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Inagaki S, Matsuura H, Sakurai K, Minati L, Yoshimura N. Decline in Sensory Integration in Old Age and Its Related Functional Brain Connectivity Correlates Observed during a Virtual Reality Task. Brain Sci 2024; 14:840. [PMID: 39199531 PMCID: PMC11352474 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14080840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2024] [Revised: 08/17/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Sensory integration is an essential human function whose decline impacts quality of life, particularly in older adults. Herein, we propose an arm-reaching task based on a virtual reality head-mounted display system to assess sensory integration in daily life, and we examined whether reaching task performance was associated with resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) between the brain regions involved in sensory integration. We hypothesized that declining sensory integration would affect performance during a reaching task with multiple cognitive loads. Using a task in which a young/middle-aged group showed only small individual differences, older adults showed large individual differences in the gap angle between the reaching hand and the target position, which was used to assess sensory integration function. Additionally, rsfMRI data were used to identify correlations between rsFC and performance in older adults, showing that performance was correlated with connectivity between the primary motor area and the left inferior temporal gyrus and temporo-occipital region. Connectivity between areas is related to visuomotor integration; thus, the results suggest the involvement of visuomotor integration in the decline of sensory integration function and the validity of the gap angle during this VR reaching task as an index of functional decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoru Inagaki
- Human Centered Science and Biomedical Engineering, Department of Computer Science, School of Computing, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo 226-8501, Japan;
| | - Hirokazu Matsuura
- Information and Communications Engineering, Department of Information and Communications Engineering, School of Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo 226-8501, Japan; (H.M.); (K.S.)
| | - Kazuki Sakurai
- Information and Communications Engineering, Department of Information and Communications Engineering, School of Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo 226-8501, Japan; (H.M.); (K.S.)
| | - Ludovico Minati
- Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo 226-8501, Japan;
- Center for Mind/Brain Science, University of Trento, 38122 Trento, Italy
- School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610056, China
| | - Natsue Yoshimura
- School of Computing, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo 226-8501, Japan
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Fernandes LA, Apolinário-Souza T, Castellano G, Fortuna BC, Lage GM. Hand differences in aiming task: A complementary spatial approach and analysis of dynamic brain networks with EEG. Behav Brain Res 2024; 469:114973. [PMID: 38641177 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2024.114973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Left and right-hand exhibit differences in the execution of movements. Particularly, it has been shown that manual goal-directed aiming is more accurate with the right hand than with the left, which has been explained through the shorter time spent by the right hand in the feedback phase (FB). This explanation makes sense for the temporal aspects of the task; however, there is a lack of explanations for the spatial aspects. The present study hypothesizes that the right hand is more associated with the FB, while the left hand is more strongly associated with the pre-programming phase (PP). In addition, the present study aims to investigate differences between hands in functional brain connectivity (FBC). We hypothesize an increase in FBC of the right hand compared to the left hand. Twenty-two participants performed 20 trials of the goal-directed aiming task with both hands. Overall, the results confirm the study's hypotheses. Although the right hand stopped far from the target at the PP, it exhibited a lower final position error than the left hand. These findings imply that during the FB, the right hand compensates for the higher error observed in the PP, using the visual feedback to approach the target more closely than the left hand. Conversely, the left hand displayed a lower error at the PP than the right. Also, the right hand displayed greater FBC within and between brain hemispheres. This heightened connectivity in the right hand might be associated with inhibitory mechanisms between hemispheres.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gabriela Castellano
- Instituto de Física Gleb Wataghin, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil; Brazilian Institute of Neuroscience and Neurotechnology (BRAINN-FAPESP), Campinas, Brazil
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Leonardis JM, Schnorenberg AJ, Vogel LC, Harris GF, Slavens BA. Sex-Related Differences in Shoulder Complex Joint Dynamics Variability During Pediatric Manual Wheelchair Propulsion. J Appl Biomech 2024; 40:112-121. [PMID: 37984356 DOI: 10.1123/jab.2022-0276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
More than 80% of adult manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injuries will experience shoulder pain. Females and those with decreased shoulder dynamics variability are more likely to experience pain in adulthood. Sex-related differences in shoulder dynamics variability during pediatric manual wheelchair propulsion may influence the lifetime risk of pain. We evaluated the influence of sex on 3-dimensional shoulder complex joint dynamics variability in 25 (12 females and 13 males) pediatric manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury. Within-subject variability was quantified using the coefficient of variation. Permutation tests evaluated sex-related differences in variability using an adjusted critical alpha of P = .001. No sex-related differences in sternoclavicular or acromioclavicular joint kinematics or glenohumeral joint dynamics variability were observed (all P ≥ .042). Variability in motion, forces, and moments are considered important components of healthy joint function, as reduced variability may increase the likelihood of repetitive strain injury and pain. While further work is needed to generalize our results to other manual wheelchair user populations across the life span, our findings suggest that sex does not influence joint dynamics variability in pediatric manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua M Leonardis
