Journal of Motor Control and Learning
Volume:1 Issue: 1, Winter 2019

Atypical gait pattern is one of the most important motor impairments in individuals with Down syndrome.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of functional strength training on gait kinematics, isokinetic peak torque, and static balance of adults with Down syndrome.

Thirteen men with Down syndrome from the Iran Down Syndrome Association participated in this study. The kinematics variable, isokinetic peak torque, and static balance were assessed by motion analysis, isokinetic dynamometer, and Standing Stork Test respectively before and after completing the training study. All subjects were allocated to experimental (Mage = 28.75±6.1; n = 7) and control (Mage = 30±8.5; n = 6) groups according to their desire to participate, or not, in the training program. The exercise protocol consisted of 6-week functional strength training (treadmill walking and step up/down training) for the experimental group. One-Way ANCOVA Independent test was employed for data analysis.

The results revealed that the functional strength training improved step length, walking velocity, ankle and knee ROMs (range of motion in the sagittal plane), isokinetic peak torque of lower extremities, and static balance. However, no significant difference occurred in step width and hip ROMs.

These findings reinforce previous research showing that task-oriented training with respect to the principle of specificity of training promotes movement patterns in individuals with Down syndrome.

Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic disease of the central nervous system that is caused by destruction of myelin of the neuronal cells.

This study aimed at determining the effect of resistance training on joint position sense in patients with multiple sclerosis.

This was a quasi-experimental study with the pretest-posttest design. Of 60 people referring to the National Multiple Sclerosis Association of Iran, 12 women aged 20-55 years were selected based on physical disability scale developed by Kurtzke (1-4) and their fitness for participation in a sports protocol. They were randomly assigned to two groups: resistance training and control. The experimental group performed resistance training for 6 weeks, while the control group did not have any physical activity during this period. A goniometer was used to evaluate the joint position sense.

The results of covariance analysis indicated a significant difference between the mean scores of two experimental and control groups joint position sense at an angle of 40 degrees (P<0.05). Resistance training at the starting knee flexion angle (40 degrees) led to progression of joint position sense, while it had no significant effect on the end angle (60 degrees). The effect of resistance training was also significant on physical disability (P=0.001). Six weeks of resistance training reduced reconstruction error of the 40-degree angle.

People with multiple sclerosis can improve the sensory aspect of movement, their physical ability, thereby the pattern and quality of their daily functional movements by these exercises. It is suggested that these exercises be used along with other rehabilitation programs to rehabilitate these patients.

Previous studies have shown that Movement Imagery ability is effective in learning and motor function in the sport as well as in rehabilitation. So, self-reporting questionnaires have been developed to evaluate the ability of Movement Imagery in adults (e.g. MIQ-3) to be validated in Iran. There is currently no proper tool to use for children in Iran.

To fill this gap, the focus of this study was to examine the functional structure of the Childrenchr('39')s Movement Imagery Questionnaire.

The statistical population included children from 7 to 12 years old (135 boys, 109 girls) who were selected by random cluster sampling. At first, the questionnaire was translated into Persian. After necessary corrections, both exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to examine the factor structure.

Exploratory factor analysis showed that the present log consists of three folded scales and 12 materials that ultimately were tested and validated the three-factor model through the confirmatory factor analysis. Also, the total reliability for the factors was calculated by Cronbachchr('39')s alpha method and equaled with 0.845, which indicates the reliability of the mentioned logic.

The Persian version of the current questionnaire is recommended to measure the children Imagery ability, from 7 to 12 years of age in the Persian language.

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of different levels of exercise intensity and arousal has on the speed and the accuracy of decision making among expert female soccer players.

Sixteen expert female soccer players with at least 8 years of competitive background were selected voluntarily participate in this study. Soccer experiment images were displayed on a screen where the participants had to choose a response from three options (shoot, pass, and dribble) in order to assess the decision making the performance. The test experiments were designed in three arousal and three exercise intensity levels. In order to examine any significant effect of the levels of different situations, a One-Way ANOVA with Repeated Measures was performed to find the effects of mentioned variables on the accuracy and the speed of decision making.

The results obtained from the present study did not reveal any significant effect of the level of arousal on the speed of decision making (p>0.05). The accuracy of decision making, however, was significantly affected by the exercise intensity (p<0.05). With increasing the exercise intensity, the players’ speed of decision making showed an improvement with no spectators and the presence of inactive spectators at different levels of arousal. It was only at the exercise intensity level of 80% max HR that the best accuracy of decision making was observed at the presence of inactive spectators.

The present findings suggest that the level of arousal and the exercise intensity affect each of the decision-making components separately.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the nonlinear movement anticipation test with two specific skills in badminton sport based on an ecological psychology approach.

20 young men, 10 members of Tehran Youth Badminton Team and 10 physical education students who just passed the badminton-1 course participated in two coincidence anticipation timing tests. The tests included performing one coincidence anticipation-timing task with the same conditions in service and drop skills. For data analysis, two independent and two dependentchr('39')tchr('39') tests were used with the adjusted significance level (P≤0.025).

Statistical analysis results indicated that there was a significant difference between drop and service tests (P≤0.025).

Finally, specific-skilled programs were suggested for badminton coaches in increasing coincidence anticipation timing accuracy in athletes.

The effects of limb-specific fatigue on motor skill acquisition and retention are not clear.

To investigate the impact of limb-specific fatigue on the acquisition and retention of an upper extremity proprioceptive task.

Twenty-two right-handed participants were randomly and equally assigned to either fatigued or non-fatigued protocols. Acquisition phase for the upper extremity task consisted of 5 blocks each with 12 trials. After 48 hours, all participants performed 1 block retention test (12 trials) with the left arm followed by 1 block transfer test (12 trials) with the right arm. Performance for each block was analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Performance differences between groups for the acquisition was analyzed using a 2 x 5 (group x block) ANOVA with repeated measures on the blocks. The performance on retention-transfer was analyzed by separate ANOVAs. Statistical significance set at p < .05.

The fatigued condition displayed significantly more E than the non-fatigue group (p < .05). During retention and transfer, the fatigue group again displayed higher E compared to the non-fatigued group (p < .05).

The results of this study support that limb-specific fatigue may produce performance deficits during acquisition and interfere with motor skill retention.