COMPARISON OF MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS USED TO DETERMINE ELBOW ANGLE DURING CRICKET BOWLING

The purpose of this study was to compare the two most popular measurement systems employed by biomechanists to determine elbow angle during cricket bowling. These systems included a Vicon marker-based motion capture system and a Biovision electrogoniometer, each synchronised and collecting data at 500Hz. Elbow angle data was calculated using each system from eight (n=8) subjects while performing cricket bowls within the Biomechanics Lab. The current study revealed that there is a significant difference between the change in elbow angle during the delivery phase calculated by an electrogoniometer to that calculated by a marker-based system. Possible reasons for this finding include crosstalk between axes in the electrogoniometer measurement system

DEVELOPMENT OF A FIELD TESTING PROTOCOL FOR THE BIOMECHANICAL ANALYSIS OF SNOWBOARD JUMP LANDINGS – A PILOT STUDY

A biomechanical analysis of snowboard jump landings is yet to be published. The purpose of this work was to develop a protocol to allow the collection of meaningful data in a real snowboarding environment. A video calibration technique was developed to provide superior measurement accuracy over a standard central cube calibration. The accuracy of a snowboard mounted force plate was assessed under various loading conditions. It was concluded that its performance was satisfactory and comparable to previous designs of a similar nature. Once the test protocol was finalised, data were collected from three experienced snowboarders performing jumps. The loads applied at the lead foot were found to be of high magnitude. Based on previous cadaver research, these high loads coupled with the kinematic data revealed a potential for ankle injury during snowboard landing events

Coping with the Challenges of Mass Migration: Reception, Distribution and Integration of Refugees in German Municipalities since 2015

This article demonstrates how challenging the current migration is for the local level in Germany. As highlighted in the article, the integration of refugees mainly takes place at the local level, in the municipalities. The municipalities are responsible for a wide range of services, which include the implementation of the Residence Act, granting of social benefits, provision of health care services, accommodation, organization of integration and German language courses, provision of early childhood and school education, as well as support for labor market integration. The municipalities exercise considerable discretion as to how they operate these services and in effect, even though it is technically within the federal level’s jurisdiction, municipalities have some political influence regarding the right of residence. However, the degree of involvement among German municipalities varies and the role they play in integration often depends on the history of migration within their borders, past development of migrant communities, their own financial situation and infrastructure, as well as how the public engages with the issue. Thus, the political action (or non-action) of the municipalities will be decisive in the long-term integration process of refugees

DEVELOPMENT OF A NOVEL DEVICE FOR MEASUREMENT OF PEDAL FORCE IN CYCLING

A device was developed to be mounted between a cycling shoe and cleat with the ability to measure force perpendicular to the pedal. The device consists of a PolyPower force sensor placed in between two aluminium plates connected by three bolts. Furthermore, a mechanism allowing pulling forces to be measured is explained. The device was comparable to a golden standard when pushed upon, but did not provide valid measurements of pulling forces. In order to function as a valid and reliable power meter or a device capable of measuring pedal forces, the sensor´s recovery rate should be improved along with the pulling mechanism of the device while angular sensors could be added for assessment of pedal kinematics

The one-ski-method:effects of an alternative teaching approach on selected movement patterns in alpine skiing

Teaching methods in skiing have marginally developed within the last decades. An intervention comparing the conventional approach (SP) and the One-Ski-Method (OSM) is proposed in which the main body actions are first trained on one ski and successively transferred to two skis. The OSM teaches the main body actions towards a proper position on parallel skis. The snowplow gets avoided as it implies obstructive body actions. Two groups were trained using each method. Video footage from the first and the fifth day were evaluated by experts following selected criteria. OSM learners showed significantly larger improvements compared to SP. Results indicate a faster acquisition of key elements of alpine skiing and provide a foundation for further investigations of the OSM method

ANALYSIS OF SKIER KINETICS DURING THE START AND KINEMATICS OVER THE FIRST FEATURES DURING A SKI CROSS RUN

The aim of this study was to analyse the start and the skiing technique in Ski Cross, and relate them to the performance. The project consisted of two parts: an indoor test was conducted to relate the impulse applied by the skiers on the start handles to their velocity at handle release. Further, an outdoor test was conducted to study the skiers’ kinematics over the first features of a Ski Cross run, and relate it to completion time of the first section (~30 m). Five athletes from the Swedish National Team were tested on several occasions using an instrumented start gate, an inertial motion unit (IMU) based suit and a differential global navigation satellite system (GNSS). Results showed marked differences in starting technique leading to distinct velocities after handle release. These differences did not immediately relate to time used to cover the first feature (Wu-Tang) in the run. The data demonstrate that the generation of centre of mass velocity during the start is not the main criterion for a successful performance in the initial section of a ski cross run

Biologische Merkmale von Hafenbiozönosen : zur Besiedlung des sekundären Hartbodens in der Kieler Förde

Von Juni 1974 bis September 1975 wurde die Besiedlung des sekundären Hartbodens in der Kieler Förde untersucht. Chemische und bakterielle Parameter zeigen eine Zunahme der Verschmutzung des Fördewassers im Innern der Förde. Exemplarisch werden die Artenassoziationen für Falkenstein Düsternbrook und Dietrichsdorf ermittelt. Die Komplexität der Artenassoziationen ist mit dem Grad der Verschmutzung an den einzelnen Stationen negativ korreliert. Die Kieler Förde läßt sich zur Zeit in vier, durch den Grad der Verschmutzung gekennzeichnete Bereiche unterteilen: 1. Einflußgebiet der Schwentine, 2. Düsternbrook, 3. Einflußgebiet des Nord-Ostsee-Kanals, 4. Außenförde. Die Situation in der Kieler Förde ist als „Hafensituation" zu charakterisieren, bedingt insbesondere durch Überdüngung (= erhöhte Produktion) und starke Sedimentation. From June 1974 to September 1975 fouling organisms in the Kiel Fjord were investigated. Chemical and bacteriological parameters show an increase in water pollution inside the Fjord. Interspecific associations are calculated exemplarily for Falkenstein, Düsternbrook and Dietrichsdorf. The result is that there is a negative correlation between the complexity of the interspecific associations and the degree of pollution at the places of investigation. At present the Kiel Fjord is divided into four trophic levels: 1. the area of influence of the Schwentine River, 2. Düsternbrook, 3. the area of influence of the Kiel Canal, 4. the outer Fjord. The ecological situation in the Kiel Fjord may be characterized as a "Hafensituation", especially because of eutrophication and strong sedimentation

EFFECTS OF MEDIAL WEDGE INSOLES WHEN WALKING ON DIFFERENT SURFACES

Shoe inserts are often used to correct for foot misalignment or overloading during walking and running. To understand the interaction of medial wedge insoles and different surface hardness and geometry, we investigated plantar pressure and rearfoot movement. Twentyeight subjects with normal feet were tested when walking with and without insole on all combinations of hard and soft surface and level and upstairs walking. The main changes in load distribution and rearfoot movement were found between wearing insoles and not wearing them while differences between surfaces were small. In conclusion, surface hardness did not change the general effects of the insoles