Now showing 1 - 10 of 139
  • Publication
    Acute physiological responses to electrical muscle stimulation in a spinal cord injured man – a case study
    Cardiovascular (CV) disease is a leading cause of death in populations with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) and is contributed to by a lack of opportunities to engage in physical activity as well as limited motor function [1]. Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) has been suggested as a novel CV training tool to alleviate this problem associated with SCI by increasing peak oxygen consumption (VO2) and heart rate (HR) [2]. However the use of FES is limited by its effect on muscle fatigue as well as the need for specialist equipment and training. Our research group have devised an electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) training device which has improved CV health in obese and chronic heart failure populations [3], whose symptoms are akin to those of SCI patients with CV symptoms. These results warrant further investigation into this system`s effects on the CV health of people with SCI.
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  • Publication
    Segmentation of shoulder rehabilitation exercises for single and multiple inertial sensor systems
    Introduction:Digital home rehabilitation systems require accurate segmentation methods to provide appropriate feedback on repetition counting and exercise technique. Current segmentation methods are not suitable for clinical use; they are not highly accurate or require multiple sensors, which creates usability problems. We propose a model for accurately segmenting inertial measurement unit data for shoulder rehabilitation exercises. This study aims to use inertial measurement unit data to train and test a machine learning segmentation model for single- and multiple-inertial measurement unit systems and to identify the optimal single-sensor location. Methods:A focus group of specialist physiotherapists selected the exercises, which were performed by participants wearing inertial measurement units on the wrist, arm and scapula. We applied a novel machine learning based segmentation technique involving a convolutional classifier and Finite State Machine to the inertial measurement unit data. An accuracy score was calculated for each possible single- or multiple-sensor system. Results:The wrist inertial measurement unit was chosen as the optimal single-sensor location for future system development (mean overall accuracy 0.871). Flexion and abduction based exercises mostly could be segmented with high accuracy, but scapular movement exercises had poor accuracy. Conclusion:A wrist-worn single inertial measurement unit system can accurately segment shoulder exercise repetitions; however, accuracy varies depending on characteristics of the exercise.
      303
  • Publication
    The use of SHIMMER to detect stride time in running gait
    Wireless sensing solutions that provide for accurate long term monitoring of walking and running stride characteristics in a real world environment would be an excellent tool for biomechanics researchers. SHIMMER™ is a small, wireless, low-power inertial sensor with a large storage capacity that facilitates wearable wireless sensing in both connected and disconnected modes. It is a very flexible, multi-sensing device, consisting of a tri-axial accelerometer, with options of add-on daughter boards such as tri-axial gyropscopes, or ECG/EMG sensors. The purpose of this study was to compare the performance of the SHIMMER wireless sensor platform for the determination of heel-strike and stride times, across a range of speeds, to a marker-based motion capture system (CODA, Charnwood Dynamics, UK). Previous studies have shown that the SHIMMER sensor and associated algorithms can successfully calculate these parameters in slow to fast walking speeds, but it has not yet been applied to running.
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  • Publication
    A comparison of a computer game-based exercise system with conventional approaches of exercise therapy in rheumatology patients
    There is a need to increase long-term exercise compliance amongst rheumatology patients to improve symptoms and quality of life. Exergaming systems, (computer video-game based exercise) could provide these patients with a motivating exercise tool to achieve such. This study aimed to compare the subjective reports of a group of rheumatology patients who exercised with an exergaming system to the reports of a similar group who performed the conventional, equivalent form of exercise, without the exergaming system.
      260
  • Publication
    Wearable sensing and mobile devices: the future of post-concussion monitoring?
    In the past decade, concussion has received large amounts of attention in public, medical and research circles. While our understanding of the nature and management of concussion has greatly improved, there are still major limitations which need to be addressed surrounding the identification of the injury, determining when an individual is safe to return to normal activity, and what factors may contribute to the development of post-concussion syndrome (PCS).The current model of concussion management involves a triage evaluation in the acute stage of injury, focusing on the classic signs and symptoms of concussion. Next, the clinician attempts to evaluate key components of cerebral function through clinical symptom evaluation, and traditional assessments of motor and neurocognitive function [1]. The development of the sports concussion assessment tool (SCAT) saw a massive leap forward in the strategies employed in the management of concussion, as it acknowledged the multifactorial nature of concussion, and provided a standardised means for clinicians to assess the many domains of cerebral function [2]. While these methods have demonstrated some promise in the acute stage, they are not designed for serial monitoring (particularly in instances where PCS develops) [3], and provide us with very little clinically relevant information that can assist clinicians in the return to learn/ sport/ performance process.
      415
  • Publication
    Vectors and drivers of connected health in Europe: a foundation for integrated care
    Coordinated, integrated care requires connected 'inputs, delivery, management and organization of services related to diagnosis, treatment, care, rehabilitation and health promotion' (Grone & Barbero, 2002). Connected health (CH) offers a key building block as a 'paradigm shift, looking after the individual and community health in a process that speaks to the health journey of the person, through the entire lifespan, leveraging a variety of technologies to do so”' (ENJECT, 2016). However, CH is failing to reach its full potential – and therefore failing in its contribution to the realization of integrated care. We conducted a multi-disciplinary literature review across business, technology and healthcare journals, triangulated with a survey of CH experts from academia, industry and clinical settings representing 19 European countries (ENJECT, COST Action TD1405).
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  • Publication
    Analysing Fatigue in Chronic Ankle Instability [Poster Presentation]
    Lateral ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries suffered by athletes in sports. It is estimated that an upwards of 70% of athletes will develop chronic ankle instability following an initial sprain. Despite the high prevalence of CAI, knowledge of the mechanism or prevention of repeated ankle sprains is limited . Since most sprains occur in the latter halves of matches, the purpose of this study was to determine the effects of fatigue on lower limb movement variability in individuals with and without CAI during running gait using 3D inertial sensors
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  • Publication
    Use of body worn sensors to predict ankle injuries using screening tools
    Background The Single Leg Squat (SLS) is an important screening tool in predicting those at an increased risk of ankle injuries as it relates to landing, running and cutting tasks. However, clinical analysis of this exercise is often completed visually with relatively poor intra-rater reliability. More detailed analysis of SLS completed in biomechanics laboratories is time-consuming and costly. Recent developments in body worn sensors may allow for quick assessments that produce valid and reliable data.Objective To explore a model for leveraging data obtained from wearable sensors to aid in ankle injury risk factor screening.Design A single case study design, with qualitative analysis of quantitative data.Setting University research laboratory.Participants A single participant (female, age = 24 years; height = 158 cm, body mass = 47 kg) was chosen. The participant was familiar with the SLS exercise and had completed it as part of their exercise routine for the past year.Interventions The participant completed 10 left SLS repetitions. These were recorded using the sensors and repetitions where the participant lost balance were noted. Loss of balance was defined as when the subject was unable to maintain single leg stance during the downward or upward phase of the movement and placed their other foot on the ground for support.Main outcome measurements Visual analysis showed signals from the wearable sensors (accelerometer Y and gyroscope Z) were altered when the participant lost their balance compared to signals obtained when the participant maintained balance.Conclusions These preliminary results indicate that body worn sensors may be able to automatize screening tools such as the SLS. An automated system for characterising and quantifying deviations from good form could be developed to aid clinicians and researchers. Such a system would provide objective and reliable data to clinicians and allow researchers to analyse movements quicker and in a more naturalistic setting.
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  • Publication
    Quantification of postural control deficits in patients with recent concussion: An inertial-sensor based approach
    Background: The aim of this study was to quantify postural control ability in a group with concussion compared with a healthy control group. Method: Fifteen concussion patients (4 females, 11 males) and a group of fifteen age- and sex-matched controls were recruited. Participants were tested during the performance of the three stance variants (bilateral, tandem and unilateral) of the balance error scoring system standing on a force place, while wearing an inertial measurement unit placed at the posterior aspect of the sacrum. Findings: The area of postural sway was computed using the force-plate and the '95% ellipsoid volume of sway' was computed from the accelerometer data. Concussed patients exhibited increased sway area (1513 mm2 [95% CI: 935 to 2091 mm2] vs 646 mm2 [95% CI: 519 to 772 mm2]; p = 0.02) and sway volume (9.46 m3 s− 6 [95% CI: 8.02 to 19.94 m3 s− 6] vs 2.68 m3 s− 6 [95% CI: 1.81 to 3.55 m3 s− 6]; p = 0.01) in the bilateral stance position of the balance error scoring system. The sway volume metric also had excellent accuracy in identifying task 'errors' (tandem stance: 91% accuracy [95% CI: 85–96%], p < 0.001; unilateral stance: 91% accuracy [95% CI: 86–96%], p < 0.001). Interpretation: Individuals with concussion display increased postural sway during bilateral stance. The sway volume that was calculated from the accelerometer data not only differentiated a group with concussion from a healthy control group, but successfully identified when task errors had occurred. This may be of value in the development of a pitch-side assessment system for concussion.
      813Scopus© Citations 37
  • Publication
    Devising a Pace-Based Definition for “The Wall”: An Observational Analysis of Marathoners' Subjective Experiences of Fatigue
    Context Many runners report “hitting The Wall” (HTW) during a marathon (42.2 km). However, the performance manifestation of this subjectively experienced phenomenon remains unclear. Objective To identify a pace-based classification for HTW by integrating subjective reports of fatigue and runners' pacing profiles during a marathon. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Public race event (2018 Dublin Marathon). Patients or Other Participants Eighty-three runners (28 [34%] women, 55 [66%] men, age = 41.5 ± 9.1 years, height = 1.73 ± 0.09 m, mass = 70.2 ± 10.1 kg). Main Outcome Measure(s) The pacing profiles for respondents to our postrace questionnaire that concerned the phenomenon of HTW were evaluated. Receiver operating characteristic analyses were performed on discretized outcomes of the time series of marathoners' paces during the race. Results Using the receiver operating characteristic analyses, we observed that runners could be classified as having experienced HTW if they ran any 1-km segment 11% slower than the average of the remaining segments of the race (accuracy = 84.6%, sensitivity = 1, specificity = 0.6) or if the standard deviation of the normalized 1-km split times exceeded 0.0532 (accuracy = 83%, sensitivity = 0.818, specificity = 0.8). Similarly, runners could be classified as having experienced HTW if they ran any 5-km segment 7.3% slower than the average of the remaining 5-km segments of the race (accuracy = 84.6%, sensitivity = 1, specificity = 0.644) or if the standard deviation of the normalized 5-km split times exceeded 0.0346 (accuracy = 82%, sensitivity = 0.909, specificity = 0.622). Conclusions These pace-based criteria could be valuable to researchers evaluating HTW prevalence in cohorts for whom they lack subjective questionnaire data.
      232Scopus© Citations 4