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，用于在密歇根大学（UM）完成生物医学工程博士培训，内容是老年人躯干控制的生物力学，这是避免跌倒的主要问题。职业发展计划包括在生物力学建模和神经肌肉控制方面发展能力的课程学习，参加导师实验室的联合研讨会，参加UM老年学研究所与衰老相关的研讨会，在全国会议上发表演讲，并提交手稿发表。一个研究项目已经确定，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)确定在静态和动态条件下控制健康和有跌倒风险的老年人躯干控制的生物力学因素，包括躯干力量、速度和本体感觉；2)评估这些因素与跌倒风险临床试验的关系；3)模拟躯干控制系统动力学，特别是在肌肉功能或感觉缺陷的情况下。主要导师将是活动研究中心主任Nell Alexander医学博士，她在老年人活动研究方面有着丰富的经验，特别是在姿势控制方面。联合导师将是詹姆斯·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.