Three-dimensional (3-D) kinematic features of wheelchair propulsion across four selected speeds were investigated based on 10 skilled male wheelchair athletes. Kinematic data were collected through 3-D cinematography with a mirror. The results demonstrated that as the speed increased, the drive phase was performed faster while the range of the push-angle remained constant. More trunk forward lean motion resulted in a large initial contact angle in front of the top dead center of the pushrim. Recovery involved a large range of vertical motion in terms of shoulder abduction and hyperextension in order to increase the distance over which a greater velocity could be developed. To maximize wheelchair racing speed, it was critical to obtain the maximal shoulder and elbow velocities at initial contact of the drive phase and the maximal hand velocity at the end of the recovery phase.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the tonic neck reflex affects elbow flexor muscle torque production in healthy, young adults and which head-neck (H-N) positions have the greatest influence. Forty-eight male and female students between the ages of 18 and 35 years volunteered as subjects. Head-neck positions involving the sagittal and horizontal planes and combinations of these were tested. The nondominant hand was used to apply tension to the lever of an isokinetic analyzer under both isometric (static) and isotonic (dynamic) conditions. Peak torque was determined for each H-N position under each condition. Differences in peak torque were elicited more easily from the female subjects than from the male subjects. Head-neck rotation (horizontal plane) appeared to have a greater influence on elbow flexor muscle torque production than movements in the sagittal plane, particularly when movements in the two planes were combined. We concluded, therefore, that H-N position must be considered during rehabilitation of the upper extremity.

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In a double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel group trial, the therapeutic efficacy and central effects of propentofylline (HWA 285) – a xanthine derivative with neuroprotective, metabolic, hemorheologic and antithrombotic action – were studied in 190 elderly outpatients with mild to moderate chronic cognitive disturbances (mild dementia, DSM-III-R). They received after a 2-week run-in period (placebo) for 12 weeks either 3 × 300 mg propentofylline or 3 × 1 tablet placebo (given at least 1 h before meals). The verum group (n = 96, age 68 ± 9) was comparable to the placebo group (n = 94, age 69 ± 8) in regard to age, height, smoking, consumption of stimulating alcoholic drinks, family and living status. Clinical evaluation by the Gottfries-Brane-Steen (GBS) scale demonstrated a significant superiority of propentofylline over placebo in the total score and the four GBS factors (motor, intellectual, emotional functions and other symptoms) as well as in the clinical global impression and Mini-Mental State. Psychometric measures showed slight and significant improvement in both groups but no intergroup differences. EEG brain mapping was carried out before and after 12 weeks’ treatment in the Viennese subsample involving 24 propentofylline and 24 placebo patients. Propentofylline-treated patients exhibited, as compared with placebo-treated ones, a trend towards augmentation of total power, furthermore an increase in relative delta and beta and a decrease in alpha power, an acceleration of the dominant frequency as well as a slowing of the centroid of the combined delta/theta band. The total centroid tended towards acceleration, while the centroid deviation increased significantly. These alterations reflect vigilance changes of the dissociative type and differ from those of the classical nootropics. Clinical and psychometric evaluations demonstrated changes in the same direction as in the total sample, but interdrug differences were not significant. Thus, EEG brain mapping seems to be more sensitive in objectivating central drug effects.

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