Application of active distributed temperature sensing and fiber optic as sensors to determinate the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity curve.

The development of methodologies for the characterization of soil water content through the use of distribute temperature sensing and fiber optic cable has allowed for modelling with high temporal and spatial accuracy water movement in soils

Analysis of Anthropometric and Body Composition Profile in Male and Female Traditional Rowers

The anthropometric profile has a fundamental role in rowing performance and young talent detection. The objective of this study was to analyze the anthropometric profile, body composition, and somatotype in traditional rowers, and to analyze which variables can be used as predictors of rowing performance. Twenty-four rowers competing at national level participated in this study, thirteen men and eleven women. Significant differences (p < 0.001) were observed in the height of male rowers (large effect size, d = 1.8) and in body mass (very large effect size, d = 2.4). Also, muscle mass reached a higher percentage in male rowers (d = 3.7), whereas the sum of seven skinfolds (d = 2.0) and body fat percentage (d = 2.0) reached higher values in female rowers, all their difference being significant (p < 0.001) with very large effect size. The somatotype of male rowers was ecto-mesomorph (1.8-4.5-3.0), and the somatotype of female rowers was in the balanced mesomorph (2.8-3.8-2.6). A very strong correlation between height (r = 0.75; p = 0.002) and rowing performance was found in male rowers. Body mass (r = 0.70; p = 0.009) and muscle mass (r = 0.83; p = 0.001) showed also very strong correlation in female rowers. Finally, height was the best predictor of performance for male rowers (R2 = 0.56, p < 0.003) and muscle mass for female rowers (R2 = 0.68, p < 0.002). The anthropometric profile of male and female traditional rowers showed differences to be considered in training programs and talent selection

Calibration of soil moisture flow simulation models aided by the active heated fiber optic distributed temperature sensing AHFO

Most of the studies dealing with the development of water flow simulation models in soils, are calibrated using experimental data measured by soil probe sensors or tensiometers which locate at specific points in the study area. However since the beginning of the XXI century, the use of Distributed Fiber Optic Temperature Measurement for estimating temperature variation along a cable of fiber optic has been assessed in multiple environmental applications

Contributions of Anthropometric and Strength Determinants to Estimate 2000 m Ergometer Performance in Traditional Rowing

The purpose of this study was to analyze the contribution of anthropometric and strength determinants of 2000 m ergometer performance in traditional rowing. Nineteen rowers competing at national level participated in this study. Anthropometric characteristics, vertical jumps and bench pull tests were assessed to determine conditional factors, whereas the 2000 m test was used to set rowing performance. Pearson correlation coefficient, linear stepwise and allometric regression analyses were used to predict rowing performance (R2 > 50%). Height, body mass and body muscle correlated with rowing performance in male and female rowers. Similarly, power output for squat jump and countermovement jump power correlated with performance. Finally, mean propulsive velocity, mean power and maximum power in bench pull also correlated with the test. Stepwise multiple regression analysis identified body mass (R2 = 0.69, p < 0.001) and mean propulsive velocity in bench pull (R2 = 0.76, p < 0.001) for male rowers and body muscle (R2 = 0.89, p = 0.002) and maximum power in bench pull (R2 = 0.62, p = 0.036) for female rowers as the best predictors of rowing performance. These results determine the relevance of anthropometric characteristics and, in contrast to Olympic rowing, support the greatest importance of upper body power in traditional rowing training.This study was supported by a pre-doctoral grant (ACIF/2018/209) from the Generalitat Valenciana, Spain, and vice-rectorate program of research and knowledge transfer for the promotion of R+D+I at the University of Alicante (Ref. GRE18-19)

Squat-based post-activation potentiation improves the vertical jump of elite female volleyball players

The purpose of this study was to confirm if a squat-based conditioning activity was effective in generating post-activation potentiation (PAP), and, as a consequence of this activation, improve the vertical jump (VJ) performance of national female volleyball players. Eleven trained volleyball players (22.6 ± 3.5 years) were randomly divided into two groups: an experimental group (N=6) and a control group (N=5). They completed 2 sessions. In the first session, a back squat one-repetition maximum (1RM) was determined for the experimental group by using an optoelectronic encoder and an incremental protocol until reaching the maximum load lifted for each subject. On the second day, the experimental group performed a PAP procedure consisting of three repetitions of 90% of 1RM. Before and after performing the activation protocol, both groups completed a countermovement jump (CMJ) to verify whether any improvements were accomplished in the VJ. The height of the vertical jump was estimated by using a jump mat. The data obtained were analysed using an ANOVA test to determine the significant differences intra-group and between groups. The pre-PAP test did not establish any differences between the results of the control group (31.35±4.28 cm) and that of the experimental group (34.08±3.98cm), Therefore, the groups were, at first, homogeneous. On the other hand, there were significant differences in the CMJ percentage of improvement between the experimental and control groups in the post-PAP test F(1,9)=6.074; p=0.036; ▢2=0.40. The control group presented a loss in jump height in the CMJ, thus obtaining negative values in the improvement percentage (-5.36%). The experimental group improved its jump height (4.11%). These differences between groups were statistically significant F(1,9)=6.673; p=0.030; ▢2=0.43. Finally, no significant differences were found intragroup between the pre and post-PAP test in both groups. To conclude, squat-based PAP protocols can generate positive effects on the vertical jump performance of elite female volleyball players. It may therefore be relevant to introduce these activation methods in the warm-up protocols of volleyball players.This study was supported by a pre-doctoral grant (ACIF/2018/209) from the Generalitat Valenciana, Spain, and vice-rectorate program of research and knowledge transfer for the promotion of R+D+I at the University of Alicante (Ref. GRE18-19)

