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Zaheer, Farah. "Adaptations in motor unit activity with age and physical activity." Thesis, Boston University, 2012. https://hdl.handle.net/2144/12693.
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Thesis (Sc.D.)--Boston University
PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you.<br>The hypothesis that age-related alterations to the morphological properties of a motor unit (MU) are accompanied by modifications in their control properties has been supported by data that compared young (24-37 y.o.) and elderly (65-88 y.o.) adults (Erim et al. J. Neurophys., 1999). The objective of the present dissertation was to characterize whether such modifications in MU control properties are progressive across a continuum of ages from childhood to senescence, and whether such adaptations are muscle and usage dependent. Multiple concurrently active MUs were assayed from the first dorsal interosseous (FDI) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles in healthy subjects from 8-86 years of age. Surface EMG (sEMG) signals were acquired while the participants isometrically tracked a trapezoidal force trajectory at 20%, 50% and 80% of their maximal voluntary force capacity. Data were decomposed into MU trains using a recently developed sEMG decomposition procedure (De Luca et al. J. Neurophys., 2006; Nawab et al. J Clin. Neurophys., 2010) that provides a much greater yield (typically 3- 6 X) than that of prev1ous needle sensor based technologies. Results from n=65 subjects (representing approximately 5307 analyzed MUs) indicate that the average firing rates of the earliest recruited MU trains were significantly reduced with increasing age (p<0.05)) for both muscles and the three normalized force levels tested. Characteristics of MU behavior in young children were reported for the first time, and demonstrated unique properties compared to findings in adults and the elderly. Additionally, those elderly adults who scored at the high end of a physical activity scale deviated least in their firing rate properties from young adults, demonstrating that habitual physical activity can modify the effects of ageing. These findings indicate an age and usage-dependency to MU control properties that is progressive.
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Kilner, James Morvan. "Oscillatory activity in the human motor system." Thesis, University College London (University of London), 2001. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.369225.
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Yanenko, M., and A. Popov. "ECoG Eigenvalues Analysis for Motor Activity Detection." Thesis, Sumy State University, 2016. http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/47108.
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In this publication the results of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of finger movements electrocorticography (ECoG) are presented. Eigenvalues configuration was analyzed for ECoG with and without any motor activity. PCA components of ECoG can be separated into motor activity and background parts, enabling spatial localization of motor activity areas in future.
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Zhu, Fan Frank, and 朱凡. "Exploring cortical activity during implicit and explicit processes in motor learning." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2010. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B45588892.
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Biswas, Anindita. "Analysis of motor activity of recombinant myosin-1c." Morgantown, W. Va. : [West Virginia University Libraries], 2007. https://eidr.wvu.edu/etd/documentdata.eTD?documentid=5522.
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Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2007.<br>Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains xi, 82 p. : ill. (some col.). Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.
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Fisher, Rebecca Jane. "Inhibition and oscillatory activity in human motor cortex." Thesis, University College London (University of London), 2002. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.272397.
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Reis, Gerald Feliz. "Mechanisms of motor activity regulation in axonal transport." Diss., Connect to a 24 p. preview or request complete full text in PDF format. Access restricted to UC campuses, 2008. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/ucsd/fullcit?p3315202.
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Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 2008.<br>Title from first page of PDF file (viewed Nov. 5, 2008). Available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.
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Tuisku, Katinka. "Motor activity measured by actometry in neuropsychiatric disorders." Helsinki : University of Helsinki, 2002. http://ethesis.helsinki.fi/julkaisut/laa/kliin/vk/tuisku/.
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Lowder, Matthew Warren. "Cortical Activity Mediating Motor Representations in Stroke Survivors." W&M ScholarWorks, 2007. https://scholarworks.wm.edu/etd/1539626542.
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Sandlund, Marlene. "Motion interactive games for children with motor disorders : motivation, physical activity, and motor control." Doctoral thesis, Umeå universitet, Sjukgymnastik, 2011. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-42792.
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As motion interactive games have become more widespread the interest in using these games in rehabilitation of children with motor disorders has increased among both clinical professionals and the families of these children. The general aim of this thesis was to evaluate the feasibility of using interactive games in rehabilitation of children to promote motivation for practice, physical activity, and motor control. A systematic review of published intervention studies was conducted to obtain an overview of existing research and the current levels of evidence for using interactive games in motor rehabilitation of children. Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria, out of these three were randomized controlled trials while half were case series or case reports. Thirteen studies presented positive findings, which indicated a promising potential. However, more convincing research is needed. Commercially available motion interactive games have only been used in a few studies on motor control, and in none of these home based practice was provided. Moreover, no earlier studies have evaluated if these games may increase motivation for training and daily physical activity among children with disabilities. To address these issues a feasibility intervention including 15 children in the ages 6-16 years and with mild to moderate cerebral palsy was conducted. Each child was provided with a Sony PlayStation2â and the EyeToyâ games in Play3, and was recommended to practice with the provided games for at least 20 minutes/day during four weeks. The intervention was evaluated with gaming diaries, physical activity monitors (SenseWear Armband), interviews with the parents, and the clinical motor tests Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (mABC-2), Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency subtest 5:6, and the 1 Minute Walk Test. In addition, 3D motion analysis was used to evaluate effects on quality of goal-directed arm movements towards virtual and real objects, respectively. Motivation for practice and compliance of training were high, although declining somewhat during the course of the four weeks. The children’s physical activity increased significantly during the intervention. However, four children were excluded from this analysis due to lack of complete data from the physical activity monitors. According to mABC-2 the children’s motor performance improved, but there were both floor and ceiling effects, indicating a low sensibility of this test. The two additional motor tests showed only non-significant progress. Results from the 3D motion analysis suggest that the children improved movement precision when playing the games, movement smoothness when reaching for real objects, and used a more economic reaching strategy with less trunk involvement. In the interviews the parents expressed the view that motion interactive games promote positive experiences of physical training and add elements of social interaction to the training. They also experienced less urge to take on a coaching role. The training provided by the games was considered unspecific and there was a desire for individualized games to better address the unique rehabilitative need of each child. In conclusion, it is feasible to use motion interactive games in home rehabilitation for children with cerebral palsy to promote short term motivation for practice and general physical training. Specific effects on motor control need to be further explored and there is also a need for reliable tests that are adequate and sensitive enough to capture changes in movement control. In future development of interactive games for rehabilitation purposes, it is a challenge to preserve the motivational and social features of games while at the same time optimizing an individualized physical training.
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Nordström, Anna. "Bone mass and physical activity /." Umeå : Univ, 2004. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-224.
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Mundy, Lisa Kate. "Infant attention, motor activity and cardiac activity and the effects of prenatal smoke exposure." Thesis, Cardiff University, 2009. http://orca.cf.ac.uk/54941/.
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To advance our understanding of the association between maternal smoking during pregnancy and the development of ADHD in offspring, studies using a prospective and longitudinal design, beginning with the study of temperament during infancy are required. The aim of this thesis was to investigate domains of infant temperament that could be considered early precursors and correlates of ADHD and to examine the effect of prenatal smoke exposure on these domains. Attention together with motor activity and heart rate (HR), measured during cognitive and emotional challenge, were studied in a representative, community sample of 130 infants at 6 and 12 months. At 6 months infants exposed to prenatal smoke showed more sustained attention, increased motor activity and increased HR compared with non-exposed infants. However, at 12 months there was no evidence of an effect of prenatal smoke exposure on attention or motor activity but there was evidence of an effect on HR. Given the importance of understanding temperament in infants, we examined 50 infants in an intensive laboratory assessment, using measures of vagal tone (VT) as well as HR, to enhance our understanding of the relationship between temperament and physiology. Results supported the use of HR as an index of temperament and although VT results were ambiguous, the indication was that measures of VT reactivity may be useful in future research. Combining the novel and rigorous designs presented in this thesis to study the effects of prenatal smoke exposure on offspring development, beginning during the neonatal period and with several assessments during the first year of life, utilizing physiological measures in combination with parent reports and behavioural observations, both at home and in more intensive laboratory settings, will be an important task for the future to enhance our knowledge of potential pathways from prenatal smoke exposure to the development of behaviour disorders, such as ADHD.
