“Muscle tone” is a clinically important and widely used term and palpation is a crucial skill for its diagnosis. However, the term is defined rather vaguely, and palpation is not measurable ...objectively. Therefore, several methods have been developed to measure muscle tone objectively, in terms of biomechanical properties of the muscle. This article aims to summarize these approaches. Through database searches, we identified those studies related to objective muscle tone measurement in vivo, in situ. Based on them, we described existing methods and devices and compared their reliability. Furthermore, we presented an extensive list of the use of these methods in different fields of research. Although it is believed by some authors that palpation cannot be replaced by a mechanical device, several methods have already proved their utility in muscle biomechanical property diagnosis. There appear to be two issues preventing wider usage of these objective methods in clinical practice. Firstly, a high variability of their reliability, and secondly, a lack of valid mathematical models that would provide the observed mechanical characteristics with a clear physical significance and allow the results to be compared with each other.
Uvod: Urinska inkontinenca je pogosto posledica oslabelih mišic medeničnega dna, ki se lahko zdravi konservativno ali medikamentozno. Namen raziskave je bil ugotoviti, kakšno je znanje žensk o ...funkcijah mišic medeničnega dna in kako ocenjujejo koristnost komplementarnih konservativnih pristopov za njihovo krepitev.Metode: Uporabljena je bila eksplorativna kvantitativna metoda dela. Vprašalnik je bil sestavljen na podlagi pregledane literature, oblikovan je bil v spletnem orodju 1KA. Priložnostni vzorec so predstavljale ženske, stare med 20 in 64 let (n = 356). Podatki so bili analizirani z deskriptivno statistiko in faktorsko analizo. Rezultati: Vaj za krepitev mišic medeničnega dna ne izvaja 190 anketirank (52,4 %). Rezultati so pokazali, da pri vadbi za učinkovito krepitev mišic medeničnega dna pripomočke uporablja 12 anketirank (7 %). Diskusija in zaključek: Faktorska analiza je potrdila uporabnost za raziskavo oblikovanega inštrumenta. Anketirane ženske dobro poznajo funkcije mišic medeničnega dna, povezane z inkontinenco urina, vendar slabo skrbijo za krepitev mišic medeničnega dna. Spolne pripomočke štejejo le za zabavo in za popestritev spolnosti, ni pa jim znana možnost njihove uporabe za krepitev mišic medeničnega dna.
Vadba pilates postaja vse pogostejsa med starejsimi zenskami. Namen nasega sistematicnega pregleda literature je bil na podlagi znanstvene literature predstaviti in preuciti ucinkovitost vadbe ...pilates na opazovane parametre pri starejsih zenskah. V sistematicni pregled literature smo vkljucili sedem randomiziranih kontroliranih raziskav, ki so bile objavljene v zadnjih desetih letih. V vseh raziskavah so sodelovale zdrave zenske. Stevilo posameznic v raziskavah je znasalo od 32 do 74. Terapije so v celoti obsegale od stiri do 18 tednov. Najpogostejsi opazovani parametri so bili fleksibilnost, misicna moc ter ravnotezje. Ugotavljamo, da fleksibilnost, misicna moc in posturalna stabilnost vplivajo na ravnotezje, ki pa je povezano s tveganjem za padce pri starejsih. Na podlagi sistematicnega pregleda literature in drugih pregledanih clankov ugotavljamo, da je pilates ucinkovita intervencija za starejse zenske. Predvsem je pomembno, da se zacne z osnovami, postopoma stopnjuje tezavnost ter da se vadbo izvaja daljse casovno obdobje, saj ima pilates ucinek na dolgi rok.
This study investigated changes of gait pattern induced by a 4-week robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) in twelve ambulatory spastic diparesis children with cerebral palsy (CP) aged 10.4±3.2 years ...old by using computerized gait analysis (CGA). Pre-post intervention CGA data of children with CP was contrasted to the normative data of typically developing children by using cross-correlation and statistically evaluated by a Wilcoxon test. Significant pre-post intervention changes (p<0.01) include: decreased muscle activity of biceps femoris, rectus femoris, and tibialis anterior; a decrease in range of internal hip joint rotation, higher cadence, step length, and increased stride time. This study suggests that RAGT can be used in muscle reeducation and improved hip joint motion range in ambulatory children with CP.
