Epidemiological studies have identified kneeling as an occupational risk factor for knee joint osteoarthritis (KOA), but direct biomechanical evidence for this relationship is lacking. We hypothesize one mechanism by which prolonged static kneeling may cause KOA is by compromising the integrity of the knee joint thereby increasing knee joint instability, which manifests as altered ambulatory loading profiles. Therefore, the purpose of this exploratory study was to investigate the effect of sustained static kneeling on knee joint gait parameters. Ten healthy male subjects (24.1 years ± 3.5) volunteered for this study. Each subject’s dominant leg was instrumented with markers to track lower limb motion and with surface electromyography electrodes to record quadriceps, hamstrings, and gastrocnemius muscle activity. Subjects performed ten walking trials at a self-selected normal pace over a force plate embedded in the floor. They then performed a kneeling protocol of three bouts of ten minutes of kneeling, each separated by a five minute seated rest period. Subsequently, a set of ten walking trials were performed after a short rest and equipment verification period. The ground reaction force and motion data were used to calculate the peak knee adduction moments, knee flexion moments, and knee flexion angles during the stance phase. The total muscle activity for each muscle during a single gait cycle as well as the co-contraction of the medial thigh muscles and the lateral thigh muscles were calculated from the surface electromyography data. One-sample t-tests were run on the absolute value of the pre- and post-kneeling outcome measures. All outcome measures were different across conditions indicating that the loading patterns were altered, in no specific direction, as a result of the static kneeling protocol. These results offer preliminary evidence to support the epidemiological findings that thirty minutes of daily occupational kneeling is associated with a higher prevalence of KOA. Further investigation is required to explore the importance of post-kneeling recovery, posture-induced blood occlusion, and cartilage stress due to cumulative loading while kneeling, as well as to test the clinical significance of the present findings. / Thesis (Master, Kinesiology & Health Studies) -- Queen's University, 2008-08-11 23:30:10.708

No description available.

The aim of this study is to gain a greater understanding of how the social work with children and adolescents are performed in addition to the challenges social workers face in a context affected by conflict. East Jerusalem is according to international law occupied, the children and adolescents in the area are highly exposed for the consequences of the occupation. The empirical data for this thesis were collected at a center for children in East Jerusalem where I conducted qualitative interviews with the help of a semi-structured interview guide. Based on my interviews I had a result that describes the methods and the challenges of the social work within the work at the selected center which is located in an area highly affected by conflict. The social workers at the certain center assess each patients need for help to resolve psychosocial problems in the families. Their work was conducted by various methods such as for instance: individual- and group therapy, play therapy, outdoor activities, and dance lessons. The social workers expressed that it was important for the outcomes of their assignments to work together with the whole families and then especially the mothers. Many of the social workers pointed out the importance to develop gender issues and worked to increase the equality among boys and girls through mixed group activities among the children. The results of the study shows that the perceived main challenge among the social workers were founded in the political situation although factors as family-relationships, culture and the public schools for Palestinians turned out to be of importance for the progresses in their work. Those aspects were in many cases seen as problematical and arisen as a direct consequence of the occupation in the area. The results also shows that the social workers experienced all of these factors as interdependent. The results are analyzed through the theory: “The ecology of human development” which were created by Urie Bronfenbrenner (1979). The last part of the thesis contains conclusions, a discussion of the results and suggestions for new research, it ends with my own reflections of the work performed for this study.

Statistical analyses of measurements were used to evaluate congenital asymmetry and activity-related change in 100 pairs of humeri and 112 pairs of femora. Bone pairs in samples from the Nary Rose and an earlier medieval site in Norwich were subdivided into age categories and their archaeological groups for analysis. Internal bone dimensions were determined from radiographs and compared with those of a modern group of divers. Muscle insertions were ranked and femoral morphological traits were recorded. Differences were tested at the p<0.05 level of confidence. Congenital asymmetry was accepted from earlier work for maximum length of the humerus. Asymmetries decreased with age in the humerus and to a lesser extent in the femur. The humerus was shown to have significant right-sided dominance while the femur was more symmetric. Accepted methods of measuring femoral torsion were demonstrated to be inadequate. Femoral morphological traits were shown to be affected by environment. Significant results obtained from new measurements may be attributable to patterns of activity In the Nary Rose sample. These individuals were significantly taller and larger than those of the Norwich sample. Selection, diet and activity are discussed as possible explanations for these increases. Statistical comparison of compatible groups may reveal patterns of activity, if the occupations in the groups are known.

Motherhood has been described as an identity, a role, and a way of participating in life (Arendell, 2000; Farber, 2004). Motherhood has also been described as 'work', the care taking, nurturing and teaching of children (Francis-Connolly, 2000). Mothers with arthritis have reported difficulty in the tasks of parenting and household work (Allaire et al., 1991; Backman, Kennedy, Chalmers & Singer, 2004; Barlow, Cullen, Foster, Harrison & Wade, 1999; Grant, Cullen & Barlow, 2000; Reisine, Grady, Goodenow & Fifield, 1998), however, we know little about how a mother experiences these challenges. While the subjective experience of being a mother and having a disability is intrinsically linked to participation, health and social interaction (Farber, 2004), research has not been conducted on how mothers with arthritis experience mothering in the presence of arthritis, and how this experience affects their participation, identity and social interaction. This narrative research study asks "How is being a mother and doing motherhood activities affected by your arthritis?" Study objectives include: 1) Describe mothers' experiences of nurturing, teaching and caring for their children. 2) Describe how mothers understand and explain the effect of arthritis on their role of mother. 3) Describe whether or not this understanding changes how mothers participate and interact in their community. Narrative inquiry was used to explore the experiences of eight married mothers with inflammatory arthritis who have at least one child (aged 0-18) living at home. Purposive sampling allowed representation of families from different communities, with children of different ages. Data collection included two in-depth interviews, participant observation, document review, and fine art painting. Data was coded and analyzed using narrative inquiry techniques (Coffey & Atkinson, 1996; Riessman, 1993; Sandelowski, 1991). Overarching storylines are presented as narratives that describe the mother's experiences of identifying with the role of mother, participation, fatigue and the social context in which mothering occurs. This study contributes to the sparse body of literature on the impact of arthritis on participation in maternal practices and social interaction, informing health professionals about the experience of mothering with arthritis.

Thesis (Doctor of Public Administration)--University of La Verne, 1993. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 146-159).

Thesis--Wisconsin. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 77-81).

Thesis (Ed. D.)--Illinois State University, 1992. / Title from title page screen, viewed January 18, 2006. Dissertation Committee: Edward R. Hines (chair), Ron S. Halinski, Doris R. Kling, Calvin L. Stockman, Barbara K. Wallace. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 105-115) and abstract. Also available in print.

Thesis (Ed. D.)--Oklahoma State University, 2005. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p.117-124).

Thesis--University of Florida. / Description based on print version record. Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 81-85).