Step Speed Research Articles

Integrated care for older people improved intrinsic capacity in elderly patients: a case control study

ObjectivesObserve the effect of integrated care for older people on intrinsic capacity in elderly patients.MethodsSixty elderly patients from department of Geriatrics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology between June 2021 and December 2021 were selected and divided into control group and intervention group with 30 patients in each group using random sampling method. Two groups implement routine care, and the intervention group implement integrated care by a “hospital-community-family” multidisciplinary team. After 12 weeks of intervention, the differences in frailty, cognition, depression scores, comprehension social support scores, and World Quality of Life Scale scores were compared between the two groups.ResultsBefore intervention, there was no significant difference in the grip strength, step speed, frailty scores, cognition, depression scores, social support and quality of survival between the control group and the intervention group. After intervention, grip strength and depression scores improved both in the control group and the intervention group, but there was no difference between the two groups. Cognitive scores, comprehension social support and quality of survival scores improved only in the intervention group, while only the cognitive ability showed significant differences between the intervention group and the control group after 12 weeks of intervention (P<0.05).ConclusionsIntegrated care for older people intervention can help to improve the intrinsic capacity of the patients, especially cognitive abilities.

Modeling of natural first stroke stepped leader characteristics

The paper constitutes a novel physical approach to the different stages of negative leader stepping in cloud-to-ground lightning, starting with determination of the length of the negative streamer zone below the leader tip. The positive space leader, belonging to a pre-existing space leader, propagates towards the main leader tip, bridging the streamer zone. Such propagation time however is too short for leader thermalization. The thermalization, with associated substantial drop in the internal voltage gradient, occurs over a much longer time, through corona current injected at the tip of the moving negative space leader. The latter stage constitutes the determining factor for the time interval between steps. The model has then been applied to leaders with prospective return stroke current of 3–228 kA, leader tip height of 23–2000 m, leader charge linearly decaying to practically vanish at heights of either 2500 m or 4500 m. For the conditions investigated, the step length varies in the range 3.5 m to 39 m, the bridging time of the streamer zone by positive space leader in the range 0.8 - 3 μs, time interval between steps in the range 8.5–92 μs, yielding mean stepped leader speed in the range 1.0 - 11.6 × 105 m/s. Whenever possible the model predictions were satisfactorily compared to field measurements. Interaction between the negative downward leader and an upward connecting leader during the attachment process is out of scope of this work.

High-Performance Triboelectric Nanogenerator with Double-Side Patterned Surfaces Prepared by CO2 Laser for Human Motion Energy Harvesting

The triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) has demonstrated exceptional efficiency in harvesting diverse forms of mechanical energy and converting it into electrical energy. This technology is particularly valuable for powering low-energy electronic devices and self-powered sensors. Most traditional TENGs use single-sided patterned friction pairs, which restrict their effective contact area and overall performance. Here, we propose a novel TENG that incorporates microwave patterned aluminum (MC-Al) foil and microcone structured polydimethylsiloxane (MC-PDMS). This innovative design utilizes two PMMA molds featuring identical micro-hole arrays ablated by a CO2 laser, making it both cost-effective and easy to fabricate. A novel room imprinting technique has been employed to create the micromorphology of aluminum (Al) foil using the PMMA mold with shallower micro-hole arrays. Compared to TENGs with flat friction layers and single-side-patterned friction layers, the double-side-patterned MW-MC-TENG demonstrates superior output performance due to increased cone deformation and contact area. The open-circuit voltage of the MW-MC-TENG can reach 141 V, while the short-circuit current can attain 71.5 μA, corresponding to a current density of 2.86 µA/cm2. The power density reaches 1.4 mW/cm2 when the resistance is 15 MΩ, and it can charge a 0.1 μF capacitor to 2.01 V in 2.28 s. In addition, the MW-MC-TENG can function as an insole device to harvest walking energy, power 11 LED bulbs, monitor step speed, and power a timer device. Therefore, the MW-MC-TENG has significant application potential in micro-wearable devices.

