In recent years, there has been a noticeable rise in the use of walking in artistic practice. Artists explore, map, narrate, draw, follow and procrastinate through the use of pedestrianism. This rise in an artistic output that uses the walking body has coincided with a burgeoning literature in this field; a literature that, I argue, has yet to find its feet, frequently repeating, and so depoliticising, the dominant narrative that casts walking as a strategy of resistance to the high-speed technological demands of late capitalism. Beyond its role as emancipatory gesture, I show, walking is enmeshed in histories of gender, labour, punishment, power and protest; something that a focus on the art of the 1960s and ‘70s can help to uncover. Accordingly, this thesis seeks to place the recent rise of ‘walking art’ in a specific historical context, positing that the uses of walking by artists today find the key to their legitimation in moving image and performance work of the 1960s and ‘70s. Through chapters on the work of the Judson Dance Theater (1962-7) and Trisha Brown (early 1970s), Bruce Nauman’s studio films and videos (1967-9) and Agnes Martin’s only film Gabriel (1976), I argue that these artists used walking not only to deconstruct the mediums out of which they worked (dance, sculpture, painting), but also to negotiate the wider socio-political issues of the era, from protest marching and the moon landings to much more clandestine concerns such as surveillance and controlled viewership. These chapters reveal a walking body as supported by technology, subject to self-discipline, and negotiating a new relationship with the natural world. A final chapter on Janet Cardiff’s audio walks, which she first developed in the late 1990s, makes explicit a feminist problematic, as I ask where the female body resides in a long history of male walkers, and explore the broader question of how we write the history of ‘walking art’. Via Cardiff, I reflect on the place of the 1960s and ‘70s in our historical imagination today, arguing for a more uneasy reading of the art of these decades than we have previously been used to.

Background: Many adults do not take recommended amounts of physical activity (PA). This is associated with adverse health outcomes such as obesity, overweight, diabetes and heart disease. Moreover, physical inactivity is socially patterned. People with lower socioeconomic status or who live in more deprived areas do less PA which may in turn contribute to inequalities in health outcomes. Identifying the causes and possible pathways for increasing PA and addressing health inequalities is a pressing national and international priority. There is increasing evidence that features of the built environment (BE) can support physical activities such as walking. The built environment may also ameliorate health inequalities by providing a supportive context for walking across diverse sections of the population. However, there is little evidence relating to the UK and Scottish context or about inequalities in these associations for different groups such as people with different demographic characteristics or people living in areas with different levels of deprivation. This study aimed to fill this knowledge gap, examining associations between built environments and walking in urban Scotland. It considered individual and spatial inequalities in these relationships. Methods: This study had a quantitative cross-sectional design. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) was used to create neighbourhood level BE measures of Area Walking Potential (AWP) across urban Scotland. These were destination accessibility, street connectivity, residential density and walkability (a composite measure of the former three measures). An examination of the distribution of AWP across Scotland and in relation to area deprivation was made. The measures were then appended to individual level walking data for adults aged 19+ years from the 2010 Scottish Health Survey. Regression analysis tested for associations between the AWP measures with four different walking outcomes: any walking, frequency of walking, achieving 30 minutes of walking per day and total minutes walked in the previous week. Individual and area level confounders were controlled for. Associations were examined using two sizes of neighbourhood area: 500m and 1000m zones around residential centres. Interactions with individual demographic, socioeconomic, household characteristics and area deprivation were evaluated. Results: There was modest evidence of positive associations between AWP and walking. After controlling for covariates, destination accessibility showed the strongest associations with frequency of walking. There were limited associations for street connectivity and walkability and no associations between residential density and walking. Positive associations remained for some groups less likely to walk, such as older adults. However, there were also interaction effects showing inequalities in associations between AWP and walking. In particular, people with lower educational attainment were less influenced by AWP. The spatial analysis showed areas with lowest deprivation had lowest AWP although people in more deprived areas walked less overall. Conclusions: There is some evidence that the BE supports some types of walking in Scotland. The BE may also enhance walking opportunities for certain groups who generally walk less, and therefore could potentially reduce inequalities in health outcomes. However, the socioeconomic inequalities in outcomes suggest multifaceted approaches to increasing walking are more likely to reach all sections of the population. The evidence that there are geographic inequalities in levels of AWP can be used to inform geographically targeted interventions aimed at improving walking environments. This research has generated original evidence in the Scottish context, highlighting the importance of context specific research.

The thesis aims at finding out, how efficient the Nordic Walking therapy is, when applied to chosen segments of human musculoskeletal system. Also it aims at exploration of the question concerning the utilization of Nordic Walking during musculoskeletal system treatment with a connection to a visceral body sphere. The theoretical part is dedicated to an analysis of the professional terms and concepts closely related to Nordic Walking. Opinions of various Czech and foreign Nordic Walking topic specialists are stated there. In addition, body mass indicators, and the way in which exercise influences the human organism, are also described in the theoretical part of the thesis. The practical part consists of research sample characteristics, definition of utilized methodology and measurement results evaluation. The results are processed in the form of graphs and tables and amended by discussion

The Dissertation is concerned with monitoring of changes regarding muscle involvement in specific areas of human motion system when walking and Nordic walking (NW) with focus on adults and by means of electromyography method. Within the process of field testing there were 9 randomly selected individuals at the age of 50 - 60 tested to elicit differences in the motion system. There was an effort to find certain differences within involvement of specific muscle groups in the area of shoulder girdle, pelvic girdle and lower limbs and retrieval of similarities of coordination attributes concerning locomotion at horizontal presented by paradigm of kinesiological content of reflexive crawling according to Vojta's principle. Kinematic analyses was used to discover a difference in involvement of specific muscles between Nordic (v = 5 kph) and regular walking (v = 4, 75 kph) up to 10˚ of ascent. Muscles where their MVC was diagnosed the difference in individual muscle involvement was monitored expressed in percentage. The values found were consequently related to their referential value of MVC and tested by means of Wilcoxon test for dependent selection. Muscles where MVC value was not diagnosed the intraindividual comparative analyses of activation muscle pair similarity was carried out on the grounds of...

