon, and Dolores LaChapelle's life and work. It utilizes primary sources like newspapers and interviews to explore topics like student activism, environmental ethics, and skiing culture in the Western United States. By drawing on diverse perspectives and sources, the text offers a comprehensive overview of the cultural and historical significance of these subjects for researchers interested in these areas. Additionally, it discusses avalanche research in the San Juan Mountains, state control of the atmosphere in twentieth-century America, and Dolores LaChapelle's contributions to ecophilosophy and the skiing community, particularly in the Alta ski area. [Extracted from the article]

BACKGROUND: Research on muscle activity to reduce injuries during firefighting training has getting increasing attention. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the activity changes in nine muscles of firefighters during the seven firefighting training programs, and to analyze the influence of different firefighting training programs on muscle activity. METHODS: Ten healthy male firefighters were recruited to measure the field surface electromyographic activities (including the percentage of Maximum Voluntary Contraction electromyography (% MVC) and the integrated electromyography value (iEMG)) during all the firefighting training programs. RESULTS: The results showed that the electromyographic activity of gastrocnemius (GA) was stronger in climbing the hooked ladder and climbing the six-meter long ladder training programs. Arms, shoulders, and lower limb muscles were more activated, myoelectric activities were more intense, and fatigue in these areas was more likely to occur during climbing five-story building with loads. Compared with other muscles, erector spine (ES) had a higher degree of activation during different postures of water shooting. The Borg scale scores of shoulders, trunk, thighs and calves were also higher. CONCLUSION: After completing all training programs, GA, tibialis anterior (TA), trapezius (TR), and ES were strongly activated, and all muscles had obvious force. The % MVC and iEMG analyses correspond well with the Borg Scale score. The results can provide certain reference for reducing the musculoskeletal injury of firefighters, carrying out scientific training and formulating effective injury prevention measures for them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess the clinical and molecular profile of patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) presenting to a tertiary center in Eastern Region of Uttar Pradesh, India. Methods: In this retrospective study, case records of all patients diagnosed as DMD were analyzed to ascertain the clinical phenotype and molecular profile. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) technique, Multiplex Ligation Dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) were used for establishing the molecular diagnosis. Leiden Open Variation Database (LOVD) frame checker online tool was used to predict clinical severity of the cases. Results: Records of 112 children with DMD were analyzed. The median (IQR) age of onset and clinical presentation of disease was 60 (12, 132) months and 90 (33, 156) months, respectively. The most common clinical presentations were difficulty in standing from sitting position (n = 107), difficulty in climbing stairs (n = 106), and difficulty in walking (n = 99). Bilateral calf muscle hypertrophy and a positive Gower's sign was seen in 110 and 108 patients at presentation. The median (IQR) creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) levels at diagnosis were 6296.5 (4320, 7432.5) U/L. The genetic variation in 111 patients were reported as deletion (n = 105), duplication (n = 3), and point variation (n = 3). 22 patients could benefit from the available exon skipping therapy. Exondys (exon 51 skipping) could be used in 14 patients. Conclusion: Deletions were recorded in a much higher proportion of patients compared to previous studies from India. There were 22 patients who could have been benefitted by the available exon skipping therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Habits including regular physical activity are necessary for maintaining good health. Functional mobility, including walking and going up and down stairs, is essential for personal autonomy and well-being. Pain is a condition related to biological and psychosocial aspects that influence people's lives. Objective: The main objectives of this study were (1) to analyse the associations between physical activity frequency (PAF) and self-perceived health (SPH) and functional mobility (walking and going up and down stairs) in middle-aged and older people living in Spain with different pain levels; and (2) to analyse the risk factors for having a negative SPH and functional mobility difficulties by calculating the probabilistic risks adjusted by different variables (sex, body mass index, social class, civil status, smoking status, pain level, and PAF). Methods: A cross-sectional study based on the European Health Survey data in Spain (EHSS 2014-2020) and The Spanish National Health Survey (SNHS 2017) was carried out, with a final sample of 21,152 participants with ages between 40 and 79 years. Results: Associations between high pain levels and worse SPH and difficulties in walking and climbing stairs were found. Lower PAF levels were associated with higher-probability risks of having a negative SPH and difficulties in walking and climbing stairs. Conclusions: Physical inactivity emerged as an important risk factor for worse SPH and functional mobility. These associations underline the importance that PA programmes can play in the improvement of health and functional mobility, as well as in other aspects, in people with pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the accuracy and reliability of accelerometer-based pedometers placed on the wrist, waist, and shoe's midsole during walking, running, and