Virtual Reality consumer hardware is now available for the masses through the HTC Vive, Oculus Rift and PlayStation VR. Locomotion or virtual travel inside immersive experiences is an area which is yet to be fully solved due to space constraints, problems with retaining immersion and potential sickness. This thesis had the goal of evaluating user preferences for four locomotion methods in Virtual Reality with a first generation HTC Vive through the gaming platform Steam.  The theoretical framework provides an elementary understanding of the field of Virtual Reality and how humans interact and get affected by locomotion in that context. To contextualize the experience of evaluating the locomotion systems the Hedonic-Motivation System Adoption Model is used as it covers intrinsic motivation which is common in video games, social networking and virtual worlds.  An extensive process for games selection has been performed which has resulted in four locomotion methods with four games per method. Sixteen participants got to test one locomotion method each where their gameplay got recorded for later observation. After each game session answers were provided by the participants based on surveys and after completion of all games a questionnaire gauged their sickness level.  The conclusion proved inconclusive. While the results without interpretation showed the locomotion method Artificial as the overall winner a range of potential problems were found with the study in general. Some problems included observations which did not provide the expected results, introducing doubt into either how the study was conducted or the reliability of certain users. A larger sampler size along with a better study procedure could possibly have provided a more conclusive answer.

This essay describes and analyzes of locomotion, sexual, afiliativní and agonistic behavior in a group of pigs macaque (macaca macaques) at Prague Zoo. Data collection took place in the period from December 2015 to May 2016. In the winter months (December to March) at the times from 9.00 to 16.00 hrs., And in April and May 2016 in time from 9.00 to 18.00 pm. The total observation period reached 240 hours. Data were analyzed using Statistics 12th and MS Excel 2007. Objectives of the work are three: (1) Based on the research literature to describe the behavioral ecology of macaque monkeys. (2) The detailed description and analysis of locomotion, sexual, afiliativní and agonistic behavior in a group of macaque pigs in the Prague Zoo. (3) Describe grooming, depending on time of day and social position in the group of pigs macaque in the Prague Zoo. We tested five hypotheses, which can be divided into four categories. We first investigated the hierarchy of the group. Furthermore, we investigated the behavior depending on the sex of the individual, and consequently the position in the hierarchy. In the last part we dealt with in detail during grooming. Tests confirmed the existence of a clear linear hierarchy based on agonistic interactions. The results showed that move around the enclosure depends on...

The thesis deals with the application of persons with disabilities in the labor market. The theoretical part of the thesis deals with the notion of disability and classification of body defects. Explains the concept of labor market, human capital and protected labor market. Also deals with the instruments to support the employment of people with disabilities and related legislation on this matter. Further focuses on barriers in the access of persons with disabilities on the labor market. The aim of the practical part of the reply to the main research question: what kinds of barriers are faced by persons with disabilities in finding employment on the open labor market? To answer that question the qualitative research was done using semi-structured interviews with clients Asistence o.p.s.

