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1. Hindlimb Somatosensory Information Influences Trunk Sensory and Motor Cortices to Support Trunk Stabilization

   https://doi.org/10.1093/cercor/bhab150  

   Nandakumar, Bharadwaj; Blumenthal, Gary H; Pauzin, Francois Philippe; Moxon, Karen A (June 2021, Cerebral Cortex)

   null (Ed.)

   Abstract Sensorimotor integration in the trunk system is poorly understood despite its importance for functional recovery after neurological injury. To address this, a series of mapping studies were performed in the rat. First, the receptive fields (RFs) of cells recorded from thoracic dorsal root ganglia were identified. Second, the RFs of cells recorded from trunk primary sensory cortex (S1) were used to assess the extent and internal organization of trunk S1. Finally, the trunk motor cortex (M1) was mapped using intracortical microstimulation to assess coactivation of trunk muscles with hindlimb and forelimb muscles, and integration with S1. Projections from trunk S1 to trunk M1 were not anatomically organized, with relatively weak sensorimotor integration between trunk S1 and M1 compared to extensive integration between hindlimb S1/M1 and trunk M1. Assessment of response latency and anatomical tracing suggest that trunk M1 is abundantly guided by hindlimb somatosensory information that is derived primarily from the thalamus. Finally, neural recordings from awake animals during unexpected postural perturbations support sensorimotor integration between hindlimb S1 and trunk M1, providing insight into the role of the trunk system in postural control that is useful when studying recovery after injury. 

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2. Height, trunk and representativity of knots

   https://doi.org/10.2969/jmsj/80438043  

   BLAIR, Ryan; OZAWA, Makoto (October 2019, Journal of the Mathematical Society of Japan)
3. Trunk Neuromuscular Function and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries: A Narrative Review of Trunk Strength, Endurance, and Dynamic Control

   https://doi.org/10.1519/SSC.0000000000000727  

   Song, Yu; Li, Ling; Dai, Boyi (January 2022, Strength & Conditioning Journal)

   Trunk strength, endurance, and dynamic control may have an effect on anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury rates and biomechanical ACL loading variables during athletic tasks. Individuals responsible for training athletes at risk of ACL injuries should implement training programs that address these components of athletic performance. In ski racers, deficits in trunk flexion/extension strength and decreased trunk flexion/extension strength ratios have been identified as ACL injury risk factors. Trunk strength training alone is not sufficient to decrease biomechanical ACL loading, and there is no clear association between trunk endurance and ACL injury risks. Trunk dynamic control training may improve trunk and knee movements associated with decreased ACL loading during athletic tasks. Dynamic, unanticipated, and perturbed trunk functional assessments and training are recommended to challenge the trunk more during athletic tasks. Injury prevention programs should involve exercises using unstable surfaces, sports-related dual tasks, and perturbations to address trunk dynamic control. More investigation is still needed to further understand the associations between trunk neuromuscular functions and ACL injury risks during athletic tasks. 

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4. Simultaneously varying back stiffness and trunk compression in a passive trunk exoskeleton during different activities: A pilot study

   https://doi.org/10.1109/EMBC46164.2021.9630081  

   Gorsic, Maja; Song, Yu; Johnson, Alwyn P.; Dai, Boyi; Novak, Domen (November 2021, Proceedings of the 43rd Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society)

   Passive trunk exoskeletons support the human body with mechanical elements like springs and trunk compression, allowing them to guide motion and relieve the load on the spine. However, to provide appropriate support, elements of the exoskeleton (e.g., degree of compression) should be intelligently adapted to the current task. As it is not currently clear how adjusting different exoskeleton elements affects the wearer, this study preliminarily examines the effects of simultaneously adjusting both exoskeletal spinal column stiffness and trunk compression in a passive trunk exoskeleton. Six participants performed four dynamic tasks (walking, sit-to-stand, lifting a 20-lb box, lifting a 40-lb box) and experienced unexpected perturbations both without the exoskeleton and in six exoskeleton configurations corresponding to two compression levels and three stiffness levels. While results are preliminary due to the small sample size and relatively small increases in stiffness, they indicate that both compression and stiffness may affect kinematics and electromyography, that the effects may differ between activities, and that there may be interaction effects between stiffness and compression. As the next step, we will conduct a larger study with the same protocol more participants and larger stiffness increases to systematically evaluate the effects of different exoskeleton characteristics on the wearer.Clinical Relevance- Trunk exoskeletons can support wearers during a variety of different tasks, but their configuration may need to be intelligently adjusted to provide appropriate support. This pilot study provides information about the effects of exoskeleton back stiffness and trunk compression on the wearer, which can be used as a basis for more effective device design and usage. 

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5. Origami-Inspired Wearable Robot for Trunk Support

   https://doi.org/10.1109/TMECH.2022.3220136  

   Li, Dongting; Yumbla, Emiliano Quinones; Olivas, Alyssa; Sugar, Thomas; Amor, Heni Ben; Lee, Hyunglae; Zhang, Wenlong; Aukes, Daniel M. (June 2023, IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics)