Knee Height Research Articles

The Exo4Work shoulder exoskeleton effectively reduces muscle and joint loading during simulated occupational tasks above shoulder height

IntroductionExcessive physical shoulder musculoskeletal loading (muscle and joint contact forces), known to contribute to work-related shoulder disorders, can be reduced by a passive shoulder exoskeleton during quasi-static tasks. However, its effect on neighboring joints i.e. elbow, lower back, hip, and knee and its effect on joint contact forces have not been investigated. Furthermore, the effect of the exoskeleton's assistance versus movement adaptation when wearing the exoskeleton on musculoskeletal loading remains unexplored. Methods3D motion capture and ground reaction forces were measured while 16 participants performed 5 simulated occupational tasks with and without the exoskeleton. A musculoskeletal modeling workflow was used to calculate musculoskeletal loading. Shoulder muscle fatigue was quantified using surface EMG. In addition, exoskeletons usability was quantified using the system usability scale. ResultsWhen wearing the passive shoulder exoskeleton, shoulder and elbow musculoskeletal loading decreased during the high lift and overhead wiring task, without increasing the musculoskeletal load at the back, hip and knee. In contrast, musculoskeletal loading in the shoulder, as well as in the knee increased while lifting a box from the ground to knee height and from elbow height to shoulder height. When wearing the exoskeleton, muscle activity of the Trapezius descendens, Deltoideus medius and Biceps brachii were reduced during the high lift. ConclusionThe passive shoulder exoskeleton reduces musculoskeletal loading in the lower back, shoulder and elbow during simulated occupational tasks above shoulder height. In contrast, for tasks below shoulder height, the use of the exoskeleton needs to be critically reviewed to avoid increased musculoskeletal loading also in neighboring joints due to altered movement execution when wearing the exoskeleton.

Upper arm length and knee height are associated with diabetes in the middle-aged and elderly: evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study.

To determine if limb lengths, as markers of early life environment, are associated with the risk of diabetes in China. We performed a cohort analysis using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), and multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to examine the associations between baseline limb lengths and subsequent risk of diabetes. The CHARLS, 2011-2018. The study confined the eligible subject to 10 711 adults aged over 45 years from the CHARLS. During a mean follow-up period of 6·13 years, 1358 cases of incident diabetes were detected. When controlling for potential covariates, upper arm length was inversely related to diabetes (hazard ratio (HR) 0·95, 95 % CI (0·91, 0·99), P = 0·028), and for every 1-cm difference in knee height, the risk of diabetes decreased by about 4 % (HR 0·96, 95 % CI (0·93, 0·99), P = 0·023). The association between upper arm length and diabetes was only significant among females while the association between knee height and diabetes was only significant among males. In analyses stratified by BMI, significant associations between upper arm length/knee height and diabetes only existed among those who were underweight (HR 0·91, 95 % CI (0·83, 1·00), P = 0·049, HR 0·92, 95 % CI (0·86, 0·99), P = 0·031). Inverse associations were observed between upper arm length, knee height and the risk for diabetes development in a large Asian population, suggesting early life environment, especially infant nutritional status, may play an important role in the determination of future diabetes risk.

A cost-efficient and alternative technique of managing fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) larvae in maize crop

An experiment was conducted to test the efficacy of grease and emamectin benzoate in a randomized complete block design with five replications to reduce fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) larvae load from a maize field in the winter seasons of 2020 and 2021 in Sarlahi, Nepal. Standard agronomic package of practices followed for crop proper growth and development, and plant spacing maintained at 20 × 60 cm2 with a plot size of 390 m2. The treatments were applied when the maize crop was at knee height and larvae damaged nearly 5–8% of the total plants. Emamectin benzoate sprayed at 0.4 g/liter of water and grease of about 0.15 g applied to the maize whorl or tip of a drooping leaf that touched the soil. A significant reduction in larval infestation was observed after 7-days of treatment applications. Fall armyworm larvae were found dead in the chemical-sprayed plots, but they were absent in the grease-applied fields. No crop damage was observed among the grease-treated plants, which might be due to restrictions in the movement of larvae on the maize crop. The armyworm larvae might get irritated, feel insecure, and move far away from the test plots searching for food materials. Thus, an eco-friendly material like grease can be used as an agroecological method for managing fall armyworm larvae among small-scale land-holding maize farmers.