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Guerra, Filho Gutemberg Bezerra. "A sensory-motor linguistic framework for human activity understanding." College Park, Md. : University of Maryland, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/1903/7211.
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Thesis (Ph. D.) -- University of Maryland, College Park, 2007.<br>Thesis research directed by: Computer Science. Title from t.p. of PDF. Includes bibliographical references. Published by UMI Dissertation Services, Ann Arbor, Mich. Also available in paper.
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Al-Hadabi, Badriya Khalfan Issa. "Assessment of physical activity and motor ability in children." Thesis, University of Essex, 2012. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.572776.
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Health benefits are found to be associated with regular physical activity (PA), however, only a small percentage of young people are meeting the government physical activity recommendation guidelines. Therefore, there is a necessity to further understand the factors that may influence greater participation in physical activity. One essential influencing factor may be the level of mastery of motor abilities (MA) which children and adolescents need in order to participate in different physical activities. Therefore, this thesis was built on the hypothesis that children with better developed motor abilities may find it easier to be active and engage in more physical activity than those with less-developed motor abilities. This thesis provides three studies focusing on firstly, validating accelerometer counts against oxygen uptake (energy expenditure or EE) in 9 to 11 year old children performing a number of highly variable physical activities, similar to those undertaken in free-living conditions. Cut-off points for resting physical activity level, light physical activity level, moderate physical activity level and vigorous physical activity level were determined, which have been used to analyse PA data in studies 2 and 3. The second study was a cross-sectional design and third study was a longitudinal design. Both studies investigated the level of motor ability that 8 to 12 year old children possessed; secondly, they explored how anthropometric factors affected selected components of MA and thirdly, they determined whether MA components themselves and/or anthropometric measurements are useful predictors of physical activity levels. Results showed a strong correlation between the accelerometer counts and energy expenditure (as measured by oxygen consumption) of r = 0.86, and two different regression equations to predict EE from accelerometer counts were developed. Cut-off points of <61, 62 - 3435,3436 - 6100, and 2: 6101 were determined for resting, light, moderate and vigorous physical activity levels. The cross-sectional study showed that motor ability components were improved with increasing school year. Gender was the main predictor of most motor ability components; while body fat percentage (BF%) and age were secondary factors. The cross-sectional design does not allow the drawing of a causal relationship between the development of motor ability and physical activity levels. Thus, the longitudinal study illustrated that tracking motor ability and anthropometric data over time removed gender as a dominating factor in predicting the motor ability component as found in the cross-sectional study (Chapter 4). Changes in Standing Vertical Jump, Sit-up and Flamingo Balance Test were found to be factors that could affect change in physical activity levels. However, the small number of participants who met the criteria of physical activity intensity levels in this study mean that interpretations of results should be taken with caution. Further longitudinal research using a large group of children, motor ability component tests and more than one objective method to monitor physical activity levels are needed to clearly explore the relationship between these two parameters,
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Ramires, Maria Luiza Gregolin. "Efeitos da atividade física sobre a memória e estresse oxidativo plasmático e hipocampal de ratas na senescência /." Araçatuba, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/11449/151674.
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Orientador: Suely Regina Mogami Bomfim<br>Banca: Paulo Cesar Ciarlini<br>Banca: Breno Fernando Martins de Almeida<br>Resumo: Há evidências que a prática regular de atividade física potencializa a memória, diminui o estresse oxidativo plasmático e hipocampal e a ansiedade na senescência. Neste trabalho foram utilizadas 40 ratas (Rattus norvegicus albinus, Wistar), com 13 meses de idade ao início do experimento, divididas em quatro grupos: um grupo controle (GC) e três grupos tratamento (GT1, GT2 e GT3), sendo 10 animais em cada grupo. O grupo controle foi mantido apenas sob observação. Aos grupos tratamento foram aplicados exercícios físicos e de memória, sendo que ao GT1, apenas exercícios de memória; ao GT2 escalada em escada, e ao GT3 ambos os exercícios. Os animais que foram submetidos à escalada em escada três vezes por semana durante três meses consecutivos e aos testes de memória, apresentaram melhor desempenho nas memórias de curto e longo prazo e de habituação, bem como menor ansiedade em teste de campo aberto. A baixa concentração de malonaldeído (MDA), o equilíbrio da superóxido dismutase (SOD) e o aumento da capacidade antioxidante total (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power- FRAP, foram observados nas amostras plasmáticas e hipocampais de ratas submetidas aos tratamentos. Concluiu-se que a prática de exercício físico regular associado a exercícios de memória melhorou as capacidades mnemônicas, diminuiu o estresse oxidativo e a ansiedade de ratas na senescência<br>Abstract: There is evidence that regular physical activity enhances memory, decreases plasma and hippocampal oxidative stress, and anxiety in senescence. In this work, 40 rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus, Wistar), 13 months old at the start of the experiment, were divided into four groups: one control group (CG) and three treatment groups (GT1, GT2 and GT3), 10 animals in each group. The control group was kept under observation only. In the treatment groups, physical and memory exercises were applied, and to GT1, only memory exercises; to GT2 climbing stairs, and to GT3 both exercises. Animals that underwent ladder climbing three times a week for three consecutive months and memory tests showed better performance in short and long term memory and habituation as well as lower anxiety in the open field test. The low concentration of malonaldehyde (MDA), the balance of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the increase in total antioxidant capacity (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power - FRAP) were observed in the plasma and hippocampal samples of rats submitted to treatments. Regular exercise practice associated with memory exercises improved mnemonic abilities, decreased oxidative stress and anxiety of rats in senescence<br>Mestre
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Goji, I. A. "The effects of lead exposure on motor activity and brain monoamine oxidase activity in mouse." Thesis, University of Strathclyde, 1988. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.382285.
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Worth, Eleri Rhian. "Retrieval-induced forgetting and memory for actions." Thesis, Swansea University, 2011. https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa43182.
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Previous research has demonstrated a retrieval-induced forgetting effect for verbal material (Anderson & Spellman, 1995), colours and shapes (Ciranni & Shimamura,1999), eyewitness testimony (MacLeod, 2002), and images of novel actions (Koutstaal et al., 1999). However, little research has been conducted into retrieval-induced forgetting and self-performed actions. A recent study by Sharman (2011) demonstrated retrieval-induced forgetting for familiar and bizarre self-performed actions. The current thesis aims to examine retrieval-induced forgetting and actions including self-performed and observed actions, and combinations of self-performed and observed actions. The first experiment demonstrated retrieval-induced forgetting for novel motor sequences. In addition, retrieval-induced forgetting was also found for less novel actions (Experiments 3 and 4) for both typical and non-typical self-performed actions (Experiment 3) and memorable self-performed actions (Experiment 4). Experiment 2 demonstrated a retrieval-induced forgetting effect for objects associated with actions suggesting that retrieval-induced forgetting effects occur both for the action and the object. However the findings of experiment 5 suggest that retrieval-induced forgetting may not occur for goal-orientated actions. These experiments may suggest that retrieval-induced forgetting occurs for non goal-orientated actions, but may not occur for goal-orientated actions. These findings are discussed in terms of the inhibitory account.
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McKeen, Nancy A. "The meaning of motor activity, emotion, temperament, mood, and laterality." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 2000. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk2/ftp03/NQ51656.pdf.
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Prokic, Emma. "Modulation of neuronal network activity in the primary motor cortex." Thesis, Aston University, 2012. http://publications.aston.ac.uk/16496/.
