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Neuromechanical Principles of Perturbed and Unperturbed Motion Control

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A special issue of Sensors (ISSN 1424-8220). This special issue belongs to the section "Biosensors".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2024 | Viewed by 9633

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Prof. Dr. Adamantios Arampatzis

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Guest Editor

Department of Training and Movement Sciences, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstr. 13, 10115 Berlin, Germany
Interests: muscle–tendon interaction; neuromuscular control; locomotor adaptability; muscle–tendon adaptation

Dr. Sebastian Bohm

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Guest Editor

Department of Training and Movement Sciences, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10115 Berlin, Germany
Interests: muscle–tendon mechanics and interaction; muscle and tendon plasticity; neuromotor control of unperturbed and perturbed locomotion
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Dear Colleagues,

Real-world environments rarely allow for stable and constant movement, and most often, unsteadiness and unpredictable disturbances are involved. Nevertheless, humans and other vertebrates compensate for unsteady motion and perturbations remarkably well. Furthermore, wearable assistive devices have the potential to improve locomotor performance and enhance daily-life quality and mobility. However, there is a lack of knowledge regarding how biological systems cope with variable environments to maintain robust motion and how they interact with assistive devices when improving functional performance. Through an integration of analytical, computational, and experimental approaches, the various neuromechanical networks and mechanisms (e.g., proprioceptive feedback, sensorimotor integration, muscle-tendon interaction, reflexes, preflexes) that are involved in the control of movement can be explored. Promoting research in this field will improve our understanding of how vertebrate systems organize their movements and how wearable assistive devices may augment and assist human motion in both steady and unsteady conditions.

This Special Issue invites authors to contribute new knowledge about movement control in steady and unsteady conditions. A broad range of related topics is welcome, such as methodological innovations for the analysis of movements, assistive exoskeleton technology, or modeling and experimental studies investigating mechanisms of motor control and muscle–tendon mechanics.

Prof. Dr. Adamantios Arampatzis
Dr. Sebastian Bohm
Guest Editors

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Keywords

Neuromotor control
Muscle force–length–velocity dynamics
Tendon elasticity
Exoskeleton
Modular organization
Perturbations and disturbances
Robustness of motion
Dynamic stability

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

8 pages, 723 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Accuracy and Precision of a Novel Photogate System to Measure Toe Clearance on Stairs

by Timmion K. Skervin, Neil M. Thomas, Andrew J. Schofield, Mark A. Hollands, Constantinos N. Maganaris, Thomas D. O’Brien, Vasilios Baltzopoulos and Richard J. Foster

Sensors 2023, 23(5), 2429; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/s23052429 - 22 Feb 2023

Viewed by 1186

Abstract

Background: Toe clearance on stairs is typically measured using optoelectronic systems, though these are often constrained to the laboratory, due to their complex setups. Here we measured stair toe clearance through a novel prototype photogate setup and compared this to optoelectronic measurements. Methods: Twelve participants (age 22 ± 3 years) completed 25 stair ascent trials, each on a seven-step staircase. Toe clearance over the fifth step edge was measured using Vicon and the photogates. Twenty-two photogates were created in rows through laser diodes and phototransistors. The height of the lowest photogate broken at step-edge crossing was used to determine photogate toe clearance. A limits of agreement analysis and Pearson’s correlation coefficient compared the accuracy, precision and relationship between systems. Results: We found a mean difference of −1.5 mm (accuracy) between the two measurement systems, with upper and lower limits (precision) of 10.7 mm and −13.8 mm, respectively. A strong positive correlation was also found (r = 70, n = 12, p = 0.009) between the systems. Discussion: The results suggest that photogates could be an option for measuring real-world stair toe clearances, where optoelectronic systems are not routinely used. Improvements to the design and measurement factors may help to improve the precision of the photogates. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neuromechanical Principles of Perturbed and Unperturbed Motion Control)

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19 pages, 18764 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Automated Method for Tracking Human Muscle Architecture on Ultrasound Scans during Dynamic Tasks

by Saru Meena Ramu, Panagiotis Chatzistergos, Nachiappan Chockalingam, Adamantios Arampatzis and Constantinos Maganaris

Sensors 2022, 22(17), 6498; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/s22176498 - 29 Aug 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1778

Abstract

Existing approaches for automated tracking of fascicle length (FL) and pennation angle (PA) rely on the presence of a single, user-defined fascicle (feature tracking) or on the presence of a specific intensity pattern (feature detection) across all the recorded ultrasound images. These prerequisites are seldom met during large dynamic muscle movements or for deeper muscles that are difficult to image. Deep-learning approaches are not affected by these issues, but their applicability is restricted by their need for large, manually analyzed training data sets. To address these limitations, the present study proposes a novel approach that tracks changes in FL and PA based on the distortion pattern within the fascicle band. The results indicated a satisfactory level of agreement between manual and automated measurements made with the proposed method. When compared against feature tracking and feature detection methods, the proposed method achieved the lowest average root mean squared error for FL and the second lowest for PA. The strength of the proposed approach is that the quantification process does not require a training data set and it can take place even when it is not possible to track a single fascicle or observe a specific intensity pattern on the ultrasound recording. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neuromechanical Principles of Perturbed and Unperturbed Motion Control)

