Performance of efficient and precise motor output requires proper planning of movement parameters as well as integration of sensory feedback. Peripheral sensory information is projected not only to parietal somatosensory areas but also to cortical motor areas, particularly the supplementary motor area (SMA). These afferent sensory pathways to the frontal cortices are likely involved in the integration of sensory information for assistance in motor program planning and execution. It is not well understood how and where sensory information from the limb contralateral to motor output is modulated, but the SMA is a potential cortical source as it is active both before and during motor output and is particularly involved in movements that require coordination and bilateral upper-limb selection and use. A promising physiological index of sensory inflow to the SMA is the frontal N30 component of the median nerve (MN) somatosensory-evoked potential (SEP), which is generated in the SMA. The SMA has strong connections with ipsilateral areas 2, 5 and secondary somatosensory cortex (S2) as well as ipsilateral primary motor cortex (M1). As such, the SMA proves a fruitful candidate to assess how sensory information is modulated across the upper-limbs during the various stages of motor output. This thesis inquires into how somatosensory information is modulated in both the SMA and primary somatosensory cortical areas (S1) during the planning and execution of a motor output contralateral to sensory input across the upper-limbs, and further, how and what effect ipsilateral primary motor cortex (iM1) has upon modulation of sensory inputs to the SMA.

Performance of efficient and precise motor output requires proper planning of movement parameters as well as integration of sensory feedback. Peripheral sensory information is projected not only to parietal somatosensory areas but also to cortical motor areas, particularly the supplementary motor area (SMA). These afferent sensory pathways to the frontal cortices are likely involved in the integration of sensory information for assistance in motor program planning and execution. It is not well understood how and where sensory information from the limb contralateral to motor output is modulated, but the SMA is a potential cortical source as it is active both before and during motor output and is particularly involved in movements that require coordination and bilateral upper-limb selection and use. A promising physiological index of sensory inflow to the SMA is the frontal N30 component of the median nerve (MN) somatosensory-evoked potential (SEP), which is generated in the SMA. The SMA has strong connections with ipsilateral areas 2, 5 and secondary somatosensory cortex (S2) as well as ipsilateral primary motor cortex (M1). As such, the SMA proves a fruitful candidate to assess how sensory information is modulated across the upper-limbs during the various stages of motor output. This thesis inquires into how somatosensory information is modulated in both the SMA and primary somatosensory cortical areas (S1) during the planning and execution of a motor output contralateral to sensory input across the upper-limbs, and further, how and what effect ipsilateral primary motor cortex (iM1) has upon modulation of sensory inputs to the SMA.

<p>A recent trend in evolutionary robotics and artificial life research is to maximize self-organization in the design of robotic systems, in particular using artificial evolutionary techniques, in order to reduce the human designer bias. This dissertation presents experiments in competitive co-evolutionary robotics that integrate and extend previous work on competitive co-evolution of neural robot controllers in a predator-prey scenario with work on the ‘co-evolution’ of robot morphology and control systems. The focus here is on a systematic investigation of tradeoffs and interdependencies between morphological parameters and behavioral strategies through a series of predator-prey experiments in which increasingly many aspects are subject to self-organization through competitive co-evolution. The results show that there is a strong interdependency between morphological parameters and behavioral strategies evolved, and that the competitive co-evolutionary process was able to find a balance between and within these two aspects. It is therefore concluded that competitive co-evolution has great potential as a method for the automatic design of robotic systems.</p>

No description available.

