Search results for "229"
showing 10 items of 1572 documents
The effect of visual focus on spatio-temporal and kinematic parameters of treadmill running
2017
The characteristics of a treadmill and the environment where it is based could influence the user’s gaze and have an effect on their running kinematics and lower limb impacts. The aim of this study was to identify the effect of visual focus on spatio-temporal parameters and lower limb kinematics during treadmill running. Twenty six experienced runners ran at 3.33 m s−1 on a treadmill under two visual conditions, either looking ahead at a wall or looking down at the treadmill visual display. Spatio-temporal parameters, impact accelerations of the head and tibia, and knee and ankle kinematics were measured for the final 15 s of a 90 s bout of running under each condition. At the end of the te…
High-density electromyography activity in various hamstring exercises
2019
Proximal-distal differences in muscle activity are rarely considered when defining the activity level of hamstring muscles. The aim of this study was to determine the inter-muscular and proximal-distal electromyography (EMG) activity patterns of hamstring muscles during common hamstring exercises. Nineteen amateur athletes without a history of hamstring injury performed 9 exercises, while EMG activity was recorded along the biceps femoris long head (BFlh) and semitendinosus (ST) muscles using 15-channel high-density electromyography (HD-EMG) electrodes. EMG activity levels normalized to those of a maximal voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC) were determined for the eccentric and concentr…
Use of Visual Feedback During Jump-Squat Training Aids Improvement in Sport-Specific Tests in Athletes.
2020
Vanderka, M, Bezak, A, Longova, K, Krcmar, M, and Walker, S. Use of visual feedback during jump-squat training aids improvement in sport-specific tests in athletes. J Strength Cond Res 34(8): 2250-2257, 2020-This study investigated the effects of instantaneous performance feedback during the jump-squat exercise over a 6-week training period. Twenty-five strength-trained athletes were randomly divided into an instant feedback (n = 13, half-squat 3-repetition maximum (3RM)/body mass = 2.38 ± 0.19) or a nonfeedback (n = 12, half-squat 3RM/body mass = 2.03 ± 0.44) group. Both groups performed the same training program (3 × week), consisting of 4 sets of 8 repetitions (weeks 1-3) and 8 sets of 4…
Acute Neuromuscular Adaptations in Response to Low-Intensity Blood-Flow Restricted Exercise and High-Intensity Resistance Exercise: Are There Any Dif…
2018
Fatela, P, Reis, JF, Mendonca, GV, Freitas, T, Valamatos, MJ, Avela, J, and Mil-Homens, P. Acute neuromuscular adaptations in response to low-intensity blood flow restricted exercise and high-intensity resistance exercise: are there any differences? J Strength Cond Res 32(4): 902-910, 2018-Numerous studies have reported similar neuromuscular adaptations between low-intensity (LI) blood-flow restricted exercise (BFRE) and high-intensity (HI) resistance training. Unfortunately, none of these experimental designs individualized blood flow restriction (BFR) levels to each participant. Thus, their findings are difficult to interpret. We aimed at comparing the acute effects of LI BFR (80% of abso…
Individual Endurance Training Prescription with Heart Rate Variability
2016
Introduction: Measures of HR variability (HRV) have shown potential to be of use in training prescription. Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of using HRV in endurance training prescription. Methods: Forty recreational endurance runners were divided into the HRV-guided experimental training group (EXP) and traditional predefined training group (TRAD). After a 4-wk preparation training period, TRAD trained according to a predefined training program including two to three moderate- (MOD) and high-intensity training (HIT) sessions per week during an 8-wk intensive training period. The timing of MOD and HIT sessions in EXP was based on HRV, measured every mornin…
Age-related differences in Achilles tendon properties and triceps surae muscle architecture in vivo
2012
This study examined the concurrent age-related differences in muscle and tendon structure and properties. Achilles tendon morphology and mechanical properties and triceps surae muscle architecture were measured from 100 subjects [33 young (24 ± 2 yr) and 67 old (75 ± 3 yr)]. Motion analysis-assisted ultrasonography was used to determine tendon stiffness, Young's modulus, and hysteresis during isometric ramp contractions. Ultrasonography was used to measure muscle architectural features and size and tendon cross-sectional area. Older participants had 17% lower ( P < 0.01) Achilles tendon stiffness and 32% lower ( P < 0.001) Young's modulus than young participants. Tendon cross-section…
Effects of barbell back squat stance width on sagittal and frontal hip and knee kinetics
2018
Different stance widths are commonly utilized when completing the barbell back squat during athletic general preparedness training. Width manipulation is thought to influence sagittal plane stimuli to the hip and knee extensors, the primary extensor musculature in the squat. However, how width manipulation affects frontal plane stimuli is less understood. Knowledge of hip and knee net joint moments (NJM) could improve exercise selection when aiming to improve sport-specific performance and prevent injuries. Fourteen adult amateur rugby athletes were recruited for this study. After a familiarization period, participants performed wide- (WIDE, 1.5× greater trochanter width) and narrow-stance …
Kinematics reduction applied to the comparison of highly-pronated, normal and highly-supinated feet during walking
2019
Abstract Background Kinematic analysis could help to study how variations in the static foot posture affect lower limb biomechanical function. The analysis of foot kinematics is complex because it involves managing the time-dependent joint angles in different joints and in all three planes of motion. But it could be simplified if joint angles are coordinated. Methods The kinematics of the ankle, midtarsal and metatarsophalangeal joints were registered in 20 highly-pronated, 30 normal and 20 highly-supinated subjects (assessed by the Foot Posture Index – FPI) as they walked barefoot. Coordination for each sample was analysed through principal component analysis applied to the dorsiflexion, a…
Some biomechanical aspects of the foot and ankle in athletes with and without shin splints
1983
Thirteen adult male athletes (long-distance runners and orienteerers without foot problems) and 35 male ath letes with shin splints were compared with respect to: 1) the position of the lower leg and the heel while standing, 2) the passive range of mobility in the subtalar joint, and 3) the angular displacement between the calcaneus and the midline of the lower leg (Achilles tendon angle) while running with bare feet on a tread mill. In standing, the two groups differed statistically significantly in the Achilles tendon angle, which values were greater in the shin splint group. With respect to passive mobility, the athletes with shin splints had significantly greater (P < 0.05-0.01) ang…
Effect of bike-fit in the perception of comfort, fatigue and pain
2016
The aim of this study was to assess the influence of different bike positions on the perception of fatigue, pain and comfort. Twenty cyclists underwent three tests that involved cycling for 45 min at their individual 50% peak aerobic power output while adopting different positions on the bike. Participants performed the cycling tests adopting three positions defined by two parameters (knee flexion angle [20°, 30°, 40°] and trunk flexion angle [35°, 45°, 55°]) in random order. Angles were measured using a 2D motion analysis system during cycling and applying Fonda's correction factor. Perceptions of comfort, fatigue and pain were reported before the end of each test. The combination of 40° k…