Movement Coordination Research Articles

Physiology and biomechanics researches of the special preparedness and contention activity of highly skilled kayakers

Purpose — development of methodology for individual evaluating special fitness and competitive activity of highly skilled kayakers.
 The rationality of the rower’s movement structure is largely determined by the character of work and interaction of the posterior and anterior bundles of the deltoid muscle, which perform the rower’s arm movements during applying both “pulling” and “pushing” efforts. The following causes of individual rowing technique errors significantly affecting sports result were identified: general muscle rigidity, lack of sufficiently complete and timely muscle relaxation; untimely involvement of muscles in work (appearance of mutual activity zones of antagonist muscles); late start of muscle activity (inertial moments of movement of rower's body biolinks are not provided before water entrapment); protracted, too long muscle activity (movement is performed entirely at the expense of muscular activity, without the use of inertial and propelling forces); low speed of muscle engagement in work leading, as a rule, to the “drop” of efforts on the oar. Two groups of athletes with diametrically opposite levels of physical capacity development and one group, which was characterized by their uniform development, were distinguished. The first group was distinguished by the high indices of power and efficiency of the work performed while covering the competitive distance. Such athletes showed higher sports results on short distances. The second group was distinguished by high indices of the efficiency of applying efforts, symmetry of movements, and successful performances on long competitive distances. Such rowers were classified as athletes with predominant development of special endurance quality. The rowers of the third group differed in the average values of the above mentioned indices and demonstrated equal success on both short and long competitive distances. Athletes with preferential development of speed-strength qualities and rowers with an advantageous development of special endurance have no significant difference in speed of covering 500 m distance and heart rate. However, there are significant differences in other indices of special fitness. Rowers with even development of physical qualities have differences in all recorded indices compared to those of the first two groups.
 The individual peculiarities of rowers’ movement coordination during covering a competitive distance of 500 m were determined. All rowers are divided into two groups. The first group is characterized by rational coordination of movements at the beginning of the distance covering and pronounced disturbances in the work dynamics of the muscles of the body turn and the nature of effort applied to the oar at the end of the distance. In the second group, we encounter the opposite phenomenon: with an irrational movement structure at the beginning of the distance, there is a transition of work to a more correct character at the end of its covering. The most preferable option for increasing the efficiency of athletes’ technical preparation is the use of the methodology for designing generalized and individual models of motor action structure. Preparation of rowers with account for their predisposition to the formation of the most important components of sportsmanship is the most preferable option. When drawing up individual plans for the preparation of athletes, the coaches should take into account these practical recommendations and adhere to the recommended directions of training. Repeated examinations (four months later) revealed the effectiveness of managing the process of technical preparation of kayakers based on the correction of intermuscular coordination.

The basics of theory and methods of mastering the game of table tennis in the classroom physical education of students

How to master the game of table tennis in physical education classes. At the beginning of your classes, you need to get acquainted with how the racket interacts with the ball, "feel" the racket and the ball, learn to control its flight in different ways, master the basic striking movements, master the orientation of the torso, arms, legs and racket in space, etc.
 Purpose: to analyze the essence and significance of the stages of table tennis training in physical education classes: (special physical training; technical training, techniques; tactical training; psychological training).It is important to learn how to hold the racket correctly and perform various exercises with the racket and ball off the table, as this will help you master the technique of the game faster. In this case, it is recommended to use the following exercises: moving around the court, holding the ball on the racket and watching the grip, rolling the ball on the racket from one edge to the other or in a circle, repeatedly hitting the ball with different sides of the racket from the bottom up or alternately with one and the other side of the racket, strive to keep the ball from falling to the ground as long as possible (should be performed both in place and in motion); driving the ball with the racket, hitting the floor (dribbling), in the player's stance on the spot or in motion; to give the ball rotation with both sides of the racket in different directions: from the body to the right or left; to hit the ball with a racket to different heights in turn - high bounce, low bounce; crouching and standing up, to hit the ball: hit - crouch, hit again - stand up.
 When playing on the table, you need to pay attention to the correctness of your movements. The basics of the technique can be properly mastered and consolidated only with repeated repetition of technical elements in a game environment on the table, and the prerequisites for this are practicing the technique with the help of imitation exercises. In the future, a lot depends on coordination of movements, musculoskeletal sensitivity, attentiveness, reaction speed, as well as the level of development of such qualities as endurance, perseverance, dedication and efficiency.

