Sit-to-Stand (STS) Movement Analysis of the Center of Gravity for Human-Robot Interaction.

As the aging process is springing up around the whole world, the problem of sit-to-stand (STS) for the elderly has become the focal point of older people themselves, their families, and society. The key challenge in solving this problem is developing and applying the technology of auxiliary robots for standing up and auxiliary stands. The research is not only to find the appropriate fundamentals from a healthcare perspective in the center of gravity movement (COM) curve of the elderly during STS but also to meet the psychological needs of the elderly during STS in a comfortable, pleasant, and safe way. To obtain the skeleton tracking technology used in this study, we used the Vicon optical motion capture system and automatic moving target indicator (AMTI) 3-D force measuring table to obtain a COM curve of the elderly during STS. The stationary process, speed, and sitting posture analysis during STS were combined in this paper to seek a solution to the psychological needs of the elderly. The analysis is conducted with the integration of medicine, engineering, art, and science into this research. Finally, a movement curve and related dynamic parameters that can truly reflect the STS of the elderly are obtained, and the discussion is provided. The research result can provide theoretical and technical support for the later development of auxiliary robots for standing up and auxiliary stands technology products, so that the elderly can STS comfortably, happily, and safely with the assistance of human-robot interaction.

Postural Stability in Goalkeepers of the Polish National Junior Handball Team.

The aim of the study was to assess postural stability of goalkeepers from the Polish national junior handball team. Eleven juniors of the Polish national handball team (age 16.82 ± 1.6 years, body height 191.27 ± 3.1 cm, body mass 88.41 ± 12.26 kg, BMI 24.18 ± 3.22 kg/m2) were selected for the study. The Biodex Balance System and AccuGait AM¬TI platform were used to evaluate postural stability. The obtained results indicated good postural stability of the subjects. During the Biodex Balance System platform tests, all subjects presented very good postural stability and maintained within Zone A. Postural sway was greater in the sagittal plane compared to the frontal one. Most of the participants demonstrated slight backward tilts, but maintained in Quadrant IV. During the AccuGait AMTI platform trial, Path Length and Average COP Speed significantly increased in the test performed with closed eyes. Furthermore, there were significant positive correlations between the number of variables obtained during the Biodex Balance System and AccuGait AMTI tests. Proper and stable posture are necessary conditions to be met to carry out most free movements and locomotion. They play a significant role in the game of a handball goalkeeper and for that reason, postural stability testing of handball goalkeepers is an important element of coordination training. Thus, the use of postural stability exercises implementing the biofeedback method on stabilo and dynamometric platforms is practical and justifiable.

Validation of Moticon's OpenGo sensor insoles during gait, jumps, balance and cross-country skiing specific imitation movements.

The purpose of this study was the experimental validation of the OpenGo sensor insole system compared to PedarX sensor insole and AMTI force-plate systems. Sixteen healthy participants performed trials in walking, running, jumping (drop and counter movement jumps), imitation drills and balance, with simultaneous measures of all three systems. Detected ground contact and flight times with OpenGo during walking, running and jumping were similar to those of AMTI. Force-time curves revealed comparable shapes between all three systems. Force impulses were 13-34% lower with OpenGo when compared to AMTI. Despite differences in mean values in some exercise modes, correlations towards AMTI were between r = 0.8 and r = 1.0 in most situations. During fast motions, with high force and impact, OpenGo provided lower force and latency in force kinetics. During balance tasks, discrepancy in the centre of pressure was found medio-lateral, while anterio-posterior direction was closer to AMTI. With awareness of these limitations, OpenGo can be applied in both clinical and research settings to evaluate temporal, force and balance parameters during different types of motion. The fully mobile OpenGo system allows for the easy and quick system application, analysis and feedback under complex field conditions, as well.