A Novel Approach To The Training Of Functional Standing Following Spinal Cord Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$412,706.00
Summary
The study will employ a new type of functional electrical stimulation (FES), strength-endurance muscle conditioning and standing training to improve stance in SCI victims with incomplete paralysis. We will evaluate an innovative combination of muscle training and novel FES protocols which allow paralysed people to stand and perform upper limb functional tasks. The primary outcomes will be duration of standing, number of repetitions of standing and sitting and upper limb function while standing.
A reduced capacity to recover balance following an imbalance episode contributes to the high incidence of falls in older adults. The goal of the present study is to determine how age-related differences in lower extremity neuromuscular and biomechanical properties are related to balance recovery capacity and falls incidence. A detailed understanding of this relationship is necessary for the development of efficacious exercise-based interventions for the prevention of falls.
Motor Unit Synchronisation And Neuromuscular Performance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$198,500.00
Summary
The fine control of force is important for many everyday tasks such as writing, grasping objects between index finger and thumb, and fastening buttons. Factors that influence the ability to control force include the coordinated activation of groups of muscle fibres called single motor units. This proposal focuses on the concept that the coordinated activation of motor units is influenced by muscle activity and can impair the ability to produce finely controlled muscle contractions. The goal of t ....The fine control of force is important for many everyday tasks such as writing, grasping objects between index finger and thumb, and fastening buttons. Factors that influence the ability to control force include the coordinated activation of groups of muscle fibres called single motor units. This proposal focuses on the concept that the coordinated activation of motor units is influenced by muscle activity and can impair the ability to produce finely controlled muscle contractions. The goal of these studies is to explore the boudary conditions of the adaptive nature of the nervous system to examine how coordinated motor unit activity influences these aspects of neuromuscular performance. The outcomes of these experiments will identify if altering muscle activity influences the control of movement by altering single motor unit activity. These results will have direct application to the interpretation of abnormal movement control and tremor that is observed in certain neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease. Furthermore, new information will be gained on the adaptability of the motor system and its role in the execution of fine motor tasks that may aid in the development of rehabilitation strategies following stroke or spinal cord injury.Read moreRead less
The Effect Of Loading On The Size, Shape And Strength Of Cortical Bone During Different Stages Of Maturation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$180,000.00
Summary
Osteoporosis is a condition in which the skeleton becomes fragile and susceptible to fractures. It is a public health problem that affects both men and women over the age of sixty. Although osteoporosis affects the elderly, the most opportune time to prevent osteoporosis may be during childhood. Physical activity is a lifestyle factor known to affect the strength of the skeleton. Bone density is commonly used as a measure of bone strength because it is easily measured and is related to the break ....Osteoporosis is a condition in which the skeleton becomes fragile and susceptible to fractures. It is a public health problem that affects both men and women over the age of sixty. Although osteoporosis affects the elderly, the most opportune time to prevent osteoporosis may be during childhood. Physical activity is a lifestyle factor known to affect the strength of the skeleton. Bone density is commonly used as a measure of bone strength because it is easily measured and is related to the breaking strength of bones. However changes in the shape of bones can also affect bone strength with or without an increase in bone density. Changes in bone shape in response to exercise in children or adults have rarely been investigated, and little is known about the effects of exercise on bone shape during different stages of growth. This study is the first to investigate how exercise during childhood may affect bone strength by changing bone shape. 45 elite female tennis players aged between 6 to 18 years have completed two years of this study. 90 novice and competitive male tennis players aged between 6 to 20 years and 60 healthy age matched controls will be asked to participate in this study. Measurements will be made annually for three years. The bone shape and density of the dominant and non-dominant arms of the players will be compared with the children who don't play tennis - comparisons will also be made between i) different stages of puberty and ii) girls and boys. The findings of this study are important because the lifestyle of children today may predispose them to a greater risk of osteoporosis late in life. Physical activity may be the most important modifiable protective factor against fragile bones in old age. The findings of this study will be the first to provide insight into whether there is a unique time during growth when exercise will result in the greatest increase in bone strength by changing bone shape.Read moreRead less