Randomized controlled trial on ankle biomechanics in the treatment of functional ankle instability with joint mobilization

Functional ankle instability (FAI) patients often experience restricted ankle dorsiflexion, increased inversion angle, and elevated ground reaction forces during walking, all related to altered kinematics of the talocrural and subtalar joints. This study aimed to investigate the potential positive impact of joint mobilization on FAI patients from a biomechanical perspective. The experimental group (EG, n = 17; Age: 20.06 ± 1.34 years; Height: 1.74 ± 0.07 m; Weight: 69.79 ± 11.20 kg; BMI:22.88 ± 2.63 kg/m2; CAIT:15.59 ± 2.58; M/F: 15/2) received joint mobilization + routine rehabilitation training, while the control group (CG, n = 16; Age: 20.50 ± 0.73 years; Height: 1.73 ± 0.09 m; Weight: 64.59 ± 7.21 kg; BMI: 21.65 ± 2.47 kg/m2; CAIT: 16.75 ± 2.21; M/F: 14/2) only received regular rehabilitation training. Biomechanical tests were performed in both groups after the 4-week intervention. The spatial parameters during walking (including step length, stride length, step width, step time, cadence, step speed, support time, and swing time), ankle flexion and dorsiflexion angle, inversion, and eversion angles, internal and external rotation angles, ankle torque, as well as the vertical ground reaction force were measured before and after the intervention. The results of the two-way ANOVA showed that the main effect of time was significant for step length (P < 0.001), stride length (P = 0.008), step speed (P < 0.001), the sagittal plane angle at touchdown (P < 0.001), maximum dorsiflexion angle (P = 0.005), sagittal plane toe off-ground angle (P < 0.001), peak flexion-dorsiflexion torque (P = 0.033), the first peak vGRF (P = 0.013), and second peak vGRF (P = 0.011). The main effect of Time * Group was significant for step speed (P = 0.044). The EG demonstrated significant improvements in step speed (P = 0.047), maximum dorsiflexion angle (P = 0.047), and the first peak vGRF (P = 0.028) compared to the CG. This study reveals that joint mobilization intervention enhances gait spatiotemporal parameters, kinematics, and kinetics, particularly in step speed, maximum dorsiflexion angle, and the first vGRF peak for the EG compared to the CG. Therefore, the rehabilitation strategy for patients with functional ankle instability should appropriately increase the use of joint movement to promote the functional recovery of FAI patients.

Early gait analysis after total knee arthroplasty based on artificial intelligence dynamic image recognition

To explore early postoperative gait characteristics and clinical outcomes after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). From February 2023 to July 2023, 26 patients with unilateral knee osteoarthritis (KOA) were treated with TKA, including 4 males and 22 females, aged from 57 to 85 years old with an average of (67.58±6.49) years old;body mass index (BMI) ranged from 18.83 to 38.28 kg·m-2 with an average of (26.43±4.15) kg·m-2;14 patients on the left side, 12 patients on the right side;according to Kellgren-Lawrence(K-L) classification, 6 patients with grade Ⅲ and 20 patients with grade IV;the courses of disease ranged from 1 to 14 years with an average of (5.54±3.29) years. Images and videos of standing up and walking, walking side shot, squatting and supine kneeling were taken with smart phones before operation and 6 weeks after operation. The human posture estimation framework OpenPose were used to analyze stride frequency, step length, step length, step speed, active knee knee bending angle, stride length, double support phase time, as well as maximum hip flexion angle and maximum knee bending angle on squatting position. Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) arthritis index and Knee Society Score (KSS) were used to evaluate clinical efficacy of knee joint. All patients were followed up for 5 to 7 weeks with an average of (6.00±0.57) weeks. The total score of WOMAC decreased from (64.85±11.54) before operation to (45.81±7.91) at 6 weeks after operation (P<0.001). The total KSS was increased from (101.19±9.58) before operation to (125.50±10.32) at 6 weeks after operation (P<0.001). The gait speed, stride frequency and stride length of the affected side before operation were (0.32±0.10) m·s-1, (96.35±24.18) steps·min-1, (0.72±0.14) m, respectively;and increased to (0.48±0.11) m·s-1, (104.20±22.53) steps·min-1, (0.79±0.10) m at 6 weeks after operation (P<0.05). The lower limb support time and active knee bending angle decreased from (0.31±0.38) s and (125.21±11.64) ° before operation to (0.11±0.04) s and (120.01±13.35) ° at 6 weeks after operation (P<0.05). Eleven patients could able to complete squat before operation, 13 patients could able to complete at 6 weeks after operation, and 9 patients could able to complete both before operation and 6 weeks after operation. In 9 patients, the maximum bending angle of crouching position was increased from 76.29° to 124.11° before operation to 91.35° to 134.12° at 6 weeks after operation, and the maximum bending angle of hip was increased from 103.70° to 147.25° before operation to 118.61° to 149.48° at 6 weeks after operation. Gait analysis technology based on artificial intelligence image recognition is a safe and effective method to quantitatively identify the changes of patients' gait. Knee pain of KOA was relieved and the function was improved, the supporting ability of the affected limb was improved after TKA, and the patient's stride frequency, stride length and stride speed were improved, and the overall movement rhythm of both lower limbs are more coordinated.

