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Human monitoring systems for health, fitness and performance augmentation
Published in Adedeji B. Badiru, Cassie B. Barlow, Defense Innovation Handbook, 2018
Mark M. Derriso, Kimberly Bigelow, Christine Schubert Kabban, Ed Downs, Amanda Delaney
In a physics-based model, relationships between predictor variables and the outcome are known and can be expressed with mathematical precision. E = mc2 is an example of a physics-based model in which equivalent energy (E) can be expressed with mathematical precision as a function of the mass of an object (m) times the square of the speed of light in a vacuum (c2). Unfortunately, performance as an outcome may not be so easily expressed. Yet, it is possible, as a result of data-driven models and theoretical findings, to be able to begin expressing performance in a model as a hybrid of physics-based and possibly data-driven variables. The advantage of striving for physics-based modeling is in the precision with which performance can be predicted. In Einstein’s famous equation above, energy is predicted without error as a function of mass and the speed of light. Although context is important, the ability to predict in a physics-based model removes uncertainty, replacing unexplained error through mathematical expressions proven to estimate a phenomenon. Balance can be assessed through a variety of tests such as the Balance Error Scoring System or Star Excursion Balance Test. Although the measures that result from these tests are not physics based and are recommended for specific applications and tasks, it is conceivable that in the near future, physics-based expressions of force, mass and motion can be combined to specifically measure the extent to which weight is evenly or not evenly distributed (i.e., the definition of balance).
Biomechanical studies for understanding falls in older adults
Published in Youlian Hong, Roger Bartlett, Routledge Handbook of Biomechanics and Human Movement Science, 2008
Daina L. Sturnieks, R. Stephen
In biomechanical terms, balance is a task of maintaining the body’s centre of mass (COM, the point around which the body’s mass is equally distributed) within the limits of the base of support (BOS, the area circumscribed by parts of the body that are in contact with a support surface). Mechanical factors affecting balance include: the mass of the body (according to Newton’s Second Law of Motion [F = ma], which suggests the larger an object, the greater the force required to accelerate it); the size of the BOS or support area generally the larger the support area, the more stable an object is; the amount of friction between the body and the support surface, which must be sufficient to prevent slipping; the position of the COM relative to the BOS, in the horizontal plane and the vertical direction. Balance tasks may be grouped into four different categories: (1) maintaining a stable position, such as standing or sitting; (2) adjustments to voluntary movements, such as reaching, gait initiation or voluntary stepping; (3) reactions to expected external perturbations, such as catching a ball; and (4) reactions to unexpected perturbations, such as tripping. The numerous biomechanical studies of balance and falls in the elderly span each of these categories, however, the majority fit into the first and the last.
Effects of Whole Body Vibration on the Elderly
Published in Redha Taiar, Christiano Bittencourt Machado, Xavier Chiementin, Mario Bernardo-Filho, Whole Body Vibrations, 2019
Maíra Florentino Pessoa, Helga C. Muniz de Souza, Helen K. Bastos Fuzari, Patrícia E. M. Marinho, Armèle Dornelas de Andrade
Balance is achieved when the forces acting on the body allow it to maintain the desired posture, or to move in a controlled manner. However, biomechanical and postural changes may contribute to reduced stability. These structural changes coincide with shortening the anterior muscle groups of the thoracic region and elongation of the posterior chain. This shortening or excessive stretching affects the endurance of these muscle groups, leading to a greater chance of fatigue, and making them less efficient at maintaining upright postures, in addition to changing the body’s centre of gravity.