stair climbing. Twenty healthy adults were recruited. Steps were recorded by the pedometers and visually assessed from simultaneously recorded video to evaluate the accuracy of each pedometer in different locations of attachment. One week later, steps were recorded again by the pedometers only to evaluate the reliability of each pedometer in different locations of attachment. The wrist-worn pedometer presented significantly greater error scores compared to the midsole-worn pedometer during walking (p < 0.001), running (p = 0.006), and stair climbing (p = 0.003). Additionally, mean absolute precent error and Bland-Altman plots indicated that the pedometer worn in the midsole was most accurate for running and stair climbing, followed by waist-worn and wrist-worn pedometers. Furthermore, the midsole-worn and waist-worn pedometers showed strong reliability during walking and running, but only the midsole-worn pedometer presented acceptable reliability during stair climbing. The pedometer's position impacts the accuracy and reliability of step counts, especially for walking and stair climbing. Embedding the pedometer into the midsole seems an effective approach to improve the accuracy and reliability of step counts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives Older people with functional limitations find it difficult to age in place alone, without cohabiting with relatives. In light of this, this paper aimed to investigate possible gender differences in this respect among seniors living in Italy. Methods: The study presents findings from the IN-AGE ("Inclusive ageing in place") study carried out in 2019 in this country assessing the ability of seniors aged 65 years and over to carry out basic and instrumental activities of daily living (ADLs and IADLs), in addition to two mobility limitations (going up/down the stairs and bending to pick up an object) and sensory limitations (hearing and eyesight). Qualitative/semi-structured interviews were administered to 120 older people living in three Italian regions (Lombardy, Marche, and Calabria). Quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed by differentiating between genders and among activities carried out autonomously, with help, or not performed (i.e., the senior is "not able"). Possible sources of support were also explored. Results: The main results revealed that cleaning the house, shopping, bathing/showering, and washing the laundry are particularly difficult, with men reporting greater difficulties than women. Moreover, for both genders, the family—especially children—represents the main source of help, in addition to public and private services, but the results differ between males and females. Conclusions: These results can offer insights for policymakers in the development of adequate gender-sensitive policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights The rice husk and straw biochar particles were statistically analyzed, and two representative particles were obtained. A particle model was established using the discrete element method and the Johnson-Kendall-Roberts method. This study used a response surface design method to calibrate biochar particle parameters. The discrete element method (DEM) is widely used in modelling particulate materials and related applications. DEM modelling requires the calibration of a large number of microparameters that are difficult to experimentally measure. This study aims to obtain the contact parameters of different types of biochar accurately and quickly and proposed a parameter calibration method for biochar particles to verify, which uses particle density, moisture content, inter-particle friction coefficient, particle and steel plates. A mathematical model was established for predicting parameter of friction coefficient, Johnson-Kendall-Roberts (JKR) surface energy, and contact behavior. The parameters were verified using the engineering design measurement method and a simulation analysis using a commercial software called Rocky. The results showed that: (a) the data obtained using the cylinder lifting method and the stacking and angle of repose tests of the drawing plate method were stable, the angle of repose of the biochar pellet pile was measured to be 36.55°; (b) the steepest climbing test results indicated that with the increased of Biochar-biochar rolling coefficient, Biochar-steel restitution coefficient, and JKR value, the angle of repose gradually increases; (c) a quadratic regression model was established through a Box-Behnken experiment, and it was found that the interaction term had an extremely significant effect on the angle of repose of biochar particles; (d) a preliminary design of a biochar return machine was created based on the calibration, simulation and actual test results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hinokitiol is a natural bioactive compound synthesized as a secondary metabolite in numerous aromatic, medicinal plants and commonly used in food and cosmetic industries. The investigation was carried out to screen the potential activity of hinokitiol against LPS-induced inflammation, algesia, and oxidative stress in experimental animals. The hinokitiol was screened in two doses, i.e. 0.2 mg/kg (H-1), 0.4 mg/kg (H-2), and inflammoalgesia were induced by intraplantar administration of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) at a dose of 1 mg/kg. The assessment was carried out on the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th days for the severity of arthritic hyperalgesia score, secondary inflammatory lesions, stair climbing ability, motility, and dorsal flexion-pain score test. Serum analysis was carried out for tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a), interleukin (IL-2 and IL-6), prostaglandin (PGE-2), nitric oxide (NO), and thymus/spleen index. The joint samples were further subjected to histopathological observations. The results showed that treatment with H-1 and H-2 shows dose-dependent