DIRECTIONAL ACCURACY OF THE DELIVERY IN COMPETITIVE CURLERS

The purpose of this study was to assess the directional accuracy of the delivery in competitive curlers. Sixteen curlers each delivered a total of eight stones to three target locations with different combinations of rotation and speed. A laser device located near the ice surface was used to determine the line of delivery, and Dartfish was used to measure the position of the stone relative to the line of delivery. Comparisons were made at specific events: setup, pull-back, release, and after release. The results indicated significant main effects for target location (

SWEEP LENGTH VS SWEEP RATE ANALYSIS IN COMPETITIVE MALE AND FEMALE CURLERS

The purpose of this study was to examine sweep length and sweep rate in competitive male and female curlers. Sixteen curlers (8 males, 8 females) completed a 25-second bout of maximal effort sweeping which was video recorded and analyzed using Dartfish. Sweep length and sweep rate were determined for each 5-second interval (0-5s, 5-10s, 10-15s, 15-20s, 20-25s). Comparisons were made among time intervals and between genders. Sweep length was found to be similar between genders (p = 0.922), with significant differences seen between the 0-5s and 5-10s time intervals (p < 0.05). Sweep rate was significantly faster for males across all time intervals (p < 0.001), with males and females showing differences in the rate at which sweep rate decreased over time. This information may help curlers improve their sweeping strategy during competitive play

THE EFFECTS OF KNEE TAPING TECHNIQUES ON LOWER EXTREMITY KINEMATICS DURING RUNNING

The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the effects of gender, speed, and tape on 2D lower extremity kinematics and stride characteristics during running. Eight healthy runners participated. Taping interventions (Leukotape, Kinesio Tape, no tape) and speeds (2.35 m/s, 3.35 m/s) were randomized and lower extremity stride kinematics were obtained using the Peak Motus System. Comparisons were made using descriptive statistics. Females exhibited greater hip and knee flexion, while males had greater ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion. Females spent more time in support while males spent more time in the air. Faster speed was associated with greater hip flexion and extension, peak knee flexion, and less time during contact. As a result, gender and speed seem to have effects on lower extremity stride kinematics, whereas type of tape does not

Effect of Neck Strength on Simulated Head Impacts During Falls in Female Ice Hockey Players

International Journal of Exercise Science 14(1): 446-461, 2021. This study examined the effect of isometric cervical strength and impact location of the hockey helmet in mitigating the risk of concussions for two different mechanisms of injury from a fall during head impact simulation testing. Isometric cervical strength was measured on 25 female hockey players to compute and model neck strength on a mechanical neckform. A dual-rail vertical drop system with a helmet mounted on a surrogate headform simulated the mechanisms of injury causing concussions on female ice hockey players. Measures of peak linear acceleration and risk of injury due to a head collision (GSI) were used to assess the magnitude of the head impact due to a fall across three neck strength measures (weak, average, strong), three helmet locations (front, rear, side), and two mechanisms of injury (direct, whiplash+impact). A three-way ANOVA revealed a significant main effect for impact mechanism on the magnitude of peak linear acceleration and GSI, with the whiplash+impact mechanism generating significantly greater peak linear acceleration and GSI than the direct impact mechanism. A significant two-way interaction effect was found between impact location and mechanism of injury on peak linear acceleration measures, with the direct impact on the side location generating significantly greater peak linear acceleration than the frontal location. On the contrary, the whiplash+impact mechanism revealed that the frontal impact location produced significantly greater peak linear acceleration than the side location. This outcome suggests the geometry of the helmet material and the type of mechanism of injury both play a role in concussion risk

THERAPEUTIC PATELLAR TAPING TECHNIQUES EFFECT LOWER EXTREMITY RUNNING KINEMATICS IN INDIVIDUALS WITH PATELLOFEMORAL PAIN SYNDROME

