Are movement disorders and sensorimotor injuries pathologic synergies? When normal multi-joint movement synergies become pathologic

The intact nervous system has an exquisite ability to modulate the activity of multiple muscles acting at one or more joints to produce an enormous range of actions. Seemingly simple tasks, such as reaching for an object or walking, in fact rely on very complex spatial and temporal patterns of muscle activations. Neurological disorders such as stroke and focal dystonia affect the ability to coordinate multi-joint movements. This article reviews the state of the art of research of muscle synergies in the intact and damaged nervous system, their implications for recovery and rehabilitation, and proposes avenues for research aimed at restoring the nervous system’s ability to control movement

Patient characteristics, health status, and health-related behaviors associated with obesity.

The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with obesity and to examine the health habits of the obese and non-obese. In this study of over 44,000 insured individuals, obesity rates increased with age until age 65 and were highest among members of Samoan ancestry. Because the causes of obesity are multi-faceted, treatment approaches may need to address diet, exercise, pharmacotherapy and management of comorbid conditions

Identifying factors that influence enrollment in technology education courses at Reedsburg High School

Includes bibliographical references

Assessment Of Rearfoot Motion: Passive Positioning, One-Legged Standing, Gait

Earlier studies that address assessment of the subtalar joint (STJ) by measuring rearfoot motion used a goniometer to evaluate intertester reliability. Few investigations have determined how positions of the rearfoot, assessed manually (passive range of motion) or statically in one-legged standing, compare with those occurring during walking. The purpose of this study was to determine the following: (1) the intertester reliability of positioning the STJ in neutral, maximum inversion, and maximum eversion; (2) the reliability of the rearfoot position during relaxed one-legged standing; and (3) how these positions compare to rearfoot motion during walking. An electrogoniometer attached to the lateral aspect of the lower leg and heel was used to record the position of the rearfoot during testing procedures. Ten healthy volunteers participated. Rearfoot position was recorded during relaxed one-legged standing and during free and fast walking. Additionally, rearfoot position was recorded while each of three physical therapists positioned the STJ in neutral, maximum inversion, and maximum eversion. Intertester reliability for positioning the STJ in neutral, maximum inversion, and maximum eversion yielded intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.76,0.37, and 0.39, respectively. Reliability of relaxed one-legged standing had an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.92. The rearfoot position in relaxed one-legged standing and the maximum eversion position occurring during gait were not significantly different. These findings suggest that there is good intertester reliability in positioning the STJ in neutral. Additionally, the rearfoot position in relaxed one-legged standing may be used to approximate the maximum eversion position that occurs during gait. </jats:p