Quantifying the Effects of American Football Shoulder Pads on Reach Distance and Player Perception of Comfort and Fit

Background: The majority of sports equipment research to date has focused on their protective capabilities, and not on how they impact player performance and comfort while using them. Objective: The purpose of this study was to quantify the reach distances of players wearing different football shoulder pads and determine player perceptions of shoulder pad comfort and fit. Methods: Football players (n=10) underwent a standardized reach distance protocol comprised of three trials of repeated shoulder flexion, extension, abduction, horizontal flexion, and horizontal extension in each of the three shoulder pad conditions (no shoulder pad, standard shoulder pad, prototype shoulder pad). Player perceptions of shoulder pad comfort and fit, breathability, restrictiveness, and weight were also evaluated using a questionnaire. Reach distances were recorded using five GoPro Hero 9 cameras and analyzed using ProAnalyst®3D motion tracking software. Results: Reach distances were significantly affected during several movements, but especially in the vertical direction, for flexion and abduction, with mean differences between the prototype pad and standard pad of 10.3 cm and 23.1 cm, respectively (P = 0.007 and P = 0.003). Differences in reach distance were greater for the standard shoulder pad than the prototype shoulder pad on average. This indicates that the prototype shoulder pad was less restrictive, which aligned with what players reported. There was significantly more discomfort reported in the neck collar and armpit regions for the standard shoulder pad compared to the prototype pad. Participants also found the prototype shoulder pad to be lighter, and more breathable (P0.05). Conclusion: These results provide manufacturers with valuable insights from a design standpoint, and offer athletes who are looking for superior sport protective equipment key evidence regarding shoulder pad performance, fit, and comfort

Quantifying the Effects of Various Football Shoulder Pads on Reach Distance and Player Perception of Comfort and Fit: A Proposal

Sports protective equipment has been used for decades to reduce the risk of player injuries. As a result, the protective capabilities of such equipment have been studied extensively1. However, the literature on the comfort and fit of protective equipment and how these constructs influence performance is limited, despite evidence suggesting that improper fit can have negative effects on player safety2. Research on the relationship between sports equipment and performance can also be valuable to manufacturers from a design standpoint3. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to quantify the differences in reach distances of football players while wearing different models of shoulder pads. Player perceptions of shoulder pad comfort and fit will also be evaluated. Players will complete a standardized reach distance protocol while wearing retroreflective markers on their hands. The protocol will include repeated shoulder flexion, extension, abduction, horizontal flexion, and horizontal extension trials for four shoulder pad conditions (three models of shoulder pads, one without). The movements will be recorded using five GoPro Hero 9 cameras and analyzed using motion analysis software. Following each condition, a survey, including questions on shoulder pad comfort, fit, breathability, weight, and restrictiveness, will be completed. It is expected there will be differences in reach distances between the football shoulder pad conditions. Moreover, there will be differences in comfort, breathability, and restrictiveness between the shoulder pad conditions. Norman R. Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 1983; 11: 232-74. Oja B, Bass J. J Appl Sport Manag. 2016; 8: 26-45. Yu A, Yick K, Ng A, Yip J. Appl Ergon. 2019; 75: 17-26

Does Neck Strength in Male and Female Youth Soccer Players Affect Head Velocity During Goal-Directed Heading: A Proposal

Introduction: Head impact research in soccer (e.g., during heading) has increased recently, with the intent to reduce the risk of play-related injuries such as concussions. Low neck strength and head kinematics (e.g., velocity) in players have been proposed as risk factors for concussion1. However, previous research has primarily focused on collegiate athletes1, despite the possible increased risk for youth players due to crucial neurodevelopment occurring in this group2. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine neck strength differences between male and female youth soccer players, and to quantify the relationship between heading velocities and neck strength. Methods: Participants will include male and female youth soccer players (11 - 13 years old). Neck strength will be quantified while supine during lateral flexion, cervical flexion, and extension using a prone push test with a hand-held dynamometer. Participants will also complete five headers in the lab in each of three directions: balls tossed to them from their right, left, and in front. Three retroreflective markers on each participant’s head will be recorded using five GoPro Hero 9 cameras. ProAnalyst (Xcitex) motion capture analysis software will be used to determine head velocities. Pearson correlations will be completed to assess the strength of the relationship between neck strength and head velocities, and between sex and head velocities. Expected results: Youth with lower neck strength will have increased head velocities during purposeful heading. Moreover, females will have lower neck strength, and therefore, higher head velocities in comparison to their male counterparts. Keywords: youth soccer, neck strength, head velocities, sex differences References: Dezman, Z. D., Ledet, E. H., & Kerr, H. A. (2013). Neck strength imbalance correlates with increased head acceleration in soccer heading. Sports Health, 5(4), 320-326. Patel, D. R., Shivdasani, V., & Baker, R. J. (2005). Management of sport-related concussion in young athletes. Sports Medicine, 35(8), 671-84

Inventory statistics meet big data: complications for estimating numbers of species

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.We point out complications inherent in biodiversity inventory metrics when applied to large-scale datasets. The number of units of inventory effort (e.g., days of inventory effort) in which a species is detected saturates, such that crucial numbers of detections of rare species approach zero. Any rare errors can then come to dominate species richness estimates, creating upward biases in estimates of species numbers. We document the problem via simulations of sampling from virtual biotas, illustrate its potential using a large empirical dataset (bird records from Cape May, NJ, USA), and outline the circumstances under which these problems may be expected to emerge

Developing lab activities for an introductory anatomy course: Reflections and recommendations from a faculty/student partnership.

Students “as partners” challenges the notion that students simply consume knowledge, but rather, they are viewed as co-producers of knowledge (Green, 2019). This approach used in curriculum development is illustrated in this research project. Five undergraduate students and one graduate student collaborated with a faculty member to develop ten lab activities for a first-year anatomy course in Kinesiology. All student partners had taken the course previously and had expressed their passion for the subject matter. With guidance and support from the course instructor, students utilized the knowledge and experiences they had acquired in the course to design lab experiences that aligned with the course content. This approach is consistent with other studies in which students worked with faculty members to adapt curriculum for future students (Spencer et al., 2021). Once the lab activities were created, the students were asked to reflect upon their experience. The instructor encouraged the discussion of various elements in the reflections, such as how the students felt working in the partnership, and their discoveries related to curriculum development. The students were also asked to consider the impact of the partnership on both their well-being and on higher education in general. The analysis revealed seven themes which will be shared in the presentation. Several recommendations, including the importance of maintaining effective communication, fostering group cohesion, and developing a knowledge transfer plan, will also be offered to help inform other students and faculty members who wish to engage in a similarly effective partnership. Bibliography: Green, W. (2019). Engaging “Students as Partners” in global learning: Some possibilities and provocations. Journal of Studies in International Education, 23(1), 10–29. https://doi.org/10.1177/1028315318814266 Spencer, B., Tori, K., & Campbell, R. (2021). Undergraduates as course creators: Reflections on starting and sustaining a student-faculty partnership. International Journal for Students as Partners, 5(1), 138-145. https://doi.org/10.15173/ijsap.v5i1.439

Comparative Immunohistochemical Study of Multicystic Dysplastic Kidneys With and Without Obstruction

Etiology of multicystic dysplastic kidney (MCDK) remains unknown. Not all cases are associated with obstruction. We compared by immunohistochemistry 17 cases of MCDK (10 cases with and seven without obstruction) to 17 controls and 20 fetal kidneys. TGF-β was negative in obstructive MCDKs and positive in nonobstructive MCDK. IGF2 was overexpressed in obstructive and underex-pressed in nonobstructive MCDKs. PAX2, BCL-2, and β-catenin were expressed equally in obstructive and nonobstructive dysplasia. TGF-β and IGF2 work by different mechanisms in obstructive and nonobstructive MCDKs, but there are no differences among PAX 2, BCL-2, and β-catenin in obstructive versus nonobstructive dysplasia

Quantifying the Effects of Various Football Shoulder Pads on Reach Distance and Player Perception of Comfort and Fit

The majority of sports equipment research to date has focused on their protective capabilities, and not on how they impact player performance and comfort while using them. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to quantify the reach distances of football players during three shoulder pad conditions (no shoulder pad, standard shoulder pad, prototype shoulder pad). Player perceptions of shoulder pad comfort and fit were also evaluated following a standardized reach distance protocol including three trials of repeated shoulder flexion, extension, abduction, horizontal flexion, and horizontal extension. Reach distances were recorded using five GoPro Hero 9 cameras and analyzed using ProAnalyst® motion tracking software. Reach distances were significantly impacted during several movements, but especially in the vertical direction, for flexion and abduction, with mean differences between the prototype pad and standard pad of 10.3cm and 23.1cm, respectively. Differences in reach distance were greater for the standard shoulder pad than the prototype shoulder pad on average, compared to when no shoulder pad was worn. This suggests that the prototype shoulder pad was less restrictive, which aligned with what players reported. Participants also found the prototype shoulder pad to be significantly lighter, and more breathable. There was also significantly more discomfort reported in the neck collar and armpit regions for the standard shoulder pad compared to the prototype pad. These results provide manufacturers with valuable insights from a redesign standpoint, and offer athletes who are looking for superior sport protective equipment key evidence regarding shoulder pad performance, fit, and comfort

A Descriptive Video Analysis of Helmet Impact Cases in North American Youth Football Players

Background: Detailed characterization of on-field helmet impacts in football through video analysis has mostly been limited to professional games due to the availability of high quality, multi-view video (e.g., broadcast footage). Few studies have assessed youth football helmet impacts using video-based methods, often with only a single-camera view. Objective: A multi-camera approach was used in this observation-based study to describe the mechanisms and situational factors of in-game helmet impacts experienced by youth football players. Methods: A descriptive video analysis was performed in which video of three games from two old divisions (game A: 9–12 years; games B and C: 13–14 years) was reviewed and parameters related to all cases of observed helmet impact were documented. Results: Overall, 95 helmet impact cases were identified (single helmet contact: 81.1%; multiple helmet contacts: 18.9%), with 115 helmet contacts. Helmet-to-ground contacts were most common (59.1%), followed by helmet-to-helmet (24.3%) and helmet-to-body (16.5%). Helmet impact cases generally occurred during a rush play (67.4%) and were concentrated in the mid-field (81%). Helmet contact locations were predominantly distributed between the rear (upper) (28.7%) and side (upper) (27.8%) helmet regions. Tackling was the most frequent activity leading to helmet impact (41.1%). Conclusion: These findings offer detailed on-field helmet impact characteristics at the youth level that can help inform athlete safety improvement efforts

Predicting soft tissue thicknesses overlying the iliac crests and greater trochanters of younger and older adults.

Soft tissues overlying the hip play a critical role in protecting against fractures during fall-related hip impacts. Consequently, the development of an efficient and cost-effective method for estimating hip soft tissue thicknesses in living people may prove to be valuable for assessing an individual's injury risk and need to adopt preventative measures. The present study used multiple linear stepwise regression to generate prediction equations from participant characteristics (i.e., height, sex) and anthropometric measurements of the pelvis, trunk, and thigh to estimate soft tissue thickness at the iliac crests (IC) and greater trochanters (GT) in younger (16-35 years of age: 37 males, 37 females) and older (36-65 years of age: 38 males, 38 females) adults. Equations were validated against soft tissue thicknesses measured from full body Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry scans of independent samples (younger: 13 males, 13 females; older: 13 males, 12 females). Younger adult prediction equations exhibited adjusted R2 values ranging from 0.704 to 0.791, with more explained variance for soft tissue thicknesses at the GT than the IC; corresponding values for the older adult equations were higher overall and ranged from 0.819 to 0.852. Predicted and actual soft tissue thicknesses were significantly correlated for both the younger (R2 = 0.466 to 0.738) and older (R2 = 0.842 to 0.848) adults, averaging ≤ 0.75cm of error. This research demonstrates that soft tissue thicknesses overlying the GT and IC can be accurately predicted from equations using anthropometric measurements. These equations can be used by clinicians to identify individuals at higher risk of hip fractures who may benefit from the use of preventative measures