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The majority of daily living tasks necessitate the use of bimanual movements or concurrent cognitive processing, which are often more difficult for elderly adults. With the number of Americans age 65 and older expected to double in the next 25 years, in-depth research and sophisticated technologies are necessary to understand the mechanisms involved in normal neuromuscular aging. The objective of the research is to understand the effects of aging on biological signals for motor control and to develop a methodology to classify aging and stroke populations. The methodological approach investigated the influence on correlated activity (coherence) between electroencephalogram (EEG) and electromyogram (EMG) signals into senior age. In support of classifying aging and stroke populations, the methodology selected optimal features from the time, frequency, and information theory domains. Additionally, the use of cepstral analysis was modified toward this application to analyze EEG and EMG signals. The inclusion and optimization of cepstral features significantly improved classification accuracy. Additionally, classification of young and elderly adults using Gaussian Mixture Models with Minimum Classification Error improved overall accuracy values. Contributions from the dissertation include demonstration of the change in correlated activity between EMG and EEG with fine motor simple and complex dual tasks; a quantitative feature library for characterizing the neural control of movement with aging under three task conditions; and a methodology for the selection and classification of features to characterize the neural control of movement. Additionally, the dissertation provides functional insight for the association of features with tasks, aging, and clinical conditions. The results of the work are significant because classification of the neural control of movement with aging is not well established. From these contributions, future potential contributions are: a methodology for physiologists to analyze and interpret data; and a computational tool to provide early detection of neuromuscular disorders.

The underlying principles of how the nervous system selects specific muscle activation pattern, among many that produce the same movement, remain unknown. Experimental studies suggest that the nervous system may use fixed groups of muscles, referred to as muscle synergies, to produce functional motor outputs relevant to the task. In contrast, predictions from biomechanical models suggest that minimizing muscular effort may be the criteria how a muscle coordination pattern is organized for muscle synergies. However, both experimental and modeling evidence shows that stability, as well as energetic efficiency, also needs to be considered. Based on the hypothesis that the nervous system uses functionally stable muscle activation pattern for a muscle synergy, we investigated the stability of muscle patterns using a neuromechanical model of the cat hindlimb. Five unique muscle patterns that generate each of the five experimentally-identified muscle synergy force vectors at the endpoint were found using a minimum-effort criterion. We subjected the model to various perturbed conditions and evaluated functional stability of each of the five minimum-effort muscle synergies using a set of empirical criteria derived from experimental observations. Results show that minimum-effort muscle synergies can be functionally stable or unstable, suggesting that minimum-effort criterion is not always sufficient to predict physiologically relevant postural muscle synergies. Also, linearized system characteristics can robustly predict the behavior exhibited by fully dynamic and nonlinear biomechanical simulations. We conclude that functional stability, which assesses stability of a biomechanical system in a physiological context, must be considered when choosing a muscle activation pattern for a given motor task.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the time-course of mechanical power output and neuromuscular activity during fatiguing repeated-sprint exercise and recovery in man. Prior to the main study, we also investigated the reproducibility of power output during a single 6-s cycling sprint. For this study, eleven healthy moderately trained males performed a 6-s standing sprint on the front-access cycle ergometer on four separate occasions. The results of the study showed that reliable power outputs can be obtained after one familiarization session in subjects unfamiliar with maximal cycling sprint exercise. However, the inclusion of an extra familiarization session ensured more stable power outputs. Therefore, two trials should allow adequate familiarization with the maximal 6-s cycling test. For the main study, eight young moderately trained adult men performed an exercise protocol that consisted of ten, 6-s sprints on a wind-braked cycle ergometer interspersed with 30 s of recovery. After 6 min of passive recovery, five, 6-s sprints were repeated, again interspersed by 30 s of recovery. Peak power output (PPO) and mean power output (MPO) were measured during each sprint and EMG data (i.e., RMS) from the vastus lateralis muscle were also recorded. A one-way ANOVA with repeated measures (i.e., sprint number) was used to allocate the significant differences in each dependent variable over time. Analysis revealed a decline in power output during the fatiguing exercise that was accompanied by a decrease in EMG amplitude of the vastus lateralis muscle. Six minutes after the fatiguing exercise, power output during sprint 11 significantly recovered with respect to values recorded in sprint 10, but remained significantly lower than that recorded in the initial sprint. Thus, 6 min was insufficient to fully recover from the fatiguing repeated sprint protocol utilised in this study. The main findings in the present study were that: 1) the partial recovery of power output in sprint 11 was not accompanied by the recovery V of EMG amplitude; 2) similar mean power outputs were recorded during sprint 4 and 11 despite a significantly lower EMG activity recorded during the latter sprint; and 3) despite comparable mean power outputs during sprint 4 and 11, the decrease in power output over the next five sprints was greater for sprints 11 to 15 than for sprints 4 to 8.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Oregon State University, 2006. / Blank pages 143 and 159 not microfilmed. Includes bibliographical references. Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Oregon State University, 2006. / Blank pages 143 and 159 not microfilmed. Includes bibliographical references.