Correlation between nutritional status and perineal muscular strength in women with urinary uncontinence in the brazilian state of Roraima / Correlação entre o estado nutricional e a força muscular perineal nas mulheres com incontinência urinária no estado brasileiro de Roraima

Introduction: To evaluate the muscular strength of pelvic floor in women with complaints of voiding dysfunction and to associate it with their nutritional state. Specifically, the current work focuses on evaluating the force of contraction of the perineal muscles in women with voiding dysfunction and correlates the degree of muscular contraction of the pelvic floor through biofeedback and manual palpation. Material and Methods: This case-control study presents comparative laboratory tests of nutritional analyses and the degree of muscle contraction of the pelvic floor between the cases and the control groups. Urination disorders were evaluated through urodynamic study and King’s health questionnaires. Results: The force of contraction between normal and urinary incontinent females as measured by Ortiz’s scale was statistically insignificant. Perineal muscle function was negatively correlated with age and positively with perineal contraction while biofeedback was negatively correlated with knee height and globulin level and this difference was statistically significant. The biochemical tests for nutritional analysis were comparable between cases and control indicating no effect on urinary incontinence. Conclusions: The force of urinary contraction is independent of the state of urinary incontinent. With age, the strength of perineal muscle function goes down.

Flexibility in action: Development of locomotion under overhead barriers.

Behavioral flexibility-the ability to tailor motor actions to changing body-environment relations-is critical for functional movement. Navigating the everyday environment requires the ability to generate a wide repertoire of actions, select the appropriate action for the current situation, and implement it quickly and accurately. We used a new, adjustable barrier paradigm to assess flexibility of motor actions in 20 17-month-old (eight girls, 12 boys) and 14 13-month-old (seven girls, eight boys) walking infants and a comparative sample of 14 adults (eight women, six men). Most participants were White, non-Hispanic, and middle class. Participants navigated under barriers normalized to their standing height (overhead, eye, chest, hip, and knee heights). Decreases in barrier height required lower postures for passage. Every participant altered their initial walking posture according to barrier height for every trial, and all but two 13-month-olds found solutions for passage. Compared to infants, adults displayed a wider variety of strategies (squat-walking, half-kneeling, etc.), found more appropriate solutions based on barrier height (ducked at eye height and low crawled at knee height), and implemented their solutions more quickly (within 4 s) and accurately (without bumping their heads against the barrier). Infants frequently crawled even when the barrier height did not warrant a low posture, displayed multiple postural shifts prior to passage and thus took longer to go, and often bumped their heads. Infants' improvements were related to age and walking experience. Thus, development of flexibility likely involves the contributions of multiple domains-motor, perception, and cognition-that facilitate strategy selection and implementation. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Challenges in obtaining accurate anthropometric measures for adults with severe obesity: A community-based study.

The number of people with severe obesity (BMI ⩾40 kg/m2) is increasing rapidly, but is poorly documented, partly as a result of inappropriate standard anthropometric measurement methods for community-based people. As part of a broader study, people receiving care services and with severe obesity were visited at home. The people were assessed for measurements using different weighing scales and a standard portable stadiometer. If the stadiometer could not be used, their half arm span and knee height were measured to estimate their height using standard predictive equations. Measurements were taken for 15 women and 10 men (n = 25) aged 40-87 years (mean 62 years). Weights ranged from 98.4 to 211.8 kg (mean 150 kg), with 16 participants requiring bariatric scales. For the six people who were unable to stand, we used wheelchair scales (n = 1), bed weighing scales (n = 2), routine weights from care home records (n = 2) or weight data from hospital records (n = 1). The standard portable stadiometer could only be used for one person; the others required alternative measures from which to estimate height. Large body habitus obscured bony landmarks, meaning alternative measures gave diverse heights. Fourteen participants had a ⩾8 cm difference in height between estimates from half arm span and knee height measurements. Standard practice commonly does not provide reliable measurements for people with severe obesity, particularly those with mobility difficulties. An inability to measure weight and height accurately can exclude people from appropriate care, obscuring the true numbers affected and the effectiveness of future service planning. Safe community care requires the availability of specialist scales and standardised methods for height estimation appropriate for older and disabled people with severe obesity.

