Lorsque l'on s'intéresse aux positions d'accouchement, les avis sont très partagés. D'après la littérature, les positions dites verticales parmi lesquelles figure la position accroupie semblent aboutir à des issues materno-fœtales plus favorables que les positions horizontales qui comprennent la position gynécologique. Seulement, l'origine de ces bénéfices notamment du point de vue de la mécanique obstétricale reste incertaine. Il apparait que ce manque de clarté provient avant tout d'un manque de définition des postures segmentaires retrouvées lors de ces positions d'accouchement. L'objectif premier de ce travail était donc de définir les postures segmentaires au cours de différentes positions d'accouchement et de préciser en particulier le rôle de la posture des cuisses sur des éléments jugés importants en mécanique obstétricale à savoir l'orientation du plan du détroit supérieur et la courbure lombaire. En premier lieu, une enquête épidémiologique régionale a été effectuée afin d'attester les positions d'accouchement les plus fréquemment adoptées et d'identifier les facteurs associés à leur adoption. Par une méthode dérivée entre autres des méthodes d'analyse du mouvement par système optoélectronique, l'influence de la posture des cuisses (flexion et abduction) sur la posture du plan du détroit supérieur et du rachis lombaire a été analysée tout d'abord en position gynécologique puis en position accroupie. Enfin, l'importance de la posture initiale des cuisses sur les mouvements segmentaires a été évaluée au cours d'une manœuvre obstétricale (Mac Roberts), manœuvre couramment utilisée en cas de dystocie des épaules.Ce travail a permis de mettre en évidence l'importance de la caractérisation des postures segmentaires pour la compréhension des bénéfices d'une position d'accouchement sur une autre. / When looking at birthing positions, opinions are strongly divided. According to the literature, the so-called vertical positions, which include the squatting position, seem to lead to more favorable maternal-fetal outcomes than the horizontal positions which include the gynecological position. In fact, the origin of these benefits, particularly from the point of view of obstetric mechanics, remains uncertain. It appears that this lack of clarity comes primarily from a lack of definition of segmental postures found in these delivery positions.The primary objective of this work was therefore to define the segmental postures during different birthing positions and to specify in particular the role of the thigh posture on elements considered as important in obstetric mechanics namely, the orientation of the pelvic inlet and the lumbar curvature.Firstly, a regional epidemiological survey was carried out to document the most frequently adopted childbirth positions and to identify the factors associated with their adoption.Using a method derived inter alia from movement analysis methods based on optoelectronic system, the influence of thigh posture (flexion and abduction) on the posture of the pelvic inlet and the lumbar spine was analyzed firstly during gynecological position and then during squatting position. Finally, the importance of initial thigh posture on segmental movements was evaluated during an obstetric maneuver (Mac Roberts), a maneuver commonly used in cases of shoulder dystocia.This work has highlighted the importance of the characterization of segmental postures for understanding the benefits of one delivery position on another.

Este é um memorial descritivo e dissertativo da investigação artística feita através da utilização da Motif Writing (escrita por motivos) como propulsora de tarefas de movimento para a construção de dramaturgia em dança. A coreografia que resultou deste processo, A Cadeira _/ Uma Ilha, foi criada a partir da Motif Writing de um trecho do solo Experimento da Cadeira, visando a recriação e a multiplicação das qualidades expressivas dos movimentos do motif em outros corpos/sujeitos e relações dinâmicas entre estes, objetos, espaço e tempo. A pesquisa-criação conta com a participação das bailarinas Juliana Vicari e Luciana Hoppe, transformando o solo original em um trio. A escrita do motif relativo ao trecho selecionado da obra de referência utiliza o instrumental da Análise Laban de Movimento como ferramenta metodológica utilizada também para a condução do processo de criação. Inserido num contexto de pesquisa pós-positivista, com perspectiva artística, este memorial contém aspectos dissertativos sobre a Análise Laban em Movimento e a dramaturgia da dança como aportes para o relato do processo de criação. Ambos ajudam a compreender algumas das opções de trabalho buscadas e alcançadas, ou não, nesta investigação. Ao final deste texto comprovo a eficácia da motif writing tanto como ferramenta para reposição como para recriação da dramaturgia da obra de referência e que uma construção através deste procedimento requer a auto-revelação dos artistas. Descubro a 'reduplicação do Outro em mim‘ como potência criadora e afirmativa da minha ação como intérprete. / This thesis describes the creative and analytical process I used to develop choreography for three dancers called The Chair_/ An Island. I developed this trio choreography from one fragment of an earlier solo choreography called Chair Experiment, using an aspect of Laban Movement Analysis called "motif writing". I used this method as a score to multiply the original motifs into other bodies/subjects, objects, spaces, and time. My work was done in Brazil in collaboration with two other dancers, Juliana Vicari and Luciana Hoppe. From a post-positivist approach and artistic perspective, this thesis describes features of Laban Movement Analysis and Dance Dramaturgy which enhance the creative process. Both help us to understand possible choices and directions which are available to us when creating a choreography. I conclude that motif writing is efficient as a movement score for dramaturgy composition or reposition and that the use of this procedure encourages the artists for a self revelation. I found the 'reduplication of the Other in myself‘ as a creative potential and affirmative way as a performer.

Este é um memorial descritivo e dissertativo da investigação artística feita através da utilização da Motif Writing (escrita por motivos) como propulsora de tarefas de movimento para a construção de dramaturgia em dança. A coreografia que resultou deste processo, A Cadeira _/ Uma Ilha, foi criada a partir da Motif Writing de um trecho do solo Experimento da Cadeira, visando a recriação e a multiplicação das qualidades expressivas dos movimentos do motif em outros corpos/sujeitos e relações dinâmicas entre estes, objetos, espaço e tempo. A pesquisa-criação conta com a participação das bailarinas Juliana Vicari e Luciana Hoppe, transformando o solo original em um trio. A escrita do motif relativo ao trecho selecionado da obra de referência utiliza o instrumental da Análise Laban de Movimento como ferramenta metodológica utilizada também para a condução do processo de criação. Inserido num contexto de pesquisa pós-positivista, com perspectiva artística, este memorial contém aspectos dissertativos sobre a Análise Laban em Movimento e a dramaturgia da dança como aportes para o relato do processo de criação. Ambos ajudam a compreender algumas das opções de trabalho buscadas e alcançadas, ou não, nesta investigação. Ao final deste texto comprovo a eficácia da motif writing tanto como ferramenta para reposição como para recriação da dramaturgia da obra de referência e que uma construção através deste procedimento requer a auto-revelação dos artistas. Descubro a 'reduplicação do Outro em mim‘ como potência criadora e afirmativa da minha ação como intérprete. / This thesis describes the creative and analytical process I used to develop choreography for three dancers called The Chair_/ An Island. I developed this trio choreography from one fragment of an earlier solo choreography called Chair Experiment, using an aspect of Laban Movement Analysis called "motif writing". I used this method as a score to multiply the original motifs into other bodies/subjects, objects, spaces, and time. My work was done in Brazil in collaboration with two other dancers, Juliana Vicari and Luciana Hoppe. From a post-positivist approach and artistic perspective, this thesis describes features of Laban Movement Analysis and Dance Dramaturgy which enhance the creative process. Both help us to understand possible choices and directions which are available to us when creating a choreography. I conclude that motif writing is efficient as a movement score for dramaturgy composition or reposition and that the use of this procedure encourages the artists for a self revelation. I found the 'reduplication of the Other in myself‘ as a creative potential and affirmative way as a performer.

