EFFECT OF FATIGUE ON BASKETBALL THREE POINTS SHOT KINEMATICS

The purpose of this study was to measure the effect of fatigue on basketball shooting kinematics. Young elite players (n=8) were included in the study. Maximal and minimal 3D joint angles, at maximum and minimum centre of mass height were measured with inertial sensors (Moven Biomech, Xsens). Each player performed four 3 points shot (3PS) in dynamic conditions before and after a submaximal exercise (70% of maximal exhausting). This exercise consisted in a repetition of 20-meters sprints with 5 jumps between each sprint. Results showed that fatigue decreased hip joint angle and increased shoulder joint angle when the center of mass was at its lowest point. These biomechanical modifications did not alter the precision of shooting. This study demonstrated that fatigue has small effect on kinematics and precision of the 3PS

The effects of repeated sprints on the kinematics of 3-point shooting in basketball

Fatigue modifies the kinematics of various sports-related movements. Basketball induces fatigue, however, the effects of fatigue on the kinematics of shooting have never been studied. This study analysed the effects of fatigue induced by repeated sprints on the kinematics of 3-point shooting (3PS) in young, elite basketball players (U18 level). 3D joint angles were calculated at the maximum and minimum heights of the centre of mass during 3PS, using inertial measurement units (Biomech system, Xsens Technologies BV, Enschede, The Netherlands). Height, velocity and the angle of the ball at the time of release were extrapolated from the wrist joint angles. All players performed four 3PS actions in dynamic conditions before and after a fatigue protocol at 70% of their maximal exercise capacity. The fatigue protocol consisted of a shuttle test with repeated 20-m sprints interspersed with sets of 5 jumps. There was no change in the kinematics of 3PS (p > 0.05), or the ball release variables (p > 0.05) following the fatigue protocol. This suggests that elite basketball players are able to cope with physical fatigue while performing coordinated movements such as 3PS

Parallel Evolutionary Algorithms for Optimizing Data{based Generated Fuzzy Systems

Abstract. In the eld of data{based fuzzy modeling, the complexity of applications and the amount of data to be processed have grown continuously. Thus, the computational eort for solving these applications has also increased drastically. In order to meet this challenge, parallel computing approaches are applied. The task here is the optimization of data{based generated fuzzy rule bases. For this kind of application the tness evaluation of an individual is very time consuming. Here, a parallel genetic algorithm is applied to solve the optimization problem in an acceptable amount of time. Furthermore, it will be analyzed how the quality of the results changes with the use of multi{population models or neighborhood models. This will be illustrated by two example applications

Determination of the nature of the Cu coordination complexes formed in the presence of NO and NH3 within SSZ-13

Ammonia-selective catalytic reduction (NH3-SCR) using Cu zeolites is a well-established strategy for the abatement of NOx gases. Recent studies have demonstrated that Cu is particularly active when exchanged into the SSZ-13 zeolite, and its location in either the 6r or 8r renders it an excellent model system for fundamental studies. In this work, we examine the interaction of NH3-SCR relevant gases (NO and NH3) with the Cu2+ centers within the SSZ-13 structure, coupling powder diffraction (PD), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAFS), and density functional theory (DFT). This combined approach revealed that, upon calcination, cooling and gas exposure Cu ions tend to locate in the 8r window. After NO introduction, Cu-ions are seen to coordinate to two framework oxygens and one NO molecule, resulting in a bent Cu-nitrosyl complex with a Cu-N-O bond angle of similar to 150 degrees. Whilst Cu seems to be partially reduced/changed in coordination state, NO is partially oxidized. On exposure to NH3 while the PD data suggest the Cu2+ ion occupies a similar position, simulation and XAFS pointed toward the formation of a Jahn-Teller distorted hexaamine complex [Cu(NH3)(6)](2+) in the center of the cha cage. These results have important implications in terms of uptake and storage of these reactive gases and potentially for the mechanisms involved in the NH3-SCR process

Does dehydration alter the success rate and technique of three-point shooting in elite basketball?

