CUSTOM-BUILT WIRELESS PRESSURE SENSING INSOLES FOR DETERMINING CONTACT-TIMES IN 60M MAXIMAL SPRINT RUNNING

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a custom-built wireless pressure sensing insole system for recording ground contact times in sprinting. Despite interest in the foot contact time/running velocity relationship, no study has examined the contact times in a maximal 60 m sprint. Insole data were collected on three athletes during maximal indoor sprint runs. Simultaneous kinematic data for start and maximum velocity phases were recorded with a CODA system to validate insole contact times and determine velocity. Insole derived contact times were accurate to ±4 ms. Preliminary data indicate a usable contact time/velocity relationship. It is anticipated that these data will provide support for the use of wireless technology in sprint performance monitoring, and facilitate novel insights into the contact time/sprint running velocity relationship

CHANGES IN STEP CHARACTERISTICS BETWEEN THE MAXIMUM VELOCITY AND DECELERATION PHASES OF THE 100 METRE SPRINT RUN

In a 100 m sprint race, athletes are unable to maintain their maximum velocity through the finish line. The aim of this study was to investigate the contributions of step length and step frequency to changes in velocity as athletes decelerate. Nine well-trained sprint athletes each performed between three and five maximal 100 m sprints. Velocity, step length and step frequency were measured for individual steps in the maximum velocity (30-40 m) and deceleration (70-80 m) phases. On a group level, velocity and step frequency reduced between the maximum velocity and deceleration phases (p < 0.05), whereas step length did not. Individual athlete analyses revealed that the fastest sprinters tended to maintain velocity in the deceleration phase by combining a significant reduction in step frequency with a significant increase in step length

TOWARDS AN AUTOMATED FEEDBACK COACHING SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR SPRINT PERFORMANCE MONITORING

The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of developing a cost-effective, automated performance feedback system to support sprint coaching. The proposed system is designed to deliver step length, step frequency, contact time and 10 m split time information of multiple athletes training on an indoor track. An integrated systems approach was chosen combining the novel Pisa Light-Gate (PLG) and Step Information Monitoring Systems (SIMS). Current results indicate data accuracy of RMS 1.662 cm for step length, RMS 0.977 ms for foot contact time and a split time detection accuracy of 8.45 ± 6.85 ms. These results suggest that the proposed integrated system, using off-the-shelf equipment, would go beyond currently available coaching tools by providing automated and highly accurate sprint performance information for multiple athletes

More Than Just Adolescence: Differences in Fatigue Between Youth With Cerebral Palsy and Typically Developing Peers

Objective To quantify differences in fatigue and disordered sleep between adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) and their typically developing peers. A secondary aim was to investigate the association between fatigue and disordered sleep in adolescents with CP. Methods A convenience sample of 36 youth with CP aged 10-18 years was matched for age and sex with 36 typically developing peers. The Fatigue Impact and Severity Self-Assessment (FISSA), the Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) fatigue profile, and the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) were collected. Results Higher fatigue was reported in participants with CP than in their typically developing peers based on the FISSA total score (mean paired difference=19.06; 99% confidence interval [CI], 6.06-32.1), the FISSA impact subscale (mean paired difference=11.19; 99% CI, 3.96-18.4), and the FISSA Management and Activity Modification subscale (mean paired difference=7.86; 99% CI, 1.1-14.6). There were no differences between groups in the PROMIS fatigue profile (mean paired difference=1.63; 99% CI, -1.57-4.83) or the SDSC total score (mean paired difference=2.71; 99% CI, -2.93-8.35). Conclusion Youth with CP experienced significantly more fatigue than their peers as assessed by a comprehensive measure that considered both general and diagnosis-specific concerns. Sleep did not differ between youth with CP and their typically developing peers. These findings underscore the need to consider the clinical management of fatigue across the lifespan of individuals with CP to prevent the associated deterioration of functional abilities