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16 pages, 1102 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Role of Knee and Ankle Extensors’ Muscle-Tendon Properties in Dynamic Balance Recovery from a Simulated Slip

by Héloïse Debelle, Constantinos N. Maganaris and Thomas D. O’Brien

Sensors 2022, 22(9), 3483; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/s22093483 - 03 May 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2183

Abstract

Participants exposed to a simulated slip with forward loss of balance (FLB) develop large lower limb joint moments which may be a limiting factor for those whose muscle-tendon units’ (MTUs) properties are deteriorated. Whether the age-related decline in these properties limits participants’ capacity to recover their balance following a slip with FLB remains unclear. We combined isokinetic dynamometry, ultrasound and EMG to understand how knee extensor and ankle plantarflexor muscle strength and power, rate of moment development, electromechanical delay, and tendon stiffness affected the balance of young (25.3 ± 3.9 years) and older adults (62.8 ± 7.1 years) when recovering from a single slip with FLB triggered whilst walking on a split-belt instrumented treadmill. Except for the patellar tendon’s stiffness, knee extensor and ankle plantarflexor electromechanical delays, older adults’ MTUs properties were deteriorated compared to those of young participants (p < 0.05). We found no significant relationship between age or the MTUs properties of participants and balance recovery. These findings provide additional support that neither maximal nor explosive strength training are likely to be successful in preventing a fall for healthy older adults, and that other type of interventions, such as task-specific training that has already proved efficacious in reducing the risk of falling, should be developed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neuromechanical Principles of Perturbed and Unperturbed Motion Control)

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14 pages, 1053 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Head-Mounted and Hand-Held Displays Diminish the Effectiveness of Fall-Resisting Skills

by Anika Weber, Julian Werth, Gaspar Epro, Daniel Friemert, Ulrich Hartmann, Yiannis Lambrianides, John Seeley, Peter Nickel and Kiros Karamanidis

Sensors 2022, 22(1), 344; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/s22010344 - 04 Jan 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1676

Abstract

Use of head-mounted displays (HMDs) and hand-held displays (HHDs) may affect the effectiveness of stability control mechanisms and impair resistance to falls. This study aimed to examine whether the ability to control stability during locomotion is diminished while using HMDs and HHDs. Fourteen healthy adults (21–46 years) were assessed under single-task (no display) and dual-task (spatial 2-n-back presented on the HMD or the HHD) conditions while performing various locomotor tasks. An optical motion capture system and two force plates were used to assess locomotor stability using an inverted pendulum model. For perturbed standing, 57% of the participants were not able to maintain stability by counter-rotation actions when using either display, compared to the single-task condition. Furthermore, around 80% of participants (dual-task) compared to 50% (single-task) showed a negative margin of stability (i.e., an unstable body configuration) during recovery for perturbed walking due to a diminished ability to increase their base of support effectively. However, no evidence was found for HMDs or HHDs affecting stability during unperturbed locomotion. In conclusion, additional cognitive resources required for dual-tasking, using either display, are suggested to result in delayed response execution for perturbed standing and walking, consequently diminishing participants’ ability to use stability control mechanisms effectively and increasing the risk of falls. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neuromechanical Principles of Perturbed and Unperturbed Motion Control)

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12 pages, 957 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Simplified Method for Considering Achilles Tendon Curvature in the Assessment of Tendon Elongation

by Mohamadreza Kharazi, Christos Theodorakis, Falk Mersmann, Adamantios Arampatzis and Sebastian Bohm

Sensors 2021, 21(21), 7387; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/s21217387 - 06 Nov 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1881

Abstract

The consideration of the Achilles tendon (AT) curvature is crucial for the precise determination of AT length and strain. We previously established an ultrasound-kinematic-based method to quantify the curvature, using a line of reflective foil skin markers covering the AT from origin to insertion. The current study aimed to simplify the method by reducing the number of markers while maintaining high accuracy. Eleven participants walked (1.4 m/s) and ran (2.5, 3.5 m/s) on a treadmill, and the AT curvature was quantified using reflective foil markers aligned with the AT between the origin on the gastrocnemius myotendinous-junction (tracked by ultrasound) and a marker on the calcaneal insertion. Foil markers were then systematically removed, and the introduced error on the assessment of AT length and strain was calculated. We found a significant main effect of marker number on the measurement error of AT length and strain (

p < 0.001

). Using more than 30% of the full marker-set for walking and 50% for running, the

R^{2}

of the AT length error saturated, corresponding to average errors of <0.1 mm and <0.15% strain. Therefore, a substantially reduced marker-set, associated with a marginal error, can be recommended for considering the AT curvature in the determination of AT length and strain. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neuromechanical Principles of Perturbed and Unperturbed Motion Control)

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