significant decreases (P<0.05) in arthritic hyperalgesia and secondary lesions, whereas a significant increase (P<0.05) in stair climbing ability, motility, and dorsal flexion pain score test was noted. Treatment with H-1 and H-2 shows significant lowering (P<0.05) in serum TNF-a, IL-2, IL-6, PGE-2, NO, and thymus/spleen index. Histopathological observations indicated minimal damage and restored the synovial structure. The present study reveals that hinokitiol shows significant anti-inflammatory, anti-algesic, and antioxidant effects against LPS-induced inflammation in experimental animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to analyze and predict various types of knee pain in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients based on Semi-Quantitative MRI Osteoarthritis Knee Score (SQ-MOAKS) features. The goal was to identify structural abnormalities in the knee joint associated with different types of pain, thereby aiding in the development of personalized treatment plans. Subjects were selected from the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) database, including 297 patients who underwent both SQ-MOAKS assessment on knee MRI images and WOMAC knee pain assessment. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used for feature selection, followed by the construction of multi-risk factor models and corresponding nomograms for each pain type. The predictive values of the models were evaluated using ROC curves and related metrics (AUC, accuracy, sensitivity, specificity), and the DeLong test was used to assess the significance of differences between various ROCs and AUCs. Significant associations were found between specific SQ-MOAKS features and different types of knee pain. Bone marrow lesions (BML) and cartilage morphology (CM) features were crucial in predicting the walking pain and rest pain, while osteophytes (OS) were more associated with nocturnal pain and pain during stair climbing. The models demonstrated high predictive accuracy, particularly for walking pain and rest pain. This study demonstrated that SQ-MOAKS features could effectively predict different types of knee pain, revealing the structural basis of knee pain in KOA patients. These results prompted the use of SQ-MOAKS in developing personalized treatment strategies, enhancing clinical decision-making, and improving patient quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Total hip replacement (THR) with cemented stem is a common procedure for patients with hip osteoarthritis. When primary THR fails, removal of the cement is problematic and poses challenges during revision surgeries. The possibility of proximal partial cementing of the hip stem was explored to mitigate the problem. 3D finite element analysis was performed to investigate the feasibility of reduced cement length for effective implant fixation and load transmission. Three levels of cement reduction (40 mm, 80 mm, and 100 mm) in the femoral stem were evaluated. All models were assigned loadings of peak forces acting on the femur during walking and stair climbing. The experimental and predicted max/min principal bone strains were fitted into regression models and showed good correlations. FE results indicated stress increment in the femoral bone, stem, and cement due to cement reduction. A notable increase of bone stress was observed with large cement reduction of 80–100 mm, particularly in Gruen zones 3 and 5 during walking and Gruen zones 3 and 6 during stair climbing. The increase of cement stresses could be limited to 11% with a cement reduction of 40 mm. The findings suggested that a 40-mm cement reduction in hip stem fixation was desirable to avoid unwanted complications after cemented THR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, the incidence of accidents involving falls from height at construction sites caused by workers climbing guardrails is still high. Traditional unsafe behavior management mainly relies on a safety patrol of construction-site supervisors, which consumes considerable laborpower and time. There is still a critical need for an automated safety management method to identify unsafe guardrail climbing behavior. This study proposes a worker behavior identification method based on visual data fusion of a worker's surrounding environment and posture data. Videos of seven participants' guardrail climbing behavior through multiangle and multidistance cameras were analyzed to verify this method. By analyzing the environment and posture of the participants, three methods based on environment, posture, and fusion data were used to detect the stage of guardrail climbing action of the workers and compare them with the ground truth labeled by safety experts. The precision and recall of worker guardrail climbing behavior based on the fusion method were 82% and 83% respectively, which is better performance than that obtained using a single method. The data fusion–based method avoids the misjudgment generated by a single detection method and can identify the guardrail climbing behavior more accurately. Practical Applications: Guardrail climbing is a typical unsafe behavior that exposes workers to a high risk of falling from height. However, there is a lack of research on the interaction between workers and guardrail systems in the construction industry. This study provides a nonintrusive method for automating detection and management of guardrail climbing behavior on construction site. Using existing surveillance cameras, this method can be deployed at low cost with slight interference with workers. Based on the detection, appropriate interventions are expected to effectively reduce workers' unsafe behaviors during construction and improve safety on site. The detection of guardrail climbing, which is one of the variety of unsafe behaviors associated with falls from height, can enrich the intelligent construction safety management system effectively. Moreover, this study also provides reference and quantitative indicators (e.g., a guardrail climbing unsafe behavior database) for risk assessment and early warning of workers who are exposed to risk of fall from height. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prolonged sitting is postulated to influence musculoskeletal performance (cervical flexor endurance, balance, and agility), discomfort and alter cervical spine angles during work-based computer use. Stair climbing breaks may be a great addition at typical and home offices however remain unexplored for its impact on musculoskeletal performance. In our counterbalanced pilot crossover trial, 24 adults were randomised to three interventions: (1) prolonged sitting, (2) interrupted by 2 min of self-paced, and (3) externally paced stair climbing for 2 h. Cervical spine angles were measured every 30 min while balance, agility, endurance, and discomfort were assessed before and after 120 min. Stair climbing interruptions have favourable effects on agility (F = 8.12, p = 0.009, ηp2 = 0.26) and musculoskeletal discomfort, but failed to improve other musculoskeletal outcomes associated with prolonged sitting. Brief stair climbing interruptions are effective in improving discomfort and agility while pragmatic trials are warranted for translated effects. Practitioner summary: Stair climbing interventions are known for their cardiovascular benefits, however their impact on musculoskeletal performance remains unclear. In our randomised crossover pilot study, we explored the effects of stair climbing interruptions on cervical posture, endurance, agility, and balance during 120 min of prolonged sitting. Stair climbing interruptions were favourable in reducing time to complete agility tasks and neck/shoulder discomfort score compared to prolonged sitting. However other performance measures remained unaltered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adults in modern society spend most of their time in a sitting position. However, sitting for long periods of time can affect the length and sensation of the quadriceps muscle and negatively affect the performance of functional tasks required in daily life. In addition, it may have different characteristics according to sitting postures. Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the differences in quadriceps muscle activity during stair climbing and descending based on various sitting postures. Methods: Thirty healthy adult women were classified into sitting upright (SU), sitting with legs crossed (SLC), and sitting with ankles crossed over knees (SAC). The muscle activities of the vastus medialis (VM), vastus lateral (VL), and rectus femoris (RF) were collected during climbing and descending the stairs three times each. After which a sitting posture was maintained for 15 min, the post-measurement was performed in the same way as the pre-measurement. One-way analysis of variance or Kruskal-Walli's test was used to check homogeneity between each group, least significant difference (LSD) was used for post-hoc testing. Paired-sample t-test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to check before-and-after differences within the group. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to determine between-group and within-group interactions. Results: VM muscles were significantly decreased after maintaining a sitting posture during descending stairs of SAC group (p = 0.047). In conclusion, this study indicates that maintaining a SAC sitting posture for a certain period causes a temporary decrease in muscle activity of the VM muscle during descending stairs. This provides important implications for early treatment to manage knee pain and strengthen quadriceps muscles in women. Future studies should focus on groups with patellofemoral pain syndrome or knee pain to better understand the impact of sitting posture on quadriceps activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The protective effect of a healthy diet combined with stair climbing on cardiovascular health is unclear. We aimed to assess the independent and joint associations of dietary patterns and stair climbing with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). Methods: We included 117,384 participants with information on dietary intake and stair climbing from the UK Biobank (UKBB). We excluded participants with MACEs at baseline and death within two years of follow-up. We used restricted cubic spline (RCS) plots describing the linear or nonlinear associations between dietary patterns (the alternate Mediterranean diet score (AMED), dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH), the healthful planted-based diet index (HPDI) and the alternate healthy eating index-2010 (AHEI-2010)) and stair climbing and MACEs. COX regressions estimated the hazard ratios (HRs) for incident MACEs associated with dietary patterns combined with stair climbing, and adjusted for sociodemographic, lifestyle and medical factors. Results: The UKBB documented 9408 MACEs over a median follow-up of 13.3 years. Four dietary patterns were negatively and linearly associated with MACEs (P-nonlinear > 0.05), whereas daily stair climbing was negatively and nonlinearly associated with MACEs (P-nonlinear = 0.011). All of the dietary patterns had significant multiplicative interactions with stair climbing (all p-values < 0.05). The three dietary patterns had the lowest risk ratios for MACEs in the highest tertile (T3) combined with daily stair climbing of 60–100 steps (AMED: 0.78 (0.68, 0.89), DASH: 0.80 (0.70, 0.91) and HPDI: 0.86 (0.75, 0.98)), whereas the AHEI-2010 had the lowest HRs for MACEs in the T1 combined with stair climbing of 110–150 steps (AHEI-2010: 0.81 (0.71, 0.93)). Conclusions: Maintaining healthy dietary patterns and adhering to an average of 60–100 steps of stair climbing per day at home can be effective in preventing cardiovascular health-related events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the development of a sustainable city, it is