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Technology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA
- Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Alyssa J Schnorenberg
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | | | - Gerald F Harris
- Shriners Children's, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Orthopaedic & Rehabilitation Center, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Brooke A Slavens
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Technology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA
- Shriners Children's, Chicago, IL, USA
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Frank AC, Jennrich L, Kanzow P, Wiegand A, Krantz-Schäfers C. A Sex-Specific Evaluation of Dental Students' Ability to Perform Subgingival Debridement: Randomized Trial. JMIR MEDICAL EDUCATION 2023; 9:e44989. [PMID: 37002956 PMCID: PMC10182471 DOI: 10.2196/44989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A successful periodontitis treatment demands good manual skills. A correlation between biological sex and dental students' manual dexterity is currently unknown. OBJECTIVE This study examines performance differences between male and female students within subgingival debridement. METHODS A total of 75 third-year dental students were divided by biological sex (male/female) and randomly assigned to one of two work methods (manual curettes n=38; power-driven instruments n=37). Students were trained on periodontitis models for 25 minutes daily over 10 days using the assigned manual or power-driven instrument. Practical training included subgingival debridement of all tooth types on phantom heads. Practical exams were performed after the training session (T1) and after 6 months (T2), and comprised subgingival debridement of four teeth within 20 minutes. The percentage of debrided root surface was assessed and statistically analyzed using a linear mixed-effects regression model (P<.05). RESULTS The analysis is based on 68 students (both groups n=34). The percentage of cleaned surfaces was not significantly different (P=.40) between male (mean 81.6%, SD 18.2%) and female (mean 76.3%, SD 21.1%) students, irrespective of the instrument used. The use of power-driven instruments (mean 81.3%, SD 20.5%) led to significantly better results than the use of manual curettes (mean 75.4%, SD 19.4%; P=.02), and the overall performance decreased over time (T1: mean 84.5%, SD 17.5%; T2: mean 72.3%, SD 20.8%; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS Female and male students performed equally well in subgingival debridement. Therefore, sex-differentiated teaching methods are not necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariadne Charis Frank
- Department of Preventive Dentistry, Periodontology and Cariology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Linda Jennrich
- Department of Preventive Dentistry, Periodontology and Cariology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Philipp Kanzow
- Department of Preventive Dentistry, Periodontology and Cariology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Annette Wiegand
- Department of Preventive Dentistry, Periodontology and Cariology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Christiane Krantz-Schäfers
- Department of Preventive Dentistry, Periodontology and Cariology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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Barretti Secchi LL, Kamonseki DH, Camargo PR, Mendonça LDM. Is the isometric strength of the shoulder associated with functional performance tests in overhead athletes? Phys Ther Sport 2022; 55:131-138. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2022.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Exploring Sex Differences and Force Level Effects on Grip Force Perception in Healthy Adults. Motor Control 2022; 26:241-257. [PMID: 35213826 DOI: 10.1123/mc.2021-0082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to explore the effect of sex and force level on grip force reproduction in healthy adults by conducting a force reproduction task. Participants (n = 28) were instructed to replicate a range of reference grip force levels (10-130 N in 10 N increments). We found that women (absolute error: 16.2 ± 8.7 N) replicated these force levels more accurately than men (absolute error: 23.1 ± 9.5 N) at higher force levels (90-130 N). Furthermore, the force reproductions were most accurate at the 30-50 N range for men and the 50-60 N range for women. These results may offer significant insights into the higher rates of musculoskeletal disorders among women, enabling researchers and clinicians to design novel interventions and tools that can improve grip force perception and reduce hand injury rates in both men and women.
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Leonardis JM, Schnorenberg AJ, Vogel LC, Harris GF, Slavens BA. Biological Sex-Related Differences in Glenohumeral Dynamics Variability during Pediatric Manual Wheelchair Propulsion. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2021; 2021:4619-4622. [PMID: 34892243 DOI: 10.1109/embc46164.2021.9630865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Shoulder pain and pathology are extremely common in adult manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury (SCI). Within this population, biological sex and variability in shoulder joint dynamics have been shown to be important contributors to both shoulder pain and pathology. Sex-related differences in shoulder dynamics variability during pediatric manual wheelchair propulsion may influence a user's lifetime risk of shoulder pain and pathology. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of biological sex on variability in three-dimensional (3-D) glenohumeral joint dynamics in pediatric manual wheelchair users with SCI. An inverse dynamics model computed 3-D glenohumeral joint angles, forces, and moments of 20 pediatric manual wheelchair users. Levene's tests assessed biological sex-related differences in variability. Females exhibited less variability in glenohumeral joint kinematics and forces, but greater variability in joint moments than males. Evaluation of glenohumeral joint dynamics with consideration for biological sex and variability strengthens our interpretation of the relationships among shoulder function, pain, and pathology in pediatric manual wheelchair users.Clinical Relevance- Female pediatric manual wheelchair users may be at an increased risk of shoulder repetitive strain injuries due to decreased glenohumeral joint motion and force variability during propulsion. This work establishes quantitative methods for determining the effects of biological sex on the variability of shoulder joint dynamics.