Assessment of gait in terms of body mass composition disorders among children aged 6-10 years

Study aim: Overweight and obesity are common not only among adults but also among the youngest children around the world. There are many negative consequences of excessive body weight affecting physical, psychological, and social health. Overweight and obesity can impair the musculoskeletal system and affect normal gait, especially in children who are developing their gait. The aim of the study was to analyze gait parameters in terms of body fat content and to compare the positioning of feet and knees during walking among children with normal and exceeded body fat content. Material and methods: The study covered 413 children aged 6-10, of both sexes. Body mass composition was analyzed using the bioelectrical impedance method. Based on these results, a study group (excess body fat) and a control group (normal body fat) were selected. Gait analysis was performed using the OptoGait optical system. Results were statistically analyzed using the Statistica program, employing the U Mann Whitney test and Spearman’s Rank correlation tests. Results: Among 232 children, body mass composition disorders were detected – excess body fat content and reduced total water content. The study group showed a body fat percentage of 34.70% (±3.64), while the control group had 19.36% (±3.13). Gait analysis showed that the percentage of body fat influences the gait parameters of the examined children. Conclusions: An increase in the percentage of adipose tissue in the children’s body results in a lower step length, cycle length, and speed. Higher body fat content also resulted in longer flat foot contact time and double support time.

Robot-assisted gait training in patients with various neurological diseases: A mixed methods feasibility study.

Walking impairment represents a relevant symptom in patients with neurological diseases often compromising social participation. Currently, mixed methods studies on robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) in patients with rare neurological diseases are lacking. This study aimed to explore the feasibility, acceptability, goal attainment and preliminary effects of RAGT in patients with common and rare neurological diseases and understand the intervention context and process. A mixed-methods feasibility study was conducted at an Austrian rehabilitation centre. Twenty-eight inpatients after stroke in the subacute and chronic phases, with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injury, spinocerebellar ataxia, acute/chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy and motor neuron disease were included. Patients received RAGT for 45 minutes, 4x/week, for 4 weeks. Baseline and post-intervention assessments included gait parameters, walking and balance, and questionnaires. Semi-structured observations were conducted twice during the intervention period and analysed using thematic analysis. Descriptive statistics within the respective disease groups and calculation of effect sizes for the total sample were performed. Triangulation was employed to develop a deeper understanding of the research topic. Data from 26 patients (mean age 61.6 years [standard deviation 13.2]) were analysed. RAGT was highly accepted by patients and feasible, indicated by recruitment, retention, and adherence rates of 84.8% (95% confidence interval, CI 0.7-0.9), 92.2% (95% CI 0.7-1.0) and 94.0% (95% CI 91.4-96.2), respectively. Goal attainment was high, and only mild adverse events occurred. Improvements in walking speed (10-Metre Walk Test, effect size r = 0.876), walking distance (6-Minute Walk Test, r = 0.877), functional mobility (Timed Up and Go, r = 0.875), gait distance (r = 0.829) and number of steps (r = 0.834) were observed. Four themes were identified: familiarising with RAGT; enjoyment and acceptance through a trusting therapeutic relationship; actively interacting; and minimising dissatisfaction. Sufficiently powered randomised controlled trials are needed to validate our results. German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00027887.

Ballet practice improves neuromuscular and biomechanical responses to an unexpected standing-slip in older adults.