PERANCANGAN KURSI LIPAT PEKERJA LAS DENGAN METODE ERGONOMIC FUNCTION DEPLOYMENT

Carbide welding workshop is a business that operates by repairing damage that occurs to cars, tanks and others. Based on observations and field studies that have been carried out, it was found that welders often experience complaints in the leg area, causing the number of welders' productivity to decrease and consumers often experience complaints because the productivity of welders takes longer when it is used as an average for the total productivity of 1, 466666667. Based on the results of the study using the EFD, a "SILAT" design (Folding Chair) was made with a hip width of 29cm, a height of 95cm in a sitting position and a knee height in a sitting position of 32cm. SILAT is also made with poles that fold inward to reduce space on the silat tool. Then also for the average complaints obtained after using the design also decreased, one of which complaints on the left and right knees decreased by 60% for the left and right calves decreased by 54%, for the right and left thighs also decreased by 52 %. And Then furthermore, the amount of productivity also increases after using the SILAT design after taking the average productivity of 2.866666667 for expenses incurred during the manufacture of SILAT of Rp. 87,000,-

Predictive value of different body segments to estimate height in a South African adult hospital population.

Height measurement is a vital component for assessing nutritional risk, and calculating dietary requirements in a clinical setting where indirect calorimetry is not available. In many patients, height cannot be measured accurately, and equations based on body segments are relied on to predict height. This study aimed to evaluate if specific body segments are better associated with height than others in a South African public hospital setting. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in three public hospitals in Bloemfontein, South Africa, on patients, 20-50 years of age, and able to stand upright without assistance to be measured by stadiometer. Spearman correlations were assessed between stadiometer height and arm-span, demi-span, ulna length, knee height, tibia length, fibula length and foot length (measured by standardised techniques). Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify the segment that is most closely associated with stadiometer height in the study population. The sample included 141 participants (61.7% male, median age 38.8 years; IQR: 10.1 years). All measured body segment were statistically significantly correlated with stadiometer height, the strongest association being with knee height in both males (R2:0.77) and females (R2:0.86). Foot length and ulna length had the weakest correlation with stadiometer height in males and females, respectively. Multiple regression analysis identified knee height as having the best predictive value in determining stadiometer height. Overall, measurements of lower leg segments, particularly knee height, predicted measured height better than upper body segments. When choosing height-prediction equations in clinical settings in populations with a high prevalence of stunting, such as South Africa, the fact that stunting affects the growth of long bones in the lower body more than in the upper body, should be considered.

STUDY OF CORRELATION BETWEEN ARM SPAN AND STANDING HEIGHT

INTRODUCTION : Height is important for personal identication & determination of growth and nutritional status of individual. Estimation of inter-relationship between various body parameters and height has been an important tool in anthropometric measurements. It has been found to be of great importance in such cases where direct measurement of height is not possible. Estimation of Height can be done from incomplete skeletal and decomposing human remains where upper segment of body is available in case of accidents, natural disasters, murders etc. A wide variety of parameters are used for estimation of height including arm-span, hand length, foot length, demi span, knee height, sitting height etc. OBJECTIVE : To formulate the regression equations to estimate Standing height from Arm span. To nd the accuracy of Arm span in predicting standing height of both males and females in studied population. METHODS : This cross sectional study was conducted among 90 medical students consisting of 59 males and 31 females in Deben Mahata Govt. Medical College & Hospital, Purulia, West Bengal. Standing Height and Arm span of each student were measured using stadiometer and calibrated steel tape respectively. The data was analysed using SPSS Version 26 & Microsoft ofce Excel. OBSERVATION & RESULTS: The mean values of Arm span & Height were statistically higher in males than in females. The Arm span & Height showed strong positive correlation with each other in both sexes and the correlation was signicant (p<0.0001). Mean Arm span was more than Standing Height in both sex. Regression equation has been derived for estimation of Height from the value of Arm span for male & female individuals separately and also for total population. CONCLUSION:Arm span is a reliable tool for predicting the height of an individual and it can be used for both males & females. It can also be used for the medico-legal cases. This study will be useful for anatomist, anthropologists, forensic experts, nutritionists & physicians

Inoculation of Maize with 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-Carboxylic Acid Containing Pseudomonas fluorescens for Enhanced Available Nutrients in Soils of Maize (Zea mays L.)

