Biomechanics

Human movement science

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

Preventive care lacking for disabled patients

Kim Bullock, MD, said she often hears directly from adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) about their difficulties with obtaining preventive care. Emily Ladau’s new book makes the world of disability … READ MORE

Pedestrians choose healthy obstacles over boring pavements, study finds

Up to 78% of walkers would take a more challenging route featuring obstacles such as balancing beams, stepping stones and high steps, research has found. The findings suggest that providing ‘Active Landscape’ routes in urban areas … READ MORE

Improving the accuracy of markerless gait analysis

Researchers combine RGB camera-based pose estimation and an inertial measurement unit sensor to reduce errors in gait analysis A more accurate markerless gait analysis tool. TUS researchers develop a method that enables accurate gait … READ MORE

Tips on how to prevent dementia as we grow older

Aging is inevitable, but there are ways to improve our ‘health span’ and prevent dementia. Aging Well: Avoiding Dementia. Dr. Howard Chertkow offers 15 pieces of advice that we can all follow to reduce our risk of dementia. The … READ MORE

Quarter of former Olympians suffer from osteoarthritis

Competing at elite level in sport is linked with an increased risk of developing osteoarthritis and joint pain in later life, a study suggests. Elite retired sportspeople who had experienced a sports-related injury had a higher chance … READ MORE

Ruptured ACLs can heal without surgery, study finds

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures can heal without surgery and this could be key to better patient outcomes, according to new findings challenging the common notion that an ACL injury cannot heal. A new study challenges the … READ MORE

Boots and balls made for men an injury risk to women footballers

Women football players require specifically tailored products such as kit, boots, and balls in order to optimise their performance and safety on the pitch, according to a paper published in Sports Engineering. The authors conclude … READ MORE

Anesthetics that block nerves around the knee relieve pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis

Results from a recent clinical trial published by Wiley in Arthritis & Rheumatology demonstrate that patients with knee osteoarthritis experience short term pain relief from genicular nerve blocks—or locally injected anesthetics … READ MORE

New trial to ease knee pain in school kids

Deakin researchers are exploring a simple, low-cost solution to help relieve kneecap pain in adolescents. Pixabay. CC0 Public Domain. Medical Xpress Deakin University September 30, 2022 One in four adolescents experience pain in their … READ MORE

Modern approaches to AFOs

AFOs have made strides since their days of bulky and restraining leather and metal componentry. But even the customized thermoplastic devices used by much of the profession still have limitations, the experts say. WalkOn® Family of … READ MORE

Walking 10K steps a day is a health sweet spot, study finds — and walking faster is even better

Walking can reduce risks of dementia, cancer and heart disease — and any number of steps is better than none. By studying people wearing fitness trackers, researchers have determined that walking 10,000 steps each day is indeed a … READ MORE

Research shows it’s how often you do it, not how much

So… should I exercise a little bit every day, or exercise for longer once a week? It appears one approach is far more beneficial than the other. It’s a dilemma faced by many health-conscious people — and new research from Edith … READ MORE

Brain implants and wearables let paralyzed people move again

A “neural bypass” routes signals around the damaged spinal cord, potentially restoring both movement and sensation. Motion Restored: Luke Tynan, who was paralyzed in 2017 by a spinal cord injury, demonstrates the wearable system … READ MORE

Smart textiles sense how their users are moving

Researchers develop a comfortable, form-fitting fabric that recognizes its wearer’s activities, like walking, running, and jumping. Using a novel fabrication process, MIT researchers have produced smart textiles that snugly conform … READ MORE

Curtin-developed wearable sensor finds dancers are dancing through pain

A new Curtin-developed wearable sensor system has tracked the movement of dancers, providing valuable insights into how they adapt to dance through disabling pain. Curtin University illustration. Greta Carlshausen, Curtin University … READ MORE

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