L'observation d'une synchronisation entre les systèmes locomoteur et respiratoire soulève de nombreuses questions concernant son utilité fonctionnelle pour l'organisme et les contraintes susceptibles de moduler son apparition. A l'heure actuelle, des contradictions subsistent dans les réponses apportées à ces interrogations, notamment en raison de la multiplicité des méthodes employées pour l'étude de ce phénomène. La théorie des oscillateurs couplés, et plus particulièrement le modèle de la sine circle map, nous permet de rendre compte de façon précise des relations de couplage entre les systèmes locomoteur et respiratoire. Les objectifs de ce travail de thèse sont de renforcer la validité de l'utilisation de ce modèle pour l'étude du couplage locomotion-respiration (CLR), d'examiner le lien entre le CLR et la performance sportive, ainsi qu'identifier les contraintes influençant les relations de couplage entre ces deux systèmes. Dans des tâches de pédalage ou de course à pied, les participants avaient pour consigne ou non de synchroniser leur locomotion ou leur respiration avec une stimulation auditive dont le tempo correspondait à leurs fréquences préférentielles (locomotrice ou respiratoire). Nos résultats montrent l'efficacité du rythme auditif pour induire une stabilisation du CLR, indépendamment de la consigne donnée aux participants et du système rythmé. Ces résultats révèlent une bidirectionnalité dans le couplage entre les systèmes locomoteur et respiratoire. De plus, nous mettons en évidence une forte corrélation entre le gain de stabilité entre les deux systèmes et le gain de consommation d'oxygène (i.e., diminution). Par conséquent, la stabilité du CLR est un facteur important à prendre en compte pour la performance sportive. Nous rapportons également une déstabilisation du CLR lors de l'éloignement d'un des deux systèmes de sa fréquence préférentielle. Ce résultat suggère l'adoption spontanée par les individus d'une synchronisation optimale entre les deux systèmes. Ainsi, il semble primordial de présenter une stimulation adaptée à chacun et adaptable aux changements de fréquences locomotrice ou respiratoire imposés par les contraintes de la tâche. Pris ensemble, nos résultats permettent une meilleure compréhension de l'évolution du CLR face aux contraintes qui lui sont imposées (e.g., fréquences locomotrice ou respiratoire, rythme auditif, modalité d'exercice) et mettent en évidence l'influence positive de sa stabilité sur la performance sportive. Nous rapportons également l'efficacité d'une stimulation visuelle pour apprendre à mieux gérer les ressources énergétiques au cours de l'effort. Ainsi, ce travail ouvre des perspectives de travaux sur l'utilisation d'une stimulation auditive ou visuelle, simple (e.g., métronome) ou complexe (e.g., musique, avatar), dans le cadre de l'entraînement et de l'amélioration de la performance sportive. / The natural synchronization between locomotor and respiratory systems raises many questions regarding its functional utility for the organism, as well as constraints that may modulate its appearance. Currently, contradictions remain in answers provided to these issues, especially because of the multiple methods used to study this phenomenon. The theory of coupled oscillators, and more specifically the sine circle map model, allows to accurately assess the coupling between locomotor and respiratory systems. This work aims at strengthening the validity of the use of this model for the study of locomotor-respiratory coupling (LRC), examining the relationship between LRC and sport performance, as well as identifying the constraints influencing the coupling between both systems. In pedalling or running tasks, participants were instructed or not to synchronize their locomotion or their breathing with an auditory rhythm which tempo matched their preferred frequencies (locomotor or respiratory). Our results show the effectiveness of auditory rhythm to induce stabilization of LRC, regardless of the instructions given to participants and the system paced. These results reflect a bidirectionality in the coupling between the locomotor and respiratory systems. Furthermore, we show a strong correlation between the increase in stability between the two systems and the gain in oxygen consumption (i.e., decrease). Therefore, the stability of LRC is an important factor to consider for sport performance. We also report a destabilization of LRC when one of the two systems is far off its preferred frequency. This result suggests that individuals spontaneously adopt an optimum synchronization between the two systems. Thus, it seems important to use a customized suitable stimulation that could be able to adapt its tempo to changes in locomotor or respiratory frequencies imposed by the constraints of the task. Overall, our results provide a better understanding of the evolution of LRC when confronted to constraints (e.g., locomotor or respiratory frequencies, auditory rhythm, exercise modality) and highlight the positive impact of its stability on sport performance. We also report the effectiveness of a visual stimulation to learn how to better manage energy resources during effort. Thus, this work opens perspectives on the use of auditory or visual stimuli, simple (e.g., metronome) or complex (e.g., music, avatar), for training and performance enhancement.

