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In 2022, more than 1.9bn adults are classified as being overweight with studies predicting that one fifth of adults worldwide will be obese by 2025 (NCD Risk Factor Collaboration, 2016). Diet and sedentary lifestyle choices are some of the contributory factors; for example, less than half of American adults adhere to the recommended 2.5 hours of moderate, aerobic physical activity per week (Ward et al., 2013). The application of gamified immersive physical exercise is one way to counteract obesity and its associated health conditions. Research has demonstrated that exergames can motivate enhanced physical output (Peng et al., 2011) and that "encouraging young adults to switch from inactive to active videogames may provide a substantial population-level public health benefit for obesity prevention" (Leatherdale et al., 2010). Rizzo et al. (2011) maintained that exergames lacked the fidelity to fully replicate conventional exercise, however, they did believe it had potential, stating: "advances in full-body interaction systems for providing vigorous interaction with digital games are expected to drive the creation of engaging, low-cost interactive game-based applications designed to increase exercise participation". The availability of affordable VR hardware (Oculus Quest 2, 2019) and unprecedented financial growth in the exergaming sector, justifies their predictions to some extent. At the 2021 annual AR & VR conference, Facebook's CEO and Founder, Mark Zuckerberg announced that their exergaming title, 'Beat Saber', had amassed in excess of $100 million in revenue, making it the highest selling title on the Oculus Quest since the platforms inception (Suttrich, 2021). During the same month, Facebook (rebranded as Meta) announced its intention to acquire the LA based exergame studio Within for $400 million (Heater, 2021). These acquisitions demonstrate that billion dollar companies like Meta see potential growth from developing and investing in virtualised home exercise. In addition to immersion and embodied interaction, certain virtual exercycling platforms (Zwift, 2019; Peloton, 2018) utilise smart trainers which allow the exergames to generate physical resistance relative to the slope and terrain of the virtual cycling environments. Zwift subscription rates currently exceed three million (Reed,2021), demonstrating the training platform's appeal. However, not everyone is content with a commercial exergame experience. Unimpressed by the visual fidelity on offer in mainstream exercycle games, an underground cohort of virtual cyclists have taken matters into their own hands and have modified a version of the commercial video game Grand Theft Auto Five (Rockstar Games). In GTBIKE V, players can exercise while experiencing some of the artificial antics on the virtual island of 'Los Santos' (Matas, 2021). The fact that 1300 former Zwift players made an informed choice to migrate to an amateur cycling platform based on the visual and interactive fidelity demonstrates the importance of keeping visual and interactive exergame experiences on par with commercial video games. The way that commercial games apply resistance is limited and would appear to have a lot more potential. Rather than using dynamic resistance to replicate virtual slopes and terrain, kinaesthetic feedback could instead be used to encourage output by dictating task intensity. Separating user autonomy from task intensity would allow the game, rather than the person, to maintain optimum output. This type of game mechanic could be used to motivate physical activity and in doing so support healthy lifestyles. In addition to health and fitness it could also assist with proprioceptive training, skill acquisition and rehabilitation. One final aspect in relation to developments in immersive interaction is how enhanced feedback on task performance could be used to improve the quality of physical output. Given the growth in the virtual fitness sector and predictions that mixed reality use in the workplace is set to increase significantly in the coming decade (Dalton & Gillham, 2019) it makes sense that people engage in these environments correctly to enhance performance and reduce injury.

Every day people are involved in group discussions with little understanding of the subtle behaviours and interactions that play out in the conversation. The investigation into conversational behaviour and the interaction of participants in general discussions has been an active research area for many years. Research has focused on the subtle interchanges (verbal and non-verbal) between participants with the result of identifying user profiles of dominance and personality. In most cases, and still today, psychologists and others use manual observations in workplace analysis. In my career as a workplace strategist, manual observation plays a crucial role in understanding office use and organisational behaviour. Only recently has video and sensor technology been investigated to support the capture and analysis of conversational interactions. Nearly all observation methods use invasive combinations of modalities, for example, voice recording, video capture and other sensors to observe participants. These technologies are either directly in the line of sight (e.g. video cameras for recording facial expression and gaze direction) or attached to the participant (eye-tracking glasses, lapel microphones or sensors attached to the head for capturing head rotation). This research explores a passive approach, significantly minimising the impact of technology on the participants' natural behaviour using an overhead-mounted depth camera. Unlike other research, this thesis uses only non-verbal cues (e.g. gaze directions) to analyse the conversation flow in order to build a picture of how the discussion progresses. Since this approach is unable to capture details such as eye movement, facial expressions or changes in the tone of the participant's voice, the challenge is to explore what is achievable from such a sensor configuration and what level of detail it can provide in the study of group conversational behaviour. The research makes several contributions to this topic: a) investigation into an overhead capture method using a depth data sensor, which avoids impact on the participants natural behaviour, b) using computer vision techniques to automatically extracts non-verbal features of head localisation, gaze direction and interpersonal posture measurements, c) the application of machine learning classification methods on the extracted features, patterns of behaviours are detected and associated with each participant and the group, d) quantitative analysis of participant behaviours such as speaking contribution, focus of attention of speakers and listeners, and the postures used by each person. The data supports an 4 understanding of the conversational flow and the development of individual profiles. Output is a single visual of the complete conversation with all non-verbal interactions presented and group profiles of contribution levels. The research demonstrates what can be achieved using a single overhead sensor method to capture specific behaviours of an individual and their collective impact on a group discussion. It employs computer vision analysis and supervised classification methods to deliver an automated and repeatable approach to studying conversational behaviour.

By the end of preschool, children are moral agents. They hold themselves to the same 'objective' normative standards that they hold others to, and behave and expect others to behave according to these standards. Whenever these standards are not upheld, they experience guilt and expect to see it in others, and during the later preschool years, use their culture's shared hierarchy of values to justify their moral judgements (e.g., ruining another's artwork because "I thought it was mine") and to evaluate the reasons others give for theirs. The focus of the current thesis was twofold; to extent the evidence for preschool children's norm-based, agent-neutral sense of morality, and for their awareness of morally (in)appropriate justifications for moral acts. In the first study, I investigated whether children apply impartial norms to their requests for help. Children aged 3 and 5 made a variety of requests for resources that they either did or did not need from an experimenter who either did or did not need them. Results suggest children of both age groups were slower and more hesitant to make an unjustified request (i.e., the child did not need the sticker, but the experimenter did) than a justified request (i.e., the child needed the sticker, but the experimenter did not). Three-year-olds, and 5-year-olds to a lesser extent, also expressed more negative guilt-like emotion when making unjustified requests as measured through changes in body posture. Five-year-olds, on the other hand, relied more on verbal indirect utterances (e.g., "You've got lovely stickers") as opposed to direct ones (e.g., "Can I have that sticker") when making unjustified requests. Already at age 3, this study shows that preschool children are sensitive to the norms around requesting, and use them to evaluate whether or not their requests are fair to recipients. In the second study, I investigated when moral justifications become necessary. Using a partner-choice paradigm, 4- and 5-year-old children were presented with two transgressors, both of whom caused an intent-based accident (unintended action - unintended outcome) or a belief-based accident (intended action - unintended outcome). Both transgressors later apologised, however one also gave a reason for the hurt caused. The results suggest 5-year-olds, but not 4-year-olds, favoured the reason-giving transgressor when the accidents were belief-based, whereas no preference for either transgressor was found when the accidents were intent-based (meaning an apology was suffice). In a follow-up study, the reason given for the belief-related harm was manipulated. One transgressor gave a 'good' reason, the other gave a 'bad' reason. Five-year-olds reliably distinguished between both reasons and preferred the transgressor with the 'good' reason. Thus, older preschoolers realise that some mistakes need or benefit from 'good' explanations, while others can go without. In the third study, I explored the boundaries of moral justifications. Five- and 6-year-old children witnessed a recurring harm that was caused by an apologetic actor who repeated the same reason after each offence (Same Reason condition), gave different reasons (Different Reason condition), or who was present but not personally responsible for the damage done (Baseline condition). The results suggest children of both ages were most trusting of the actor in the Baseline condition, followed by the Different Reason condition, and least trusting in the Same Reason condition. Both ages were also slower to trust the actor in the Same Reason condition as compared to the other two conditions. Thus, preschool children recognise that different reasons should accompany a repeat of the same harm. This study also shows preschool children extend the use of their culture's ordering of moral values to repeat offences. Together, the present studies suggest that before school entry, children already measure themselves against the same normative standards used to evaluate others. They recognise (in)appropriate justifications for solo and repeat moral offences. And even understand which moral acts warrant further explanation and which do not.

Laparoscopic Surgery (LS) has become an integral part of modern clinical care, due to the vast benefits the surgical technique offers for the patient, healthcare system and surgeons compared to open surgery. In many clinical specialities the gold standard interventional procedure has shifted from open to laparoscopic due these benefits. The major beneficiary of the transition in surgical technique is the patient, as LS generally facilitates shorter hospital stays, a quicker return to work and reduced trauma and scarring. However, an ever-increasing volume of literature reports a plethora of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) or musculoskeletal-related complaints amongst surgeons performing LS. Musculoskeletal disorders have a multifactorial aetiology, especially amongst laparoscopists, with many studies reporting the inherent postural and kinematic requirements of performing LS as major contributors of MSDs. In addition, further investigations suggest that external factors to the surgeon, such as ergonomic design, patient pathology, and high BMI patients are negative impactors on surgeon physical wellbeing. Anecdotally, high BMI patients are reported to have a substantial degrading impact on the ability of a surgeon to perform optimally, however few objective analyses had investigated this issue. To conduct objective analyses involving surgeons, an optimised simulated/dry laboratory setup was assembled in order to induce a genuine performance response from surgeons during laparoscopic procedures. Obese (30 kg/m²) and severely obese (40 kg/m² and 50 kg/m²) patient models were developed from pre-operative patient waist circumference data and a normal BMI model (20 kg/m²) was also created to represent the baseline physical performance of surgeons. Further, a method capable of the objective quantification of human posture and kinematics was identified and validated for use during simulated laparoscopy. Novice, intermediate and expert surgeon posture and kinematics were measured and assessed during simulated laparoscopic training tasks. Surgeon posture was assessed using the postural loading on the upper body assessment (LUBA) which found significant increases in total LUBA score at BMI 50 kg/m² as compared to the baseline 20 kg/m² model. Surgeon kinematics were firstly assessed to identify the translational and rotational derivatives of position that exhibited the most frequent and significant differences between BMI levels. The parameters with the most frequent and significant differences were found at BMI levels of BMI 40 kg/m² and 50 kg/m² as compared to the baseline. Both assessments indicated patients with high BMIs significantly degrade the physical performance of surgeons, which may increase the risk of MSDs. While the use of the ergonomic framework proved to appropriately assess surgeon posture, it was noted that the framework overlooked several key aspects of laparoscopic physical performance, which if considered, could provide a more holistic assessment of surgeons. Some key aspects of physical performance that are overlooked by existing ergonomic frameworks include: the consideration and measurement of the length of time spent in non-neutral posture and objective quantitative definitions for what motion or lack of it constitutes static, repetitive, or uncontrolled anatomical motion. A novel assessment model was developed specifically for the performance of surgeons conducting LS, predicated on key ergonomic principles to consider aspects of physical performance that previous ergonomic frameworks overlooked. These included prolonged non-neutral posture, uncontrolled motion, and objectively implementable quantitative definitions for static and repetitive motion. The model was applied to the acquired LS dataset and found a significant change in the magnitudes in the intermediate sub-group. This result would have otherwise been overlooked by the previous ergonomic analysis. This outcome showed that the inclusion of the additional parameters and the method utilised to combine postural and kinematic variables identified limitations of physical performance that may contribute to MSDs. Finally, a number of areas of this research were identified for future development with discussion on the possible directions for the continuation of this work.