The continuously evolving phenotype of succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency.

The objective of the study is to evaluate the evolving phenotype and genetic spectrum of patients with succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency (SSADHD) in long-term follow-up. Longitudinal clinical and biochemical data of 22 pediatric and 9 adult individuals with SSADHD from the patient registry of the International Working Group on Neurotransmitter related Disorders (iNTD) were studied with in silico analyses, pathogenicity scores and molecular modeling of ALDH5A1 variants. Leading initial symptoms, with onset in infancy, were developmental delay and hypotonia. Year of birth and specific initial symptoms influenced the diagnostic delay. Clinical phenotype of 26 individuals (median 12 years, range 1.8-33.4 years) showed a diversifying course in follow-up: 77% behavioral problems, 76% coordination problems, 73% speech disorders, 58% epileptic seizures and 40% movement disorders. After ataxia, dystonia (19%), chorea (11%) and hypokinesia (15%) were the most frequent movement disorders. Involvement of the dentate nucleus in brain imaging was observed together with movement disorders or coordination problems. Short attention span (78.6%) and distractibility (71.4%) were the most frequently behavior traits mentioned by parents while impulsiveness, problems communicating wishes or needs and compulsive behavior were addressed as strongly interfering with family life. Treatment was mainly aimed to control epileptic seizures and psychiatric symptoms. Four new pathogenic variants were identified. In silico scoring system, protein activity and pathogenicity score revealed a high correlation. A genotype/phenotype correlation was not observed, even in siblings. This study presents the diversifying characteristics of disease phenotype during the disease course, highlighting movement disorders, widens the knowledge on the genotypic spectrum of SSADHD and emphasizes a reliable application of in silico approaches.

Development of motor skills of children aged 9-10 years with visual analyzer impairment

The objective is to increase the level of coordination abilities of schoolchildren diagnosed with myopia. Methods: The study was conducted in the period from September 2022 to June 2023 at secondary school number 13 in the Kirov region. A group (n=21) of 4th grade students was formed to conduct a pedagogical experiment. These are boys and girls aged 10-11 years with a mild degree of myopia (up to 3 diopters) – myopia of the first degree. The level of development of coordination abilities was determined by a 3x10 meter Shuttle run, a long jump from a place with the right and left sides, Balance on 1 leg and Dynamic coordination of movements. Results: In experimental group in the shuttle run test, the indicators became higher from 9.36±0.16 to 8.72±0.09 (p<0.05), an increase of 6.8%. The long jump with the right side increased by 10.4% (p<0.05), and with the left side by 7.3% (p<0.05). In the balance on one leg test, the indicators became 13.3% higher (p<0.05), and in the dynamic coordination test, the indicators improved from 8.83±0.89 to 10.05±0.16 (p<0.05), the increase in indicators was 13.8%. Conclusion: The results obtained allow us to conclude that our proposed method of using general developmental exercises with objects as a means of developing coordination abilities in children 9-10 years old diagnosed with myopia is effective, which is achieved through regular use of exercises in physical education lessons, as well as by stabilizing the course of myopia during the school day. Keywords: School children's health, Physical education, Myopia, Visual impairment, Coordination abilities.

