Research on postural stability, motor control, and fall occurrence in seniors is common, but few studies address the influence of exercise and external dynamics on elderly balance. Using pre- and post-training tests, the effects of a Fitball exercise program on performance in eight subjects was documented. The exercise program focused on improving dynamic balance and postural stability of seniors. To evaluate progress-related changes, pre- and post-tests in a dynamic environment were applied. Center of gravity (COG) excursion, catch success rate, and balance success rate were quantified, and synchronized data collection of 3D motion capture (VICON v8i) and ground reaction force (2 KISTLER platforms) was analyzed. During pre- and post-tests, participants stood in a walklike stance and were asked to catch a weighted ball, which dropped unexpectedly. Results showed no significant changes in balance success rate. Significant improvements were found, however, in both COG control and catch success rate following training (p<0.05).
Early identification of individuals with impaired balancing ability could lead to timely interventions and reduce the hazard of age-related falls. Numerous methods for researching the prevention of falls and age-related sensori-motor degradation have been proposed and tested. Most are either too expensive for practitioners or too physically demanding to use with seniors. A simple, reliable technique is desired. The aim of this research is to develop a practical and quantitative solution for assessment of age-related degradation of human sensori-motor function, which could in turn serve as a means of fall prevention among seniors. A novel testing apparatus, the dynamic balance testing platform, was developed. The design includes artificial neural network (ANN) technology to address the nonlinearity and redundancy in the neural network that controls sensori-motor functions. A total of 62 male subjects aged from 18 to 84 years were tested using the proposed method. Results showed that (1) the new device did reflect the sensori-motor degradation related to age, (2) reliable evaluation of sensori-motor function need not be complicated, time consuming, or costly, and (3) the developed equipment powered with ANN technology holds great potentials for predicting fall possibility. Overall, this study validated a strategy of fall prevention with a potential for prevalent use in the healthcare industry.
In the current sport-equipment industry, equipment evaluation and/or optimization are mainly done through pure mechanical procedures. It is known that any change of performance environment would cause one to adapt certain aspects of his or her movements to the changed environment. Variation of sport-equipment is counted as an environment change for human performance. Yet, the equipment-induced motor control change is hardly studied and less considered in golf club evaluation/optimization by industries. This study aimed to elaborate on two aspects related to equipmentinduced motor control change using biomechanical analysis of golf swing. The results showed that mechanical variations of clubs did cause significant changes in motor control during golf swings. This would suggest: 1) equipment-induced motor control adjustment would alternate the results of pure mechanical optimization and 2) a reasonable approach for the optimization of golf club should consider both mechanical and biomechanical factors. The results of this study should serve as primary evidence for initiating more and more biomechanical tests related to optimization of golf clubs in sportequipment industry.
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