essential to create pedestrian pathways and bridges that are both friendly and comfortable. A city requires pedestrian bridges that offer a safe way for pedestrians to crossroads. However, in practice, many pedestrian bridges are rarely used. This study aims to analyze the stair elevation of pedestrian bridges by examining the physiological workload involved in climbing the stairs and how this workload varies with the age of pedestrians. The research measured the energy expended by pedestrians in relation to their available capacity. The study was conducted on the stairs of a pedestrian bridge with a 27-degree slope. It was found that adult pedestrians aged between 25 and 45 years expend moderate to high levels of energy when climbing these stairs. The presence of stairs in public facilities encourages individuals to increase their physical activity for health purposes, making it important that the design of the stairs' slope considers both safety and comfort for routine use. The linear equation for cardiovascular load (%CVL) while climbing stairs is expressed as y = 0.999 x + 8.733, where x represents age. This equation indicates that pedestrians over the age of 41 will expend more than 50% of their capacity. The 27-degree slope of the pedestrian bridge may be inconvenient for some users. Therefore, lowering the slope of the stairs should be considered in the design to enhance safety, comfort, and encourage increased use of the stairs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background context Physical activities such as walking and climbing stairs are pervasive in human daily life. Individuals with scoliosis frequently encounter dysfunction in their muscle recruitment. Multiple studies have corroborated the presence of muscle dysfunction in individuals diagnosed with scoliosis. However, there is currently a noteworthy research gap regarding the exploration of changes in muscle characteristics and disparities from those observed in individuals without scoliosis during everyday activities, specifically stair climbing. Purpose This study aims to examine the unique patterns of muscle activity during daily life in individuals with scoliosis and distinguish the specific differences between scoliosis patients and the healthy controls. The findings of this study are significantly important for the future accurate assessment of scoliosis and the development of rehabilitation treatment plans. Study design Case–control study. Sample size Twenty eight idiopathic scoliosis patients and twenty eight controls. Outcome measures Root Mean Square(RMS), Maximum Voluntary Isometric Contraction(MVIC)%, RMS ratio(RMS convex / RMS concave). Methods The surface electromyography (sEMG) device used in this study was the Delsys Trigno, with a sampling frequency of 1500 Hz. It recorded the activation level, peak contraction, and average activation level of the erector spinae (at T6, T10, and L3 levels), gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, external oblique, and rectus abdominis muscles during three different types of locomotion for both the 28 individuals with idiopathic scoliosis and the 28 control participants. Results The movement patterns of the idiopathic scoliosis patients significantly differ from those of the normal population during level walking and ascending or descending stairs. In level walking, there is an asymmetry in the activation levels of the T6 and L3 erector spinae muscles, with lower activation on the convex side compared to the concave side. Similarly, during stair ascent, the activation of the T6 and T10 erector spinae muscles is asymmetric, with higher activation on the convex side than the concave side. Moreover, during stair descent, the activation of the T6 erector spinae muscle is asymmetric, with higher activation on the convex side than the concave side. Conclusions During level walking and stair activities, idiopathic scoliosis patients exhibit pronounced abnormal movement patterns that significantly differ from those of the control group. Under different activity conditions such as level walking, ascending and descending stairs, idiopathic scoliosis patients demonstrate abnormal muscle activation in different segments of the spine. It is crucial for clinicians to prioritize the symmetry of muscle activation in the spinal region of idiopathic scoliosis patients and consider incorporating symmetry training for these muscles.

Background context: Physical activities such as walking and climbing stairs are pervasive in human daily life. Individuals with scoliosis frequently encounter dysfunction in their muscle recruitment. Multiple studies have corroborated the presence of muscle dysfunction in individuals diagnosed with scoliosis. However, there is currently a noteworthy research gap regarding the exploration of changes in muscle characteristics and disparities from those observed in individuals without scoliosis during everyday activities, specifically stair climbing. Purpose: This study aims to examine the unique patterns of muscle activity during daily life in individuals with scoliosis and distinguish the specific differences between scoliosis patients and the healthy controls. The findings of this study are significantly important for the future accurate assessment of scoliosis and the development of rehabilitation treatment plans. Study design: Case–control study. Sample size: Twenty eight idiopathic scoliosis patients and twenty eight controls. Outcome measures: Root Mean Square(RMS), Maximum Voluntary Isometric Contraction(MVIC)%, RMS ratio(RMS convex / RMS concave). Methods: The surface electromyography (sEMG) device used in this study was the Delsys Trigno, with a sampling frequency of 1500 Hz. It recorded the activation level, peak contraction, and average activation level of the erector spinae (at T6, T10, and L3 levels), gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, external oblique, and rectus abdominis muscles during three different types of