New Approach for Boat Motion Analysis in Rowing

In rowing, the study of the movement of the boat and of the rower in the boat is difficult. Indeed, the shell is quite narrow and fragile and it is impossible to use the classical apparatus for physiological and biomechanical analysis. For this reason, the physiological studies of rowers (cardiac and pulmonary parameters) have been more easily realised on specific and non specific ergometers (see Hagerman for an extensive review 1984): it is well known now, that rowers have exceptional aerobic possibilities and also use anaerobiosis for the start and the final part of the race (Hagerman 1984). In contrast, only a few publications deal with the movement of the boat and the rower. The velocity of the boat at different stroke rates (Martin and Bernfield 1980), the angular velocities of various articulations of the rowers (Nelson and Widule 1983) were studied by kinematic analysis. Though this technique is very useful, it does not catch the movements behind the subjects and is of no use to record physiological and mechanical parameters (Ishiko 1967). Some authors used DC recorder placed in a motor boat following the racing shell to record different parameters (Baird and Soroka 1952; Di Prampero 1971; Celentano 1974). But, this technique is not practical because of the need of a second operator to keep the cables out of the water. With the miniaturization, Ishiko proposed and used multichanneltelemetry to record the force of the rower and the acceleration of the boat (Ishiko 1967; Ishiko 1971). Schneider also used the same technique to record the force of the rower in the boat (Schneider 1978). Though this technique is excellent and powerful, it is also very expensive and quite sophisticated. Our goal was thus to take advantage of the miniaturization of the elements and to build and use a recorder and transducers that can be placed into the boat to record the acceleration of the boat and the propulsive force of the rower

Advantages, disadvantages and feasibility of Pay-for-Quality programs in Belgium

Advantages, disadvantages and feasibility of the introduction of ‘Pay for Quality’ programmes in Belgiu

Predicting long-term sickness absence and supporting return-to work processes, a quantitative research

Long-term sickness absence is increasing in 27 European member states and Norway. Promoting good health and attendance, instead of penalizing absence, has become a growing policy issue (Edwards & Greasley, 2010). As most employees will return to work spontaneously, resources for return to work projects should be focused on the high-risk group for long-term sickness absence. In this project a questionnaire was developed to predict the risk of long-term sickness absence. The development of the questionnaire started with a literature review of the predictive factors for long-term sickness absence, and with a review of existing questionnaires that question long-term sickness absence. The questionnaire will be validated in a pilot study of 10 000 participants. These data will be used to calculate its predictive value and to build a model to predict the risk of long-term sickness absence. The literature study revealed 16 predictors for long-term sickness absence. The most predictive factor is, according to existing research, the patient’s expectancy regarding their return to work. As the other factors are not unambiguously strong predictors, the pilot study will explore the predictive value of the complete model and each separate parameter. A new questionnaire was developed based on both reviews and the 16 predictors they revealed. The questionnaire is not specific for a certain illness, nor for use in a specific country. The questionnaire developed in this research will support physicians to assess the risk of long-term sickness absence, and to guide more employees successfully and sustainably back to work.status: accepte

Shiga-like toxin production and attaching and effacing activity of Escherichia coli associated with calf diarrhea

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