Traditional core stability training was developed as a method of treating and preventing back pain. It was however, seamlessly applied to healthy and athletic populations without scientific evidence supporting its efficacy. Traditional core stability focussed on isolating and training the anatomical region between the pelvis and diaphragm, using isometric or low load exercises to enhance spinal stability. Scientific research challenged this approach for healthy function and athletic performance, resulting in a more functional anatomical definition, which included pelvic and shoulder girdles. Hence, a revised definition of dynamic trunk stability; the efficient coordination, transfer and resistance by the trunk, of force and power generated by upper and lower appendicular skeletal extremities during all human movement. This led to an integrated exercise training approach to dynamic trunk stability. Although early evidence suggested loaded compound exercises preformed upright, in particular back squat, were effective in activating and developing trunk muscles, evidence was inconclusive. Accordingly, the aims of this PhD were to investigate neuromuscular trunk function in loaded, free barbell back squat to understand training implications for trunk stability in dynamic athletic activity. Five research studies were conducted; 4 are published and 1 is being prepared for re-submission. The literature review revealed evidence that back squat was an effective method of activating trunk stabilzers and showed that these muscles were load sensitive (study 1). A survey of practitioners reported an understanding and appreciation of the challenge against core stability training for athletic populations. Furthermore, perceptions were aligned with growing evidence for dynamic and functional trunk stability training (study 2). A test-retest neuromuscular study established interday reliability and sensitivity of electromyographical measurement of trunk muscle activity in squats (study 3). Trunk muscle activation in back squat was higher than hack squat at the same relative, but lower absolute loads (study 4). Trunk muscle activation was lower in squats and bodyweight jumps in the strong compared to weak group (study 5). Furthermore, activation of the trunk muscles increased in each 30o segment of squat descent and was highest in first 30o segment of ascent for all loads (study 5). In conclusion, this series of studies confirmed acute effect of squats on trunk stabilizers and demonstrated that external load increases activation in these muscles. Parallel squat depth is important in optimizing trunk muscle activation. Finally, high levels of squat strength result in lower trunk muscle activation in loaded squats and explosive jumps.

