The objective of this study was to determine if administering epidural ketamine before or after the induction of a sodium urate crystal synovitis provides analgesia in dogs. In Part I, sixteen dogs were anesthetized with propofol (4 mg kg-1 intravenously). A sodium urate crystal synovitis was induced in the right stifle and allowed to develop for 12 hours. These dogs were again anesthetized with propofol and an epidural injection at the lumbosacral space of either ketamine (2 mg kg-1) or placebo (saline containing not more than 0.1 mg ml-1 benzethonium chloride) was performed. Analgesia was measured with a force platform and a numerical rating scale (NRS). Assessments were performed before and at 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 24 hours after the induction of synovitis. Vertical ground reaction forces were significantly decreased and numerical rating scale scores of total pain were significantly increased after the induction of synovitis in all dogs (p<0.05). No significant differences in ground reaction forces or total pain scores were measured between the ketamine and the control groups at any assessment period. In Part II, synovitis was induced in the right stifle as described in Part I. Epidural injections at the lumbosacral space followed immediately. Analgesia was assessed at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 hours after the epidural injection and the induction of synovitis. Dogs that received ketamine had significantly lower NRS scores two hours after treatment (p < 0.05). NRS scores did not differ between the two treatment groups at any other evaluation. Vertical ground reaction forces did not significantly differ between treatment groups at any assessment period. Results of this study indicate that ketamine, when administered epidurally at a dose of 2 mg kg-1 after the induction of a chemical synovitis, does not provide a significant level of analgesia. However, administration of ketamine immediately before the induction of synovitis resulted in a significantly decreased subjective pain score at two hours, but not at later evaluation periods. / Master of Science

The purposes of this dissertation were to examine the phase characteristics of the countermovement jump force-time curve between athletes based on jumping ability, examine the influence of maximal muscular strength on the countermovement jump force-time curve phase characteristics of athletes, and to examine the behavior of the countermovement jump force-time curve phase characteristics over the course of a training process in athletes of varying strength levels. The following are the major findings of these dissertations. The analysis of athletes by jumping ability suggested that proficient jumpers are associated with greater relative phase magnitude and phase impulse throughout the phases contained in the positive impulse of the countermovement jump force-time curve. Additionally, phase duration was not found to differ between athletes based on jumping ability or between male and female athletes. The analysis of athletes based on maximal muscular strength suggested that only unweighted phase duration differs between strong and less-strong athletes. Interestingly, in both investigations based on jumping ability and maximal strength indicated the relative shape of the stretching phase representing the rise in positive force was related to an athlete’s jumping ability (jump height). The results of the longitudinal analysis of countermovement jump force-time phase characteristics identified that these variables can be frequently assessed throughout a training process to provide information of regarding an athlete performance state. Furthermore, based on the contrasting behaviors of many of the countermovement jump force-time curve phase characteristics over time, an athlete’s level of muscular strength may influence how these characteristics are expressed in the context of a training process.

The use of wearable sensors in consumer health and medicine is a rapidly developing topic of interest. The main purpose of the series of studies in this thesis is to identify novel uses of technology that can provide clinicians and scientists clinically feasible, low cost approaches to obtain meaningful information about functional limb symmetry in patients with knee injuries. In Study 1, individuals undergoing knee surgery were evaluated as they walked and stepped down onto a force platform in a manner similar to how one would step off a curb to cross a street. When subjects stepped onto their uninvolved leg, peak vertical ground reaction force was greater and occurred earlier than when stepping onto their involved leg. Asymmetries were greater in those with higher quadriceps neuromuscular impairment. In Study 2, the reliability and validity of using wearable accelerometer sensors was evaluated for estimating single leg vertical hop height in healthy people and individuals after ACL reconstruction surgery. The reliability and concurrent validity of using accelerometers to estimate single leg hop height were excellent, and were similar for healthy and ACL-reconstructed subjects. Error for this method was low, in particular when the accelerometer was worn at the lower leg. Asymmetry in hop height was greater in those with higher quadriceps neuromuscular impairment. In Study 3, wearable accelerometers were compared to a system of motion capture cameras and force platform as a method to assess functional movement asymmetry in healthy people and individuals after ACL reconstruction. While walking and stepping down, accelerometers worn at the waist were able to detect underlying movement asymmetry when it exists in people after ACL reconstruction. Acceleration at the waist was strongly associated with vertical ground reaction force and moderately associated with knee extension moments. Collectively, these studies provide evidence that functional movement symmetry can be measured with simple, inexpensive methods that can be used in a variety of clinical or field-based settings.

No description available.

O corpo humano pode interagir com as estruturas e estas interações são desenvolvidas através da aplicação de forças devido ao seu movimento. Uma estrutura pode sofrer alterações no seu comportamento dinâmico quando sujeita a cargas. Neste trabalho, o projeto e a construção de uma plataforma de forças é apresentado para medir as Forças de Reação do Solo (FRS) e aceleração para análise da marcha humana. A plataforma é constituída por duas placas colocadas lado a lado em relação à direção da caminhada, de modo que o sinal de força de cada pé pode ser adquirido separadamente em cada placa. A plataforma é projetada de forma a ser compatível com as frequências envolvidas nas medições. Cada placa tem três células de carga do tipo anel instrumentadas com strain gauges. A plataforma foi calibrada com um procedimento padrão e com uma nova metodologia utilizando redes neurais artificiais as incertezas dos parâmetros medidos (força e posicionamento x, y) foram avaliados. Um modelo de elementos finitos foi utilizado para avaliar as características dinâmicas da plataforma. Os resultados foram valores de frequência muito próximos aos medidos na análise experimental e confirmaram sua adequação ao uso, pois as frequências foram maiores do que as envolvidas na marcha humana. Características relevantes da FRS, como os picos de apoio de força, impulso e também a força de impacto, podem ser observadas a partir dos dados coletados. Os dados da FRS assim como os dados de aceleração medidos estavam condizentes com os valores apresentados na literatura. / The human body may interact with the structures and these interactions are developed through the application of forces due to its motion. A structure may undergo changes in their dynamic behavior when subjected to loads. In this work, the design of a force platform is presented to measure the Ground Reaction Force (GRF) and acceleration for human gait analysis. The platform consists of two plates placed side by side in relation to the direction of walking, so that the signal from each foot can be acquired in separate in each plate. The platform is designed in order to be compatible with the frequencies involved in the measurements. Each plate has three ring-type load cells instrumented with strain gauges. The platform was calibrated with a standard procedure and with a new methodology using artificial neural networks the uncertainties of the measured parameters (force and position x, y) were evaluated. A finite element model was used to evaluate the dynamic characteristics of the platform. The results were frequencies values very close to those measured in the experimental analysis and confirm its adequacy to the use, because the frequencies were higher than the frequencies involved in the human gait. Relevant characteristics of GRF like the peaks of support force, impulse and the impact force could be observed from the data collected. The data of GRF as well as the measured acceleration data were consistent with values presented in the literature.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:28:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-01-26Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:26:51Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 pereira_sstc_me_guara.pdf: 3610434 bytes, checksum: da234218018e1309611898e259e36014 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / As atividades realizadas em meio aquático sofrem interferência das propriedades físicas peculiares ao mesmo. O salto vertical é uma habilidade esportiva muito utilizada em programas de reabilitação, principalmente em trabalhos de pliometria. O objetivo deste estudo foi pesquisar as forças envolvidas no salto vertical praticado em ambiente aquático e terrestre e as interdependências entre as variáveis cinéticas e cinemáticas dos mesmos. Para tal foi utilizada uma amostra composta por dez sujeitos, todos do sexo feminino, com idade média de 11,6 ± 1,35, praticantes de ginástica rítmica. Os sujeitos realizaram uma série de três saltos com contra movimento, consecutivos, sobre plataforma de força no solo, repetindo o mesmo procedimento dentro d’água. Para realização do experimento foi utilizada a técnica de cinemetria para mensuração de ângulo de flexão de joelhos e altura do salto e uma plataforma de força para mensuração das forças de reação vertical do solo. Os resultados foram analisados através da correlação de Pearson, com nível de significância de 5%. Através dos resultados obtidos observou-se que no salto executado em ambiente aquático a altura atingida, velocidade média e tempo de vôo foram maiores e a força de impacto em membros inferiores reduzida, comparados com os resultados obtidos no solo. As correlações foram evidentes entre altura do salto e velocidade de saída, em ambos ambientes. O presente trabalho deve servir como base para a elaboração de programas de treinamento envolvendo o salto, em meio aquático e terrestre, como em atividades de pliometria. Novas pesquisas devem ser realizadas, utilizando uma população praticante de modalidade esportiva que tenha o salto vertical como ação primordial para o bom desempenho na execução da mesma. / The activities carried out in the aquatic environment suffer interference from physical properties peculiar to it. The vertical jump is a sporting skill widely used in rehabilitation programs, especially in studies of plyometric. The aim of this study was to investigate the forces involved in the vertical jump practiced in aquatic and terrestrial environment and the interdependence of the kinetic and kinematic variables of the same. For this purpose we used a sample consisting of ten subjects, all female, with an average age of 11.6 ± 1.35, practicing rhythmic gymnastics. The subjects performed a series of three consecutive counter movement jumps on force platform on the ground, repeating the same procedure in the water. To conduct the experiment was used the technique of kinemetry measuring the angle of the knees push-up and height of the jump and a platform for measuring the strength of the forces of ground vertical reaction. The results were analyzed by the Pearson’s correlation, with a significance level of 5%. The results obtained showed that the jump in running time to reach the aquatic environment, average speed and time of flight were higher and the force of impact on lower limbs, compared with the results in the ground. This work should serve as basis for the development of training programs involving the jump in water and ground, as in activities of plyometric. New research should be carried out using a method of population practicing sports that has the vertical jump as a primary action for the good performance in implementing the same.

O corpo humano pode interagir com as estruturas e estas interações são desenvolvidas através da aplicação de forças devido ao seu movimento. Uma estrutura pode sofrer alterações no seu comportamento dinâmico quando sujeita a cargas. Neste trabalho, o projeto e a construção de uma plataforma de forças é apresentado para medir as Forças de Reação do Solo (FRS) e aceleração para análise da marcha humana. A plataforma é constituída por duas placas colocadas lado a lado em relação à direção da caminhada, de modo que o sinal de força de cada pé pode ser adquirido separadamente em cada placa. A plataforma é projetada de forma a ser compatível com as frequências envolvidas nas medições. Cada placa tem três células de carga do tipo anel instrumentadas com strain gauges. A plataforma foi calibrada com um procedimento padrão e com uma nova metodologia utilizando redes neurais artificiais as incertezas dos parâmetros medidos (força e posicionamento x, y) foram avaliados. Um modelo de elementos finitos foi utilizado para avaliar as características dinâmicas da plataforma. Os resultados foram valores de frequência muito próximos aos medidos na análise experimental e confirmaram sua adequação ao uso, pois as frequências foram maiores do que as envolvidas na marcha humana. Características relevantes da FRS, como os picos de apoio de força, impulso e também a força de impacto, podem ser observadas a partir dos dados coletados. Os dados da FRS assim como os dados de aceleração medidos estavam condizentes com os valores apresentados na literatura. / The human body may interact with the structures and these interactions are developed through the application of forces due to its motion. A structure may undergo changes in their dynamic behavior when subjected to loads. In this work, the design of a force platform is presented to measure the Ground Reaction Force (GRF) and acceleration for human gait analysis. The platform consists of two plates placed side by side in relation to the direction of walking, so that the signal from each foot can be acquired in separate in each plate. The platform is designed in order to be compatible with the frequencies involved in the measurements. Each plate has three ring-type load cells instrumented with strain gauges. The platform was calibrated with a standard procedure and with a new methodology using artificial neural networks the uncertainties of the measured parameters (force and position x, y) were evaluated. A finite element model was used to evaluate the dynamic characteristics of the platform. The results were frequencies values very close to those measured in the experimental analysis and confirm its adequacy to the use, because the frequencies were higher than the frequencies involved in the human gait. Relevant characteristics of GRF like the peaks of support force, impulse and the impact force could be observed from the data collected. The data of GRF as well as the measured acceleration data were consistent with values presented in the literature.

O corpo humano pode interagir com as estruturas e estas interações são desenvolvidas através da aplicação de forças devido ao seu movimento. Uma estrutura pode sofrer alterações no seu comportamento dinâmico quando sujeita a cargas. Neste trabalho, o projeto e a construção de uma plataforma de forças é apresentado para medir as Forças de Reação do Solo (FRS) e aceleração para análise da marcha humana. A plataforma é constituída por duas placas colocadas lado a lado em relação à direção da caminhada, de modo que o sinal de força de cada pé pode ser adquirido separadamente em cada placa. A plataforma é projetada de forma a ser compatível com as frequências envolvidas nas medições. Cada placa tem três células de carga do tipo anel instrumentadas com strain gauges. A plataforma foi calibrada com um procedimento padrão e com uma nova metodologia utilizando redes neurais artificiais as incertezas dos parâmetros medidos (força e posicionamento x, y) foram avaliados. Um modelo de elementos finitos foi utilizado para avaliar as características dinâmicas da plataforma. Os resultados foram valores de frequência muito próximos aos medidos na análise experimental e confirmaram sua adequação ao uso, pois as frequências foram maiores do que as envolvidas na marcha humana. Características relevantes da FRS, como os picos de apoio de força, impulso e também a força de impacto, podem ser observadas a partir dos dados coletados. Os dados da FRS assim como os dados de aceleração medidos estavam condizentes com os valores apresentados na literatura. / The human body may interact with the structures and these interactions are developed through the application of forces due to its motion. A structure may undergo changes in their dynamic behavior when subjected to loads. In this work, the design of a force platform is presented to measure the Ground Reaction Force (GRF) and acceleration for human gait analysis. The platform consists of two plates placed side by side in relation to the direction of walking, so that the signal from each foot can be acquired in separate in each plate. The platform is designed in order to be compatible with the frequencies involved in the measurements. Each plate has three ring-type load cells instrumented with strain gauges. The platform was calibrated with a standard procedure and with a new methodology using artificial neural networks the uncertainties of the measured parameters (force and position x, y) were evaluated. A finite element model was used to evaluate the dynamic characteristics of the platform. The results were frequencies values very close to those measured in the experimental analysis and confirm its adequacy to the use, because the frequencies were higher than the frequencies involved in the human gait. Relevant characteristics of GRF like the peaks of support force, impulse and the impact force could be observed from the data collected. The data of GRF as well as the measured acceleration data were consistent with values presented in the literature.

