Basic Motor Tasks Research Articles

ОЦЕНКА ФУНКЦИОНАЛЬНЫХ ВОЗМОЖНОСТЕЙ ЭКИПАЖА ПРИ ВЫПОЛНЕНИИ ВНЕКОРАБЕЛЬНОЙ ДЕЯТЕЛЬНОСТИ ПОСЛЕ ДЛИТЕЛЬНОЙ ИЗОЛЯЦИИ В НАЗЕМНОЙ МОДЕЛИ КОСМИЧЕСКОЙ СТАНЦИИ

During interplanetary expeditions, the crew must adapt not only to gravity transitions but also to long-term stay in a limited space of a space station. In such conditions, it develops a significant decrease in motor activity and the formation of a special stereotype of movements in these conditions. Within further planning of ground-based and real interplanetary missions, it is appropriate to assess the impact of these factors on the crew's functional condition, including when modeling lunar gravity using suspension and virtual reality (VR) technologies. The purpose was to determine the functional capabilities of 5 members of the international crew of the 240-day SIRIUS-21 isolation experiment when performing an extravehicular activity (EVA) after 4 and 6 months of isolation in the hermetic facility. During EVA, the crew performed basic motor tasks using VR on an uneven surface: positional tests, voluntary and tandem walking, walking when avoiding and stepping over obstacles, and verticalization from lying and standing on one knee positions. In addition, the EVA scenario included the tasks of controlling the rover while the hands unloading, as well as moving on a sliding surface in a VR environment when the body lunar vertical unloading. In this study, we presented results of qualitative and quantitative analysis of video recording data and qualitative analysis of the electromyographic activity of the muscles of the lower extremities. The results indicate a sufficient level of functional performance of SIRIUS-21 crew members – all the EVA tasks were completed by the crew in full, while no cases of significant loss of balance and signs of pronounced locomotor and vestibular disorders were registered. At the same time, this paper highlights some features of the crew's EVA performance – the effects of sensorimotor training on some tasks with repeated EVA experience, the most common errors, and difficulties in performing the tasks of the EVA scenario.

Correlation between Depressive Behavior and Expressions of S100β and Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor in Hippocampus and Frontal Cortex of Rats

Objective To investigate the association between chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced depressive-like behavior in rats and expressions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and S100β in the hippocampal and prefrontal cortex. Methods Rats were randomly assigned to three groups:saline control group,saline+CUMS group,and citalopram +CUMS group. CUMS was used for depression modeling in rats. Depressive-like behavior in rats were evaluated by open-field test,sucrose preference test,and novel object recognition test. S100β and BDNF expressions were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Rats in the saline+CUMS group had significantly lower score in sucrose preference [(52.48±13.14)%],basic motor tasks [(845.8±371.4)s],fine motor tasks [(565.6±211.9)s],and longer resting time [(282.6±11.8)s] compared to the control group [(84.30±6.15)% (t=7.49,P=0.000),(1239.1±281.6)s (t=2.83,P=0.008),(801.8±150.9)s (t=3.05,P=0.003),(268.2±12.8)s (t=2.72,P=0.001)]. Compared with the citalopram+CUMS group,rats from the saline+CUMS group also showed significantly lower results in sucrose preference [(80.55±11.31)%,t=5.39,P=0.000],basic motor tasks [(1156.4±314.7)s,t=2.13,P=0.031],and fine motor tasks [(736.1±150.0)s,t=2.21,P=0.008]. There were no significant differences in the expression of hippocampal and prefrontal BDNF between these two groups,but rats from the saline+CUMS group expressed significantly higher levels of S100β compared to rats from the citalopram+CUMS group [(13.22±2.23) ng/g vs. (10.55±2.72) ng/g,t=2.67,P=0.014]. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that the expression of S100β was positively correlated with the expression of BDNF in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus (r=0.35,P=0.034;r=0.36,P=0.034).The novel object recognition index was positively correlated with the expression of BDNF in the hippocampus(r=0.38,P=0.021),and the duration of fine-motor activities was negatively correlated with S100β in the prefrontal cortex (r=-0.36,P=0.037). Conclusions Different types of depressive behaviors in rats induced by CUMS are associated with the selective expression of S100β and BDNF in two different brain cortex. S100β protein and BDNF may independently participate in the pathogenesis of depression.