locomotion for both the 28 individuals with idiopathic scoliosis and the 28 control participants. Results: The movement patterns of the idiopathic scoliosis patients significantly differ from those of the normal population during level walking and ascending or descending stairs. In level walking, there is an asymmetry in the activation levels of the T6 and L3 erector spinae muscles, with lower activation on the convex side compared to the concave side. Similarly, during stair ascent, the activation of the T6 and T10 erector spinae muscles is asymmetric, with higher activation on the convex side than the concave side. Moreover, during stair descent, the activation of the T6 erector spinae muscle is asymmetric, with higher activation on the convex side than the concave side. Conclusions: During level walking and stair activities, idiopathic scoliosis patients exhibit pronounced abnormal movement patterns that significantly differ from those of the control group. Under different activity conditions such as level walking, ascending and descending stairs, idiopathic scoliosis patients demonstrate abnormal muscle activation in different segments of the spine. It is crucial for clinicians to prioritize the symmetry of muscle activation in the spinal region of idiopathic scoliosis patients and consider incorporating symmetry training for these muscles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: ActiMotus, a thigh-accelerometer-based software used for the classification of postures and movements (PaMs), has shown high accuracy among adults and school-aged children; however, its accuracy among younger children and potential differences between sexes are unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of ActiMotus to measure PaMs among children between 3 and 14 years and to assess if this was influenced by the sex or age of children. Method: Forty-eight children attended a structured ~1-hour data collection session at a laboratory. Thigh acceleration was measured using a SENS accelerometer, which was classified into nine PaMs using the ActiMotus software. Human-coded video recordings of the session provided the ground truth. Results: Based on both F1 scores and balanced accuracy, the highest levels of accuracy were found for lying, sitting, and standing (63.2–88.2%). For walking and running, accuracy measures ranged from 48.0 to 85.8%. The lowest accuracy was observed for classifying stair climbing. We found a higher accuracy for stair climbing among girls compared to boys and for older compared to younger age groups for walking, running, and stair climbing. Conclusions: ActiMotus could accurately detect lying, sitting, and standing among children. The software could be improved for classifying walking, running, and stair climbing, particularly among younger children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, masks proved to be an effective measure in preventing virus transmission. However, many people have reported discomfort and negative perceptions toward wearing masks, especially during physical activity. This study aims to evaluate the discomfort and adverse perceptions related to various mask types among young, healthy adults during light exercise, including sitting, stationary stepping, and stair climbing. The study also examines the extent to which masks influence physiological indicators of physical well-being. Methods: The study was conducted in two stages at the campus hospital of Shantou University. In Stage 1, 20 healthy college students (10 males, 10 females) were recruited to identify the mask with the most substantial physiological and psychological impact among four types: KN95 respirators, surgical masks, cloth masks, and 3D medical masks. These specific types were chosen due to their widespread use and varying levels of filtration and breathability. In Stage 2, 14 healthy college students (7 males, 7 females) were included to examine the effects of the identified mask across various levels of physical exertion. Subjective perceptions were measured using the Mask-Related Discomfort and Perception Score (MRDPS), and physiological parameters such as body temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate, and vital capacity were recorded. Results: The KN95 respirator and cloth mask were associated with the highest MRDPS, indicating significant discomfort among wearers (p < 0.05). The use of KN95 respirators had the largest impact on MRDPS during stair stepping (β = 10.357, 95% CI [5.755, 14.959]). Physiological parameters showed minor variations across different masks, with KN95 respirators significantly associated with reduced diastolic blood pressure (β=-7.806, 95% CI [-12.294, -3.318]) and pulse rate (β=-10.661, 95% CI [-18.896, -2.425]) in Stage 1. However, after controlling for exercise pace in Stage 2, wearing a KN95 respirator did not significantly affect these parameters. Conclusions: KN95 respirators and cloth masks were found to cause the most discomfort during light physical activity, with males reporting higher discomfort levels than females. While these masks are associated with varying levels of perceived discomfort, their impact on physiological indicators is relatively modest. Future research should include larger and more diverse samples , continuous monitoring of physiological parameters during exercise, and exploration of the underlying mechanisms of gender differences in mask discomfort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low back pain (LBP) is a global issue involving biological, psychological, and social factors. Pain-related fear has been shown to influence movement behavior, however, its association with some measures of movement behavior, such as spinal movement variability, remains inconclusive. To further investigate this, spinal kinematics during various activities of daily living (i.e., walking, running, lifting, and stair climbing) of 49 patients with chronic LBP and a group of 51 sex-, age-, and BMI-matched