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HIT THE BALL - BUT HIT IT RIGHT: DETECTING THE GOLFBALL- CLUBFACE IMPACT LOCATION USING IMU DATA
Get PDFThe aim of this proof of concept study was to identify the possibility of estimating the golf ball impact location on the golf club face via IMU data using a machine learning algorithm. The IMU data of 494 golf swings performed by one golf professional using a 7 iron were collected and merged with the impact location detected via a dual-laser technology (TrackMan). After a pre-processing the raw data with normalization and data augmentation stages a neural network, based on convolutional and dense layer, was created. The network was trained on the given data and its performance analysed. As a result, the network was able to predict the horizontal offset to the ideal impact location for 92% of all swings within ±5 mm. Hence a proof of concept could be found
GENDER EFFECT ON TORQUE AND EXPLOSIVE CHARACTERISTICS AT KNEE EXTENSOR IN TRIATHLETES WITH HIGH AND LOW EATING ATTITUDES
Get PDFThis study examined the impact of eating attitudes on the strength, agility, explosiveness, and endurance performance of 26 triathletes who were categorized into EAT-Better and EAT-Worse groups. Isometric knee extensor maximal voluntary contractions were conducted before and after cycling incremental VO2 max tests. Results showed that there were no significant between-group differences at baseline and there were gender differences in Peak Knee Extensor Joint Torque and Knee Extensor Joint Impulse. At fatigue status, only females exhibited a decrease in fatigue-induced Knee Joint Impulse. Although there were no significant between-group differences in fatigue status, EAT-Worse exhibited a more notable decrease than EAT-Better. Further exploration of eating attitudes\u27 influence on triathletes\u27 performance is needed
CHANGES IN TOTAL AND PERCENT DISTRIBUTION OF JOINT POWER IN DISTANCE RUNNERS OVER A COMPETITIVE SEASON
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to identify changes in joint power in distance runners over a competitive season. Thirteen cross-country runners (age, 19.8±2.2 yrs; height, 1.74±0.10 m; mass, 61.9±9.0 kg) from the same university team underwent 3D biomechanical gait analyses at the start and end of a seven-week competitive season. Total negative lower limb power did not change, p=0.641. Total positive power increased by 1.8 W/kg, but it was not significant, p=0.311. While negative joint power contributions shifted proximal to distal, these were not significant for ankle (p=0.404), knee (p=0.930), or hip (p=0.261). Positive joint power contributions shifted distal to proximal, the changes were not significant for the ankle (p=0.652), knee (p=0.776), or hip (p=0.156). Joint power contributions may potentially change over a competitive season and reflect fatigue or influence injury risk
INTER-INDIVIDUAL VARIABILITY IN KNEE KINEMATICS DURING THE TENNIS SERVE
Get PDFThis study aimed to (1) evaluate inter-individual variability in knee kinematics during tennis serve among professional players and (2) investigate the relationships between these knee kinematics and indicators of serve performance. Twenty-three male ATP ranked players participated in this study. Their serve motion was captured using a marker-based motion capture system. The assessment of inter-individual variability was carried out via coefficient of variation (CV). Knee joint angle at maximum flexion and knee extension ROM for both knees are significantly and strongly correlated with ball impact height. This finding highlights the role of knee motion in serve performance. During the flexion phase, players employ individual strategies of knee kinematics whereas this is much less the case during the extension phase, probably because they must primarily respond to the task constraints
MARKERLESS MOTION CAPTURE WITH OPENCAP FOR FIELD-BASED JUMP TESTING: A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH?