DEVELOPMENT OF FLEXIBILITY IN 9-10 YEARS-OLD HARD-HEARING SCHOOLCHILDREN ENGAGED IN AIR STRETCHING

The article discusses the eff ectiveness of using a set of exercises, including stretching in hammocks or aerostretching, as an innovative way to correct fl exibility in hearing-impaired schoolchildren aged 9–10 years. Relevance. According to the World Health Organization for 2022, there are about 10% of hearing-impaired people in Russia, which is 14.6 mil-lion people, of which 220 thousand people are hearing-impaired. According to forecasts, by 2050 the number of people with hearing impairments will reach 900 million. The lack of auditory information worsens the perception of space, af-fects the violation of regulation and coordination of movements, reduces the indicators of general physical development, activity and dexterity. According to N. A. Bernstein, the most important task of education is physical improvement. The decrease in the child’s motor capabilities, confi dence in the successful execution of movements, is primarily associated with the development of fl exibility. Moreover, fl exibility is a favorable prerequisite for improving other psychological and speed-strength qualities. Evseev S. P., summarizing the available research, noted that in hard-of-hearing children, compared with their peers, fl exibility indicators are lower, which justifi es the goal: to develop a set of exercises aimed at developing fl exibility in hard-of-hearing schoolchildren 9–10 years old. Research methods: In the process of research, methods of scientifi c literature analysis, logical modeling, pedagogical experiment and methods of mathematical statis-tics. Conclusion. The data obtained as a result of the study prove the eff ectiveness of the use of aero stretching for the development of fl exibility in hearing-impaired schoolchildren. The introduction of a set of exercises in extracurricular stretching classes in hammocks for hearing-impaired children, allows to increase fl exibility, improve mobility of the shoulder, hip, ankle joints and spine.

Overcoming the cognition-reality gap in robot-to-human handovers with anisotropic variable force guidance

Object handover is a fundamental task for collaborative robots, particularly service robots. In in-home assistance scenarios, individuals often face constraints due to their posture and declining physical functions, necessitating high demands on robots for flexible real-time control and intuitive interactions. During robot-to-human handovers, individuals are limited to making perceptual judgements based on the appearance of the object and the consistent behaviour of the robot. This hinders their comprehensive perception and may lead to unexpected dangerous behaviour. Various handover trajectories pose challenges to predictive robot control and motion coordination. Many studies have shown that force guidance can provide adequate information to the receivers. However, force modulation with intention judgements based on velocity, acceleration, or jerk may impede the intended motion and require additional effort. In this paper, starting from a human-to-human handover study, an anisotropic variable force-guided robot-to-human handover control method is proposed to overcome the cognition-reality gap. The retraction motion was decoupled based on a fitted motion plane and a task-related linear trajectory, which served as a reference for overshoot suppression and impedance force modulation. The experimental results and user surveys show that the anisotropic variable impedance force suppresses overshooting without impeding the intended motions, giving the receiver sufficient time for behavioural adjustments and assisting them in completing a safe and efficient handover in a preferred manner.

A coordinated framework of aerial manipulator for safe and compliant physical interaction

The challenge of ensuring compliant behavior in aerial manipulators during physical interactions is addressed in this study. This work presents a coordinated interactive framework for aerial manipulators, specifically designed to ensure compliant physical interactions during contact with the surroundings. Without the reliance on force sensors, an external force estimator is employed to recognize interaction intentions. The coordinated framework leverages a Model Predictive Control (MPC) planner equipped with adaptive weights, facilitating the coordination of movements for both the quadrotor and manipulator. The adaptive adjustment of weights in the cost function allows for the attainment of diverse interaction behaviors in response to unexpected external forces. Notably, the methodology stands out from current control strategies by incorporating autonomous stiffness adjustment in response to interaction forces, thereby optimizing the delicate balance between safety and precision. The passivity of the system is guaranteed by using a Lyapunov-like function during the physical interaction. The effectiveness of the proposed framework is validated by experiments for the scenario of human operator and aerial manipulator collaborative work.