Evaluation of movement mechanics of warmblood foals in gait and trot. Czech warmblood in comparison with dutch warmblood

abstract: During the design of interactive dance performances, dancers generate a strong relationship to the responsive media after they are given information about how to use the system. This case study observes a dancer's experience of improvising in a responsive audio system (RAS). A triangulated analysis and conclusion is formed from Laban Movement Analysis in conjunction with post-experience discussions relating to Optimal Flow. This study examines whether or not providing information about how an audio system responds to movement affects a dancers ability to achieve a heightened state of Embodied Flow while improvising in a RAS. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.F.A. Dance 2014

Este é um memorial descritivo e dissertativo da investigação artística feita através da utilização da Motif Writing (escrita por motivos) como propulsora de tarefas de movimento para a construção de dramaturgia em dança. A coreografia que resultou deste processo, A Cadeira _/ Uma Ilha, foi criada a partir da Motif Writing de um trecho do solo Experimento da Cadeira, visando a recriação e a multiplicação das qualidades expressivas dos movimentos do motif em outros corpos/sujeitos e relações dinâmicas entre estes, objetos, espaço e tempo. A pesquisa-criação conta com a participação das bailarinas Juliana Vicari e Luciana Hoppe, transformando o solo original em um trio. A escrita do motif relativo ao trecho selecionado da obra de referência utiliza o instrumental da Análise Laban de Movimento como ferramenta metodológica utilizada também para a condução do processo de criação. Inserido num contexto de pesquisa pós-positivista, com perspectiva artística, este memorial contém aspectos dissertativos sobre a Análise Laban em Movimento e a dramaturgia da dança como aportes para o relato do processo de criação. Ambos ajudam a compreender algumas das opções de trabalho buscadas e alcançadas, ou não, nesta investigação. Ao final deste texto comprovo a eficácia da motif writing tanto como ferramenta para reposição como para recriação da dramaturgia da obra de referência e que uma construção através deste procedimento requer a auto-revelação dos artistas. Descubro a 'reduplicação do Outro em mim‘ como potência criadora e afirmativa da minha ação como intérprete. / This thesis describes the creative and analytical process I used to develop choreography for three dancers called The Chair_/ An Island. I developed this trio choreography from one fragment of an earlier solo choreography called Chair Experiment, using an aspect of Laban Movement Analysis called "motif writing". I used this method as a score to multiply the original motifs into other bodies/subjects, objects, spaces, and time. My work was done in Brazil in collaboration with two other dancers, Juliana Vicari and Luciana Hoppe. From a post-positivist approach and artistic perspective, this thesis describes features of Laban Movement Analysis and Dance Dramaturgy which enhance the creative process. Both help us to understand possible choices and directions which are available to us when creating a choreography. I conclude that motif writing is efficient as a movement score for dramaturgy composition or reposition and that the use of this procedure encourages the artists for a self revelation. I found the 'reduplication of the Other in myself‘ as a creative potential and affirmative way as a performer.