Accurate band mapping via photoemission from thin films

Electron bands in solids can be determined in angle-resolved photoemission experiments from thin films, where the perpendicular wave vector (k⊥) uncertainty that characterizes photoemission from bulk crystals is removed. However, the comparison with state-of-the-art quasiparticle band-structure calculations has never been done. In this work we have mapped both initial-state (occupied) and final-state (empty) E(k⊥) bands along the A axis of aluminum, from photon-energy- and thickness-dependent quantum-well spectra of aluminum films. For final states the best fit is obtained with inverse low-energy electron diffraction band structure calculations. For initial-state bands of Cu and Al, thin-film data display excellent agreement with bulk quasiparticle theory, suggesting the use of thin films as model systems to investigate fine effects in the crystal band structure.This work has been supported in part by the Universidad del País Vasco (A.Mu. and J.E.O. under Contract No. 00057.240-EA-13668/2001, and A.Ma., A.R., and F.J.G.A. under Contract No. 00206.215-13639/2001), the European Community (EC) research training network NANOPHASE [A.Ma. and A.R. (Grant No. HPRN-CT-2000-00167)], and the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología [A.Ma., A.R., and F.J.G.A. (Grant No. MAT2001-0946), and J.L. and E.G.M. (BFM2001-0244)].Peer Reviewe

ifo Konjunkturprognose 2005/2006: Nur zögerliche Erholung

Die Weltwirtschaft hat im laufenden Jahr merklich an Dynamik eingebüßt, nachdem sie 2004 außerordentlich stark gewachsen war. In Deutschland fehlen die binnenwirtschaftlichen Auftriebskräfte immer noch fast vollständig. Die gesamtwirtschaftliche Produktion kommt sofort aus dem Tritt, sobald vom Ausland geringere Impulse ausgehen. Für die deutsche Wirtschaft ist eine fundamentale Wachstumsschwäche zu diagnostizieren; das Produktionspotential steigt derzeit nur um 1%, das ist halb so hoch wie im restlichen Euroraum. Die Entwicklung dieses und des kommenden Jahres wird ungefähr dem Trend folgen. Das reale Bruttoinlandsprodukt dürfte im Jahresdurchschnitt 2005 um 0,8% expandieren, nach 1,6% im Jahr 2004. Im nächsten Jahr dürfte sich das Expansionstempo der gesamtwirtschaftlichen Produktion parallel zur Besserung der Weltkonjunktur wieder leicht beschleunigen; die Zuwachsrate des realen Bruttoinlandsprodukts dürfte sich dann auf 1,2% belaufen. Damit wird die gesamtwirtschaftliche Auslastung der Produktionskapazitäten wieder zunehmen. Die Inflationsrate dürfte trotz des Ölpreisschubs im Durchschnitt des Prognosezeitraums unter der 2-Prozentmarke liegen. Auf dem deutschen Arbeitsmarkt ist bisher keine Wende eingetreten. Im Mai dieses Jahres gab es 4,81 Mill. registrierte Arbeitslose; das entspricht einem Anstieg von 510 000 gegenüber dem vergleichbaren Vorjahresmonat. Der überwiegende Teil dieser Zunahme (ca. 360 000) ist auf die im Zuge der Hartz-IV-Gesetzgebung erfolgte Zusammenlegung von Arbeitslosen- und Sozialhilfe zurückzuführen. Rechnet man dagegen, dass inzwischen rund 155 000 Zusatzjobs die Statistik entlasten, so dürfte die rein konjunkturelle Zunahme der Arbeitslosigkeit rund 300 000 betragen haben. Erst im nächsten Jahr ist eine leichte Besserung auf dem Arbeitsmarkt zu erwarten. Unter der Annahme, dass bis zum Jahresende 2006 etwa 300 000 Zusatzjobs geschaffen werden, dürfte sich die Zahl der registrierten Arbeitslosen in diesem Jahr auf 4,86 Millionen belaufeWeltkonjunktur, Konjunkturprognose, Wirtschafstwachstum, Konjunkturumfrage, Geschäftsklima, Deutschland, Welt