Get PDFField-based methods to assess external kinetics are essential for regular biomechanical monitoring. The aim of this study was to examine the accuracy of ground reaction forces (GRF) estimated from segmental kinematics, measured with a markerless motion-capture system (OpenCap) during jumping. Full-body segmental kinematics were recorded for fifteen athletes during countermovement, squat, and drop jumps, and used to estimate vertical GRFs with a mechanics-based method. Across jumps, bias and limits of agreement were acceptable (\u3c15%) for 23 and 22 GRF variables, respectively. Within-athlete changes between arm-swing or leg-dominance conditions were adequately detected for multiple GRF variables. These findings show that a low-cost markerless motion-capture system (OpenCap) may be used to estimate and assess force variables of interest in field settings
THE EFFECT OF OPERATIONAL EQUIPMENT AND BRA TYPE INTERACTION ON BREAST BIOMECHANICS IN FEMALE POLICE OFFICERS
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to explore the interaction of different bra types with personal protective equipment (PPE), in female police officers. Breast motion of 13 officers was captured in jogging, in different bra conditions ranging from low to medium to high support. Displacement of different locations of breast tissue were recorded and compared. The high support condition significantly reduced breast motion. PPE also reduced breast movement suggesting increased compression from body armour and tactical vest. Results suggest officers should consider a high support sports bra for wear during work shifts and performance may be compromised by breast support
A PILOT STUDY ON ACUTE REACTIVE AGILITY TRAINING AND ITS INFLUENCE ON ACL INJURY RISK FACTORS IN COLLEGIATE ATHLETES
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to determine if an acute bought of reactive agility training (RAT), exemplified by a Mirror Drill, leads to decreases in biomechanical risk factors typically related to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. 3D motion capture data and forces were collected during pre-training and post-training test sessions which involved an unanticipated 45o cuts on both left and right limbs; Participants completed an acute bout of RAT using a Mirror Drill in between testing sessions. Knee and hip kinematics and kinetics were recorded and calculated. Initial findings indicate athletes performed cutting with greater knee and hip flexion following an acute bout of RAT. If biomechanical ACL injury risk factors are reduced following an acute RAT, coaches and athletes could benefit from incorporating such functional drills into warm-up routines and prevent injuries
POWER OUTPUT IN SHORT VERSUS LONG DISTANCE MASTERS ATHLETES
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to determine the effect of age-decade, sex and athletic discipline on muscle power output in older adults. Participants (n=29) were invited to complete an IPAQ survey and complete a countermovement jump assessment on a force platform (AMTI OR6-7) while instrumented with motion capture technology (NDI 3D Investigator). Short distance master athletes demonstrated higher specific power output compared to long distance and active older adults. This research has demonstrated distinct benefits of short distance athletics. These findings will hopefully encourage older adults to maintain greater physical health in advancing age through exercise, including higher-power activities such as sprinting
Domesticated Animal
No full textDomesticated Animal is, at its core, a novel about a girl and her dog. Lira has lost her parents in an accident and her only tether to the world is her dog, Blue. She is being taken care of by a foster family who doesn’t quite know how to handle her trauma, and a cynical, cold social worker named Stella. But when an incident occurs between Blue and a stranger’s child at the park, Lira fears that she and her dog will be separated, so she runs away into the relative “wild” of the swampy outskirts of Houston, Texas. The narration shifts from Lira, to Blue, to Stella, as the novel attempts to explore the consciousness of three different beings as they all struggle to find freedom and find home
Neurocorrelates of Character Choice in a Videogame Task
Get PDFAn individual’s experience of autonomy or lack thereof has a significant effect on interest and motivation towards everyday activities. The present study looks to expand on basic research by examining the neurocorrelates of interest following supporting and thwarting of autonomy through character choice in a videogame task. Previous research has demonstrated an important role of digital avatars on perceived autonomy and interest, and early neurological results have shown that choice of visual frame affects reward processing of task outcomes. Together, autonomy supports seem to enhance engagement and interest in a situation. In the present work, participants were presented with five characters to use as their avatar in a “running” game, requiring them to jump obstacles to succeed. Half of the participants were allowed free choice of the characters, whereas the other half were required to select the same character in a yoked fashion. Brain activity following success and failure was recorded with electroencephalography (EEG). Participants who were allowed to select their character reported greater autonomy, which predicted greater interest. Autonomy was predictive of the neurological processing, but no relation was found between interest and the feedback-related potentials. Exploratory analyses reveal a possible direct role of character preference on reward-processing