Anatomically asymmetrical runners move more asymmetrically at the same metabolic cost.

We hypothesized that, as occurring in cars, body structural asymmetries could generate asymmetry in the kinematics/dynamics of locomotion, ending up in a higher metabolic cost of transport, i.e. more 'fuel' needed to travel a given distance. Previous studies found the asymmetries in horses' body negatively correlated with galloping performance. In this investigation, we analyzed anatomical differences between the left and right lower limbs as a whole by performing 3D cross-correlation of Magnetic Resonance Images of 19 male runners, clustered as Untrained Runners, Occasional Runners and Skilled Runners. Running kinematics of their body centre of mass were obtained from the body segments coordinates measured by a 3D motion capture system at incremental running velocities on a treadmill. A recent mathematical procedure quantified the asymmetry of the body centre of mass trajectory between the left and right steps. During the same sessions, runners' metabolic consumption was measured and the cost of transport was calculated. No correlations were found between anatomical/kinematic variables and the metabolic cost of transport, regardless of the training experience. However, anatomical symmetry significant correlated to the kinematic symmetry, and the most trained subjects showed the highest level of kinematic symmetry during running. Results suggest that despite the significant effects of anatomical asymmetry on kinematics, either those changes are too small to affect economy or some plastic compensation in the locomotor system mitigates the hypothesized change in energy expenditure of running

Anthropometric and physical characteristics allow differentiation of young female volleyball players according to playing position and level of expertise

The aim of our study was to determine the differences in some anthropometric and physical performance variables of young Croatian female volleyball players (aged 13 to 15) in relation to playing position (i.e., independent variable) and performance level within each position (i.e., independent variable). Players were categorized according to playing position (i.e., role) as middle blockers (n=28), opposite hitters (n=41), passer-hitters (n=54), setters (n=30), and liberos (n=28). Within each position, players were divided into a more successful group and a less successful group according to team ranking in the latest regional championship and player quality within the team. Height and body mass, somatotype by the Heath-Carter method, and four tests of lower body power, speed, agility and upper body power (i.e., dependent variables) were assessed. Players in different positions differed significantly in height and all three somatotype components, but no significant differences were found in body mass, body mass index or measured physical performance variables. Players of different performance level differed significantly in both anthropometric and physical performance variables. Generally, middle blockers were taller, more ectomorphic, less mesomorphic and endomorphic, whereas liberos were shorter, less ectomorphic, more mesomorphic and endomorphic than players in other positions. More successful players in all positions had a lower body mass index, were less mesomorphic and endomorphic, and more ectomorphic than less successful players. Furthermore, more successful players showed better lower body power, speed, agility and upper body power. The results of this study can potentially provide coaches with useful indications about the use of somatotype selection and physical performance assessment for talent identification and development

Low-cost match analysis of italian sixth and seventh division soccer refereeing.

At every level, soccer referees and their assistants perform a significant amount of physical activity while refereeing; therefore, they must evaluate and keep an adequate physical condition. The author described the outcome of a functional evaluation protocol on adult healthy sportsmen refereeing in the Italian sixth and seventh division. Results have been compared with others published in the literature and gathered by means of different protocols. Referees and assistant referees have been monitored during official matches by means of wrist global positioning system receivers-instead of commonly used imaging techniques-and heart rate monitors. Total match distances covered, distances covered at different clustered speeds, match average heart rate, and its proportion over significant values have been measured. To detect differences over the match, first and second half total distance, distances covered at speeds over significant values, heart rate, and its proportion over significant values have been measured separately. Both whole-match and between-halves results were similar to highest literature data. Italian sixth and seventh division soccer referees show adequate physical capabilities and can use inexpensive wrist global positioning system receivers and heart rate monitors to evaluate them

Evaluating BCI devices: a statistical perspective.