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In the present study I investigated the mechanisms of modulation of neuronal network activity in rat primary motor cortex using pharmacological manipulations employing the in vitro brain slice technique. Preparation of the brain slice in sucrose-based aCSF produced slices with low viability. Introducing the neuroprotectants N-acetyl-cysteine, taurine and aminoguanidine to the preparatory method saw viability of slices increase significantly. Co-application of low dose kainic acid and carbachol consistently generated beta oscillatory activity in M1. Analyses indicated that network activity in M1 relied on the involvement of GABAA receptors. Dose-response experiments performed in M1 showed that beta activity can be modulated by benzodiazepine site ligands. Low doses of positive allosteric modulators consistently desynchronised beta oscillatory activity, a mechanism that may be driven by a1-subunit containing GABAA receptors. Higher doses increased the power of beta oscillatory activity. Whole-cell recordings in M1 uncovered three interneuronal subtypes regularly encountered in M1; Fast-spiking, regular-spiking non-Pyramidal and low threshold spiking. With the paradoxical effects of positive allosteric modulators in mind, subsequent voltage-clamp recordings in FS cells revealed a constitutively active tonic inhibitory current that could be modulated by zolpidem in two different ways. Low dose zolpidem increased the tonic inhibitory current in FS cells, consistent with the desynchronisation of network oscillatory activity seen at this concentration. High dose zolpidem decreased the inhibitory tonic current seen in FS cells, coinciding with an increase in oscillatory power. These studies indicate a fundamental role for a tonic inhibitory current in the modulation of network activity. Furthermore, desynchronisation of beta activity in M1 decreased as viability of the in vitro brain slice increased, suggesting that the extent of desynchronisation is dependent upon the pathophysiological state of the network. This indicates that low dose zolpidem could be used as a therapeutic agent specifically for the desynchronisation of pathological oscillations in oscillopathies such as Parkinson’s disease.
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Yamawaki, Naoki. "Beta frequency neuronal network activity in the primary motor cortex." Thesis, Aston University, 2009. http://publications.aston.ac.uk/15408/.
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In this study I investigated the mechanisms of neuronal network oscillatory activity in rat M1 using pharmacological manipulations and electrical stimulation protocols, employing the in vitro brain slice technique in rat and magnetoencephalography (MEG) in man. Co-application of kainic acid and carbachol generated in vitro beta oscillatory activity in all layers in M1. Analyses indicated that oscillations originated from deep layers and indicated significant involvement of GABAA receptors and gap junctions. A modulatory role of GABAB, NMDA, and dopamine receptors was also evident. Intracellular recordings from fast-spiking (FS) GABAergic inhibitory cells revealed phase-locked action potentials (APs) on every beta cycle. Glutamatergic excitatory regular-spiking (RS) and intrinsically-bursting (IB) cells both received phase locked inhibitory postsynaptic potentials, but did not fire APs on every cycle, suggesting the dynamic involvement of different pools of neurones in the overall population oscillations. Stimulation evoked activity at high frequency (HFS; 125Hz) evoked gamma oscillations and reduced ongoing beta activity. 20Hz stimulation promoted theta or gamma oscillations whilst 4Hz stimulation enhanced beta power at theta frequency. I also investigated the modulation of pathological slow wave (theta and beta) oscillatory activity using magnetoencephalography. Abnormal activity was suppressed by sub-sedative doses of GABAA receptor modulator zolpidem and the observed desynchronising effect correlated well with improved sensorimotor function. These studies indicate a fundamental role for inhibitory neuronal networks in the patterning beta activity and suggest that cortical HFS in PD re-patterns abnormally enhanced M1 network activity by modulating the activity of FS cells. Furthermore, pathological oscillation may be common to many neuropathologies and may be an important future therapeutic target.
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Riley, Zachary A. "Motor unit activity in human biceps brachii during sustained contractions." Connect to online resource, 2008. http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:3303832.
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Hallam, Philippa Margaret. "The impact of prehension and fine motor development on gross motor activity in children with cerebral palsy." Thesis, University of Liverpool, 1996. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.482805.
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Forsyth, Aimi Louise. "Flexed Truncal Posture in Parkinson’s Disease: Associations with Motor and Non-Motor Impairments and Relationships with Activity." Thesis, The University of Sydney, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/2123/19005.
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Flexed posture is twice as common people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) than in the general older population. Little is known about the mechanisms responsible for this high incidence, or the association with activity limitations in people with PD. In the general older population, flexed posture is known to be associated with poorer performance of several activities of daily living, reduced quality of life and increased mortality. The two studies in this thesis explored the associations between flexed posture and the motor and non-motor impairments of PD. They revealed that axial motor impairment, age, gender, spinal proprioception and postural fatigue make significant contributions to flexed truncal posture, although a large proportion of the variance in flexed posture remains unexplained. None of the cardinal motor impairments of PD (tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia and postural instability) or the additional non-motor features of cognition, pain, depression, and overall fatigue demonstrated a significant association with flexed posture. Additionally, greater flexed posture demonstrated a significant association with poorer performance of several balance and mobility tasks, upper limb task performance and restrictive lung dysfunction. Given the negative influence of flexed posture on these activities, clinicians should consider assessing and monitoring truncal posture in people with PD. The C7 to wall measure of truncal posture was found to have high test-retest reliability, making it a suitable method to use in this population. Interventions to improve flexed posture may include exercise, education and interventions targeting spinal proprioception.
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Afzal, Muhammad Furqan. "Robust Encoding of Aperiodic Spatiotemporal Activity Patterns in Recurrent Neural Networks." University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1458900169.
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Pomeroy, Sherry Lynn Hobgood. "Increasing physical activity in rural elderly." Free to MU Campus, others may purchase, 2003. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/mo/fullcit?p3115579.
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Simmons, Gregory Scott. "A study of the comparability of Naval activity motor vehicle costs." Thesis, Monterey, Calif. : Springfield, Va. : Naval Postgraduate School ; Available from National Technical Information Service, 1993. http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA268900.
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Thesis (M.S. in Management) Naval Postgraduate School, June 1993.<br>Thesis advisor(s): James M. Fremgen ; Richard D. Milligan. "June 1993." Includes bibliographical references. Also available online.
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Collins, David John. "Cerebral activity prior to skilled motor performance : an electro-encephalographic review." Thesis, University of Surrey, 1990. http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/843563/.
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An electroencephalographic (EEG) protocol was used to examine cerebral activity in the moments proceeding self paced motor performance. Throughout the series of investigations, power in the alpha waveband (8-13 Hz) was used as the dependant variable. In the first investigation, subjects completed a variety of stereotyped 'left and right brain' tasks. These tasks induced a reliable and predictable pattern of lateralised activity. Furthermore, tasks categorised as 'right brain' were shown to induce a more consistent effect. In the second investigation, expert Karate athletes performed a number of Karate specific tasks together with a skill acquisition and cognitive task condition. Significant increases in alpha band power, mediated by task difficulty, were found to be associated with one category of task. In the third study, subjects completed a series of novel tasks, designed to systematically vary the effort and accuracy demands. A significant decrease in alpha band power was shown to be associated with preparation for the asymmetrical high effort task, namely a leg extension against resistance. Outcome of the high accuracy condition was found to significantly mediate alpha band power immediately prior to performance. In the final investigation, the alpha band powers of cricketers, non-cricketing sportsmen and non-sportsmen were compared as they performed a variety of Cricket related, throwing tasks. Significant differences were detected between the different groups and between the different tasks. Once again, success was found to mediate the pattern of alpha band power. It was concluded that the effects observed were probably due to changes in the Rolandic Wicket or Mu rhythm generated in the central and pre-central regions.
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Cornett, Kayla Margaret Dawn. "Quantification of motor unit activity and steadiness in a functional task." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/45478.
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The ability to control functional movement is essential for daily life. Extensive literature exists on lower motor unit (MU) recruitment thresholds and greater discharge rates in anisometric compared with isometric contractions. This difference is in-part related to task specificity. To-date the spinal control of functional movement has not been evaluated relative to the performance of functional movement. The purpose of this thesis was to quantify and evaluate MU activity and steadiness in a functional task compared to anisometric and isometric contractions.
