Search Results (4)

The EXO+ hip protector was developed to minimize the risk of hip fractures in seniors following falls. This study evaluated its usability in a Singapore nursing home from the perspective of the staff, focusing on learnability, efficiency, and satisfaction. A mixed-method design was employed, with nursing home residents wearing the EXO+ daily for eight weeks. Quantitative data on wear time were collected alongside qualitative insights from four repeated focus group discussions with care staff. In total, 15 residents (including 8 residents with cognitive impairments) and 9 staff participated. The analysis revealed six themes and fourteen subthemes related to EXO+’s usability. The residents wore the device for an average of 1.54 h per day, with those having cognitive impairments showing increased wear times, especially in the mornings and on weekdays. The findings indicated that the EXO+ was learnable and satisfactory for nursing home use, provided there are adequate supporting features. The efficiency of the EXO+ was not fully measured since no falls were reported during the study period. The study offers valuable insights for potential design modifications and workflow adaptations to enhance the implementation of hip protectors in healthcare settings, highlighting facilitators and barriers to support device uptake. Full article

In the last decades, it has been shown that inflammatory processes play a role in the development of mental and physical problems; although some studies have researched the relationship between inflammation and psychological variables, the inclusion of biochemical variables as possible confounders has been limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether psychological variables are associated with the inflammatory marker, highly sensitive CRP (hs-CRP), after controlling for personal and biochemical variables in the Mexican population. The study was performed at the University of Guadalajara facilities, during the second half of 2022. Healthy subjects were invited to participate in the study, which consisted of the measurement of personal, psychological, and biochemical variables. We included 172 participants, 92 (52.9%) of which were women; the median (range) of age of the whole sample was 22 (18–69) years old. In the bivariate analysis, significant positive correlations were observed between hs-CRP and body mass index (BMI) and waist/hip ratio (WHR) in both sexes, together with leukocytes, uric acid, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides, and the liver enzymes gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). In the multivariate regression analysis of the global and men’s samples, anxiety was positively associated with hs-CRP, while depression and positive relations with others were negatively associated with hs-CRP. In conclusion, psychological variables influence inflammation mainly in men, and anxiety was the main contributor; in addition, positive relation with others is a variable that should be further explored as a psychological protector of inflammation in both sexes. Full article

(1) In the present investigation, we tested the hypothesis that unilateral countermovement jump performance is associated with knee joint stabilization ability during unilateral landing on unstable surface. (2) Twenty-five male sport students were tested for dynamometric knee extension and flexion, and hip abduction isometric strength. Myolectric activity of vastus lateralis and medialis, gluteus medius, and biceps femoris muscles were measured during unilateral countermovement vertical jump performed on a force plate, and during unilateral landing on unstable surface. (3) Vertical jump impulse negatively correlated with biceps femoris activation at landing. Participants with greater hip abduction force performed greater vertical jump impulse, and activated the biceps femoris less when landing on unstable surface. Furthermore, participants with smaller knee flexion/extension torque ratio increased biceps femoris/vastus medialis activation ratio at landing. (4) We conclude that hip abduction strength is an important contributor to unilateral vertical jump performance. Because biceps femoris is considered the synergist of the anterior cruciate ligament, we also propose that hip abductors are primary frontal plane protectors of the knee joint by reducing knee valgus and stress, allowing for smaller biceps femoris co-activation (secondary protection) at landing on unstable surface. Full article

As the population ages, falls are becoming a major health problem, not only for those with some degree of balance or mobility impairment, but also among healthy active seniors. Previous studies suggest that the degradation of human sensorimotor function related to age contributes to falls. Hip bones are among the most frequently fractured body parts resulting from falls. Hip fractures are a frequent cause of early death, functional dependence, and high medical care costs. The current prevention method is to use hip protectors. Unfortunately, it often fails to do so because the pocket containing the pad can move away from the area during falls. Additionally, some seniors refuse to use hip protectors because they find them constraining. Hence, a new protector that is only activated during a fall is much desired. The current study explored the possibility via biomechanical analyses for building a wearable sensor system that triggers a mini-airbag system during a fall, i.e., the air-pad is only present for protection when a fall occurs. The results have revealed that two sensors placed on the left and right shoulder would be best for a detection of any-direction fall and could be applied for building a wearable sensor system for prevention of hip fractures resulting from falls. Full article