TY - JOUR A1 - Heinke, Lars N. A1 - Knicker, Axel J. A1 - Albracht, Kirsten T1 - Increased shoulder muscle stretch reflex elicitability in supine subject posture JF - Isokinetics and Exercise Science N2 - BACKGROUND: Muscle stretch reflexes are widely used to examine neural muscle function. The knowledge of reflex response in muscles crossing the shoulder is limited. OBJECTIVE: To quantify reflex modulation according to various subject postures and different procedures of muscle pre-activation steering. METHODS: Thirteen healthy male participants performed two sets of external shoulder rotation stretches in various positions and with different procedures of muscle pre-activation steering on an isokinetic dynamometer over a range of two different pre-activation levels. All stretches were applied with a dynamometer acceleration of 104∘/s2 and a velocity of 150∘/s. Electromyographical response was measured via sEMG. RESULTS: Consistent reflexive response was observed in all tested muscles in all experimental conditions. The reflex elicitation rate revealed a significant muscle main effect (F (5,288) = 2.358, ρ= 0.040; η2= 0.039; f= 0.637) and a significant test condition main effect (F (1,288) = 5.884, ρ= 0.016; η2= 0.020; f= 0.143). Reflex latency revealed a significant muscle pre-activation level main effect (F (1,274) = 5.008, ρ= 0.026; η2= 0.018; f= 0.469). CONCLUSION: Muscular reflexive response was more consistent in the primary internal rotators of the shoulder. Supine posture in combination with visual feedback of muscle pre-activation level enhanced the reflex elicitation rate. Y1 - 2020 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3233/IES-192219 SN - 1878-5913 VL - 28 IS - 2 SP - 139 EP - 146 PB - IOS Press CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Heinke, Lars N. A1 - Knicker, Axel J. A1 - Albracht, Kirsten T1 - Test-retest reliability of the internal shoulder rotator muscles' stretch reflex in healthy men JF - Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology N2 - Until now the reproducibility of the short latency stretch reflex of the internal rotator muscles of the glenohumeral joint has not been identified. Twenty-three healthy male participants performed three sets of external shoulder rotation stretches with various pre-activation levels on two different dates of measurement to assess test-retest reliability. All stretches were applied with a dynamometer acceleration of 104°/s2 and a velocity of 150°/s. Electromyographical response was measured via surface EMG. Reflex latencies showed a pre-activation effect (ƞ2 = 0,355). ICC ranged from 0,735 to 0,909 indicating an overall “good” relative reliability. SRD 95% lay between ±7,0 to ±12,3 ms.. The reflex gain showed overall poor test-retest reproducibility. The chosen methodological approach presented a suitable test protocol for shoulder muscles stretch reflex latency evaluation. A proof-of-concept study to validate the presented methodical approach in shoulder involvement including subjects with clinically relevant conditions is recommended. KW - stretch reflex KW - shoulder KW - test-retest reliability KW - intraclass correlation coefficient KW - standard error of measurement Y1 - 2021 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jelekin.2021.102611 SN - 1050-6411 VL - 62 IS - Article 102611 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Herssens, Nolan A1 - Cowburn, James A1 - Albracht, Kirsten A1 - Braunstein, Bjoern A1 - Cazzola, Dario A1 - Colyer, Steffi A1 - Minetti, Alberto E. A1 - Pavei, Gaspare A1 - Rittweger, Jörn A1 - Weber, Tobias A1 - Green, David A. ED - Cattaneo, Luigi T1 - Movement in low gravity environments (MoLo) programme – the MoLo-L.O.O.P. study protocol JF - PLOS ONE / Public Library of Science N2 - Exposure to prolonged periods in microgravity is associated with deconditioning of the musculoskeletal system due to chronic changes in mechanical stimulation. Given astronauts will operate on the Lunar surface for extended periods of time, it is critical to quantify both external (e.g., ground reaction forces) and internal (e.g., joint reaction forces) loads of relevant movements performed during Lunar missions. Such knowledge is key to predict musculoskeletal deconditioning and determine appropriate exercise countermeasures associated with extended exposure to hypogravity. Y1 - 2022 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0278051 SN - 1932-6203 VL - 17 IS - 11 PB - Plos CY - San Francisco ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Karamanidis, Kiros A1 - Albracht, Kirsten A1 - Braunstein, Bjoern A1 - Catala, Maria Moreno A1 - Goldmann, Jan-Peter A1 - Brüggemann, Gert-Peter T1 - Lower leg musculoskeletal geometry and sprint performance JF - Gait and Posture N2 - The purpose of this study was to investigate whether