This study investigated the effects of patellar taping (McConnell's Medial Glide, MMG; Mechanical Correction with Tension in the Base, MCT; no tape, NT) on lower extremity kinematics in runners with and without patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Twenty healthy individuals and 12 with PFPS participated. Significant taping effects were found for hip flexion (p=.0001) and knee flexion angles (p=.0001) at initial contact and peak hip flexion angles during swing (p=.003). MMG produced more flexion than the MCT and NT. Peak knee flexion angles during stance (p=.036) and flight time (p=.010) revealed significant taping effects, with MMG resulting in more flexion and shorter flight times than NT. A significant taping effect was seen for peak knee flexion angle during swing (p=.010), with MCT resulting in less flexion than MMG and NT. The application of patellar taping may impact on running mechanics

KINEMATIC ANALYSIS OF THE SKELETON START

The purpose of this study was to describe the kinematics of the skeleton start and to compare one-foot versus two-foot starting techniques. The first two steps of the start of six national team skeleton athletes were videotaped during competition and analyzed. There were similarities between the kinematics of skeleton starts and sprint starts; however, the results showed that despite similar 50 meter start times there were differences between the one-foot and two-foot groups in knee angles off the block, trunk angle, toe height during recovery, support and flight times, and step length. These results suggest that the one-foot and two-foot starts are unique yet both effective techniques

THE IMPACT OF THERAPEUTIC ANKLE TAPING ON THE KINEMATICS OF THE LOWER EXTREMITY WHILE RUNNING

Overpronation is a misalignment of the calcaneus resulting from flattening of the medial longitudinal arch, which may lead to an overuse injury in runners. It is suggested that taping may control the position of the calcaneus to correct foot pathologies associated with overpronation. This pilot study explored the effect of ankle taping on the kinematics of the lower extremity while running. Fifteen healthy participants ran on a treadmill with a Kinesio Tape®, Leuko Tape®, and a no tape condition while being video recorded for 3D analysis. No significant changes in the selected lower extremity kinematic variables were seen among the tape and no tape conditions. Participants demonstrated an average Foot Posture Index score of 2.2±1.5, which is considered neutral. Ankle taping may be more beneficial in altering lower extremity kinematics in runners with higher values of pronation and at faster running speeds

RELIABILITY OF A TESTING PROTOCOL TO EXAMINE THE EFFECT OF SPRING LOADED CANE MECHANISMS ON UPPER AND LOWER EXTREMITY GROUND REACTION FORCES, MUSCLE ACTIVITY, AND EASE OF USE DURING GAIT

The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the reliability of a testing protocol to examine differences between spring-loaded and traditional canes for future research. Healthy participants (n=20) were fitted with a T-Scope knee brace and three types of canes. Each participant walked over two force plates, where EMG, force and impulse data were collected. Participants also completed an Ease of Use questionnaire. Five trials were performed using each type of cane. Intra-class correlation (ICC) values were calculated for all dependent variables. All ICC values were greater than 0.7, indicating a high level of reliability. The Ease of Use questionnaire had a high level of internal consistency, as determined by a Cronbach's Alpha of 0.834. Future research will examine causal links between springloaded and traditional canes and improvements in the measured variables

COMPARISON OF METHODS FOR ASSESSING VERTICAL JUMP HEIGHT PERFORMANCE

Relationships, explained variance, measurement error, and limits of agreement were examined among field and laboratory countermovement vertical jump tests, including Vertec, 3D video, and force platform data. Data were simultaneously collected on a single countermovement jump trial for 13 female varsity volleyball players. Vertical jump height computed using maximum centre of mass (COM) velocity from force platform data demonstrated the greatest precision, as well as the strongest correlation (r=0.90), greatest explained variance (R2=0.81), and lowest standard error of the estimate (0.02m) in vertical 3D video COM displacement. Jump height calculation using maximum COM velocity may highlight relevant performance measures, providing jump height estimations more quickly and easily, and with greater precision via force platform analysis

Kinematic analysis of the skeleton start

The purpose of this study was to describe the kinematics of the skeleton start and to compare one-foot versus two-foot starting techniques. The first two steps of the start of six national team skeleton athletes were videotaped during competition and analyzed. There were similarities between the kinematics of skeleton starts and sprint starts; however, the results showed that despite similar 50 meter start times there were differences between the one-foot and two-foot groups in knee angles off the block, trunk angle, toe height during recovery, support and flight times, and step length. These results suggest that the one-foot and two-foot starts are unique yet both effective techniques