Falls and fall-induced injuries are common and consequential in older adults. Ballet emphasizes full-body coordination, leg strength, and postural control. However, it remains unknown whether ballet can indeed reduce falls in older adults. This study examined biomechanical and neuromuscular responses of older recreational ballet dancers to an unexpected standing-slip. Twenty older ballet dancers (17 females, 3 males) and 23 age- and sex-matched nondancers (19 females, 4 males) were exposed to an unexpected slip during treadmill standing. The slip-faller rate was the primary outcome. The secondary outcomes were kinematic measurements, including dynamic gait stability, slip distance, and recovery stepping performance (step latency, duration, length, and speed). The tertiary outcome was the electromyography latency of leg muscles (bilateral tibialis anterior, medial gastrocnemius, rectus femoris, and biceps femoris). Fewer dancers fell than nondancers after the standing-slip (45% vs. 83%, P = 0.005, d = 0.970). Dancers displayed better stability at recovery foot liftoff (P = 0.006) and touchdown (P = 0.012), a shorter step latency (P = 0.020), shorter step duration (P = 0.011), faster step speed (P = 0.032), and shorter slip distance (P = 0.015) than nondancers. They also exhibited shorter latencies than nondancers for the standing leg rectus femoris (P = 0.028) and tibialis anterior (P = 0.002), and the stepping leg biceps femoris (P = 0.031), tibialis anterior (P = 0.017), and medial gastrocnemius (P = 0.030). The results suggest that older ballet dancers experience a lower fall risk and are more stable than nondancers following an unexpected standing-slip. The greater stability among dancers could be attributed to more biomechanically effective recovery stepping, possibly associated with the ballet-induced neuromuscular benefit-an earlier leg muscle activation.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This is the first study to examine how older ballet dancers respond to an unexpected external slip perturbation while standing. The results suggest that older ballet dancers experience a reduced fall risk after the slip than their nondancer counterparts. The lower fall risk can be accounted for by dancers' quicker neuromuscular reactions to the slip that result in a more effective recovery step and thus higher stability against backward falls due to the slip.

Standing balance recovery strategies of young adults in a densely populated environment following external perturbations

The recovery strategies used by young adults to maintain standing balance following external force-controlled perturbations in densely populated group formations was investigated in this work. In particular, the moment of step initiation as well and the characteristics of the first recovery steps and hand-raising were studied here. The experimental data considered in this work are part of a larger dataset relying on a new experimental paradigm inspired by Feldmann and Adrian (2023). In this experiment, 20 participants (8 females, 12 males, 24.8±3.7yo) equipped with motion capture suits were asked to stand in tightly packed formation before receiving a force-controlled perturbation. In total, four group configurations and two interpersonal distancing conditions have been investigated here. The standing balance recovery strategies observed in this dense groups experiment were then compared with the observed behaviour of single individuals following external perturbations (Chatagnon et al., 2023). Results suggest that the moment of initiation for recovery steps was affected by the initial interpersonal distancing conditions. The first recovery steps within the studied dense groups were observed to be slower, smaller and more dispersed than those of single individuals for comparable level of perturbation intensity. However, the relationship between the average speed of first recovery steps and the length of these steps remained similar to the one of single individuals. This suggests that the first recovery step duration remained almost constant during both the dense groups experiment and the experiment with single individuals. Finally, we observed a significant occurrence of participants raising their hands, as physical interactions played an important role in this dense groups experiment. This behaviour was mainly observed to be initiated before recovery steps.

Effects of Cognitive-Motor and Motor-Motor Dual Tasks on Gait Performance in Older Adults with Sarcopenia.

With the advent of global aging, the health of the older population has become a critical public health challenge. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of dual-tasking on gait performance in patients with sarcopenia. Thirty participants with sarcopenia (age: 70.73 ± 4.12 yr, MMSE score: 26.90 ± 3.00), including 14 males and 16 females, were selected according to the diagnostic criteria of the Asian Working Group on Sarcopenia. All participants were instructed to perform the gait test in three modes: single task (ST), cognitive-motor dual task (CMDT), and motor-motor dual task (MMDT). Statistical analyses were performed using one-way ANOVA to evaluate the effects of different task types on gait parameters of the participants. (1) Compared with ST walking, gait frequency, step length, and step speed decreased, and the gait cycle and double-support phase increased in patients with sarcopenia during dual-task walking (p < 0.05); (2) Compared with ST walking, gait variability indices such as stride frequency, stride length, and support period significantly increased in patients with sarcopenia during dual-task walking (p < 0.05). The increased difficulty in postural control caused by dual-task interference may reduce the safety of motor strategies in patients with sarcopenia and increase the risk of falls. Future studies should focus on the effects of exercise interventions on multitasking patterns in people with sarcopenia to promote balance function in these populations.

