The Use of Tensiomyography to Evaluate Neuromuscular Profile and Lateral Symmetry in Competitive Female Surfers

The aim of this study was to determine the contractile properties and muscle stiffness to assess lateral symmetry in competitive female surfers. Fifteen competitive female surfers volunteered to participate in the study. Tensiomyography was used to derive maximum muscle belly displacement, and time delay duration of the Biceps Brachiis, Biceps Femoris, Deltoid, Gastrocnemius lateral head, Rectus Femoris, Tibialis Anterior, Triceps Brachii and Vastus Medialis. No significant differences between right and left limbs at in any of the tested muscles were observed (p > 0.05). Competitive female surfers showed that upper body muscles had the ability to generate force rapidly during contractions, while the lower body muscles generated force at a slower rate. Surf specific training seems to have had an influence on the contractile properties, and stiffness of these muscles. The neuromuscular profile provided here provides further nor-mative data to this unique population

An Analysis of Lower Body Kinematics in Response to Changes in Speed in World-Class Walkers

Information on how race walkers modulate lower body kinematics with speed is of interest to coaches for developing informed training strategies for elite athletes. Seven male Olympic race walkers volunteered to participate in the study. Twelve optoelectronic cameras (Oqus 7, Qualisys) operating at 250 Hz collected kinematic data as participants race walked at 3 different speeds down the 40 m walkway. Statistical parametric mapping (spm1d.org) was used to compare lower body kinematics in Matlab (R2016b, The Mathworks Inc.). Greater hip flexion (4°) was observed at 80-92% of the gait cycle in the 10 km trials than the training pace trials (p < 0.001, medium effect (0.65)). A more flexed hip during terminal swing in the 10 km trials might be indicative of the 0.08 m increase in step length that was present with increases in race walking speed. At the knee, greater flexion (3°) occurred during the 10 km trials than the training pace trials at 68-73% (p < 0.001, medium effect (0.5)). This study suggests that elite race walkers modulate lower body kinematics by increasing range of motion of the hip and knee as speed increases. Coaches and athletes should consider an individualised approach to this kinematic strategy with respect to the rules of race walking

Kinematics of the Final Approach and Take-Off Phases in World-Class Men and Women Pole Vaulters

The pole vault is a highly technical event where the athletes must successfully convert horizontal velocity during the run-up to vertical velocity at take-off. The aim of this study was to compare the kinematics of men's and women's world-class pole vaulting. Video data were collected of the best clearances by 14 men and 11 women at the 2018 IAAF World Indoor Championships using three high-speed cameras (200 Hz). Running velocity, step lengths, step times, and pole angles were measured during the run-up; during take-off, distance from the plant box, angle and velocity of take-off, and relative positions of the foot and hands were measured. Men achieved greater clearance heights with faster run-ups, faster take-off velocities and higher hand grip positions (all p < 0.001), with each of the last three steps longer for men when expressed as absolute values (all p < 0.001), but not when expressed relative to stature. There were no differences in run-up pole angles, step times, take-off angle, take-off contact time or time from pole plant to take-off. Women differed in their approach and take-off for characteristics affected by stature and strength, such as fewer run-up steps, shorter take-off distances, and lower grip heights. These lower grips result from a shorter, lighter pole, and this disadvantage was greater than slower run-up velocities. Coaches should therefore note that sex-based differences occur in the pole vault that result from anthropometric differences, but which do not negate the adoption of similar technical models of vaulting