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Human locomotor economy and efficiency are highly variable. This study investigated the role that stature plays in this variation, by evaluating metabolic and respiratory responses to walking and running at speeds set relative to one's stature. Four groups of subjects: male, high V0₂ max (n = 11); male, average V0₂ max (n = 10); female, high V0₂ max (n = 10); and female, average V0₂ max (n = 11) were habituated to treadmill locomotion prior to the measurement of maximal oxygen consumption (V0₂ max). The V0₂ max test entailed 1 km.h⁻¹ increases per min from 3 to 6 km.h⁻¹ walking, and 7 - 17 km.h⁻¹ running then 1% grade increments per min until exhaustion. On each of four other occasions, the subject walked or ran at 6 of a variety of relative speeds - walking at 0.5, 0.7, 0.9, 1.1, 1.3; running at 1.5, 1.7, 1.9 and for selected subjects 2.1, 2.3 and 2.5 statures.s⁻¹ ,and grades - 0%, +3%, -3%. Steady-state respiratory and metabolic responses, and treadmill speed were monitored by an on-line computer system developed for this study. Cadence and RPE were also monitored. All subjects demonstrated an exponential relationship between V0₂ and walking relative speed (st.s⁻¹) (RS) . V0₂ (ml.kg⁻¹.min⁻¹ ) = 4.747 * e(1.371*RS) During running this relationship was essentially linear . The variability of economy at relative speed (9.08%) and absolute speed (9. 01%) did not differ. Male and female subjects did not differ in response to absolute speed but females were more economical at relative speeds (p<0.05). Those with high and average aerobic capacity did not differ in locomotor economy at relative speed. Higher freely-chosen stride length was associated with a higher V0₂ response as velocity increased. The V0₂ of uphill walking was 1.4 times greater than that for downhill walking (running: 1.28 times) . Stride length decreased with increasing speed in uphill locomotion but the reverse was the case for downhill. The economy and efficiency of walking was greater than that of running. Walking economy was maximal between 0.7 and 0.9 st. s⁻¹. Running economy remained essentially unaffected by increased velocity. The setting of locomotor velocity relative to stature does not minimize inter-subject variability in metabolic and respiratory response .

abstract: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a non-progressive neurologic disorder characterized by motor pathway damage prior to functional development. Damage to the central nervous system impairs motor functioning, including control of motor movement, loss of coordination, and loss of purposeful posture in individuals with cerebral palsy. This creates abnormal walking gait, impaired balance, and loss of muscle control. Current research shows positive results in studying the use of rhythmic music and walking gait for individuals with neurologic disorders. However, most research focuses on neurologic disorders acquired later in life, such as post-stroke patients and individuals with Parkinson's disease and traumatic brain injuries. The current study addresses the impact of rhythmic music on walking gait for an individual with cerebral palsy. Research addresses whether the use of rhythmic music impacts: (a) endurance (laps, distance traversed, and steps taken) (b) cadence (steps per minute), (c) velocity (distance over time), (d) emotional responsiveness (positive or negative affect), and (e) motivation. The current study is a single subject, mixed method design under randomized treatment conditions. The subject is a 25-year-old female diagnosed with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. The subject participated in a five-week study, three times a week for one hour each session. Assessment was conducted during the first session. The following 14 sessions included gait training either under treatment (the use of recorded rhythmic music accompanied by audible drum beat) or control (no music) randomly assigned prior to the beginning of the study. Data were collected through video recordings, subject and researcher journals, and emotional responsiveness surveys. Data were analyzed for treatment versus control conditions. Analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data indicated that rhythmic music does impact walking gait for individuals with cerebral palsy. When compared to control conditions, the treatment conditions showed an increase in endurance, cadence, and velocity, and improvement in affect and motivation. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.M. Music Therapy 2011

Thesis (M.S.)--Boston University PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you. / Objective: To determine ifself-rated health modifies the effect ofbaseline walking limitation on 5- and 10-year mortality in older women with early stage breast cancer Design: Secondary analysis of a multicenter 10-year prospective study of older women with early stage breast cancer Setting: Sixty-two clinical centers in four geographic areas Participants: 585 women aged 65 years or older with Stage I to IIIa breast cancer who were followed by annual telephone calls for up to 10 years. Measurements: Baseline self-rated health, ability to walk several blocks, age, race, marital status, financial status, social support, comorbid conditions, body mass index, tumor stage, estrogen receptor (ER) status, initial therapy, and emotional health. The main outcome was all-cause mortality at 5 and 10 years as determined by National Death Index and Social Security Death Index. Results: Subjects at baseline were 17% age 80+, 48% stage II-IIIa, 25% ER negative, 42% with ≤1 comorbid condition. At the time of breast cancer diagnosis, 39% of women reported low self-rated health, and 28% reported limitations in walking several blocks. Those with low self-rated health and walking limitation had higher mortality rates than those with high self-rated health and without walking limitation (28.1% vs. 12.7% at 5 years, p = 0.0002; 67.8% vs. 34.9% at 10 years, p < 0.0001). In the adjusted regression model, risk of dying from any cause by 10 years was higher for women aged 80+ (HR 3.87, 95% CI 2.45, 6.11); age 70-79 (HR 1.54, 95% CI 1.06, 2.24); with inadequate finances (HR 1.73, 95% CI 1.13, 2.65); and with the combination of low self-rated health and walking limitation at baseline (HR 1.48, 95% CI 1.02, 2.15). Conclusion: In this study of older women with breast cancer, the combination of low self-rated health and limitation in walking several blocks at diagnosis was a predictor of all-cause mortality at 10 years of follow-up; this finding was independent of age, comorbidity, tumor characteristics, and treatment. These self-report measures can be easily assessed in clinical practice and may represent an effective strategy to improve treatment decision-making in older adults with cancer.

Thesis (M.S.M.) PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you. / BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Gait speed and walking endurance are measures of performance and overall health in older adults; however it is unclear whether measuring both provides additional clinically useful information over measuring just one. The purpose of this study is to systematically explore the co-variation of trajectories of speed and endurance over 8 years in healthy older adults, and to examine the association of knee extensor strength and cardiorespiratory impairment with distinct trajectories. Understanding such trajectories and their determinants will help clarify the utility of testing each outcome separately. METHODS: Data were obtained prospectively in a subset of the Health, Aging and Body Composition study (Health ABC), which included 2364 initially well-functioning men and women 70 to 79 years of age. Gait speed was determined from a 20-meter walk. Walking endurance was measured from a two-minute walk. The dual trajectories of gait speed and walking endurance were estimated using a group-based mixture model using SAS macro “PROC TRAJ”. The procedure calculates the probabilities of trajectory group membership for gait speed membership conditioning on walking endurance groups and vice versa. We also examined the association of knee extensor strength and cardiorespiratory impairment with distinctive trajectories adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). RESULTS: We identified four gait speed trajectories and three walking endurance trajectories. Older adults with the greatest decline in gait speed and walking endurance slowed 0.032 m/s and 0.025 m/s per year, respectively. There was high correlation between gait speed and walking endurance trajectories, r= 0.84, p<0.0001. Less knee extensor strength and the presence of cardiorespiratory impairment were associated with membership in worse gait speed and walking endurance trajectories. After adjustment for walking endurance trajectories, only knee extensor strength was associated with worse gait speed trajectories. After adjustment for gait speed trajectories, both strength and cardiorespiratory impairments continued to be associated with walking endurance trajectories. CONCLUSIONS: There was high convergence of trajectories of gait speed and walking endurance. Therefore, changes in walking endurance can be inferred from measuring gait speed alone. However, cardiorespiratory impairment had a unique association with trajectories of walking endurance, but not gait speed. Therefore, measuring gait speed alone may not provide as much information as measuring walking endurance for those with cardiorespiratory impairment. / 2031-01-01

This thesis presents a local interpretation of an ecosystem approach; 'energyscapes' constructed through mixed methods, which captures private estate manager perception on land use, woodland expansion and collaboration over four case study areas in the Scottish Highlands. Each case study area of three contiguous estates forms a small landscape cluster, with every estate participating in field interviews, woodland planning and collaborative discussions. Private estates in Scotland cover a significant area of the Highlands and are dominated by traditional sporting interests and recreation that is not always considered compatible with woodland expansion, creating a culture of woodland neglect. Subsequently planting rates are falling and Scottish government woodland expansion targets are not being met, despite large areas of vacant land. Key areas of estate and woodland resilience are identified by land managers to improve social and structural connectivity using the novel landscape resilience mapping method, which presents land manager perceptions over a spatial scale linked to resilience concepts. The Forest Energy Tool developed in response to the need for economic justification for woodland expansion demonstrates the potential profitability of local woodfuel markets, as well as providing silvicultural treatments for further management aims. Estate resilience involves fostering effective integration between sporting uses, renewable energy and enhanced rural markets, such as value added forestry. Ecosystem approaches are normally expressed through aspirational policy that is difficult to translate into relevant practice for individual land managers. Energyscapes provides meaning to ecosystem approach policy through CBD principles and operational guidelines, and local practice; including integration of hydro schemes, forest energy and carbon sequestration at estate level and bridging of local and regional scales through six land manager identified landscape partnerships. However, developing leadership, as well as expertise and social capacity in landscape management, is required to mobilise such frameworks. Fundamental to realising these local ecosystem approaches is land manager trust and confidence, which can generate support for emerging land uses alongside tradition, increasing resilience by capturing and utilising the culture embedded within the landscape.

A presente pesquisa é decorrência de uma curiosidade que começou com o Trabalho de Conclusão de Curso. Em grande medida é a continuação das perguntas deixadas por esse trabalho que a precedeu. Tentou-se realizar, partindo das ideias da Internacional Situacionista (IS), uma pesquisa psicogeográfica no bairro Centro Histórico de Porto Alegre/RS. A partir disso foram agregados elementos que compusessem um escopo mais denso para a metodologia, através dos conceitos de caminhar, corpo, urbe/cidade. Para tal, foram realizados diversos trabalhos de campo na área de estudo, resultando em materiais diversos: uma narrativa, dezenas de fotos e dois mapas. / The present research comes from a curiosity that started in the work made for the conclusion of the graduation course. In large measure is the following of the questions left behind by this previous work. Beginning with the ideas of the International Situacionist (IS), a psycogeographical investigation were attempted, in the historical district of Porto Alegre/RS. From this, where aggregated elements to compose a heavier scope for the methodology, trough the concepts of walking, body and urbe/city. For such, were made a series of field works, resulting in multiple products: a narrative, dozens of pictures and two maps.

Training locomotor pattern generating networks (CPGs) with body weight supported treadmill training or through arm and leg cycling improves walking in chronic stroke. These outcomes are presumed to result from enhanced interlimb connectivity and CPG function. The extent to which rhythmic arm training activates interlimb CPG networks for locomotion remains unclear and was assessed by studying chronic stroke participants before and after 5-weeks of arm cycling training. Strength was assessed bilaterally via maximal voluntary isometric contractions in the legs and hands. Muscle activation during arm cycling and transfer to treadmill walking were assessed in the more affected (MA) and less affected (LA) sides via surface electromyography. Changes to interlimb coupling during rhythmic movement were evaluated using modulation of cutaneous reflexes elicited by electrical stimulation of the superficial radial nerve at the wrist. Bilateral soleus stretch reflexes were elicited at rest and during 1Hz arm cycling. Clinical function tests assessed walking, balance and motor function. Results show significant changes in function and neurophysiological integrity. Training increased bilateral grip strength, force during MA plantarflexion and muscle activation. ‘Normalization’ of cutaneous reflex modulation was found during arm cycling. There was enhanced activity in the dorsiflexor muscles on the MA side during swing phase of walking. Enhanced interlimb coupling was shown by increased modulation of MA soleus stretch reflexes amplitudes during arm cycling after training. Clinical evaluations showed enhanced walking ability and balance. These results are consistent with training-induced changes in CPG function and interlimb connectivity and underscore the need for arm training in the functional rehabilitation of walking after neurotrauma. / Graduate