A field and lab experiment entitled “Kinetics of 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic -deaminase (ACCD) activity of Pseudomonas fluorescens, its population growth under different fermentation conditions and performance of the selected isolates on maize” was conducted at Laboratory of Microbes Research & Production Centre (MRPC) and the Research Farm, Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh during 2018-19. The results revealed that the available nitrogen (N) content in soil at knee height, tasseling and silking stage, the treatment combination Temperature 28oC and pH 7.2 (T28+pH 7.2) isolates significantly increase the N content in soil with response of 21.5,17.3 and 14.4% over FUI (209, 196 and 166 kg N ha-1), respectively. Similarly, the isolates of T28+pH 7.2 significantly increase the available phosphorus (P) content at knee height, tasseling and silking stage in soil with response of 31.7, 23.2 and 26.4% over FUI (18.0,16.4 and 14.4 kg P ha-1). The isolates of T28+pH 7.2 significantly increase the available potassium (K) content in soil at knee height, tasseling and silking stage with response of 14.4, 10.1 and 10.4% over FUI (298, 278 and 264 kg K ha-1).

Stature and sex estimation from shoulder breadth, shoulder height, popliteal height, and knee height measurements in a Bangladeshi population

Forensic anthropologists and medico-legal professionals encounter a range of cases in which the body has been severely disintegrated, dismembered, or mutilated beyond recognition. The most critical goal of any medico-legal inquiry is to be able to identify unknown human remains. To establish the biological profile in forensic investigation, estimations of stature and sex from a range of human body dimensions are fundamental issues. This study developed formulae to determine the stature and sex from a range of body measurements in Bangladeshi adult populations based on a sample of 300 healthy young Bangladeshi individuals (150 males and 150 females) aged ranging from 21 to 30 years. Stature and four body measurements (sitting shoulder height, shoulder breadth, sitting popliteal height, and sitting knee height) were measured for each individual. Linear and stepwise multiple regression analyses were utilized in stature estimation and logistics regression analysis was used to determine the sex of the individuals. This study found a good correlation between the stature and all parameters except for shoulder breadth. The left sitting knee height was the significant parameter in stature estimation because of the higher value of R, R2, and a lower SEE value. Moreover, the right-sitting popliteal height revealed a higher sex estimation accuracy rate than other parameters. The sex estimation accuracy varied from 78.000% to 97.000%. The findings of this study have great value in forensic science and research in determination of stature and sex estimation in the adult population of Bangladesh.

Estimation of Stature using Lower Limb Dimensions among Adolescent Population of Kolkata: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Apart from age, sex and racial affiliation, estimation of stature from human extremities is an important step in developing a biological profile for identification of an unknown individual especially when the body found is either dismembered, mutilated, or disfigured. Stature estimation plays an important role in developing a biological profile for human identification and provides as a valuable indicator for an unknown individual in a population. Aim: To identify stature using various lower limb dimensions. Materials and Methods: This analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted at Kolkata based school from March 2019 to September 2019 amongst 120 adolescent school going boys aged 10-16 yrs of age. The lower limb length, knee height, navicular height, foot length and foot breadth were taken by using standard anthropometric procedures. Pearson correlation coefficient was used for assessing relationship between stature and various lower limb dimensions. Significance of differences was tested using independent t-test. Results: This study showed that all variables of both right and left side were significant predictors of stature (p<0.01).While taking the prediction accuracy, lower limb length (right, R2=89.7%, and left, R2=89.7%), knee height (right, R2=55.4%, and left, R2=55.5%), foot breadth (right, R2=58.0%, and left, R2=56.8%) provided the highest prediction accuracy for stature. Following multivariate linear regression model, only four variables- lower limb length (both right and left side), foot breadth (both right and left side) significantly (p<0.001) contributed to prediction model for stature with the use of regression equations. Conclusion: All variables (lower limb length, knee height, foot length and breadth, navicular height) were found to be statistically significant predictors of stature. Amongst all these variables lower limb length, knee height and foot breadth provided highest prediction accuracy. These measurements of lower limbs and regression equations can be used for identification of unknown human remains, particularly in cases of dismembered bodies.

Improving Water Efficiency, Nutrients Utilization, and Maize Yield using Super Absorbent Polymers Combined with NPK during Water Deficit Conditions

