Biomechanics

Human movement science

uOttawa engineering students innovate wheelchair-accessible fitness equipment

A team of five engineering students from the University of Ottawa has developed a prototype that’s transforming the fitness experience for individuals with mobility challenges. The prototype makes a standard Concept2 rower … READ MORE

Stimulating hypothalamus restores walking in paralyzed patients

The discovery that an unexpected brain region is crucial for walking recovery in mice with spinal cord injuries has led a deep brain stimulation therapy in humans. The approach restored enough leg control in two individuals with … READ MORE

Local therapy facility for disabled children attracting families from all over the world

Kate McLelland is almost three years old and was born with a rare genetic condition. Her parents have found hope to improve her quality of life through the Canadian Centre for Development in Calgary. CTV News Kevin Fleming, Video … READ MORE

Dynamic AFOs may improve gait outcomes in stroke patients

A study of patients with post-stroke hemiparesis who used a dynamic ankle-foot orthosis with plantar flexion resistance found that a medium PFR grade showed near-normal maximal peak ankle dorsiflexion. Researchers noted in the journal … READ MORE

Surgery helps young kids with cerebral palsy walk, regardless of age

A surgery that helps 7- to 10-year-olds with cerebral palsy walk also helps older kids and teens with the condition, a groundbreaking study shows. Walk-DMC is a new, quantifiable measure of motor control in children with cerebral … READ MORE

Painful truth about knee osteoarthritis: Why inactivity may be more complex than we think

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common cause of pain and joint stiffness. And while physical activity is known to ease symptoms, only one in 10 people regularly exercise. Evoke™ knee brace. OssKin University of South Australia 12 … READ MORE

Children with special health needs are more likely to come from poorer neighbourhoods

Policymakers must ensure robust resources are in place where they are needed most. Unsplash CC0 Public Domain By Caroline Reid-Westoby and Magdalena Janus, The Conversation June 5, 2024 via Medical Xpress Children’s health depends … READ MORE

Kinesiologists could be part of solution for overwhelmed health-care system

Moncton professor says kinesiology grads ready and able to keep patients out of hospital. Natalie Arsenault says kinesiologists graduate with a degree that prepares them to help people prevent injuries, remain active and improve their … READ MORE

Happiness may not correlate with mobility in pediatric patients with physical disabilities

Key takeaways: Pediatric patients with physical disabilities had limited mobility and higher pain scores vs. typically developing youth. Results showed happiness did not correlate with motor function. Surestep By Casey Tingle, Fact … READ MORE

Defining chronic pain for high-performance athletes with disabilities

UBCO study says customized training and recovery plans critical to success. Wheelchair racing, Paralympics. September 28, 2021. Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain University of British Columbia Okanagan, Patty Wellborn August 27, 2024 … READ MORE

‘A slap in the face’: Categorizing process aimed at making Para sport equitable is sometimes anything but

Issue of classification is a thorny subject within Paralympic circles. Charlottetown’s Amy Burk is heading to the Paralympic Games in Rio at the end of the month. (Submitted) CBC August 26, 2016 Myles Dichter, CBC Sports August … READ MORE

New kinds of padding could make football gear, bike helmets safer than ever

Making the world a little softer. In lab experiments, engineers at CU Boulder 3D printed new designs for padding, then crushed them with a powerful machine. The team’s creations stood up to the impacts, absorbing several times more … READ MORE

How families of children with disabilities can find support

Susana Ruiz sat in the doctor’s exam room in San Jose, unable to smile, open her right eye, or even take a sip of water. Susana Ruiz with her youngest son. Photo by Manuel Ruiz. By Claudia Boyd-Barrett, California Health Report … READ MORE

Three Wheelchair Users Announced as 2023 Winners of Neilsen Foundation’s $1 Million Visionary Prize

On Sept. 19, Craig H. Neilsen Foundation revealed the 2023 winners of its annual Visionary Prize, given to individuals who are working to make the world a better place for people living with spinal cord injuries. This year’s awards … READ MORE

New research sheds light on “Runner’s Knee”