Intelligent Sensing of Thermal Error of CNC Machine Tool Spindle Based on Multi-Source Information Fusion.

Aiming at the shortcomings of single-sensor sensing information characterization ability, which is easily interfered with by external environmental factors, a method of intelligent perception is proposed in this paper. This method integrates multi-source and multi-level information, including spindle temperature field, spindle thermal deformation, operating parameters, and motor current. Firstly, the internal and external thermal-error-related signals of the spindle system are collected by sensors, and the feature parameters are extracted; then, the radial basis function (RBF) neural network is utilized to realize the preliminary integration of the feature parameters because of the advantages of the RBF neural network, which offers strong multi-dimensional solid nonlinear mapping ability and generalization ability. Thermal-error decision values are then generated by a weighted fusion of different pieces of evidence by considering uncertain information from multiple sources. The spindle thermal-error sensing experiment was based on the spindle system of the VMC850 (Yunnan Machine Tool Group Co., LTD, Yunnan, China) vertical machining center of the Yunnan Machine Tool Factory. Experiments were designed for thermal-error sensing of the spindle under constant speed (2000 r/min and 4000 r/min), standard variable speed, and stepped variable speed conditions. The experiment's results show that the prediction accuracy of the intelligent-sensing model with multi-source information fusion can reach 98.1%, 99.3%, 98.6%, and 98.8% under the above working conditions, respectively. The intelligent-perception model proposed in this paper has higher accuracy and lower residual error than the traditional BP neural network perception and wavelet neural network models. The research in this paper provides a theoretical basis for the operation, maintenance management, and performance optimization of machine tool spindle systems.

Influence of aging on the relation between head control and hip joint kinematics during crossover stepping.

Falls in older individuals are a serious health issue in super-aged societies. The stepping reaction is an important postural strategy for preventing falls. This study aimed to reveal the characteristics of lateral stepping in response to mechanical disturbance by means of an analysis of the hip joint kinematics in the stepping leg and head stability during crossover steps. The participants included 11 healthy older and 13 younger individuals. An electromagnet-controlled disturbance-loading device induced crossover steps due to lateral disturbance. Responses were measured using a motion capture system and force plates. The righting reaction of the head was quantified by lateral displacement (sway), neck joint kinematics (angle displacement, angular velocity), and neck joint moment during crossover stepping. Moreover, the relationship between the neck lateral bending moment and angular velocity of hip flexion/adduction of the stepping leg was examined. The lateral head sway was significantly larger in the older participants (1.13±0.7 m/s2) than in the younger individuals (0.54±0.3 m/s2); whereas, the angle displacement (older -14.1±7.1 degree, young -8.3±4.5 degree) and angular velocity (older 9.9±6.6 degree/s, 41.2±27.7 degree/s) of the head were significantly lower in the older than in the younger participants. In both groups, the moment of neck lateral bending exhibited a significant negative correlation with the hip flexion angular velocity of the stepping leg. Correlation analysis also showed a significant negative correlation between the neck lateral bending moment and hip adduction angular velocity only in the older group (r = 0.71, p<0.01). In conclusion, older individuals increased instability in the lateral direction of the head and decreased righting angle displacement and angular velocity of the head during crossover steps. The correlation between neck moment and hip flexion/adduction angular velocity suggested a decrease in step speed due to increased neck muscle tone, which could be influenced by vestibulospinal reflexes.

Amelioration of gait and balance disorders by rosuvastatin is associated with changes in cerebrovascular reactivity in older patients with hypertensive treatment.