Contextualização: O tempo e, mais recentemente, a análise dos movimentos compensatórios, têm sido utilizados na avaliação funcional de crianças com distrofia muscular de Duchenne (DMD). Embora estejam relacionadas, essas duas variáveis podem progredir distintamente em crianças com DMD, no intervalo de um ano. Objetivo: Descrever e comparar a evolução do tempo e dos movimentos compensatórios durante atividades de locomoção em crianças com DMD no período de um ano. Método: Foram avaliados filmes de 32 meninos (média de idade 10 anos) durante a marcha em local plano, por 10 m, o subir e o descer quatro degraus. O tempo foi cronometrado e utilizou-se a escala de avaliação funcional para DMD (Functional Evaluation Scale for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, FES-DMD) para pontuar os movimentos compensatórios. Aplicou-se a análise multivariável de variância (MANOVA), com (alfa < 0.05) para comparar as variáveis em três momentos: avaliação inicial (AV0), após 6 meses (AV6) e após 12 meses (AV12). Resultados: Os movimentos compensatórios mais comuns observados durante a marcha foram flexão plantar de tornozelos, aumento da base de apoio, anteriorização de cabeça e tronco e aumento da dissociação de cinturas. Na atividade de subir degraus foram flexão plantar de tornozelos, aumento da base de apoio, hiperlordose lombar e aumento da inclinação lateral do tronco. Ao descer degraus, esses movimentos também foram observados, acrescidos de rotação de tronco, flexão do joelho de apoio, flexão plantar do tornozelo de balanço e descida parando em cada degrau. A MANOVA mostrou que as variáveis aumentaram significativamente no período de um ano (p < 0,05 para todas as comparações) durante a marcha, o subir e o descer degraus. Interações entre o tempo e a pontuação dos movimentos compensatórios evidenciaram progressões distintas durante o subir e descer degraus (p < 0,05 para ambos). Durante a marcha, o tempo aumentou 47% e a pontuação dos movimentos compensatórios aumentou 55%. Ao subir degraus, o tempo aumentou 144% e a pontuação dos movimentos compensatórios aumentou 44%. Durante o descer degraus, o tempo aumentou 186% e a pontuação dos movimentos compensatórios aumentou 58%. Conclusão: Na marcha, as crianças com DMD mostraram aumento discretamente maior dos movimentos compensatórios, quando comparado ao aumento do tempo. Durante o subir e descer degraus, o aumento do tempo foi mais expressivo do que o aumento dos movimentos compensatórios. Acompanhar a evolução do tempo e dos movimentos compensatórios em crianças com DMD permitiu uma avaliação mais precisa e o acompanhamento da progressão das tarefas de locomoção / Introduction: Timed performance and, more recently, compensatory movements, have been used to assess children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Although being strongly related, these variables may progress distinctly within one year. Objective: To describe and compare the progression of timed performance and compensatory movements on locomotion tasks in children with DMD, followed for one year. Method: Films of 32 boys (mean age 10 yrs) performing 10-m walking, climbing up and down four steps were analyzed. Time was digitally measured and compensatory movements were quantified with the Functional Evaluation Scale for DMD (FES-DMD). Multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVAs) (alfa < 0.05) compared the variables on three assessments: initial (A0), after 6 months (A6) and after 12 months (A12). Results: The most common compensatory movements on walking were ankles plantar flexion, increased base of support, head and trunk anteriorization and increased upper and lower body dissociation. On climbing up steps, ankles plantar flexion, increased base of support, lumbar hyperlordosis and excessive trunk lateral inclination. On climbing down steps, these movements were also observed, associated to trunk rotation, stance knee flexion, equinus swing foot and pauses after steps. MANOVAs showed that both variables increased significantly within one year (p < 0.05 for all comparisons) on walking, climbing up and climbing down steps. Interactions between timed performance and compensatory movements evidenced distinct progressions of timed performance and compensatory movements on climbing up and down steps (p < 0.05 for both). On walking, timed performance increased 47% and compensatory movements increased 55%. On climbing up steps, timed performance increased 144% and compensatory movements increased 44%. On climbing down steps, timed performance increased 186% and compensatory movements increased 58%. Conclusion: On walking, children with DMD showed a discrete higher increase of compensatory movements, compared to the increase of timed performance. However, when climbing up and down steps, the timed performance increased much more than the compensatory movements. Evaluating the progression of timed performance and compensatory movements in children with DMD allowed more precise assessment and follow up of locomotion tasks evolution