Thirteen female subjects (22.5 ± 2.9 years) were recruited. Surface and intramuscular electromyography (EMG) were recorded from the elbow flexor muscles. Subjects performed 4 experimental contractions; 1. a waterbottle drinking task where subjects lifted a waterbottle, took a sip of water and lowered the bottle (functional task); 2. a waterbottle lifting task performed identical to the previous but without drinking; 3. an anisometric contraction matched for load, range of motion, and acceleration; 4. a load matched isometric contraction. Repeated measures ANOVAs were used to assess EMG, MU recruitment and discharge rates and steadiness between the contractions.
Surface EMG was not different between the three movement tasks but lower during the isometric contraction. The waterbottle drinking task had the highest discharge rate, as well as discharge rate variability and was the least steady. There were no differences in recruitment between the 4 contraction types. This was the first study to evaluate MU activity in functional tasks. It is clear that functional tasks require unique activation strategies which occur primarily through alterations in MU discharge rate. Thus, spinal control is not only task specific, but also related to goal-directed outcomes of the movement.
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Spencer, Robert Michael. "Rhythmic motor system control by projection neuron activity pattern and rate." Miami University / OhioLINK, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1461269867.
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Aharoni, Hezkiah. "Assessment of children's risk-taking behavior as reflected in motor activity /." The Ohio State University, 1986. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1487268021747565.
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Silveira, Rafael Fernando [UNESP]. "Influência dos níveis de atividade física sobre os aspectos endócrino-metabólicos de mulheres acima de 50 anos atendidas pelo sistema público de saúde." Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/11449/87387.
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silveira_rf_me_rcla.pdf: 345827 bytes, checksum: dc946d143b2f587e0ed059504b177eb0 (MD5)<br>Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)<br>Nas últimas décadas grandes têm sido os esforços para reintegrar à população hábitos de vida mais ativos, uma vez que esses hábitos foram modificados ao longo do tempo, como conseqüência da urbanização e modernização da sociedade. As alarmantes taxas de inatividade física no mundo têm aumentado expressivamente a incidência de doenças crônicas. Sabe-se ainda que baixos níveis de atividade física são preditores de mortalidade relacionada à diabetes do tipo 2. O diabetes associado ao processo de envelhecimento e à inatividade física é atualmente apontado como um grave problema de saúde pública no mundo, uma vez que contribui para o declínio da saúde, gerando na população senil perda da sua autonomia. A atividade física é atualmente reconhecida como importante aliada na atenuação e reversão desse quadro. Neste sentido, recomendações de padrões apropriados de atividade física para manutenção de uma boa saúde feitas por importantes órgãos governamentais e grupos de pesquisa têm sido uma das principais ferramentas de combate à inatividade física. A influência da manutenção de níveis satisfatórios de atividade física tem sido recentemente estudada em relação a diversos parâmetros de saúde, buscando-se compreender melhor sua importância em diferentes populações. Assim, o presente estudo teve como objetivo investigar a relação dos níveis de atividade física com parâmetros endócrino-metabólicos, antropométricos e funcionais de mulheres com idade acima de 50 anos, e as possíveis interferências desta relação sobre o diabetes. Baseado nesse objetivo, buscando maior clareza dos protocolos e melhor compreensão de seus resultados, foram desenvolvidos dois estudos: 1) Associação entre gasto energético semanal e...<br>In recent decades, huge efforts have been undertaken to reintroduce a more active life style, once it has modified over time as a consequence of urbanization and modernization of society. Alarming rates of physical inactivity throughout the world have remarkably increased the incidence of chronic diseases. It is also known that low levels of physical activity are a presage of mortality related to diabetes type 2. Diabetes associated to the aging process and physical inactivity is currently considered a serious problem of public health all over the world, once it contributes to the decline in health, engendering a loss of autonomy in the senile population group. Physical activity is currently recognized to be an important ally in attenuating and reversing this situation. In this sense, recommendations of appropriate standards of physical activity for the maintenance of good health by important government departments and research groups have been one of the main tools to fight inactivity. The influence of maintaining satisfactory levels of physical activity has recently been studied in relation to several health parameters, in the attempt to better understand its importance in different population groups. Therefore the present study aims at investigating the relation of the physical activity levels with endocrinal-metabolic, anthropometrical and functional parameters in women aging over 50 and the plausible interferences of this relation on diabetes. Based on this aim, pursuing clearness of the protocols and better understanding of the results, two researches have been developed: 1) Association between weekly energetic expenditure... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)
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Eurenius, Eva. "Physical activity in rheumatoid arthritis /." Stockholm, 2006. http://diss.kib.ki.se/2006/91-7140-697-2/.
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Nicacio, Siomara Lais de Souza Malta. "Atividade motora e o estado nutricional em lactentes hospitalizados com sibilancia recorrente agudizada." [s.n.], 2008. http://repositorio.unicamp.br/jspui/handle/REPOSIP/308369.
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Orientador: Antonio Fernando Ribeiro<br>Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas<br>Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-11T03:12:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1
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Previous issue date: 2008<br>Resumo: Com o objetivo de avaliar e correlacionar o estado nutricional e a atividade motora de Lactentes Sibilantes em processo de internação hospitalar, este estudo transversal foi realizado com uma coorte de 28 crianças com diagnóstico de Lactente Sibilante de 03 a 18 meses de vida internadas na enfermaria de pediatria do Hospital Estadual Sumaré/UNICAMP. Um segundo grupo de 28 lactentes saudáveis de escolas municipais de Ribeirão Preto e São Paulo foram igualmente avaliados com a finalidade de promover um pareamento com o primeiro grupo. O critério de pareamento foi o sexo e idade da criança. O período total do estudo compreendeu de 15 de agosto de 2005 a 04 de maio de 2007. Foram colhidos dados pessoais, antropometria e avaliação da função motora no momento da internação hospitalar para os Lactentes Sibilantes e durante período escolar para o grupo controle. A análise antropométrica foi feita por meio da medida de peso e comprimento da criança. Foi calculado o escore z do peso, altura e relação peso/altura e utilizadas as curvas do National Center of Health Statistics (NCHS, 2000). Para avaliação motora foi aplicada a Escala Alberta de Avaliação Motora (AIMS). Para obtenção do escore e percentil da escala, todas as posições assumidas pela criança foram registradas na folha de testes após observação da filmagem da movimentação espontânea nas posições prono, supino, sentado e em pé. Além da pesquisadora, foi solicitada a observação das filmagens por uma profissional especializada na área de neurologia infantil. Somente após a verificação e compatibilidade dos dois pareceres a pontuação foi registrada. Foram observadas a influência do z escore de peso e altura com relação ao escore da avaliação motora e escolaridade materna e nível socioeconômico não apresentaram influencia. Os resultados indicaram que houve atraso na função motora e aspecto nutricional deficitário no grupo de Lactentes Sibilantes<br>Abstract: The objective was to assess and correlate the motor function and nutritional status from hospitalized ¿wheezing¿ infants. A cross sectional study has been done in 28 children with ages from 03 to 18 months, during their treatment at the children¿s nursery in Sumaré State Hospital/Unicamp, which were diagnosed as ¿childhood wheezing syndromes¿. A second group of 28 healthy infants from Ribeirão Preto and São Paulo¿s schools was evaluated in order to be paired as control group. The criteria used for pairing was the gender and age. This study was conducted from August 15th, 2005 to May 4th, 2007. Personal information and anthropometrical data were collected, and the motor function was assessed. The anthropometrical analysis was performed by the measurements of weight and height of the children. The Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) was used to assess the child motor function. Every positions done by the children were registered on the protocol tests after the observation their spontaneous movements in prone, supine, sit and stand positions through recording of them. Another pediatric neurological professional observed the records too. The points were registered when both opinions were compatible. The influence of the z-score height and z-score weight variables was noted in the motor function score, and the mothers education level and socio-economic status presented no influence. A delay in the motor function development and poor nutritional conditions were observed in the wheezing infants population<br>Mestrado<br>Saude da Criança e do Adolescente<br>Mestre em Saude da Criança e do Adolescente
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Spessato, Barbara Coiro. "Trajetórias de desenvolvimento motor de crianças e o engajamento em uma proposta interventiva inclusiva para maestria." reponame:Biblioteca Digital de Teses e Dissertações da UFRGS, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10183/17700.