The aim of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of professionals utilizing sensory-motor play (SMP) with young children (YC) in Gestalt play therapy in order to provide recommendations for professionals and to create an awareness of the value of SMP in Gestalt play therapy. Coming from an occupational therapy background, the researcher became aware of the potential value of utilizing sensorymotor play in Gestalt play therapy with YC. SMP, being a vital part of the sensory integration developmental process of YC, promotes body awareness through muscle movement and control. Awareness is one of the major aims of Gestalt play therapy. All the senses contribute to YC's awareness, including the frequently unacknowledged vestibu lar and proprioceptive senses. In order to treat YC holistically, the developmental importance of SMP should be acknowledged and integrated in the therapy process. Professionals young children working in this field, coming from diverse educational backgrounds, do not necessarily have the knowledge or experience of the utilization of SMPwith YC. A qualitative research approach with a case study research design was adopted in order to explore and describe the experiences of professionals regarding the utilization of SMP with YC in Gestalt play therapy, through applied research. The empirical data was collected by conducting two focus group discussions with professionals from diverse educational backgrounds. Two main themes with different sub-themes and categories were identified by analysing the data. The main themes are that participants are of the opinion that SMP enhances the therapeutic relationship and that SMP has a self-regulatory function. The researcher concludes that professionals gained a new awareness regarding the subject of discussion and experienced that uti lizing SMP in Gestalt play therapy with YC can promote and facilitate whole body/mind awareness and integrated healing. / Thesis (M.A. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

The aim of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of professionals utilizing sensory-motor play (SMP) with young children (YC) in Gestalt play therapy in order to provide recommendations for professionals and to create an awareness of the value of SMP in Gestalt play therapy. Coming from an occupational therapy background, the researcher became aware of the potential value of utilizing sensorymotor play in Gestalt play therapy with YC. SMP, being a vital part of the sensory integration developmental process of YC, promotes body awareness through muscle movement and control. Awareness is one of the major aims of Gestalt play therapy. All the senses contribute to YC's awareness, including the frequently unacknowledged vestibu lar and proprioceptive senses. In order to treat YC holistically, the developmental importance of SMP should be acknowledged and integrated in the therapy process. Professionals young children working in this field, coming from diverse educational backgrounds, do not necessarily have the knowledge or experience of the utilization of SMPwith YC. A qualitative research approach with a case study research design was adopted in order to explore and describe the experiences of professionals regarding the utilization of SMP with YC in Gestalt play therapy, through applied research. The empirical data was collected by conducting two focus group discussions with professionals from diverse educational backgrounds. Two main themes with different sub-themes and categories were identified by analysing the data. The main themes are that participants are of the opinion that SMP enhances the therapeutic relationship and that SMP has a self-regulatory function. The researcher concludes that professionals gained a new awareness regarding the subject of discussion and experienced that uti lizing SMP in Gestalt play therapy with YC can promote and facilitate whole body/mind awareness and integrated healing. / Thesis (M.A. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Learning readiness is deficient in many first time school-going children. Learning readiness depends on a well-functioning neural network. Research has shown that movement as an early learning experience is necessary for optimal neural development. Presumably it is movement that activates the neural wiring in the brain. It influences neural organisation and stimulates the specific neurological systems required for optimal functioning and development of the brain. Some children are faced with motor proficiency deficits which may influence their learning and their readiness to learn. This study aimed at determining whether movement programmes are a means to promote and achieve learning readiness. A selected group of Grade two learners who participated in a specifically designed movement programme for ten weeks showed improvement in their levels of learning readiness based on their movement proficiency and academic level. Based on these findings, recommendations were made for the inclusion of movement in the school curriculum. / Educational Studies / M Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:19:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 3228.pdf: 1290499 bytes, checksum: b265c618eaa3f97d66f4b3ab4a0e214c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-08-19 / Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais / Repetitive throwing movement causes adaptations to athletes shoulders and predisposes them to the development of impingement symptoms. The objective of this study was to investigate if there are alterations in sensorimotor control and in the functional torque ratio of shoulder rotation in overhead athletes with impingement symptoms and to distinguish these from alterations due to sporting practice. To this end, three groups of subjects were evaluated: athletes with impingement symptoms, asymptomatic athletes and a control group of nonathletes. The participants were evaluated with a Biodex System 3 isokinetic dynamometer in a seated position with the shoulder at 90º of adduction and 90º of elbow flexion. Sensorimotor control was evaluated using an isometric torque steadiness evaluation. The isometric peak torque and submaximal torque steadiness at 35% peak torque were tested during medial rotation and lateral rotation of the shoulder. For each submaximal repetition, the standard deviation, coefficient of variation and time to stability were calculated. Only the standard deviation during medial rotation was greater in asymptomatic athletes than in control group. The isokinetic evaluation was carried out at the velocities 90°/s e 180°/s and 240°/ in concentric and eccentric modes. Peak torque-to-body weight and the functional torque ratios LREcc/MRCon and MREcc/LRCon were compared between groups. Asymptomatic athletes presented greater peak torque-to-body weight for concentric medial rotation at 180°/s and a lower LREcc/MRCon ratio at 90°/s and 180°/s than CG. The velocity 240°/s was excluded from the analyses because many participants were unable to reach the predetermined velocity in the eccentric tests, principally during lateral rotations. This difficulty was attributed to the low peak torque of lateral rotation that could be generated in this position. Overall, the results demonstrated that overhead sports training leads to adaptations in maximal torque and in the torque steadiness of medial rotation in healthy athletes, which may be related to throwing performance. Nevertheless, it is not possible to conclude that such alterations predispose these athletes to injury, since athletes with impingement symptoms group was not significantly different from the other groups in any of the evaluations. / O movimento repetitivo de arremesso gera adaptações no ombro de atletas, e os predispõe ao desenvolvimento de sintomas de impacto. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar se há alterações no controle sensório-motor e na relação funcional de torque isocinético de rotação do ombro em atletas arremessadores com sintomas de impacto e diferenciar daquelas relacionadas a adaptações da prática esportiva. Sendo assim, foram avaliados três grupos de indivíduos: atletas com sintomas de impacto, atletas assintomáticos e um grupo controle de sujeitos não treinados. Os participantes foram avaliados no dinamômetro isocinético Biodex System 3, sentados, com o ombro posicionado a 90º de abdução e 90º de flexão do cotovelo. O controle sensório-motor foi avaliado por meio da flutuação do torque isométrico submáximo. O pico de torque isométrico e a flutuação do torque a 35% do pico de torque isométrico foram avaliados durante as rotações medial e lateral do ombro. Para cada repetição submáxima foram calculados o desvio-padrão, o coeficiente de variação e o tempo para atingir a estabilidade. Apenas o desvio-padrão de rotação medial foi maior no grupo de atletas assintomáticos comparado ao grupo controle. A avaliação isocinética foi realizada nas velocidades de 90°/s, 180°/s e 240°/s, nos modos concêntrico e excêntrico. O pico de torque/peso corporal e as relações funcionais de torque de rotação lateral excêntrico/rotação medial concêntrico (RLExc/RMCon) e rotação medial excêntrico/rotação lateral concêntrico (RMExc/RLCon) foram comparados entre os grupos. O grupo de atletas assintomáticos apresentou maior pico de torque/peso corporal de rotação medial concêntrica, a 180°/s, e menor relação RLExc/RMCon, a 90°/s e 180°/s, quando comparado ao controle. A velocidade de 240°/s foi excluída das análises, pois muitos participantes não conseguiram atingir a velocidade pré-determinada nos testes excêntricos, principalmente de rotação lateral. Essa dificuldade foi atribuída ao baixo pico de torque de rotação lateral capaz de ser gerado nessa posição. Em conjunto, os resultados demonstram que o treino de arremesso gera adaptações no torque máximo e na flutuação do torque submáximo de rotação medial em arremessadores saudáveis, possivelmente relacionados ao desempenho do arremesso. Entretanto, não é possível concluir se estas alterações predispõem esses atletas ao desenvolvimento de lesões, uma vez que o grupo de atletas com sintomas de impacto não se apresentou diferente dos outros grupos em nenhuma das situações avaliadas.

