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The hazardous plasma environment surrounding Earth poses risks to satellites due to internal charging and surface charging effects. Accurate predictions of these risks are crucial for minimizing damage and preparing for system failures of satellites. To forecast the plasma environment, it is essential to know the current state of the system, as the accuracy of the forecast depends on the accuracy of the initial condition of the forecast. In this study, we use data assimilation techniques to combine observational data and model predictions, and present the first global validation of a data-assimilative electron ring current nowcast during a geomagnetic storm. By assimilating measurements from one satellite and validating the results against another satellite in a different magnetic local time sector, we assess the global response and effectiveness of the data assimilation technique for space weather applications. Using this method, we found that the simulation accuracy can be drastically improved at times when observations are available while eliminating almost all of the bias previously present in the model. These findings contribute to the construction of improved operational models in estimating surface charging risks and providing realistic source populations for radiation belt simulations.

Energetic electron precipitation from Earth's outer radiation belt heats the upper atmosphere and alters its chemical properties. The precipitating flux intensity, typically modelled using inputs from high-altitude, equatorial spacecraft, dictates the radiation belt's energy contribution to the atmosphere and the strength of space-atmosphere coupling. The classical quasi-linear theory of electron precipitation through moderately fast diffusive interactions with plasma waves predicts that precipitating electron fluxes cannot exceed fluxes of electrons trapped in the radiation belt, setting an apparent upper limit for electron precipitation. Here we show from low-altitude satellite observations, that ~100 keV electron precipitation rates often exceed this apparent upper limit. We demonstrate that such superfast precipitation is caused by nonlinear electron interactions with intense plasma waves, which have not been previously incorporated in radiation belt models. The high occurrence rate of superfast precipitation suggests that it is important for modelling both radiation belt fluxes and space-atmosphere coupling.

BACKGROUND: Lumbopelvic movement patterns during prone hip extension has been proposed as a clinical screening method for trunk muscle dysfunction in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). However, correlations between trunk muscle onset and pelvic kinematics have not been investigated. OBJECTIVE: To examine the correlation between trunk muscle onset and pelvic kinematics during prone hip extension in participants with CLBP. METHODS: Fifteen patients with CLBP and 15 healthy individuals participated. We evaluated the muscle activities of the lumbar multifidus, the longissimus, and the semitendinosus via electromyogram and the displacement angles of the pelvic tilt, oblique and rotation. RESULTS: The onset of the multifidus at the ipsilateral side of hip extension was significantly delayed in the patients with CLBP compared to the control group (P < 0.001). The onset of the ipsilateral multifidus in the control group was significantly correlated with increased anterior pelvic tilt angle (P = 0.019, r = 0.597), whereas no significant correlation was observed in the CLBP group (P = 0.810, r = - 0.068). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that pelvic kinematics during prone hip extension does not predict the delayed trunk muscle onset in patients with CLBP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single-leg landings with or without subsequent jumping are frequently used to evaluate landing biomechanics. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of subsequent jumping on the external knee abduction moment and trunk and hip biomechanics during single-leg landing. Thirty young adult female participants performed a single-leg drop vertical jumping (SDVJ; landing with subsequent jumping) and single-leg drop landing (SDL; landing without subsequent jumping). Trunk, hip, and knee biomechanics were evaluated using a 3-dimensional motion analysis system. The peak knee abduction moment was significantly larger during SDVJ than during SDL (SDVJ 0.08 [0.10] N·m·kg−1·m−1, SDL 0.05 [0.10] N·m·kg−1·m−1, P =.002). The trunk lateral tilt and rotation angles toward the support-leg side and external hip abduction moment were significantly larger during SDVJ than during SDL (P <.05). The difference in the peak hip abduction moment between SDVJ and SDL predicted the difference in the peak knee abduction moment (P =.003, R2 =.252). Landing tasks with subsequent jumping would have advantages for evaluating trunk and hip control as well as knee abduction moment. In particular, evaluating hip abduction moment may be important because of its association with the knee abduction moment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well-known that multitasking impairs the performance of one or both of the concomitant ongoing tasks. Previous studies have mainly focused on how a secondary task can compromise visual or auditory information processing. However, despite dual tasking being critical to motor performance, the effects of dual-task performance on proprioceptive information processing have not been studied yet. The purpose of the present study was, therefore, to investigate whether sensorimotor task performance would be affected by the dual task and if so, in which phase of the sensorimotor task performance would this negative effect occur. The kinematic variables of passive and active knee movements elicited by the leg drop test were analyzed. Thirteen young adults participated in the study. The dual task consisted of performing serial subtractions. The results showed that the dual task increased both the reaction time to counteract passive knee–joint movements in the leg drop test and the threshold to detect those movements. The dual task did not affect the speed and time during the active knee movement and the absolute angle error between the final and the target knee angles. Furthermore, the results showed that the time to complete the sensorimotor task was prolonged in dual tasking. Our findings suggest that dual tasking reduces motor performance due to slowing down proprioceptive information processing without affecting movement execution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamic stretching (DS) is performed as a warm-up to improve the range of motion and athletic performance. However, the effect of different amounts of DS on muscle performance remains unclear. This study investigated the effects of DS repetitions with one or four sets of 30 s on musculotendinous extensibility and muscle strength. Fourteen healthy men (23.6 ± 1.5 years) underwent DS to ankle plantar flexors for one set (fifteen repetitions) or four sets after warm-up. The maximal ankle dorsiflexion angle, musculotendinous stiffness (MTS), passive torque, peak plantarflexion torque during maximal isometric contraction, and muscle temperature were measured before and after stretching. A significant effect of time was observed on the maximal ankle dorsiflexion angle, MTS, passive torque, and muscle temperature (p < 0.001). However, no interactions or effects between the conditions were observed. After DS, the maximal ankle dorsiflexion angle and muscle temperature significantly increased (p < 0.01), while the MTS and passive torque significantly decreased (p < 0.01). The maximal muscle strength showed no significant effects or interactions (p = 0.198−0.439). These results indicated that one and four sets of DS effectively increased musculotendinous extensibility. Thus, one set of DS may have similar effects as a warm-up before four sets of DS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asymmetry in knee extensor moment during double-leg squatting was observed after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, even after the completion of the rehabilitation program for return to sports. The purpose of this study was to clarify the association between asymmetry in the knee extensor moment and pelvic rotation angle during double-leg squatting after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Twenty-four participants performed double-leg squatting. Kinetics and kinematics during squatting were analyzed using a 3-dimensional motion analysis system with 2 force plates. The limb symmetry index of knee extensor moment was predicted by the pelvic rotation angle (R2 =.376, P =.001). In addition, the pelvic rotation and the limb symmetry index of the vertical ground reaction force independently explained the limb symmetry index of the knee extensor moment (R2 =.635, P <.001, β of pelvic rotation = −0.489, β of vertical ground reaction force = 0.524). Pelvic rotation toward the involved limb was associated with a smaller knee extensor moment in the involved limb than in the uninvolved limb. The assessment of pelvic rotation would be useful for partially predicting asymmetry in the knee extensor moment during double-leg squatting. Minimizing pelvic rotation may improve the asymmetry in the knee extensor moment during double-leg squatting after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Associations among hip motions, knee abduction and internal rotation motion during a drop vertical jump (DVJ), which increases the risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury, remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine associations among knee abduction, internal rotation and hip joint motions during a DVJ. Fifty-seven young female participants performed a DVJ from a 30-cm height. Hip and knee kinematics and kinetics were analysed using a three-dimensional motion analysis system and force plates. Multiple regression analysis showed that peak knee abduction angle was negatively associated with knee internal rotation and hip internal rotation excursions from initial contact (IC) to peak knee flexion, and positively associated with peak knee abduction moment (R2 = 0.465, P< 0.001). Peak knee internal rotation angle was negatively associated with the hip flexion excursion from IC to peak knee flexion and peak hip adduction moment (R2 = 0.194, P= 0.001). In addition, hip internal rotation excursion was negatively associated with knee abduction and internal rotation excursion from IC to 50 ms after IC. To avoid a large knee abduction and internal rotation motion during jump-landing training, it might be beneficial to provide landing instructions to avoid a large hip external rotation motion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Core exercises on an unstable surface increase trunk muscle activity, especially for local muscle groups. Therefore, there is a possibility that exercises on an unstable surface would be effective in the rehabilitation of non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP). The present study assessed trunk muscle activities during bridge exercise on the floor and two kinds of unstable surfaces, i.e., a balance ball and the BOSU, for individuals with and without NSCLBP. This study enrolled 17 and 18 young participants with and without NSCLBP, respectively. In the balance ball condition, both groups showed a significant increase in erector spinae activity compared to the floor condition, and the increase in activity was significantly greater in the NSCLBP group than in the control group (p = 0.038). On the other hand, neither group showed significant changes in trunk muscle activities in the BOSU condition compared to those in the floor condition. The control group showed a significant increase in internal oblique/transversus abdominis activity under the balance ball condition (p = 0.020), whereas there were no significant changes in these muscle activities between the balance ball and floor conditions in the NSCLBP group. The present study showed that participants with NSCLBP significantly increased muscle activity of the erector spinae, one of the global back muscles, on the balance ball in spite of small effects on muscle activity of the internal oblique/transversus abdominis, which is one of the local abdominal muscles. Therefore, attention should be paid to the application of bridge exercises on the balance ball for individuals with NSCLBP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]