To investigate the effect of rosuvastatin on gait and balance disorder progression and elucidate the role of cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) on this effect. From April 2008 to November 2010, 943 hypertensive patients aged ≥60 years were enrolled from the Shandong area of China. Patients were randomized into rosuvastatin and placebo groups. Gait, balance, CVR, fall and stroke were assessed. During an average 72 months of follow-up, the decreasing trends for step length, step speed, and Berg balance scale scores and the increasing trends for step width and chair rising test were slower in the rosuvastatin group when compared to the placebo group. The hazard ratio of incident balance impairment and falls was 0.542 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.442-0.663] and 0.532 (95% CI 0.408-0.694), respectively, in the rosuvastatin group compared with placebo group. For CVR progression, the cerebrovascular reserve capacity and breath-holding index were increased and the pulsatility index decreased in the rosuvastatin group, while the cerebrovascular reserve capacity and breath-holding index were decreased, and pulsatility index increased in the placebo group. The changes in gait stability and balance function were independently associated with the changes in the CVR. The odds risks of balance impairment and falls were 2.178 (95% CI: 1.491-3.181) and 3.227 (95% CI: 1.634-6.373), respectively, in the patients with CVR impairment and patients without CVR impairment. Rosuvastatin ameliorated gait and balance disorder progression in older patients with hypertension. This effect might result from the improvement in the CVR. This double-blind clinical trial recruited 943 hypertensive patients aged ≥60 years who were randomly administered rosuvastatin and placebo interventions. The data indicates that rosuvastatin significantly ameliorated the progressions of gait and balance disorders in older hypertensive patients. The cerebrovascular reactivity might play an important mediating role in this amelioration.

Kinematics of Two Special Endurance Trials: A Methodological Contribution to 400-m Performance.

This study aimed to determine changes in the kinematics of sprint steps based on progressive muscular fatigue during high-intensity 350-m and 500-m trials. Twelve elite healthy male 400-m sprinters with a minimum of six years of regular sprint training experience were recruited. They were divided into two groups for the experiment: a 350-m and a 500-m trial group. Time and kinematics of sprinting step motion for specific segments, i.e., starting to final stages of each trial, were obtained using the Opto Jump-Microgate optical measurement system. The starting phase of each sprint was defined as the section without muscular fatigue (noF), and the final phase was the sprint under muscular fatigue (onF). Each last 25 m of the 50-m evaluated section containing ten complete running steps was selected for detailed statistical analysis. Various patterns of temporal and spatial variables of sprinting efforts were observed between 350-m and 500-m trials. Each trial result was influenced by significant individual changes (p < 0.05). All variables indicated that the two distances differed significantly in terms of running kinematics. This was confirmed by significant differences in the mean step frequency (p < 0.001), which presented a difference of 11.75%, and the mean step speed (p < 0.001). As a result of these changes, a hierarchical intermittent endurance training pattern was defined. The research concluded that special endurance (intermittent sprints) based on 350 m differed significantly in kinematics from sprints over 500 m. Therefore, it should be assumed that the distance of 350 m is more similar in its kinematics to the 400-m competition. This should encourage coaches and athletes to apply a 350-m distance in training developing special endurance, especially in the pre-competitive and competitive periods.

Effects of sedentary behaviour and long-term regular Tai Chi exercise on dynamic stability control during gait initiation in older women.

Background: Sedentary behaviour has been associated with an increased risk of falls among older adults. Although gait initiation (GI) is a promising tool used to assess fall risk, it has yet to be quantitatively evaluated for dynamic stability in sedentary populations. Tai Chi exercise is believed to be effective in preventing falls in older adults, but its effect on GI stability has not been quantified. This study aims to compare the stability of GI in sedentary older individuals versus those who are long-term Tai Chi exercisers by using a quantitative approach. Methods: This study included 17 sedentary older women without exercise habits (age: 65.59 ± 3.66 years, average daily sitting time: 8.735 ± 1.847h/day) and 19 older women who regularly engage in Tai Chi exercise (age: 65.58 ± 3.63 years, years of exercise: 9.84 ± 3.48 years). Every participant underwent five trials of self-paced GI walking tests. Eight cameras and four force plates were used to obtain kinematic and kinetic parameters. The trajectory of the centre of mass (CoM) and the position of the foot placement were recorded. The anterior-posterior (A-P) and medio-lateral (M-L) dynamic stability at the onset and end moments of the single-legged support was calculated using CoM and gait spatiotemporal parameters. The stepping dynamic stability and foot placement positions of both groups were compared. Results: The Tai Chi group had greater stability in the M-L directions at the swing leg's toe-off moment and in the M-L and A-P directions at the heel-strike moment, as well as significantly larger step length, step width and step speed during locomotion than sedentary older women. However, the stability in the A-P directions at the swing leg's toe-off moment and the foot inclination angle was not statistically different between the two groups. Conclusion: Long-term regular Tai Chi exercise can enhance the dynamic stability of GI in older women, and effectively improve their foot placement strategy during GI. The findings further confirm the negative effect of sedentary on the stability control of older women and the positive role of Tai Chi in enhancing their gait stability and reducing the risk of falls.