Functional movement variability to maintain delivery speed in cricket fast bowling

AbstractFast bowling in cricket involves a complex multiarticular action performed at high speed. Functional movement variability plays an important role in helping the performer to maintain the consistency of performance outcomes, although this has not previously been examined in cricket fast bowling in relation to maintaining consistent delivery speed. Therefore, this study investigated how variability of delivery stride movement timings contributes to maintaining consistent bowling speed. Footage of six deliveries from 92 male fast bowlers were analyzed. Delivery speed was recorded, and the time of back foot contact, front foot contact and ball release were identified. The variability of movement timings and the delivery speed were determined using the coefficient of variation. Results showed greater variability in delivery stride movement timings compared to delivery speed. These findings suggest that bowlers may use movement variability to adjust their functional movement coordination pattern during the bowling action to achieve consistent bowling speed.

Effects of motor practice on the temporal coordination of articulatory movements for non-native onset clusters: Kinematic and acoustic evidence using electromagnetic articulography

Research on cross-language speech production has shown that part of the challenge of producing non-native clusters arises from difficulties with temporally coordinating the successive consonantal gestures within a cluster. However, it remains unclear whether the application of practice-based motor learning paradigms can improve or stabilize this aspect of non-native cluster production. This study uses electromagnetic articulography (EMA) to measure the effects of motor practice on the temporal coordination of articulatory movements for non-native onset clusters. Monolingual speakers of American English intensively practiced producing monosyllabic sequences containing non-native onset clusters (e.g., MGAT) over two consecutive days. EMA was used to capture lingual, labial, and jaw motion during successive repetitions. For properly-sequenced cluster repetitions, analysis of the EMA sensor trajectories showed that, over the course of practice, there was a general reduction in inter-gestural timing variability and increased overlap between adjacent consonantal gestures. Furthermore, some of these improvements were maintained to the second day, indicating that subjects started forming durable performance gains. Acoustic analyses also showed a reduction in the duration of epenthetic vowel errors (/mgæt/ → /məgæt/) produced throughout practice. Collectively, the findings suggest that motor practice can improve the temporal coordination of articulatory gestures affiliated with non-native clusters.

Comparative three-dimensional jaw muscle anatomy of marsupial carnivores (Dasyurus spp.) and the termite-eating numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus).

Among marsupials, the endangered numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus) is the only obligate myrmecophage with a diet comprised strictly of termites. Like many other specialised myrmecophagous mammals, numbats have a gracile and highly specialised skull morphology with an elongated rostrum and small braincase. Myrmecobiidae is one of four taxonomic families within the Australasian marsupial order Dasyuromorphia, and to date, the muscular anatomy of any member of this group is relatively poorly known. We utilised microdissection and contrast-enhanced microcomputed tomography scanning to provide the first comprehensive qualitative and quantitative descriptions of jaw muscle anatomy in numbats and quolls (Dasuyrus species). The arrangement of the jaw muscles across these species was conservative, both in gross anatomy and muscle proportions, corresponding to a 'generalised' mammalian pattern. In contrast to Dasyurus, the jaw muscles of the numbat were greatly reduced. Many aspects of the muscle anatomy of the numbat were similar to patterns reported in other myrmecophagous species, particularly a greatly reduced temporalis muscle. Unusually, the digastric muscle in the numbat was comprised of a single, large anterior belly while the posterior belly was absent. We propose that the enlarged anterior belly of the digastric may be linked to jaw stabilisation and coordination of tongue movements during feeding. The lateral insertion and fascial connection of the digastric to the tongue in numbats may also aid in distributing stress evenly across the jaw and minimise muscle fatigue. The muscle descriptions and three-dimensional models provided in this study will facilitate further analysis of musculoskeletal adaptation and evolution within the Dasyuromorphia.

Tongue bracing robustness under perturbation: Comparison of L1 versus L2 speech with and without bite-block

Lateral tongue bracing is a universal speech posture observed across many languages [Gick et al., 2017, JSLHR 60; Liu et al., 2022, JIPA, Phonetica 79]. Previous work has found that under perturbation by 10 mm bite-blocks, there is less lateral contact during a speaker’s L2 speech compared to their L1 speech [Bengtson et al., 2023, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 154]. However, the research did not investigate lateral contact without bite-blocks and the effect of this perturbation on posture remains unclear. The present study addresses this by comparing a speaker’s L1 and L2 speech both with and without bite-block perturbation, with the hypothesis that posture during speech movement is more robustly maintained under perturbation with more language experience. Participants will read two short texts in their L1 and L2 separately, both with and without 10 mm bite-blocks, and F1/F2 of cardinal vowels will be compared between bite-block conditions for each language. L2 proficiency will be collected for each participant and results will be reported with relevance to posture and speech movement coordination for L1 versus L2, with implications discussed for proficiency. [Work supported by NSERC].

