Association of strength and plyometric exercises with change of direction performances

The change of direction (COD) ability is an important task-specific skill for success in team sports, dependent on both strength and reactive strength. The sprint approaching the COD and degrees of the turn are factors influencing the specificity of the COD. Thus, CODs have been suggested to be categorized as force- (> 90°) and velocity-dominant (< 90°) dependent on the degree of the turn. When training programmes fail to provide a significant increase in COD performance, it is often due to neglecting the task-specific demands of the COD. As such, 23 male football players volunteered to complete a randomized controlled trial, investigating the association of maximal strength and power performance with performance in a force- (180°) and velocity-dominant (45°) COD, with a 4 m and 20 m sprint approach. Three strength and three plyometric exercises, matched in movement patterns, were used. Muscle activity of the different conditions was also compared. The correlational analysis revealed that better performance in the plyometric tests were associated with less time to complete both force- and velocity-dominant CODs, supported by similarities in muscle activation. None of the performances in strength exercises correlated to COD performance, due to the slow contraction velocity of maximal lifts. It was concluded that plyometrics share more physical similarities with CODs than the strength exercises.publishedVersio

Applied Biomechanics: Sport Performance and Injury Prevention

This Special Issue had, as its main objective, the compilation of biomechanical studies on sports performance and its relationship with musculoskeletal injuries. It is a collection of research on eight different sports (soccer, volleyball, swimming, cycling, skiing, golf, athletics, and hockey) considering injuries in general and specific injuries such as hamstring muscle injury, anterior cruciate ligament of the knee, and pain of the pubic symphysis. Additionally, it is noteworthy that most of the studies considered both men and women. Classical biomechanical tools have been used, such as 2D and 3D motion analysis, force platforms, and electromyography

The Prevalence and Efficacy of Cross-training in a Professional Ballet Environment: A Literature Review

Fear of ruining the aesthetic integrity of the ideal “ballet body” once barred many dancers from cross-training for endurance and strength, but evidence suggests that these concerns are largely unsubstantiated, and several major dance companies have started integrating supplementary training into their class and rehearsal regimens. Ballet-specific risk factors, busy performance schedules, and the disparity between class and performance demands all limit the extent to which fitness training can be incorporated into professional environments. In addition, the applicability of objective technique analysis in subjective sports and a lack of reliable research within the population of interest have constrained the development of coordinated systems of care amongst medical and artistic professionals. However, other sports set the standard for the future of a field which is progressing in the hands of pioneering experts across the globe. In this thesis, I will use a detailed literature review to outline the anticipated effects of a multifaceted cross-training program on the strength and endurance of professional ballet dancers and make suggestions for further research as it relates to the prevention of overuse injuries, the unique demands of ballet, and the periodization of training. These recommendations will be based upon the standards set by other sports as well as the opinions of current professionals who work within the confines of an emerging field

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

A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Arthroscopic Surgery to Conservative Management of Femoroacetabular Impingement

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether patients with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) who undergo arthroscopic hip surgery experience similar outcomes at two years post-operative with respect to physical function, pain, and health related quality of life, compared to similar patients who receive conservative management, including medication and physiotherapy. This thesis is an interim analysis of ten participants who are six-months post-randomization. METHODS: Participants were randomized to either operative treatment (6) or conservative treatment (4), and completed general and region specific quality of life questionnaires, including the Hip Outcome Score (HOS), Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), Modified Harris Hip Score (MHHS), Non-Arthritic Hip Score (NAHS), and SF-12. RESULTS: This interim analysis did not find any statistical differences between groups for patient reported outcomes or range of motion at the six-month assessment. CONCLUSIONS: These are the preliminary results of a larger study that lacks power; a larger sample is required to make definitive conclusions

Training Methods to Improve Sports Performance and Health

There are several types of training methods aiming to develop sports performance and improve health indicators. Fundamentally, training methods are the result of manipulating different training variables, and the possibility of combining these variables is vast. Therefore, the search to study the effect of these constraints on sports and health, considering specific contexts and taking into account the magnitude of inter-individual responses, will afford a better understanding of the training interventions.At the same time, over the years, numerous innovations and technological advances have been introduced to assist the development of athletes’ performance and monitor individual lifestyles. These advances have changed how training may be conducted, controlled, and evaluated. For example, in sport settings, using technology to collect many and continuous data of athletes’ activity in their natural environments appears as an innovative and promising step. In health, an enormous diversity of training methods supporting healthy lifestyles and innovative approaches is arising, especially from higher-quality information gathered through technological development.Papers addressing these topics are included in this book, especially those combining a high academic standard with a practical focus on providing knowledge on how training methods improve sports performance and health across people's lifespans. New evidence urges us to track the progress and effects of training methods

Sports Performance and Health

Sports performance is primarily associated with elite sport, however, recreational athletes are increasingly attempting to emulate elite athletes. Performance optimization is distinctly multidisciplinary. Optimized training concepts and the use of state-of-the-art technologies are crucial for improving performance. However, sports performance enhancement is in constant conflict with the protection of athletes’ health. Notwithstanding the known positive effects of physical activity on health, the prevention and management of sports injuries remain major challenges to be addressed. Accordingly, this Special Issue on "Sports Performance and Health" consists of 17 original research papers, one review paper, and one commentary, and covers a wide range of topics related to fatigue, movement asymmetries, optimization of sports performance by training, technique, and/or tactics enhancements, prevention and management of sports injuries, optimization of sports equipment to increase performance and/or decrease the risk of injury, and innovations for sports performance, health, and load monitoring. As this Special Issue offers several new insights and multidisciplinary perspectives on sports performance and health, readers from around the world who work in these areas are expected to benefit from this Special Issue collection

Application of the Dynamic Systems Theory to the Elder Population

For this project, the Dynamic Systems theory (DST) of motor performance was applied specifically to the elder population, and set of exercise plans for walking and finger utensil usage were researched and manipulated. The most common individual, environmental, and task constraints seen in elders were designed to create a recommended set of movement plans to help maintain motor performance for each skill. With the average age constantly increasing in the United States, more people are living longer, meaning that people must be able to maintain their motor performance for longer periods of time, to ensure continued mobility. The set of movement plans was separated into three categories based on the individual, environmental, and task constraints seen in the majority of situations. There are recommendations of how each constraint can be manipulated, so the constraints that apply most to an individual can be used to produce the most efficient movement. This can be beneficial for many elderly people because it can act as their personal mobility plan to improve and enhance motor performance. It can also help benefit younger people as it can be used as a proactive way to transition into a new stage of life. It is hoped that creating these movement plans will give elders more options to enhance their motor performance to maintain mobility. Additionally, by basing the movement plans on the DST, awareness can be raised about its effectiveness, so that more people can understand and apply it to various aspects of their lives