1.

Probabilistic movement models show that postural control precedes and predicts volitional motor control

Human motor skill learning is driven by the necessity to adapt to new situations. To study the effect of contacts, an innovative full-body experimental paradigm was established. A novel probabilistic trajectory model approach was employed to analyze the correlation between the motions of both arms and the trunk. Overall, our results suggest that the goal-directed arm movements determine the supportive arm motions and that the motion of heavy body parts adapts faster than the light arms.

COBISS.SI-ID: 29583399

2.

Learning compliant movement primitives through demonstration and statistical generalization

In this paper, we address the problem of simultaneously achieving low trajectory tracking errors and compliant control without using explicit mathematical models of task dynamics. To achieve this goal, we propose a new movement representation called compliant movement primitives (CMPs), which encodes position trajectory and associated torque profiles and can be learned from a single user demonstration. With the proposed control framework, the robot can remain compliant and consequently safe for humans sharing its workspace, even if high trajectory tracking accuracy is required.

COBISS.SI-ID: 29133351

3.

Adaptive control of exoskeleton robots for periodic assistive behaviours based on EMG feedback minimisation

In this paper we propose an exoskeleton control method for adaptive learning of assistive joint torque profiles in periodic tasks. We use human muscle activity as feedback to adapt the assistive joint torque behaviour in a way that the muscle activity is minimised. If the task is altered and the existing assistive behaviour becomes inadequate, the exoskeleton gradually adapts to the new task execution so that the increased muscle activity caused by the new desired task can be reduced. The advantage of the proposed method is that it does not require biomechanical or dynamical models.

COBISS.SI-ID: 29294631

4.

The effect of normobaric hypoxic confinementon metabolism, gut hormones, and body composition

Simulated altitude or hypoxic training is used by athletes to improve their sea level and altitude aerobic performance. Such training may also cause metabolic changes, which may be detrimental and should be taken into consideration. The present study assessed the effect of normobaric hypoxia on metabolism. Energy intake decreased after hypoxic confinement, concomitant with the changes in leptin, resulting in body weight loss.

COBISS.SI-ID: 29719079

5.

Effect of acute hypercapnia during 10-d hypoxic bed rest on posterior eye structures

We investigated the effect of acute hypercapnia following 10-d bed rest and hypoxia on posterior eye structures. That the thickness of the choroid was not affected by PO2 and PCO2, but increased by bedrest, suggests a hydrostatic rather than a vasoactive effect. The increments in RNFL thickness were most likely associated with local hypoxia and hypercapnia-induced dilatation of the retinal blood vessels.

COBISS.SI-ID: 29395751