Introdução. Os pacientes com DPOC apresentam capacidade de exercício reduzida e limitação funcional para realização de suas atividades diárias, impactando a qualidade de vida desses indivíduos. Além disso, foi demonstrado para esses indivíduos um maior risco de queda em comparação a indivíduos saudáveis da mesma idade. Contudo, não se sabe o papel da intolerância ao exercício em variáveis relacionadas a locomoção dos pacientes com DPOC como o custo de transporte (C), a velocidade autosselecionada (VAS) e a estabilidade dinâmica, que podem auxiliar na dimensão da influência dessa intolerância na vida diária desses indivíduos. Objetivo. O presente estudo se propôs a investigar o comportamento do C, da eficiência ventilatória, do conforto ventilatório e da estabilidade dinâmica em diferentes velocidades de caminhada de indivíduos com DPOC e comparar com indivíduos sem a doença, além de verificar a possível correspondência entre a VAS e a velocidade ótima. Materiais e Métodos. Onze participantes com DPOC fizeram parte desse estudo e foram comparados com onze controles pareados por sexo e idade. Eles foram primeiramente submetidos a um teste de exercício cardiopulmonar e, em um segundo momento, a uma avaliação do C. No protocolo submáximo, os participantes caminharam em cinco velocidades diferentes, sendo uma a VAS e outras quatro ±20% e ±40% da VAS. Além disso, os participantes foram avaliados em uma velocidade pré-determinada igual a todos (isovelocidade). Para todas as velocidades do protocolo os participantes caminharam durante cinco minutos. A partir dos valores de consumo de oxigênio (VO2) obtidos, foram calculados os valores de C. Simultaneamente, foram realizados registro de vídeos dos participantes para posterior análise cinemática da marcha. Foram calculados a frequência de passada (FP), o comprimento de passada (CP) e o coeficiente de variação (CoV) referente a FP, como medida da estabilidade dinâmica. Resultados. Não houve diferença do C dos pacientes com DPOC em relação aos controles, nem mesmo quando caminhavam em isovelocidade (p=0,623). Em todas as velocidades, os pacientes demonstraram menor eficiência ventilatória. A VAS dos pacientes foi menor, no entanto observou-se menor valor de C nas velocidades mais altas de caminhada. Apesar de os indivíduos com DPOC apresentarem menor FP e CP, a estabilidade dinâmica não demonstrou-se prejudicada na amostra estudada. Conclusão. Pacientes com DPOC caminham em velocidades reduzidas, em relação aos controles, especialmente devido à dispneia acompanhada de uma menor eficiência ventilatória. Embora o C seja semelhante ao de indivíduos saudáveis, os participantes com DPOC apresentaram o índice de reabilitação inferior, sugerindo, portanto, que o mecanismo pendular não esteja otimizado na VAS. Além de não encontrar diferenças na economia de caminhada, foram observadas alterações mínimas na estabilidade dinâmica da marcha destes indivíduos. Terapias que tratem do conforto ventilatório são potenciais ferramentas para a melhora da locomoção de pacientes com DPOC. / Background. Subjects with COPD present reduced exercise capacity and functional limitation to perform daily activities, which affects their quality of life. Furthermore, it is known that this population has increased risk of falls when compared to health subjects. However, it is still unknown the role of exercise intolerance on important variables to assess locomotion, as the cost of transport (C), the self-selected speed (VAS) and the dynamic stability, which might be able to help to dimension the exercise intolerance on their daily life. Objective. To investigate the behaviour of C ventilatory efficiency, ventilatory comfort and dynamic stability at different walking speeds in COPD subjects and compare them to healthy controls, as well as to verify the possible correspondence of VAS and optimal speed. Methods and Materials. 11 patients with COPD participated in this study and were matched with 11 control subjects in terms of gender and age. They underwent a cardiopulmonary exercise test and an evaluation of C. In this last evaluation, participants walked at five different walking speeds, among them VAS and the others ±20% and ±40% of the VAS. There was also a sixth predetermined walking speed (isovelocity). The participants walked during five minutes in each speed. The C values were calculated from the oxygen consumption (VO2) values. Simultaneously, the subjects were filmed for later analysis of gait kinematics. The stride frequency (FP), stride length (CP) and the coefficient of variation (CoV) from FP as a measure of dynamic stability, were calculated. Results. There was no significant difference between the C of participants with COPD and control subjects, not even when walking at isovelocity (p=0,623). For all speeds investigated, the ventilatory efficiency of COPD subjects was impaired when compared to healthy individuals. The participants in COPD group walked at a slower VAS, but the lower value of C was found during faster walking speeds. Even though the COPD group had less FP and shorter strides, their dynamic stability showed minimal impairment. Conclusion. The patients with COPD walked at a reduced walking speed when compared to control subjects, specially caused by dyspnea and a lower ventilatory efficiency. In spite of a similar C between groups, the COPD subjects presented an inferior rehabilitation index, therefore suggesting that their pendulum-like mechanism is not optimal at VAS. Furthermore, besides a walking economy with no differences between groups, minimal impairments were found for dynamic stability in COPD group. Therapies that treat ventilatory comfort are a potential tool to improve locomotion of COPD subjects.

In this work on the topic of "The use of nordic walking in children with hearing disability in age 8-15 years" in the first theoretical part I focus on nordic walking, his history, the correct technik influence on the functional systems of the human body. In addition, in this diplom work I focus on hearing loss, his significance and anatomy. A special chapter devoted to hearing disability as such, his etiology, classification and types of hearing loss. Emphasis on the development of children with hearing disability. In the practical part is devoted to the influence of nordic walking fitness program created for children with hearing disabilitou aged 8-15 years. . From the measured values of the health status and value orientation of the tests, I find this an adequate physical activity at the childern´s home in České Budějovice. The results indicate that the intervention motion program had a positive impact on children; benefits are demonstrable in particular improvements of menthal and physical health.