healthy controls were used to calculate lumbar spine movement variability which was quantified using different indices (i.e., coefficient of variation, coupling angle variability in vector coding, deviation phase of the continuous relative phase and an angle-angular velocity variability). General and task-specific pain-related fear was assessed using the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia and the Photograph Series of Daily Activities—Short Electronic Version, respectively. Linear regression analyses showed no significant association between movement variability and pain-related fear, however, the sample consisted of younger individuals with moderate disability and with low levels of pain and pain-related fear. In addition, the different variability indices were weakly correlated and varied greatly depending on the method used and the task performed. Therefore, comparisons between studies with different movement variability calculation methods or different activities should be treated with caution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes a new wheel-leg mechanism concept and formulations for the kinematics and dynamics of a stair-climbing robot utilizing the rotating leg locomotion of curved spokes and rolling tires. The system consists of four motor-driven tires and four curved-spoke legs. The curved-spoke leg is semicircle-like and is used to climb stairs. Once the spoke leg rolls on the surface, it lifts and pulls the mating wheel toward the surface, owing to the kinematic constraint between the spoke and the wheel. Single-wheel climbing is a necessary condition for the stair climbing of whole robots equipped with front and rear axles. This study proposes the design requirements of a spoke leg for the success of single-wheel climbing in terms of kinematic inequality equations according to the scenario of single-wheel climbing. For a design configuration that enables single-wheel climbing, the required minimum friction coefficient for the static analysis of the stair-climbing wheeled robots is demon-strated. Thereafter, the stair-climbing ability is validated through the dynamic equations that enable the frictional slip of the tires, as well as the curved-spoke legs. Lastly, the results revealed that the rotating locomotion of the well-designed curved-spoke legs effectively enables the stair climbing of the whole robot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Rehabilitation after Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) often includes proprioceptive exercises to prevent falls, but studies on proprioceptive training have yielded conflicting findings. This study aims to explore impact of proprioceptive training on functional performance after TKA. Methods: Eighty patients who underwent unilateral TKA were randomly assigned to a proprioceptive exercise (PE) group or a routine exercises (RE) group. The PE group received proprioceptive exercises in addition to routine physiotherapy. Osteoarthritis Research Society Internal (OARSI) recommended tests and Oxford Knee Score (OKS) were used to assess performance and outcome at 3 and 6 months. Results: In the 30-s chair sits test, the PE group outperformed the RE group at 3 months (13.69 vs. 9.17) and 6 months (21.07 vs. 18.63) (p < 0.001 and p = 0.030). Stair climbing favoured PE group at 3 months (8.86 vs. 16.66, p = 0.037) and 6 months (0.556 vs. 1.133, p = 0.001). At 6 months in the 40-m fast-paced walk test, the PE group had a significantly shorter time (0.308 min vs. 0.557 min, p < 0.001). Timed up and go test at 6 months favoured PE group (0.204 min vs. 0.377 min). In the 6-min walk test, the PE group covered significantly greater distances than the RE group at 3 months (589.59 vs. 346.53 m, p < 0.001) and 6 months (649.60 vs. 448.32 m, p < 0.001). OKS at 3 months was 38 ± 2.0 for PE group and 38 ± 4 for RE group (p = 1). OKS at 6 months was 42 ± 4 for PE group and 40 ± 2 for RE group (p = 0.94). Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of proprioception-based rehabilitation in improving functional performance for TKA patients, surpassing traditional rehabilitation programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Stair negotiation is crucial for functional independence and is a leading cause of fall-related injuries in older adults. The Step Test Evaluation of Performance on Stairs (STEPS) is a quick and easily administered outcome measure for assessing stair negotiation. This study investigated the reliability and concurrent content validity of the STEPS test to determine its usefulness in older adults. Methods: Eighty-two community-dwelling older adults (mean age 81.2 years, 51 females) were assessed on the STEPS test, Timed Up and Go (TUG), 5-times sit to stand (5XSTS), stair self-efficacy (SSE) questionnaire, and time to ascend and descend stairs. Participants repeated the STEPS test 7 to 14 days later for intrarater reliability by the same rater. Spearman rank and intraclass correlations were used to determine the association of measures and intrarater reliability. Results and Discussion: The mean STEPS score was 15.6 (SD = 3.7) out of 20. The STEPS total score demonstrated excellent intra- and interrater reliability. It had moderate to good and significant correlations with TUG, 5XSTS, SSE, and time to ascend and descend measures. Faster performance on the 5XSTS, TUG, and time to ascend and descend correlated with better performance on the STEPS test, indicating validity for assessing balance and mobility during stair negotiation in older adults. Lower SSE correlated with lower observer ratings of performance on stairs (STEPS scores), indicating agreement between participant reports of self-efficacy and observer ratings of performance. Step Test Evaluation of Performance on Stairs items that demonstrated the most frequent loss of points were balance (use of handrail), step continuity, foot placement, and self-propulsion (ascent only). Conclusions: Assessment of older