A Clinical Randomized Controlled Study of Low-Frequency rTMS Therapy on Lower Limb Motor Dysfunction after Stroke

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for the treatment of lower limb motor dysfunction after stroke. Methods: A total of 96 patients with stroke and lower limb motor dysfunction were enrolled in this study, and were randomly divided into the experimental group and the sham stimulation group using the method of calculator-generated random numbers. Both groups received conventional medication and rehabilitation therapy. The experimental group received 4 weeks of 1 Hz rTMS treatment in the primary cortical motor area (M1) of the healthy side, with the treatment coil tangent to the skull surface; the sham stimulation group underwent the same procedures as the experimental group, but the treatment coil was perpendicular to the skull surface instead. Lower-extremity subscale of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA-LE), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), gait analysis, and lower-extremity surface electromyography (LESEM) were performed in both groups before and after rTMS treatment. Results: All 96 patients completed the test with no shedding and no adverse reactions. After treatment, the FMA-LE score and BBS score of the 2 groups of patients were significantly improved as compared with the pre-treatment (P &lt; 0.05), and the TUG test time was reduced as compared with the pre-treatment (P &lt; 0.05). The true stimulation group had greater improvement in all assessment indexes than that of the sham stimulation group (P &lt; 0.05). After treatment, the electromyographic activity of the tibialis anterior and rectus femoris muscles in the true simulation group improved significantly. The step length, step speed, and step frequency were also significantly improved in both groups after treatment, and the symmetrical ratio of step length and support time was reduced (P &lt; 0.05). Comparison between the groups revealed that the true simulation group significantly improved after rTMS treatment as compared to the sham stimulation group (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: 1Hz rTMS treatment safely and effectively improved motor and balance function in patients with post-stroke lower limb motor dysfunction.

Biodynamic analysis of the most important mechanical variables and their contribution rate in the last step stage in the convergence run and achievement of the three jump players

Introduction to the research and its importance include the knowledge of the biodynamic analysis that is concerned with the study and analysis of biomechanics through the use of modern laboratory devices for the purpose of reaching facts that may contribute to the development of the effectiveness of triple jump. Such as a dynafoot foot scanner, in order to determine the various variables affecting the technique of performing the triple jump player.The research problem, we find that there is a weakness in external participation due to the inability of the players to reach the qualifying numbers in the recent period, and the low level of technical performance and the noticeable weakness in the digital level of the triple jump players, are among the problems that stand and prevent the team from participating in international competitions and achieving positive results, Therefore, the two researchers are trying to find mechanical solutions to the movement problems and obstacles that the player is exposed to in the technical performance of the triple jump skill,research aims:1-Knowing the values of the most important mechanical variables through the biographical analysis of the step and achievement stage in the triple jump of the research sample2-Knowing the relationship between the values of the measured mechanical variables with achievement in the triple jump for the research sample and identifying the percentage of the contribution of mechanical variables to the last step and the stages of the rise measured with the achievement in the triple jump for the research sample.The second chapter included the field research procedures, and the researchers used the descriptive platform to study the linking relationships. The sample of the research was the three-jump players advanced and candidates for the national team. The researchers, after conducting exploratory experiments and identifying obstacles, conducted the main experiment on Tuesday, 29/2/2019.The third chapter: It includes the presentation, analysis, and discussion of the results for the player and for relying on modern sources.The fourth chapter: Conclusion included the conclusions, the researchers concluded (that the biodynamic analysis of the last step of the approximate run phase has a strong correlation with the achievement of the players of the triple jump, that the hopper changed the length of the last step in the convergent run that showed a significant correlation between speed and time of the last step In the run-off with the achievement, and reducing the horizontal speed of the hopper affected the level of achievement). The recommendations (to conduct research for biodynomographic analysis for each stage of the triple jump, and its relationship to achievement in order to stop the existing problems of each player and find solutions to them)

