IMPACT LOAD MONITORING USING INERTIAL MEASUREMEMENT UNITS ON DIFFERENT VISCOELASTIC SPORT SURFACES: A TECHNICAL REPORT

Inertial measurement units (IMU) provide the opportunity to measure and monitor loads during gymnastics training on a variety of viscoelastic surfaces. Previously these loads have been estimated from force platform (FP) testing of discrete skills such as somersault landings. This study examined the relationship between peak impact loads measured with an IMU and a FP. A 9 kg slam ball with a fixed IMU was dropped from various heights (40, 60, 80 cm) and surfaces (no mat, rubber, 3-10 cm deep gymnastics mats). There was a significant difference between the two measures for all conditions (p=0.028), except for the 40 cm drop onto the rigid force platform surface. IMUs enable the true load on the gymnast to be measured when completing skills on less rigid, viscoelastic surfaces, which may be lower or higher than what has been previously estimated using force platforms

Embodying knowledge of breast cancer in a disembodied community?

Few life experiences have a greater impact upon the sense of self than the diagnosis of a life-challenging illness. Breast cancer is such an illness, and the sudden transition from \u27well\u27 to \u27ill\u27 is unsettling for a person\u27s sense of knowing who they are in \u27their\u27 own body. What you know about your body, what others know about your body and what your biology knows about your body become suddenly problematic. This paper addresses what people know about their bodies before and after experiencing a breast cancer diagnosis by examining relevant theory and empirical data drawn from an online community for people with breast cancer, their families and supporters. In the Breast Cancer Click (BCC) online community members are encouraged to blog their breast cancer journey, engage in discussion forums, use a private messaging function to talk in real-time with each other and a breast care nurse, and to participate in live group chat. The records of all these activities have been used in a netnographic study which aims to examine the efficacy of this mutual support community. In this paper we present some of the material which has been created in the community’s activities to consider the embodied experience of breast cancer. Evidence from online community members is addressed to consider what a western cultural experience of breast cancer as captured by a disembodied online community can tell us about embodiment and embodied knowledge

Creativity in an online community as a response to the chaos of a breast cancer diagnosis

No abstract available

Self-revelation in an online health community: Exploring issues around co-presence for vulnerable members

Problem: This paper addresses the implications of working with vulnerable groups in the context of an online health community when members move from co-presence online to co-presence offline. Theoretical Approach: The case study presented in this paper challenges the expectation that self-revelations are usually more common in online environments because of the anonymity and comfort experienced there. Methodology: Taking as its example the events in a research project designed to investigate the relative features of online communities and social network sites by using a ‘netnographic’ approach, this paper examines the introduction of live chat sessions with a view to building social and emotional involvement in community members who had been, to that point, somewhat disengaged. Findings: On the fourth live chat, shortly before Christmas, one community member suggested that they meet for a meal, effectively moving the co-presence from the online community into the offline world. This duly occurred the following week, but the situation did not develop as the research team members had envisioned and instead they found themselves dealing with a member who, in person, was revealed to be feeling suicidal. Conclusion: Addressing the case study in terms of the implications of co-presence and self-revelation in research settings, this paper goes on to describe the changes in policy and process instigated by the support organisation to prepare for other possible events of this nature

IS JUMPING AND LANDING TECHNIQUE SYMMETRICAL IN FEMALE GYMNASTS?

The effect of eccentric load (drop height) on lower extremity neuromuscular function and performance was examined in young healthy female gymnasts. Each gymnast (level 4 – 6, n = 15) performed five drop landings and five rebound jumps whilst barefoot from three heights (30, 60, 90 cm) onto two AMTI force platforms (1000 Hz) covered with 6 cm thick carpeted gymnastics mats. Force-time measurements were exported into custom-written software to obtain key measures such as peak force (BW), loading rate (BW/s), and takeoff power (Watts/kg). Significant asymmetry was identified in the jumping and landing performance of the gymnasts, however the level of asymmetry observed was not influenced by eccentric load. In conclusion, coaches should aim to achieve safer landing strategies by developing ambidextrous movement in young gymnasts

ARE DANCERS SYMMETRICAL DURING SINGLE LEG AND DOUBLE LEGGED LANDINGS?

The effect of limb preference on lower extremity function and performance was examined in young healthy dancers. Fifteen elite adolescent dancers performed 15 consecutive single leg hops on each leg and 3 rebound jumps onto two triaxial force platforms. To identify limb preference the Waterloo Footedness Questionnaire was administered. Functional symmetry indices (SI) were calculated for the peak landing forces, and limb dominance was identified as the limb producing the greatest take-off power during the rebound jumps. Significant asymmetry was identified in the landing performance of the dancers. However no relationship was found between limb preference and limb dominance of the dancers. In conclusion, dance teachers should aim to achieve safer landing strategies by developing ambidextrous movement in young dancers

Genetic mechanisms of critical illness in COVID-19.

Host-mediated lung inflammation is present1, and drives mortality2, in the critical illness caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Host genetic variants associated with critical illness may identify mechanistic targets for therapeutic development3. Here we report the results of the GenOMICC (Genetics Of Mortality In Critical Care) genome-wide association study in 2,244 critically ill patients with COVID-19 from 208 UK intensive care units. We have identified and replicated the following new genome-wide significant associations: on chromosome 12q24.13 (rs10735079, P = 1.65 × 10-8) in a gene cluster that encodes antiviral restriction enzyme activators (OAS1, OAS2 and OAS3); on chromosome 19p13.2 (rs74956615, P = 2.3 × 10-8) near the gene that encodes tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2); on chromosome 19p13.3 (rs2109069, P = 3.98 ×  10-12) within the gene that encodes dipeptidyl peptidase 9 (DPP9); and on chromosome 21q22.1 (rs2236757, P = 4.99 × 10-8) in the interferon receptor gene IFNAR2. We identified potential targets for repurposing of licensed medications: using Mendelian randomization, we found evidence that low expression of IFNAR2, or high expression of TYK2, are associated with life-threatening disease; and transcriptome-wide association in lung tissue revealed that high expression of the monocyte-macrophage chemotactic receptor CCR2 is associated with severe COVID-19. Our results identify robust genetic signals relating to key host antiviral defence mechanisms and mediators of inflammatory organ damage in COVID-19. Both mechanisms may be amenable to targeted treatment with existing drugs. However, large-scale randomized clinical trials will be essential before any change to clinical practice