0000000000289092
AUTHOR
Juha Isolehto
Comparison of running kinematics between elite and national-standard 1500-m runners.
The aim of this study was to determine whether elite 1500-m runners differ in their running kinematics from national-standard 1500-m runners. Six national-standard male runners (seasonal best: 3 min 49.2 s +/- 3.2 s) were assessed during the second lap of a 1500-m race. Their running kinematics was then compared with those of five elite runners (seasonal best: 3 min 35.6 s +/- 2.6 s) analysed during the second lap of the men's 1500-m final at the 2005 World Championships. Data were collected using two high-speed cameras operating at 200 Hz with a three-dimensional pan and tilt system. Running speed was the same for both groups. Despite the similar contact times, the minimum knee angle durin…
Bone Density, Structure and Strength, and Their Determinants in Aging Sprint Athletes
This study was undertaken to examine bone properties in masters sprinters of different ages and younger reference subjects. In addition, the association of sport-specific ground reaction force, muscle, training, and hormone characteristics with the bone parameters was evaluated in the athletes.Bone densitometric, structural, and strength parameters were assessed by peripheral quantitative computed tomography at the distal and midtibia in 83 male sprinters (40-85 yr) and 19 physically active referents (31-45 yr). Between-group differences were analyzed by ANCOVA with body mass and height as covariates.Bone values were generally greater in athletes than referents, the greatest differences bei…
Loading and gait symmetry during level and stair walking in asymptomatic subjects with knee osteoarthritis: importance of quadriceps femoris in reducing impact force during heel strike?
Repetitive impulsive forces during walking are claimed to result in joint osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of this study was to investigate impact loading and gait symmetry during level and stair walking in asymptomatic elderly subjects with knee OA. It was hypothesised that pre-activity of the quadriceps femoris muscle (QF) would be an important factor reducing impulsive loading when walking on level ground. Subjects [21 female, six men, 66.2 (7.6) years] were studied. The subjects had no knee pain or diminished functional capacity, but showed radiographically light or moderate bilateral knee OA changes. Ground reaction forces (GRFs), plantar pressure distribution, muscle activation pattern [v…
Comparison of impact characteristics of four different ice hockey arena dasher boards
During recent years the incidence of ice hockey related concussions has increased. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to determine how dasher board materials and structures affect impact characteristics and thereby concussion risk. The measurements were divided into two parts; 1. physiological characteristics of body checks were determined in real game measurements, and 2. simulation of body checks in the laboratory. Peak forces and stopping distances were determined from the high-speed camera data, and stiffness values were subsequently calculated. Dasher board materials and structures had a clear effect on impact characteristics. Flexible protective shielding material resulted in 1…
Take-off analysis of the Olympic ski jumping competition (HS-106m).
Abstract The take-off phase (approximately 6 m) of the jumps of all athletes participating in the individual HS-106 m hill ski jumping competition at the Torino Olympics was filmed with two high-speed cameras. The high altitude of the Pragelato ski jumping venue (1600 m) and slight tail wind in the final jumping round were expected to affect the results of this competition. The most significant correlation with the length of the jump was found in the in-run velocity ( r =0.628, p n =50). This was a surprise in Olympic level ski jumping, and suggests that good jumpers simply had smaller friction between their skis and the in-run tracks and/or the aerodynamic quality of their in-run position …
Characteristics of the early flight phase in the Olympic ski jumping competition.
Early flight phase (approximately 40 m) of the athletes participating in the final round of the individual large hill ski jumping competition in Salt Lake City Olympics was filmed with two high-speed pan & tilt video cameras. The results showed that jumpers' steady flight position was almost completed within 0.5s. The most significant correlation with the length of the jump was found in the angle between the skis and body (r=.714, p.001 at 1.1s after the take-off). This particular phase seemed to be important because the ski angle of attack was also related to the jumping distance at the same phase. Although the more upright ski position relative to flight path resulted in longer jumping di…
Determining the location of the body׳s center of mass for different groups of physically active people
The purpose of the present study was to compare the location of the body center of mass (CoM) determined by using a high accuracy reaction board (RB) and two different segment parameter models for motion analysis (Dempster, 1955, DEM and de Leva, 1996 adjusted from Zatsiorsky and Seluyanov, ZAT). The body CoM (expressed as percentage of the total body height) was determined from several subjects including athletes as well as physically active students and sedentary people. Some significant differences were found in the location of the body CoM between the used segment models and the reaction board method for all male subjects (n=58, 57.03±0.79%, 56.20±0.76% and 57.60±0.76% for RB, ZAT and D…
Body Composition and Power Performance Improved After Weight Reduction in Male Athletes Without Hampering Hormonal Balance
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a 4-week weight reduction period with high protein and reduced carbohydrate intake on body composition, explosive power, speed, serum hormones, and acid-base balance in male track and field jumpers and sprinters. Eight participants were assigned to a high weight reduction group (HWR; energy restriction 750 kcal·d) and 7 to a low weight reduction group (LWR; energy restriction 300 kcal·d). Energy and carbohydrate intake decreased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) only in HWR by 740 ± 330 kcal·d and 130 ± 29 g·d, respectively. Furthermore, total body mass and fat mass decreased (p ≤ 0.05) only in HWR by 2.2 ± 1.0 kg and 1.7 ± 1.6 kg, respectively…