A síndrome da dor patelofemoral é uma disfunção do joelho comum entre mulheres jovens fisicamente ativas que causa limitações na atividade física e atividades de vida diária, podendo evoluir para a artrite patelofemoral. Este estudo verificou a influência da síndrome da dor patelofemoral nos movimentos e coordenação dos membros inferiores e avaliou os efeitos agudos de uma intervenção cinesioterapêutica em indivíduos com síndrome da dor patelofemoral no descer escada. O Estudo 1 comparou a intensidade da dor, os movimentos, os padrões de coordenação e a variabilidade de coordenação dos membros inferiores de indivíduos com e sem a síndrome da dor patelofemoral durante o descer escada. A cinemática 3D do joelho, tornozelo e multisegmentar do pé foi comparada entre 30 mulheres adultas jovens, 16 com síndrome da dor patelofemoral e 14 controles. Os padrões e a variabilidade da coordenação foram comparados entre os grupos utilizando uma análise do vetor codificado. A escala visual analógica de dor (EVA) foi utilizada para analisar a intensidade da dor. O Estudo 2 verificou os efeitos imediatos de uma intervenção cinesioterapêutica na intensidade da dor e nos movimentos dos membros inferiores de indivíduos com síndrome da dor patelofemoral no descer escada. O grupo com síndrome da dor patelofemoral foi dividido em grupo intervenção cinesioterapêutica (n=8) e grupo controle (n=8). A cinemática 3D e a intensidade da dor (EVA) durante o descer escada foram analisadas antes e depois da intervenção. O Estudo 1 mostrou que a síndrome da dor patelofemoral está relacionada à menor inversão do antepé nas fases iniciais do descer escada e que a intensidade da dor aumenta durante a descida de escada. Os padrões de coordenação do membro inferior mostraram estratégias de restrição da flexão do joelho, assim como restrição da mobilidade do pé em indivíduos com síndrome da dor patelofemoral. Este estudo não confirmou que a menor variabilidade da coordenação está relacionada à síndrome da dor patelofemoral. O Estudo 2 mostrou que uma sessão de intervenção cinesioterapêutica é capaz de modificar os movimentos do tornozelo e pé, consequentemente modificando o movimento do joelho no plano sagital. A intervenção cinesioterapêutica diminui a dor durante a descida de escada em indivíduos com síndrome da dor patelofemoral. Estudos são necessários para a comprovação da eficácia clínica da intervenção cinesioterapêutica em médio e longo prazos / Patellofemoral pain syndrome is one of the most common dysfunctions of the knee among physical active young women. This knee dysfunction can limit physical activity as well as daily living activities. Patellofemoral pain syndrome can also lead to patellofemoral arthritis. This study aimed to verify the influence of patellofemoral pain on the lower extremity movements and coordination as well as verify the acute effects of a kinesiotherapy intervention on the lower extremity of individuals with patellofemoral pain during stair descent. On the first study, we compared the pain intensity, the lower extremity movements, coordination patterns and coordination variability between participants with and without patellofemoral pain during stair descent. 3D kinematics of the knee, ankle and multisegmental of the foot were compared between 30 adult young women, 16 with and 14 without patellofemoral pain. The coordination patterns and variability were compared between groups using a modified vector coding technique.The pain intensity was analized using a visual analogic pain scale (VAS). The second study aimed to verify the acute effects of an intervention on the pain intensity and lower extremity movements in participants with patellofemoral pain during stair descent. The participants with patellofemoral pain (n=16) were divided into two groups, intervention group (n=8) and control group (n=8). We analized the 3D kinematics and pain intensity (VAS) before and after the intervention. The outcome measures of the first study show that patellofemoral pain is associated with less forefoot inversion during the support phase of stair descent. Besides that, the pain intensity increases during stair descent in participants with patellofemoral pain. The coordination patterns show strategies of knee flexion constrain as well as mobility constrain of the foot in individuals with patellofemoral pain. The coordination variability was not associated with patellofemoral pain in this study. The second study shows that the intervention can imediatelly modify the foot, ankle and knee movements and decrease the patellofemoral pain during stair descent. Future studies should address the intervention effectiveness in medium and long- term

A instabilidade articular é responsável pelo desenvolvimento de lesões degenerativas incapacitantes que comprometem o desempenho funcional. Compreender os processos desenvolvidos para estabilização dinâmica articular é um desafio para pesquisadores das mais diversas áreas. O presente estudo propõe o uso da abordagem Biomecânica para reconhecer os mecanismos relacionadas ao processo de estabilização dinâmica articular, por meio de três diferentes condições experimentais. No experimento 1 foi analisada a Força de Reação do Solo (FRS) e a cinemática 3-D no andar, correr e saltar de portadores (n=10) e não portadores de instabilidade crônica (n=10) do tornozelo. No experimento 2 foi analisada a Eletromiografia dos músculos tibial anterior, fibular longo, fibular curto e gastrocnêmio lateral de portadores (n=14) e não portadores de instabilidade crônica (n=14) do tornozelo antes e após um protocolo de indução à fadiga muscular. No experimento 3 (n=20) foi analisado o efeito do exercício de alongamento muscular estático passivo dos músculos fibular longo e fibular curto na simulação da entorse do tornozelo. Nos protocolos de locomoção foram encontrados no lado acometido picos tardios e aumento dos Impulsos da FRS. No início da fase de apoio o tornozelo instável no andar aumentou a dorsiflexão, no correr aumentou a eversão e no saltar diminuiu a inversão e aumentou a dorsiflexão. Tais estratégias representam a tentativa de melhorar a estabilidade dinâmica articular. No entanto, a variação angular da articulação no plano sagital e frontal aumentaram, sugerindo que há mais amplitude de movimento no tornozelo acometido e maior estresse sobre os estabilizadores passivos locais. Em condições de fadiga muscular, após simulação da entorse, indivíduos com articulações saudáveis aumentam a rigidez articular e a intensidade de contração dos eversores do tornozelo, antecipadamente a perturbação, diferente de portadores de instabilidade crônica. A execução do exercício de alongamento dos músculos fibulares longo e curto, seguido da simulação da entorse, gerou o retardo da resposta motora e diminuição da intensidade de ativação. Desta forma, as estratégias desenvolvidas por portadores de instabilidade crônica podem ser relacionadas à causa e/ou consequência do quadro, a fadiga muscular altera o desenvolvimento de estratégias de proteção e o exercício de alongamento pode prejudicar a estabilização dinâmica articular / Joint instability is associated with degenerating injuries that lead to functional incapacitation. Knowing the process involved in joint dynamic stabilization is a challenge to researchers in many fields. This study proposes the use of a biomechanical approach to recognize the mechanisms involved in joint stabilization through three different experimental conditions. The first experiment analyzed the Ground Reaction Force (GRF) and the 3D kinematics in participants with (n=10) and without (n=10) chronic ankle instability during walking, running and jumping. The second experiment analyzed the Electromyography signal of tibialis anterior, peroneus longus, peroneus brevis e gastrocnemius lateralis in participants with (n=14) and without (n=14) chronic ankle instability before and after a muscle fatigue protocol. The third experiment (n=20) analyzed the effect of static passive stretching of peroneus longus and peroneus brevis muscles on the ankle sprain simulation. During the locomotion protocols the injured side showed late peaks and an increase of the GRF impulses. The instable ankle showed an increase of dorsiflexion during the initial phase of gait and an increase of eversion during running. The instable ankle also showed a decrease of inversion and an increase of dorsiflexion during jumping. These strategies represent an attempt to improve the joint dynamic stability. There was an increase in sagittal and frontal angular displacement, suggesting more range of motion as well as more stress in the passive structures that are responsible for stabilization in the injured ankle. During muscular fatigue, after an ankle sprain simulation, subjects with healthy joints increase the joint stiffness and the intensity of the ankle eversion muscles activation, before the intervention, differently from subjects with chronic instability. The peroneus longus and brevis stretching exercise followed by the ankle sprain simulation caused a delay on the motor response and a decrease in the activation intensity. The strategies developed by the subjects with chronic instability can be related to the cause and/or the consequence of the dysfunction. The muscular fatigue changes the development of strategies of protection and the stretching exercise can weaken the dynamic stability of the joint