Introdução. Os pacientes com DPOC apresentam capacidade de exercício reduzida e limitação funcional para realização de suas atividades diárias, impactando a qualidade de vida desses indivíduos. Além disso, foi demonstrado para esses indivíduos um maior risco de queda em comparação a indivíduos saudáveis da mesma idade. Contudo, não se sabe o papel da intolerância ao exercício em variáveis relacionadas a locomoção dos pacientes com DPOC como o custo de transporte (C), a velocidade autosselecionada (VAS) e a estabilidade dinâmica, que podem auxiliar na dimensão da influência dessa intolerância na vida diária desses indivíduos. Objetivo. O presente estudo se propôs a investigar o comportamento do C, da eficiência ventilatória, do conforto ventilatório e da estabilidade dinâmica em diferentes velocidades de caminhada de indivíduos com DPOC e comparar com indivíduos sem a doença, além de verificar a possível correspondência entre a VAS e a velocidade ótima. Materiais e Métodos. Onze participantes com DPOC fizeram parte desse estudo e foram comparados com onze controles pareados por sexo e idade. Eles foram primeiramente submetidos a um teste de exercício cardiopulmonar e, em um segundo momento, a uma avaliação do C. No protocolo submáximo, os participantes caminharam em cinco velocidades diferentes, sendo uma a VAS e outras quatro ±20% e ±40% da VAS. Além disso, os participantes foram avaliados em uma velocidade pré-determinada igual a todos (isovelocidade). Para todas as velocidades do protocolo os participantes caminharam durante cinco minutos. A partir dos valores de consumo de oxigênio (VO2) obtidos, foram calculados os valores de C. Simultaneamente, foram realizados registro de vídeos dos participantes para posterior análise cinemática da marcha. Foram calculados a frequência de passada (FP), o comprimento de passada (CP) e o coeficiente de variação (CoV) referente a FP, como medida da estabilidade dinâmica. Resultados. Não houve diferença do C dos pacientes com DPOC em relação aos controles, nem mesmo quando caminhavam em isovelocidade (p=0,623). Em todas as velocidades, os pacientes demonstraram menor eficiência ventilatória. A VAS dos pacientes foi menor, no entanto observou-se menor valor de C nas velocidades mais altas de caminhada. Apesar de os indivíduos com DPOC apresentarem menor FP e CP, a estabilidade dinâmica não demonstrou-se prejudicada na amostra estudada. Conclusão. Pacientes com DPOC caminham em velocidades reduzidas, em relação aos controles, especialmente devido à dispneia acompanhada de uma menor eficiência ventilatória. Embora o C seja semelhante ao de indivíduos saudáveis, os participantes com DPOC apresentaram o índice de reabilitação inferior, sugerindo, portanto, que o mecanismo pendular não esteja otimizado na VAS. Além de não encontrar diferenças na economia de caminhada, foram observadas alterações mínimas na estabilidade dinâmica da marcha destes indivíduos. Terapias que tratem do conforto ventilatório são potenciais ferramentas para a melhora da locomoção de pacientes com DPOC. / Background. Subjects with COPD present reduced exercise capacity and functional limitation to perform daily activities, which affects their quality of life. Furthermore, it is known that this population has increased risk of falls when compared to health subjects. However, it is still unknown the role of exercise intolerance on important variables to assess locomotion, as the cost of transport (C), the self-selected speed (VAS) and the dynamic stability, which might be able to help to dimension the exercise intolerance on their daily life. Objective. To investigate the behaviour of C ventilatory efficiency, ventilatory comfort and dynamic stability at different walking speeds in COPD subjects and compare them to healthy controls, as well as to verify the possible correspondence of VAS and optimal speed. Methods and Materials. 11 patients with COPD participated in this study and were matched with 11 control subjects in terms of gender and age. They underwent a cardiopulmonary exercise test and an evaluation of C. In this last evaluation, participants walked at five different walking speeds, among them VAS and the others ±20% and ±40% of the VAS. There was also a sixth predetermined walking speed (isovelocity). The participants walked during five minutes in each speed. The C values were calculated from the oxygen consumption (VO2) values. Simultaneously, the subjects were filmed for later analysis of gait kinematics. The stride frequency (FP), stride length (CP) and the coefficient of variation (CoV) from FP as a measure of dynamic stability, were calculated. Results. There was no significant difference between the C of participants with COPD and control subjects, not even when walking at isovelocity (p=0,623). For all speeds investigated, the ventilatory efficiency of COPD subjects was impaired when compared to healthy individuals. The participants in COPD group walked at a slower VAS, but the lower value of C was found during faster walking speeds. Even though the COPD group had less FP and shorter strides, their dynamic stability showed minimal impairment. Conclusion. The patients with COPD walked at a reduced walking speed when compared to control subjects, specially caused by dyspnea and a lower ventilatory efficiency. In spite of a similar C between groups, the COPD subjects presented an inferior rehabilitation index, therefore suggesting that their pendulum-like mechanism is not optimal at VAS. Furthermore, besides a walking economy with no differences between groups, minimal impairments were found for dynamic stability in COPD group. Therapies that treat ventilatory comfort are a potential tool to improve locomotion of COPD subjects.

