Analysis of the X-Factor and X-Factor stretch during the completion of a golf practice session in low-handicap golfers

The X-Factor and X-Factor stretch have been positively correlated with golf long game performance. The aim of this study was to compare the X-Factor, X-Factor stretch and long game performance variables pre and following a golf practice session. A group of male golfers (n = 15, handicap = 3.3 ± 1.7) participated in the laboratory-based-study. Movement and performance variables were collected from five golf swings performed pre and following a golf practice session using a motion capture system and launch monitor respectively. Following the practice session, significant increases were observed in the X-Factor (p = 0.00, d = 0.22) and the X-Factor stretch (p = 0.02, d = 0.25). Specifically, the X-Factor increased from 52.82 ± 5.64 ° to 54.06 ± 5.61 ° following the practice session. The X-Factor stretch increased from 1.54 ± 1.05 ° to 1.90 ± 1.41 ° following the practice session. Significant differences were displayed in club head velocity (p = 0.00, d = 0.35), ball velocity (p = 0.01, d = 0.21) and actual carry distance (p = 0.00, d = 0.29) following the practice session. These findings suggest that performing multiple golf shots is not detrimental in terms of muscular fatigue in the long game performance. In actual fact, the findings demonstrate that performing 100 golf shots increases the X-Factor, X-Factor stretch patterns and performance variables which, in turn, increases long game performance. These findings can help PGA golf Professionals improve teaching practices and formulation of golf programmes and warm-up sessions

FINITE ELEMENT ANALYZE OF THE FIRST METATARSAL VERTICAL ARCH OF THE FOOT IN THE HIGH-HEELED GAIT

A two-dimensional numerical model of the foot, incorporating, for the first time in the literature, realistic geometric and material properties of both skeletal and soft tissue components of the foot, was developed for biomechanical analysis of its structural behavior during gait. Using a Finite Element solver, the stress distribution within the first metatarsal vertical: arch of the foot (FMVA) structure was obtained and regions of elevated stresses for three subphases of the stance (heel-strike, push-off, and toe-off) were located. Validation of the pressure state was achieved by comparing model predictions of contact pressure distribution with Novel Pedar. The presently developed measurement and numerical analysis tools open new approaches for clinical applications, from simulation of the development mechanisms of common foot disorders to pre-and post-interventional evaluation of their treatment

PLANTAR MECHANICS INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT AND EXTRINSIC BIOMECHANICS INSTRUMENTALlTIES IN STANDING VERTICAL JUMP

The research has studied and compared with the areal characters of plantar pressure distribution in standing vertical jump, MMP (mean maximum pressure), MVP (mean value pressure) and the plantar force changes. The research has studied the formation of the shockproof mechanism in different designed shockproof systems, the aim is to guide to design shockproof shoes and to strengthen people's understanding to sports shockproof shoes

FOOT FUNCTION ASSESSMENT THROUGH KINEMATIC AND KINETIC ANALYSIS

The purpose of this study was to investigate toes’ function while performing barefoot and shod running between habitually unshod and shod runners. Seven habitually male shod runners and six habitually male barefoot runners participated the running test. Kinematic and kinetic analysis were synchronously conducted. The habitually unshod runners showed significantly higher ankle eversion-to-inversion angle in the pushing-off phase than habitually shod runners. And forefoot loading reduced as the big toe of habitually unshod runners pushing ground under shod condition, with similar function of other toes among habitually shod runners. It is noted that the work of big toe and other toes lead to the decreased loading to the forefoot. This might be beneficial for the prevention of foot injuries, like plantar fasciitis and metatarsal fatigue fracture

Electromyographic analyses of the erector spinae muscles during golf swings using four different clubs

The purpose of this study was to compare the electromyography (EMG) patterns of the thoracic and lumbar regions of the erector spinae (ES) muscle during the golf swing whilst using four different golf clubs. Fifteen right-handed male golfers performed a total of twenty swings in random order using the driver, 4-iron, 7-iron and pitching-wedge. Surface EMG was recorded from the lead and trail sides of the thoracic and lumbar regions of the ES muscle (T8, L1 and L5 lateral to the spinous-process). Three-dimensional high-speed video analysis was used to identify the backswing, forward swing, acceleration, early and late follow-through phases of the golf swing. No significant differences in muscle-activation levels from the lead and trail sides of the thoracic and lumbar regions of the ES muscle were displayed between the driver, 4-iron, 7-iron and pitching-wedge (P > 0.05). The highest mean thoracic and lumbar ES muscle-activation levels were displayed in the forward swing (67–99% MVC) and acceleration (83–106% MVC) phases of the swing for all clubs tested. The findings from this study show that there were no significant statistical differences between the driver, 4-iron, 7-iron and pitching-wedge when examining muscle activity from the thoracic and lumbar regions of the ES muscle

A LONGITUDINAL ANALYSIS OF CENTER OF PRESSURE IN PREGNANT GAIT THROUGHOUT PREGNANCY AND POST-PARTUM

The changes of physiological and morphological during pregnancy muld lead to gait pattern's changes. The aim of this study was to analysis the variation of pregnancy gait balance. Sixteen healthy pregnant women by choosing were performed during the second and third trimesters and again post-partum. Novel EMED was used for measuring the trajectory of the centre of pressure (COP). The results revealed that COP deviation distance (Dn) significantly increase in third trimester compared with post-partum during the initial contact phase (P=0.038). No differences were observed in the deviation distance of trimesters and postpartum during the forefoot push off phase. This method and results maybe have a new sight to reveal the dynamic stability with advanced pregnancy

BlOMECHANlCAL ANALYSIS OF VERTICAL JUMP WITH DIFFERENT FOREFOOT MORPHOLOGY

This study examined biomechanical differences between habitually barefoot male and habitually shod male during vertical jump. Foot morphology was measured with Easy-Foot-Scan. Foot kinetics and ankle kinematics were obtained from EMED pressure platform and Vicon motion analysis system as completing vertical jumps under barefoot condition. The results showed that habitually barefoot subjects had a significantly larger minimal distance between hallux and other toes. habitually unshod subjects showed larger loading under hallux and medial forefoot, while habitually shod subjects presented larger loading under medial and central forefoot. in addition, habitually barefoot male had smaller ankle plantarflexion, eversion and external rotation during vertical jump. Differences of kinematics and kinetics during vertical jump might attribute to the morphological differences in the toes region, which possibly explain the foot injury risks between habitually barefoot and habitually shod individuals