Surface quality enhancement by constant scallop-height in three-axis milling operations

The quality of machined part surfaces are under the impact of scallop height which should be analyzed and minimized. Achieving a uniform scallop-height is important for ensuring a smooth surface finish and maintaining consistent material removal across the machined surfaces during CNC machining operations. This approach helps to reduce material waste, tool wear and part production errors while ensuring consistent and high-quality of machined parts. Maintaining a constant scallop height can also help to reduce chatter and vibration during milling operations. The research work develops a virtual machining methodology to produce constant scallops through three-axis milling operations. The proposed approach examines free-form surfaces of workpiece in order to obtain free form surfaces curvatures. Then, free-form surfaces are separated into flat, convex and concave surfaces to provide optimized cutting tool variables in order to provide constant scallop height during CNC cutting tool paths. Achieving a constant scallop height involves optimizing cutting parameters such as feed rate, spindle speed, and step over. To calculate the optimized machining parameters of feed rate, speed of spindle and step over, the Taguchi optimization methodology is utilized in the study. Then, the machining variables of feed rate, speed of spindle and step over are optimized to achieve the uniform scallop height during milling potations of free-form surfaces. As a result, using optimized machining parameters during machining operations, the surface roughness of machined components are reduced by 23.8%. So, the proposed virtual machining method can enhance surface quality of machined parts during CNC milling operations of free-from-surfaces.

Controllable Cetrimide – Assisted Hydrothermal Synthesis of MoFe&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O&lt;sub&gt;4&lt;/sub&gt; and Coupling with Al&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt; as an Effective Photocatalyst for Decolorization of Indigo Carmine Dye

This research focuses on the MoFe2O4 nanoparticles synthesized via the hydrothermal method in the presence of positive surfactant- Cetrimide (CT) as a template and stabilizer. This is vital to prevent the agglomeration and reducing its activity. The mean crystal sizes of MoFe2O4 and its composite with alumina system were observed to be 23.97 and 47.41 nm, respectively. The shapes of MoFe2O4 and its composite are nanoplate and like-popcorn nanoparticles. The EDX spectra demonstrated that the MoFe2O4 and its composite are truly synthesized with high purity. The FTIR proved the MoFe2O4 is normal spinel. Based on the Tauc equation, band gaps were measured and found to be 2.78 and 4.05 eV for MoFe2O4 and its nanocomposite. The photo decolorization efficiency (PDE) of indigo carmine dye (IC) using MoFe2O4 nanoparticles and its nanocomposite was discovered to be 90.84 and 91.50%, respectively, at pH 5.3, 10 °C for 50 min. This photoreaction obeys the pseudo-first order, exothermic, spontaneous, and negative activation energy, that attitude to the multi-step occurs in chain reactions. This behavior depends on the speed of the binding step of the dye with Fe3+, Mo6+, or Al3+ in the crystal lattice of MoFe2O4 nanoparticle and its nanocomposite.

Analyzing the Combination Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Motor Control Training on Balance Function and Gait in Patients with Stroke-Induced Hemiplegia

Objective: To analyze the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with motor control training on the treatment of stroke-induced hemiplegia, specifically focusing on the impact on patients’ balance functionand gait. Methods: Fifty-two cases of hemiplegic stroke patients were randomly divided into two groups, 26 in the control group and 26 in the observation group, using computer-generated random grouping. All participants underwent conventional treatment and rehabilitation training. In addition to these, the control group received repetitive transcranialmagnetic pseudo-stimulation therapy + motor control training, while the observation group received repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy + motor control training. The balance function and gait parameters of both groups were compared before and after the interventions and assessed the satisfaction of the interventions in both groups. Results: Before the invention, there were no significant differences in balance function scores and each gait parameter between the two groups (P &gt; 0.05). However, after the intervention, the observation group showed higher balance function scores compared to the control group (P &lt; 0.05). The observation group also exhibited higher step speed and step frequency, longer step length, and a higher overall satisfaction level with the intervention compared to the control group (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: The combination of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and motor control training in the treatment of stroke-induced hemiplegia has demonstrated positive effects. It not only improves the patient’s balance function and gait but also contributes to overall physical rehabilitation.