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O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar o desempenho das habilidades motoras fundamentais (HMF) e a prevalência de maestria¹ e maestria aproximada² (artigos 1 e 2) e os efeitos de uma intervenção motora inclusiva com contexto motivacional para a maestria³ no desempenho motor das HMF e no engajamento (artigo 3). Com esse fim dois estudos foram conduzidos que resultaram em 3 artigos. A amostra do primeiro estudo foi de 1248 crianças de três a 11 anos (artigos 1 e 2) e e do segundo 69 crianças com atrasos motores (artigo 3). Para as avaliações, foram utilizados o TGMD-2 (ULRICH, 2000) e os descritores de respostas de Rink (1996). Os resultados apresentados no artigo 1 demonstraram que poucas crianças das 1248 apresentaram desempenho acima da média (0,6%), e na média (19,2%), as demais apresentaram resultados inferiores a média. A prevalência de maestria de habilidades motoras fundamentais em geral foi baixa, menos de 40% em todas 12 HMF avaliadas; bem como da maestria aproximada que apresentou menos de 30% em 11 HMF. A curva desenvolvimental apresentou um platô a partir dos sete anos de idade. As crianças do grupo de sete anos e mais jovens demonstraram um desempenho das habilidades motoras fundamentais respectivo à faixa etária. Os resultados apresentados no artigo 2, demonstraram que meninos e meninas apresentaram níveis semelhantes de maestria em apenas três habilidades motoras: galope, salto com um pé e passada (p>0,05). Em todas as outras habilidades avaliadas, os meninos apresentaram uma prevalência de maestria significativamente superior à das meninas. Além disso, os meninos demonstraram desempenhos motores significativamente superiores aos das meninas nas habilidades de locomoção e de controle de objeto (p<0,05). Os resultados da intervenção (artigo 3) demonstraram que as crianças do grupo interventivo apresentaram resultados significativamente superiores no desempenho de HMF do pré para o pós-teste (p<0,05). As crianças do grupo controle, no entanto, não apresentaram mudanças significativas do pré para o pós-teste (p>0,05). Meninos e meninas se beneficiaram da intervenção, aprimorando o desempenho de habilidades locomotoras e de controle de objeto. Crianças PNEE e crianças n-PNEE demonstraram um desempenho significativamente diferente e superior (p<0,05) ao grupo de controle nas habilidades de locomoção e de controle de objeto. Quanto ao engajamento, a intervenção proporcionou níveis de engajamento adequados a meninos e a meninas e também a crianças PNEE e n-PNEE. Não foram encontradas correlações significativas na avaliação do engajamento e do desempenho motor.O comportamento engajado motoramente de forma apropriada apresentou uma correlação fraca (r=0,13), e o comportamento engajado motoramente de forma inapropriada apresentou uma correlação negativa e fraca (r=-0,20). O comportamento não engajado motoramente de forma apropriada apresentou uma correlação negativa moderada (r=-0,33), e o comportamento não engajado de forma inapropriada apresentou uma correlação negativa fraca (r=-0,15) com o desempenho motor. Conclui-se que as crianças em geral não estão apresentando um desempenho adequado das habilidades motoras fundamentais, que as meninas estão apresentando um desempenho inferior ao dos meninos e, ainda, que as intervenções motoras com contexto motivacional para a maestria apresentam resultados importantes na redução dos atrasos para crianças com dificuldades motoras.<br>The goal of the present research was to investigate the motor development of 12 fundamental motor skills (HMF), and the prevalence of mastery and near mastery (articles 1 and 2) and the effects of a inclusive motor intervention in motor performance of HMF and engajement (article 3). To fulfill that goal two studies were conducted and resulted in three articles. The subjects od the first study were 3 to 11 years old children (n=1248) and in the second 69 children with motor delays (article 3). For the evaluations TGMD-2 (Ulrich, 2000) and the behavioral descriptors Rink (1996) were used. The results presented on article 1 demonstrated that only a few children demonstrated development above average (0,6%), and average(19,2%) according to TGMD-2 criteria. The mastery of fundamental motor skills was generally low considering all participants, less than 40% considering all motor skills accessed, and near mastery less than 30% in 11 HMF. Also the developmental curve demonstrated a plateau from 7 years on. The 5 year old children and younger demonstrated the development according to the expected for their age group.Article 2 results demonstrated that boys and girls displayed similar levels of mastery to girls only in 3 skills: gallop, hopping and leaping (p>0,05). All other skills accessed boys demonstrated a significantly superior prevalence of mastery than girls. Also boys demonstrated significantly superior scores in locomotor and object control skills (p<0,05). The results of the intervention (article 3) demonstrated that intervention group showed significantly higher scores in fundamental motor skills from pre to post test (p<0,05).Children from the control group did not demonstrate any significant changes (p>0,05). Children with and without disabilities demonstrated an improvement in fundamental motor skill enhancing locomotor and object control skills performing significantly different (p<0,05) and superior than the control group after the intervention. The intervention provides adequate levels of engagement and motor development. Correlations of engagement and motor skills were not significant. The behavior motor engaged time appropriate had a positive and weak correlation (r=0,13)in the assessment of engagement, the behavior motor engaged inappropriate had a negative weak correlation (r=-0,20), the behavior not motor engaged appropriate had a negative moderate correlation (r=-0,33), the behavior not motor engaged inappropriate had a weak negative correlation with motor development. Children in general are not demonstrating an adequate development of fundamental motor skills, girls are demonstrating an inferior performance than boys, also interventions with the implementation of the mastery climate demonstrates to be helpful in minimizing motor delays of children with motor difficulties.
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Hayes, Adam Jason Otto. "A determination of motor vehicle activity factors for Atlanta, Georgia through fuel consumption analysis." Thesis, Georgia Institute of Technology, 1993. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/26232.
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Aravena, Sandra. "Dynamics of language induced cortical motor activity : determining the linguistic contexts that trigger motor activation during lexical semantic processing." Thesis, Lyon 2, 2014. http://www.theses.fr/2014LYO20010/document.