Skilled Movements Require Non-apoptotic Bax/Bak Pathway-Mediated Corticospinal Circuit Reorganization

Early postnatal mammals, including human babies, can perform only basic motor tasks. The acquisition of skilled behaviors occurs later, requiring anatomical changes in neural circuitry to support the development of coordinated activation or suppression of functionally related muscle groups. How this circuit reorganization occurs during postnatal development remains poorly understood. Here we explore the connectivity between corticospinal (CS) neurons inthe motor cortex and muscles in mice. Using trans-synaptic viral and electrophysiological assays, we identify the early postnatal reorganization of CS circuitry for antagonistic muscle pairs. We further show that this synaptic rearrangement requires theactivity-dependent, non-apoptotic Bax/Bak-caspase signaling cascade. Adult Bax/Bak mutant mice exhibit aberrant co-activation of antagonistic muscle pairs and skilled grasping deficits but normal reaching and retrieval behaviors. Our findings reveal key cellular and molecular mechanisms driving postnatal motor circuit reorganization and the resulting impacts on muscle activation patterns and the execution of skilled movements.

Both hands at work: the effect of aging on upper-limb kinematics in a multi-step activity of daily living.

The kinematic performance of basic motor tasks shows a clear decrease with advancing age. This study examined if the rules known from such tasks can be generalized to activities of daily living. We examined the end-effector kinematics of 13 young and 13 elderly participants in the multi-step activity of daily living of tea-making. Furthermore, we analyzed bimanual behavior and hand dominance in the task using different conditions of execution. The elderly sample took substantially longer to complete the activity (almost 50%) with longer trajectories compared with the young sample. Models of multiple linear regression revealed that the longer trajectories prolonged the trial duration in both groups, and while movement speed influenced the trial duration of young participants, phases of inactivity negatively affected how long the activity took the elderly subjects. No differences were found regarding bimanual performance or hand dominance. We assume that in self-paced activities of daily living, the age-dependent differences in the kinematics are more likely to be based on the higher cognitive demands of the task rather than on pure motor capability. Furthermore, it seems that not all of the rules known from basic motor tasks can be generalized to activities of daily living.

Changes in Gait Symmetry After Training on a Treadmill with Biofeedback in Chronic Stroke Patients: A 6-Month Follow-Up From a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BackgroundOne of the most significant challenges for patients who survive a stroke is relearning basic motor tasks such as walking. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether training on a treadmill with visual biofeedback improves gait symmetry, as well as spatiotemporal and kinematic gait parameters, in stroke patients.Material/MethodsThirty patients in the chronic phase after a stroke were randomly allocated into groups with a rehabilitation program of treadmill training with or without visual biofeedback. The training program lasted 10 days. Spatiotemporal and kinematic gait parameters were evaluated. For all parameters analyzed, a symmetrical index was calculated. Follow-up studies were performed 6 months after completion of the program.ResultsThe symmetrical index had significantly normalized in terms of the step length (p=0.006), stance phase time, and inter-limb ratio in the intervention group. After 6 months, the improvement in the symmetry of the step length had been maintained. In the control group, no statistically significant change was observed in any of the parameters tested. There was no significant difference between the intervention group and the control group on completion of the program or at 6 months following the completion of the program.ConclusionsTraining on a treadmill has a significant effect on the improvement of spatiotemporal parameters and symmetry of gait in patients with chronic stroke. In the group with the treadmill training using visual biofeedback, no significantly greater improvement was observed.

Motor Sequence Learning in Healthy Older Adults Is Not Necessarily Facilitated by Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS).

Background: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) of the primary motor cortex (M1) can modulate neuronal activity, and improve performance of basic motor tasks. The possibility that tDCS could assist in rehabilitation (e.g., for paresis post-stroke) offers hope but the evidence base is incomplete, with some behavioural studies reporting no effect of tDCS on complex motor learning. Older adults who show age-related decline in movement and learning (skills which tDCS could potentially facilitate), are also under-represented within tDCS literature. To address these issues, we examined whether tDCS would improve motor sequence learning in healthy young and older adults. Methods: In Experiment One, young participants learned 32 aiming movements using their preferred (right) hand whilst receiving: (i) 30 min Anodal Stimulation of left M1; (ii) 30 min Cathodal Stimulation of right M1; or (iii) 30 min Sham. Experiment Two used a similar task, but with older adults receiving Anodal Stimulation or Sham. Results: Whilst motor learning occurred in all participants, tDCS did not improve the rate or accuracy of motor learning for either age group. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the effects of tDCS may be limited to motor performance with no clear beneficial effects for motor learning.

Intermittent hypoxia promotes recovery of respiratory motor function in spinal cord-injured mice depleted of serotonin in the central nervous system.

