Relationship between strength and power production capacities in trained sprint track cyclists

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between strength and power capabilities in trained sprint track cyclists. Ten participants including six women and four men (age: 22.1±6.8 years, body height: 176.1±6.7 cm, body weight: 72.1±7.9 kg) performed isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) and isokinetic sprint tests. Variables measured included peak force (PF), peak rate of force development (PRFD) for the IMTP and maximal torque and maximal power (Pmax) for the isokinetic sprint test. There was a strong relationship between PF on the IMTP and maximal peak torque values across five isokinetic sprints (r=.890-.925). Strong relationships were also shown between PRFD on the IMTP and maximal torque during isokinetic sprints (r=.696-.755). No significant relationships were found between PF and Pmax produced during isokinetic sprints. The findings suggest that isometric testing can provide useful insights into force capabilities of sprint track cyclists. Strength and conditioning practitioners should improve strength and explosive force capabilities of their athletes if the desired outcome is to increase torque application and power production during maximal sprint cycling

Performance Indicators in Club Level Gaelic Football

Over 2000 Gaelic Football clubs compete annually for the honour of playing in the All-Ireland club finals in Croke Park in front of up to 30,000 people. There are no published performance data for club level Gaelic football, despite evidence of considerable performance analysis activity. This study aims to establish benchmark profiles for Senior, Intermediate and Junior grade club Gaelic football and investigate which variables are most closely associated with winning. Data from all tiers of the Ulster club football championship of 2015 and 2016 (n = 48) were analysed using a range of validated operational definitions measuring 17 variables. Differences between winning and losing performance were tested using a Mann-Whitney U test. Across all grades, six variables proved significant (p \u3c 0.05), three were directly related to scoring (points, number of scores and total score), the others related to the effective use of possession (possession: scores ratio; turnover rate and productivity (scores per possession)). Several others are specific to certain grades, and are directly linked to successful performance at that level

The effects of vertical vs. horizontal plyometric training on sprinting kinetics in post peak height female student athletes

Plyometric training is a form of jump training that is a useful method to improve sprinting speed due to its propensity to improve neural efficiency, increase joint stiffness and contraction speed. While research has shown that plyometrics can improve jumping and sprinting performance, no studies have compared the effects of different types of plyometric training on sprinting speed in young females. Therefore, the aim of the study was to compare different forms of plyometric training (horizontal and vertical) on sprinting performance in young females. Thirty young females from a private girls college were randomly divided into two groups and trained for seven weeks, twice a week; vertical plyometric (n=11, age 13.50 ± 0.96, peak heigh velocity-PHV: 1.60 ± 1.14), horizontal plyometric training (n=10, 13.40 ± 0.92, PHV:1.60 ± 0.93), and a physical education class as a control (n=15, age, 15.60 ± 0.31, PHV: 2.90 ± 0.55). Participants were tested for sprinting kinetics i.e. force (Fo), maximum power (Pmax), theoretical velocity (Vo), maximal velocity (Vmax), 10, 20 and 30 m split times using a radar gun over 30 m, isometric strength, vertical jump height and horizontal jump distance before and after the intervention. Both the intervention groups significantly improved all performance variables (g= 0.32- 1.30; p<0.05). The vertical group improved all kinetic variables except Fo and Pmax whereas the horizontal group improved all kinetic variables with a greater effect size g= 0.40-1.30. In comparison to the control group, the vertical group significantly improved Vo, Vmax, vertical and broad jump scores whereas the horizontal group significantly improved broad jump and 20 m split time scores (p<0.05). The findings of this study suggest that horizontal plyometric training is more effective in improving sprinting kinetics

Relationship between strength and power production capacities in trained sprint track cyclists

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between strength and power capabilities in trained sprint track cyclists. Ten participants including six women and four men (age: 22.1±6.8 years, body height: 176.1±6.7 cm, body weight: 72.1±7.9 kg) performed isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) and isokinetic sprint tests. Variables measured included peak force (PF), peak rate of force development (PRFD) for the IMTP and maximal torque and maximal power (Pmax) for the isokinetic sprint test. There was a strong relationship between PF on the IMTP and maximal peak torque values across five isokinetic sprints (r=.890-.925). Strong relationships were also shown between PRFD on the IMTP and maximal torque during isokinetic sprints (r=.696-.755). No significant relationships were found between PF and Pmax produced during isokinetic sprints. The findings suggest that isometric testing can provide useful insights into force capabilities of sprint track cyclists. Strength and conditioning practitioners should improve strength and explosive force capabilities of their athletes if the desired outcome is to increase torque application and power production during maximal sprint cycling