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Cette thèse se propose de spécifier la relation entre les structures motrices et celles du langage en tant que systèmes coopératifs dans la construction du sens. Bien qu'un grand nombre d'études aient mis en évidence que les structures motrices sont impliquées dans le traitement du langage, il est encore difficile de déterminer le rôle de ces structures dans la compréhension. Les théories dites «incarnées» et «désincarnées» débattent de la nature de la représentation du sens des mots en termes de la nécessité des structures motrices pour le langage, en négligeant le fait que les conditions de leur activation n’ont pas été décrites. Des recherches récentes soulignent l’importance de la prise en compte des contextes dans lesquels le langage recrute l'activité motrice. Néanmoins, cette tendance est en contradiction avec les présomptions implicites dans la recherche sur l’interaction langage-motricité, qui se basent sur le modèle «deux-étapes» du traitement sémantique et sur la perspective du «dictionnaire» de la représentation du sens lexical. Dans ce cadre, le traitement du sens des mots est pris comme un processus modulaire. Ce n'est qu'une fois ce processus accompli que le contexte peut influencer la signification. Ces présomptions ont biaisé le débat sur le rôle de l'activité motrice induite par le langage, qui se réduirait à la question de savoir si l'activation motrice doit être considérée comme faisant partie de l'accès lexico-sémantique ou comme résultat de la construction d’un modèle de situation. Or, un grand nombre de travaux ont mis en évidence que le traitement lexico-sémantique et le contexte sont interdépendants. Cette connaissance provenant de la psycholinguistique doit être explicitement intégrée à la recherche sur le rôle de l'activité motrice induite par le langage. Dans un effort pour porter le débat hors de la discussion «lexical vs. post-lexical», cette thèse vise à déterminer les conditions sous lesquelles les contextes linguistiques déclenchent l'activité motrice. Pour ce faire, nous avons testé un nouvel outil qui analyse en ligne les modulations de la force de préhension pendant que les participants écoutaient des mots cibles intégrés dans différents contextes. Nos résultats montrent que quand le mot cible était un verbe d'action de la main et que la phrase focalisait l'action (« John signe le contrat»), une augmentation de la force de préhension était observée dans la fenêtre temporelle associée à la récupération lexico-sémantique. Aucune augmentation de la force de préhension comparable n’a été détectée lorsque le même mot d'action était intégré dans des phrases négatives («John ne signe pas le contrat») ou dans des phrases dont le focus avait été déplacé vers l'état mental de l'agent («John veut signer le contrat»)<br>The present dissertation was conducted in order to specify the relationship between motor and language structures as cooperative systems in lexical meaning construction. Specifically, this thesis aimed at deepening our understanding of how the linguistic context coordinates the recruitment of motor structures during lexical semantic processing. Although the involvement of motor activity in action-related language comprehension is now sufficiently documented, the specific role that motor structures play in action language processing is still unclear. “Embodied” and “disembodied” theories debate the nature of meaning representation in terms of the necessity of motor structures, neglecting the fact that the conditions of their activation during language processing are not well-described. Very recent research has begun to note the necessity of exploring the context under which words trigger modality-specific cortical activity. However, this trend is at odds with implicit theoretical assumptions that have been made in research on motor-language crosstalk, which are based on the “two-step” model of semantic processing and the “dictionary-like” view of lexical meaning representation. Within such framework, word meaning recognition is taken to proceed in a modular fashion. Only after this process has concluded is the context thought to exert its effects. These assumptions have biased the debate on the role of language induced motor activity. The discussion has been centered on whether motor activation should be considered an integral part of the lexical access process or taken as the result of an ensuing “higher order” operation (i.e., situation model construction). A large body of work evidences that lexical semantic processing and semantic context are far more integrated and interdependent. It seems crucial to integrate this knowledge gained from psycholinguistics into the research on the role of language induced motor activity. In an effort to liberate the debate from the “lexical vs. post-lexical” discussion, this thesis aimed at determining the conditions under which language triggers motor activity. To accomplish these objectives, we introduced a novel tool that analyzes on-line modulations of grip-force while participants listened to specific target words embedded within different types of contexts. Our results show that when the target word was a hand action verb and the sentence focus centered on that action (“John signs the contract”), an increase of grip force was observed in the temporal window classically associated with lexical semantic processing. No comparable increase in grip force was detected when the same action word was embedded in negative sentences (“John doesn’t sign the contract”) or in sentences which focus was shifted towards the agent’s mental state (“John wants to sign the contract”). Our results suggest that the presence of an action word in an
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Lovasi, Gina Schellenbaum. "Neighborhood walkability, physical activity, and cardiovascular risk /." Thesis, Connect to this title online; UW restricted, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/1773/10859.
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Bisset, William Michael. "The ontogeny of small intestinal motor activity in the human preterm infant." Thesis, University of Edinburgh, 1988. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/23729.
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Fisher, Abigail. "Relationships between physical activity and motor and cognitive function in young children." Thesis, University of Glasgow, 2009. http://theses.gla.ac.uk/713/.
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Background: There is evidence suggesting a relationship between physical activity and movement skills in adolescents. Evidence, primarily from animal and older adult data, suggests that physical activity can improve cognitive function. Both motor and cognitive function are essential components of school readiness. If these relationships exist in young children, promotion of physical activity may have a significant impact on school readiness and academic achievement. Participants and Methods Study 1: 394 children (mean 4.2 SD 0.5 years; 209 boys/185 girls) were recruited from 36 Glasgow preschools. Physical activity (PA) was measured using the Actigraph accelerometer, movement skills (MS) were assessed using a test based on the Movement Assessment Battery. Studies 2-4: 64 children (mean age 6.2 yrs SD 0.3; 33 boys / 38 girls) were recruited from 6 Glasgow primary schools. Psychological outcome measures were the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Battery (CANTAB) (working memory), the Attention Network Test (reaction time) the Cognitive Assessment System (CAS) (executive function), and the short form of Connor’s Parent Rating Scale (CPRS:S) (behaviour). Physical activity was measured using the Actigraph GT1M accelerometer. A specialist and trained teacher-led physical activity intervention (active games) was run in intervention schools 2 hours per week for 10 weeks. The control PE sessions were specialist and teacher led standard curriculum, increased to 2 hours per week. Results: Study 1: There was a statistically significant, but very weak (r 0.18, p <0.001), correlation between MS and PA. Boys and girls in the highest quartile for MS had significantly greater time spent in MVPA than girls and boys and girls in the lowest quartile, but this difference was small; median difference between girls in Q4 and Q1 0.9%: 95% CI 0.2-1.6% p 0.01), median difference between boys in Q4 and Q1 (median difference 0.9% 95% CI 0.0-0.2% p 0.04). Studies 2-4: Test and 3 week retest intraclass correlations (ICC) from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Battery (CANTAB) and Attention Network Test (ANT) suggest these measures are not sufficiently reliable in to be used an outcome in a future RCT in this age group (CANTAB spatial span r 0.51 p<0.001; spatial working memory r 0.49 p<0.00.1; strategy r 0.08, p<0.52) (ANT reaction time 0.32 p<0.05; accuracy 0.62, p<0.001). The CAS was accepted well by young children, has good previously established reliability, and would be a suitable outcome measure for a full scale RCT. There was no significant difference between the intervention and control group change in CAS scores (Full scale t=-0.74, p=0.48) or any of the subscales (p all >0.05). Physical activity was significantly higher during the intervention, than the control physical education (PE) sessions (median difference 628 cpm 95% CI 460, 786 p= <0.0001). During the standard curriculum PE sessions children in the control group spent 58% of their monitored time in sedentary behaviour. The existing data suggest that a 10 week intervention may improve spatial working memory (t=2.78, p 0.01) and aspects of behaviour (CPRS:S Cognitive Problems/ Inattention (t=2.00 p=0.04) in this age group, but further research in larger samples, with a more robust measure of SPW would be required to confirm these findings. The data allowed a power calculation for a future full scale RCT to be calculated (based on the CAS Planning scale), based on data from the current study a sample size of n=75 in each arm would be required, recruiting 100 in each arm to allow for drop-out. Conclusion The present data suggest only a weak relationship between MS and habitual activity, and questions the strong emphasis placed on movement skill development in the preschool curriculum. The present thesis provides data to adequately design and power a future full scale RCT to examine the effects of exercise and cognitive function.
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Lienhard, Hannah [Verfasser]. "And action! : How “inhibitory” oscillatory activity shapes motor network communication / Hannah Lienhard." Konstanz : Bibliothek der Universität Konstanz, 2014. http://d-nb.info/1098136322/34.
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Marsden, Jonathan Frank. "Oscillatory activity in the human motor system in health and neurological disease." Thesis, University College London (University of London), 2000. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.393889.
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Omura, Daniel Togo. "C. elegans integrates food, stress, and hunger signals to coordinate motor activity." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/43734.