We examined the effect of repeated daily exposure to intermittent hypoxia (IH) on the recovery of respiratory and limb motor function in mice genetically depleted of central nervous system serotonin. Electroencephalography, diaphragm activity, ventilation, core body temperature, and limb mobility were measured in spontaneously breathing wild-type (Tph2(+/+)) and tryptophan hydroxylase 2 knockout (Tph2(-/-)) mice. Following a C2 hemisection, the mice were exposed daily to IH (i.e., twelve 4-min episodes of 10% oxygen interspersed with 4-min normoxic periods followed by a 90-min end-recovery period) or normoxia (i.e., sham protocol, 21% oxygen) for 10 consecutive days. Diaphragm activity recovered to prehemisection levels in the Tph2(+/+) and Tph2(-/-) mice following exposure to IH but not normoxia [Tph2(+/+) 1.3 ± 0.2 (SE) vs. 0.3 ± 0.2; Tph2(-/-) 1.06 ± 0.1 vs. 0.3 ± 0.1, standardized to prehemisection values, P < 0.01]. Likewise, recovery of tidal volume and breathing frequency was evident, although breathing frequency values did not return to prehemisection levels within the time frame of the protocol. Partial recovery of limb motor function was also evident 2 wk after spinal cord hemisection. However, recovery was not dependent on IH or the presence of serotonin in the central nervous system. We conclude that IH promotes recovery of respiratory function but not basic motor tasks. Moreover, we conclude that spontaneous or treatment-induced recovery of respiratory and motor limb function is not dependent on serotonin in the central nervous system in a mouse model of spinal cord injury.

Toward a Proprioceptive Neural Interface that Mimics Natural Cortical Activity.

The dramatic advances in efferent neural interfaces over the past decade are remarkable, with cortical signals used to allow paralyzed patients to control the movement of a prosthetic limb or even their own hand. However, this success has thrown into relief, the relative lack of progress in our ability to restore somatosensation to these same patients. Somatosensation, including proprioception, the sense of limb position and movement, plays a crucial role in even basic motor tasks like reaching and walking. Its loss results in crippling deficits. Historical work dating back decades and even centuries has demonstrated that modality-specific sensations can be elicited by activating the central nervous system electrically. Recent work has focused on the challenge of refining these sensations by stimulating the somatosensory cortex (S1) directly. Animals are able to detect particular patterns of stimulation and even associate those patterns with particular sensory cues. Most of this work has involved areas of the somatosensory cortex that mediate the sense of touch. Very little corresponding work has been done for proprioception. Here we describe the effort to develop afferent neural interfaces through spatiotemporally precise intracortical microstimulation (ICMS). We review what is known of the cortical representation of proprioception, and describe recent work in our lab that demonstrates for the first time, that sensations like those of natural proprioception may be evoked by ICMS in S1. These preliminary findings are an important first step to the development of an afferent cortical interface to restore proprioception.

Relations of Anthropometric Parameters with Scores on Basic and Specific Motor Tasks in Young Handball Players

The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to investigate the relations of anthropometric variables with scores on basic and specific motor tests for 133 young male handball players. These Estonian boys were divided into four age groups: 10-11 years (n = 34), 12-13 years (n = 39), 14-15 years (n = 39), and 16-17 years (n = 21). The anthropometric parameters were body height, sitting height, height with outstretched hands, arm span, leg length, and body mass. Body Mass Index (kg x m2) was calculated. Basic motor ability tests were 30-m run from standing position, vertical jump with hands on hip and with arm swing, medicine ball (1 kg) overhand throw with dominant hand from sitting position, and handgrip strength. Specific motor ability tests were 4- x 10-m shuttle-run, slalom dribble test, 30-m dribbling test, handball throw with dominant hand from sitting position, vertical jump from one step run-up on dominant leg, and passing the handball on speed and precision. Relatively few anthropometric parameters were significantly associated with scores on basic motor tasks in a stepwise multiple regression analysis, but sitting height was significantly associated with scores on all measured basic motor tests for the 14- to 15-yr.-old group (16.5-52.4%; R2 x 100) and also with specific motor tests for 12- to 13-yr.-olds and 14- to 15-yr.-olds (13.4-41.6%; R2 x 100). The anthropometric parameters are then relatively poor predictors for basic and specific motor ability test scores of young handball players.

Predictors of Motor Tasks Essential for Daily Activities Among Persons With Heart Failure

Background To engage in daily activities, persons must be able to perform basic motor tasks, such as walking around the house, climbing up stairs, standing up from the sofa, and so forth. For patients with heart failure (HF), activity intolerance, symptoms of HF, muscle strength, and balance contribute to the “ability” to perform daily activities. Many patients with HF reported that they are able to perform motor tasks, but they modify how they do the tasks. The purpose of the study was to identify factors that predict modification in motor tasks essential to daily activities. Methods and Results Forty-eight men and 54 women aged more than 18 years (mean 59.6 years) were recruited from an outpatient HF clinic. By using hierarchic multiple regression, 90% of the variance in modifications in motor tasks (Late Life Function and Disability Instrument–Function component) was explained, and significant predictors were dyspnea with motor tasks (β = 0.87), age (β = 0.12), and gender (β = 0.11). Older women had significantly greater modifications in these tasks than men. Conclusion Modifications of motor tasks may provide information on those at high risk of developing disability and assist clinicians to identify interventions to improve dyspnea and prevent or reverse decline.

Speed, variability, and timing of motor output in ADHD: which measures are useful for endophenotypic research?

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) shares a genetic basis with motor coordination problems and probably motor timing problems. In line with this, comparable problems in motor timing should be observed in first degree relatives and might, therefore, form a suitable endophenotypic candidate. This hypothesis was investigated in 238 ADHD-families (545 children) and 147 control-families (271 children). A motor timing task was administered, in which children had to produce a 1,000 ms interval. In addition to this task, two basic motor tasks were administered to examine speed and variability of motor output, when no timing component was required. Results indicated that variability in motor timing is a useful endophenotypic candidate: It was clearly associated with ADHD, it was also present in non-affected siblings, and it correlated within families. Accuracy (under- versus over-production) in motor timing appeared less useful: Even though accuracy was associated with ADHD (probands and affected siblings had a tendency to under-produce the 1,000 ms interval compared to controls), non-affected siblings did not differ from controls and sibling correlations were only marginally significant. Slow and variable motor output without timing component also appears present in ADHD, but not in non-affected siblings, suggesting these deficits not to be related to a familial vulnerability for ADHD. Deficits in motor timing could not be explained by deficits already present in basic motor output without a timing component. This suggests abnormalities in motor timing were predominantly related to deficient motor timing processes and not to general deficient motor functioning. The finding that deficits in motor timing run in ADHD-families suggests this to be a fruitful domain for further exploration in relation to the genetic underpinnings of ADHD.

Performance of Extremely Low Birthweight Children at 5 Years of Age on the Miller Assessment for Preschoolers

The purpose of this geographically defined national study was to evaluate the performance of extremely low birthweight children (ELBW < 1000 g) born in Iceland in 1991-1995 and compare to a cohort of matched control children born full term. The Miller Assessment for Preschoolers (MAP) was used to provide an overall profile of 32 ELBW children and 55 control children at 5 years of age. The results indicated that score patterns on the MAP between ELBW and normal birthweigt children differ. The differences were significant on the Total Score, and the Foundations, Coordination, and Complex-Tasks Indices. This study found that the ELBW group had specific problems in basic motor tasks, coordination, and fine motor skills. The results validate the need for early assessment, regular follow up, and consultation to promote optimal task performance and social participation of children born prematurely.

Performance of Extremely Low Birthweight Children at 5 Years of Age on the Miller Assessment for Preschoolers

The purpose of this geographically defined national study was to evaluate the performance of extremely low birthweight children (ELBW < 1000g) born in Iceland in 1991-1995 and compare them to a cohort of matched control children born full term. The Miller Assessment for Preschoolers (MAP) was used to provide an overall profile of 32 ELBW children and 55 control children at 5 years of age. The results indicated that score patterns on the MAP between ELBW and normal birthweight children differ. The differences were significant on the Total Score, and the Foundations, Coordination, and Complex-Tasks Indices. This study found that the ELBW group had specific problems in basic motor tasks, coordination, and fine motor skills. The results validate the need for early assessment, regular follow-up, and consultation to promote optimal task performance and social participation of children born prematurely.

Upper Extremity Artificial Limb Control as an Issue Related to Movement and Mobility in Daily Living

The 1992 NIH Research Planning Conference on Prosthetic and Orthotic Research for the 21st Century (Childress, 1992) recognized that the field of prosthetics lacks theoretical understanding and empirical studies on learning to control an upper-extremity prosthesis. We have addressed this problem using a novel approach in which persons without amputations are required to perform or learn basic motor tasks using a prosthetic simulator. The findings so far have three important implications for rehabilitation: (a) learning prosthetic control can be facilitated by general principles that have been shown to promote motor learning; (b) bilateral transfer can be used to enhance prosthetic limb control and minimize rejection; and (c) a voluntary closing terminal device has some advantages relative to a voluntary opening device

Age, sex, and body composition as predictors of children's performance on basic motor abilities and health-related fitness items.

The purpose of this study was to determine the contribution of age, sex, and body composition to children's motor performances on selected basic motor tasks, balance, speed, agility, power, coordination, and reaction time, and health-related fitness items, flexibility, muscle strength and endurance, and cardiovascular functions. 80 subjects were students in Grades 1, 2, 3. Data were submitted to a step-wise multiple linear regression for each criterion variable. Predictor variables were age, sex, and body composition. Age was a significant factor in predicting performance on all variables except muscle strength, endurance, and flexibility. Sex significantly predicted performance for only flexibility and cardiovascular function and body composition for the power and cardiovascular function variables. Beyond the biological potential of each individual are factors that influence his motor development. These factors need early identification to make possible opportunities for each person to reach the full perimeters of motor potential.