Empirical knowledge is lacking on reclined seating postures. To unify such data, a biomechanical model is needed that accurately predicts posture, the relative position of the pelvis, the point of load transfer to the seat, internal and external forces, and the motion paths of the support surfaces. The overall aim of this investigation was, therefore, to create and validate a biomechanical model of reclined seating postures, and to evaluate in vivo measured and predicted data. A two-dimensional biomechanical model was developed, validated and applied. A comprehensive set of biomechanical data was collected from fifteen gender and age diverse subjects to examine the foundational principles for reclined seating ergonomics. The model agreed with 98.8% of measured data on posture across the seated test conditions. There was a significant relationship between modelled and measured force (p < .001, r = .92), which improved after normalisation (p < .001, r = .97) with an 8% full scale error. The model was robust across height and gender. Significant differences in interface pressure (peak pressure, average pressure and area), stature, back muscle activity and spinal curvature were found between all of the seated test postures. Significant relationships were found between the model predictions and all of the experimental data. This research is unique in creating a framework around reclined seating postures which connects previously disparate areas of seating research. The biomechanical model, experimental results, and theories developed from this research have potential implications in research, and design, for applications including backcare chairs, seating for long-term care and patients with neuromotor deficits, wheelchairs and airline seating. Furthermore, this study exists at the interface of anthropometric and biomechanical modelling, and therefore may have cross over potential to digital humans, where their integration with biomechanical models is at the cutting edge of the field.

Thèse diffusée initialement dans le cadre d'un projet pilote des Presses de l'Université de Montréal/Centre d'édition numérique UdeM (1997-2008) avec l'autorisation de l'auteur.

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

Title: Effect of forward head posture on postural stabilization measured by postural somatooscillography. Objectives: The aim of this thesis was to assess the influence of the forward head posture on the overall ability of postural stabilization using postural somatooscillography method. Methods: This thesis was prepared using analytical - comparative study. It compared two groups of fifteen subjects using the challenge test "3 steps - standing on one leg" in standart conditions. The measurement was recorded to the Microswing 6.0 and collected data was evaluated by Posturomed Commander. Results: The research did not achieve clear results at all, but in the overall assessment, we could say, that people with forward head posture have different, maybe slightly worse ability of postural stabilization. Keywords: postural stability, forward head posture, Posturomed, cervical spine

Title: Evaluation of archers postural stabilization with provocation test using Propriomed and its correlation with the target-shooting Objective: Evaluation of archers postural stabilization level with provocation test using somatooscillatory aid Propriomed and to measure the level of postural stabilization depending on the successful target-shooting. Methods: To evaluate the level of postural stabilization was used somatooscillatory aid Propriomed and four accelerometers placed at key points of postural provocation test, where the acceleration was deducted. Measurement was performed in triplicate at each of the five measured positions and took 10 seconds. Record, display and data processing was carried out using the diagnostic system Microswing 5.0. Prior to obtain data from Propriomed were probands asked to shoot twenty sets of three arrows from the 20 pounds reflex bow over the 18 meters distance. The point archery evaluation, statistic data processing and reliance of postural stabilization and successful target-shooting were done in Microsoft Office Excel 2007. Results: Data analysis showed a statistically significant relationship between the level of postural stabilization and points obtained in archery. All measured positions, except for the third, significantly correlated with the points...

Objectives: The objective of this thesis is to evaluate body posture in students of 3rd and 4th grade of elementary school, to assess the impact of the intervention programme and to discuss further ways how the body posture can be affected. Methods: The body posture evaluation was performed through an experiment with elements of qualitative and quantitative research. Results: The body posture evaluation was performed using three selected tests: Mathias test, evaluation by Jaros and Lomička and measurement of the cervical and lumbar lordosis. Mathias test showed good posture results in only 14 students (16.9%), 69 students (83.1%) had poor posture. According to Jaroš and Lomíček, the head and neck were found to be the worst scoring areas, while the best scoring area of the body was found to be the chest. In terms of posture, the pretest revealed 27 students (32.6%) to have good posture, 54 students (65%) bad posture and 2 students (2.4%) were found to have very poor posture. The posttest revealed 36 students (43.4%) to have good posture and 47 students (56.6%) poor posture. Very bad posture was not found in posttest. Measurement of cervical lordosis was within the normal range for 10 (12%) students in testing (pretest) and for 12 students (14.5%) in the posttest. Lumbar lordosis testing was also in...

Title: Effect of a comprehensive rehabilitation program of children with asthma bronchiale Objectives: The main objective of this thesis is to show the usefulness and necessity of physical therapy in children with bronchial asthma and how does it affect them. Another objective was to summarize the possible available methods with demonstrations of examples of individual exercises that can be used for this disease. The aim was also monitoring and evaluation of the patient's subjective feelings. Methods: In the thesis we carried out a single arm experiment, where we used comprehensive kinesiology analysis of individual subjects and the methods of lung function tests. From the lung function test, we chose the spirometry test by method of curve flow / capacity and also we used the peak expiratory flow monitoring using peak-flow-meter. We compared the subjective feelings of clients at the beginning and the end of the treatment program. In the period we watched the changes of value in individual measuring techniques. Results: We found that a comprehensive treatment of children asthma has a significant impact on their posture and also on the respiratory functions and subjective perception of individual symptoms investigated clients. All clients received the same treatment and each of them occurred in...

This thesis focuses on the characteristic of the author's posture of Michel Houllebecq, a contemporary French author. The theoretical part of the thesis outlines the development of the author's concept during the 20th century and characterizes the author's posture in views of the Swiss literature critic Jérôme Meizoz, whose studies the thesis is based on. The second part of the thesis is dedicated to Michel Houllebecq's life and his present literature career. It gradually introduces his works together with receptions they received by the public. The description of the author's image follows. The final part comprises of the analysis of Houllebecq's work discursive ethos, which is the analysis of the author's poetics and style. The influence of those personalities who most affected author's style and his artistic pose as a whole is also emphasized. The thesis is complemented with a complete list of works by Michel Houllebecq and an illustrative photographic annex.

The aim of my diploma thesis is to find out and influence positively with the help of some compensative exercises posture, flexibility and muscular unbalance among swimmers from the Swimming club in Jindřichův Hradec. Experimental research was divided into two measurements between which half of the swimmers did the compensative excercises. The input and output measurements corresponded with their content and evaluated posture, flexibility and swimmers'muscular strength. Standard tests were used for testing and evaluation. Posture was evaluated with the help of plumb line and standing on two bathroom scales. Flexibility was evaluated by standardized tests of movability according to Měkota, Thomayer and Otta tests. Muscular shortening was tested according to Janda. Standing jump, pull-ups, or rather staying power in pull-up and press-up staying power in a kneeling position were used to compare muscular strength. Key words: compensative exercises, swimming, posture, muscular unbalance