A anóxia neonatal decorre da redução de oxigênio no feto ou no recém-nascido e provoca morte e morbidade principalmente nos prematuros. Neste projeto avaliamos se o exercício físico espontâneo em ratas gestantes atenua os problemas no desenvolvimento e na cognição provocados pela anóxia neonatal nos filhotes. Para tanto, avaliamos o desenvolvimento somático e sensorimotor dos filhotes até o desmame e na idade adulta avaliamos a sua memória espacial. Também analisamos a densidade de neurônios e a expressão relativa de sinapsina I no hipocampo de animais jovens e adultos. O exercício materno espontâneo foi capaz de reverter o atraso provocado pela anóxia neonatal no aparecimento de características físicas e reflexos. Em animais jovens, ele também diminuiu a redução, pela anóxia, da densidade neuronal no giro dentado e da expressão relativa de sinapsina I. Os efeitos do exercício materno e da anóxia neonatal aparentemente não persistiram até a vida adulta. Assim, o exercício materno espontâneo atenua os efeitos da anóxia neonatal em jovens. / Neonatal anoxia follows from oxygen reduction in fetus or newborn and causes death and morbidity mainly in premature children. We evaluated if spontaneous maternal exercise in pregnant rats attenuates problems in the development and in the cognition caused by neonatal anoxia in pups. Thereunto, we evaluated the somatic and sensory-motor development of pups until weaning and, at adult age, we evaluated their spatial memory. We also analysed the neuron density and the relative expression of synapsin I in the hippocampus of young and adult animals. The spontaneous maternal exercise was able to reverse the delay caused by neonatal anoxia in the development of physical traits and reflexes. In young animals, maternal exercise also decrease the reduction, by anoxia, of neuronal density in the dentate gyrus and of relative expression. of synapsin I. Maternal exercise and neonatal anoxia effects apparently did not persist until adulthood. Thus, spontaneous maternal exercise attenuates neonatal anoxia effects in Young rats.

O controle postural na doença de Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) está subsidiado em estudos com adultos, nos quais deformidades distais, desequilíbrios musculares e aspectos maturacionais estão bem documentados. Para infância e adolescência, o controle postural permanece por ser explorado e pode contribuir para elucidar como um sistema neuromuscular imaturo lida com a doença em curso. Neste contexto, foi proposto um estudo de desenho transversal (Estudo 1) composto por crianças e adolescentes com CMT (encaminhados ao Ambulatório CMT-Infantil do Centro de Reabilitação do HCFMRP-USP; Grupo CMT) e seus pares saudáveis (Grupo Controle), e outro longitudinal (Estudo 2), composto exclusivamente de crianças e adolescentes com CMT. O Estudo 1 caracterizou a oscilação postural e explorou sua interação com variáveis musculoesqueléticas, a partir da comparação do Grupo CMT e Grupo Controle, sendo composto por 53 participantes de ambos os sexos, idade entre 6 e 18 anos, sendo 24 saudáveis e 29 com CMT. Foram coletados dados de massa, estatura, base de apoio, Índice Postural do Pé (IPP), amplitudes passivas de movimento, força muscular isométrica de membros inferiores, medidas de desempenho (teste de caminhada dos 6 min -T6, teste dos 10 m - T10, salto horizontal - SH) e de equilíbrio (estabilometria, Escala de Equilíbrio Pediátrica - EEP). A força muscular isométrica dos grupos musculares inversores, eversores, dorsiflexores, flexores plantares, flexores e extensores de joelho e extensores de quadril foi medida bilateralmente com um dinamômetro manual (Lafayette, modelo 01163). Para avaliação estabilométrica foi usada uma plataforma de força (Bertec, modelo FP 4060-08), com frequência de amostragem de 100 Hz, tempo de registro de 30 s por tentativa. As 4 condições de teste (olhos abertos/superfície rígida; olhos abertos/superfície deformável; olhos fechados/superfície rígida; olhos fechados/superfície deformável) foram repetidas aleatoriamente por 3 vezes, intervaladas por 30 s, perfazendo 12 tentativas. Foram extraídas a área da elipse de confiança, velocidade (total, mediolateral e anteroposterior), frequência (total, mediolateral e anteroposterior) e o Quociente de Romberg (QRv) por meio do programa MATLAB (R2014a), usando um filtro digital Butterworth passa-baixa de 4a ordem, com frequência de corte de 7 Hz. O programa SPSS (versão 17) foi usado para análise estatística (nível