Big Data Analysis for Travel Time Characterization in Public Transportation Systems †

In this article, we introduces a model based on big data analysis to characterize the travel times of buses in public transportation systems. Travel time is a critical factor in evaluating the accessibility of opportunities and the overall quality of service of public transportation systems. The methodology applies data analysis to compute estimations of the travel time of public transportation buses by leveraging both open-source and private information sources. The approach is evaluated for the public transportation system in Montevideo, Uruguay using information about bus stop locations, bus routes, vehicle locations, ticket sales, and timetables. The estimated travel times from the proposed methodology are compared with the scheduled timetables, and relevant indicators are computed based on the findings. The most relevant quantitative results indicate a reasonably good level of punctuality in the public transportation system. Delays were between 10.5% and 13.9% during rush hours and between 8.5% and 13.7% during non-peak hours. Delays were similarly distributed for working days and weekends. In terms of speed, the results show that the average operational speed is close to 18 km/h, with short local lines exhibiting greater variability in their speed

Comparative analysis of heart rate response in traditional rowing during short- and long-distance competitions

This study aimed to compare the heart rate responses of experienced traditional rowers during short- and long distance competitions and to quantify and compare the workload associated with each modality during the competition. Thirteen highly trained traditional rowers participated in this study divided into two groups based on the competition modality: seven short-distance rowers (height 182.8 ± 6.5 cm, body mass 78.7 ± 4.4 kg,BMI 23.5 ± 1.2 kg/m²) competing in the 1400 m race, and six long-distance rowers (height 178.5±4.8 cm, body mass 75.0 ± 6.4 kg, BMI 23.5 ± 1.4 kg/m²) competing in the 5556 m race. To assess the heart rate workloads of the rowers, a 7×4-minute incremental step test was conducted on a rowing ergometer, and internal load data were collected during the respective competitions for each modality. The z-test was used to calculate the comparison of proportions based on the quotient resulting from dividing effect errors. Findings indicate that both short distance and long-distance rowers spent significantly more competition time (p<0.001) in zone 6 (301.1 ± 48.2 s; 77.2 ± 12.4% and 1124.2 ± 127.5 s; 87.3 ± 9.9%, respectively) and in zone 5 (63.7 ± 49.6 s, 16.3 ± 12.7% and 113.8 ± 95.2 s, 8.8 ± 7.4%, respectively). Furthermore, significantly more competition time (p<0.001) at high intensity during their respective competitions was spent by both groups (short-distance group 349 ± 18.1 s, 89.5 ± 4.6% and long-distance group 1213.3 ± 64 s, 94.2 ± 5%). Conversely, a higher percentage of time in both low zones and low intensity was spent by the short-distance group (p<0.05). However, a higher percentage in zone 6 and at high intensity was spent by the long-distance group (p<0.001). Finally, a significantly higher workload was exhibited by the long-distance competition compared to the short-distance competition (p<0.001). These findings hold significant value for coaches and athletes as they provide essential information regarding the percentage of time spent in each work zone, enabling the design of individualized training programs based on the type of competition being prepared for.This work was supported by Generalitat Valenciana (grant number CIGE/2022/15

Modeling the role of fixational eye movements in real-world scenes

Our eyes never remain still. Even when we stare at a fixed point, small involuntary movements take place in our eyes in an imperceptible manner. Researchers agree on the presence of three main contributions to eye movements when we fix the gaze: microsaccades, drifts and tremor. These small movements carry the image across the retina stimulating the photoreceptors and thus avoiding fading. Nowadays it is commonly accepted that these movements can improve the discrimination performance of the retina. In this paper, several retina models with and without fixational eye movements were implemented by mean of RetinaStudio tool to test the feasibility of these models to be incorporated in future neuroprostheses. For this purpose each retina model has been stimulated with natural scene images in two experiments. Results are discussed from the point of view of a neuroprosthesis development.This work has been supported in part by the ONCE (National Organization of the Spanish Blind), by the Research Chair on Retinitis Pigmentosa Bidons Egara and by the Grant SAF2008-03694 from the Spanish Government

The Effect of Balance and Sand Training on Postural Control in Elite Beach Volleyball Players

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effectiveness of a 12-week-long balance training program on the postural control of elite male beach volleyball players and the effect on balance when swapping to specific sports training in the sand in the following 12 weeks. Six elite players were tested before and after the balance training program and also 12 weeks after the balance training had finished. To this aim, a pressure platform was used to collect the following center of pressure parameters: path length, speed, mean position, and root-mean-square amplitude in the medial-lateral and anteroposterior planes. Romberg quotients for the center of pressure parameters were also calculated. The results of the present study showed better static postural control after specific balance training: smaller path length and speed under open eyes condition in dominant (p = 0.015; p = 0.009, respectively) and non-dominant monopedal stances (p = 0.005; p = 0.004, respectively). Contrastingly, 12 weeks after the balance training program, the path length and speed values under open eyes condition in bipedal stance increased significantly (p = 0.045; p = 0.004, respectively) for sand training. According to our results, balance training is effective to achieve positive balance test scores. It is speculated, and yet to be proven, that sand training could be effective to improve dynamic and open eyes postural control during beach volleyball practice. In beach volleyball players, a balance training program is effective to develop static balance but the effect of ecological sand training on dynamic performance deserves specific investigation.This study was supported by a pre-doctoral grant (ACIF/2018/209) from the Generalitat Valenciana, Spain