sprint performance is related to lower leg musculoskeletal geometry within a homogeneous group of highly trained 100-m sprinters. Using a cluster analysis, eighteen male sprinters were divided into two groups based on their personal best (fast: N = 11, 10.30 ± 0.07 s; slow: N = 7, 10.70 ± 0.08 s). Calf muscular fascicle arrangement and Achilles tendon moment arms (calculated by the gradient of tendon excursion versus ankle joint angle) were analyzed for each athlete using ultrasonography. Achilles tendon moment arm, foot and ankle skeletal geometry, fascicle arrangement as well as the ratio of fascicle length to Achilles tendon moment arm showed no significant (p > 0.05) correlation with sprint performance, nor were there any differences in the analyzed musculoskeletal parameters between the fast and slow sprinter group. Our findings provide evidence that differences in sprint ability in world-class athletes are not a result of differences in the geometrical design of the lower leg even when considering both skeletal and muscular components. Y1 - 2011 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2011.03.009 SN - 0966-6362 VL - 34 IS - 1 SP - 138 EP - 141 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Ketelhut, Maike A1 - Brügge, G. M. A1 - Göll, Fabian A1 - Braunstein, Bjoern A1 - Albracht, Kirsten A1 - Abel, Dirk T1 - Adaptive iterative learning control of an industrial robot during neuromuscular training JF - IFAC PapersOnLine N2 - To prevent the reduction of muscle mass and loss of strength coming along with the human aging process, regular training with e.g. a leg press is suitable. However, the risk of training-induced injuries requires the continuous monitoring and controlling of the forces applied to the musculoskeletal system as well as the velocity along the motion trajectory and the range of motion. In this paper, an adaptive norm-optimal iterative learning control algorithm to minimize the knee joint loadings during the leg extension training with an industrial robot is proposed. The response of the algorithm is tested in simulation for patients with varus, normal and valgus alignment of the knee and compared to the results of a higher-order iterative learning control algorithm, a robust iterative learning control and a recently proposed conventional norm-optimal iterative learning control algorithm. Although significant improvements in performance are made compared to the conventional norm-optimal iterative learning control algorithm with a small learning factor, for the developed approach as well as the robust iterative learning control algorithm small steady state errors occur. KW - Iterative learning control KW - Robotic rehabilitation KW - Adaptive control Y1 - 2020 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ifacol.2020.12.741 SN - 2405-8963 VL - 53 IS - 2 SP - 16468 EP - 16475 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Ketelhut, Maike A1 - Göll, Fabian A1 - Braunstein, Bjoern A1 - Albracht, Kirsten A1 - Abel, Dirk T1 - Iterative learning control of an industrial robot for neuromuscular training T2 - 2019 IEEE Conference on Control Technology and Applications N2 - Effective training requires high muscle forces potentially leading to training-induced injuries. Thus, continuous monitoring and controlling of the loadings applied to the musculoskeletal system along the motion trajectory is required. In this paper, a norm-optimal iterative learning control algorithm for the robot-assisted training is developed. The algorithm aims at minimizing the external knee joint moment, which is commonly used to quantify the loading of the medial compartment. To estimate the external knee joint moment, a musculoskeletal lower extremity model is implemented in OpenSim and coupled with a model of an industrial robot and a force plate mounted at its end-effector. The algorithm is tested in simulation for patients with varus, normal and valgus alignment of the knee. The results show that the algorithm is able to minimize the external knee joint moment in all three cases and converges after less than seven iterations. KW - Knee KW - Training KW - Load modeling KW - Force KW - Iterative learning control Y1 - 2019 SN - 978-1-7281-2767-5 (ePub) SN - 978-1-7281-2766-8 (USB) SN - 978-1-7281-2768-2 (PoD) U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/CCTA.2019.8920659 N1 - 2019 IEEE Conference on Control Technology and Applications (CCTA) Hong Kong, China, August 19-21, 2019 PB - IEEE CY - New York ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Ketelhut, Maike A1 - Göll, Fabian A1 - Braunstein, Björn A1 - Albracht, Kirsten A1 - Abel, Dirk T1 - Comparison of different training algorithms for the leg extension training with an industrial robot JF - Current Directions in Biomedical Engineering N2 - In the past, different training scenarios have been developed and implemented on robotic research platforms, but no systematic analysis and comparison have been done so far. This paper deals with the comparison of an isokinematic (motion with constant velocity) and an isotonic (motion against constant weight) training algorithm. Both algorithms are designed for a robotic research platform consisting of a 3D force plate and a high payload industrial robot, which allows leg extension training with arbitrary six-dimensional motion trajectories. In the isokinematic as well as the isotonic training algorithm, individual paths are defined i n C artesian s pace by sufficient s upport p oses. I n t he i sotonic t raining s cenario, the trajectory is adapted to the measured force as the robot should only move along the trajectory as long as the force applied by the user exceeds a minimum threshold. In the isotonic training scenario however, the robot’s acceleration is a function of the force applied by the user. To validate these findings, a simulative experiment with a simple linear trajectory is performed. For this purpose, the same force path is applied in both training scenarios. The results illustrate that the algorithms differ in the force dependent trajectory adaption. KW - Rehabilitation Technology and Prosthetics KW - Surgical Navigation and Robotics Y1 - 2018 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/cdbme-2018-0005 SN - 2364-5504 VL - 4 IS - 1 SP - 17 EP - 20 PB - De Gruyter CY - Berlin ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Ketelhut, Maike A1 - Kolditz, Melanie A1 - Göll, Fabian A1 - Braunstein, Bjoern A1 - Albracht, Kirsten A1 - Abel, Dirk T1 - Admittance control of an industrial robot during resistance training JF - IFAC-PapersOnLine N2 - Neuromuscular strength training of the leg extensor muscles plays an important role in the rehabilitation and prevention of age and wealth related diseases. In this paper, we focus on the design and implementation of a Cartesian admittance control scheme for isotonic training, i.e. leg extension and flexion against a predefined weight. For preliminary testing and validation of the designed algorithm an experimental research and development platform consisting of an industrial robot and a force plate mounted at its end-effector has been used. Linear, diagonal and arbitrary two-dimensional motion trajectories with different weights for the leg extension and flexion part are applied. The proposed algorithm is easily adaptable to trajectories consisting of arbitrary six-dimensional poses and allows the implementation of individualized trajectories. KW - Assistive technology KW - Rehabilitation engineering KW - Human-Computer interaction KW - Automatic control Y1 - 2019 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ifacol.2019.12.102 SN - 2405-8963 N1 - 14th IFAC Symposium on Analysis, Design, and Evaluation of Human Machine Systems HMS 2019 Tallinn, Estonia, 16–91 September 2019 VL - 52 IS - 19 SP - 223 EP - 228 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kolditz, Melanie A1 - Albin, Thivaharan A1 - Abel, Dirk A1 - Fasse, Alessandro A1 - Brüggemann, Gert-Peter A1 - Albracht, Kirsten T1 - Evaluation of foot position and orientation as manipulated variables to control external knee adduction moments in leg extension training JF - Computer methods and programs in biomedicine N2 - Background and Objective Effective leg extension training at a leg press requires high forces, which need to be controlled to avoid training-induced damage. In order to avoid high external knee adduction moments, which are one reason for unphysiological loadings on knee joint structures, both training movements and the whole reaction force vector need to be observed. In this study, the applicability of lateral and medial changes in foot orientation and position as possible manipulated variables to control external knee adduction moments is investigated. As secondary parameters both the medio-lateral position of the center of pressure and the frontal-plane orientation of the reaction force vector are analyzed. Methods Knee adduction moments are estimated using a dynamic model of the musculoskeletal system together with the measured reaction force vector and the motion of the subject by solving the inverse kinematic and dynamic problem. Six different foot conditions with varying positions and orientations of the foot in a static leg press are evaluated and compared to a neutral foot position. Results Both lateral and medial wedges under the foot and medial and lateral shifts of the foot can influence external knee adduction moments in the presented study with six healthy subjects. Different effects are observed with the varying conditions: the pose of the leg is changed and the direction and center of pressure of the reaction force vector