The Ph.D. thesis is focused on using the reinforcement learning for four legged robot control. The main aim is to create an adaptive control system of the walking robot, which will be able to plan the walking gait through Q-learning algorithm. This aim is achieved using the design of the complex three layered architecture, which is based on the DEDS paradigm. The small set of elementary reactive behaviors forms the basis of proposed solution. The set of composite control laws is designed using simultaneous activations of these behaviors. Both types of controllers are able to operate on the plain terrain as well as on the rugged one. The model of all possible behaviors, that can be achieved using activations of mentioned controllers, is designed using an appropriate discretization of the continuous state space. This model is used by the Q-learning algorithm for finding the optimal strategies of robot control. The capabilities of the control unit are shown on solving three complex tasks: rotation of the robot, walking of the robot in the straight line and the walking on the inclined plane. These tasks are solved using the spatial dynamic simulations of the four legged robot with three degrees of freedom on each leg. Resulting walking gaits are evaluated using the quantitative standardized indicators. The video files, which show acting of elementary and composite controllers as well as the resulting walking gaits of the robot, are integral part of this thesis.

The Dissertation is concerned with monitoring of changes regarding muscle involvement in specific areas of human motion system when walking and Nordic walking (NW) with focus on adults and by means of electromyography method. Within the process of field testing there were 9 randomly selected individuals at the age of 50 - 60 tested to elicit differences in the motion system. There was an effort to find certain differences within involvement of specific muscle groups in the area of shoulder girdle, pelvic girdle and lower limbs and retrieval of similarities of coordination attributes concerning locomotion at horizontal presented by paradigm of kinesiological content of reflexive crawling according to Vojta's principle. Kinematic analyses was used to discover a difference in involvement of specific muscles between Nordic (v = 5 kph) and regular walking (v = 4, 75 kph) up to 10˚ of ascent. Muscles where their MVC was diagnosed the difference in individual muscle involvement was monitored expressed in percentage. The values found were consequently related to their referential value of MVC and tested by means of Wilcoxon test for dependent selection. Muscles where MVC value was not diagnosed the intraindividual comparative analyses of activation muscle pair similarity was carried out on the grounds of...

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of an eight-week walk/jog program upon strength retention. Twenty-four male executives from Dallas, Texas represented the sample size Following eight weeks of resistive training, all subjects were pretested for strength and endurance measures. After the eight-week walk/jog program, all subjects were then retested adhering to the same pretest protocol. A two-way analysis of variance with repeated measures was used to test for mean group differences between pretest and posttest strength measures. A t-test for dependent means was utilized to ascertain differences in cardiovascular measurements. The alpha chosen to test the null hypotheses was the 0.05 level of significance. Results indicated that muscular strength was retained during the eight-week walk/jog program. No change in upper or lower extremity strength occurred, but significant improvements in maximal oxygen consumption and treadmill time were evidenced.