The new study finds personalized rehabilitation may be needed to effectively address chronic knee pain. Photo by Andrew Tanglao on Unsplash Anna Zarra Aldrich, University of Connecticut September 19, 2023 Neal Glaviano, assistant … READ MORE

I am not a wheelchair

When people refer to me as an inanimate object, I feel dismissed and dehumanized. Lisa Freeman speaks about why language and treatment of people in wheelchairs matters. Watch video Lisa Freeman, CBC Ottawa First Person January 23, … READ MORE

Principles of Ankle-Foot Orthosis Prescription in Ambulatory Bilateral Cerebral Palsy

Brittany, a patient at Shriners Hospital for Children—Chicago rides an adaptive bike with a recreation therapist. Shriners Hospital for Children, Chicago photo. Abstract Maintenance of upright posture and gait mobility is frequently … READ MORE

A pose-mapping technique could remotely evaluate patients with cerebral palsy

The machine-learning method works on most mobile devices and could be expanded to assess other motor disorders outside of the doctor’s office. MIT engineers developed a machine-learning system that remotely analyzes videos of people … READ MORE

B.C. man in wheelchair says he was dropped, injured by Air Canada crew in Vancouver

B.C. man in wheelchair says he was dropped, injured by Air Canada crew in Vancouver. Ryan Lachance, who lives with quad spastic cerebral palsy, is pictured with his care aid Emma Proulx at his apartment in White Rock, B.C., about 50 … READ MORE

Sophisticated human biomechanics from smartphone video

With synchronous video from a pair of smartphones, engineers at Stanford have created an open-source motion-capture app that democratizes the once-exclusive science of human movement – at 1% of the cost. OpenCap: Sophisticated human … READ MORE

Canada’s chief accessibility officer ‘furious’ after Air Canada forgets her wheelchair

Stephanie Cadieux says ‘airlines have to take responsibility and they have to do better’ Stephanie Cadieux is Canada’s first chief accessibility officer. Submitted by Office of the Chief Accessibility Officer/Maria … READ MORE

Robotic cup helps wheelchair users stay hydrated

Rice engineering students design device for people living with cerebral palsy. Rafe Neathery (left) and Thomas Kutcher designed a robotic device that enables people with limited mobility to stay hydrated without caretaker help. Photo … READ MORE

Taking vitamin D could help prevent dementia, study finds

University of Calgary launches national research project to discover more insights to protect the brain while we age. Dr. Zahinoor Ismail is a neuropsychiatrist and associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University … READ MORE

Researchers develop technology to treat Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT)

The research team led by Professor Minseok Kim from the Department of New Biology at DGIST (President Yang Kuk) has developed a technology that can treat Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease, an incurable hereditary disease, with … READ MORE

Hip pain is different in female dancers: New Insights from dynamic ultrasound

Dancers put unique demands on their hips, achieving extreme ranges of motion that can strain the joints and damage supporting tissues around them. Not surprisingly, hip injuries account for up to 17% of injuries in dancers and 27% … READ MORE

Why are these scientists teaching seniors how to fall?

Rather than focus on avoiding tumbles, researchers at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute are using high-tech, hands-on trials to teach how to fall. Cathrin Bradbury walks on sensor plates in the reactive balance training room at the … READ MORE

AFO wear time affects activity level in children with CP

A research study comparing the body functions and structures, activity and participation levels, and environmental factors to AFO-wearing time in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) found that prolonged AFO-wearing time was … READ MORE

Calgary researchers building one of ‘key centres in the world’ for neurological disorder therapies

A new network of health researchers and providers is working to introduce innovative therapies, clinical trials and technology for people with spinal cord injury, stroke and movement impairments. Dr. Elizabeth Condliffe, specialist in … READ MORE

Mobility specialists looking to quit profession

Study reveals a third of orthotists working privately and in NHS seek a way out. An orthotist at Shriners Hospital for Children—Twin Cities works on a custom device. Photo courtesy of Shriners Hospital for Children, Twin Cities. An … READ MORE

Algorithm measures quality of gait through smart watches

The Watch Walk algorithm could help reduce falls and fall-related injuries in elderly people, study shows. Participants aged 46 to 77 were instructed to wear a device on their dominant wrists for seven days. Photo by SHVETS … READ MORE

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