is influenced. Each effect results in a different direction or center of pressure of the reaction force vector. Conclusions The results allow the conclusion that foot position and orientation can be used as manipulated variables in a control loop to actively control knee adduction moments in leg extension training. KW - External knee adduction moments KW - Manipulated variables KW - Inverse dynamic problem KW - Inverse kinematic problem KW - Musculoskeletal model Y1 - 2016 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cmpb.2016.09.005 SN - 0169-2607 N1 - Part of special issue: "SI: Personalised Models and System Identification" VL - 171 SP - 81 EP - 86 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Kolditz, Melanie A1 - Albin, Thivaharan A1 - Albracht, Kirsten A1 - Brüggemann, Gert-Peter A1 - Abel, Dirk T1 - Isokinematic leg extension training with an industrial robot T2 - 6th IEEE RAS/EMBS International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics (BioRob) June 26-29, 2016. UTown, Singapore Y1 - 2016 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/BIOROB.2016.7523750 SP - 950 EP - 955 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kolditz, Melanie A1 - Albin, Thivaharan A1 - Brüggemann, Gert-Peter A1 - Abel, Dirk A1 - Albracht, Kirsten T1 - Robotergestütztes System für ein verbessertes neuromuskuläres Aufbautraining der Beinstrecker JF - at - Automatisierungstechnik N2 - Neuromuskuläres Aufbautraining der Beinstrecker ist ein wichtiger Bestandteil in der Rehabilitation und Prävention von Muskel-Skelett-Erkrankungen. Effektives Training erfordert hohe Muskelkräfte, die gleichzeitig hohe Belastungen von bereits geschädigten Strukturen bedeuten. Um trainingsinduzierte Schädigungen zu vermeiden, müssen diese Kräfte kontrolliert werden. Mit heutigen Trainingsgeräten können diese Ziele allerdings nicht erreicht werden. Für ein sicheres und effektives Training sollen durch den Einsatz der Robotik, Sensorik, eines Regelkreises sowie Muskel-Skelett-Modellen Belastungen am Zielgewebe direkt berechnet und kontrolliert werden. Auf Basis zweier Vorstudien zu möglichen Stellgrößen wird der Aufbau eines robotischen Systems vorgestellt, das sowohl für Forschungszwecke als auch zur Entwicklung neuartiger Trainingsgeräte verwendet werden kann. Y1 - 2016 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/auto-2016-0044 SN - 2196-677X VL - 64 IS - 11 SP - 905 EP - 914 PB - De Gruyter CY - Berlin ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Kolditz, Melanie A1 - Albin, Thivaharan A1 - Fasse, Alessandro A1 - Brüggemann, Gert-Peter A1 - Abel, Dirk A1 - Albracht, Kirsten T1 - Simulative Analysis of Joint Loading During Leg Press Exercise for Control Applications T2 - IFAC-PapersOnLine Y1 - 2015 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ifacol.2015.10.179 N1 - IFAC-PapersOnLine 48-20; Conference Paper Archive VL - 48 IS - 20 SP - 435 EP - 440 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Kolditz, Melanie A1 - Albracht, Kirsten A1 - Fasse, Alessandro A1 - Albin, Thivaharan A1 - Brüggemann, Gert-Peter A1 - Abel, Dirk T1 - Evaluation of an industrial robot as a leg press training device T2 - XV International Symposium on Computer Simulation in Biomechanics July 9th – 11th 2015, Edinburgh, UK Y1 - 2015 SP - 41 EP - 42 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Liphardt, Anna-Maria A1 - Fernandez-Gonzalo, Rodrigo A1 - Albracht, Kirsten A1 - Rittweger, Jörn A1 - Vico, Laurence T1 - Musculoskeletal research in human space flight – unmet needs for the success of crewed deep space exploration JF - npj Microgravity N2 - Based on the European Space Agency (ESA) Science in Space Environment (SciSpacE) community White Paper “Human Physiology – Musculoskeletal system”, this perspective highlights unmet needs and suggests new avenues for future studies in musculoskeletal research to enable crewed exploration missions. The musculoskeletal system is essential for sustaining physical function and energy metabolism, and the maintenance of health during exploration missions, and consequently mission success, will be tightly linked to musculoskeletal function. Data collection from current space missions from pre-, during-, and post-flight periods would provide important information to understand and ultimately offset musculoskeletal alterations during long-term spaceflight. In addition, understanding the kinetics of the different components of the musculoskeletal system in parallel with a detailed description of the molecular mechanisms driving these alterations appears to be the best approach to address potential musculoskeletal problems that future exploratory-mission crew will face. These research efforts should be accompanied by technical advances in molecular and phenotypic monitoring tools to provide in-flight real-time