A novel approach to identify and quantify activity and performance in wheelchair rugby

Existing methods for performance and activity monitoring of court-based wheelchair sports such as wheelchair rugby during actual matches have their limitations. They either require too much manual efforts or they gather insufficient information. Inertia sensors have the ability to measure substantial amounts of movement data but there is no known method to decipher that huge amount of data for quantifying activity or performance. Based on literature, Fractal dimensions have been applied to signals of physical parameters measured as a time series in the field of sports, biomedical and manufacturing. In all these cases Fractal dimensions of the time-based signals were able to identify different states or conditions accurately. There are several methods of determining Fractal dimensions and for this study, two were narrowed down – one based on Renyi’s generalized dimension (S0) and the other based on Hausdorff dimension (DH). A feasibility study was first conducted to investigate the Fractal dimensions of forward accelerations during manual wheelchair pushing using the two methods. The outcome showed that generally higher Fractal dimension values were linked to higher push amplitudes and frequencies or a higher activeness level. It was identified that S0 related to energy released to the environment while DH showed a connection with activity level. This was then taken further by capturing forward/backward accelerations of wheelchairs during actual wheelchair rugby matches. S0 and DH were calculated from the acceleration data, and four methods were developed using S0 and DH values to identify and quantify activity and performance of the wheelchair rugby athletes. Those methods include cumulative plots of S0 and DH; a Decision template formed using a 2D plot of S0 against DH, and Activities Ranking that is also based on the 2D plot. After the basic process of the methods was developed, steps were taken to optimize the values of S0 and DH such that they are optimal for the identification and quantification outcome of wheelchair rugby activities. The factors that influence S0 and DH values include parameters of the inertia sensing device (sensor resolution and sampling rate), running average window width and amplitude multiplier for calculating DH. In the end, although the number of athletes that were tested was small, the analysis outcome supported results from previous studies where athletes of higher functional classifications showed higher performance. The analysis of activity ranking which had an accuracy of 95% also highlighted that difference in activities between the athletes related highly with their functional classifications and their role or position in the team. The results of the analysis proved to be relevant for coaching, planning matches and even for talent identification

Paralympic VR Game Immersive Game using Virtual Reality Technology

Throughout the years virtual reality has been used for a wide range of applications, and several types of research have been made in order to improve its techniques and technology. In the last few years, the interest in virtual reality has been increasing partially due to the emergence of cheaper and more accessible hardware, and the increase in content available. One of the possible applications for virtual reality is to lead people into seeing situations from a different perspective, which can help change opinions. This thesis uses virtual reality to help people better understand paralympic sports by allowing them to experience the sports’ world from the athletes’ perspective. For the creation of the virtual environment, both computer-generated elements and 360 video are used. The integration of these two components presented a challenge to explore. This thesis focused on wheelchair basketball, and a simulator of this sport was created resorting to the use of a game engine (Unity 3D). For the development of this simulator, computer-generated elements were built, and the interaction with them implemented. Besides allowing the users to play the sport as if they are in the athlete’s shoes, users can also watch 360 videos in which explanations of the modality (rules and classification) are presented. They are also capable of interacting with some of these videos through virtual elements that are placed over the videos. User studies were conducted to evaluate the sense of presence, motion sickness and usability of the system developed. The results were positive although there are still some aspects that should be improved

Analysis of the backpack loading efects on the human gait

Gait is a simple activity of daily life and one of the main abilities of the human being. Often during leisure, labour and sports activities, loads are carried over (e.g. backpack) during gait. These circumstantial loads can generate instability and increase biomechanicalstress over the human tissues and systems, especially on the locomotor, balance and postural regulation systems. According to Wearing (2006), subjects that carry a transitory or intermittent load will be able to find relatively efficient solutions to compensate its effects.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

FROM THE ITALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP TO THE PARALYMPIC PODIUM: ELABORATION OF A NOVEL APPROACH OF DRY-LAND TRAINING IN ÉLITE SWIMMERS WITH DISABILITY

