APPROACH SPEED, LAST STEP CHARACTERISTICS AND TAKE-OFF ACCURACY OF T36 CLASS PARALYMPIC LONG JUMPERS

The purpose of this study was to examine the approach speed (VAPP), the characteristics of the last three steps and the accuracy of foot placement at the take-off board (TTB) in T36 Paralympic long jumpers. Nine male finalists in the T36 Class long jump event who competed at the 2012 London Paralympics were analyzed using high speed video cameras and a speed radar gun. Results revealed that VAPP (8.0 ± 0.4 m/s) peaked at a distance of 6.40 ± 3.25 m from the take-off board. Both parameters were significantly correlated with the effective distance of the jump. TTB was 0.14 ± 0.10 m. There was no indication that the last steps were performed using the adequate step length for the proper execution of the “larger penultimate – shorter last step” technique. The adoption of this technique when approaching the take-off board may improve the effectiveness of the approach and aid in achieving a better take-off

In vivo Simulation-Based Learning for Undergraduate Medical Students: Teaching and Assessment.

An increasing emphasis on simulation has become evident in the last three decades following fundamental shifts in the medical profession. Simulation-based learning (SBL) is a wide term that encompasses several means for imitating a skill, attitude, or procedure to train personnel in a safe and adaptive environment. A classic example has been the use of live animal tissue, named in vivo SBL. We aimed to review all published evidence on in vivo SBL for undergraduate medical students; this includes both teaching concepts as well as focused assessment of students on those concepts. We performed a systematic review of published evidence on MEDLINE. We also incorporated evidence from a series of systematic reviews (eviCORE) focused on undergraduate education which have been outputs from our dedicated research network (eMERG). In vivo SBL has been shown to be valuable at undergraduate level and should be considered as a potential educational tool. Strict adherence to 3R (Reduce, Refine, Replace) principles in order to reduce animal tissue usage, should always be the basis of any curriculum. In vivo SBL could potentially grant an extra mile towards medical students' inspiration and aspiration to become safe surgeons; however, it should be optimised and supported by a well-designed curriculum which enhances learning via multi-level fidelity SBL

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

Inter-Limb Asymmetry in the Kinematic Parameters of the Long Jump Approach Run in Female Paralympic-Level Class T63/T64 Athletes

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the inter-limb asymmetry in the kinematic parameters of the approach run in elite-level female Class T63/T64 long jumpers and its relationship to performance. Three Class T63 and nine Class T64 female long jumpers were examined during a competition. The temporal and kinematic parameters of their approach steps (step length: SL; step frequency: SF; average step velocity: SV) were measured using a panning video method and speed radar. The symmetry angle was the measure of inter-limb asymmetry. The results revealed that SF and SV were significantly (p p p < 0.05) positively correlated with the maximum velocity attained during the approach and negatively correlated with the symmetry angle for SF. It is concluded that the observed asymmetry in SF was compensated for by the modifications observed in the SL that consequently resulted in no asymmetry in SV, leading the participants to effectively utilize their approach speed optimally in terms of long jump performance