While numerous anthropometric surveys have been conducted to capture anthropometric 3D data of lightly clad individuals (semi-nude) with whole-body scanners, there is a lack of data to characterise individuals encumbered by protective clothing and equipment. The collection of clothed anthropometric data in addition to the semi-nude data allows the relationship between the two to be determined. Adding the offset to the semi-nude database permits estimates of passenger space to be established and statistically valid digital human models of clothed user populations to be developed. The precise replication of postures during the scanning process is a prerequisite for determining the offset between semi-nude and clothed data. To this end, four generations of mechanical positioning aids for the standing and a positioning aid for the seated posture were developed. The overarching objective of the iterative design process was to restrain the individual without compromising data integrity. In two studies utilising a structured light scanner and two different laser scanners it was shown that in the standing posture head, shoulder, arms, hips and feet and in the seated posture head, elbows, arms, hips, knees and feet must be effectively restrained to reduce the mean absolute variability in longitudinal and lateral directions to ≤ 10 mm. Plexiglas tubes and wires below the resolution of the scanners were used as predominant design elements to ensure that they remain invisible on scans. This way, the prerequisite was created to evaluate space claim differences between semi-nude and clothed anthropometric data collected in a study from military personnel. Methodologies for the preparation of the clothed 3D data for analysis were presented, which included the precise alignment of scans as well as the reduction of the data to be analysed without compromising the validity of the results. Furthermore, 1D, 2D and 3D techniques were described for the space claim analysis. Finally, a case study showed, how the data collected in the PhD research and the methods developed for their analysis were applied for the validation of a clothed digital human model. Ultimately, the tools and methods presented in this thesis allow the provision of easy-to-use, clothed data for better workplace design.

Empathy is thought to involve cognitive processes that depend on the simulation of another's experiences. Embodiment has a key role for empathy as vehicle for recreating the experience of another. This thesis explores the validity of this claim by investigating what people do when communicating about their experiences. In particular, what is the contribution of our embodied resources such as gestures, postures and expressions to empathy and intersubjectivity? These questions are explored against two corpora of dyadic interactions. One features conversations of people describing recalled embodied experiences to each other, such as painful or pleasant bodily experiences like a headache or laughing. The other features a series of interactions designed to emulate informal conversations. The analysis uses hand coded gestures, feedback and clari cation questions, body movement data and a new approach to quantifying posture congruence. The analysis shows the embodied responses observed within these interactions are intentionally placed and formulated to facilitate the incremental process of a conversation as a joint activity. This is inconsistent with accounts that propose there is an automatic and non-conscious propensity for people to mimic each other in social interactions. Quantitative analysis show that patterns of gesture type and use, feedback form and posture di er systematically between interlocutors. Additionally, results show that resources provided by embodiment are allocated strategically. Nonverbal contributions increase in frequency and adjust their form responding to problems in conversation such as during clari cation questions and repair. Detailed qualitative analysis shows the instances that appear to display mimicry within the interaction function rather as embodied adaptations or paraphrases. In their contrast with the original contribution they demonstrate a speci c understanding of the type of experience being conveyed. This work shows that embodiment is an important resource for intersubjectivity and embodied communication is speci cally constructed to aid the collaborative, sequential and intersubjective progression of dialogue.

Based on the belief that it is a locomotor control structure, the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPTg) has been considered a potential target for deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with symptoms refractory to medication and/or stimulation of established target sites. To date, a number of patients have been implanted with PPTg electrodes with mostly disappointing results. Exact target site in PPTg, possible mechanisms of PPTg-DBS and likely potential benefits need to be systematically explored before consideration of further clinical application. The research described here approaches these questions by (i) investigating the role of the PPTg in gait per se; (ii) developing a refined model of PD that mimics the underlying pathophysiology by including partial loss of the PPTg itself; (iii) adapting a wireless device to let rats move freely while receiving DBS; and (iv) investigating the effect of DBS at different sites in the PPTg on gait and posture in the traditional and refined model of PD. Underlining the concern that understanding the PPTg as a locomotor control structure is inadequate, the experiments showed that neither partial nor complete lesions of PPTg caused gait deficits. The refined model showed hardly any differences compared to the standard one, but the effect of DBS in each was very different, highlighting the need to take degeneration in the PPTg into consideration when investigating it as a DBS target. The differential results of anterior and posterior PPTg-DBS show the critical importance of intra-PPTg DBS location: Anterior PPTg electrodes caused severe freezing and worsened gait while some gait parameters improved with stimulation of posterior PPTg. The results suggest mechanisms of PPTg-DBS beyond the proposed activation of over-inhibited PPTg neurons, including aggravation of already dysfunctional inhibitory input by anterior PPTg-DBS and activation of ascending projections from posterior PPTg to the forebrain.

Empirical knowledge is lacking on reclined seating postures. To unify such data, a biomechanical model is needed that accurately predicts posture, the relative position of the pelvis, the point of load transfer to the seat, internal and external forces, and the motion paths of the support surfaces. The overall aim of this investigation was, therefore, to create and validate a biomechanical model of reclined seating postures, and to evaluate in vivo measured and predicted data. A two-dimensional biomechanical model was developed, validated and applied. A comprehensive set of biomechanical data was collected from fifteen gender and age diverse subjects to examine the foundational principles for reclined seating ergonomics. The model agreed with 98.8% of measured data on posture across the seated test conditions. There was a significant relationship between modelled and measured force (p < .001, r = .92), which improved after normalisation (p < .001, r = .97) with an 8% full scale error. The model was robust across height and gender. Significant differences in interface pressure (peak pressure, average pressure and area), stature, back muscle activity and spinal curvature were found between all of the seated test postures. Significant relationships were found between the model predictions and all of the experimental data. This research is unique in creating a framework around reclined seating postures which connects previously disparate areas of seating research. The biomechanical model, experimental results, and theories developed from this research have potential implications in research, and design, for applications including backcare chairs, seating for long-term care and patients with neuromotor deficits, wheelchairs and airline seating. Furthermore, this study exists at the interface of anthropometric and biomechanical modelling, and therefore may have cross over potential to digital humans, where their integration with biomechanical models is at the cutting edge of the field.

Elements of an individuals occupational exposure, such as their posture can affect their comfort during work, and also their long term musculoskeletal health. Knowledge as to the extent of the influence of particular aspects of the exposures can help in providing guidance on risk evaluation, and direct future technical design focus. In many situations the exposures interact, and even if the effects of individual exposures are understood, the interactions are often less so. This is certainly the case with off-road driving exposures. Specific investigations have focussed on the effects of vibration exposure, resulting in the development of international standards and guidelines on measurement and evaluation of exposure. Consideration of the posture of the operator can be accomplished through postural assessment tools, although none of the currently available methods are developed specifically for use within a vehicle environment. The issues of both the posture of the operator and the seated vibration exposure are particularly apparent in off-road agricultural driving environments, where the driving task dictates that operator is often required to maintain specific postures whilst also exposed to whole-body vibration. In agriculture, many of the tasks require the operator to maintain axially rotated postures to complete the task effectively. The analysis of the combined effects of the axial rotation of the operator and the whole-body vibration exposure has been limited to a few studies within the literature, and is currently poorly understood. The overall aim of the thesis was to assess the influence of axial rotation and whole-body vibration on the musculoskeletal discomfort of the neck and trunk, in order that the true extent of the exposure risk may be evaluated. A field study was conducted to determine the common characteristics of some typical exposures, to provide a basis for the laboratory studies. A survey of expert opinion was conducted, examining the knowledge and experience of experts in assessing the relative influence of axial rotation and whole-body vibration on operators musculoskeletal health. The main investigations of the thesis are focussed in the laboratory, where the objective and subjective effects of axial rotation (static and dynamic) and whole-body vibration were investigated. Objective measures included the investigation of muscular fatigue in response to exposures. The tasks investigated in the field study indicated that the exposures often exceed the EU Physical Agents Exposure Limit Value, and that the axial rotation is a large component of the postures required. The survey of expert opinion concluded that combined exposure to axial rotation and whole-body vibration would increase the risks of lower back pain, and that acknowledgement of combined exposures should be included when assessing for risk. The results of the laboratory studies indicated that the greatest discomfort was present when subjects were exposed to axial rotation in the neck and shoulders. Out of the 8 muscles investigated, at most 6 of the 8 indicated fatigue during an experimental exposure. The muscle group which was affected most by the exposures was the m. trapezius pars decendens. Findings demonstrated that when subjects were exposed to axial rotation and whole-body vibration they indicated discomfort and their muscles fatigued. However, there was poor correlation between the sites of discomfort and the location of muscular fatigue. The discomfort findings suggest that there is an increased risk of discomfort from experiencing axial rotation together with whole-body vibration. Investigations of muscular fatigue do not substantiate this finding.

Respiratory muscle training (RMT) has been shown to improve exercise tolerance during a wide range of exercise modalities and durations of activity (McConnell & Romer, 2004b). However, there is a limited amount of research characterising the influence of RMT in specific athletic populations, or examining any sport-specific factors that may influence the benefits of RMT. Hence, the purpose of this dissertation was to evaluate the application of RMT in competitive rowers and to explore methods of optimising this to rowing. Results: Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) increased inspiratory muscle strength (~20-29%; p < 0.05) and attenuated inspiratory muscle fatigue (~8-28%; p < 0.05) during time trial performance in club-level and elite rowers. However, only in the club-level oarsmen was IMT associated with a measurable improvement in rowing performance (2.7% increase in mean power; p < 0.05). Expiratory muscle training (EMT) provided no ergogenic effect, and concurrent EMT and IMT did not enhance performance above that seen with IMT alone. IMT loads performed at 60-70% of maximal inspiratory mouth pressure (PImax) were equivalent to the widely used 30 repetition maximum, which is higher than reported for non-rowers (Caine & McConnell, 1998a); further, a load of 60% PImax was sufficient to activate the inspiratory muscle metaboreflex, as evidenced by a time-dependent rise in heart rate (70.1 ± 13.2 to 98.0 ± 22.8 bpm; p < 0.05) and mean arterial blood pressure (92.4 ± 8.5 to 99.7 ± 10.1 mmHg; p < 0.05). Higher and lower inspiratory loads did not activate the metaboreflex. Assessments of flow, pressure and volume in rowing relevant postures revealed no significant impairments, but optimal function occurred in the most upright postures. Conclusions: These data support the application of IMT, but not EMT, in elite and sub-elite rowers, and suggest that a load of 60-70% of PImax provides metaboreflex activation during loading. Further, the data do not support a requirement to undertake IMT in rowing relevant postures.

Volume overload is a common feature in patients on haemodialysis (HD). This contributes significantly to the cardiovascular disease burden seen in these patients. Clinical assessments of the volume state are often inaccurate. Techniques such as interdialytic blood pressure, relative blood volume monitoring, bioimpedance are available to improve clinical effectives. However all these techniques exhibit significant shortcomings in their accuracy, reliability and applicability at the bed side. We evaluated the usefulness of a dual compartment monitoring technique using Continuous Segmental Bioimpedance Spectroscopy (CSBIS) and Relative Blood Volume (RBV) as a tool to assess hydration status and determine dry weight. We also sought to evaluate the role of Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP) and B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) as a volume marker in dialysis patients. The Retrospective analysis of a historical cohort (n = 376, 55 Diabetic) showed a significant reduction in post-dialysis weights in the first three months of dialysis (72.5 to 70kg, p<0.027) with a non-significant increase in weight between months 6-12. The use of anti-hypertensive agents reduced insignificantly in the first 3 months, increased marginally between months 3-6 and significantly increased over the subsequent 6 months. The residual urea clearance (KRU) fell and dialysis times increased. The cohort was very different to that dialysing at Tassin and showed a dissociation between weight reduction and BP control. This may relate to occult volume overload. CSBIS-RBV monitoring in 9 patients with pulse ultrafiltration (pulse UF) showed distinct reproducible patterns relating to extra cellular fluid (ECF) and RBV rebound. An empirical Refill Ratio was then used to define the patterns of change and this was related to the state of their hydration. A value closer to unity was consistent with the attainment of best achievable target weight. The refill ratio fell significantly between the first (earlier) and third (last) rebound phase (1.97 ± 0.92 vs 1.32 ± 0.2). CSBIS monitoring was then carried out in 31 subjects, whilst varying dialysate composition, temperature and patient posture to analyse the effects of these changes on the ECF trace and to ascertain whether any of these interventions can trigger a change in the slope of the ECF trace distinct to that caused by UF. Only, isovolemic HD caused a change in both RBV and ECF in some patients that was explained by volume re-distribution due to gravitational shifts, poor vascular reactivity, sodium gradient between plasma and dialysate and the use of vasodilating antihypertensive agents. This has not been described previously. These will need to be explored further. The study did demonstrate a significant lack of comparability of absolute values of RECF between dialysis sessions even in the same patient. This too has not been described previously. This is likely to be due to subtle changes in fluid distribution between compartments. Therefore a relative changes must be studied. This sensitivity to subtle changes may increase the usefulness of the technique for ECF tracking through dialysis. The potential of dual compartment monitoring to track volume changes in real time was further explored in 29 patients of whom 21 achieved weight reductions and were able to be restudied. The Refill Ratio decreased significantly in the 21 patients who had their dry weights reduced by 0.95 ± 1.13 kg (1.41 ± 0.25 vs 1.25 ± 0.31). Blood pressure changes did not reach statistical significance. The technique was then used to examine differences in vascular refill between a 36oC and isothermic dialysis session in 20 stable prevalent patients. Pulse UF was carried out in both these sessions. There were no significant differences in Refill Ratios, energy removed and blood pressure response between the two sessions. The core temperature (CT) of these patients was close to 36oC and administering isothermic HD did not confer any additional benefit. Mean BNP levels in 12 patients during isovolemic HD and HD with UF did not relate to volume changes. ANP concentrations fell during a dialysis session in 11 patients from a mean 249 ± 143 pg/ml (mean ± SD) at the start of dialysis to 77 ± 65 pg/ml at the end of the session (p<0.001). During isolated UF levels did not change but fell in the ensuing sham phase indicating a time lag between volume loss and decreased generation. (136±99 pg/ml to 101±77.2 pg/ml; p<0.02) In a subsequent study ANP concentrations were measured throughout dialysis and in the post-HD period for 2 hours. A rebound in ANP concentration was observed occurring at around 90 min post-HD. The degree of this rebound may reflect the prevailing fluid state and merit further study. We have shown the utility of dual compartment monitoring with CSBIS-RBV technique and its potential in assessing volume changes in real time in haemodialysis patients. We have also shown the potential of ANP as an independent marker of volume status in the same setting. Both these techniques merit further study.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and DBS of the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) have been shown to be effective surgical therapies for Parkinson’s disease (PD). To better understand the PPN and STN as DBS targets for PD, this research compares the anatomy, electrophysiology, and motor control roles of these nuclei. PPN and STN connections were examined in vivo in human subjects and in the non-human primate using probabilistic diffusion tractography. Both the PPN and STN were connected with each other and with the motor cortex (M1) and basal ganglia. After studying these anatomical connections in primates, their functional significance was further explored in an anesthetized rat model of PD. Examination of the electrophysiological relationship between the PPN and basal ganglia in the presence of slow cortical oscillatory activity suggested that excitatory input from the STN may normally modulate PPN spike timing but that inhibitory oscillatory input from the basal ganglia output nuclei has a greater effect on PPN spike timing in the parkinsonian brain. To examine transmission and modulation of oscillatory activity between these structures at higher frequencies, LFP activity was recorded from the PPN and STN in PD patients performing simple voluntary movements. Movement-related modulation of oscillatory activity predominantly occurred in the α (8-12 Hz) and low β (12-20 Hz) frequencies in the STN but in the high β (20-35 Hz) frequencies in the PPN, supporting observations from rodent studies suggesting that oscillatory activity is not directly transmitted from the STN to the PPN in PD. Finally, to better understand the roles of the STN and PPN in large-scale movement, the effects of STN and PPN DBS on gait abnormalities in PD patients were studied. DBS of the STN appeared to improve gait by optimising executive gait control while DBS of the PPN appeared to restore autonomic gait control. These results have several implications for DBS patient selection, surgical targeting, and for understanding the mechanisms underlying DBS efficacy.

Recent studies have established many of the dynamic properties of the seated human at specific vibration magnitudes. Fairley and Griffin (1989) proposed a linear single degree-of-freedom model of the mechanical driving point impedance of the seated body based on measurements of 60 subjects at 1.0 ms⁻² r.m.s. Current international standards (e.g. ISO 5982, 1981; ISO 7962, 1987) also define linear models of the biodynamic response of the seated body. Although previously reported data give some insight into the dynamics of the body, this thesis presents data which show that the body responds as a non-linear system. Preliminary studies and a series of five main experiments have shown non-linearities in apparent mass, absorbed power and transmissibility for seated human subjects. The first experiment investigated the effect of vibration magnitude on the apparent mass and transmissibility of the seated body. The apparent mass resonance frequency decreased from abut 5.5 Hz to 4.5 Hz when vibration magnitudes were increased from 0.25 to 2.5 ms⁻² r.m.s. Similarly, the resonance frequencies of the seat-to-abdominal wall, seat-to-spine and seat-to-pelvis transmissibilities reduced with increases in vibration magnitude. A second experiment studied the effects of vibration duration and vibration magnitude on the apparent mass of the body. The response of the body was not dependent on vibration duration or the magnitude or previous vibration exposures. Experiment three showed that changing the posture of subjects did not significantly change the resonance frequency or the non-linearity in the apparent mass. The frequency of the peak in the apparent mass reduced with increases in vibration magnitude for all postures. Likewise, the peak in the seat vertical to pelvis pitch transmissibility occurred at a lower frequency for higher vibration magnitudes. A fourth experiment used sinusoidal motion to show non-linearities in the acceleration waveform at the pelvis and in the driving point force response. Distortion in the waveform was shown to be greatest at resonance and to increase with vibration magnitude. The fifth experiment investigated the effect of vibration spectrum on the apparent mass of seated subjects. The apparent mass peak frequency reduced with increased acceleration magnitude, regardless of whether the vibration spectrum changed at low or high frequencies. Measurements of the power absorbed by the seated body when exposed to vibration showed a peak at 5.9 Hz when measured using vibration at 0.25 ms⁻² r.m.s. The median frequency of the peak reduced with increased vibration magnitude to 4.5 Hz at 2.5 ms⁻² r.m.s.

Of all children in the US born with Cerebral Palsy (CP), 30-40% of them will be diagnosed with Hemiplegic CP (HCP), presenting with one side of the body weaker than the other. The resulting asymmetries impede the ability of children with HCP to distribute weight evenly between their lower limbs. This often contributes to poor postural control and 'favoring' of their uninvolved side for stability during balance and gait. Much is still unknown about the biomechanical characteristics of asymmetry in the lower limbs. There are a few previous research studies completed in biomechanics labs that highlight some gaps in knowledge regarding our understanding of posture and balance in this population of children, but the availability of clinical assessments that help inform the implementation and impact of treatment targets for posture and balance are sparse. This dissertation showcases two independent studies aimed at some of the gaps in knowledge for posture and balance in children with HCP. The first study in this dissertation presents and tests the reliability when a clinical measure, the Posture and Postural Ability Scale (PPAS) was modified for use in children with HCP going through a therapeutic process. The PPAS was originally developed and tested with adults in controlled settings, often with individuals being placed in postures for examination. For the study presented here, modifications focused on scoring postures when children with HCP naturally assumed various sitting and standing postures during treatment. Researchers and an experienced therapist video-coded the modified PPAS. Intrarater and interrater reliability was calculated via Cohen's kappa, percent agreement and Intraclass Correlation Coefficients. Although reliability amongst and between researchers were weak (kappas < 0.7), videos were successfully scored, demonstrating the tool is feasible. In addition, some high levels of intrarater reliability was obtained by a more experienced clinician. Suggestive that this modified PPAS could serve as a potential tool for qualified clinicians to collect meaningful posture and postural control data. The second study addressed a specific gap in knowledge about the characteristics of gait anticipation (GA, i.e., expectation of initiating a step) in children with HCP on balance. Balance and limb symmetry metrics were compared during standing in three children with HCP and typically developing (TD) peers that were matched by age and sex, alongside a third (independent) sample of 12 unmatched TD children. Motion capture analysis and force plate technology were utilized to record and follow how center of pressure (COP) and center of mass (COM) move during quiet standing (without anticipating gait) and standing with GA. This study applied a Symmetry Index (SI) to COP displacement and COP velocity allowing for quantification of asymmetries between the lower limbs during standing with and without the anticipation of gait. Children completed multiple standing trials where they were ask to stand for 35 seconds (5 seconds to obtain balance and 30 seconds of data collection). Standing trials, involved sets where children were instructed that they would not walk forward and GA trials where they were asked to stand knowing that a light would indicate they should walk forward. The light also indicated which limb (i.e. right or left) the child should step forward with first. Limb designation for stepping forward was randomly generated. Data was examined across and within (15 second blocks) 30 seconds of standing. We had the following hypotheses: 1) GA would increase COP displacement and COP velocity for children with HCP greater than TD peers who would have no change; 2) children with HCP would have different levels of symmetry between the lower limbs when expecting to walk than TD peers; and 3) children with HCP would have different reaction times based on the limb (i.e., involved versus uninvolved) they were asked to start walking with. The HCP group showed the largest increase in COP displacement when comparing standing with no expectation of walking where they had an average of 22.0 ± 10.0 mm over 30 seconds of standing to an average of 24.5 ±9.90mm during GA. The matched group average was 11.3 ±8.87mm with no expectation of walking and 4.6 ±12.6mm with GA. The TD group's COP displacement remained relatively similar with an average of 8.04 ±6.40mm during when not expecting to walk and an average of 8.29 ±6.70mm with GA. Similar increases were seen for COP velocity. Comparisons for symmetry between limbs showed that COP was displaced more underneath the uninvolved side (first 15s was 79.52%) for children with HCP, and that COP displacement asymmetry switched to become larger underneath the involved side over time (the latter 15s was -82.81%) when there was no expectation for walking. This was inverted during GA, where children with HCP initially had more COP displacement on the involved side (-72.68%) and transitioned to higher levels on the uninvolved side (99.66%) as they prepared for gait initiation. Children with HCP took 0.2 seconds longer to initiate gait with their uninvolved (not preferred) side and also took twice as long to initiate gait overall in comparison to TD peers. Our data suggests that our listed hypotheses may be correct. However, this study has limitations to sample size, demographics and biomechanical metrics. Future studies should replicate these findings and include larger, more diverse samples with further metrics such as load. If findings are confirmed, this data suggests that therapies should consider that children with HCP might change postural strategies during standing when they are anticipating walking forward in comparison to simply standing in place. This dissertation seeks to set a foundation for collaborations between biomechanists and therapists alike, potentially highlighting novel opportunities to develop more innovative treatment options for children with HCP.

Despite advances in our understanding and management of spinal cord injuries (SCI), less than 1% of individuals completely recover by hospital discharge. Restoration of voluntary motor function remains one of the most desired therapeutic outcomes for individuals with these injuries. Brain-machine interfaces (BMI) have been shown to decode neural signals about movement intention and use these signals to control an external device (e.g., a cursor). Since neuronal circuitry remains largely preserved in the spinal cord distal to the injury, using decoded neural signals to control stimulation of the spinal cord itself could allow paralyzed individuals to produce self-directed movements. While the majority of lower limb BMI research has focused on restoring rhythmic locomotor movement patterns and has garnered success as it translates to human clinical trials and device development, all of these approaches have failed to generate completely independent movement in part due to an ability to restore postural stability. Compromised postural control notably increases risks of falls, carrying additional personal physical and financial burden. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a BMI to restore this critical aspect of lower limb function after SCI. The long-term goal of this work is to develop neuroprosthetic interventions to improve motor function and improve quality of life for individuals with debilitating neurological conditions. The aims of this project specifically were to understand (1) how the cortex – the most ubiquitously used signals in neuroprosthetics – encodes for postural control, (2) the extent to which this information can be decoded to inform BMI design, and, most importantly, (3) whether or not this remains true after traumatic spinal cord injury. We demonstrate that neurons across the sensory and motor cortex convey significant information about postural perturbations, even after two different models of spinal cord injury (moderate contusion and complete transection). This information is encoded in parallel streams by speed-scaling and direction-dependent neural responses. Ground reaction forces, notably those most altered by mediolateral shifts in center of pressure, can be decoded based on the latent dynamics of the motor cortex, with different perturbation directions requiring unique computations that can be scaled with perturbation speed. After injury, the responsiveness of individual neurons to perturbations and the information conveyed by the neurons that respond is attenuated but remains significantly above chance (and can be further enhanced with physical rehabilitation); however, as a population, cortical dynamics are largely preserved. Thus, the cortex, which is already a target in multiple brain-machine interface trials, should be considered as a control signal for a postural neuroprosthetic.

Degree of hand preference is a robust indication of corpus callosum size, with individuals whose hand preference varies (called inconsistent-handers, or ICHs)typically having larger corpora callosa than individuals that prefer to use the same hand for most or all tasks (called consistent-handers, or CHs).A larger corpus callosum gives ICHs advantages on tasks that require the integration of information between the two hemispheres of the brain but is detrimental to their performance on tasks that require separation between the hemispheres. Thus, degree of hand preference is a trait variable that can explain individual differences in cognition. One’s bodily posture affects cerebral activation, thereby producing cognitive changes as well. Cerebral activation largely favors the left hemisphere when seated; when standing, though, cerebral activity becomes more symmetrical and increases overall. Standing generally facilitates performance on tasks that require access to right-hemisphere processes or integration of information between the hemispheres. The present research aimed to examine the individual and interactive effects of handedness ad bodily posture on cognitive flexibility. In Experiments 1 and 2, participants were assigned to either sit or stand while performing tasks intended to measure cognitive flexibility. In Experiment 1, participants were presented with several ambiguous images and clicked the screen each time their perception of the image changed. In Experiment 2,participants read either a strong or weak argument in favor of comprehensive senior exit exams. No significant effects of handedness of posture emerged. Methodological considerations and limitations are discussed.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating condition often resulting in motor deficits and loss of tactile sensation below the injury. The brain needs to relearn strategies to regain motor control after SCI. This ability of the brain to adapt after injury/rehabilitation is defined as neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity in the motor cortex (M1) required to gain cortical control of trunk muscles below the injury level is not well understood after a clinically relevant incomplete mid-thoracic spinal contusion injury. After an incomplete SCI, there is a substantial spontaneous recovery of function that can be further facilitated by physical rehabilitation. The difference in cortical neuroplasticity associated with rehabilitation-assisted recovery and spontaneous recovery of function is unknown. This thesis aimed to understand whether neuroplasticity in trunk M1 after rehabilitation is a mere enhancement of the learning strategy adopted by the cortex during spontaneous recovery or whether they represent a different strategy to regain control of muscle groups below the level of the lesion. Regions within trunk M1 that control lower thoracic trunk muscle (LTM1) were specialized in the neuronal encoding of posture in intact animals. After an incomplete mid-thoracic spinal contusion injury, the network and cellular neuroplasticity in trunk M1 differed between animals that received physical rehabilitation and animals that spontaneously recovered. In animals that received the therapy, the lower thoracic trunk motor cortex (LTM1) maintained some control of trunk muscles below the injury, in addition to recruiting trunk muscles at/above the level of injury. Exercise therapy also prevented the degradation of neuronal responsiveness in the reorganized cortex to unexpected postural perturbation as well as during treadmill locomotion. This knowledge can help design activity-based therapy paradigms that improve cortical plasticity in the LTM1, relevant for postural control.

Injuries related to falling occur with high frequency and severity in geriatric individuals as well as those medically impaired by neuromuscular diseases (such as Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, concussions, etc.). It has been shown that modeling a human's postural standing position as an inverted pendulum with a continuous feedback loop and analyzing an individual's center of pressure location during quiet standing can provide insight into stability states through topological data analysis. This stability state then offers information on the healthiness of an individual signal. However, only synthetically created signals derived from the model itself have undergone state classification. This thesis investigated different models of human balance by analyzing their similarities with experimental data using topological data analysis. The objective of this thesis was to competitively iterate through model types and variations to convincingly support a superior model type for use in future stability state classification research and studies.

Balance is a common term that is usually represented as the center of pressure (COP) for standing balance. With increasing age, adults begin to show more postural sway, which can be a marker for higher risk of falls. Among those with balance issues, challenging environments can increase this risk. Challenges can occur because of difficult terrain, dynamic perturbations, and visual stimuli. As challenging environments are difficult to replicate experimentally, this study investigates balance response to different environments using Virtual Reality (VR). This study seeks to characterize differences in standing balance response between age groups, determine which VR environments (VRE) elicit the greatest postural responses, and justify the safety of VR. The VREs used were selected for the variety of individual postural responses that they could elicit. The study uses force plate data to assess center of pressure metrics of standard deviation, range, and frequency power. This study uses motion capture data to assess segment and marker-based measures of standard deviation, range, and total path length. Healthy adult participants were grouped into age brackets of Young (n=15, 19.8±0.7), Middle (n=14, 47.3±9.9), and Older (n=8, 68±5.8). The participants performed a standing balance task for seven randomized VREs, each a duration of sixty seconds, and baseline Eyes Open and Eyes Closed before and after VR exposure. The VREs used were a mix of dynamic/static virtual platforms and dynamic/static visuals. Body segment motion was recorded with motion capture markers and accelerometers. Two different marker approaches for the motion capture was used (single marker and segment) to accurately track the body segments. The Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) was used to determine the power of frequency contributions to postural sway response in different frequency bands associated with different sensory systems (0-0.3 Hz for visual system, 0.3-1 Hz for vestibular system, and 1-3 Hz for proprioceptive system).When comparing baseline Eyes Open to VRE, age group was a significant factor in the frequency power in the medial-lateral plane Middle band and COP path length assessments. Generally, Middle group had the least amount of sway, then Young group, followed by Older group. Frequency power in the Low and Middle bands and segment path length demonstrated increased postural sway responses for environments with dynamic visuals and platforms. Both marker approaches were consistent but with the Power value just over 0.7 suggests more subjects are needed. Exposure to dynamic environments in VR, specifically Train or Boat Day, may benefit individuals with balance impairments by providing safe conditions under which to practice balance responses. Overall, frequency power results suggest underlying reweighting of sensory inputs under dynamic VRE conditions with increased weighting of the vestibular system and decreased weighting of the visual system. This study has also confirmed that short exposure to a headset-based VR is safe and can be an effective tool to evaluate standing balance. The results from this study can be used as age-matched healthy data for other populations. For these impaired populations, exposure to VRE may serve as a therapeutic tool to quantify and practice balance and to improve overall quality of life.

Workplace conditions (pipe height and gas density), anthropometric variability (worker height), and task orientation (worker posture) in petroleum refining can influence the concentration of chemicals measured in the breathing zone of workers. Consideration of these factors while performing qualitative risk assessment is essential for occupational hygienists to accurately estimate exposure and prioritize assessment and mitigation resources. This study aimed to characterize the impact of these factors by simulating a routine operations task in a laboratory setting, at a predetermined flow rate, using full body mannequins. The results of the analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc Tukey tests indicate that all tested independent variables have a significant impact on the level of gas measured in the breathing zone (p < 0.001). Pipe height was a significant predictor of gas concentration measured in the breathing zone and correlated to the emission pathway for each evaluated gas density. Specifically, measurements of chemical concentration were higher for pipe heights that encouraged the gas to enter the breathing zone of the worker. Worker anthropometry was a significant predictor of gas concentration measured in the breathing zone and results varied for each gas density tested. Specifically, the tall worker (male) chemical concentrations exceeded those of the short worker (female) for methane simulations. Conversely, the short worker (female) chemical concentrations exceeded those of the tall worker (male) for sulfur hexafluoride simulations. This variance is primarily attributable to the vertical and horizontal position of each mannequin’s breathing zone relative to the emission source for exposure events. Worker posture was a significant predictor of gas concentration measured in the breathing zone and the results of this study demonstrate that non-neutral postures may be associated with higher levels of chemical concentration for these sorts of manual tasks. The findings of this study indicate that qualitative risk assessment cannot be performed accurately without accounting for all variables that may impact a worker’s exposure. Failure to account for these variables may result in worker exposure being severely over or underestimated.

Following a lateral ankle sprain, mechanoreceptor damage within lateral ankle ligaments is theorised to contribute to observed balance, proprioceptive, and reaction time deficits. Such sensorimotor deficits are also known characteristics of chronic ankle instability (CAI), which is linked to recurrent ankle injury and early onset osteoarthritis. The significance of mechanoreceptor damage is unclear as a multitude of alternate sensory sources are capable of contributing to postural control and, despite increased postural sway or anesthetisation of lateral ligaments, individuals are able to maintain balancing postures following an ankle sprain. Early research has hypothesised that the central nervous system is capable of compensating for reduced mechanoreceptor feedback by up-regulating sensory information from alternate sources to generate sufficient information for effective motor drive and to maintain posture.The purpose of this thesis was to examine spinal-level sensorimotor integration: reflex excitability and inhibition in those with CAI, compared to copers and healthy controls. This thesis contains a series of investigations designed to examine changes in spinal excitability, using novel techniques, and its contribution to aberrant control of human movement in those with CAI.

Falls are the most common cause of injury in older adults. Around one-third of senior citizens (aged 65 or over) experience at least one fall per year, and the frequency increases by 66 percent for those aged over 85 years. Nowadays wearable systems are gaining popularity to perform fall risk assessments and investigating fall events in natural environments. However all commercially existing systems are expensive, thus there is paucity of knowledge to develop and validate inexpensive wearable systems for fall risk assessment in older adults. An early risk of fall assessment could help health care professionals to intervene earlier. This study investigates the processes involved with designing an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) including the rational behind the choice of parts and assembly of the board. The final sensor developed (Mini-Logger) was validated for sway acquisition in laboratory setting. Further the novel sensor was tested on healthy adults for its sensitivity with postural sway at 12 different standing conditions. The results from this study could help in development of inexpensive wearable systems which could identify older individuals at risk of falling for proactive fall prevention. Thus reduction in falls will improve the quality of life of older adults and thereby reduce healthcare costs.

Purpose: The purpose of this pilot study is to measure the effect of chronic heat on postural balance characteristics and decision making by comparing firefighters with a long work experience to firefighters who have a much shorter work experience, in terms of years. Methods: Eight fulltime, male firefighters (33.92 years old ± 1.51) participated in this study. Firefighters perceived judgement of others’ fall risk was assessed while undergoing a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) as they viewed actors in various states of imbalance while walking or standing still. Firefighter’s postural balance was assessed with a wearable, inertial sensor system quantifying spatiotemporal parameters of gait as well as angular velocity, angular displacement, and angular acceleration for phase plane analysis along the medial-lateral (ML) and anterior-posterior (AP) planes. Participants performed static tests while on a force platform to assess these parameters during one-and two-feet balance tests with eyes open and closed. An instrumented timed up and go test (iTUG) was performed to assess dynamic parameters of gait and phase plane analysis. Firefighters perceived judgement of their own fall risk was determined during static and dynamic testing.Results: Firefighters were divided into two groups to compare firefighters with less than 8 years of work experience [Group 1: (3.00 years ± 2.83)] to firefighters with greater than 8 years [Group 2: (13.92 years ± 2.62)]. Between variance of double stance times during dual task was statistically significant (p = 0.013) between Group 1 (5.19e-04 ± (3.36e-04) and Group 2 (4.36e-3 ± (2.50e-03)). Firefighters who have worked more years (Group 2) have a larger variability between trials for the amount of time they have both feet on the ground during the double stance gait cycle. Significant associations (p-values ranging between 0.018 and 0.061) were found between gait dual task objective variables and gait PSPSI analysis, but not with respect to group. No significant correlations (p-values ranging between 0.165 and 0.980) were found between perceived judgement (as measured by PSPSI metric) of fall risk and history of firefighting. Significant associations (p-values ranging between 0.000173 and 0.100) were found between the two groups for static and dynamic postural balance. Postural sway analysis determined a significant increase in variance (p = 0.000173) along the AP plane for Group 1 firefighters (40.29 ± (1.32)) with less years of work experience in comparison with Group 2 (11.36 ± (7.83)). Variability may indicate central nervous system (CNS) impairments; however, a small sample size may be a contributing factor. Conclusions: Greater double stance variability during dynamic task for firefighters with more years worked may be due to underlying CNS impairments affecting postural stability. Nearly all firefighters portrayed similar concordance when comparing how they perceived fall risk of others revealing the number of years worked as a firefighter had no effect on their perception of fall risk. A consensus model was created from these curves to express a gold standard of perception to be used for future studies. Gait and postural sway results were inconclusive due to small sample size. Future studies are recommended.

This dissertation investigates the cultural influences between the so-called East and the West through the harem and the boudoir. This research is the first of its kind to explore the influence of the harem on the development of boudoirs in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries through the analysis and synthesis of historical accounts of these spaces. The staple ingredient of the French Rococo period (1723-74), the pursuit of pleasure and happiness, produced spaces and furniture with an unprecedented attention to bodily comfort. In addition to Ottoman-inspired furniture pieces such as sopha, divan, lit a la Turque (Turkish bed), lit de repos a la Turque (Turkish bed of rest), canape a la Turque (Turkish couch), veilleuse a la Turque (Turkish sofa), veilleuse a la Ottomanne (Ottoman sofa), and ottomanne (ottoman) to be used in a chamber a la Turque (Turkish room) or elsewhere, there was one space every modern eighteenth-century upper-class woman needed: the boudoir. The boudoir was an exclusive space for females, informed by the late eighteenth and nineteenth-century Western fascination with Orientalism. Encapsulating the experience of colonialism, the boudoir became the site for both the repression and reconciliation of gender roles and biases. Furthermore, the eighteenth-century boudoir was a space where modernization of the interior was underway due to the level of informality, personal privacy, and bodily comfort it afforded to its users. Although both the boudoir and the harem were feminine spaces, men authored most of the primary sources on them.When the aristocratic boudoir reemerged in the more bourgeois nineteenth-century, it also marked the highpoint of paintings depicting bourgeois boudoirs both fictional and authentic. The boudoir genre paintings exposed the awkwardness and the ironies of female bodies disciplined by corsets and placed on soft, Eastern-inspired furniture pieces. The nineteenth-century Anglo-American revival of the boudoir embraced Victorian ideals. Another extraordinary development was the adoption of the boudoir as “budvar” in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries in the Ottoman Empire. Embellished with Victorian ideals, the re-envisioned boudoir as an active feminine space to manage the household, read, and mother the children was the perfect fit. The adoption of the budvar, in order to replace the traditional harem, became a means to empower modern Ottoman women. This study will thus focus on women, they became agents of reciprocal cultural exchange. The body and the dress was at the center of this exchange. The dress manipulates our sensual relationship to space and furniture as it conceals and reveals parts of our skin. One’s ability to move or restriction of them correlates directly to how the dress envelopes the body. The dress physically determines our pace, movement, and posture, hence our relationship to the furniture pieces we use. The history of the boudoir and the budvar will be complete only with the inclusion of the body and the dress, which envelops it. This study will utilize the dress and the body as a common thread to tie together the history of the harem, the boudoir and the budvar.

Correct posture is identified as a crucial aspect of healthy bodily functioning. The scientific community continues to discover evidence suggesting that improper sitting and standing posture results in musculoskeletal pain, degradation of ligaments, hindered respiratory functioning, and even increased feelings of negative emotions such as anxiety and depression. Whether due to limited physical capabilities, a lack of knowledge regarding the importance of physical posture, or other reasons, much of the general population consistently partakes in improper posture for increasing bouts of time despite the research. Technological advancements in particular seem to be exacerbating the situation, with the youngest and most tech-savvy generation being at the greatest risk for the negative consequences improper posture yields.

Previous investigations have shown that musculoskeletal injuries among Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers are prevalent. A combination of awkward postures, high force demands, and environmental factors increase the physical demands in EMS tasks and the risk of injury. This study was designed to evaluate whether the postures and biomechanical loads experienced when raising a patient from the supine posture to the upright sitting posture (raising task) could be reduced through the use of an ergonomic intervention, specifically, the use of a strap, placed under the patient’s torso, and long enough that emergency medical service (EMS) providers can perform the patient raising task in an upright standing posture. In this study, 15 participants performed this raising task with the strap or using a traditional method (without the strap) wherein the EMS provider grasps the patient’s shoulder. These tasks were performed in an open area, a restricted space simulating a hallway setting, and in a bathtub. Torso and knee postures, along with EMG data from the back and arms were collected and analyzed. Analysis of postural data implied a significant amelioration of postural concerns. The muscle activation increased in the biceps muscle with the strap compared to the traditional method, while the EMG response from the latissimus dorsi muscle was reduced when the strap was used. However, the EMG activity of the erector spinae muscle increased when the strap was used, possibly to the flexion relaxation phenomenon and the associated loading of passive tissues due to the extreme torso flexion observed when using the traditional method. Perceived effort assessments found that most participants thought it was at least a little easier to perform the tasks with the strap within each environmental setting. Therefore, the intervention of using a strap in the raising task could be recommended to the EMS providers.

Research in emotional aging has primarily investigated mechanisms that could explain the age-related increase in positive emotionality despite various age-related losses. Of particular note is the increasing importance of age-related positivity effects and underlying biological influences on affective processes. Despite evidence of weakened mind-body connectivity in older adulthood presented in the maturation dualism framework, research shows age-similarities in subjective and objective reactivity for certain negative emotional states across adulthood. Thus, robust physiological-experiential associations may still exist in later life. Investigations of integrated mind-body connectivity have lead researchers to examine the influence of posture on cognitive outcomes. Prior evidence has observed that specific postural manipulations (i.e., stooped posture) is linked to negative affective biases in memory and emotional experiences. To interrogate potential posture effects on word recognition, an incidental encoding task was utilized. Although no age differences emerged for concrete words, younger adults outperformed older adults on both negative and neutral abstract words, and older adults remembered more positive relative to neutral abstract words. These results provide partial support for age-related positivity, perhaps in line with older adults’ motivated positive affective goals. Although posture effects were absent in both age groups, there remains considerable room for other integrative research assessing mind-body connectivity within emotion-cognition links across adulthood.

Spinal curvature was identified as a primary factor that shows universal and progressive changes with age, causes overall postural variations in the torso, and in turn affects garment fit for older women. To incorporate spinal curvature into a garment, back curvature between the neck and the waist and seven torso regions of neck, shoulder, armhole, bust, waist, abdomen, and hip were operationally defined and interactions among the body regions were investigated. The purpose of this study was (1) to develop a measuring method for back curvature and posture in the torso and its validation, (2) to identify interrelationships between back curvature and posture in the torso, and (3) to interpret torso variations based on back curvature classification. A total of 21 indices were developed using 34 linear measurements and 165 body scans of females body scans aged 55 and older were analyzed from the sagittal plane. Two criteria for index development were body variations to the sagittal plane and those to the transverse plane. Results included: (1) each criteria for index development validated its independency in each body region and respective index values provided dimensional information for pattern development, (2) posture of one body region continuously affected the adjoining body region and sequential influence of back curvature on torso posture was confirmed, and (3) the torso posture varied depending on the back curvature clusters and a prominent and forward inclined back showed larger variations and greater deviations from the ideal posture. This study presented conceptual understanding of posture of women aged 55 and older and emphasized integration of research and practices.

Abstract: Tools that effectively assess and train dynamic seated balance are critical for enhancing functional independence and reducing risk of secondary health complications in the elderly and individuals with neuromuscular impairments. On the one hand, current assessment tools quantify changes in the integrity of the postural control system by measuring biomechanical characteristics of balance during postural perturbations. On the other hand, current training tools augment inherent sensory systems with encoded sensory cues that pertain to balance performance. However, these methods are complex or costly and, thus, have limited potential to serve as clinical assessment or training tools. The objective of this thesis research was to devise and validate a portable tool for assessing and training dynamic sitting balance. An instrumented wobble board was designed and constructed that can: (1) elicit multidirectional perturbations in seated individuals; (2) quantify seated balance proficiency; and (3) provide kinematics-based vibrotactile feedback. Interchangeable, curved bases were designed to elicit modular levels of seated instability in all tilt directions. An embedded, inertial measurement unit was used to estimate the tilt angle and direction, whereas eight vibrating tactors displayed feedback cues on the sitting surface. A microprocessor encoded the vibrotactile stimulation based on the wobble board’s tilt angle and speed, similar to sensory augmentation devices that improve balance-impaired standing. After performing a technical validation study to compare kinematic wobble board measurements against a gold-standard motion capture system, twelve non-disabled participants performed a dynamic sitting task using the wobble board. Posturographic analyses in time and frequency domain as well as stabilogram diffusion analyses were used to characterize sitting balance for three different conditions: (1) with eyes open and closed; (2) with two different levels of seated instability; and (3) with vibrotactile feedback on and off. Our results demonstrate that the tilt angle measurements were highly accurate throughout the range of wobble board dynamics. Furthermore, the posturographic analyses for the dynamic sitting task revealed that the wobble board can effectively discriminate between the three conditions of perturbed balance, demonstrating the potential for the wobble board to serve as a clinical tool for the assessment and training of seated balance. Unlike similar instrumented tools, the wobble board is portable, requires no laboratory equipment, and can be adjusted to meet the user’s balance abilities. While future work is warranted, this thesis contributes to the knowledge of assessment and training techniques for seated balance. Obtained findings will aid in effective translation of such techniques to a clinical setting, which has the potential to enhance diagnosis and prognosis for individuals with seated balance impairments.

Falls are a common occurrence in the geriatric population that lead to several complications. Solutions should be sought to reduce costs and morbidity of the elderly population related to the fall epidemic. This study investigated a connection between a person’s posture and their risk for falling. A survey was created to obtain opinions of a representative geriatric population regarding posture. Fall history and information on chronic health conditions were then voluntarily reported, and fear of falling was assessed using the Falls Efficacy Scale. Thoracic kyphosis was measured using the occiput-to-wall distance and the Flexicurve Index, and the final element of the study was to determine the risk of falling using the Tinetti Balance Test.Data came from twenty geriatric participants aged 65 and older from skilled nursing facilities and the community of a rural northeastern area of Ohio. The postural measurements were compared to fall history, fear of falling, and fall risk. Statistical analysis was completed with IBM SPSS 24 using crosstabulations, chi-squares, and correlations. A trend was observed between posture and fall history but without a significant relationship (p = .343). There was significance displayed with an increased fear of falling and increased kyphosis (p = .025). A positive correlation was also discovered between posture and fall risk (r = 0.742, p = .001). Hypotheses of this study observed relationships between posture and fall history, fear of falling, and fall risk. There was significant support for most of the hypothesized relationships, indicating relevance of posture in the topic of falls with geriatrics. Although causation cannot be determined from this study, the relationship observed implies a suggestion to focus more on posture in its course through aging to improve the fall epidemic in the elderly.

Introduction: Baseline evaluations provide vital information for clinicians, as they are a representation of an athlete’s healthy clinical state. It has been recommended when an athlete sustain a concussion, they be administered a re-baseline evaluation, as the effects of a single concussion are not well documented. Limited literature was found which examines re-baseline examinations following a concussion. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate cognitive and postural deficits, in athletes who sustained a concussion, at the conclusion of the athletic season. Methods: 38 concussed athletes (CONC) were matched on sport and gender with 38 healthy controls (NORM). All athletes were administered a baseline and re-baseline assessment including the Standardized Assessment of Concussion (SAC) and the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS). Within the CONC group, 9 athletes were identified and matched on the same criteria to be evaluated using center of pressure (CoP) metrics. CoP metrics included Sample Entropy and Peak Excursion Velocity in Mediolateral (M/L) and Anteroposterior (A/P) directions, and a 95% Confidence Ellipse (95% CE) during eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC) static stances. Twelve repeated measure ANOVAs were used to evaluate differences between evaluations, with statistical significance set 0.05 a priori. Results: Repeated measure ANOVAs revealed the SAC was statistically significant over time (p = .004) but not between groups. There was no significance observed with the BESS for time (p = 0.339) or group (p = 0.164). Sample Entropy in the A/P direction, during EO static stance did reveal a statically significance between group x time interaction at re-baseline (p = .023) Discussion: The results of this study indicate re-baseline evaluations should include the SAC to assess changes in cognition. The BESS may not be an applicable assessment for re-baseline evaluations as athletes returned to baseline values – with no obvious practice effect. CoP metrics allow for a more sensitive assessment for postural imbalances, however only SampEn may be beneficially during re-baseline evaluations. Future research should examine the use of re-baseline on a yearly basis, which may show changes in cognition and posture.

This study examined the impact of external, internal, and additional drinking parameters on flow rate during open-cup drinking. Twenty-six participants between the ages of 8 and 10 years were recruited for participation in the study. Participants completed two open-cup drinking trials with either a low initial volume or a high initial volume. Trials were recorded using a Kinect v1 sensor, to generate a series of timestamped images. Images were then analyzed to obtain data on the external, internal, and additional factors. Results yielded that external parameters had no discernible systematic impact on flow. However, the additional factors of initial cup volume and cup angle at peak were found to each positively correlate with flow rates during open-cup drinking. In addition, a mathematical model for calculating flow rate, a standard drinking pose, and an average bolus size per swallow were developed for the population from this study. The findings from this study will be applied to the continued development of a programmable training cup to aid children in the transition from bottle to open-cup drinking.

Assembly work frequently requires workers to move their hands, arms and body repeatedly, sometimes assuming poor postures while exerting high forces and with little time to rest. These movements and posture conditions are causal factors of work related musculoskeletal disorders. This dissertation develops and provides supporting evidence for a conceptual model that describes the conditions under which workers of mixed-model assembly lines (MMALs) with cycle to cycle task variations are exposed to awkward postures and insufficient recovery time. To evaluate the effect of variations on worker posture and recovery time, an observation study was conducted. It found that the workstation with the most variations had 89% less recovery time and 57% more reaching outside the normal reach ranges than the workstation with the least. A discrete event simulation model of this system was created to predict work time and frequency of worker reaching upstream/downstream to complete the assigned tasks for a longer period of time. It may also be used to evaluate the changes in the assembly line parameters. A second study was conducted in the laboratory. In it, subjects’ recovery time and frequency of reaching outside the normal reach ranges were tested under 3 conveyor types and 3 product mix/sequence configurations. It found that the asynchronous indexing conveyor reduced reaching the most (19% vs. 63%) but none of the configurations provided sufficient recovery time (

Strength training consists of high-force muscle contractions. When performed for weeks, strength training improves muscle strength. These early strength gains are not due to changes in muscle, and are believed to arise from adaptations within the nervous system. The aim of this thesis was to determine if strength training of elbow flexor muscles alters the human corticospinal-motoneuronal pathway at a spinal level and if the type of strength training plays a role. In Chapter 2, one session of isometric strength training of the elbow flexors altered the corticospinal-motoneuronal pathway at a spinal level. Increased responses to stimulation of corticospinal axons suggested increased motoneurone excitability and/or increased efficacy of corticospinal-motoneuronal synapses. Ballistic and slow ramp contractions were equally effective at inducing the change. In Chapter 3, static posture of the upper arm and forearm was shown to influence corticospinal excitability to biceps. The effect had a large spinal contribution, with an interplay of multiple reflex inputs to the biceps motoneurones likely contributing. In Chapter 4, forearm posture during one session of isometric strength training of elbow flexors influenced whether training altered the corticospinal-motoneuronal pathway at a spinal level. Training with the forearm pronated facilitated responses to stimulation of corticospinal axons but training with the forearm supinated did not. This suggests a posture-specific effect of strength training on motoneurone excitability and/or efficacy of corticospinal-motoneuronal synapses. In Chapter 5, four weeks of isometric strength training of elbow flexors improved muscle strength, without a change in the muscle. Voluntary activation of the elbow flexors (assessed via cortical stimulation) and biceps electromyographic activity increased after training. However, based on stimulation of corticospinal axons, corticospinal transmission and motoneurone excitability were not affected by training. This suggests that the improvement in muscle activation and strength reflected a cortical mechanism or a spinal-level facilitation that is more active during voluntary contraction compared with rest. Overall, this thesis revealed that strength training of elbow flexor muscles alters the function of the nervous system, with training posture and duration (one session versus four weeks) influencing the nature and magnitude of the changes.

Among the factors that can influence the supply of blood and oxygen to the contracting skeletal muscle, the effects of posture and muscle contraction rate were investigated in this study. We hypothesized that the supine posture (SUP) would elicit less oxygenation of the vastus lateralis when cycling during moderate to intense exercise compared to upright posture (UP). In addition, we hypothesized that higher muscle contraction rate would be effective to minimize the desaturation of the vastus lateralis while cycling, and it would elicit a greater volume of oxygen uptake. A total 16 of participants were tested during upright and supine cycling at 60 RPM and 100 RPM. The four exercise intensities were calculated relative to their individual peak aerobic capacity during upright cycling. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was applied to measure the concentrations of oxygenated hemoglobin (O₂Hb) and deoxygenated hemoglobin (HHb) of the vastus lateralis. In addition, pulmonary gas exchange (VO₂) and heart rate (HR) were measured. As a result, (HHb) was increased and % O₂ saturation was decreased as the exercise intensity increased (p

Lumbar spine (LS) problems are the number one cause for medical encounters and lost work time among military personnel. This has been associated with the heavy loads carried during operational duties. Consequently, the effect of load carriage on military performance has been studied extensively. However, LS postural adaptations during load carriage have not been described. Thus, the overall goal of this dissertation is to understand in vivo LS postural response to load carriage in active duty Marines.This dissertation begins with a feasibility study to demonstrate that LS postural differences between unloaded and loaded tasks are measurable in vivo using an upright magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. Increased lumbar flexion and reduced lordosis were measured during loaded tasks. In Chapter 3 we examined LS response to load carriage as Marines progressed through the School of Infantry (SOI) Training. Although no effect of training was observed, we found that Marines with disc degeneration carried loads slightly different.These results suggested that load characteristics determined load carriage posture of the LS, regardless of Marines physical fitness. Therefore, in Chapter 4 we explored the interaction between operationally relevant load magnitudes and distributions on LS posture. Specifically, balancing loads in the anterior-posterior direction yielded lumbar spine postures that are nearly identical to standing. Contrastingly, when load was carried with a posterior bias, superior LS lordosis increased as a function of load magnitude, while inferior LS lordosis was distribution dependent.These data represent the first in vivo measurements of LS posture under operationally relevant loads. The key findings are: 1) lumbar lordosis is reduced as the spine and hips are flexed forward, 2) improving strength and endurance through training does not appear to change LS behavior during load carriage, and 3) manipulating the load magnitude and distribution does yield significant changes in LS behavior. Clinically and operationally, these findings are significant because they provide direct, quantitative data that can be used to make informed decisions about load carriage recommendations. Future work may include a longitudinal study to test whether balanced loads prevent injury or enhance operational efficiency in the military.

Workers are challenged by the increasingly complex multitasking environments they experience. To interact effectively with these environments, they must avoid overload. When workers get overloaded (when their mental demands exceed the resource capacity) quality drops, performance degrades, and safety suffers. What is largely unknown, however, is whether these results translate to postural tasks. Postural stability exhibits an entirely different set of challenges: injury, the danger of slips and falls, and risks associated with aging workers or those who have mental or physical challenges. An assembly line worker, for example, must assume different postures, interact with the product in some way, and react to visual and auditory alarms. Mistakes could be dangerous. It is clearly important, then, to understand the interactive effects of mental and postural workload. The goal of this research was to quantify the effects of mental and postural demands on overall workload. To accomplish this, we implemented three studies that were designed to capture the synergistic effects of different task types on overall workload and compare different types of workload measures against each other to help further design research in the area. We designed a dual-task mental/postural protocol to test the differential effects of a series of cognitive demands found in dual-task postural studied. The results of the first study depict a clear picture: the addition of an auditory task to unstable seating decreases postural sway. Based solely on this result, it might be concluded that workload did not increase. Using the same protocol while measuring mental workload however, we found that workload did in fact increase both subjectively and objectively, even when similar postural benefit was found. Even as performance seemed to improve, the participant moved nearer to possible overload and performance decrement (a condition we did not induce in this research). Based on the differences found between the different measures, we believe the importance of measuring overall workload as well as individual task performance in cognitive/postural dual-task research is very high.

This study consists of a survey and experiment to identify the postural risks associated with laptop use in non-traditional work settings. The survey gauged the prevalence of musculoskeletal discomfort among 186 college students, and also identified the configurations in which male and female students most frequently use laptop computers. Previous work suggests that females report a higher prevalence of musculoskeletal discomfort associated with laptop use than males, and the results of the survey confirmed this, but only for neck and shoulder discomfort. Differences in how males and females reported working were also revealed, with females more likely to use a laptop positioned on the lap and also while sitting with their legs crossed. Males, on the other hand, were more likely to report using a laptop while sitting in positions that required large trunk deviations, such as bending over a coffee table or to the side. The experiment, which was based on the survey findings, explored the reasons why females reported experiencing more frequent neck and shoulder discomfort when using a laptop than did males. It was hypothesized that this was because females use laptop computers more frequently in deviated postures. Three configurations that females reported working in more frequently than males in the survey were selected for testing, each within the context of a bed/mattress. Postural analysis and discomfort data was collected for 36 participants (18 males, 18 females) performing a 25-minute typing task in each of the three conditions to determine whether these configurations placed the participants in highly deviated postures. Gender comparisons of postural deviation and self-reported discomfort ratings after completion of a typing task in each position were made. Both male and female participants reported very low levels of discomfort in each of the three conditions, and there was no significant gender difference. Participants displayed highly   deviated postures, particularly in the neck, shoulders, and wrists, in all three conditions and there were few gender differences. Any gender differences that were discovered were not consistently in favor of one gender. Males had a slight tendency to work in more deviated postures than females, however both genders were in undesirable postures for much of the experiment. It is most likely that any increased prevalence of musculoskeletal discomfort in females compared to males is due to their choice of working configuration, rather than inherent differences in posture. However, there are a number of other factors that may account for any gender differences in musculoskeletal discomfort, including the finding that females report spending more hours per week using a computer. Further study to identify the contribution of each factor, both in males and females, would be valuable in order to understand the impact that working configuration has on musculoskeletal discomfort and injury

A study was undertaken to identify the effect of head flexion/extension on singing voice quality. The amplitude of the fundamental frequency (F0), and the singing power ratio (SPR), an indirect measure of singer’s formant activity, were measured. F0 and SPR scores at four experimental head positions were compared with the subjects’ scores at their habitual positions. Three vowels and three pitch levels were tested. F0 amplitudes and low frequency partials in general were greater with more extended head positions, while SPR increased with neck flexion. No effect of pitch or vowel was found. Gains in SPR appear to be the result of damping low frequency partials rather than amplifying those in the singer’s formant region. Raising the amplitude of F0 is an important resonance tool for female voices in the high range, and may be of benefit to other voice types in resonance, loudness, and laryngeal function.

The transfer of knowledge between individuals has increasingly become achieved with the aid of interfaces or computerized training applications. However, computer based training currently lacks the ability to monitor human behavioral changes and respond to them accordingly. This study examines the ability to predict user attention using features of body posture and head pose. Predictive abilities are assessed by an analysis of the relationship between the measured posture features and common objective measures of attention, such as reaction time and reaction time variance. Subjects were asked to participate in a series of sustained attention tasks while aspects of body movement and positioning were recorded using a Microsoft Kinect. Results showed support for identifiable patterns of behavior associated with attention while also suggesting the complex inter-relationship of measured features and susceptibility of these features to environmental conditions.

During centrally orchestrated movements, the nervous system must distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate reflexes. I studied local postural flexion reflexes of the crayfish that are evoked by unexpected touch. An isolated abdomen was used which permitted recording and stimulating of tailfan afferents, nerve cord interneurons, and postural motor neurons. Stimulation of the afferents evoked a postural flexion response of the medium tonic and large phasic motor neurons of the superficial flexor nerve; a flexion motor program was then excited by stimulating descending interneurons. Afferent stimulation evoked a smaller motor response during the motor program than before or after. These results indicate that the postural reflex responses to sensory stimulation are inhibited at a site presynaptic to the motor neurons during the flexion motor program. Application of Picrotoxin (blocked inhibition) to the primary afferent-to-mechanosensory interneuron synapse did not prevent the modulation of the postural flexion reflex during the flexion motor program.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have investigated the benefits of osteopathic treatment on pain and disability associated with neck pain but variables associated with treatment efficacy are unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether posture or mobility is associated with changes in pain and disability following osteopathic treatment. METHODS: Twenty-one participants (15 female and 6 male) with chronic neck pain received two osteopathic treatments per week for 3 weeks. and were randomised to start treatment immediately or after a 3-week delay. Neck Disability Index (NDI), pain via Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), cervical range of motion (in two planes and about its rotational axis), and posture via craniovertebral angle (CVA) were measured. RESULTS: A large inverse correlation was seen between initial NDI and change in VAS (from initial to post treatment) following osteopathic treatment (r = -0.62, p = 0.004). Non-significant trends towards inverse correlations of moderate effect size were observed between initial CVA and change in NDI from initial to follow-up (r = -0.41, p = 0.07), and between initial rotation left and change in NDI (initial to follow up) (r = -0.44, p = 0.28). Changes in pain and disability were not associated with any other posture or mobility variables or their change. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows little evidence that neck posture or mobility, or their changes, are associated with neck disability or pain changes following osteopathic treatment. Posture and mobility measures do not seem useful for predicting clinical outcomes of manual therapy.

Background and objectives The use of floor sitting postures may provide an alternative to regional orthopaedic examination for evaluation of the musculoskeletal system. No research has yet been conducted on the utility of evaluating floor sitting postures as an indicator of musculoskeletal function. The aims of this study were to: 1) develop grading criteria for floor sitting postures; 2) investigate single rater test-retest reliability of floor sitting postures between sessions. Methods Part 1- Development of grading criteria: An iterative process of development and review was undertaken to select appropriate floor sitting postures; identify performance variables for each posture; describe and refine criteria of performance quality; and develop a grading scale to evaluate the quality of performance for each posture. Part 2- A repeated measures design was employed to investigate single rater test-retest reliability of the postures. A sample of 33 healthy participants (n=23F, n=10M) were recruited from the general population. Participants attended two sessions within a 7 to 14-day interval. Anatomical landmarks were marked on each participant with titanium dioxide and self-adhesive markers. Participants performed 3-trials of six defined floor sitting postures in each session. Postures were recorded using digital video in two views; anterior and lateral. Still frames for each posture were captured and analysed. Postural dimensions were measured on each frame. The mean of the postural dimensions for 3-trials of each session was used to analyse the reliability of posture between sessions. Results Part 1- The final grading criteria included six variations of floor sitting postures. A grading system was developed using a 3-6 point ordinal scale. Part 2- Data from 25 participants (n=17F, n=8) was used for analysis by a single rater of test-retest reliability. Inter-session reliability was calculated for each posture dimension using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC). Postural dimensions for four of the six postures demonstrated high reliability ranging from ‘very high’ (ICC = 0.87; 95% CI 0.71 to 0.94) to ‘nearly perfect’ (ICC = 0.97; 95% CI 0.94 to 0.99). The Straight Leg Sit postural angle of dorsiflexion demonstrated ‘low’ reliability (ICC = 0.67; 95% CI 0.25 to 0.85). The Low Kneel postural angle of hip flexion demonstrated ‘moderate reliability’ (ICC = 0.71; 95% CI 0.37 to 0.87). Conclusion A set of grading criteria to evaluate the quality of a defined group of floor sitting postures was developed. Participants in this study demonstrated a reasonable level of consistency in achieving postures between two sessions over a 7 to 14-day period. Observer reliability of grading floor sitting postures was not part of this study and needs to be investigated to determine the clinical utility of the grading criteria.

Il est documenté qu'une posture de travail statique, maintenue pendant de longues périodes, peut être à l'origine de différents symptômes et malaises chez les travailleuses et travailleurs, en particulier au niveau du bas du dos et des membres inférieurs. Traduites par des coûts d'absentéisme, ces réclamations sont très pénibles pour les industries (Webster et coll., 1990). Toutefois, les quelques études disponibles pour comprendre et évaluer une posture de travail, sont davantage biomécaniques et les mécanismes physiologiques reliés au maintien de la posture sont peu connus. De plus, malgré l'importance d'une approche pluridisciplinaire pour l'analyse de la posture, très peu d'études se sont avancées à définir à la fois les avantages et les inconvénients biomécaniques et physiologiques de la posture générale du corps humain. À cet effet, nous avons d'abord recensé et comparé les facteurs de risques au niveau lombaire, reliés au maintien des postures (assis, assis-debout, debout), et évalué leurs applications pour les différents types de lordose (antéversion, neutre, rétroversion). Par la suite, afin de palier en partie au manque de connaissances en physiologie du travail sur le maintien d'une posture, nous avons évalué les effets de ces postures dans des conditions statiques et avec une alternance de déplacements sur les paramètres vasculaires des membres inférieurs. Nous avons, par la suite, vérifié si le travailleur est en mesure de percevoir ces facteurs de risques biomécaniques, au niveau lombaire, et physiologiques, au niveau des membres inférieurs, afin qu'il puisse se retirer d'une situation pouvant lui porter atteinte. Finalement, nous avons rassemblé les avantages et les inconvénients, physiologiques et biomécaniques des postures assis, assis-debout et debout et fait ressortir des critères qui permettront d'évaluer judicieusement ces postures de travail. Les résultats des études, présentés en quatre publications, ont démontré que les sujets ne sont pas en mesure de percevoir les facteurs de risques biomécaniques, au niveau lombaire, et physiologiques, au niveau des membres inférieurs. Ainsi, ces problèmes de perception observés dans notre étude, placent les travailleurs à risques, puisque leurs perceptions sont principalement orientées sur le confort et la dépense énergétique de la posture, ce qui pourrait les inciter à se positionner dans la posture la moins coûteuse en énergie sans pour autant, percevoir les forces de compression au niveau lombaire ou les différences associées à la perfusion au niveau du pied. Ainsi, afin d'éviter les malaises au dos et aux jambes, pouvant être occasionnés par le maintien d'une posture statique pendant de longues périodes, il faudra donc, d'une part, évaluer, indépendamment du type de lordose, l'angle du bassin déterminé par l'angle de l'assise, l'angle des genoux et la présence ou non de support lombaire et s'assurer que la lordose soit le plus près de la posture debout. D'autre part, il faudra s'assurer, selon les premiers résultats obtenus avec le laser doppler transcutané, d'une faible sollicitation des mollets et d'une faible distance pieds/cœur semblable à la posture assise afin de favoriser une perfusion optimale, puis d'entre couper régulièrement la posture statique prolongée au-delà de 20 min par des déplacements à la marche afin d'éviter que les travailleurs se placent dans une condition d'hypoxie au niveau des membres inférieurs susceptible de provoquer une cascade d'événements physiologiques pouvant mener au développement d'œdème et de varices. De plus, les résultats de cette étude ont démontré que, puisqu'une posture de travail peut à la fois contenir des avantages et des inconvénients biomécaniques et physiologiques, les critères d'évaluation d'une posture doivent comporter ces deux champs de connaissance afin d'adapter la posture de travail à la biomécanique et à la physiologie du corps humain. ______________________________________________________________________________ MOTS-CLÉS DE L’AUTEUR : Postures, statique, lombaire, jambes, douleurs, varices, perception.

In the field of augmented furniture, many pieces of furniture use technology to comment on human interaction. One piece, Nikolovska’ Conversation Table, uses microphone and LEDs to comment on dominance in conversation. This paper develops this notion further by incorporating psychological research to create a furniture set that can read subtleties in dyadic interaction. This Coordination Table is a table and two chairs that use sensors to read the posture of each person. A connected laptop analyzes this data in realtime to calculate how similar the users¿¿¿¿ posture is. According to psychological research, people with similar posture, especially over time, tend to have higher rapport. The Coordination Table uses this finding to estimate the rapport currently experienced by the dyad, based on its data.This paper outlines the software and technology used to construct a prototype Coordination Table. The table was also informally tested to prove that it could detect differences in posture due to higher or lower rapport. Although it has not been evaluated to work exactly as expected, it was shown to detect differences between users engaging in different activities. The author also discusses potential applications for the Coordination Table technology, including its usefulness for psychological research, its potential utility in performance art, and its potential feasibility as a commercial product.

Several recent field studies have shown that primate posture and locomotion exhibit minimal intraspecific variation. Between January and November 2009, I collected data on positional behavior and habitat use via three-minute instantaneous focal observation of the ursine colobus (Colobus vellerosus) and Lowe’s monkey (Cercopithecus campbelli lowei) at the Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary (BFMS), Ghana. I sampled quantitative ecological data on canopy density, understory density, tree size and average number of large trees in two areas of forest characterized by differing degrees of anthropogenic disturbance. Using Row x Column statistical comparisons (G-tests, Fisher Exact Tests), I tested for significant intraspecific variation in postural and locomotor profiles for females of each species living in these forest areas. For both species, forest strata, support size, support orientation and postural profiles differed significantly between these forests. Locomotor profiles differed significantly between forests only for guenons. I argue that the mosaic nature of more disturbed forest at BFMS reduced the number of direct, upper canopy arboreal pathways and resulted in more frequent use of lower and thinner supports for both species. Intraspecific postural and locomotor contrasts between habitats are considered in the context of body mass support, balance, and diet. Colobus locomotor consistency may be a product of both their larger body size and leaping specializations of their postcrania. I also tested for significant sex-based differences in positional behavior for both species. While my male dataset was limited, significant differences in overall postural and locomotor profiles were evident. I argue that contrasting nutritional requirements, social roles, and body sizes between the sexes for both species underlie these contrasting positional behavior profiles. While statistical differences in postural (both guenons and colobus) and locomotor profiles (guenons) may be ecologically significant, the differences identified in this study pose little threat to established form-function associations in primates and support the notion that primate positional behavior is largely conserved across sexes and habitats.

This document explores the most common problems and challenges related to posture, weight distribution, and hand placement faced by beginning and advanced bassoon players. Eleven professional bassoonists who play with some of the top orchestras in the country shared their knowledge and experience dealing with the instrument’s complex ergonomic challenges. Solutions to these challenges were also researched and gathered from sources dedicated to instrumental playing, such as guides for teaching instrumental playing, medical sources concerned with the performing arts, and method books available to the students. This project analyzes and explains in greater detail the postural habits that players develop from the time they first hold a bassoon, in the process exploring how these commonly found habits hinder bassoonists from an ergonomic, technical, and biometric perspective. Understanding the importance of practicing good posture can be the difference between tension-free, consistent and technically proficient playing and hitting a wall to no avail.