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FORMATION OF COORDINATION AMONG RELEASE PARAMETERS FOR THE SHAPE OF VARIABILITY IN ARRIVAL POSITIONS OVER PRACTICE
No full textThis study aims to propose a framework for analyzing coordination among release parameters in relation to the shape of variability in performance outcomes and to investigate how such coordination is formed through practice. Participants threw 60 darts toward the center of the dartboard, twice a week for 10 weeks. Intersection over Union (IoU) was used to quantify coordination for the shape of variability, and a threshold was established to define the presence of coordination. The results showed that coordination among release parameters was not necessarily developed through practice, and that such coordination may already be structured before reducing the magnitude of variability. These findings suggest that the proposed method offers new insights into the formation of coordination during motor learning and provides a novel approach for its spatial evaluation
EFFECTS OF LOWER LIMB BALLISTIC TRAINING ON LEG KICKING AND OVERALL PERFORMANCE IN SWIMMING: CASE STUDY
No full textThis case study aimed to investigate the effects of a lower limb ballistic training program on lower body strength, front crawl flutter kick performance, and sprint swimming performance over 50 meters in a male recreational swimmer. One participant was recruited, and completed a 6-week training program, with pre- and post-tests assessing 50 m front crawl sprint time, 25 m flutter kick sprint time, stroke length (SL), one-repetition maximum (1-RM) squat, and countermovement jump (CMJ) performance. The participant showed improvements in the swimming performance and in SL, as well as some CMJ variables. However, no inferential statistics was conducted due to the sample size (N=1). Further research is needed, though improvements in SL may contribute to better swimming efficiency and reduced stroke rates, potentially minimizing shoulder injuries
EFFECT OF HANDLEBAR HEIGHT ON LOWER-LIMB BIOMECHANICS AND UPPER BODY KINEMATICS IN ELITE PURSUIT CYCLISTS
No full textThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of handlebar height changes on upper body posture and lower-limb biomechanics in elite pursuit cyclists. Sixteen (9 male, 7 female) cyclists completed 1-minute cycling bouts with different handlebar heights (Preferred, -30 mm and +30 mm). 2D motion capture was used to record upper and lower body joint kinematics and integrated with instrumented force pedals to measure crank and lower limb joint kinetics. A general linear mixed model and repeated measures ANOVA were used to assess discrete and time-series variables. The findings indicate that elite cyclists can adapt ankle and hip biomechanics to maintain external force application and power output despite altered upper body posture due to a reduced handlebar height. Therefore, cyclists should consider reducing handlebar height for an aerodynamic gain
APPLICATIONS OF VIRTUAL REALITY IN BIOMECHANICS IN SPORTS
No full textThis paper gives an overview of possibilities of using virtual reality (VR) in sports biomechanics. To achieve this, a short systematical literature review with some examples is given. However, little is known about the extent to which VR tools can support training and learning of complex sports movements. The aim of this work is to show how a head-mounted display (HMD) can promote the learning and training process of gymnastic elements on a balance beam. For this purpose, three key issues were defined, which were addressed in four own research studies: (1) Influence of an HMD on the execution of gymnastic elements on a beam, (2) Comparison of movement execution under real conditions and in the virtual environment with and without visualized body segments, and (3) Possibility of using a virtual beam with simulated height. In conclusion, despite some technical limitations, VR can support both biomechanical research and practical training of gymnastic elements on a balance beam
COMPETITIVE-LEVEL AND LEG PREFERENCE EFFECTS ON VERTICAL GROUND REACTION FORCES IN SOCCER KICKING
No full textThis study explored the effect of the competitive level and leg preference on the vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) during instep soccer kicking, and its relationship on ball velocity. Seventy-eight players belonging to four different competitive levels (female professional, male professional, male elite youth, and male non-elite youth) performed maximal instep kicks with their preferred and non-preferred legs from which the ball velocity and the vGRF were collected. The results showed that higher-level players and preferred leg kicks exhibited a double-peak vGRF pattern, but lower-level players and non-preferred kicks exhibited a single-peak vGRF pattern. The vGRF had a weak to moderate positive correlation with ball velocity (r = 0.27–0.46). These findings highlight the importance of support leg mechanics in optimizing kicking performance
What Mean Do You Mean?
No full textIn this paper, I discuss the different types of means and how or when they would be applied. The four means include arithmetic, geometric, harmonic, and the root mean square. I go over real life examples and show the calculations of each. Along with the four means, I also found that the equation for half of the harmonic mean can also be applicable in some real life problems. Using the inverse pythagorean theorem, I found the value of a line segment shown in the geometric representation, but did not conclude how it could be applicable in finding the mean of something. This paper coincides with my project where I made a poster titled What Mean Do You Mean? and on the poster I included the geometric representation of all of the different means on a half circle and also real life examples. My goal was to make it more apparent when to use which mean when finding the average of scores, miles per hour on a road trip, and so on
Soil Microbial Community Response to Human Decomposition in Michigan\u27s Upper Peninsula
No full textHuman decomposition is a complex process influenced by environmental conditions, with predictable patterns in microbial succession offering potential for postmortem interval (PMI) estimation. This study examines the soil microbiome associated with human decomposition at the Forensic Research Outdoor Station (FROST) in Marquette, Michigan – a unique taphonomy research facility characterized by cold temperatures, sandy soil, over 100 inches of snow annually, and close proximity to Lake Superior.