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Johansson AM, Grip H, Rönnqvist L, Selling J, Boraxbekk CJ, Strong A, Häger CK. Influence of visual feedback, hand dominance and sex on individuated finger movements. Exp Brain Res 2021; 239:1911-1928. [PMID: 33871660 PMCID: PMC8277644 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-021-06100-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The ability to perform individual finger movements, highly important in daily activities, involves visual monitoring and proprioception. We investigated the influence of vision on the spatial and temporal control of independent finger movements, for the dominant and non-dominant hand and in relation to sex. Twenty-six healthy middle-aged to old adults (M age = 61 years; range 46–79 years; females n = 13) participated. Participants performed cyclic flexion–extension movements at the metacarpophalangeal joint of one finger at a time while keeping the other fingers as still as possible. Movements were recorded using 3D optoelectronic motion technique (120 Hz). The movement trajectory distance; speed peaks (movement smoothness); Individuation Index (II; the degree a finger can move in isolation from the other fingers) and Stationarity Index (SI; how still a finger remains while the other fingers move) were extracted. The main findings were: (1) vision only improved the II and SI marginally; (2) longer trajectories were evident in the no-vision condition for the fingers of the dominant hand in the female group; (3) longer trajectories were specifically evident for the middle and ring fingers within the female group; (4) females had marginally higher II and SI compared with males; and (5) females had fewer speed peaks than males, particularly for the ring finger. Our results suggest that visual monitoring of finger movements marginally improves performance of our non-manipulative finger movement task. A consistent finding was that females showed greater independent finger control compared with males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Maria Johansson
- Department of Psychology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden. .,Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
| | - Helena Grip
- Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Department of Radiation Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | | | - Jonas Selling
- Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Carl-Johan Boraxbekk
- Department of Radiation Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Danish Research Centre for Magnetic Resonance (DRCMR), Centre for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and Research, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark.,Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen (ISMC), Copenhagen University Hospital Bispebjerg, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Andrew Strong
- Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Charlotte K Häger
- Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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Mathew J, Masson GS, Danion FR. Sex differences in visuomotor tracking. Sci Rep 2020; 10:11863. [PMID: 32681071 PMCID: PMC7368072 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-68069-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a growing interest in sex differences in human and animal cognition. However, empirical evidences supporting behavioral and neural sex differences in humans remain sparse. Visuomotor behaviors offer a robust and naturalistic empirical framework to seek for the computational mechanisms underlying sex biases in cognition. In a large group of human participants (N = 127), we investigated sex differences in a visuo-oculo-manual motor task that consists of tracking with the hand a target moving unpredictably. We report a clear male advantage in hand tracking accuracy. We tested whether men and women employ different gaze strategy or hand movement kinematics. Results show no key difference in these distinct visuomotor components. However, highly consistent differences in eye-hand coordination were evidenced by a larger temporal lag between hand motion and target motion in women. This observation echoes with other studies showing a male advantage in manual reaction time to visual stimuli. We propose that the male advantage for visuomotor tracking does not reside in a more reliable gaze strategy, or in more sophisticated hand movements, but rather in a faster decisional process linking visual information about target motion with forthcoming hand, but not eye, actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Mathew
- Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone UMR 7289, CNRS and Aix Marseille Université, Faculté de Médecine de la Timone, 27 Bd Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France.,Institute of Communication Technology, Electronics and Applied Mathematics, Université Catholique de Louvain, Avenue Georges Lemaitre 4-6 bte, 1348, Louvain-la-neuve, Belgium.,Institute of Neuroscience, Université Catholique de Louvain, 53 Avenue E Mounier, 1200, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Guillaume S Masson
- Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone UMR 7289, CNRS and Aix Marseille Université, Faculté de Médecine de la Timone, 27 Bd Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France
| | - Frederic R Danion
- Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone UMR 7289, CNRS and Aix Marseille Université, Faculté de Médecine de la Timone, 27 Bd Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France.
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Linher-Melville K, Zhu YF, Sidhu J, Parzei N, Shahid A, Seesankar G, Ma D, Wang Z, Zacal N, Sharma M, Parihar V, Zacharias R, Singh G. Evaluation of the preclinical analgesic efficacy of naturally derived, orally administered oil forms of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and their 1:1 combination. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0234176. [PMID: 32497151 PMCID: PMC7272035 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic neuropathic pain (NP) is a growing clinical problem for which effective treatments, aside from non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and opioids, are lacking. Cannabinoids are emerging as potentially promising agents to manage neuroimmune effects associated with nociception. In particular, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and their combination are being considered as therapeutic alternatives for treatment of NP. This study aimed to examine whether sex affects long-term outcomes on persistent mechanical hypersensitivity 7 weeks after ceasing cannabinoid administration. Clinically relevant low doses of THC, CBD, and a 1:1 combination of THC:CBD extracts, in medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, were orally gavaged for 14 consecutive days to age-matched groups of male and female sexually mature Sprague Dawley rats. Treatments commenced one day after surgically inducing a pro-nociceptive state using a peripheral sciatic nerve cuff. The analgesic efficacy of each phytocannabinoid was assessed relative to MCT oil using hind paw mechanical behavioural testing once a week for 9 weeks. In vivo intracellular electrophysiology was recorded at endpoint to characterize soma threshold changes in primary afferent sensory neurons within dorsal root ganglia (DRG) innervated by the affected sciatic nerve. The thymus, spleen, and DRG were collected post-sacrifice and analyzed for long-term effects on markers associated with T lymphocytes at the RNA level using qPCR. Administration of cannabinoids, particularly the 1:1 combination of THC, elicited a sustained mechanical anti-hypersensitive effect in males with persistent peripheral NP, which corresponded to beneficial changes in myelinated Aβ mechanoreceptive fibers. Specific immune cell markers associated with T cell differentiation and pro-inflammatory cytokines, previously implicated in repair processes, were differentially up-regulated by cannabinoids in males treated with cannabinoids, but not in females, warranting further investigation into sexual dimorphisms that may underlie treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Linher-Melville
- Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Pain Research and Care, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Pathology & Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yong Fang Zhu
- Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Pain Research and Care, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Pathology & Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jesse Sidhu
- Department of Pathology & Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Natalka Parzei
- Department of Pathology & Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ayesha Shahid
- Department of Pathology & Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gireesh Seesankar
- Department of Pathology & Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Danny Ma
- Department of Pathology & Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Zhi Wang
- Department of Pathology & Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Natalie Zacal
- Department of Pathology & Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Manu Sharma
- Department of Pathology & Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vikas Parihar
- Michael G. DeGroote Pain Clinic, McMaster University Medical Centre, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ramesh Zacharias
- Michael G. DeGroote Pain Clinic, McMaster University Medical Centre, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gurmit Singh
- Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Pain Research and Care, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Pathology & Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Physical Performance Tests in Male and Female Sitting Volleyball Players: Pilot Study of Brazilian National Team. Asian J Sports Med 2019. [DOI: 10.5812/asjsm.85984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
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Pasquier M, Barbier-Cazorla F, Audo Y, Descarreaux M, Lardon A. Learning spinal manipulation: Gender and expertise differences in biomechanical parameters, accuracy, and variability. THE JOURNAL OF CHIROPRACTIC EDUCATION 2019; 33:1-7. [PMID: 30408423 PMCID: PMC6417869 DOI: 10.7899/jce-18-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2018] [Revised: 06/23/2018] [Accepted: 07/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate gender differences and expertise effects on biomechanical parameters as well as force accuracy and variability for students learning spinal manipulation. METHODS: A total of 137 fourth- and fifth-year students were recruited for the study. Biomechanical parameters (preload, time to peak force, peak force, rate of force), as well as accuracy and variability of thoracic spine manipulation performance, were evaluated during 5 consecutive trials using a force-sensing table and a target force of 450 N. Gender, expertise differences on biomechanical parameters, as well as constant, variable, and absolute error were assessed using 2-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: Analyses showed significant gender differences for several biomechanical parameters, as well as significant gender differences in accuracy and variability. Although women showed lower time to peak force and rate of force values, they were more precise and showed less variability than men when performing thoracic spine manipulations. Students with clinical expertise (fifth-year students) used less force and were more precise. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that gender differences in spinal manipulation performance exist and that these differences seem to be mainly explained by alternative motor strategies. To develop gender-specific teaching methods, future studies should explore why men and women approach spinal manipulation tasks differently.
