The effects of combined action observation and motor imagery on corticospinal excitability and movement outcomes: Two meta-analyses.

Motor simulation interventions involving motor imagery (MI) and action observation (AO) have received considerable interest in the behavioral sciences. A growing body of research has focused on using AO and MI simultaneously, termed 'combined action observation and motor imagery' (AOMI). The current paper includes two meta-analyses that quantify changes in corticospinal excitability and motor skill performance for AOMI compared to AO, MI and control conditions. Specifically, the first meta-analysis collated and synthesized existing motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitude data from transcranial magnetic stimulation studies and the second meta-analysis collated and synthesized existing movement outcome data from behavioral studies. AOMI had a positive effect compared to control and AO but not MI conditions for both MEP amplitudes and movement outcomes. No methodological factors moderated the effects of AOMI, indicating a robust effect of AOMI across the two outcome variables. The results of the meta-analyses are discussed in relation to existing literature on motor simulation and skill acquisition, before providing viable directions for future research on this topic.

Progressive hyperthermia elicits distinct responses in maximum and rapid torque production.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of progressive whole-body hyperthermia on maximal, and rapid voluntary torque production, and their neuromuscular determinants. DESIGN: Repeated measures, randomised. METHODS: Nine participants performed sets of neuromuscular assessments in HOT conditions (∼50°C, ∼35% relative humidity) at rectal temperatures (Tre) of 37, 38.5 and 39.5°C and in CON conditions (∼22°C, ∼35% relative humidity) at a Tre of ∼37°C and pre-determined comparative time-points. Electrically evoked twitch (single impulse) and octet (8 impulses at 300Hz) responses were measured at rest. Maximum voluntary torque (MVT), surface electromyography (EMG) normalised to maximal M-wave, and voluntary activation (VA) were measured during 3-5s isometric maximal voluntary contractions. Rate of torque development (RTD) and normalised EMG were measured during rapid voluntary isometric contractions from rest. RESULTS: All neuromuscular variables were unaffected by time in CON. In HOT, MVT, normalised EMG at MVT and VA were lower at 39.5°C compared to 37°C (p<0.05). Early- (0-50ms) and middle- (50-100ms) phase voluntary RTD were unaffected by increased Tre (p>0.05), despite lower normalised EMG at Tre 39.5°C (p<0.05) in rapid contractions. In contrast, late-phase (100-150ms) voluntary RTD was lower at 38.5°C and 39.5°C compared to 37°C (p<0.05) in HOT. Evoked twitch and octet RTD increased with increased Tre (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Hyperthermia reduced late-phase voluntary RTD, likely due to reduced neural drive and the reduction in MVT. In contrast, early- and middle-phase voluntary RTD were unaffected by hyperthermia, likely due to the conflicting effects of reduced neural drive but faster intrinsic contractile properties.

Asymmetrical loading demands associated with vertical jump landings in people with unilateral transtibial amputation.

Loading symmetry during vertical jump landings between a person with amputation's intact and prosthetic limbs was assessed to determine the role of each limb in controlling the downward momentum of the center of mass during landing. Six participants with unilateral transtibial amputation (TTA) and ten nondisabled participants completed 10 maximal vertical jumps, of which the highest jump was analyzed. Contralateral symmetry was assessed through the Symmetry Index (SI), while symmetry at the group level was assessed through a Mann-Whitney U test. Participants with TTA performed quasi-unilateral landings onto the intact limbs, resulting from either the incapability of the prosthetic ankle to plantar flex or increased residual-limb knee and hip flexion. In the loading phase, the participants with TTA displayed reduced prosthetic-side peak vertical forces (p = 0.04) along with reduced prosthetic-side ankle range of motion (p < 0.001), extensor moments (p = 0.03), and negative work generated (p = 0.00). Individual asymmetries were evident in the peak vertical force magnitudes (SI = 51%-140%), duration from touchdown to peak vertical force (SI = 52%-157%), ankle joint angles at touchdown (SI = 100%-538%), ranges of motion (SI = 147%-200%), knee (SI = 66%-179%) and hip (SI = 87%-132%) extensor moments, and work done at the ankle (SI = 155%-199%) and hip (SI = 83%-204%). High peak forces (25.25 +/- 4.89 N·kg(-1) intact limb and 14.61 +/- 8.28 N·kg(-1) prosthetic limb) from significantly lower (p < 0.001) landing heights than the nondisabled participants indicate a potential injury risk associated with landing for people with TTA.

Mechanisms to absorb load in amputee running.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to determine if a shock absorbing pylon (SAP) influenced the ground reaction force characteristics and the shock absorbing mechanisms compared to a rigid pylon (Rigid) during the loading phase in running. OBJECTIVES: To determine if the SAP influences the mechanisms of loading compared to the Rigid condition. STUDY DESIGN: A convenience sample of transtibial amputees participated in a laboratory-based study. The prosthetic set-up was randomly altered fd\sdsd. METHODS: Five recreationally active male transtibial amputees age: 18-50 years; mean mass: 86.7 ± 17.5 kg; height: 1.77 ± 0.07 m) volunteered from a population-based sample. They completed a within-participant-designed study assessing a SAP and a Rigid condition during running. Kinematic and kinetic data were collected during two sessions following a one-week customization period. RESULTS: Loading rate, peak vertical and horizontal ground reaction forces and the time to each measure along with knee and hip angular displacement, absorbing powers and work done between the SAP and Rigid conditions were not systematically affected by the prosthetic condition. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of the SAP was minimal and inconsistent in the loading phase, with only some amputees presenting higher and others with lower values for the tested variables.

Kinetic and kinematic compensations in amputee vertical jumping.

A unilateral transtibial amputation causes a disruption to the musculoskeletal system, which results in asymmetrical biomechanics. The current study aimed to assess the movement asymmetry and compensations that occur as a consequence of an amputation when performing a countermovement vertical jump. Six unilateral transtibial amputees and 10 able-bodied (AB) participants completed 10 maximal vertical jumps, and the highest jump was analyzed further. Three-dimensional lower limb kinematics and normalized (body mass) kinetic variables were quantified for the intact and prosthetic sides. Symmetry was assessed through the symmetry index (SI) for each individual and statistically using the Mann-Whitney U test between the intact and prosthetic sides for the amputee group. A descriptive analysis between the amputee and AB participants was conducted to explore the mechanisms of amputee jumping. The amputee jump height ranged from 0.09 to 0.24 m. In the countermovement, all ankle variables were asymmetrical (SI > 10%) and statistically different (p < .05) for the amputees. At the knee and hip, there was no statistical difference between the intact and prosthetic sides range of motion, although there was evidence of individual asymmetry. The knees remained more extended compared with the AB participants to prevent collapse. In propulsion, the prosthesis did not contribute to the work done and the ankle variables were asymmetrical (p < .05). The knee and hip variables were not statistically different between the intact and prosthetic sides, although there was evidence of functional asymmetry and the contribution tended to be greater on the intact compared with the prosthetic side. The lack of kinetic involvement of the prosthetic ankle and both knees due to the limitation of the prosthesis and the altered musculoskeletal mechanics of the joints were the reason for the reduced height jumped.