Digital averaging and analysis of miniature endplate currents (MEPCs) from mouse diaphragm was used to characterize the normal MEPC and its modification by a variety of drugs. Under normal conditions the decay of MEPCs showed consistent deviations from a simple exponential consisting in a progressive increase of rate constant, followed by a slow tail. Receptor blockade by d-tubocurarine (dTC), a-bungarotoxin, and other agents thought to occupy ACh-binding sites reduced MEPC amplitude, accelerated MEPC decay by about 30% (making it about equal to decay rate of channels opened by exogenous acetylcholine), and eliminated the early deviations from an exponential decay; dTC also abolished the late tail. Examination of the interaction of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) poisoning and receptor blockade on MEPC height and time course indicated that normally most quantal ACh is captured by receptors and, as predicted by theoretical consideration, a rather large degree of receptor blockade is necessary to reduce MEPC height. MEPC tails were exaggerated by AChE poisoning and exogenous ACh or carba-chol. The latter agents reduced MEPC height in a fashion inconsistent with blockade of ACh binding and concurrent modulation of the tail suggested an important role of desensitized receptors in tail generation. A number of other drug actions are also described quantitatively: (a) channel prolongation, typical of alcohols but also found with ketones and some amines; (b) 'channel plugging', typical of local anaesthetics but also found with many other agents, including long chain alcohols, and (c) an action to reduce MEPC size without reducing net response to exogenous agonist typical of volatile anaesthetics, associated with increase rather than decrease of ACh binding to receptor. Criteria for distinguishing different modes of modification of receptor function are discussed. / Medicine, Faculty of / Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Department of / Graduate

Orientador: Angélica de Fátima de Assunção Braga / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-24T07:44:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Carvalho_VanessaHenriques_D.pdf: 2552683 bytes, checksum: d3aa5b35758ce570c520c2ba8cc486fc (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: Os anestésicos locais (AL) podem interagir com os bloqueadores neuromusculares (BNM) e modificar as suas propriedades farmacocinéticas e farmacodinâmicas, no entanto o mecanismo dessa interação é controverso. Este estudo experimental, realizado em preparações nervo frênico - hemidiafragma de rato e músculo biventer cervicis de pintainho, teve por objetivo avaliar o efeito de diferentes AL na transmissão neuromuscular e sua influência no bloqueio produzido pelo pancurônio. Foram avaliados os seguintes parâmetros: efeito na transmissão neuromuscular dos AL (ropivacaína, levobupivacaína, mistura em excesso enantiomérico de bupivacaína) e do pancurônio empregados isoladamente; o bloqueio produzido pelo pancurônio em preparações previamente expostas aos AL; a eficácia da neostigmina e da 4-aminopiridina na reversão do bloqueio neuromuscular produzido pelo pancurônio isoladamente e em preparações previamente expostas aos AL; a ação dos AL na resposta contraturante à acetilcolina; seus efeitos nos potenciais de membrana e nos potenciais de placa terminal em miniatura. Os resultados foram expressos em médias e desvios padrão e analisados através dos testes t de Student, Wilcoxon, Anova, Kruskall-Wallis e Mann-Whitney. Adotou-se um nível de significância de 5% (p<0,05). Na preparação nervo frênico - hemidiafragma de rato, os AL nas concentrações empregadas, não alteraram a amplitude das respostas musculares mas, potencializaram o efeito do pancurônio. O bloqueio neuromuscular foi parcial e totalmente revertido com a neostigmina e com a 4-aminopiridina, respectivamente. Não causaram alteração significativa nos potenciais de membrana e produziram diminuição progressiva na amplitude e na frequência dos potenciais de placa terminal em miniatura. Na preparação biventer cervicis de pintainho os AL, com exceção da ropivacaína, promoveram diminuição na resposta contraturante da acetilcolina. Os resultados obtidos neste estudo demonstram um sinergismo entre os fármacos estudados, resultante das ações pré e pós-juncionais dos anestésicos locais / Abstract: Local anaesthetics (LA) may interact with neuromuscular blockers and modify their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. However, the mechanism of this interaction is controversial. This experimental study, conducted in rat phrenic nerve diaphragm preparations and chick biventer cervicis, aimed to evaluate the effect of different LA in neuromuscular transmission and its influence on pancuronium induced blockade. The