Humans have a complex musculoskeletal arrangement which gives them great behavioural flexibility. As well as simply moving their legs, they can modulate the impedance of them. Variable impedance has become a large field in robotics, and tailoring the impedance of a robot to a particular task can improve efficiency, stability, and potentially safety. Locomotion of a bipedal robot is a perfect example of a task for which variable impedance may provide such advantages, since it is a dynamic movement which involves periodic ground impacts. This thesis explores the creation of two novel bipedal robots with variable impedance joints. These robots aim to achieve some of the benefits of compliance, while retaining the behavioural flexibility to be truly versatile machines. The field of variable impedance actuators is explored and evaluated, before the design of the robots is presented. Of the two robots, BLUE (Bipedal Locomotion at the University of Edinburgh) has a 700mm hip rotation height, and is a saggital plane biped. miniBLUE has a hip rotation height of 465mm, and includes additional joints to allow hip adduction and abduction. Rapid prototyping techniques were utilised in the creation of both robots, and both robots are based around a custom, high performance electronics and communication architecture. The human walking cycle is analysed and a simple, parameterised representation developed. Walking trajectories gathered from human motion capture data, and generated from high level gait determinants are evaluated in dynamic simulation, and then on BLUE. With the robot being capable of locomotion, we explore the effect of varying stiffness on efficiency, and find that changing the stiffness can have an effect on the energy efficiency of the movement. Finally, we introduce a system for goal-based teleoperation of the robots, in which parameters are extracted from a user in a motion capture suit and replicated by the robot. In this way, the robot produces the same overall locomotion as the human, but with joint trajectories and stiffnesses that are more suited for its dynamics.

This study has as object some excerpts from the first six seasons of the TV series The Walking Dead, and the theme is the dichotomy man/walker. The series gives visibility to a segregation of existences, which become close in accordance with some political-philosophical theories. In this research, the mise-en-scene, the shot, the footage, the diegesis among others components of the series were investigated, to point out the fragments that put in relief the elements that were presented during the research. Thereby, from the contemporary political philosophy, it was analyzed the relation between man/walker considering the becoming-walker of the man, and the human remains of the walker, as elements of biopolitical witnesses. In addition, it was necessary to investigate the (im)profanation on the forms of the plot.s visibility, considering the life, bare through the biopolitics, object of material and immaterial consumption, being reflex of the contemporary capitalism in the narrative. Therefore, the state of exception where the characters live was accurately searched, this state characterizing them as homines sacri, in the form of their killability. This characteristic, both sacred and cursed, has shown itself present on the diegetic survivors and from this, it was possible to determine the forms of junction and disjunction of the existences, through rhizomic relations and the profanation of the improfanable. / Submitted by Rogele Pinheiro (rogele.pinheiro@unisul.br) on 2017-10-23T16:50:36Z No. of bitstreams: 1 112207_Juliene.pdf: 2349984 bytes, checksum: 5ed7d0da60c95e26c06b5bd3adfbeea9 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Fabiane dos Santos (fabiane.santos3@unisul.br) on 2017-10-23T16:51:09Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 112207_Juliene.pdf: 2349984 bytes, checksum: 5ed7d0da60c95e26c06b5bd3adfbeea9 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-10-23T16:51:09Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 112207_Juliene.pdf: 2349984 bytes, checksum: 5ed7d0da60c95e26c06b5bd3adfbeea9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-07-14 / O presente estudo tem como objeto recortes das seis primeiras temporadas da série televisiva The Walking Dead e como tema tem-se a dicotomia homem/walker. O seriado dá visibilidade a uma separação de existências que se tornam próximas de acordo com algumas teorias político-filosóficas. Nesta pesquisa, foram perscrutados a mise-en-scène, os planos, as sequências, a diegese, dentre outros componentes do seriado, para assim, pontuar os fragmentos que destacam os elementos que foram apresentados no decorrer do trabalho. Desse modo, a partir da filosofia política contemporânea, foi analisada a relação homem/walker, considerando o devir-walker do homem, e os restos humanos do walker, como elementos de testemunhos biopolíticos. Também se fez necessária a investigação das (im)profanações nas formas de visibilidade da trama, considerando a vida, nua por meio da biopolítica, objeto de consumo material e imaterial, sendo reflexo do capitalismo contemporâneo na narrativa. Para tanto, esquadrinhou-se o estado de exceção em que vivem os personagens da série, que os caracteriza como homines sacri, na forma de sua matabilidade. Essa característica sacra, e, ao mesmo tempo, maldita, se mostrou presente nos sobreviventes diegéticos e, a partir disso, pode-se constatar as formas de disjunção e junção das existências, por meio das relações rizomáticas e da profanação do improfanável.