Training in trunk control biomechanics in older adults

描述（由申请人提供）：这是一份为期五年的支持提案，旨在完成密歇根大学（UM）关于老年人躯干控制生物力学的生物医学工程博士培训，这是避免福尔斯的主要问题。职业发展计划包括课程，以发展生物力学建模和神经肌肉控制的能力，在导师的实验室参加联合研讨会，在老年学的UM研究所，在国家会议上介绍，并提交手稿出版有关的研讨会参与。已经确定了一个研究项目，最终将导致一个更具体的论文。研究计划提出了三个目标：1）确定控制健康和跌倒风险老年人躯干控制的生物力学因素，包括静态和动态条件下的躯干力量，速度和本体感觉; 2）评估这些因素与跌倒风险临床测试之间的关系; 3）建模躯干控制系统动力学，特别是在肌肉功能或感觉缺陷的条件下。主要导师将是Nell亚历山大医学博士，流动性研究中心主任，谁拥有丰富的经验，在老龄化流动性研究，特别是在姿势控制。共同导师将詹姆斯阿什顿米勒博士，生物力学工程师和生物力学研究实验室主任。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This is a proposal for five years of support, to complete Biomedical Engineering PhD training at the University of Michigan (UM) in the biomechanics of trunk control in older adults, a major issue in avoiding falls. The career development plan includes coursework to develop competencies in biomechanical modeling and neuromuscular control participation in joint seminars at the mentor's laboratories, participation in seminars related to aging at the UM Institute of Gerontology, presentation at national meetings, and submission of manuscripts for publication. A research project has been identified that will eventually lead to a more specific thesis. Three aims are proposed for the research plan: 1) Identify biomechanical factors governing trunk control in healthy and fall-risk older adults, including trunk strength, velocity, and proprioception under static and dynamic conditions; 2) Assess the relationship between these factors and clinical tests of fall risk; and 3) Model trunk control system dynamics, particularly under conditions of muscle function or sensory deficits. Primary mentor will be Nell Alexander MD, Director of the Mobility Research Center, who has extensive experience in aging mobility studies, particularly in postural control. Co-mentor will be James Ashton-Miller PhD, biomechanical engineer and Director of the Biomechanics Research Laboratory.