Background: The increasing global population poses a significant challenge, resulting in a scarcity of food resources on a global scale. Addressing this issue necessitates advancements in agricultural practices, particularly in drought-prone areas. Super absorbent polymers (SAPs) are crucial in improving crop production's water and nutrient utilization efficiency, making them highly relevant for drought-affected areas. Thus, this research aimed to assess the impact of SAPs, combined with manure and fertilizers, on the growth of maize (Zea mays) cv. Ts-1004. Material and Methods: The experiment consisted of nine treatment groups, namely, T1 (Nitrogen, N), T2 (Potassium, K), T3 (Phosphorus, P), T4 (NPK), T5 (Compost), T6 (SAPs), T7 (NPK + Compost), T8 (NPK + SAPs), and T9 (Control). These treatments were evaluated under two water level conditions: well-watered (W1) and water-stressed (W2) in a greenhouse environment. The plants were subjected to water stress by maintaining soil moisture content at 20 – 25% during the knee height and flowering stages for 8 days. Results: The results revealed that significantly (P < 0.05) higher values in ear girth, ear length, number of seeds per ear, and ear weight were observed in the T8 treatment compared to other treatments. Additionally, the T8 treatment exhibited the highest yield under well-watered and water-stressed conditions (3,274.4 kg/ha). The application of SAPs improved soil moisture content, leading to enhanced water use efficiency (24.53 kg/ha/mm) and harvest index. Moreover, SAPs positively influenced the concentration percentage of N, P, K, Ca, and Mg in roots, stems, leaves, and seeds, with T8 showing the highest values under water stress conditions. Conclusion: These findings highlighted the effectiveness of SAPs in enhancing crop growth and productivity, particularly under water stress conditions. This approach will help farmers reduce water stress on crops.

Elbow varus torque and ball velocity associations in high school and professional pitchers with increased sagittal-plane trunk tilt.

Increased sagittal-plane trunk tilt is thought to increase drive in the anterior direction toward home plate, transferring energy from the trunk to the distal upper extremity, ultimately generating greater ball velocity. Increased sagittal trunk tilt has also been implicated in the risk of upper-extremity joint loading in baseball pitchers by way of elbow varus torque (EVT), a metric previously associated with elbow injury in professional pitchers. The purposes of this study were (1) to compare sagittal trunk tilt positioning between high school and professional pitchers throughout the pitch and (2) to identify the potential associations between sagittal-plane trunk tilt, ball velocity, and EVT for both cohorts. Professional and high school pitchers were instructed to throw fastballs while being evaluated with 3-dimensional motion capture (480 Hz). Sagittal trunk tilt motion throughout the pitching motion was compared between cohorts from maximum knee height to maximum shoulder internal rotation. To assess the effects of sagittal-plane trunk tilt on ball velocity and EVT, linear mixed-effect models were created. Professional pitchers (n = 100, 882 pitches) achieved greater sagittal trunk tilt than high school pitchers (n = 57, 519 pitches) during early portions of the pitching motion, including maximum positive sagittal trunk tilt (46.6° ± 8.3° vs. 43.6° ± 10.2°, P = .042). Professional pitchers also had greater sagittal trunk tilt excursion throughout the pitch motion (68.0° ± 11.4° vs. 62.5° ± 11.0°, P = .004). For every 10° increase in sagittal trunk tilt at ball release for professional pitchers, ball velocity increased by 0.36 m/s (B = 0.036 and β = 0.194, P < .001) or 0.9% average ball velocity whereas EVT increased by 0.14% body weight × body height (B = 0.014 and β = 0.159, P < .001) or 2.9% average normalized EVT. For every 10° increase in sagittal trunk tilt at ball release for high school pitchers, ball velocity increased by 0.34 m/s (B = 0.097 and β = 0.025, P = .025) or 1.1% average ball velocity whereas EVT increased by 0.07% body weight × body height (B = 0.007 and β = 0.086, P = .016) or 1.7% average normalized EVT. Increased positive sagittal-plane trunk tilt was significantly associated with greater ball velocity and increased EVT for both professional and high school pitchers. Peak EVT estimates were consistently more pronounced than ball velocity benefits for both populations, suggesting that no specific time point may provide a ball velocity benefit while concomitantly minimizing EVT. Both professional and high school pitchers should consider this trade-off, which may influence injury risk, when engaging in higher degrees of positive sagittal-plane trunk tilt.