Effects of a six-week strength training programme on change of direction performance in youth team sport athletes

This study investigated the effects of eccentric phase-emphasis strength training (EPE) on unilateral strength and performance in 180- and 45-degree change of direction (COD) tasks in rugby union players. A 12-week cross-over design was used to compare the efficacy of resistance training executed with 3 s eccentric duration (EPE, n = 12) against conventional strength training, with no constraints on tempo (CON, n = 6). Players in each condition were categorised as ‘fast’ (FAST) or ‘slow’ (SLOW) using median trial times from baseline testing. Players recorded greater isometric strength improvements following EPE (ES = −0.54 to 1.80). Whilst these changes were not immediate, players improved in strength following cessation. Improvements in 180-degree COD performance was recorded at all test-points following EPE (ES = −1.32 to −0.15). Improvements in 45-degree COD performance were apparent for FAST following CON (ES = −0.96 to 0.10), but CON was deleterious for SLOW (ES = −0.60 to 1.53). Eccentric phase-emphasis strength training shows potential for sustained strength enhancement. Positive performance changes in COD tasks were category- and condition-specific. The data indicate the greatest improvement occurred at nine weeks following resistance training in these players. Performance benefits may also be specific to COD task, player category, and relative to emphasis on eccentric phase activity

ISBS 2018 AUCKLAND CONFERENCE ACADEMIC CLOSING PROGRAMME

ISBS 2018 Auckland Conference Chair Professor Patria Hume will welcome the Vice Chancellor, ISBS 2018 conference volunteers, and ISBS awardees to the stage. AUT Vice Chancellor Derek McCormack will thank the contributors to the conference (organising, logistics, assistants) and provide words of reflection on the conference. The ISBS research, internship and mobility grant awards will be provided by ISBS Board member Tim Exell. ISBS President Young-Hoo Kwon will award the certificates to the ISBS Fellows, Life Member and announce the Geoffrey Dyson. Dr Neil Bezodis will read the citation for the Life Member. Professor Mike McGuigan will award the “Samsung best ISBS digital poster use of video or other interactive technology” that the judges rated for: Visual appeal, Innovation, Use of biomechanics technology, Applied biomechanics. The prize is the Samsung Note9 and the Samsung Multi-media DeX dock. Thanks to Diamond Industry Partner Samsung and AUT for these amazing prizes. The finalists in the oral podium and the oral posters will be awarded medals by ISBS President Young-Hoo Kwon, certificates by ISBS Board member Dr Neil Bezodis and cash awards by VC Derek McCormack. Dr Gerda Strutzenberger will introduce Dr Mark Walsh who will present the up-coming highlights of the ISBS 2019 conference at the University of Miami Ohio, USA. The conference will be officially closed by President Young-Hoo Kwon with the furling of the ISBS banner and presentation to ISBS 2019 Conference Chair Dr Mark Walsh. To finish there will be a performance of haka and song by delegates, led by Dr Valance Smith

Nitrogen and Copper doped solar light active TiO2 photocatalyst for water decontamination

A novel class of photocatalytic coating capable of degrading bacterial and chemical contaminants in the presence of visible sunlight wavelengths was produced by depositing a stable photocatalytic TiO2 film on the internal lumen of glass bottles via a sol gel method. This coating was prepared in either undoped form or doped with nitrogen and/or copper to produce visible light-active TiO2 films which were annealed at 600 °C and were characterized by Raman, UV-Vis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The presence of doped and undoped TiO2 films was found to accelerate the degradation of methylene blue in the presence of natural sunlight, while copper-doped TiO2 films were found to accelerate bacterial inactivation (of E. coli and E. faecalis) in the presence of natural sunlight

ISBS 2018 AUCKLAND CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS PROGRAMME

FORCEDECKS WORKSHOP - COMMERCIALISATION & FUNDING by Philip Graham Smith This workshop aims to improve your ability to attract and create commercialisation and funding opportunities. This workshop will challenge delegates to identify their real areas of expertise and consider ways in which they can attract and create funding opportunities. The aim is to help academics of all ages to focus their expertise, to manage their time more effectively and to explore new avenues to make their careers more rewarding, fulfilling and hopefully less stressful. Having been a former Head of Department and Associate Head of School (Business & Engagement), Dr Graham-Smith has been in the trenches and acknowledges the increasing demands and pressures of working in academia. The workshop will help delegates to strip back the various aspects of their roles, and to examine ways in which their teaching, research, consultancy and funding expectations can be managed successfully. Phil will be reflective on his own career and share experiences of working in academia, professional sport and private industry. SPRINZ WORKSHOP - ORAL PRESENTATION FEEDBACK by Joshua McGeown, Gillian Weir, Professor Mike McGuigan and SPRINZ PhD students This workshop aims to help you engaging your audience during your ISBS presentation. This workshop aims to provide delegates with tips and feedback as to how best present their research for the ISBS 2018 congress. This interactive workshop will help delegates to learn how to distill and communicate complex ideas, structure your narrative and how to best visualize your data. Participants are encouraged to bring their ISBS presentations to practice and receive constructive feedback. NZ HERALD WORKSHOP - HOW TO WORK WITH THE MEDIA TO AMPLIFY YOUR WORK by Dylan Cleaver, Editor at large with the New Zealand Herald This workshop will help delegates be able to interact with media to be able to amplify their work. Never before has there been so much attention given to the injury toll in elite sport, with the spotlight firmly centered on head injuries and the potential for long-term cognitive damage to those afflicted. With so much important research being done in the field of sports injury, it is important to know how to work with the media to highlight it. This workshop aims to give a brief overview of the fast-changing modern media landscape. It will offer advice as to how to establish contacts in the media and how to use those contacts wisely. It will demonstrate how to get your key messages across using simple language, without dumbing down the issue. It will traverse ethical issues and, finally, what to do when the message goes wrong. Attendees will use the lessons learnt from the examples, to workshop during the session how they can work with media to amplify their work. WORKSHOP - JAPAN COLLABORATION by Sayumi Iwamoto, Erika Ikeda, Ryu Nagahara, and Aaron Uthoff Do you want to share your experience with other researchers who are keen to conduct international research collaboration? The workshop will share experiences and key tips to enable successfully working together. “There are many positives with working with Japanese researchers, but the one that stands out the most to me is their willingness to share knowledge and lend a helping hand.” (Aaron Uthoff) AUT ENGINEERING WORKSHOP - AI CHALLENGES by Boris Bacic & Russell Pears from Auckland University of Technology Engineering School This workshop will help you to consider pushing your boundaries of biomechanics and sport science by embracing artificial intelligence (Dr Boris Bačić and Assoc. Prof Russel Pears, Auckland University of Technology, NZ). Pushing the boundaries of biomechanics and sport science also means embracing artificial intelligence (AI) to advance and augment ways in which sport is coached, played, promoted, broadcasted and commercialised. Technologies capable of capturing human motion enable the advancement of research and can create strategic differences in elite sport, which is reflected by their increasing presence in the growing market of sport gadgets, exergames and rehabilitation technologies. Data-driven machine-learning AI approaches have the potential to provide insights from data, find patterns in specific contexts, generate knowledge, validate expert’s common-sense rules, and offload support decisions and automate cognitive activities. The workshop will provide a theoretical introduction and a set of analytical and model-designing visual tools for getting started. For those interested in Matlab or other languages, code samples will be provided. The participants will be able to use free open source software alternatives as part of hands-on exercises in a supervised lab. SPRINGER WORKSHOP - WHAT MAKES A SUCCESSFUL PAPER – AN EDITOR’S PERSPECTIVE by Steve McMillan from Springer’s Sports Medicine journal This workshop will help delegates increase their likelihood of success in publishing in journals such as Sports Medicine. From a compelling cover letter to a concise conclusion, Sports Medicine’s Co-Editor in Chief, Steve McMillan, will provide an editor’s perspective on what makes a successful paper. Sports Medicine receives over 600 submissions a year and can publish only a quarter of these … How do the editors decide which manuscripts to send to peer review? Which manuscripts survive peer review? What details are essential to enable readers to best understand your research and allow for potential replication? What information is required from an ethical perspective? Why do word counts matter anyway?! This interactive workshop will guide you on how to produce an impressive manuscript and increase your chances of getting published in a reputable journal. NORAXON WORKSHOP - ELECTROMYOGRAPHY IN SPORTS PERFORMANCE by Coleman Bessert and Erin Feser from NORAXON. Noraxon USA (www.noraxon.com) will be hosting a workshop on electromyography (EMG) use in sports performance settings. “You will be able to develop a better understanding of how EMG fits into an athlete monitoring program or research investigation by learning what can, and cannot, be determined with EMG data and reporting. Participants will see hands-on use of precision EMG systems and biomechanics analysis software with practical, sport-specific examples.” Erin Feser , Director of Education for Noraxon USA