This pilot study investigated the efficacy of a four week robot-assisted gait training in twelve children with spastic diparesis. Short-term results and a 3-month follow-up showed statistically ...significantly increased selective motor control, walking farther distances, gross motor score, and decreased joint contractures.
Introduction: Urinary incontinence is often the result of weakened pelvic floor muscles. The purpose of the study was to establish how much women knew about the pelvic floor muscle functions and how ...useful they found the complementary conservative approaches for pelvic floor muscles strengthening. Methods: The exploratory quantitative research method was used. The questionnaire was prepared on the basis of the literature review and was designed with the 1KA online tool. The sample was composed of women aged between 20 and 64 (n = 356). Descriptive statistics and data factor analysis were performed. Results: 190 of the respondents (52.4 %) did not perform any exercises to strengthen pelvic floor muscles. The results showed that 12 respondents (7 %) use devices for effective strengthening of pelvic floor muscles. Discussion and conclusion: Factor analysis was used to confirm the usefulness of the instrument used. The surveyed women know the functions of the pelvic floor muscles associated with urinary incontinence well, but they do not do much to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. They only perceive sexual devices as devices used for fun, but are not aware of the possibility of using them to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.
This pilot study investigated the efficacy of a four week robot-assisted gait training in twelve children with spastic diparesis. Short-term results and a 3-month follow-up showed statistically ...significantly increased selective motor control, walking farther distances, gross motor score, and decreased joint contractures.
It is possible to significantly ease kitchen chores with properly sized and appropriately arranged cupboards. In designing kitchen furniture and the optimal depth and the height of storage ...capacities, accessibility should be taken into consideration. It is known that the optimal storage zone is between 800 and 1100 mm and that there is reduced visibility and accessibility at the level between 1400 and 1700 mm, which is even more prominent for the elderly. This suggests that wall cabinets are not recommended for the elderly. The aim of this study was to determine to what extent kitchens manufactured by Slovenian furniture manufacturers are suitable for users of different age groups with regard to the accessibility of goods stored in the cupboards. Furthermore, based on the measurement analysis, recommendations are provided for designing kitchen furniture that would meet the needs of the elderly. The study, carried out using a computer simulation model, analyzed the products of three Slovenian kitchen manufacturers. The cross section of accessibility in the wall cabinets was determined for different age groups of men and women. The results show that the efficacy of the volume in wall cabinets higher than 600 mm, in comparison to places where objects are easily reachable, is 30% lower for women, thus indicating the inefficiency of storage space in wall cabinets. In terms of accessibility, existing kitchens are not optimal for the elderly, and a model with a deeper worktop and wall cabinets lowered onto the worktop is proposed. Accessibility in such wall cabinets is increased by up to 70% if the body is moved forward by 30°.
This study investigated the discomfort caused by car driving. Discomfort estimates were achieved by self-administered questionnaire, measured by different testing methods, and through the goniometry ...of principal angles. Data from a total of 200 non-professional drivers who fulfilled the questionnaire was analysed. 118 subjects were analysed by goniometry and 30 drivers were assessed using the OWAS (Ovaco orking Posture Analysis), RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment), and CORLETT tests. The aim of this paper was to assess the appearance of the discomfort and to find some correlations between drivers' postures. Results suggest that different levels of discomfort are perceived in different body regions when driving cars. Differences appear mostly between the genders concerning the discomfort. With the questionnaire and the different estimation techniques, it is possible to identify 'at risk' drivers and ensure urgent attention when necessary. It can be concluded that the questionnare and the CORLETT test are good in predicting location of discomfort. TheB org CRI10scale is good indicator of the level of the discomfort, while OWAS and RULA can appraise the body posture to predict discomfort appearance. According to the goniometry data, the drivers posture could be one of the contributing factors in appearing of discomfort.
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