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Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Biology, 2008.<br>This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.<br>Includes bibliographical references.<br>In the presence of a bacterial food source, the small nematode C. elegans greatly reduces its rate of locomotion. While mechanical agitation greatly stimulates the locomotion of well-fed animals on bacteria, it does not greatly stimulate the locomotion of food-deprived animals on bacteria. Thus, the competing effects of food and mechanical agitation on the animal's locomotory behavior are modulated by food deprivation. To explore how C. elegans modulates its locomotion we focused on determining how C. elegans detects bacteria, and explored the roles of biogenic amines, metabolic, and stress signaling pathways on this behavior. We correlated specific sensory defects and the expression patterns of genes involved in sensory function, gathered by the community of C. elegans researchers, with abnormal responses to a bacterial food source. Our findings suggest that a soluble component of the bacterial lawn is detected by the ASH and ASE chemosensory neurons and acts to suppress locomotion, while a volatile component of the bacterial lawn is redundantly detected by multiple chemosensory neurons and acts to maintain or stimulate locomotion on bacteria. In collaboration with Damon Clark and Aravi Samuel at Harvard University, we developed an automated locomotion tracking system that greatly improves the resolution at which we can study C. elegans locomotion. Using this system, we uncovered excitatory and inhibitory effects of serotonin on C. elegans locomotion and found that serotonin, dopamine, octopamine, and tyramine regulate the actions of one another. We also found that dopamine is required to set and maintain a precise rate of locomotion by C. elegans.<br>(cont.) We observed that mutants defective in dopamine signaling make crude adjustments to their speeds that result in large fluctuations in their rates of locomotion. Treatment of dopamine deficient mutants with exogenous dopamine completely rescues these locomotion defects. Removal of tyramine and octopamine together partially suppressed these defects. We also studied how food-deprivation changes the animal's response to bacteria and mechanical agitation. We found that presumptive metabolic signaling through the C. elegans insulin receptor homolog daf-2 and stress signaling through octopamine converge on the neuropeptide Y receptor homolog npr-1 to modulate the animal's responses to food, mechanical agitation, and food-deprivation.<br>Daniel Togo Omura.<br>Ph.D.
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Tomaz, Simone Annabella. "Physical activity and gross motor skills in rural South African preschool children." Doctoral thesis, University of Cape Town, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/29464.
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Background:
Global levels of overweight and obesity in preschool-aged children have increased dramatically in the last two decades, with most overweight and obese children younger than five years living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Statistics from the 2013 South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES-1) confirm that levels of overweight and obesity are high in South African preschool-aged children, with prevalence rates of overweight and obesity up to 18.2% and 4.7%, respectively. This increasing problem of overweight and obesity in South African preschoolaged children highlights the need for intervening in this age group. Overweight and obesity interventions in preschool children typically include one or more of the following behaviours: physical activity, sedentary behaviour and screen time.
Aim and objectives:
The aim of this study was to characterise the preschool environment in rural South Africa, and to explore physical activity, gross motor skill proficiency, sedentary behaviour and screen time in rural South African preschool-aged children. Additionally, aims of this study were to explore the associations between gross motor skills, body composition and physical activity; and to assess compliance with current physical activity and sedentary behaviour guidelines.
Methods:
Preschool-aged children (3-5 years old, n=131) were recruited from three Preschools and two Grade R (reception year) settings in Agincourt, a rural village in north eastern South Africa. In order to gain an understanding of the Preschool and Grade R settings, an observation of the preschool environments was conducted using a tool adapted from the Outdoor Play Environmental Categories scoring tool, Environmental and Policy Assessment and Observation instrument, and the Early Learning Environments for Physical Activity and Nutrition Environments Telephone Survey. Each child’s height and weight was measured. Physical activity and sedentary behaviour were measured objectively using a hip-worn ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer for 7 days (24 hours, only removed for water-based activities). Gross motor skills were assessed using the Test for Gross Motor Development–Version 2 (TGMD-2). Physical activity and sedentary behaviour, including the contextual information for these behaviours, during the preschool day (08h00 until ±12h00) were measured using the Observational System for Recording Physical Activity in Children (Preschool Version). A separate sample of parents/caregivers were recruited (n=143) to complete a questionnaire that was adapted from the Healthy Active Preschool Years questionnaire and Preschool Physical Activity Questionnaire. Parents reported on their child’s screen time, and on factors within the home and community contexts in which physical activity and sedentary behaviours occur.
Results:
In terms of the environment, the Preschools and Grade R settings differed in that fixed play equipment only featured in the Preschool settings. Grade R settings had more open space in which to play. All Preschool and Grade R settings provided children with limited portable play equipment, and none of the schools had access to screens. Although all children recruited for the study were preschool-aged, the Grade R children were significantly older than the Preschool children (5.6±0.3years vs. 4.4±0.4 years, p <0.05). According to IOTF cut-offs, the prevalence of overweight/obesity was low (5.0%) in the sample, and 68.1% of children were classified as normal weight. On average, children spent 477.2±77.3 minutes in light- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (LMVPA) per day, and 93.7±52.3 minutes in moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA). In terms of the new current guidelines (180min/day LMVPA, including 60min of MVPA, described as ‘energetic play’), and using average daily average of LMVPA and MVPA, 78.2% met current guidelines. Observed and objectively measured sedentary behaviour results revealed that children were more sedentary during preschool time (between 08:00 to 12:00) compared to the afternoons. Overall, boys were significantly more physically active than girls; and Preschool children did more physical activity during preschool time than Grade R children (all p< 0.05). Over 90% of the sample achieved an ‘average’ or better ranking for gross motor skill proficiency. The Grade R children were significantly more proficient than the Preschool children for all gross motor skill components (raw scores and standardised scores). Overall, boys achieved significantly better object control raw scores than the girls, and displayed greater proficiency than the girls in the strike (p=0.003), stationary dribble (p< 0.001) and kick (p< 0.001). None of the preschool or Grade R settings had access to screens such as televisions or iPads, and parent-reported screen time was low for the total sample (0.5±0.3hr/day). The majority of the sample (97.9%) met current screen time guidelines (<1 hour per day). Parents (82.5%) reported that they believed that their child did sufficient PA for their health, but 81.8% also reported believing that television time would not affect their child’s health. Parent responses revealed neighbourhood safety as a potential barrier to being physically active in the community.
Conclusions:
Rural preschool-aged children in South Africa appear to be engaged in adequate amounts of physical activity, particularly LMVPA, and are adequately proficient in gross motor skills. The children did not engage in excessive amounts of screen time. Overweight and obesity were not prevalent in this sample of rural preschool-aged children, and therefore it would appear that an intervention to reduce or prevent obesity by increasing physical activity, improving gross motor skills and reducing screen time is unnecessary. Rather, interventions that facilitate the increase in levels of MVPA in order to meet current physical activity guidelines are warranted. Additionally, it is essential that the high levels of physical activity (LMVPA) and good foundation of gross motor skills observed in this sample are promoted in an effort to maintain them throughout childhood. Future research may want to determine whether these activities (high levels of LMVPA, low levels of screen time) track throughout childhood and into adolescence.
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Lowe-Chatham, Janice E. (Janice Elaine). "Effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine on Mouse Lumbar Motor Activity During Postnatal Development." Thesis, University of North Texas, 1998. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc277784/.
Full textAbstract:
The lumbar motor activity in isolated spinal cords of 72 postnatal Balb/C mice aged 2, 5, 10 and 21 days (PN2-21) was electroneurographically recorded (ENG) via bilateral ventral roots following treatment with three different concentrations (25, 100 and 200 pM) of the neurotransmitter, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), i.e., serotonin, to determine its effects on spinal pattern generation.
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Baird, Janette. "Longitudinal study of the acquisition of locomotion, motor activity, and infant development /." View online ; access limited to URI, 2003. http://0-wwwlib.umi.com.helin.uri.edu/dissertations/dlnow/3115621.
Full text
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Kennedy, Scott. "Motor Cortical Activity Related to the Combined Control of Force and Motion." Thesis, University of Pittsburgh, 2019. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=13819971.