de significância de 5%). No aspecto musculoesquelético (amplitude de dorsiflexão, ângulo poplíteo e força muscular da maioria dos grupos testados) e nos testes de desempenho (T10, T6 e SH), os resultados mostraram que o grupo CMT exibiu valores inferiores ao Controle (p<0,05). Quanto ao controle postural, comparações intragrupo das condições de teste no grupo CMT evidenciaram incremento na área e velocidades do centro de pressão (CP), mas não nas frequências, conforme a complexidade da tarefa. Nas comparações intergrupos, tanto a EEP quanto a estabilometria evidenciaram menor equilíbrio no grupo CMT quando comparado ao Controle (aumento da área de confiança da elipse e das velocidades, associadas a um decréscimo da frequência do CP) (p<0,05). As interações mais relevantes entre fatores musculoesqueléticos e equilíbrio sugerem melhor controle postural para indivíduos com pés são planos e amplitudes de dorsiflexão reduzidas. O Estudo 2 buscou detectar alterações no controle postural nos participantes que foram seguidos por 6 e 12 meses consecutivos, sendo 22 com CMT de ambos os sexos, idade entre 6 e 18 anos. Registros da oscilação postural, das variáveis musculoesqueléticas e de desempenho foram analisados em intervalos de 6 meses (AV1, AV2 e AV3). Os programas SPSS (versão 17) e R Core Team (2016) foram usados para análise estatística. O teste de Wilcoxon foi usado para comparar variáveis estabilométricas do seguimento semestral e anual e para uma análise complementar, considerando os subgrupos de 6 a 9 anos (n=8) e de 10 a 17 anos (n=9). O comportamento das variáveis musculoesqueléticas foi analisado com o modelo linear de efeitos mistos. O teste t de Student para amostras pareadas foi usado para analisar T10, T6 e SH. O IPP e EEP foram analisados com o teste exato de Fisher. Os resultados mostraram que não houve mudanças significativas na estabilometria entre AV1 e AV2 ou AV1 e AV3. Nas comparações entre AV1 e AV2, houve aumento significativo no ângulo poplíteo, na força dos grupos musculares eversores de tornozelo e extensores de quadril, no SH e a força muscular dos extensores de joelho sofreu decréscimo (p<0,05). Nas comparações entre AV1 e AV3, houve aumento significativo da força muscular dos grupos inversores, eversores, dorsiflexores e extensores de joelho (p<0,05). A análise complementar do seguimento anual identificou reduções significativas na amplitude de dorsiflexão, velocidade mediolateral (condições olhos abertos/superfície rígida e olhos fechados/superfície rígida) e velocidade total (condições olhos abertos/superfície rígida e olhos fechados/superfície rígida) no subgrupo de crianças (n=8) (p<0,05). No subgrupo de adolescentes (n=9), houve aumento significativo da força muscular de inversores, dorsiflexores e extensores de joelho (p<0,05) enquanto a estabilometria permaneceu inalterada. Em suma, os resultados do Estudo 1 e 2 permitem concluir que o controle postural ii deficitário de crianças e adolescentes com CMT é mensurável com base nas variáveis estabilométricas extraídas da análise global; é expresso por grandes e rápidas oscilações do CP, nas quais a frequência não distingue as condições de teste quando comparadas aos seus pares saudáveis. A velocidade do CP parece refletir as mudanças na estabilidade postural quando crianças e adolescentes são analisados como subgrupos distintos. Além disso, seguimentos anuais parecem ser suficientes para detectar mudanças no controle postural, nas variáveis musculoesqueléticas e de desempenho. / Postural control in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is supported in studies with adults, in which distal deformities, muscular imbalances and maturational aspects are well documented. For childhood and adolescence, standing balance remains to be explored and may contribute to elucidate how an immature neuromuscular system deals with the ongoing disease. In this context, a crosssectional study (Study 1) composed of children and adolescents with CMT (referred to the CMTInfantile Ambulatory of the HCFMRP-USP Rehabilitation Center, CMT Group) and their healthy peers (Control Group), and another longitudinal (Study 2), composed exclusively of children and adolescents with CMT were proposed. Study 1 characterized the postural oscillations and explored its interaction with musculoskeletal variables from the comparison of the CMT Group and Control Group, being composed of 53 participants of both sexes, age between 6 and 18 years, being 24 healthy and 29 with CMT. Mass, height, base