Effects of Seated Postural Sway on Visually Induced Motion Sickness: A Multiple Regression and RUSBoost Classification Approach
Published in International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction, 2023
As mentioned above, many methods that minimize the symptoms of motion sickness have been proposed, but the industry still remains impaired by motion sickness symptoms that often prevent users from enjoying VR content. Therefore, estimating the occurrence of VIMS will help to develop the VR industry. The proposed method for estimating individual susceptibility to VIMS can be applied in various fields. First, the human ability to maintain balance is due in part to individual characteristics, such as gender, age, physical and mental neural networking, and daily condition. Our proposed method can evaluate the severity of individuals to VIMS by providing appropriate guidelines to avoid long-lasting VIMS. Secondly, the safety of potentially high-risk groups can be ensured by predicting their susceptibility to VIMS before using VR. Thirdly, contributing factors to VIMS can be further determined by developing a user-specific database of the severity of VIMS. Lastly, the proposed method can provide a scientific rationale for developing a feedback technique to improve vestibular function through specific tasks that demand good postural sway beyond VR fields. It is expected that future VR technology will become more stable and user-friendly.
Impact of Qigong exercises on the severity of the menopausal symptoms and health-related quality of life: A randomised controlled trial
Published in European Journal of Sport Science, 2023
María del Carmen Carcelén-Fraile, Fidel Hita-Contreras, Antonio Martínez-Amat, Vânia Brandão Loureiro, Nuno Eduardo Marques de Loureiro, José Daniel Jiménez-García, Raquel Fábrega-Cuadros, Agustín Aibar-Almazán
Out of the initially contacted 132 women, 125 fulfilled all the requirements and agreed to take part in the study (Figure 1). Participants were required to: (i) being 60 years old or over; (ii) report amenorrhea for at least twelve months; (iii) be able to understand and perform the instructions, activities, and protocols related to the Qigong exercise programme; (iv) be able to understand and fill out all the self-reporting questionnaires they were administered, as well as performing all tests required; (v) not been previously engaged in formal exercise training programme for the last three months, and not familiarised with Qigong-based exercises. Exclusion criteria were: (i) receiving menopause hormone therapy; (ii) suffering from any sort of systemic disease (such as neurodegenerative, musculoskeletal, or visual) which hampered their performance in the Qigong exercises or the postural balance tests; (iii) presenting any sort of vestibular alteration or condition: (iv) currently taking any drug with the potential to affect the central nervous system, balance, or coordination (such as antidepressants, anxiolytics, or vestibular sedatives).
The trend of fall-related mortality at national and provincial levels in Iran from 1990 to 2015
Published in International Journal of Injury Control and Safety Promotion, 2020
Zahra Ghodsi, Man Amanat, Sahar Saeedi Moghaddam, Payam Vezvaei, Kimiya Gohari, Rosa Haghshenas, Mohammad Hosein Amirzade-Iranaq, Nazila Rezaei, Soheil Saadat, Ali Sheidaei, Mahdi Sharif-Alhoseini, Farideh Sadeghian, Seyed Behzad Jazayeri, Mona Salehi, Payman Salamati, Maziar Moradi-Lakeh, Ali H. Mokdad, Gerard O’Reilly, Vafa Rahimi-Movaghar
Our study revealed that people aged above 85 years were at the highest risk of death due to falls. In line with this study, ageing was showed to be a risk factor of falls and their related mortality (Baricich et al., 2018; Joshi et al., 2019; Taheri-Kharameh et al., 2019). It was identified that about one-third of adults older than 65 years had at least one fall during the last 12 months and about 70% of injuries in this population were caused by falls (Homann et al., 2013). One study in the United Kingdom indicated that over 30% of the elderly population fell each year and about half of them had recurrent falling episodes (Scuffham et al., 2003). Impaired physiological function due to age and medical conditions is an important risk factor for falls. The elderly population are at an increased risk of different pathological events including neurological disorders. Gait disturbance and postural instability due to neurological events can lead to falls. Multiple studies showed high rate of falls among people with cerebrovascular diseases, dementia and parkinson’s disease (Tripathy et al., 2015; Ungar et al., 2016; Wing et al., 2017). Osteoporosis, muscle weakness and visual impairment are other medical conditions that can be seen frequently in the elderly and increase the odds of falls (Dhargave & Sendhilkumar, 2016). The use of multiple medicines is another risk factor of falls. Dizziness and fatigue are common side effects of medication. These conditions can lead to impaired balance and put older people at a higher risk of falling (Dhargave & Sendhilkumar, 2016).