SENSORY INTEGRATION AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE FOR CHILD DEVELOPMENT

The article is devoted to highlighting the features of sensory integration manifestation in childhood and its significance for the holistic development of the child. This includes uncovering the characteristics and patterns of mental development during childhood, describing the main stages of sensory integration development in ontogenesis, and examining sensory integration disorders and the application of sensory integrative therapy with children. A review of foreign and domestic literature on the research problem has shown that there is a growing interest in sensory integration in modern psychology as the foundation for a child's holistic development. Sensory integration is a process occurring in the brain that organizes information received through the senses (vision, hearing, touch, smell, taste), gives meaning to these sensations by filtering information, selecting what to focus on, and enabling us to act and react thoughtfully to the situation we are in. It also forms the basis for theoretical learning and social behavior. The harmonious development of a child depends on the coordinated functioning of all sensory systems. The article explores the features and patterns of mental development in childhood, such as heterochrony, asynchrony, staging, differentiation, and integration of mental processes and properties, as well as changes in the determinants of mental development and plasticity. The main stages of sensory integration development in ontogenesis are also examined. The importance of the sensory-perceptual sphere in a child’s development is underscored, as sensory development is the foundation of a child’s intellectual growth. Sensory development involves the development of sensations and perceptions, as well as the understanding of objects' forms, colors, sizes, and spatial locations, as well as the objects and phenomena of the surrounding world. Perception is formed based on the synthesis of various sensations: visual, auditory, tactile, kinesthetic, olfactory, and others. Perception reflects the objectivity, integrity, structure, constancy of objects, and others. Early childhood is the most favorable period for the improvement of sensory organ functions and the accumulation of representations about the surrounding world. Knowledge of the surrounding reality in children begins with the analysis of information received through touch, visual observation, sounds, smells, various tastes, and so on. It has been established that childhood plays a crucial role in sensory integration, as a child organizes not only visual and auditory sensations but also the sensations of their own body and the force of gravity, which contributes to the child’s holistic development. A significant portion of a child’s learning ability lies in their ability to integrate sensory information, as learning depends on the ability to perceive and process sensations from their movements and external influences and to use this information for planning and organizing behavior. It has been found that sensory integration facilitates the development of motor skills, movement coordination, spatial orientation, and visual and auditory perception, particularly by filtering and organizing information to help the child focus on solving specific tasks. Moreover, sensory integration contributes to the development of cognitive mental processes: attention, memory, thinking, and speech. Sensory integration also enhances a child's adaptation to the environment, social interaction, communication, and the formation of independence and curiosity in the child. Sensory integration disorders (hyposensitivity and hypersensitivity of sensory systems) have been analyzed, and the main principles of sensory-integrative therapy with children have been outlined. Children with reduced sensory processing abilities often experience difficulties in carrying out voluntary actions, which in turn can affect learning and behavior. Therefore, sensory-integrated therapy aimed at developing and integrating sensations contributes to improving the child’s learning and behavior. In conclusion, sensory integration is of great importance for child development.

IS THERE ANY EFFECT OF THE SEVERITY OF FLEXIBLE PES PLANUS ON THE BALANCE PERFORMANCE IN ELITE GYMNASTS?

