Training in trunk control biomechanics in older adults

描述(由申请人提供)：这是一项为期五年的支持计划，在密歇根大学(UM)完成关于老年人躯干控制生物力学的生物医学工程博士培训，这是避免跌倒的主要问题。职业发展计划包括培养生物力学建模和神经肌肉控制能力的课程工作，参加导师实验室的联合研讨会，参加密歇根大学老年学研究所与老龄化有关的研讨会，在全国会议上发表演讲，以及提交手稿供出版。已经确定了一个研究项目，该项目最终将导致更具体的论文。该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的关系；以及3)模型躯干控制系统动力学，特别是在肌肉功能或感觉障碍的情况下。主要导师将是Nell Alexander MD，他是移动性研究中心的主任，在老年移动性研究方面拥有丰富的经验，特别是在姿势控制方面。共同导师将是生物力学工程师兼生物力学研究实验室主任詹姆斯·阿什顿-米勒博士。

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.