In order to better inform the effects of dehydration and hydration guidelines, we tested the acute effects of a 2% dehydration protocol on performance and technique of 3-point shooting (3PS) in Elite Basketball players (n = 9). The 3PS technique was monitored by using nanotechnology inertial measurement units positioned onto body joints during the exercise. When dehydrated (−2.1% ± 0.5% of body mass), 7 players experienced a slight decrease (−10.0% ± 19.6%, p = 0.16) in success rate, while RPE increased from 9.1 ± 2.6 to 13.0 ± 2.5 in euhydrated (EUH) and dehydrated (DEH) condition respectively (p = 0.003). DEH slightly altered the 3PS technique as the knee angle increased (p = 0.02) at toe-off time and the hip angle decreased during the 3PS (p = 0.01). The speed of ball release tended to be increased (p = 0.05) in DEH compared to EUH. Data from this study suggest that a 2% dehydration is tolerable for elite Basketball players, although a stronger dehydration might accentuate the effects observed

Identifying factors affecting the low western rock lobster puerulus settlement in recent years Final FRDC Report – Project 2009/18

Objectives 1. To use a larval advection model and the rock lobster population dynamics model to assess the effect of the spatial distribution of the breeding stock on the puerulus settlement 2. To assess environmental factors (water temperature, current, wind, productivity, eddies) and breeding stock affecting puerulus settlement 3. To examine climate change trends of key environmental parameters and their effect on the western rock lobster fisher

Pedogenesis and carbon sequestration in transformed agricultural soils of Sicily

The increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration is a consequence of human activities leading to severe environmental deteriorations. Techniques are thus needed to sequester and reduce atmospheric carbon. One of the proposed techniques is the transformation or construction of new soils into which more organic carbon can be sequestered and CO2 be consumed by increased weathering. By using a chronosequence of new and transformed soils on crushed limestone (0–48 years) in a Mediterranean area (Sicily), we tried to quantify the amount of organic carbon that could be additionally sequestered and to derive the corresponding rates. A further aim was to trace chemical weathering and related CO2 consumption and the evolution of macropores that are relevant for water infiltration and plant nutrition. Owing to the irrigation of the table grape cultivation, the transformed soils developed fast. After about 48 years, the organic C stocks were near 12 kg m−2. The average org. C sequestration rates varied between 68 and 288 g m−2 yr−1. The C accumulation rates in the transformed soils are very high at the beginning and tend to decrease over (modelled) longer time scales. Over these 48 years, a substantial amount of carbonate was leached and reprecipitated as secondary carbonates. The proportion of secondary carbonates on the total inorganic carbon was up to 50%. Main mineralogical changes included the formation of interstratified clay minerals, the decrease of mica and increase of chloritic components as well as goethite. The atmospheric CO2 consumption due to silicate weathering was in the range of about 44–72 g C m−2 yr−1. Due to the high variability, the contribution of chemical weathering to CO2 consumption represents only an estimate. When summing up organic C sequestration and CO2 consumption by silicate weathering, rates in the order of 110–360 g C m−2 yr−1 are obtained. These are very high values. We estimated that high sequestration and CO2 consumption rates are maintained for about 50–100 years after soil transformation. The macropore volume decreased over the observed time span to half (from roughly 10 to 5 %). The transformation of soils may even amend their characteristics and increase agricultural production. Due to the relatively sandy character, enough macropores were present and no substantial compaction of the soils occurred. However, great caution has to be taken as such measures can trigger deterioration of both soil ecosystem services and soil quality

Effect of dehydration on performance and technique of three-point shooting in Elite Basketball.

Basketball play is classically accompanied with a significant loss of body water with a potential negative impact on both physical and cognitive performance 1. Very few studies have examined the impact of dehydration on biomechanical adjustments required to score in basketball, though joints angles, the position of the centre of mass and ball release parameters (i.e. height, release speed and angle) are among the best predictive factors of success in basketball shooting 2. Dehydration might alter the biomechanical requirements of successful shots and especially three-point shots (3PS) which generate 16% of points scored during a match. However, only 35% of 3PS are successful in game. Within this framework we analysed the effects of a controlled dehydration protocol on the success and technique of 3PS in elite basketball players. Changes in shooting technique were analysed through changes in body kinematics (i.e. 3D angles of the ankle, knee, hip, shoulder, elbow and wrist, and the height of the centre of mass) and ball release parameters (i.e. height, velocity and angle of the ball at release) of 3PS in a dynamic playing condition