adults' safety and performance on stairs is vital given the increased difficulty of stair navigation and the high risk for injurious falls in this population. This study demonstrates that the STEPS test is a reliable and valid outcome measure for assessing stair performance in older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article implements maximum power point tracking (MPPT) based on the improved hill-climbing algorithm for photovoltaic (PV) systems feeding resistive loads. A direct current-to-direct current boost converter is inserted between the PV system and the load to achieve matching. The converter is managed using MPPT based on the hill-climbing algorithm. The objective of this paper is to optimize the code program to achieve the best compromise between accuracy and rapidity by implementing this algorithm using a microcontroller. Two PV systems are tested under identical meteorological conditions. In the first, an improved hill-climbing MPPT controller is used whereas, in the second, the conventional version is employed. The experimental results obtained show a significant enhancement in terms of speed for the improved algorithm with a value of 0.4 s for the response time and 3% for the oscillation power; those values remain satisfactory in terms of precision of the algorithm compared with the conventional system studied and the compared algorithm from the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Trolley bags have gained popularity among students, but there is limited research comparing them to backpack-style school bags. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare how carrying a backpack versus a trolley bag affects the activity of trunk and lower limb muscles in secondary school students. METHODS: Electromyographic activity was measured in 25 students (13.4±1.1 years) as they walked on level ground and up/down stairs while carrying both types of bags. The activity of the gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior, semitendinosus, rectus femoris, lumbar erector spinae, and rectus abdominis muscles was assessed on both the dominant and non-dominant sides. RESULTS: The study found significantly reduced muscle activation in most of the targeted muscles when walking on level ground with the trolley bag and when going up/down stairs with the backpack. CONCLUSIONS: Lifting a trolley bag depends on the slope of the walking surface and is more efficient on level ground, while carrying a backpack is more efficient when going up and down stairs. Since it is not practical to switch bags when encountering stairs in schools, a bag with a mixed model design incorporating features of both trolley and backpack may be more beneficial and practical for students to use. Students, parents, and teachers should be aware of the injury risks associated with carrying different types of bags. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of China Mechanical Engineering is the property of Editorial Board of China Mechanical Engineering and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In order to study the collision of sea ice on bridge piers of a sea-crossing bridge, this study establishes a finite element model of the impact of sea ice on bridge piers in aqueous media based on explicit dynamics analysis software and programming software using the arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (ALE) method. The results show that, when the sea-ice spacing is larger than the sea-ice edge length, the increase in sea-ice spacing leads to a decrease in the collision force and a significant increase in the probability of climbing and overturning. The increase in sea-ice mass significantly increases the impact force on the bridge abutment, and the peak value increases linearly with the increase in mass, and the sea-ice climbing and overturning phenomena are obvious. Different shapes of sea ice are obtained by cutting the sea-ice field with the two-dimensional Voronoi method, and the maximum impact force increases significantly with the increase in the average area. Irregularly shaped sea ice leads to a larger impact force and triggers the accumulation climbing phenomenon, which is verified by experiments, and the experimental values are in good agreement with the simulated values. In conclusion, this study reveals the significant effects of the spacing, mass, and shape of sea ice on the impact force of bridge piers, which provides an important reference for the design of bridge structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objective: This study aimed to compare the functional outcomes, such as knee muscle strength, dynamic postural stability, pain scores, and physical activity, in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) on stair climbing training with and without interferential electrotherapy (IFE) for 12 weeks. Methods: A total of 40 knee OA patients with Kellgren–Lawrence (K–L) grade ≤ 2 were enrolled (20 stair-climbing training with IFE vs. 20 stair-climbing training without IFE). The knee quadriceps and hamstring muscle strengths were measured using an isokinetic device. The dynamic postural stability was assessed using postural stabilometry. The pain score was evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS). Physical activity was assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Results: The WOMAC score was significantly different (p < 0.019) between stair-climbing training with and without IFE in patients with knee OA, while knee muscle strength, dynamic postural stability, or pain score were not (all p > 0.05). Conclusion: Stair-climbing training with IFE was more beneficial for physical activity recovery than stair-climbing training without IFE. Therefore, clinicians and therapists should be aware that stair climbing, which can be practiced in daily life for the management of patients with knee OA, and the addition of IFE may improve physical activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]