English

The effect of foliar application of nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK) fertilizers on nutritional status and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) were investigated through a study conducted in a zonal agricultural research station of University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK Bengaluru (India). The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design. The treatments consisted of two levels of soil application (75 and 100%) of recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) and foliar applications of NPK (19:19:19). The fertilizers were applied at 6-leaf, tasselling, knee height and tasseling growth stages. Nutrient uptake, protein content and available soil nutrients at harvest were analyzed. Results indicated that soil application of 100% RDF along with foliar sprays of NPK at knee height and tasselling stages significantly produced the highest levels of N, P and K uptake (306.60, 100.57 and 216.24 kg ha-1, respectively) and maximum protein content (11.5%). Use of this fertilizer treatment also resulted into highest available soil N (273.74 kg ha-1), P (59.45 kg ha-1) and K (204.88 kg ha-1). The combined soil application of 100% RDF and foliar application of NPK at knee height and tasseling stages has potential to increase nutrient supply and protein content of the maize crop. &nbsp; Key words: Maize, foliar application, NPK, nutrient-uptake, protein content.

Effect of lime on selected soil chemical properties, maize (Zea mays L.) yield and determination of rate and method of its application in Northwestern Ethiopia

Soil acidity is the major soil chemical constraint that limits agricultural productivity in the highlands of Ethiopia receiving high rainfall. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different lime rates determined through different lime rate determination methods on selected soil chemical properties and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) on acidic Nitisols of Mecha district, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. The experiment had 10 treatments (0, 0.06, 0.12, 0.18, 1, 2, 3.5, 4, 7 and 14 tons ha−1 lime) that were calculated by three lime rate determination methods and applied through three lime application methods (spot, drill and broadcast). The experiment was arranged in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. N at the rate of 180 kg ha−1 and P at the rate of138 P2O5 kg ha−1 were applied to all plots. A full dose of P and lime as a treatment were applied at planting; whereas N was applied in split, 1/2 at planting and 1/2 at knee height stage. One composite soil sample before planting from experimental site and again one composite sample from each experimental unit were taken after harvest to analyze soil chemical parameters following appropriate laboratory procedure. Liming showed a positive significant difference on pH-H2O, pH-buffer, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and exchangeable bases but it had an inverse and significant effect on exchangeable acidity (EA). However, it didn't show any significant difference on soil C and N. Grain and above-ground biomass of maize yields had significant differences among treatments. The highest grain and biomass yields (7719 and 18180.6 kg ha−1, respectively) were obtained from application of broad cast method while the lowest (6479 and 15004.6 kg ha−1, respectively) were obtained from control treatment. Drill lime application method provided better efficiency with over 200% cost reduction advantage compared to the broadcast method to ameliorate the same level of acidity. Application of 3.5 tons ha−1 lime in the drilling method is recommendable to ameliorate soil acidity. However, from an economic point of view, application of 0.12 tons ha−1 lime applied in the micro-dosing method is more profitable due to low variable cost.

ОСОБЕННОСТИ НУТРИТИВНОГО СТАТУСА У ДЕТЕЙ СО СПАСТИЧЕСКИМИ ФОРМАМИ ДЕТСКОГО ЦЕРЕБРАЛЬНОГО ПАРАЛИЧА

Children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) are at risk of undernutrition, which increases with the severity of movement disorders. Objective of the study: to assess and compare anthropometric indicators and body composition in children with cerebral palsy, depending on the level of impairment of gross motor function classification system (GMFCS). Materials and methods of research: 102 children were included in a prospective open-label comparative single-center non-randomized study: 58 (56.8%) boys and 44 (43.1%) girls with cerebral palsy aged 2 years to 16 years and 9 months who were undergoing rehabilitation in the National Medical Research Center of Children's Health in the period from 2019 to 2021. Anthropometric measurements (body weight, length, knee height, triceps and subscapular skinfold thicknesses) were performed on admission. Body fat percentage (%FM) was calculated by CP-modified (Gurka) equations and compared with results obtained using bioelectrical impedance analysis. A survey on the EDACS scale was performed to determine the ability to eat and drink. Results: patients were divided into 2 groups: the main group – 53 children (52%) with GMFCS levels IV–V and a comparison group – 49 children (48%) with GMFCS levels I–III. The groups did not differ statistically significantly in terms of gender (p=0.956) and age (p=0.207). The median age in the main group was 7.1 years, in the comparison group – 5.3 years. Children of the main group had statistically significantly lower growth indicators (HAZ1 –1.5 [–2.6; –0.74] and HAZ2 –0.58 [–1.59; 0.44], p=0.003), BMI (BAZ1 –2.43 [–3.67; –0.93]; BAZ2 –0.91 [–1.942; 0.28], p&lt;0.001), higher frequency of oromotor dysfunction (42% and 4%, p&lt; 0.001), the percentage of severe wasting (59% and 16%, p&lt;0.001; OR 7.2 (95% CI 2.8–18.4) (p&lt;0.001). There was no significant difference in %FM between children of main and comparison groups. Patients even with moderate and severe undernutrition according to WHO criteria had normal or excess %FM. A moderate positive correlation was found between %FM calculated using the Gurka equations and those obtained by bioelectrical impedance analysis (r=0.565, p=0.002). Conclusions: anthropometric indicators in children with CP deteriorate with an increase in the degree of neurological deficit. The use of BMI as the only marker of nutritional status is insufficient to properly diagnose of undernutrition and identify patients needed in nutritional interventions. For an adequate analysis of the nutritional status of children with CP, it is necessary to assess the body composition (measurement of the skinfold thicknesses or bioelectrical impedance analysis).

