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An Assessment of Ankle Stability in Elite Rugby Union
Get PDFThe aim of the study was to assess dynamic postural stability and the perceived chronic ankle instability (CAI) in a population of elite rugby union players, and to examine the relationship between these two measures. Thirty-three professional rugby players undertook the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) as well as dynamic postural control testing using the Y-balance test (YBT). Significant differences of between-limb performance in the posterolateral direction on the YBT were seen for those athletes reporting perceived CAI in one or both ankles when compared to no perceived CAI (p = 0.00). These findings suggest poorer lateral dynamic postural control at the ankle in those athletes who identify as having CAI. By administering these tools together, the study suggests that we are able to identify athletes who may benefit from targeted intervention programs to address compromised ankle stability and potential CAI progression
A novel method for comparing vector coding profiles
Get PDFThe aim of this study was to present a new method for comparing intra-limb coordination profiles utilising vector coding and coordination binning approaches. Three-dimensional kinematic data (250 Hz) were collected from six male sprinters performing bilateral and unilateral 30 cm drop jumps. Vector coding techniques were applied to sagittal plane angle-angle plots for the hip-knee, hip-ankle and knee-ankle joint couples and resulting coupling angles were binned into eight distinct coordination patterns. A ‘difference score‘ was calculated to provide discrete and continuous comparison of coordination profiles between each task. The method presented offers a simple, practical way for researchers and practitioners to understand and compare movement coordination between tasks and could be applied to any inter- and intra- individual comparison
SQUATS PERFORMED ON AN UNSTABLE SURFACE ELICIT HIGHER TRANSVERSAL FORCE OUTPUT COMPARED TO MORE STABLE SQUATS
Get PDFInstability resistance training (RT) or exercising within an unstable environment is a popular training modality and frequently used in training, rehabilitation and prevention settings. Yet, due to the reported reduced force output during exercising within unstable condition, instability RT is said to lack the necessary overload to induce meaningful effects. However, empirical evidence of interventions suggests otherwise. The aim of this study was to systematically analyse instability RT vs. stable RT and discuss potential mechanisms. Therefore, we analysed squats within unstable and stable environments and calculated transversal and vertical forces. Greater transversal plane ground reaction forces were observed while performing squats on the unstable surface (p = .013; d = 1.88, CI-95% [0.33, 3.39]). In contrast, vertical force output remained similar for both conditions (p = .764; d = 0.14, CI-95% [-0.77, 1.02])
Effectiveness Of An Aquatic Exercise Program For Reducing Weight, Body Fat And Chronic Low Back And Joint Pain
Get PDFAccording to the World Health Organization (WHO), obesity has risen at an alarming rate and has reached epidemic proportions throughout the world (WHO, 2017). In the U. S., approximately 93.3 million U.S. adults are obese with an overall prevalence of 39.8 %. Chronic pain is another public health issue in the U.S, affecting almost 100 million people and is associated with significant annual healthcare costs and lost productivity (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health [NCCIH], 2017). Exercise is considered one of the most effective prevention strategies for reducing obesity and has been documented to decrease chronic pain. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to determine if the WATERinMOTION aquatics exercise program was effective in promoting weight loss, decreasing percent body fat, and reducing chronic low back or joint pain. These aquatic programs were offered at two rural Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) sites. A pre/post-test, quasi-experimental design with a convenience sample (N = 11) was utilized. Participants completed a four or five-week aquatics exercise class which met twice a week. Pre/post-anthropometric measures (weight, percent body fat, and body mass index) and pre/post self-reported pain measurements were obtained using the numerical pain scale and survey questions about pain medication use. Upon analysis, statistically significant differences were observed in body weight (p = .005) and body mass index (p = .003) between the pre and post measurements. However, no significant differences were found in percent body fat (p = .113) or pain (p = .112). Despite, the classes being offered only twice a week for four or five weeks and use of a small sample size, participants in the WATERinMOTION aquatics exercise program did demonstrate some positive weight loss benefits
Modern-Day Witch Hunts: How the Mental Health Industry Abuses Patients and the Judiciary While Committing Fraud
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GAZE AND STEP CONTROLS OF AN ELITE ATHLETE DURING APPROACHING DIFFERENT HURDLE HEIGHTS
Get PDFThis study investigated the gaze and step controls of one elite male hurdler when approaching hurdles at different heights. Across a 16 m runway, the participant performed three normal sprinting trials, and three hurdle running trials to clear a low, medium and high hurdle respectively. Gaze behaviour was captured using a mobile eye tracker that was mounted on the participant’s head and was filtered using a low-pass filter. In normal sprinting, the step length increased gradually from the first to eighth step. In the hurdle running trials, step length did not increase in the last step and fixations remained on the hurdle. The duration of fixations on the hurdle was lengthened by 21% and 44% in the middle and high hurdle trials, respectively, compared with the low hurdle trials. This pilot study provides foundational information on the interaction between gaze and hurdle running to clear hurdles of different heights that could potentially be optimized to improve performance in hurdling