Kinesiology
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/11274/15371
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Browsing Kinesiology by Author "Alvis, Hunter"
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Item The effects of equine-assisted therapy on gait in adults with Parkinson’s disease: A preliminary analysis(TopSCHOLAR®, 2023) Alvis, Hunter; Mori, Kanji; Levine, Nicholas A.; Martinez, Andrea; Sessums, Suzanne; Becker, Kevin; Roberts, Heather; Rigby, Brandon R.Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic, progressive, neurological disorder caused by the destruction of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra of the brain. To treat motor symptoms of PD, individuals may choose alternative modes of exercise, such as equine-assisted therapy (EAT), to improve physiological health. PURPOSE: To determine changes in gait following 8 weeks of Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT) in older men with PD. PURPOSE: To determine changes in gait following 8 weeks of Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT) in older men with PD. METHODS: Six older adults (age = 68.0 ± 8.6 yrs; height = 178.6 ± 8.3 cm; weight = 93.4 ± 16.3 kg; Hoehn and Yahr classification = 2.8 ± 0.4; time since diagnosis = 7.3 ± 5.0 yrs) performed two, 60-minute riding sessions weekly for 8 weeks. Before, midway, immediately after, and at two points following the EAT program (at 8 weeks and 16 weeks), spatiotemporal parameters of gait were measured using motion capture with infrared markers strategically placed on lower-body anatomical landmarks. Participants walked at a self-selected speed without the use of an assistive device in the capture space for 15 consecutive strides, turned around, and walked back across the space. Gait velocity, step length, time spent in stance phase, time spent in swing phase, toe clearance were collected. Data were analyzed using a repeated-measures analysis-of-variance and a Bonferroni correction with a significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: Gait velocity (101.8 ± 29.1 vs. 109.2 ± 34.9 vs. 116.3 ± 32.8 vs. 105.7 ± 26.2 vs. 108.0 ± 25.4 cm/s for pre-EAT, midway through EAT, immediately post-EAT, 8 weeks after EAT concluded, and 16 weeks after EAT concluded, respectively) was significant across all time points (p = 0.03). All other variables were statistically similar (p > 0.05) across all time points. CONCLUSION: There is an observable trend towards significance in each gait variable immediately after 8 weeks of EAT. The study is ongoing and will further explore these differences.Item Light therapy device for entrainment of circadian rhythm desynchronization in microgravity(Western Kentucky University, 2022) Rust, Brittany; Wilkinson, Natalie; Chapman, Keely; Foreman, Avery; Kim, Andrea; Martinez, Andrea; Meek, Melanie; Obanigba, Mercy; Rice, Casey; Urias, Eduardo; Alvis, Hunter; Rigby, Brandon R.The circadian rhythm is an internal process of the brain that regulates the sleep-wake cycle. Outside environmental factors can affect the circadian rhythm such as light and dark. In microgravity, astronauts witness the sun rise and set approximately 16 times per day. A disruption (desynchronization) of the circadian rhythm may then occur, with some astronauts reporting to be less alert and unable to sufficiently complete tasks. PURPOSE: To design, fabricate, and test a pair of glasses that emit blue wavelengths of light peripheral to the eyes, for set periods of time, which may promote alertness in astronauts. METHODS: The custom fitted glasses were originally designed in three-dimensional modeling software (Solidworks Premium, Waltham, MA). Components of the glasses included: frames, an Arduino Nano circuit board, tactile button switch, inductive charging components and battery, a wireless charging transmitter, and blue LEDs. The glasses emit 1000 lux at approximately 468 nm wavelength of blue light. The glasses were programmed using C++ to allow the user to wear the glasses for 30 minutes with an automatic timer to turn off the lights upon completion of the session. When fully charged, the battery can sustain a total of 8 sessions with each lasting 30 minutes. To further assess the functionality of the glasses, brainwaves measured via electroencephalography (EEG) and reaction time measured via the psychomotor vigilance test (PVT) were collected before, immediately after, and one hour after a 30-min trial session while wearing the glasses in the “on” position. For one week prior to testing, participants emulated the sleep schedule of astronauts, including a strict adherence to 6.5 hours of sleep each night. Naps, caffeine, and sleep medications were also avoided during this time. RESULTS: For EEG data, morphology of beta wave activation in the frontal lobe noticeably changed after light exposure to a more jagged shape with higher frequency and lower amplitude. The control waveform and the waveform measured before light therapy exhibited greater intermixed frequencies of lower value. With regard to reaction time, when light exposure was administered on test days, participants exhibited faster reaction time responses immediately after (374.2 ± 58.1 msec) and 1-hour post (372.7 ± 65.9 msec) compared to before (530.4 ± 120.4 msec) the glasses were worn. CONCLUSION: Blue light exposure integrated into a customized pair of glasses may elicit faster response times and promote greater levels of alertness both immediately after wearing the glasses for 30 min, and one hour after the glasses have been removed.Item Pressurized device for mitigating atrophy in soleus during long-duration spaceflight(TopSCHOLAR®, 2023) Briones, Ramona Tovar; Sor, Kimhab; Diaz, Breandrea; Varghese, Dona; Easter, Benjamin; Alvis, Hunter; Rigby, Brandon R.A major concern with long duration spaceflight, skeletal muscle atrophy is most detrimental in lower limb musculature, particularly in muscles critical for proper gait, such as the soleus. The decline of muscle activation and the suppression of sensory input from plantar sole mechanoreceptors can add to the attenuation of skeletal muscle health during spaceflight. More specifically, inhibition of sensory input from sole receptors, such as with gravitational unloading, decreases selective activation, thereby negatively affecting muscle tone and inevitably resulting in lower limb atrophy. PURPOSE: To design, fabricate, and test a specialized boot with an insole that applies oscillating pneumatic pressure for set periods of time to augment neuromuscular activation of the soleus through the plantar sole's mechanoreceptors, which may minimize atrophy of lower extremity muscles. METHODS: The custom boot was originally designed in three-dimensional modeling software (Solidworks Premium, Waltham, MA). Components of the boot included: a lightweight medical walking brace, Metro-ATmega circuit board, air pump and vacuum DC motor, force resistive sensor, and kPa sensor. The boot was programmed using C++ to allow the user to wear the boot for 20 minutes (oscillating continuously) at the start of every hour with an automatic timer for 6 hours per day. Surface electromyography (EMG) measured electrical activity in lower extremity muscles while wearing the boot. The location of all electrodes were determined according to the SENIAM project (Surface Electromyography for the Non-Invasive Assessment of Muscles): 1) for soleus, electrode placed at two-thirds of the line between the medial condyle of the femur to the medial malleolus; 2) for medial head of the gastrocnemius, electrode placed at one-third of the line between the head of the fibula and the heel; 3) for ground, electrode placed at the tibial tuberosity. Muscle activation of the gastrocnemius was measured to investigate any co-activation of nearby musculature on the posterior leg. RESULTS: Upon airbag inflation, the soleus exhibited the greatest amplitude (30 to 50 µV versus 5 to 15 µV) when the ankle attempted to plantarflex while maintaining a neutral position. When the airbags are inflated, the pressure output corresponds to approximately 111 kPa. When the airbags are deflated, the pressure output corresponds to approximately 66 kPa, creating a pressure difference of 45 kPa. During the 20 min runtime, the airbags take 3.3 sec to inflate and 3.0 sec to deflate, creating the oscillating effect. When fully charged, the battery can sustain one full, 6-hour session with each lasting 20 minutes. CONCLUSION: Pneumatic pressure integrated into a customized therapeutic walking boot may elicit neuromuscular activity in the lower extremity musculature, which indicates that the device may help in attenuating the negative neuromuscular adaptations in the soleus via afferent signaling.