Flexibility is an important component of athleticism in gymnasts' training, as its insufficient development can significantly complicate the process of formation of specific skills and movement coordination and limit the possibility of manifesting and increasing strength and speed abilities (Дейнеко & Біленька, 2021). The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of the severity of FPP on balance performance in different planes (frontal, sagittal and overall balance) in the Turkish national youth team. This study is a prospective and double-blinded cohort study conducted in the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation of Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University. The evaluation protocol consists of two main phases: first, the measurement of joint positions or angles (subtalar joint position, subtalar joint angle, first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) extension angle and tibia-femoral angle measurement), second, the measurement of balance. 20 participants aged 13-18 years, male and female, from the Turkish national youth gymnastics team were included in this study. Linear regression analysis was performed to determine whether there is an effect of severity of FPP on balance performance. There is no clear effect of FPP severity on balance performance in youth gymnastics at the national level. However, some evaluations show significant associations in the frontal plane in relation to the mediolateral stability index. None of the assessments showed a significant association with the anteroposterior stability index.

Robust tracking control of a minimal realization model of an impaired human hand for anthropomorphic coordination

Objective Physiologically relevant optimal controllers better represent the decision-making process of the central nervous system (CNS) with proper neural inputs and proprioceptor feedback. A biomechanical mathematical framework in the human palm reference frame was simulated using physiological dynamics to explore the biomechanics of movement coordination of fingers in a human hand.Method Physiological state space models include multiple zero eigenvalues, representing a redundant system. A fingertip trajectory tracking control paradigm is created by reducing the model order through the H∞ control paradigm. The external disturbances and sensory noise are included in the 21-Degrees-of-Freedom biomechanical model.Main Results An analysis is conducted on the flexion movement of the robotic finger when it is disrupted from its initial equilibrium position. The controller administers feedback force at the joints to control the movement of the robotic finger. A full order H∞ robust controller was developed, and the results were compared with the reduced-order model. The model order was reduced from 21 to 18 states. A reference trajectory is followed by the index finger in the minimal realization model, which is derived from the joint angular position profile. It stabilizes at a flexion angle of 1 rad/sec within 2 sec. Studying the simpler form of a model first gives a realistic view of the more complex model. This study has the potential to enhance our comprehension of anthropomorphic movement coordination in hands with impairments in kinesiology, ergonomics, assistive technology, and prosthetic devices.

Lumbopelvic movement coordination during walking improves with transfemoral bone anchored limbs: Implications for low back pain

BackgroundLow back pain (LBP) is more prevalent in patients with transfemoral amputation using socket prostheses than able-bodied individuals, in part due to altered spinal loading caused by aberrant lumbopelvic movement patterns. Early evidence surrounding bone-anchored limb functional outcomes is promising, yet it remains unknown if this novel prosthesis influences LBP or movement patterns known to increase its risk. Research questionHow are self-reported measures of LBP and lumbopelvic movement coordination patterns altered when using a unilateral transfemoral bone-anchored limb compared to a socket prosthesis? MethodsFourteen patients with unilateral transfemoral amputation scheduled to undergo intramedullary hardware implantation for bone-anchored limbs due to failed socket use were enrolled in this longitudinal observational cohort study (7 F/7 M, Age: 50.2±12.0 years). The modified Oswestry Disability Index (mODI) (self-reported questionnaire) and whole-body motion capture during overground walking were collected before (with socket prosthesis) and 12-months following bone-anchored limb implantation. Lumbopelvic total range of motion (ROM) and continuous relative phase (CRP) segment angles were calculated during 10 bilateral gait cycles. mODI, total ROM, CRP and CRP variabilities were compared between time points. ResultsmODI scores were significantly reduced 12-months after intramedullary hardware implantation for the bone-anchored limb (P = 0.013). Sagittal plane trunk and pelvis total ROM during gait were reduced after implantation (P = 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). CRP values were increased (more anti-phase) in the sagittal plane during single limb stance and reduced (more in-phase) in the transverse plane during pre-swing of the amputated limb gait cycle (P << 0.001 and P = 0.029, respectively). No differences in CRP values were found in the frontal plane. SignificanceDecreases in mODI scores and lumbopelvic ROM, paired with the changes in lumbopelvic coordination, indicate that bone-anchored limbs may reduce LBP symptoms and reduce compensatory movement patterns for people with unilateral transfemoral amputation.