Comment in Response to letter by Padulo and Ardig\uf2. [Ergonomics. 2014] Comment on Evaluating the ergonomics of BCI devices for research and experimentation. [Ergonomics. 2012

Halteres used in ancient Olympic long jump

Halteres are hand-held weights that were first used in the standing long jump in the eighteenth ancient Olympiad in 708 bc, and may have been introduced either to make the challenge more difficult or to extend the jumping distance. Here we use computer and experimental simulations to determine the optimal mass of halteres that would be needed to maximally extend a standing long jump, and find that this corresponds closely to the size range of actual archaeological specimens. These halteres were made of stone or lead and weighed 2 129 kg, which we calculate would increase a 3-metre jump by at least 17 cm, indicating that their purpose was to boost the performance of pentathletes. Halteres may therefore be the earliest passive tool that was devised to enhance human-powered locomotion

Vertebral rotation in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis calculated by radiograph and back surface analysis-based methods: correlation between the Raimondi method and rasterstereography. Eur Spine J;22:2336-2337 : Statistical perspectives part II.

Comment in Answer to the second letter to the Editor of J. Padulo et al. concerning: "vertebral rotation in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis calculated by radiograph and back surface analysis-based methods: correlation between the Raimondi method and rasterstereography" by Mangone M, Raimondi P, Paoloni M, Pellanera S, Di MA, Di RS, Vanadia M, Dimaggio M, Murgia M, Santilli V (2013) Eur Spine J 22:367-371. [Eur Spine J. 2014]Comment on Answer to the Letter to the Editor of J. Padulo concerning: "Vertebral rotation in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis calculated by radiograph and back surface analysis-based methods: correlation between the Raimondi method and rasterstereography" by Mangone M, Raimondi P, Paoloni M, Pellanera S, Di Michele A, Di Renzo S, Vanadia M, Dimaggio M, Murgia M, Santilli V (2013) Eur Spine J 22:367-371. [Eur Spine J. 2013] Letter to the Editor concerning "Vertebral rotation in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis calculated by radiograph and back surface analysis-based methods: correlation between the Raimondi method and rasterstereography". [Eur Spine J. 2013

Formetric 4D rasterstereography.

no abstract availabl

Letter to the Editor concerning "Is the 4 mm height of the vertebral artery groove really a limitation of C1 pedicle screw insertion?" (by Da-Geng Huang, Si-Min He, Jun-Wei Pan, et al. Eur Spine J, 2014, 23(5):1109-1114).

[no abstract available

Letter to the Editor concerning "Vertebral rotation in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis calculated by radiograph and back surface analysis-based methods: correlation between the Raimondi method and rasterstereography".

Comment in Answer to the Letter to the Editor of J. Padulo concerning: "Vertebral rotation in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis calculated by radiograph and back surface analysis-based methods: correlation between the Raimondi method and rasterstereography" by Mangone M, Raimondi P, Paoloni M, Pellanera S, Di Michele A, Di Renzo S, Vanadia M, Dimaggio M, Murgia M, Santilli V (2013) Eur Spine J 22:367-371. [Eur Spine J. 2013]; Answer to the second letter to the Editor of J. Padulo et al. concerning: "vertebral rotation in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis calculated by radiograph and back surface analysis-based methods: correlation between the Raimondi method and rasterstereography" by Mangone M, Raimondi P, Paoloni M, Pellanera S, Di MA, Di RS, Vanadia M, Dimaggio M, Murgia M, Santilli V (2013) Eur Spine J 22:367-371. [Eur Spine J. 2014]; Vertebral rotation in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis calculated by radiograph and back surface analysis-based methods: correlation between the Raimondi method and rasterstereography. Eur Spine J;22:2336-2337 : Statistical perspectives part II. [Eur Spine J. 2014]; Comment on Vertebral rotation in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis calculated by radiograph and back surface analysis-based methods: correlation between the Raimondi method and rasterstereography. [Eur Spine J. 2013

Formetric rasterstereography: a new perspective.

no abstract availabl