A Knee Height Equation for Estimating Height of Vietnamese Adults

Critically ill or immobilized patients are unable to stand for their height to be measured; therefore, knee height measurement is a useful proxy. In order to address this problem, a lot of research has been carried out worldwide to create equations to estimate the stature of adults. However, knee and total height may differ among racial/ethnic groups. This study therefore determined the applicability of equations to estimate stature derived from American and Taiwanese research and then established a new equation from a group of 512 Vietnamese patients aged 18 to 64 years. In this study, 512 patients were divided into 2 groups, the established equation group (n = 400, 214 men and 186 women) and the validated equation group (n = 112, 61 men and 51 women). Based on the linear regression model, the new equation is: body height = 2.12 × knee height + 59.06 (cm) in males and body height = 2.09 × knee height + 57.37 (cm) in females. We calculated the heights of patients based on their knee heights with both equations and then compared the results with their measured standing heights. The results from the American and Taiwanese knee height equations both showed that the difference was statistically significant with a P &lt; .05 between the indirect method of stature estimation with actual body height. In contrast, the new equation was more accurate with a P &gt; .05. Stature estimated from the new knee height equation is suitable for the Vietnamese population in clinical setting.

스피드 클라이밍 수행 시 구간별 족저압력 및 운동학적 분석 연구

This study aimed to examine the kinematic characteristics of speed climbing on the magnitude of foot pressure when performing start climbing movement. The subjects of the experiment were seven athletes participating in domestic and international speed climbing competitions. In this explorative study, we divided five Events (i.e., 1-5) across the start until the left knee heigh was located to the ipsilateral hip joint. Each athlete’s foot pressure and Event 1 were analyzed using a foot pressure and motion capture system. We found the knee angle of as a result of the analysis, the athlete with the best performance showed the lowest plantar pressure overall, and it was found that the foot contact area was minimal. In addition, for fast acceleration movement, the knee height should be positioned quickly up to the hip joint, and at this time, the closer the knee angle is to 90 degrees for effective stepping in the next movement, the more effective it is. In future studies, if foot pressure and muscle activity are analyzed simultaneously using an EMG sensor, more reliable results will be obtained, and it is judged that it will be essential primary data for speed climbing research, which has almost no research on performance.

Response of maize and common bean to spatial and temporal differentiation in maize-common bean intercropping.

An experiment on maize (Zea mays)-common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) intercropping was conducted for two years (2014 and 2016) at two locations in North western Ethiopia with the objective of determining the spatial arrangement and planting date of common bean. Common bean intercropped with maize at three planting dates (simultaneously with maize, at emergence and knee height of maize) in two spatial arrangements (alternate and paired arrangements).The experimental design was factotrial randomized complete block design with three replications. Sole maize and common bean were included as a check. Results revealed that the spatial and temporal differentiation significantly affect only the agronomic attributes of common bean in common bean-maize intercropping. At Adet the grain yield of common bean (1.9 t ha-1), LER (1.99) and MAI (357) in maize-common bean intercropping was higher when common bean was planted at the same time with maize in paired planting pattern. On the other hand, maximum LER (1.61) and MAI (2.83) at Finoteselam were observed when common bean was intercropped with maize at maize emergence in paired planting pattern. Simultaneous intercropping of common bean with maize gave more stable total land output yield as compared to other intercropping systems but showed high variability as compared to the sole cropping. Thus, it can be concluded that planting common bean simultaneously with maize in paired planting pattern at Adet and planting common bean at maize emergence at Finoteselam in maize-common bean intercropping gave maximum land use efficiency and profitability of the cropping system without reducing the main crop yield (maize).This research also suggested further research on the compatibility of various maize and common bean varieties in different spatial and temporal differentiation.