Existing soil samples collected from four human donors at three sample sites (Head, Torso, Legs) are the subject of analysis for this project. One donor was placed in summer and three in fall, with sampling spanning from June 11 to November 20, 2021 (up to 106 days post-placement). Following DNA extraction, samples were sequenced using 16S rRNA sequencing, processed with QIIME 2, and microbial community changes analyzed with R using alpha and beta diversity metrics and relative abundance.
Results revealed that human decomposition significantly alters the soil microbiome over time. While differences between sampling sites were not statistically significant, emerging trends warrant further investigation. Notably, cold-tolerant bacterial taxa – Paenisporosarcina, Sporosarcina, Marinococcus, Variovorax, and Exiguobacterium – and lakeshore-associated bacteria – Marinococcus and Paraliobacillus – were identified, reflecting the distinct microbial ecology of FROST. A human-associated microbe, Lactobacillus, was detected, while notable insect-associated bacteria and Actinobacteria/Acidobacteria phyla were not.
This research highlights the need for climate-specific microbial baselines and increased standardization in forensic soil microbiology. As the field grows, incorporating soil chemistry and long-term studies will be essential for improving understanding of soil microbial community responses to human decomposition
ASSESSING THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN ATTENTIONAL BIAS TO CLIMATE CHANGE IMAGES AND CLIMATE ANXIETY
No full textRecent research has shown that people with high trait anxiety fixate on images with higher levels of threat when in an anxious state. Climate change is a massive and timely problem with changes in the temperature of oceans and precipitation as well as warming of the Earth. These impacts can lead to climate anxiety. This project aimed to extend previous research regarding attentional bias and anxiety by assessing the relationship between attentional bias and climate change anxiety. Participants completed an eye-tracking task where they were asked to view climate change relevant images paired with climate irrelevant images. Participants then completed several questionnaires assessing their environmental values as well as their depressive and anxious symptoms. They also completed a questionnaire measuring their climate anxiety. It was hypothesized that, on average, participants would dwell more on climate change images compared to climate irrelevant images. It was further hypothesized that the degree of attentional capture by climate images would be linked to an individual’s level of climate anxiety such that individuals with high climate anxiety would dwell more on climate relevant images. There were no differences found between dwell times for climate relevant and climate irrelevant images, and no relationship was found between attentional bias to climate information and climate anxiety. The findings have implications in clinical settings for the development of new interventions or treatments for those experiencing climate anxiety. Other future research could include studies with different attentional bias tasks as well as different populations tested
Catasterisms
No full textCatasterisms is a collection of seven lyric essays exploring ideas of identity, relationships, and environment through the lens of Stacy Alaimo’s trans-corporeality. Each essay uses various forms to explore these concepts, utilizing concrete form, hybridized poetry and prose, and what Charles Olson refers to as projective verse. The essays use motifs like cell phone communication, star-gazing, and travel among many others to explore the ways in which individuals self-actualize through their relationships and their environment. Through emoji, photographs, and design, Catasterisms also uses the sense of sight in order to push the boundaries of traditional genres of writing and place itself in a unique position in the field of poetry and creative nonfiction
DISPERSAL MECHANISMS OF EMBRYONIC AND LARVAL BURBOT (LOTA LOTA)
No full textMany teleost fish produce planktonic larvae that primarily rely on hydrodynamic forces for dispersal. However, allometric growth patterns and larval behavior also plays a significant role in dispersal. The developmental timeline of dispersal mechanisms in burbot (Lota lota) larvae is crucial to understanding where they may settle in the Laurentian Great Lakes. Wild L. lota gametes were collected from Lake Superior tributaries and fertilized. L. lota were reared in a laboratory setting and monitored for embryonic buoyancy changes and larval phototaxis, startle response, temperature selection, rheotaxis, and lateral line development. Embryos showed a significant increase in buoyancy as they approach hatching but are negatively buoyant. Larvae showed a 25% increase in startle responses from 30 to 75 days post fertilization (dpf). Maximum velocity (cm/s) and proportion of startle responses increased significantly after swim bladder inflation. From 30 - 75 dpf, larvae displayed no phototactic light preference. Younger larvae chose warmer temperature zones initially, preferring colder temperatures as they aged. Larvae performed positive rheotaxis after swim bladder inflation. The inflation of the swim bladder may be critical for performing active dispersal mechanisms. L. lota larvae show a significant increase in neuromasts between 35 and 45 dpf, in both the anterior lateral line and posterior lateral line. Age significantly predicted neuromast abundance. These results help elucidate the developmental timeline of L. lota active dispersal behaviors and generally fit the model of related teleosts