OBJECTIVE To compare the edema-relieving effects of static immersion with water aerobics. METHODS Eighteen healthy women between 20 and 33 weeks' gestation were studied standing on land, immersed to the axilla, and participating in a water aerobics class, each for 30 minutes. RESULTS Water aerobics and the static immersion led to a similar diuresis, 187 and 180 mL, respectively. Both were s...

BACKGROUND Thigh muscle injuries commonly occur during single leg loading tasks and patterns of muscle activation are thought to contribute to these injuries. The influence trunk and pelvis posture has on hip and thigh muscle activation during single leg stance is unknown and was investigated in a pain free population to determine if changes in body posture result in consistent patterns of chan...

INTRODUCTION How do birds, like flamingos (Phoenicopteridae), sleep while standing on one leg? It is suggested that this behavior reduces heat energy lost through the legs [1]. Yet, the muscular energy required to actively support the body in this pose would likely offset any thermal benefits. In particular, flamingo femurs are oriented horizontally (Figure 1), which places the knee and hip joi...

The purpose of this study was to investigate the different coordination strategies used following obstacle clearance during running. Ten subjects ran over a level surface and over obstacles of six different heights (10, 12.5, 15, 17.5, 20 and 22.5% of their standing height). Analysis based upon the dynamical systems theory (DST) was used and the phasing relationships between lower extremity seg...

The aims of this study were to compare the steadiness index of spinal regions during single-leg standing in older adults with and without chronic low back pain (LBP) and to correlate measurements of steadiness index with the performance of clinical balance tests. Thirteen community-dwelling older adults (aged 55 years or above) with chronic LBP and 13 age- and gender-matched asymptomatic volunt...

The aim of this study was to investigate how humans correct ongoing arm movements while standing. Specifically, we sought to understand whether the postural adjustments in the legs required for online corrections of arm movements are predictive or rely on feedback from the moving limb. To answer this question we measured online corrections in arm and leg muscles during pointing movements while ...