Development of a Position Control System for Wheeled Humanoid Robot Movement Using the Swerve Drive Method Based on Fuzzy Logic Type-2

A humanoid robot is capable of mimicking human movements, which poses a challenge for researchers. This has led some to utilise wheels to facilitate its motion. However, achieving smooth and accurate movements at desired positions remains a challenge, necessitating the development of an optimal control system and movement method. In this study, solutions to address these challenges include the use of type-2 fuzzy logic controller (FLC) and the swerve drive method. During the steering rotation movement testing, type-1 FLC exhibits the fastest response time of 0.8 seconds, but oscillations occur, reaching up to 117 degrees to achieve the set point of 90 degrees. Additionally, type-1 FLC cannot reach the set point of -90 degrees. On the contrary, type-2 FLC aligns successfully with both set points of 90 and -90 degrees. In coordinate movement testing, type-1 FLC still shows an error between 1 cm and 2 cm compared to type-2 FLC, particularly with 3 and 5 members, which are equal to the given set point. The results of the tests indicate that type-2 FLC is reliable, showing a small steady-state error, stability, and no overshoot, despite its longer response time and processing duration compared to type-1 FLC.

The use of postural balance restoration tools in the complex treatment of children with cerebral palsy

Physical rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy (CP) requires long-term, systematic, individual and step-by-step use of a complex of tools to restore lost motor functions.&#x0D; All forms of cerebral palsy cause a violation of the body's balance control system, which is manifested by unsteady walking, unexpected falls, swaying, and impaired coordination of movements.&#x0D; The purpose of the study is to increase the effectiveness of comprehensive rehabilitation of patients with cerebral palsy in the late residual stage by using means of restoring postural balance.&#x0D; Research methods: analysis of special scientific and methodical literature; analysis of medical histories; assessment of the level of motor disorders (gross motor function classification system (GMFCS); assessment of the degree of change in muscle tone (modified Ashworth scale); assessment of balance function (Berg balance scale); methods of mathematical statistics.&#x0D; To achieve the goal, an examination of 20 children with cerebral palsy from 6 to 12 years of age with mainly spastic forms of cerebral palsy was carried out. Patients of the main group received standard rehabilitation treatment and classes on the balance beam and in the rehabilitation system "Spider" in combination with therapeutic gymnastics. The control group of patients received the standard rehabilitation treatment used in this rehabilitation facility. The standard rehabilitation program included therapeutic gymnastics, segmental-reflex massage, mechanotherapy.&#x0D; The impact of means of postural balance restoration in combination with existing methods of physical rehabilitation in children with cerebral palsy on coordination and movement disorders was studied.&#x0D; It has been established that complex therapy with the use of means for restoring postural balance can improve the rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy, both in the older and younger age groups. According to all the conducted tests, positive dynamics were obtained.

Changes in Bacterial Gut Composition in Parkinson's Disease and Their Metabolic Contribution to Disease Development: A Gut Community Reconstruction Approach.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disease with the major symptoms comprising loss of movement coordination (motor dysfunction) and non-motor dysfunction, including gastrointestinal symptoms. Alterations in the gut microbiota composition have been reported in PD patients vs. controls. However, it is still unclear how these compositional changes contribute to disease etiology and progression. Furthermore, most of the available studies have focused on European, Asian, and North American cohorts, but the microbiomes of PD patients in Latin America have not been characterized. To address this problem, we obtained fecal samples from Colombian participants (n = 25 controls, n = 25 PD idiopathic cases) to characterize the taxonomical community changes during disease via 16S rRNA gene sequencing. An analysis of differential composition, diversity, and personalized computational modeling was carried out, given the fecal bacterial composition and diet of each participant. We found three metabolites that differed in dietary habits between PD patients and controls: carbohydrates, trans fatty acids, and potassium. We identified six genera that changed significantly in their relative abundance between PD patients and controls, belonging to the families Lachnospiraceae, Lactobacillaceae, Verrucomicrobioaceae, Peptostreptococcaceae, and Streptococcaceae. Furthermore, personalized metabolic modeling of the gut microbiome revealed changes in the predicted production of seven metabolites (Indole, tryptophan, fructose, phenylacetic acid, myristic acid, 3-Methyl-2-oxovaleric acid, and N-Acetylneuraminic acid). These metabolites are associated with the metabolism of aromatic amino acids and their consumption in the diet. Therefore, this research suggests that each individual's diet and intestinal composition could affect host metabolism. Furthermore, these findings open the door to the study of microbiome-host interactions and allow us to contribute to personalized medicine.

