Experimental analysis of paddling efficiency of elite and non-elite athletes with instrumented canoe sprint C1

Canoeing is an on-water sport admitted by the International Canoe Federation (ICF) and Canoe Sprint became an Olympic discipline in 1936: its programme includes events over 200 m, 500 m and 1000 m. There are numerous Canoe events in single (C1), double (C2) and four (C4) boats. In this discipline the canoeist is kneeling on one knee, and uses a single-bladed flat paddle. In the same way as kayaking, canoeing is a sport whereby propulsion of the boat is derived mainly from muscle actions of the upper body. Conversely, the kneeling position of the canoeist influences the dynamic behaviour of the hull and the force stroke exerted by the single-bladed paddle results in augmented ‘fluctuation’ of the average speed, in greater roll angle and wider pitch span of the canoe with respect to the kayak boat. Besides, the flat shape of the paddle determines the particular paddling technique. In canoeing high forces must be applied at high stroke rates and athletes are coached both in stroke technique and power or resistance training. Elite athletes stand out for the style and efficiency of the stroke, for power and resistance and for skills in the race strategy. Biomechanical measures of canoeing is an important asset to improve performance. In addition comparing results from test to test enables monitoring of an athlete's yearly, and year-to-year improvement. Finally, the experimental analysis of the main kinematical and dynamical parameters allows to examine the shape of the force curves for stroke error detection purposes and to reduce the ineffective hull movements. In this paper the performance and the paddling technique of two elite and two non-elite canoeists are presented by means of an on-water experimental apparatus. Moreover a comparison between the drive phase of the stroke in kayaking and canoeing is proposed. The goals of this research project were to (1) develop a system for on-the-water measurement of paddling performance in kayaking and canoeing, (2) demonstrate the potential of such a system to quantify efficiency and then (3) compare the main kinematical and dynamical parameters of single K1 and C1 boats and the technique differences in paddling style

ISMuLT Guidelines for muscle injuries

Muscle injuries are frequent in high demand sports. No guidelines are available in the scientific literature. ISMuLT, the "Italian Society of Muscles, Ligaments and Tendons", in line with its multidisciplinary mission, is proud to cover this gap

Muscle injuries: a brief guide to classification and management

Muscle injuries are frequent in athletes. Despite their high incidence, advances in clinical diagnostic criteria and imaging, their optimal management and rehabilitation strategies are still debated in literature. Furthermore, reinjury rate is high after a muscle lesion, and an improper treatment or an early return to sports can increase the rate of reinjury and complications. Most muscle injuries are managed conservatively with excellent results, and surgery is normally advocated only for larger tears. This article reviews the current literature to provide physicians and rehabilitation specialists with the necessary basic tools to diagnose, classify and to treat muscle injuries. Based on anatomy, biomechanics, and imaging features of muscle injury, the use of a recently reported new classification system is also advocated

What is the Injury Incidence and Profile in Professional Male Ice Hockey? A Systematic Review.

# BACKGROUND Professional male ice hockey is characterized by a congested in-season match schedule and by different scenarios where the whole body is exposed to great internal and external forces. Consequently, injuries occur from head to toe. However, there is a lack of data synthesis regarding the injury incidence and profile in this population. # PURPOSE The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review to quantify the injury incidence rates in professional male ice hockey. # STUDY DESIGN Systematic Review # METHODS The electronic databases PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, ProQuest-Sport medicine & Education Index, and Pro-Quest Dissertation and Thesis were searched utilizing terms related to ice hockey and injuries. Studies were included if they provided the incidence of injury in professional male hockey players and reported injuries in terms of time lost. The modified Newcastle Ottawa Scale for cohort studies and the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology - Sports Injury and Illness Surveillance Statement were used to assess the methodological quality of the studies. # RESULTS Eleven studies were included in the review. Match injury incidence ranged from 38 to 88.6 injuries/1000 hours of exposure, whereas training injury incidence varied from 0.4 to 2.6 injuries/1000 hours of exposure. Injuries of traumatic origin accounted for 76% to 96.6% of all injuries, with contusions and lacerations being the most common. Severe injuries accounted for 7.8% - 20% of all injuries. The lower extremities were the most susceptible to injury, comprising 27% to 53.7% of all reported injuries. # CONCLUSION Professional male ice hockey players are exposed to a substantial risk of injury during competitions, with lower extremities being the most commonly affected body part. The majority of injuries are traumatic and severe injuries account for a notable portion of overall injury cases