Effect of Therapeutic Exercise on the Gender Differences in Typical Physical Fitness Tests of Young Individuals with Intellectual Impairment

The study aimed to examine the effect of therapeutic exercise intervention (TEI) on the gender differences in typical physical fitness tests of young individuals with intellectual impairment (II). Thirty-nine young individuals with II (22 boys, 17 girls; 18.9 ± 3.2 yrs) were examined before and after the implementation of a 3-month TEI. The examined fitness tests were the sit and reach test (SRT), the standing long jump (SLJ), and the Romberg balance test with open (RBTO) and closed (RBTC) eyes. Results revealed a significant (p.05) for the other tests. In conclusion, longer TEI is required to provoke fitness adaptations in young persons with II

Differences in approach run kinematics: successful vs. unsuccessful jumps in the pole vault

This study investigated biomechanical differences between successful and unsuccessful jumps during a pole vault competition. Two hundred and seven pairs of successful and unsuccessful jumps at the same height were analysed. Participants included male and female athletes of three different age groups with bar height clearances ranging from 2.81 to 5.91 m. Run-up parameters were collected using an Optojump Next system and a Stalker Pro II radar gun. A 2D kinematical analysis was conducted to obtain selected parameters of the take-off. Only trivial and small differences were found between successful and unsuccessful jumps. The speed at last touchdown showed a significant small difference between successful and unsuccessful jumps, as the greater speed at takeoff (+0.15 m/s) was observed at successful jumps compared to unsuccessful jumps. Furthermore, female athletes showed a significant small difference in horizontal hand–foot distance between successful jumps and unsuccessful jumps (+0.05 m and +0.06 m at pole plant and take-off, respectively). The results suggest that pole vaulters should produce a fast run-up and avoid a decrease in speed before take-off. Small adjustments in the take-off posture might increase the transfer of energy from the athlete to the pole and thus an improvement concerning the height of bar clearance

Metastatic potential of an aneurysmal bone cyst

Aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) are benign bone tumors consisting of blood-filled cavities lined by connective tissue septa. Recently, the hypothesis that ABCs are lesions reactive to local hemodynamics has been challenged after the discovery of specific recurrent chromosomal abnormalities. Multiple cases of malignant transformation of ABC into (osteo)sarcoma have been described, as well as a number of cases of telangiectatic osteosarcoma which had been misdiagnosed as ABC. We herewith document a case of a pelvic ABC metastatic to the lung, liver, and kidneys. Diagnosis was confirmed by the presence of a break in the USP6 gene, which is pathognomonic for ABC, in a pulmonary metastasis of our patient. Sarcomatous transformation as an explanation for this behavior was ruled out by demonstrating diploid DNA content in both the pulmonary lesion and the primary tumor

Gender differences in the preparation for take-off in elite long jumpers

Background: Research on gender differences of elite long jumpers in competition, although limited, provides useful information concerning the execution of the technique elements of the event. Objective: The purpose of the study was to explore possible gender differences of the spatiotemporal parameters and their development during the final steps of the approach executed by elite jumpers during a major international competition. Methods: The jumpers competed in the 2009 International Amateur Athletics Federation World Athletics Final (7 males and 7 females; official distance: 7.83 ± 0.22 m and 6.58 ± 0.20 m, respectively) were recorded with a panning digital video-camera (sampling frequency: 210 fps, resolution: 480 × 366 pixels). The APAS v13.2.5 software was used for the kinematical analysis. Differences between groups concerning performance, the touchdown on the board and the take-off parameters were examined using the Mann-Whitney U test. Possible gender differences concerning the modulation of the examined parameters during the final three steps of the approach were compared by 2 × 3 (gender × step) ANOVA. Results: Male long jumpers executed the final steps of the approach and the take-off with greater velocity (p = .001) compared to the female athletes. Gender differences (p = .04) were also revealed for the flight to contact time ratio of the penultimate step. Additionally, no gender differences were observed for the majority of the temporal parameters. Nevertheless, female jumpers seemed to significantly differentiate in step length, step frequency and step velocity only at the last step of their approach compared to the previous two steps. Conclusion: When examining gender differences in long jump biomechanics the defining parameter is the penultimate step, where it is suggested for female jumpers to improve the transition from the sprinting gait to the preparation for the take-off. © 2017 V. Panoutsakopoulos et al

Comparing drop jumping ability amongst elite female athletes from various sports

Les athlètes féminines pratiquant l'athlétisme ont les meilleurs résultats au saut en contrebas avec rebond (drop jump)

Biomechanical analysis of the late approach and the take off in the indoor women’s long jump

Aim of the study was to provide evidence concerning the biomechanical parameters of contemporary Women’s long jump in indoor competition. The final six steps and the take-off of 11 jumps (6.88 ± 0.23 m) were recorded (panning camera; sampling frequency: 300 fps) in an indoor competition. The examined parameters were a) the step parameters, the percentage distribution of adjustment (ADJ%) and the inter-limb symmetry angle (θSYM) in the late approach, b) the joint angles and the take-off parameters. Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed that approach velocity (9.8 ± 0.3 m/s) was significantly correlated (r =.86, p = .001) with effective distance (6.96 ± 0.23 m). The largest ADJ% (57.6 %) was executed at the penultimate step which was 12.2 ± 2.8 % larger than the last step. An inter-limb difference was revealed for step frequency (t10 = 6.965, p<.001) due to the large asymmetry observed (θSYM = 5.54 deg). The knee angle of the push-off leg at take-off was 171.2 ± 4.7deg. Resultant velocity (8.3 ± 0.4 m/s), height (1.15 ± 0.05 m) and angle (20.7 ± 2.3 deg) of take-off significantly predicted effective distance (F3,7 = 12.671, p = .003, R2 = .844). The present findings are in reasonable agreement with previous research. Future studies should examine the possible reliance and asymmetry for the step parameters in the final approach. © Faculty of Education. University of Alicante

Gender differences in pole vault approach run kinematics and step parameter asymmetry during an elite indoor competition

The purpose of the study was to examine gender differences of approach run kinematics and step parameters asymmetry. The attempts of 24 pole vaulters (11 males, 13 females) during a major indoor competition were examined. Step length, frequency and average velocity of the last eight steps were calculated using spatiotemporal data acquired with panning video recordings (300 fps) of the participants' best attempt. The asymmetry of the step parameters was quantified using the symmetry angle method. Results indicated significant (p < .05) gender differences in step length and average step velocity, as well as inter-limb asymmetry for step length and frequency. In addition, a significant (p < .05) pole carrying side effect in average step velocity was revealed. Significant (p < .05) asymmetry for step length was observed in 2 male and 5 female vaulters. No significant (p > .05) asymmetry for step frequency and average velocity were observed in women. In conclusion, gender differences seem to be attributed to the pole properties and the physical conditioning of the pole vaulters, since the pole carrying at the final stage of the approach run requires large power/explosive strength capabilities. © 2021 Cardiff Metropolitan University

Effects of initial posture of subjects with limited ankle joint dorsi flexion upon vertical squat jump dynamic and kinematic characteristics

Etude des facteurs biomécaniques de la performance au saut vertical à partir de deux positions de squat : plante des pieds en contact complet avec le sol et contact avec les orteils seulement