Inertial-Based Human Motion Capture: A Technical Summary of Current Processing Methodologies for Spatiotemporal and Kinematic Measures.

Inertial-based motion capture (IMC) has been suggested to overcome many of the limitations of traditional motion capture systems. The validity of IMC is, however, suggested to be dependent on the methodologies used to process the raw data collected by the inertial device. The aim of this technical summary is to provide researchers and developers with a starting point from which to further develop the current IMC data processing methodologies used to estimate human spatiotemporal and kinematic measures.

An individualised approach to assess the sidestep manoeuvre in male rugby union athletes.

Objectives: This study aimed to (1) quantitatively assess external knee abduction moments between legs, and (2) qualitatively assess anterior cruciate ligament injury risk between group mean and individual athlete data during the sidestep manoeuvre.

Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study.

Methods: Sixteen male academy-level rugby union athletes (20.

Using stiffness to assess injury risk: comparison of methods for quantifying stiffness and their reliability in triathletes.

Background: A review of the literature has indicated that lower body stiffness, defined as the extent to which the lower extremity joints resists deformation upon contact with the ground, may be a useful measure for assessing Achilles injury risk in triathletes. The nature of overuse injuries suggests that a variety of different movement patterns could conceivably contribute to the final injury outcome, any number and combination of which might be observed in a single individual. Measurements which incorporate both kinetics and kinematics (such as stiffness) of a movement may be better able to shed light on individuals at risk of injury, with further analysis then providing the exact mechanism of injury for the individual.

Effects of upper and lower body wearable resistance on spatio-temporal and kinetic parameters during running.

Wearable resistance training involves added load attached directly to the body during sporting movements. The effects of load position during running are not yet fully established. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to determine spatio-temporal and kinetic characteristics during submaximal running using upper, lower and whole-body wearable resistance (1-10% body mass (BM)).

Stiffness as a Risk Factor for Achilles Tendon Injury in Running Athletes.

Background: Overuse injuries are multifactorial resulting from cumulative loading. Therefore, clear differences between normal and at-risk individuals may not be present for individual risk factors. Using a holistic measure that incorporates many of the identified risk factors, focusing on multiple joint movement patterns may give better insight into overuse injuries.

Recreational Snow-Sports Injury Risk Factors and Countermeasures: A Meta-Analysis Review and Haddon Matrix Evaluation.

Background: Snow sports (alpine skiing/snowboarding) would benefit from easily implemented and cost-effective injury prevention countermeasures that are effective in reducing injury rate and severity.

Objective: For snow sports, to identify risk factors and to quantify evidence for effectiveness of injury prevention countermeasures.

Methods: Searches of electronic literature databases to February 2014 identified 98 articles focused on snow sports that met the inclusion criteria and were subsequently reviewed.

Achilles tendon injury risk factors associated with running.

Background: Research into the nature of overuse Achilles tendon injuries is extensive, yet uncertainty remains around how to identify athletes susceptible to Achilles tendon injury.

Objective: To identify the strength of evidence for biomechanical risk factors associated with Achilles tendon injuries.

Research Methods: SPORTDiscus, CINAHL, Web of Science and PubMed were searched for Achilles tendon injury risk factors and biomechanical measures which are altered in runners with Achilles tendon injuries, excluding ruptures.