feedback. Y1 - 2023 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41526-023-00258-3 SN - 2373-8065 VL - 9 IS - Article number: 9 SP - 1 EP - 9 PB - Springer Nature ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Monti, Elena A1 - Waldvogel, Janice A1 - Ritzmann, Ramona A1 - Freyler, Kathrin A1 - Albracht, Kirsten A1 - Helm, Michael A1 - De Cesare, Niccolò A1 - Pavan, Piero A1 - Reggiani, Carlo A1 - Gollhofer, Albert A1 - Narici, Marco Vincenzo T1 - Muscle in variable gravity: “I do not know where I am, but I know what to do” JF - Frontiers in Physiology N2 - Performing tasks, such as running and jumping, requires activation of the agonist and antagonist muscles before (motor unit pre-activation) and during movement performance (Santello and Mcdonagh, 1998). A well-timed and regulated muscle activation elicits a stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) response, naturally occurring in bouncing movements (Ishikawa and Komi, 2004; Taube et al., 2012). By definition, the SSC describes the stretching of a pre-activated muscle-tendon complex immediately followed by a muscle shortening in the concentric push-off phase (Komi, 1984). Given the importance of SSC actions for human movement, it is not surprising that many studies investigated the biomechanics of this phenomenon; in particular, drop jumps (DJs) represent a good paradigm to study muscle fascicle and tendon behavior in ballistic movements involving the SSC. Within a DJ, three main phases [pre-activation, braking, and push-off (PO; Komi, 2000)] have been recognized and extensively studied in common and challenging conditions, such as changes in load, falling height, or simulated hypo-gravity (Avela et al., 1994; Arampatzis et al., 2001; Fukashiro et al., 2005; Ishikawa et al., 2005; Sousa et al., 2007; Ritzmann et al., 2016; Helm et al., 2020). These studies show that the timing and amount of triceps-surae muscle-tendon unit pre-activation in DJs are differentially regulated based on the load applied to the muscle, being optimal in normal “Earth” gravity conditions (Avela et al., 1994), but decreased in simulated hypo-gravity, hyper-gravity (Avela et al., 1994; Ritzmann et al., 2016), or unknown conditions (i.e., unknown falling heights; Helm et al., 2020). Some authors indicated that, when falling from heights different from the optimal one [defined as the drop height giving a maximum DJ performance indicated as peak ground reaction force (GRF) or jump high], electromyographic (EMG) activity of the plantar flexors increases from lower than optimal to higher than optimal heights (Ishikawa and Komi, 2004; Sousa et al., 2007). These findings highlight the ability of the central nervous system to regulate the timing and amount of pre-activation according to different jumping conditions, thus regulating muscle fascicle length, tendon and joint stiffness as well as position, in order to safely land on the ground and quickly re-bounce. Similarly, to pre-activation, also in the braking phase, the plantar flexors are differentially regulated. In optimal height (i.e., load) jumping conditions, gastrocnemius medialis (GM) fascicles shorten at early ground contact (possibly due to the intervention of the stretch reflex; Gollhofer et al., 1992) and behave quasi-isometrically in the late braking phase, enabling tendon elongation, and storage of elastic energy (Gollhofer et al., 1992; Fukashiro et al., 2005; Sousa et al., 2007). When increasing the falling height (augmenting the impact GRF), the quasi-isometric behavior of fascicles disappears, and fast fascicle lengthening occurs (Ishikawa et al., 2005; Sousa et al., 2007). In the third and last PO phase, fascicles shorten and the tendon releases the elastic energy previously stored. Bobbert et al. (1987) reported no influence of jumping height on the work done and on the net vertical impulse assessed during PO; this observation suggests that, despite an optimal DJ performance might be achieved only in specific conditions (falling heights, loads), the central nervous system seems to be able to regulate muscle behavior in order to effectively perform the required task also in challenging situations. Although the regulation of triceps-surae muscle-tendon unit in DJs has been extensively investigated, very few studies focused on sarcomeres behavior during the performance of this SSC movement (Kurokawa et al., 2003; Fukashiro et al., 2005, 2006). Sarcomeres represent muscle contractile units and are known to express different amounts of force depending on their length (Gordon et al., 1966; Walker and Schrodt, 1974); thus, understanding the time course of their responses during DJs is fundamental to gain further insights into muscle force-generating capacity. In vivo measurement of sarcomere length in humans has been so far been performed only in