La morphologie des os longs est affectée par les charges mécaniques qu'ils subissent, telles celles générées par les comportements locomoteurs. Dans ce mémoire, des images de coupes transversales de fémurs, tibias et humérus obtenues par CT-scan ont été analysées pour déterminer la locomotion de l'enfant de Dikika, un Au. afarensis juvénile, en se basant sur des comparaisons d'humains et de grands singes africains. Les résultats indiquent que le fémur de l'enfant de Dikika montre des signes de bipédie, mais ce n'est pas le cas du tibia. Malgré le fait que la forme de l'humérus est très similaire aux grands singes africains, la résistance de celui-ci aux tensions et torsions laissent supposer que l'enfant de Dikika ne pratiquait pas les locomotions typiques des grands singes comme l'arboricolisme ou encore la quadrupédie terrestre. Malgré tout, certains résultats montrent que la morphologie osseuse dépend aussi des processus ontogéniques et de la génétique de chaque taxon. / The morphology of long bones is affected by the mechanical loads they incur, such as those generated by locomotor behaviors. In this thesis, the images of cross sections of femora, tibiae and humeri obtained by CT-scan were analyzed to determine the locomotion of the Dikika child, a juvenile Au. afarensis, based on comparisons of humans and African apes. The results indicate that the Dikika child's femur shows signs of bipedalism, although the tibia does not. Despite the fact that the shape of the humerus is very similar to that of great African apes, its bending and torsional strength suggest that the Dikika's child did not practice locomotion typical of great apes such as arboricolism or terrestrial quadrupedism. Nevertheless, some results show that bone morphology also depends on the ontogenetic processes and the genetics of each taxon.

This paper deals with the design of a robotic snake, its assembly, simulation using CoppeliaSim, and the testing of various methods for the control of robotic snakes (Serpentinoid, CPG). For individual control methods, the influence of selected parameters on the signals controlling the motorized joints of the robotic snake is observed, and their influence on the speed and energy consumption of the given mechanism is described.

The aim of this thesis is to recognize a walking person in a sequence of images by defining his or her reference points to compare the course of their movement and then to identify the scanned person. Methods „k-means“ and „mean shift“ are used to obtain the silhouette of the person. However “environment model estimation” method is used here before those mentioned above. It is a type of a difference method and it helps to specify the scanning area and shortens the time of segmentation. During the search for the reference points the thesis focuses on three areas: the centre of the head and both ankle joints. Those points are later determined on the previous image sequence and compared with the real locations of the centre of the head and ankle joints marked by the user. The thesis also focuses on comparing the movement courses of those points and tries to identify the people whose walks are being scanned. Problematic situations which occurred during the whole process are analyzed in the end. The result of the thesis is an algorithm which can locate a moving person in an image sequence (video) and determine the reference points (centre of the head and ankles) to compare them and identify the scanned person.