Le projet SIMUSURF consiste en l’utilisation d’un robot hexapode de mouvement pour l’analyse de la réponse biomécanique d’un sujet positionné sur un plateau mobile et soumis à des mouvements de translation et/ou de rotation. Ce robot permet l’apprentissage d’activités sportives nécessitant des conditions particulières d’équilibre. Les sports de glisse tels que le surf, le ski ou le snowboard sont des activités qui nécessitent la conduite de trajectoire du support (planche de surf, skis ou snowboard) et l’équilibre du sportif. Pour un simulateur de surf, l’hexapode équipé de plates-formes de forces permettra alors d’établir des relations entre figures et réponse biomécanique du surfeur, d’étudier la variabilité interindividuelle pour exécuter un mouvement donné et d’optimiser le geste sportif dans un but d’aide à la performance.L’étude concernant le développement de ce simulateur à partir de l’hexapode a été abordée sous deux aspects.- D’un point de vue instrumentation et acquisition, la simulation des trajectoires correspondant aux mouvements de l’ensemble {surfeur + planche} sur l’eau a nécessité la constitution d’une base de données expérimentales permettant notamment d’identifier un modèle dynamique de comportement d’interactions entre le surfeur, sa planche et la vague. Pour ces mesures in situ, l’instrumentation d’une planche a été nécessaire. La conception d’une planche instrumentée et la mise en place d’un protocole d’acquisition dans les conditions extrêmes que représente l’environnement marin ont été un des verrous technologiques associés à ce projet.- D’un point de vue mécanique et robotique, il a été indispensable d’optimiser le pilotage de cette machine (au total 6 vérins avec des vitesses potentielles de 5 m/s) pour atteindre les trajectoires désirées ou les efforts multiaxiaux à imposer dans le cas particulier d’un pilotage complexe en effort.Afin d’être réaliste, un simulateur de surf réalisé autour d’un hexapode devait être capable de reproduire les mouvements complexes et de dynamiques élevées d’une planche de surf sur une vague et soumis aux efforts du surfeur. Ces performances ont été atteintes en tenant compte des phénomènes de couplage dynamiques existants entre ses actionneurs et en mettant en œuvre une approche de commande multivariable efficace : une approche CRONE permettant de synthétiser des lois de commande à la fois performantes et robustes, c’est-à-dire résistant à une connaissance imparfaite du système commandé. / The project SIMUSURF consists in using an hexapod to analyze the biomechanical response of a human subject positioned on the moving platform of the hexapod and submitted to a translation and/or rotation movement. This robot allows practice of sport activities where balanced specific conditions are required. Riding sports such as surf, ski or snowboard are sports for which special skills to steer the support (surfboard, snowboard or ski for instance) are needed. The development of a surf simulator, using the hexapod equipped with multi-axis force plates, will allow to study the relations between figure and biomechanical response of the surfer, the interindividual variability to execute a given movement and to optimise the actions of the person aiming at better performances.The development of this simulator from the hexapod has been approached from two aspects.- From an instrumentation and acquisition point of view, simulation of the trajectories corresponding to the movements of the set {surfer + board} on the ocean required the constitution of an experimental database to identify such a behavioral dynamic model of the interactions between the surfer, his board and the wave. For these in situ experimentations, instrumentation of a surfboard was required. The design of an instrumented board and the implementation of an acquisition protocol in the extreme conditions due to the marine environment have been one of the technological hurdles associated.- From a mechanical and robotics point of view, it was essential to optimize the control of the hexapode (a total of 6 actuators with the potential speed of 5 m/s) to reach the desired trajectory or multiaxial efforts to impose in the special case of a force complex command.To be realistic, a surfing simulator designed with an hexapod had to be able to reproduce the complex movements and high dynamic of a surfboard on a wave and submitted to the efforts of surfer. These specifications were reached by taking account of existing dynamic coupling phenomena between actuators and implementing effective multivariable control approach: CRONE approach synthesizing control laws both powerful and robust, that is resistant to imperfect knowledge of the controlled system.

Study Design: Methodological study. Objectives: To examine the agreement and validity of using observational risk screening guidelines to evaluate ACL injury risk factors. Background: Post-pubescent females have an increased risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury compared with their male counterparts partly due to their high-risk landing and cutting strategies. There are currently no scientifically-tested methods to screen for these high risk strategies in the clinic or on the field. Methods and Measures: Three physiotherapists used observational risk screening guidelines to rate the neuromuscular characteristics of 40 adolescent female soccer players. Drop jumps were rated as high risk or low risk based on the degree of knee abduction. Side hops and side cuts were rated on the degree of lower limb 'reaching'. Ratings were evaluated for intrarater and interrater agreement using kappa coefficients. 3D motion analysis was used as a gold standard for determining the validity of ratings. Results: Acceptable intrarater and interrater agreement (k≥0.61) were attained for the drop jump and the side hop, with kappa coefficients ranging from 0.64 to 0.94. Acceptable sensitivity (≥0.80) was attained for the side hop and the side cut, with values ranging from 0.88 to 1.00. Acceptable specificity (≥0.50) was attained for the drop jump, with values ranging from 0.64 to 0.72. Conclusion: Observational risk screening is a practical and cost-effective method of screening for ACL injury risk. Based on levels of agreement and sensitivity, the side hop appears to be a suitable screening task. Agreement was acceptable for the drop jump but its validity needs further investigation. / Medicine, Faculty of / Graduate