following parameters were evaluated: the effect on neuromuscular transmission of LA (ropivacaine , levobupivacaine mixture enantiomeric excess bupivacaine) and pancuronium used in isolation; the blockade produced by pancuronium in preparations previously exposed to LA; the effectiveness of neostigmine and 4 - aminopyridine in the reversal of neuromuscular blockade produced by pancuronium alone and in preparations previously exposed to AL; the action of LA in the contractile response to acetylcholine; its effects on membrane potentials and miniature endplate potentials. The results were expressed as means and standard deviations and analyzed using Student's t, Wilcoxon, ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. A significance level of 5 % (p < 0,05) was adopted . In the rat phrenic nerve diaphragm preparation the LA, in the concentrations used, did not alter the amplitude of muscle response but potentiated the effect of pancuronium. Neuromuscular blockade was partially and fully reversed with neostigmine and 4- aminopyridine, respectively. There was no significant change in membrane potential and a progressive decrease in the amplitude and frequency of miniature endplate potentials was produced. In the chick biventer cervicis preparation the LA, with the exception of ropivacaine, led to a decrease in the contractile response to acetylcholine. The results of this study demonstrate a synergistic effect between the drugs studied, resulting from prejunctional and postjunctional actions of LAs / Doutorado / Farmacologia / Doutora em Farmacologia

Orientador: Alessandro Moura Zagatto / Banca: Paulo Henrique Silva Marques de Azevedo / Banca: Julio Wilson dos Santos / Resumo: Em modalidades esportivas coletivas como o basquete, a aptidão em realizar sprints repetidos vem se demonstrando um fator físico determinante. A alta intensidade exigida durante toda a partida irá induzir uma incapacidade de manutenção dos níveis de velocidade/força iniciais, diminuindo o desempenho e, consequentemente, instaurando a fadiga muscular. Uma estratégia para o aumento do desempenho pode ser a potenciação pós ativação (PPA). A PPA consiste no aumento involuntário dos níveis de contração muscular em resposta a um estímulo voluntário anterior e vem sendo inserida na rotina de aquecimento levando a melhoria do desempenho. Ainda, a PPA vem sendo mais efetiva quanto maior a especificidade ao modo de exercício, em comparação a potenciação com atividades menos específicas a atividade requerida. Assim, o objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar o efeito de protocolos de esforços condicionantes específicos sobre o desempenho nos esforços de sprints repetidos (RSA) com mudanças de direção em atletas de basquete e sobre parâmetros da fadiga muscular. Participaram do estudo 10 atletas de basquete (idade: 17,5 ± 1,2 anos; estatura: 1,9 ± 0,1 m; peso: 87,2 ± 15,4 kg; experiência competitiva: 5,2 ± 1,5 anos), que realizaram os procedimentos experimentais de modo cruzado e randômico. Inicialmente os voluntários foram familiarizados com os procedimentos, nas demais visitas de avaliações os voluntários foram submetidos a um aquecimento padronizado, idênticos em todas as condições.... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Repeated sprint efforts have been identified as a key component of physical fitness in team sports, such basketball. The high intensity efforts required throughout the game will generate fatigue, and the inability to maintain initial velocity/force levels, thus, decreasing performance and hence instituting muscle fatigue. A strategy to improve performance can be post-activation potentiation (PAP). PAP is defined as enhanced involuntary twitch in response of a prior voluntary contraction and has been inserted into the warm-up routine leading to improved performance. In addition, specific PAP application to mode of exercise showed better results than a PAP non-specific to sport. Therefore, the objective of this present study was to investigate the effect of two specifics PAP protocols on performance in repeated sprint efforts with changes on direction in basketball players and in fatigue manifestation. Ten basketball players (age: 17,5 ± 1,2 years; height: 1,9 ± 0,1 m; weight: 87,2 ± 15,4 kg; competitive experience: 5,2 ± 1,5 years) were selected and participated in randomized cross over mode experimental procedures. Initially, the volunteers were familiarized with the procedures, in the next visits of evaluations the volunteers were submitted to a standardized warm-up, identical in all the conditions. After warming up, neuromuscular measurements were performed, consisting of 2 contractions voluntary maximal isometric of knee extension with electrical stimuli and monitoring of ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre