No abstract

The bilateral limb deficit (BLD) describes the difference in maximal or near-maximal force generating capacity of muscles when they are contracted alone and in combination with the contralateral muscles. This study examined the effects of a 6-week (three times per week) bilateral leg strength training programme on BLD in younger and older adults. Data were collected from 33 subjects during slow (45 degrees /s) isokinetic knee extensions and flexions before and after the training programme. After training, the BLD was reduced for extension (73.3-86.9%; P < 0.001) but not for flexion (67.5-71.2%; P = 0.13) regardless of age and gender. This study suggests that difficulty in recruiting all muscle units during a task involving bilateral activation can be improved by training, although such an effect appears to depend on the muscle group appreciated.

No abstract

No abstract

This study presents a novel means of assessing upper limb tasks by using mechanical energy. Potential energy quantifies six work related activities, studied for 20 working-age non-prosthesis users and three powered below elbow prosthesis users. Two marker trajectories on each of the upper arms, forearms, and hands were captured using a 3-camera VICON 140™ system. Task and arm dominance of non-prosthesis users are highly significant ($p\,{<}\,0.01$) with arm dominance effects being more pronounced for prosthesis users. Qualitative inter-repetition consistency is also concordant with observed increased cumulative trauma disorders among prosthesis users.