A Systematic Review of the Effect of Cognitive Strategies on Strength Performance

Background Researchers have tested the beliefs of sportspeople and sports medicine specialists that cognitive strategies influence strength performance. Few investigators have synthesised the literature. Objectives The specific objectives were to review evidence regarding (a) the cognitive strategy–strength performance relationship; (b) participant skill level as a moderator; and (c) cognitive, motivational, biomechanical/physiological, and emotional mediators. Method Studies were sourced via electronic databases, reference lists of retrieved articles, and manual searches of relevant journals. Studies had to be randomised or counterbalanced experiments with a control group or condition, repeated measures, and a quality control score above 0.5 (out of 1). Cognitive strategies included goal setting, imagery, self-talk, preparatory arousal, and free choice. Dependent variables included maximal strength, local muscular endurance, or muscular power. Results Globally, cognitive strategies were reliability associated with increased strength performance (results ranged from 61 to 65 %). Results were mixed when examining the effects of specific strategies on particular dependent variables, although no intervention had an overall negative influence. Indeterminate relationships emerged regarding hypothesised mediators (except cognitive variables) and participant skill level as a moderator. Conclusions Although cognitive strategies influence strength performance, there are knowledge gaps regarding specific types of strength, especially muscular power. Cognitive variables, such as concentration, show promise as possible mediators

Repair of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in COVID-19 by Stromal Cells (REALIST-COVID Trial):A Multicentre, Randomised, Controlled Trial

RationaleMesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) may modulate inflammation, promoting repair in COVID-19-related Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS).ObjectivesWe investigated safety and efficacy of ORBCEL-C (CD362-enriched, umbilical cord-derived MSCs) in COVID-related ARDS.MethodsThis multicentre, randomised, double-blind, allocation concealed, placebo-controlled trial (NCT03042143) randomised patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-related ARDS to receive ORBCEL-C (400million cells) or placebo (Plasma-Lyte148).MeasurementsThe primary safety and efficacy outcomes were incidence of serious adverse events and oxygenation index at day 7 respectively. Secondary outcomes included respiratory compliance, driving pressure, PaO2/FiO2 ratio and SOFA score. Clinical outcomes relating to duration of ventilation, length of intensive care unit and hospital stays, and mortality were collected. Long-term follow up included diagnosis of interstitial lung disease at 1 year, and significant medical events and mortality at 2 years. Transcriptomic analysis was performed on whole blood at day 0, 4 and 7.Main results60 participants were recruited (final analysis n=30 ORBCEL-C, n=29 placebo: 1 in placebo group withdrew consent). 6 serious adverse events occurred in the ORBCEL-C and 3 in the placebo group, RR 2.9(0.6-13.2)p=0.25. Day 7 mean[SD] oxygenation index did not differ (ORBCEL-C 98.357.2], placebo 96.667.3). There were no differences in secondary surrogate outcomes, nor mortality at day 28, day 90, 1 or 2 years. There was no difference in prevalence of interstitial lung disease at 1year nor significant medical events up to 2 years. ORBCEL-C modulated the peripheral blood transcriptome.ConclusionORBCEL-C MSCs were safe in moderate-to-severe COVID-related ARDS, but did not improve surrogates of pulmonary organ dysfunction. Clinical trial registration available at www.Clinicaltrialsgov, ID: NCT03042143. This article is open access and distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)