The present Ph D. thesis describes the longitudinal evolution of the physical, postural and functional parameters of three top-level Paralympic swimmers (classes S9-SB8-SM9, S7-SB6-SM7, S5-SB4-SM5) during two years of training promoting a novel approach of \u201cdry land\u201d training based on quality of movement. It is divided into three sections. PART I: in according to available literature, it is described the importance to shift the focus from a movement expressed in quantity (the parameters evaluated are basically related on the athlete\u2019s fitness level) to a movement quality which means a more economic, efficient, biomechanically correct motion and their related assessments procedures. The foundations of human movement patterns are posture and breathing. PART II: two studies, based on aspects that have been an important part to the Paralympic swimmer\u2019s training method, are exposed. The aim of the first research was to evaluate the difference between traditional core training and the abdominal training corrected by diaphragmatic breathing pattern on abdominal fitness, quality of movement and pulmonary function during 4 weeks of training, in two groups (N=32; 29\ub13 years): the Experimental Group performed abdominal exercises characterized on muscular chain stretching accompanied by a diaphragmatic breathing pattern with vocal sound emission, conversely Traditional Group performed traditional core exercises like crunches or isometric planks. The purpose of the second study is to show a different modality of strength training without external devices which effects are similar to those obtained with Blood Flow Restriction Resistance Training. This method is characterized by the modulation of muscle action velocity using moderate intensities (low loads) and slow speed without pause between repetitions nor between phases. PART III: The aim is to show the longitudinal evolution three \ue8lite Paralympic swimmers during two years of training. Methods: related to their disability each subject underwent a specific dry-land training comprising a diaphragmatic breathing technique, aimed to improve their body alignment, mobility and trunk stabilization, as well as a slow-velocity resistance training aimed to improve their muscle strength. They were tested for functional movement by using FMSTM tests, a morphological analysis to describe their body posture, a MARM evaluation for the breathing patterns and the strength measured by vertical jump test with the infrared device Optojump. All data were collected over two years, from the Paralympic games in London in August 2012 to the IPC European Championship in Eindhoven in August 2014. Results: all swimmers improved both the single and the composite scores of the FMSTM assessment, indicating the achievement of a better postural control. They ameliorate their body alignment reaching a better balance between thoracic and diaphragmatic breathing pattern. The male athlete, also increased his strength parameters showing a +14% from December 2012 to August 2013 and an additional 2.6% from August 2013 to August 2014. All athletes won medals (silver and bronze ones) in the major international competitions, especially the male athlete won two bronze medals in London 2012, ended up five gold medals in Eindhoven 2014. Conclusion: These results show that a two-year specific dry-land training comprising body balance, breathing, and slow-velocity resistance training is capable of enhancing the functional, postural and strength performance of three top-level Paralympic swimmers. We conclude that such a gentle approach of training contributed to improved performance in world-class competitions, thus enabling them to reach consistently the highest step of the podium

Training Load and Performance Monitoring, Recovery, Wellbeing, Illness and Injury Prevention

This book represents the efforts of different authors to analyze and provide solid evidence that supports training regulations based on monitoring strategies. This Special Issue includes original articles with some diversity, i.e., considering that different age groups, competitive levels, expertise, and conditions were researched regarding the main topics of training load and performance monitoring, recovery, wellbeing, and illness and injury prevention. Psychophysiological aspects were considered, as were locomotor and mechanical demands and tactical responses. The myriad outcomes analyzed present the reader with an overview of the state of the art and possible new directions for future research. In this book, readers will be also able to find systematic reviews about the key topics

Towards a Legal end Ethical Framework for Personal Care Robots. Analysis of Person Carrier, Physical Assistant and Mobile Servant Robots.

Technology is rapidly developing, and regulators and robot creators inevitably have to come to terms with new and unexpected scenarios. A thorough analysis of this new and continuosuly evolving reality could be useful to better understand the current situation and pave the way to the future creation of a legal and ethical framework. This is clearly a wide and complex goal, considering the variety of new technologies available today and those under development. Therefore, this thesis focuses on the evaluation of the impacts of personal care robots. In particular, it analyzes how roboticists adjust their creations to the existing regulatory framework for legal compliance purposes. By carrying out an impact assessment analysis, existing regulatory gaps and lack of regulatory clarity can be highlighted. These gaps should of course be considered further on by lawmakers for a future legal framework for personal care robot. This assessment should be made first against regulations. If the creators of the robot do not encounter any limitations, they can then proceed with its development. On the contrary, if there are some limitations, robot creators will either (1) adjust the robot to comply with the existing regulatory framework; (2) start a negotiation with the regulators to change the law; or (3) carry out the original plan and risk to be non-compliant. The regulator can discuss existing (or lacking) regulations with robot developers and give a legal response accordingly. In an ideal world, robots are clear of impacts and therefore threats can be responded in terms of prevention and opportunities in form of facilitation. In reality, the impacts of robots are often uncertain and less clear, especially when they are inserted in care applications. Therefore, regulators will have to address uncertain risks, ambiguous impacts and yet unkown effects