Full textAbstract:
<p> Using tools, writing, and eating are all important behaviors that involve manipulating objects. Successful manipulation requires the control of both the force exerted on the object and its resultant motion. Both have been associated with neural activity in the motor cortex and we are interested in the extent to which neural firing rates in this brain region are related to their combined control. The mechanical relation between force and motion is impedance and we hypothesized that motor cortical activity encodes an impedance signal that reflects the force and motion demands of behavior. We examined this possibility with a paradigm in which subjects manipulated a handle that moved along a track. The handle was locked in place until the subject exerted enough force to cross a specific threshold; it was then released and moved along the track. We hypothesized that this ballistic-release task would encourage subjects to modify their arm impedance in anticipation of the upcoming movement. </p><p> We modeled the behavior as a physical dynamical system and found that one component of model impedance, stiffness, varied in a way that matched the behavioral demands of the task and that stiffness could be dissociated from changes in force and displacement. We recorded activity from a population of motor cortical neurons and found that the temporal and time-averaged neural responses encoded information about motion and force. We also could decode model impedance parameters that we then used to approximate the time-varying force exerted on the handle. The force exerted on the handle and the model stiffness depended on muscle activity and we found components of muscle activity related to both force and model stiffness. Additional components of motor cortical activity were also related iv to both force and stiffness, suggesting a possible parceling of muscle-related representations in motor cortical activity. In addition to extending current models of neural activity to include manipulations, this study may be helpful in understanding how information encoded in motor cortical activity might be transformed into muscle activity during object interaction.</p><p>
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Cona, Filippo <1984>. "Models for the Study of Cortical Activity During Cognitive ans Motor Tasks." Doctoral thesis, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, 2012. http://amsdottorato.unibo.it/4442/1/Cona_Filippo_tesi.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis is mainly devoted to show how EEG data and related phenomena can be reproduced and analyzed using mathematical models of neural masses (NMM). The aim is to describe some of these phenomena, to show in which ways the design of the models architecture is influenced by such phenomena, point out the difficulties of tuning the dozens of parameters of the models in order to reproduce the activity recorded with EEG systems during different kinds of experiments, and suggest some strategies to cope with these problems. In particular the chapters are organized as follows: chapter I gives a brief overview of the aims and issues addressed in the thesis; in chapter II the main characteristics of the cortical column, of the EEG signal and of the neural mass models will be presented, in order to show the relationships that hold between these entities; chapter III describes a study in which a NMM from the literature has been used to assess brain connectivity changes in tetraplegic patients; in chapter IV a modified version of the NMM is presented, which has been developed to overcomes some of the previous version’s intrinsic limitations; chapter V describes a study in which the new NMM has been used to reproduce the electrical activity evoked in the cortex by the transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS); chapter VI presents some preliminary results obtained in the simulation of the neural rhythms associated with memory recall; finally, some general conclusions are drawn in chapter VII.
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Cona, Filippo <1984>. "Models for the Study of Cortical Activity During Cognitive ans Motor Tasks." Doctoral thesis, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, 2012. http://amsdottorato.unibo.it/4442/.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis is mainly devoted to show how EEG data and related phenomena can be reproduced and analyzed using mathematical models of neural masses (NMM). The aim is to describe some of these phenomena, to show in which ways the design of the models architecture is influenced by such phenomena, point out the difficulties of tuning the dozens of parameters of the models in order to reproduce the activity recorded with EEG systems during different kinds of experiments, and suggest some strategies to cope with these problems. In particular the chapters are organized as follows: chapter I gives a brief overview of the aims and issues addressed in the thesis; in chapter II the main characteristics of the cortical column, of the EEG signal and of the neural mass models will be presented, in order to show the relationships that hold between these entities; chapter III describes a study in which a NMM from the literature has been used to assess brain connectivity changes in tetraplegic patients; in chapter IV a modified version of the NMM is presented, which has been developed to overcomes some of the previous version’s intrinsic limitations; chapter V describes a study in which the new NMM has been used to reproduce the electrical activity evoked in the cortex by the transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS); chapter VI presents some preliminary results obtained in the simulation of the neural rhythms associated with memory recall; finally, some general conclusions are drawn in chapter VII.
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Cherry, Cortnie Lauren. "Mechanisms of Depolarization Induced Dendritic Growth of Drosophila Motor Neurons." Diss., The University of Arizona, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/195475.
Full textAbstract:
MECHANISMS OF DEPOLARIZATION INDUCED DENDRITIC GROWTH OF DROSOPHILA MOTOR NEURONS Cortnie Lauren Cherry The University of Arizona, 2006 Director: Richard B. Levine The study of the cellular mechanisms underlying dendritic growth contributes to our understanding of nervous system development, function and disease. Electrical activity is a fundamental property of neurons, and this property is utilized to influence the mechanisms involved in dendrite formation and maturation. Here we employ the Drosophila transgenic system to quantify dendritic growth of identified motor neurons using both in vitro and in vivo techniques. Two novel techniques are introduced: one a system to visualize and measure dendritic outgrowth in cultured neurons using reporter proteins, and the other using 3D reconstruction to measure the arborization of identified motor neurons in vivo. Both transgenic manipulation of K+ channel function and depolarizing concentrations of K+ in the culture medium result in an acceleration of dendritic outgrowth. Depolarization induced outgrowth is dependent on Plectreurys Toxin (PLTX)-sensitive voltage-gated calcium current and protein synthesis in cultured motor neurons. Depolarization leads to direct induction of fos, a protein that heterodimerizes with jun to make the functional transcription factor, AP-1. Fos, but not jun, is necessary for basal levels of dendritic growth, while both are necessary for depolarization induced outgrowth. Over-expression of AP-1 in control cells is sufficient to cause dendritic outgrowth. The transcription factor Adf-1 is also necessary for basal and depolarization induced growth, but unlike AP-1 is not sufficient to cause outgrowth when over-expressed. Another transcription factor CREB, on the other hand, is not necessary for basal levels of dendritic growth, but is necessary for depolarization induced dendritic growth. Over-expression of CREB, like Adf-1, is not sufficient to cause dendritic outgrowth. These findings present exciting new techniques for the study of the field of dendritic regulation and contribute to our understanding of the cellular mechanisms underlying dendritic growth.
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Palmer, Stephanie Anne. "Play-based Physical Activity for Motor Skill Improvement in Young Children with Autism." OpenSIUC, 2020. https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/theses/2769.
Full textAbstract:
Clinically significant motor impairment affects 50-100% of those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Although not included in the diagnostic criteria, research suggests that motor impairments appear during infancy, precipitate the onset and progression of classical autistic symptomology, and are associated with the severity of autist deficits. Presently, few studies directly address motor impairment in ASD. In those that do, physical education, exercise, and exergaming interventions have been found to enhance motor skill proficiency. Little is known about the effect of unstructured physical activity on motor skills in children with autism. Thus, this pilot study sought to examine the impact of unstructured, one-on-one, physically active play on motor skill proficiency as defined by the Test of Gross Motor Development-2 (TGMD-2) in autistic children between ages 3 and 10. Twenty, one-on-one, 60-minute play-based physical activity sessions were administered over a 10-week period (2x/week). The physical activity environment was arranged according to the North Carolina Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communications Handicapped Children (TEACCH) guidelines. Session structure precluded skill teaching and sought to elicit gross and fine motor activity within physical activity opportunity stations, but without regard to type or intensity of activity. A comparison of pre-and post-intervention TGMD-2 scores captured motor skill outcomes. Findings suggest that unstructured physically active play is not sufficient to improve global motor skill competency in young children with autism. However, active play fostered significant improvements in two in running skill scores. The TGMD-2 is designed to assess those skills that would foster participation in physical education and recreational settings. Improved running may advance play-abilities and support other forms of activity. Future research should consider using assessments more sensitive to acute changes in motor skill efficacy, measurement of time spent in physically active play, and qualitative analysis of parent-perceived outcome and improvement.