Functional Outcomes in Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction: A Nine-Month Follow-up Study Using Lysholm Score in a Rural Tertiary Care Center in India.

Introduction The knee joint, an extraordinary feat of biomechanics, is prone to injuries, with the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) often being a common victim. The intricate coordination of joint movements relies heavily on the ACL's screw-home mechanism, a crucial element for synchronizing knee movement with neighboring joints. Despite its indispensable role, the ACL is susceptible to injury, necessitating surgical intervention. While many patients experience positive outcomes following ACL reconstruction surgeries, a significant proportion face the challenge of procedure failure. The key to success lies in the healing process within the tibial and femoral bone tunnels. The post-ACL reconstruction phase introduces its own set of challenges, particularly in the context of returning to sports (RTS), underscoring the importance of reinstating neuromuscular and motor function. The trajectory of rehabilitation is influenced by factors such as graft healing, patient age, gender, pain levels, and concurrent injuries. Materials and methods This prospective observational study spanned 2.5 years, enrolling 71 patients with diagnosed ACL injuries. Arthroscopic reconstruction utilized hamstring autografts and peroneus longus autografts. A nine-month post-surgery follow-up employed the Lysholm scoring system for comprehensive evaluations. Results Over 2.5 years, 87.3% of male and 12.6% of female participants underwent arthroscopic reconstruction. Lysholm scores revealed 28.1% excellent, 45.0% good, and 26.7% fair outcomes, with no participants in the unsatisfactory range. Lysholm scores demonstrated positive outcomes, indicating the efficacy of arthroscopic reconstruction in enhancing knee function. Findings align with existing literature, emphasizing positive results from ACL reconstruction techniques and specific implants. Comparisons with related studies highlight challenges in standardized return-to-sport guidelines and underscore the need for outcome measure standardization. Conclusion The study contributes nuanced insights into ACL reconstruction outcomes, emphasizing positive functional recovery trends at the nine-month follow-up. Lysholm scores indicate favorable outcomes, supporting the procedure's effectiveness. Consideration of specific implants adds practical value. Despite limitations, this study enriches ACL reconstruction research, promoting advancements in patient care and outcomes. Ongoing research with extended follow-ups and larger cohorts will enhance understanding and refine ACL reconstruction strategies.

Synergetic gait prediction and compliant control of SEA-driven knee exoskeleton for gait rehabilitation.

In recent years, lower limb exoskeletons have achieved satisfactory clinical curative effects in rehabilitating stroke patients. Furthermore, generating individualized trajectories for each patient and avoiding secondary injury in rehabilitation training are important issues. This paper explores the utilization of series elastic actuator (SEA) to deliver compliant force and enhance impact resistance in human-robot interaction, and we present the design of novel knee exoskeleton driven by SEA. Subsequently, the novel gait trajectory prediction method and compliant control method are proposed. The attention-based CNN-LSTM model is established to generate personalized gait trajectories for affected limbs, in which the spatial-temporal attention mechanism is adopted to improve the prediction accuracy. The compliant control strategy is proposed to nonlinearly and adaptively tune impedance parameters based on artificial potential field (APF) method, and active rehabilitation training is carried out in the coordination space to guarantee patient safety. The experimental results based on four healthy subjects demonstrated that synergetic gait prediction model could satisfactorily characterize the coordination movement with higher accuracy. The compliant control could limit the patient's movement in the safe coordination tunnel while considering personalization and flexibility.