of support, foot postural index (PPI), passive amplitudes of movement, isometric muscle strength of lower limbs, performance measures (6-min walk test -T6, 10- T10, horizontal jump - SH) and balance (stabilometry, Pediatric Balance Scale - EEP) were collected. The isometric muscle strength of the inversion, dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, knee extension, knee flexion and hip extension was measured bilaterally with a manual dynamometer (Lafayette, model 01163). Stabilometric evaluationused a force platform (Bertec, model FP 4060-08), with sampling frequency of 100 Hz, recording time of 30 s per trial. The 4 test conditions (open eyes / hard surface, open eyes / deformable surface, closed eyes / hard surface, closed eyes / deformable surface) were randomly repeated 3 times, intervals for 30 s, making 12 trials. The confidence ellipse area, velocity (total, mediolateral and anteroposterior), frequency (total, mediolateral and anteroposterior) and the Romberg Quotient (QRv) were extracted using MATLAB program (R2014a), adopting a 4th order Butterworth digital low-pass filter and a cut-off frequency of 7 Hz. Statistical analysis used the SPSS program (version 17) and it was adopted level of significance of 5%. In the musculoskeletal aspect (amplitude of dorsiflexion, popliteal angle and muscular strength of most of the groups tested) and performance tests (T10, T6 and SH), CMT group showed values lower than Control (p <0.05). For balance, intragroup comparisons of the test conditions in the CMT group evidenced an increased area and velocities of the pressure center (CP), but not the frequencies, according to the complexity of the task. In the intergroup comparisons, EEP and stabilometry showed less postural control in the CMT group when compared to the Control (increased confidence ellipse area and velocities associated with a decrease in CP frequency) (p <0.05). The most relevant interactions between musculoskeletal and oscillations of CP suggest better postural control for subjects the flat feet and reduced dorsiflexion amplitudes. Study 2 comprised 22 participants with CMT of both sexes, aged between 6 and 18 years and it sought to detect changes in postural oscillations in CMT with 6 and 12 consecutive months of follow-up. Postural oscillations, musculoskeletal and performance variables were analyzed at 6-month intervals (AV1, AV2 and AV3). SPSS (version 17) and R Core Team (2016) programs were used for statistical analysis. The Wilcoxon test was used to compare stabilometric variables of the bi-annual and annual follow-up and to a complementary analysis, considering the subgroups of 6 to 9 years (n = 8) and 10 to 17 years (n = 9). The linear mixed effects model analyzed the musculoskeletal variables. Student\'s t-test for paired samples was used to analyze T10, T6 and SH. The Fisher\'s exact test analyzed the IPP and EEP. The results showed no significant changes in the stabilometry between AV1 and AV2 or AV1 and AV3. Comparisons between AV1 and AV2 showed significant increase in the popliteal angle strength of the ankle evertors and hip extensors SH while the muscle strength of knee extensors decreased (p <0.05). Comparisons between AV1 and AV3, showed a significant increase in the muscular strength for inversion, eversion, dorsiflexion and knee extension groups (p <0.05). The complementary analysis of the annual follow-up identified significant reductions in dorsiflexion amplitude, mediolateral velocity (open eyes / rigid surface and closed eyes / rigid surface) and total velocity (open eyes / rigid surface and closed eyes / rigid surfaces) in the subgroup of children (n = 8) (p <0.05). Subgroup of adolescents (n = 9) showed a significant increase in the muscular strength of inverters, dorsiflexors and knee extensors (p <0.05) while the stabilometry remained unchanged. In summary, the results of Study 1 and 2 allow us to conclude that the poor postural control of children and adolescents with CMT is measurable based on the stabilometric variables extracted from the global analysis; is iv expressed by large and rapid CP oscillations, in which frequency does not distinguish the test conditions when compared to their healthy counterparts. The velocity of CP seems to reflect changes in postural stability when children and adolescents are analyzed as distinct subgroups. In addition, annual follow-up appears to be sufficient to detect changes in postural control, musculoskeletal and performance variables.