About this Research Topic
Given the success of A Physiologically-Based Approach to Study Different Types of Locomotion in Association with Core Performance and the continuing advances in the field, we are pleased to announce the second edition of this Research Topic.
Good posture and strong core muscles are essential for most athletic movements , but also for daily life activities. Among them, walking and running require lumbo-pelvic stability and mobility for efficient movement and high-level performance. It is especially important during extensive trunk motions while changing the direction of movement, an abrupt walk-to-run transition, or extreme uphill and downhill walking or running. It is equally important when rotating the trunk or lifting heavy loads in sports and everyday life. Such repetitive trunk loading over time may contribute to occurrence of back problems and lower limb injuries. Avoiding these unwanted effects requires a novel approach to studying the physiology of human movement in association with spinal motion and balance function. This may provide a basis for designing exercise programs specifically tailored for competitive athletes, the healthy general population, as well as those suffering from movement disorders.
So far, much effort has been devoted to investigating biomechanical and physiological variations of locomotion, including walking, running, swimming , or hopping. However , a surprising evidence gap is in what extent core stability contributes to effective locomotor performance and a healthy back. There is also little research investigating the force-velocity-power characteristics of exercises involving the use of trunk muscles in athletes with different demands on core strength. Therefore, studying neurophysiological mechanisms underlying core stability and strength with special reference to human motion is of great importance. A better understanding of the relationship between core stability and human movement may have implications for designing sports training and rehabilitation programs to enhance athletes' performance and/or reduce their risk of back pain and lower limb injuries.
Within this topic, contributions (reviews, original articles, case studies, etc.) which address the following areas of research are welcome:
- Muscle stiffness, thixotropy , and connective tissue in postural and core stability
- The association of core stability/core strength with static single-joint and dynamic multi-joint exercises
- The relationship between core stability/core strength and power produced during trunk rotations or lifting tasks
- The association of walking and running with spinal motion and balance function
- Locomotor balance control in individuals of different ages and physical fitness
- Motion of the spine during walking/running
- Center of pressure displacements during walking/running
- The influence of stance position on step initiation
- Physiological aspects of the transition between walking and running
- Energy expenditure of straight-line and change-of-direction walking/running
- Fatigue-induced changes in core/postural stability and gait patterns following different exercises
- Neurophysiological adaptations to core stabilization and/or locomotor training
- Laboratory and field-based physiological testing of core performance and locomotion
Topic Editor Tomas Maly is the holder of 2 domestic and 1 International EU patents for a device for lower extremity muscle force measurement in isokinetic movement conditions and the procedure for the measurement carried out on the device.n the device.
Good posture and strong core muscles are essential for most athletic movements , but also for daily life activities. Among them, walking and running require lumbo-pelvic stability and mobility for efficient movement and high-level performance. It is especially important during extensive trunk motions while changing the direction of movement, an abrupt walk-to-run transition, or extreme uphill and downhill walking or running. It is equally important when rotating the trunk or lifting heavy loads in sports and everyday life. Such repetitive trunk loading over time may contribute to occurrence of back problems and lower limb injuries. Avoiding these unwanted effects requires a novel approach to studying the physiology of human movement in association with spinal motion and balance function. This may provide a basis for designing exercise programs specifically tailored for competitive athletes, the healthy general population, as well as those suffering from movement disorders.
So far, much effort has been devoted to investigating biomechanical and physiological variations of locomotion, including walking, running, swimming , or hopping. However , a surprising evidence gap is in what extent core stability contributes to effective locomotor performance and a healthy back. There is also little research investigating the force-velocity-power characteristics of exercises involving the use of trunk muscles in athletes with different demands on core strength. Therefore, studying neurophysiological mechanisms underlying core stability and strength with special reference to human motion is of great importance. A better understanding of the relationship between core stability and human movement may have implications for designing sports training and rehabilitation programs to enhance athletes' performance and/or reduce their risk of back pain and lower limb injuries.
Within this topic, contributions (reviews, original articles, case studies, etc.) which address the following areas of research are welcome:
- Muscle stiffness, thixotropy , and connective tissue in postural and core stability
- The association of core stability/core strength with static single-joint and dynamic multi-joint exercises
- The relationship between core stability/core strength and power produced during trunk rotations or lifting tasks
- The association of walking and running with spinal motion and balance function
- Locomotor balance control in individuals of different ages and physical fitness
- Motion of the spine during walking/running
- Center of pressure displacements during walking/running
- The influence of stance position on step initiation
- Physiological aspects of the transition between walking and running
- Energy expenditure of straight-line and change-of-direction walking/running
- Fatigue-induced changes in core/postural stability and gait patterns following different exercises
- Neurophysiological adaptations to core stabilization and/or locomotor training
- Laboratory and field-based physiological testing of core performance and locomotion
Topic Editor Tomas Maly is the holder of 2 domestic and 1 International EU patents for a device for lower extremity muscle force measurement in isokinetic movement conditions and the procedure for the measurement carried out on the device.n the device.
Keywords: balance function, core stability, core strength, running, spine motion, walking, lifting task, physiological mechanisms, trunk rotation
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
