Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Pennsylvania, 1984. / Includes bibliographical references (p. [196]-206) and index.

Thesis (Dr. Sc. Nat.)--Universität Zürich, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 186-209). Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Pennsylvania, 1984. / Includes bibliographical references (p. [196]-206) and index.

Thesis (M.S.)--Mississippi State University. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D. )--University of Delaware, 2006. / Principal faculty advisor: Cole Galloway, Dept. of Physical Therapy. Includes bibliographical references: (leaves 126-138). Also available in print.

Thesis (Dr. Sc. Nat.)--Universität Zürich, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 186-209).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2006. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 126-130).

No description available.

Thesis (MScEng (Industrial Engineering))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / In the context of intervertebral disc replacement and customized implants, human simulation studies are of great importance. Simulation models need input data. This study investigated different in vivo motion capturing methods to capture spinal kinematics that will serve as input for simulation models. Available scanning and motion capturing techniques for capturing cervical kinematics range from simple clinical methods, to expensive specialized equipment and software. With a variety of technologies comes a variety of applications. In this study the focus is on capturing the kinematics of the cervical spine. An important distinction was made between two types of motion capturing technologies: external motion capturing and internal imaging technologies. The available external motion capturing technologies pose many advantages in terms of cost, safety, simplicity, portability and producing accurate three dimensional position and orientation. However, the ability for external motion capturing technologies to give accurate information on the movements at each vertebral level is doubted by critics reasoning that the true vertebral motion is concealed by the skin and soft tissue. Although it would be ideal to use external motion capturing systems, one needs to be confident that these surface markers or sensors truly reflect the vertebral motion at each vertebral level. An empirical study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between motion captured on the skin surface and motion of the vertebrae. Twenty-one subjects received low dosage X-rays, while radio opaque markers were attached to the skin at each respective vertebral level. The motion of external markers and that of the vertebrae could be seen simultaneously on one medium. In the empirical study, two outputs were achieved. Firstly, intervertebral kinematic data, for use in further simulation studies was obtained. Secondly, the relationship between surface markers and vertebrae in different motion instances was investigated. Distance and angle parameters were constructed for vertebral prediction from skin surface markers. The causes of variation in these parameters were identified by investigating the correlations of these parameters with anthropometrical variables. Strong correlations of the parameters were observed in flexion, but in extension, especially full extension, the correlations were poor to insignificant. It was concluded that in neutral, half flexion and full flexion it is possible to predict the vertebral position from surface markers by using the parameters and anthropometrical variables. In half extension this prediction would be less accurate and in full extension alternative methods should be investigated for external motion capturing.

Andar na água tem sido utilizado como um método alternativo para treinamento e reabilitação. No entanto, há pouca informação sobre as características biomecânicas do andar em piscina rasa. Em se tratando de indivíduos idosos, a escassez é ainda maior. Informações sobre as características biomecânicas do andar nessa condição ambiental é importante para um melhor entendimento da tarefa. Sendo assim, características espaço-temporais, cinemáticas, da força de reação do solo (FRS) e eletromiográficas (EMG) de adultos e idosos andando em piscina rasa (ambiente aquático - AA) e fora da piscina (ambiente terrestre - AT) foram investigadas. Para tanto, dez adultos (21-38 anos) e dez idosos (60-77 anos) andaram no AT e em seguida no AA (nível do processo xifóide do esterno) com velocidades auto-selecionadas e confortáveis. Em termos gerais, a maioria das variáveis espaço-temporais da passada foi diferente entre os ambientes e entre os grupos. Porém, enquanto que a velocidade entre os adultos e idosos foi diferente no AT, os dois grupos apresentaram a mesma velocidade para andar no AA. Os ângulos articulares investigados variaram conforme o ambiente e/ou grupo. A magnitude dos picos da componente vertical da FRS foi menor no AA do que no AT e a componente horizontal ântero-posterior apresentou apenas uma fase de aceleração no AA. Por fim, o padrão de ativação EMG foi diferente entre os ambientes para a maioria dos músculos investigados e a magnitude da atividade EMG dos mesmos foi menor no AA. Os resultados encontrados neste estudo contribuem para um melhor entendimento do andar no AA no contexto de treinamento e reabilitação. / Walking in water has been used as an alternative way for both training and rehabilitation. However, there is little information about the biomechanical characteristics of shallow water walking. In terms of elderly individuals, it is even scarcer. Information about the biomechanical characteristics of walking in this environmental condition is important for a better understanding of this task. In this way, spatial-temporal, kinematics, ground reaction force (GRF), and electromyographic (EMG) characteristics of adults and elders walking in shallow water and on land were investigated. As such, ten adults (21-38 years old) and ten elders (60-77 years old) walked on land and then in shallow water (Xiphsternun water level) with self-selected comfortable walking speeds. In general, most stride spatial-temporal variables were different between both environments and groups. Although walking speed was different between adults and the elderly on land, both groups showed the same walking speed in shallow water. The investigated angle joints varied according to environment and/or group. The magnitude of the vertical GRF peaks was lower in shallow water than on land and the anterior-posterior horizontal GRF showed an acceleration phase only in shallow water. Finally, the EMG activation pattern was different for most investigated muscles and the EMG activity magnitude of those was smaller in shallow water than on land. The results in the present study contribute to a better understanding of this activity in the context of training and rehabilitation.