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Mouloua SA, Mouloua M, McConnell DS, Hancock PA. The Effects of Handedness and Dominance on Motor Task Performance. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.1177/1541931218621284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Two studies were carried out to examine the effects of user handedness and hand dominance on a motor task using Fitts’ law. Study one was designed to validate our previous findings showing differences between left- and right-handed participants who completed a mouse-pointing task using Fitts’ law. Results showed that right-handed participants were significantly faster than their left-handed peers, thereby validating our previous findings. Study two examined the effect of handedness and hand dominance on motor task performance by requiring two groups of left- and right-handed participants perform the motor task using both their dominant and non-dominant hands. Results showed a significant interaction between handedness and hand dominance on task performance. Right-handed participants were again significantly faster than their left-handed peers when both groups were using their dominant hand. However, left-handed participants were significantly faster than their right-handed peers when both groups were using their non-dominant hand. These findings might be attributed to prior training with computer mice designs that do not account for user handedness. Both theoretical and practical implications, as well as directions for future studies are also discussed.
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Lirio-Romero C, Anders C, De La Villa-Polo P, Torres-Lacomba M. Implications on older women of age- and sex-related differences in activation patterns of shoulder muscles: A cross-sectional study. J Women Aging 2018; 31:492-512. [PMID: 30252611 DOI: 10.1080/08952841.2018.1521654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess differences in neuromotor attributes of shoulder muscles between age groups in both sexes and to better understand functional disorders in older women. Twenty young (20-42 years old), 20 middle-aged (43-67), and 20 older (> 68) adults participated in a comparative surface-electromyography study of five muscles. We identified age-related differences in women, especially in scapula stabilizer muscles. There was a tendency for both sexes of delayed onset times with increasing age, excepting the upper trapezius muscle in females. The results highlight the importance of understanding musculoskeletal aging in women to adequately guide physical therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Lirio-Romero
- Department of Physical Therapy, State Center of Attention to Brain Injury, Madrid, Spain
| | - Christoph Anders
- Division of Motor Research, Pathophysiology and Biomechanics, Clinic for Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | | | - María Torres-Lacomba
- Physiotherapy in Women´s Health Research Group, Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
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Vasylenko O, Gorecka MM, Rodríguez-Aranda C. Manual dexterity in young and healthy older adults. 1. Age- and gender-related differences in unimanual and bimanual performance. Dev Psychobiol 2018. [PMID: 29528105 DOI: 10.1002/dev.21619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to better characterize age-related differences in dexterity by using an integrative approach where movement times and kinematics were measured for both hands. Forty-five young (age 19-31) and 55 healthy older adults (age 60-88) were evaluated during unimanual and bimanual performance of the Purdue Pegboard Test. Gender effects were also assessed. From video-recorded data, movement times and kinematics were obtained for reaching, grasping, transport, and inserting. Results showed that older adults had longer movement times for grasping and inserting with the right hand, and across all movements with the left hand. Kinematic differences were found in path length, linear, and angular velocity. The patterns of slowing were similar in unimanual and bimanual tasks. Gender effects showed more slowing in older males than older females. Age differences in dexterity not only comprise slowing of movements but also kinematic alterations. The importance of gender in hand function was demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olena Vasylenko
- Department of Psychology, University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Marta M Gorecka
- Department of Psychology, University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway.,Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Northern Norway, Tromsø, Norway
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Fernandes LA, Ugrinowisch H, Oliveira JRVD, Salvador MG, Bicalho LEA, Lage GM. Comparison between manual aiming control and sex in different task constraints. MOTRIZ: REVISTA DE EDUCACAO FISICA 2018. [DOI: 10.1590/s1980-6574201700030029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana M DiPasquale
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA
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Porras IC, Hiscock M, Layne CS. THE SEX DIFFERENCE IN ROD BALANCING: CONFIRMATION OF THE DIFFERENCE AND A TEST OF THREE HYPOTHETICAL EXPLANATIONS. Percept Mot Skills 2015; 121:706-26. [PMID: 26654985 DOI: 10.2466/22.23.pms.121c25x7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that men can balance a dowel rod on the index finger for a longer time than women can. The factors that account for the difference are unknown, but the difference may be attributable either to a difference in whole-body agility or a difference in the use of visual cues. Three experiments involving a total of 62 adult women with a mean age of 21.2 yr. (SD=3.8) and 62 adult men with a mean age of 21.9 yr. (SD=6.6) tested these potential explanations. Experiment 1 replicated the sex difference and assessed the relevance of whole-body agility by comparing standing and seated conditions. Experiments 2 and 3 explored the role of rod length and visual fixation point, respectively. Each experiment yielded a significant sex difference, but the difference was not affected by the participant's posture, the length of the rod, or the fixation point. Possible alternative explanations for the difference include differences in (1) the speed of processing degree of visual tilt; (2) arm mass, which affects the inertia of the balancing system; and (3) experience in open-skill sports.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Merrill Hiscock
- 2 Department of Psychology, Center for Neuro-Engineering and Cognitive Science University of Houston
| | - Charles S Layne
- 3 Department of Health and Human Performance, Center for Neuro-Engineering and Cognitive Science, University of Houston
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Vafadar AK, Côté JN, Archambault PS. Sex differences in the shoulder joint position sense acuity: a cross-sectional study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2015; 16:273. [PMID: 26423066 PMCID: PMC4589903 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-015-0731-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2015] [Accepted: 09/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) is the most expensive form of work disability. Female sex has been considered as an individual risk factor for the development of WMSD, specifically in the neck and shoulder region. One of the factors that might contribute to the higher injury rate in women is possible differences in neuromuscular control. Accordingly the purpose of this study was to estimate the effect of sex on shoulder joint position sense acuity (as a part of shoulder neuromuscular control) in healthy individuals. Methods Twenty-eight healthy participants, 14 females and 14 males were recruited for this study. To test position sense acuity, subjects were asked to flex their dominant shoulder to one of the three pre-defined angle ranges (low, mid and high-ranges) with eyes closed, hold their arm in that position for three seconds, go back to the starting position and then immediately replicate the same joint flexion angle, while the difference between the reproduced and original angle was taken as the measure of position sense error. The errors were measured using Vicon motion capture system. Subjects reproduced nine positions in total (3 ranges × 3 trials each). Results Calculation of absolute repositioning error (magnitude of error) showed no significant difference between men and women (p-value ≥ 0.05). However, the analysis of the direction of error (constant error) showed a significant difference between the sexes, as women tended to mostly overestimate the target, whereas men tended to both overestimate and underestimate the target (p-value ≤ 0.01, observed power = 0.79). The results also showed that men had a significantly more variable error, indicating more variability in their position sense, compared to women (p-value ≤ 0.05, observed power = 0.78). Discussion Differences observed in the constant JPS error suggest that men and women might use different neuromuscular control strategies in the upper limb. In addition, higher JPS variability observed in men might be one of the factors that could contribute to their lower rate of musculoskeletal disorders, compared to women. Conclusions The result of this study showed that shoulder position sense, as part of the neuromuscular control system, differs between men and women. This finding can help us better understand the reasons behind the higher rate of musculoskeletal disorders in women, especially in the working environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir K Vafadar
- School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University and Interdisciplinary Research Center in Rehabilitation (CRIR), 3654 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, QC, H3G 1Y5, Canada.
| | - Julie N Côté
- Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, McGill University and Interdisciplinary Research Center in Rehabilitation (CRIR), 475 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, QC, H2W 1S4, Canada.
| | - Philippe S Archambault
- School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University and Interdisciplinary Research Center in Rehabilitation (CRIR), 3654 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, QC, H3G 1Y5, Canada.
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De Andrés J, Pariente B, Gonzalez-Rodriguez M, Fernandez Lanvin D. Towards an automatic user profiling system for online information sites. ONLINE INFORMATION REVIEW 2015. [DOI: 10.1108/oir-06-2014-0134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to identify demographic differences based on how users interact with web applications. The research is needed to develop future systems able to adapt the representation of online information to the user’s specific needs and preferences improving its usability. The following question guides this quest: is there a direct relationship between age and/or gender and interaction?
Design/methodology/approach
– GOMS (goals, operators, methods, and selection rules) analysis was used to reduce complex interaction tasks into basic operators like pointing, dragging, typing, etc. An experiment was designed to analyse the user performance in the use of these operators through five complex tasks: point-and-click, drag-and-drop, text selection, text edition and menu selection. The sample comprises 592 individuals which took part in the experiment. The performance was analysed using multivariate regression analysis. User laterality and the the user experience were used as control variables.
Findings
– The factors studied are significant enough to support user classification. The analysis evidenced that men performed significantly better than women when executing interaction pointing and dragging GOMS’s operators, but no significant differences arose with regard to the performance in the typing operators. Older users performed worse in all the interaction tasks. No significant performance differences were detected between left and right-handed users.
Research limitations/implications
– The study pretends to lay the ground for developing artificial intelligence-based classification systems (e.g. neural networks, decision trees, etc.) able to detect significant differences in user performance, classifying users according to their age, gender and laterality.
Practical implications
– This user profiling would drive the organisation, selection and representation of the online information according to the specific preferences and needs of each user. This would allow the design of new personalisation algorithms able to perform dynamic adaptation of user interfaces in order to improve the usability of online information systems.
Originality/value
– This work extends previous research on user performance under a new approach and improved accuracy. First, it relies on the combined and simultaneous analysis of ageing and gender and the use of user laterality and experience as control variables. Second, the use of the GOMS analysis allowed the design of tests that closely resemble the user interaction in online information systems. Third, the size of the sample used in this analysis is much bigger than those used in previous works, allowing a more thorough data analysis which includes the estimation of an advanced model which is quantile regression.
