EFFECTS OF AN INCLINED BOARD ON THE TAKEOFF MOTION OF LONG JUMP

The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of the inclined board on the motion during the takeoff and the preparatory phases in long jump and to obtain suggestion to effectively use the inclined board as a training tool. Five male long jumpers were videotaped with a high speed VTR camera. Three kinds of trials were performed with a middle length of run-up: Normal 1 trial, the subject's own manner; Board trial, with the upward inclined board; Normal 2 trial, the subject's own manner; in turn. In Board trail, the forward rotation velocity of the body and the run-up speed during the preparatory phase were larger than those of Normal 1 trial. In Board trial, the timing of the backward lean of the trunk was delayed and the change in the knee angle implied that the jumpers could step up to the takeoff. It is suggested that the inclined board is an effective training tool to learn a quick takeoff motion with less decrease in the horizontal velocity

Analysis of lower limb internal kinetics and electromyography in elite race walking.

The aim of this study was to analyse lower limb joint moments, powers and electromyography patterns in elite race walking. Twenty international male and female race walkers performed at their competitive pace in a laboratory setting. The collection of ground reaction forces (1000 Hz) was synchronised with two-dimensional high-speed videography (100 Hz) and electromyography of seven lower limb muscles (1000 Hz). As well as measuring key performance variables such as speed and stride length, normalised joint moments and powers were calculated. The rule in race walking which requires the knee to be extended from initial contact to midstance effectively made the knee redundant during stance with regard to energy generation. Instead, the leg functioned as a rigid lever which affected the role of the hip and ankle joints. The main contributors to energy generation were the hip extensors during late swing and early stance, and the ankle plantarflexors during late stance. The restricted functioning of the knee during stance meant that the importance of the swing leg in contributing to forward momentum was increased. The knee flexors underwent a phase of great energy absorption during the swing phase and this could increase the risk of injury to the hamstring muscles

Experience of spouses of women with breast cancer: an integrative literature review

Objective: To gather, to characterize, to analyze, to synthesize and to integrate primary studies that addressed the experiences of spouses / husbands / partners of women with breast cancer, presenting the current state of knowledge. Method: Integrative literature review carried out in the databases of VHL, PubMed, CINHAL e SciELO. Results: The sample consisted of eight studies published between 2000-2012, which pointed to the experiences of the involvement and the care of the husbands towards their ill wives. Conclusion: This study highlights the need for attention and assistance to those spouses, as well as guidance and education to exercise the care the same way as the health staff has done with women. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of further studies in order to deepen the knowledge on this topic, and thus, improve the care with better scientific basis