The conversion of natural habitat to urban areas has lasting impacts on wildlife and biodiversity. Known effects to urban wildlife include direct mortality while crossing roads, reduced species diversity, and habitat fragmentation and degradation. Among wildlife occupying urban areas, turtle populations can be particularly impacted in anthropogenic landscapes. Snapping Turtle (<i>Chelydra serpentina</i>) is one of the most common species found within urban wetlands, but populations are beginning to show declines in northern portions of their geographic range. The preservation and management of this species is aided by knowledge related to its spatial ecology. I investigated <i>C. serpentina</i> home range, movement, habitat use, and habitat selection in a midwestern USA urban wetland complex during two active seasons (May-August 2019 and 2020) using radiotelemetry. Home range sizes and movement did not differ between sex or sample year except the mean movement of males decreased from 2019 to 2020. No differences in mean monthly movement were found between sexes but mean monthly movement did differ between month and year. Habitat use was skewed during the active season and did not differ between sex or year, but there were positive habitat associations between forested wetlands and modal centers of activity (MCA). Habitat selection was tested at two spatial scales by comparing random points to home ranges and turtle locations using Euclidean Distance Analysis. Turtles appeared to select home ranges from available habitat site-wide but did not select habitat within home ranges. Home range selection included semi-permanent open water, trail, road/barrier, permanent open water, scrub-shrub, ditches, shoreline, and vegetated ponds, while upland forest, field and agriculture habitat were avoided. Home ranges appear to be constrained by available habitat and movement differences between years may be due to anthropogenic change in water levels. The use of space seems to be more affected by wetland size and connectivity than proximity to barriers, which suggests that management practices that protect turtles from accessing roads and railways will benefit populations. Additionally, habitat selection and association indicate that ditches are utilized as corridors between wetland areas. When feasible, increasing the connectivity of large wetlands containing many habitat types should have positive impacts on the persistence of populations in human dominated landscapes.

At every joint there is a redundant set of muscle activated during movement or loading of the system. Optimization techniques are needed to evaluate individual forces in every muscle. The objective in this thesis was to use static optimization techniques to calculate individual muscle forces in the human extremities. A cost function based on a performance criterion of the involved muscular forces was set to be minimized together with constraints on the muscle forces, restraining negative and excessive values. Load-sharing, load capacity and optimal forces of a system can be evaluated, based on a description of the muscle architectural properties, such as moment arm, physiological cross-sectional area, and peak isometric force. The upper and lower extremities were modelled in two separate studies. The upper extremity was modelled as a two link-segment with fixed configurations. Load-sharing properties in a simplified model were analyzed. In a more complex model of the elbow and shoulder joint system of muscular forces, the overall total loading capacity was evaluated. A lower limb model was then used and optimal forces during gait were evaluated. Gait analysis was performed with simultaneous electromyography (EMG). Gait kinematics and kinetics were used in the static optimization to evaluate of optimal individual muscle forces. EMG recordings measure muscle activation. The raw EMG data was processed and a linear envelope of the signal was used to view the activation profile. A method described as the EMG-to-force method which scales and transforms subject specific EMG data is used to compare the evaluated optimal forces. Reasonably good correlation between calculated muscle forces from static optimization and EMG profiles was shown. Also, the possibility to view load-sharing properties of a musculoskeletal system demonstrate a promising complement to traditional motion analysis techniques. However, validation of the accurate muscular forces are needed but not possible. Future work is focused on adding more accurate settings in the muscle architectural properties such as moment arms and physiological cross-sectional areas. Further perspectives with this mathematic modelling technique include analyzing pathological movement, such as cerebral palsy and rheumatoid arthritis where muscular weakness, pain and joint deformities are common. In these, better understanding of muscular action and function are needed for better treatment. / QC 20101116