Athletes in sports such as the gymnastics who perform the still rings cross position are disadvantaged due to a lack of objective and convenient measurement methods. The gymnastics "cross" is a held isometric strength position considered fundamental to all still rings athletes. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if two small force platforms (FPs) placed on supports to simulate a cross position could demonstrate the fidelity necessary to differentiate between athletes who could perform a cross from those who could not. Ten gymnasts (5 USA Gymnastics, Senior National Team, and 5 Age Group Level Gymnasts) agreed to participate. The five Senior National Team athletes were grouped as cross Performers; the Age Group Gymnasts could not successfully perform the cross position and were grouped as cross Non-Performers. The two small FPs were first tested for reliability and validity and were then used to obtain a force-time record of a simulated cross position. The simulated cross test consisted of standing between two small force platforms placed on top of large solid gymnastics spotting blocks. The gymnasts attempted to perform a cross position by placing their hands at the center of the FPs and pressing downward with sufficient force that they could remove the support of their feet from the floor. Force-time curves (100 Hz) were obtained and analyzed for the sum of peak and mean arm ground reaction forces. The summed arm forces, mean and peak, were compared to body weight to determine how close the gymnasts came to achieving forces equal to body weight and thus the ability to perform the cross. The mean and peak summed arm forces were able to statistically differentiate between athletes who could perform the cross from those who could not (p < 0.05). The force-time curves and small FPs showed sufficient fidelity to differentiate between Performer and Non-Performer groups. This experiment showed that small and inexpensive force platforms may serve as useful adjuncts to athlete performance measurement such as the gymnastics still rings cross.

The purposes of this study were: (1) to determine whether there was a correlation between a quantitative assessment of postural sway , and a clinical assessment of postural stability, in patients diagnosed with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD); (2) to plot individual diurnal changes in postural sway characteristics of PD patients over an eight-hour time period; (3) to plot day to day changes in individual postural sway characteristics of PD patients: (4) to determine whether there was a difference in the postural sway characteristics of parkinsonians, with and without vision; (5) to determine whether there was a difference in the postural sway characteristics of the same individuals when using either Sinemet or Oeprenyl. Three male PD patients were recruited into this study. Each subject stood on a stable force platform (AMT1 OR6-5-1). Measurements included the standard deviations of the coordinates of the centre of pressure (COP) in the anterior-posterior (a-p) and lateral (lat) directions, the mean velocity of sway, and area of sway. These dependent measures were evaluated in a "quiet standing" condition, once with the eyes open (EO) and once with the eyes closed (EC). These procedures were carried out ten times over the course of an eight hour day. Each subject was tested two days while taking eight hour day. Each subject was tested two days while taking Sinemet, and two days while on the Deprenyl regimen. Secondly, at two periods of each test day, each patient was evaluated using the postural assessment section of the Sears Parkinson's Assessment Form (SPAF). The results were: (1) group analyses and individual analyses established the evidence of significant correlations between both the quantitative measures of postural sway (force platform) and the qualitative assessment tool (SPAF): (2) significant variability was evident in the analysis of individual data plots: (3) no statistically significant differences were observed tor any subject when measured from day to day; (4) generally, vision was a stabilizing factor in postural control, however, this was quite variable for each subject; (5) significant improvements in postural stability were observed with the introduction of Deprenyl for one out of three subjects. These findings are discussed in terms of their clinical and behavioral importance, with specific reference to Physiotherapy. / Thesis / Master of Science (MS)