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Evaluation of the leap motion controller as a new contact-free pointing device. SENSORS 2014; 15:214-33. [PMID: 25609043 PMCID: PMC4327015 DOI: 10.3390/s150100214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2014] [Accepted: 12/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This paper presents a Fitts' law-based analysis of the user's performance in selection tasks with the Leap Motion Controller compared with a standard mouse device. The Leap Motion Controller (LMC) is a new contact-free input system for gesture-based human-computer interaction with declared sub-millimeter accuracy. Up to this point, there has hardly been any systematic evaluation of this new system available. With an error rate of 7.8% for the LMC and 2.8% for the mouse device, movement times twice as large as for a mouse device and high overall effort ratings, the Leap Motion Controller's performance as an input device for everyday generic computer pointing tasks is rather limited, at least with regard to the selection recognition provided by the LMC.
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Chatagny P, Badoud S, Kaeser M, Gindrat AD, Savidan J, Fregosi M, Moret V, Roulin C, Schmidlin E, Rouiller EM. Distinction between hand dominance and hand preference in primates: a behavioral investigation of manual dexterity in nonhuman primates (macaques) and human subjects. Brain Behav 2013; 3:575-95. [PMID: 24392278 PMCID: PMC3869985 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2013] [Revised: 06/29/2013] [Accepted: 06/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The present study aimed to determine and confront hand preference (hand chosen in priority to perform a manual dexterity task) and hand dominance (hand with best motor performance) in eight macaques (Macaca fascicularis) and in 20 human subjects (10 left-handers and 10 right-handers). Methods Four manual dexterity tests have been executed by the monkeys, over several weeks during learning and stable performance phases (in controlled body position): the modified Brinkman board, the reach and grasp drawer, the tube and the bimanual board tasks. Three behavioral tests, adapted versions from the monkeys tasks (modified Brinkman board, tube and bimanual board tasks), as well as a handedness questionnaire, have been conducted in human subjects. Results In monkeys, there was a large disparity across individuals and motor tasks. For hand dominance, two monkeys were rather right lateralized, three monkeys rather left lateralized, whereas in three monkeys, the different parameters measured were not consistent. For hand preference, none of the eight monkeys exhibited a homogeneous lateralization across the four motor tasks. Macaca fascicularis do not exhibit a clear hand preference. Furthermore, hand preference often changed with task repetition, both during training and plateau phases. For human subjects, the hand preference mostly followed the self-assessment of lateralization by the subjects and the questionnaire (in the latter, right-handers were more lateralized than left-handers), except a few discrepancies based on the tube task. There was no hand dominance in seven right-handers (the other three performed better with the right hand) and in four left-handers. Five left-handers showed left-hand dominance, whereas surprisingly, one left-hander performed better with the right hand. In the modified Brinkman board task, females performed better than males, right-handers better than left-handers. Conclusions The present study argues for a distinction between hand preference and hand dominance, especially in macaque monkeys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Chatagny
- Unit of Physiology Department of Medicine Faculty of Sciences and Fribourg Center for Cognition, University of Fribourg Chemin du Musée 5, CH-1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Simon Badoud
- Unit of Physiology Department of Medicine Faculty of Sciences and Fribourg Center for Cognition, University of Fribourg Chemin du Musée 5, CH-1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Mélanie Kaeser
- Unit of Physiology Department of Medicine Faculty of Sciences and Fribourg Center for Cognition, University of Fribourg Chemin du Musée 5, CH-1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Anne-Dominique Gindrat
- Unit of Physiology Department of Medicine Faculty of Sciences and Fribourg Center for Cognition, University of Fribourg Chemin du Musée 5, CH-1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Julie Savidan
- Unit of Physiology Department of Medicine Faculty of Sciences and Fribourg Center for Cognition, University of Fribourg Chemin du Musée 5, CH-1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Michela Fregosi
- Unit of Physiology Department of Medicine Faculty of Sciences and Fribourg Center for Cognition, University of Fribourg Chemin du Musée 5, CH-1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Véronique Moret
- Unit of Physiology Department of Medicine Faculty of Sciences and Fribourg Center for Cognition, University of Fribourg Chemin du Musée 5, CH-1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Christine Roulin
- Unit of Physiology Department of Medicine Faculty of Sciences and Fribourg Center for Cognition, University of Fribourg Chemin du Musée 5, CH-1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Eric Schmidlin
- Unit of Physiology Department of Medicine Faculty of Sciences and Fribourg Center for Cognition, University of Fribourg Chemin du Musée 5, CH-1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Eric M Rouiller
- Unit of Physiology Department of Medicine Faculty of Sciences and Fribourg Center for Cognition, University of Fribourg Chemin du Musée 5, CH-1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
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Becker K, Smith PJK. Age, Task Complexity, and Sex as Potential Moderators of Attentional Focus Effects. Percept Mot Skills 2013; 117:1172-86. [DOI: 10.2466/23.25.pms.117x14z3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The study tested whether age, sex, or task complexity moderate the effect of attentional focus on motor learning. Children (24 boys, 24 girls) and adults (24 men, 24 women) were assigned to an internal or external attentional focus, and were timed while riding either a Double Pedalo with handles (simple task) or without handles (complex task) over a distance of 7 meters. A Double Pedalo is a four-wheeled device that involves standing on two connected platforms, and alternately pushing them forward to make it move. Participants completed 20 acquisition trials, followed by a 24-hour retention test. For the simpler task, no time differences due to attentional focus emerged. With the complex task, an external focus resulted in faster times in retention than an internal focus, but only for males. These findings suggest that attentional focus affects children and adults similarly, but task complexity and sex moderate these effects.
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Repetitive arm motion-induced fatigue affects shoulder but not endpoint position sense. Exp Brain Res 2011; 216:553-64. [DOI: 10.1007/s00221-011-2959-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2011] [Accepted: 11/15/2011] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
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Côté JN. A critical review on physical factors and functional characteristics that may explain a sex/gender difference in work-related neck/shoulder disorders. ERGONOMICS 2011; 55:173-182. [PMID: 21846285 DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2011.586061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The objective of this paper is to critically review recent literature on physical and functional sex/gender (s/g) differences, with focus on physical determinants associated with neck/shoulder musculoskeletal injuries. It is well known that there are s/g differences in anthropometrical and functional body characteristics (e.g. size and strength). However, s/g differences may be wrongly attributed if data analysis does not include appropriate corrections (e.g. by strength for endurance). Recent literature on motor control shows that there may indeed be s/g differences in muscle coordination and movement strategies during upper limb tasks that are not currently explained by methodological inadequacies. Moreover, recent studies have shown differences between men and women in sensory hypersensitivity characteristics associated with neck/shoulder injuries. Taken together, the literature points to the importance of accounting for possible s/g differences at all levels of the biopsychosocial system in order to better understand sex- and gender-specific issues relevant to workplace health. PRACTITIONER SUMMARY This article critically reviews recent literature and a conceptual model highlighting s/g differences in physical and functional characteristics related to neck/shoulder musculoskeletal disorders (NSMSD). Findings have implications on understanding how personal factors may affect NSMSD risk. With better understanding, practitioners can make more appropriate decisions to prevent work-related NSMSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie N Côté
- McGill University, Kinesiology and Physical Education, 475 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, Quebéc, H2W 1S4, Canada.
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Masud D, Undre S, Darzi A. Differences in final product of a bowel anastomosis of male and female novice surgeons. JOURNAL OF SURGICAL EDUCATION 2011; 68:185-189. [PMID: 21481801 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsurg.2011.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2010] [Revised: 12/14/2010] [Accepted: 01/24/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There is a disproportionate ratio of male to female surgeons when compared with the ratio at medical school. Although gender differences in surgical technical ability is not known, studies have shown gender differences in visuospatial ability and manual dexterity. We devised a study to assess objectively the quality of final product of small bowel anastomosis in male and female novice surgeons to explore differences in surgical technical ability. METHODS Thirty-six novice surgeons in the final year of medical school with minimal surgical experience were taught surgical knot tying and small bowel suturing. The students were asked to complete 7 small bowel anastomosis in 7 separate sessions. The quality of the final product was assessed looking at the "fine details" (number of sutures and accuracy, ie, ratio of sutures piercing the full thickness of the bowel) and the "gross apposition" of the bowel ends at the anastomotic site. A grading system for apposition was devised to assess apposition. RESULTS The results with fine details and accuracy of suturing revealed that female surgeons were significantly better in the fourth to the sixth sessions with no gender difference in the number of sutures placed. With gross apposition at the anastomotic ends, male surgeons were consistently better between the third to the sixth session. However, these differences were eliminated with training. CONCLUSIONS Known gender differences in visuospatial ability and manual dexterity may explain the initial gender differences in the quality of the final product. However, these differences were not present by the end of the training sessions. Therefore, with training, no difference in surgical technical ability was found between male and female novice surgeons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhalia Masud
- Imperial College Academic Surgical unit, St. Marys' Hospital, Paddington, United Kingdom.
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Rodrigues PC, Vasconcelos O, Barreiros J, Barbosa R, Trifilio F. Functional asymmetry in a simple coincidence-anticipation task: Effects of handedness. Eur J Sport Sci 2009. [DOI: 10.1080/17461390802603903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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