static positions and under highly controlled experimental conditions (Llewellyn et al., 2008; Sanchez et al., 2015). Instead, human sarcomere length estimation (achieved by dividing GM measured fascicle length for a fixed sarcomere number) in dynamic contractions provided an indirect measure of sarcomere operating range during squat jump, countermovement jump, and DJ (Fukashiro et al., 2005, 2006; Kurokawa et al., 2003). The results of these studies showed that sarcomeres operate in the ascending limb of their length-tension (L-T) relationship in all types of jumps, and particularly so in DJ. However, most of the available observations on sarcomere and muscle fascicle behavior were made in condition of constant gravity. Thus, in order to understand how sarcomere and muscle fascicle length are regulated in variable gravity conditions, we performed experiments in a parabolic flight, involving variable gravity levels, ranging from about zero-g to about double the Earth’s gravity (1 g; Waldvogel et al., 2021). Specifically, the aims of the present study were as follows: 1. To investigate the ability of the neuromuscular system in regulating fascicle length in response to conditions of variable gravity. 2. To estimate sarcomere operative length in the different DJ phases, in order to calculate its theoretical force production and its possible modulation in conditions of variable gravity. We hypothesized that muscle fascicles would be differentially regulated in different gravity conditions compared to 1 g, particularly in anticipation of landing and re-bouncing in unknown gravity levels. In addition, we hypothesized that sarcomeres would operate in the upper part of the ascending limb of their L-T relationship, possibly lengthening during the braking phase (especially in hyper-gravity) while operating quasi-isometrically in 1 g. KW - parabolic flight KW - drop jump KW - hypo-gravity KW - hyper-gravity KW - sarcomere operating length Y1 - 2021 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2021.714655 SN - 1664-042X VL - 12 PB - Frontiers Research Foundation CY - Lausanne ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Morat, Mareike A1 - Faude, Oliver A1 - Hanssen, Henner A1 - Ludyga, Sebastian A1 - Zacher, Jonas A1 - Eibl, Angi A1 - Albracht, Kirsten A1 - Donath, Lars T1 - Agility Training to Integratively Promote Neuromuscular, Cognitive, Cardiovascular and Psychosocial Function in Healthy Older Adults: A Study Protocol of a One-Year Randomized-Controlled Trial JF - International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health N2 - Exercise training effectively mitigates aging-induced health and fitness impairments. Traditional training recommendations for the elderly focus separately on relevant physiological fitness domains, such as balance, flexibility, strength and endurance. Thus, a more holistic and functional training framework is needed. The proposed agility training concept integratively tackles spatial orientation, stop and go, balance and strength. The presented protocol aims at introducing a two-armed, one-year randomized controlled trial, evaluating the effects of this concept on neuromuscular, cardiovascular, cognitive and psychosocial health outcomes in healthy older adults. Eighty-five participants were enrolled in this ongoing trial. Seventy-nine participants completed baseline testing and were block-randomized to the agility training group or the inactive control group. All participants undergo pre- and post-testing with interim assessment after six months. The intervention group currently receives supervised, group-based agility training twice a week over one year, with progressively demanding perceptual, cognitive and physical exercises. Knee extension strength, reactive balance, dual task gait speed and the Agility Challenge for the Elderly (ACE) serve as primary endpoints and neuromuscular, cognitive, cardiovascular, and psychosocial meassures serve as surrogate secondary outcomes. Our protocol promotes a comprehensive exercise training concept for older adults, that might facilitate stakeholders in health and exercise to stimulate relevant health outcomes without relying on excessively time-consuming physical activity recommendations. KW - agility KW - prevention KW - healthy aging KW - community dwelling KW - psychosocial Y1 - 2020 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17061853 SN - 1660-4601 VL - 17 IS - 6 SP - 1 EP - 14 PB - MDPI CY - Basel ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Pohle-Fröhlich, Regina A1 - Dalitz, Christoph A1 - Richter, Charlotte A1 - Hahnen, Tobias A1 - Stäudle, Benjamin A1 - Albracht, Kirsten T1 - Estimation of muscle fascicle orientation in ultrasonic images T2 - VISIGRAPP 2020 - Proceedings of the 15th International Joint Conference on Computer Vision, Imaging and Computer Graphics Theory and Applications, 5 Y1 - 2020 SP - 79 EP - 86 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Quittmann, Oliver J. A1 - Abel, Thomas A1 - Albracht, Kirsten A1 - Meskemper, Joshua A1 - Foitschik, Tina A1 - Strüder, Heiko K. T1 - Biomechanics of handcycling propulsion in a 30-min continuous load test at lactate threshold: Kinetics, kinematics, and muscular activity in able-bodied participants JF - European Journal of Applied Physiology N2 - Purpose This study aims to investigate the biomechanics of handcycling during a continuous load trial (CLT) to assess the mechanisms underlying fatigue in upper body exercise. Methods Twelve able-bodied triathletes performed a 30-min CLT at a power output corresponding to lactate threshold in a racing recumbent handcycle mounted on a stationary ergometer. During the CLT, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), tangential crank kinetics, 3D joint kinematics, and muscular activity of ten muscles of the upper extremity and trunk were examined using motion capturing and surface electromyography. Results During the CLT, spontaneously chosen cadence and RPE increased, whereas crank torque decreased. Rotational work was higher during the pull phase. Peripheral RPE was higher compared to central RPE. Joint range of motion decreased for elbow-flexion and radial-duction. Integrated EMG (iEMG) increased in the forearm flexors, forearm extensors, and M. deltoideus (Pars spinalis). An earlier onset of activation was found for M. deltoideus (Pars clavicularis), M. pectoralis major, M. rectus abdominis, M. biceps brachii, and the forearm flexors. Conclusion Fatigue-related alterations seem to apply analogously in handcycling and cycling. The most distal muscles are responsible for force transmission on the cranks and might thus suffer most from neuromuscular fatigue. The findings indicate that peripheral fatigue (at similar lactate values) is higher in handcycling compared to leg cycling, at least for inexperienced participants. An increase in cadence might delay peripheral fatigue by a reduced vascular occlusion. We assume that the gap between peripheral and central fatigue can be reduced by sport-specific endurance training. Y1 - 2020 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00421-020-04373-x SN - 1439-6327 IS - 120 SP - 1403 EP - 1415 PB - Springer CY - Heidelberg ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Quittmann, Oliver J. A1 - Abel, Thomas A1 - Albracht, Kirsten A1 - Strüder, Heiko K. T1 - Reliability of muscular activation patterns and their alterations during incremental handcycling in able-bodied participants JF - Sports Biomechanics Y1 - 2019 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14763141.2019.1593496 SN - 1752-6116 IS - Article in press PB - Taylor & Francis CY - London ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Quittmann, Oliver J. A1 - Abel, Thomas A1 - Albracht, Kirsten A1 - Strüder, Heiko K. T1 - Biomechanics of all-out handcycling exercise: kinetics, kinematics and muscular activity of a 15-s sprint test in able-bodied participants JF - Sports Biomechanics N2 - This study aims to quantify the kinematics, kinetics and muscular activity of all-out handcycling exercise and examine their alterations during the course of a 15-s sprint test. Twelve able-bodied competitive triathletes performed a 15-s all-out sprint test in a recumbent racing handcycle that was attached to an ergometer. During the sprint test, tangential crank kinetics, 3D joint kinematics and muscular activity of 10 muscles of the upper extremity and trunk were examined using a power metre, motion capturing and surface electromyography (sEMG), respectively. Parameters were compared between revolution one (R1), revolution two (R2), the average of revolution 3 to 13 (R3) and the average of the remaining revolutions (R4). Shoulder abduction and internal-rotation increased, whereas maximal shoulder retroversion decreased during the sprint. Except for the wrist angles, angular velocity increased for every joint of the upper extremity. Several muscles demonstrated an increase in muscular activation, an earlier onset of muscular activation in crank cycle and an increased range of activation. During the course of a 15-s all-out sprint test in handcycling, the shoulder muscles and the muscles associated to the push phase demonstrate indications for short-duration fatigue. These findings are helpful to prevent injuries and improve performance in all-out handcycling. KW - Handbike KW - sEMG KW - Paralympic sport KW - performance testing KW - high-intensity exercise Y1 - 2022 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14763141.2020.1745266 SN - 1752-6116 (Onlineausgabe) SN - 1476-3141 (Druckausgabe) VL - 21 IS - 10 SP - 1200 EP - 1223 PB - Taylor & Francis CY - London ER -