Wearable and Portable Devices in Sport Biomechanics and Training Science.

Sport biomechanics and training have traditionally been tested under laboratory conditions, requiring specific settings and expensive equipment [...

Does Lower-Limb Tendon Structure Influence Walking Gait?

Background: Within the exploration of human gait, key focal points include the examination of functional rockers and the influential role of tendon behavior in the intricate stretch-shortening cycle. To date, the possible relationship between these two fundamental factors in the analysis of human gait has not been studied. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the relationship between the morphology of the patellar and Achilles tendons and plantar fascia with respect to the duration of the rockers.

Larger Achilles and plantar fascia induce lower duty factor during barefoot running.

Objectives: Tendons play a crucial role allowing the storage and release of mechanical energy during the running cycle. Running kinematics, including duty factor, constitute a basic element of the runner's biomechanics, and can determine their performance. This study aimed to analyze the link between Achilles tendon and plantar fascia morphology and running parameters, considering the influence of wearing shoes versus running barefoot.

Running Functional Threshold versus Critical Power: Same Concept but Different Values.

The aims of this study were (i) to estimate the functional threshold power (FTP) and critical power (CP) from single shorter time trials (TTs) (i. e. 10, 20 and 30 minutes) and (ii) to assess their location in the power-duration curve.

Training Specificity in Trail Running: A Single-Arm Trial on the Influence of Weighted Vest on Power and Kinematics in Trained Trail Runners.

Participants in trail running races must carry their equipment throughout the race. This additional load modifies running biomechanics. Novel running powermeters allow further analyses of key running metrics.

Level of Agreement between the MotionMetrix System and an Optoelectronic Motion Capture System for Walking and Running Gait Measurements.

Markerless motion capture systems (MCS) have been developed as an alternative solution to overcome the limitations of 3D MCS as they provide a more practical and efficient setup process given, among other factors, the lack of sensors attached to the body. However, this might affect the accuracy of the measures recorded. Thus, this study is aimed at evaluating the level of agreement between a markerless MSC (i.

Influence of walking speed on gait spatiotemporal parameters and the functional rockers of the foot in healthy adults.

Background: The gait cycle is generally divided into stance phase and swing phase. The stance phase can also be divided into three functional rockers, each with a distinct fulcrum. It has been shown that walking speed (WS) influences both stance and swing phase but its influence on the functional foot rockers duration is unknown.

Absolute agreement and consistency of the OptoGait system and Freemed platform for measuring walking gait.

The gait cycle can be divided into four functional rocker units. Although the widespread use of the OptoGait (OG) system and the Freemed (FM) platform, their accuracy has not been tested. An observational study was completed with eighteen healthy volunteers to determine the accuracy of OG and FM for overground walking gait analysis.

Somatosensation and motor performance in the less-affected and more-affected hand of unilateral cerebral palsy children: a cross-sectional study.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine motor performance and somatosensory processing of unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP) children in both the less-affected hand and the more-affected hand. This study is also aimed at analysing the somatosensory proccessing in the more-affected hand in relation to age and damaged hemisphere.

Materials And Methods: Forty-seven children aged from 6 to 15 years (UCP = 23; TD = 24) were recruited.

Acute effects of a 60-min time trial on power-related parameters in trained endurance runners.

Background: The advent of power meters for running has raised the interest of athletes and coaches in new ways of assessing changes in running performance. The aim of this study is to determine the changes in power-related variables during and after a strenuous endurance running time trial.

Methods: Twenty-one healthy male endurance runners, with a personal record of 37.

Effect of intra-session exercise sequence of an 8-week concurrent training program on the components of physical fitness in recreationally trained young adults.

This study aimed to determine the effect of the intra-session exercise sequence of a concurrent training programme on the components of health-related physical fitness. Twenty-four healthy young adults were allocated into two different groups differing only in the exercise order to conduct an 8-week intra-session concurrent training programme consisting of three sessions of 60-90 minutes (180-270 min/week), with all-out running sprint intervals, back squat, and bench press endurance and resistance exercises (i.e.

Influence of the Shod Condition on Running Power Output: An Analysis in Recreationally Active Endurance Runners.

Several studies have already analysed power output in running or the relation between VO2max and power production as factors related to running economy; however, there are no studies assessing the difference in power output between shod and barefoot running. This study aims to identify the effect of footwear on the power output endurance runner. Forty-one endurance runners (16 female) were evaluated at shod and barefoot running over a one-session running protocol at their preferred comfortable velocity (11.

Test-Retest Reliability of the MotionMetrix Software for the Analysis of Walking and Running Gait Parameters.

The use of markerless motion capture systems is becoming more popular for walking and running analysis given their user-friendliness and their time efficiency but in some cases their validity is uncertain. Here, the test-retest reliability of the MotionMetrix software combined with the use of Kinect sensors is tested with 24 healthy volunteers for walking (at 5 km·h−1) and running (at 10 and 15 km·h−1) gait analysis in two different trials. All the parameters given by the MotionMetrix software for both walking and running gait analysis are tested in terms of reliability.

Reliability of the RunScribe™ system to determine kinematic variables of the pelvis during locomotion at different speeds.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the reliability of the RunScribe™ system to measure kinematic variables of the pelvis during walking and running.

Methods: In this study, a treadmill protocol was implemented where the participants (n = 23) completed 3 sets of 1 minute at 5, 10 and 15 km/h.

Results: All the recorded measurements during walking reported a low reliability with coefficients of variation (CV) greater than 10% in all variables and small-moderate intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) (<0.

Influence of footwear, foot-strike pattern and step frequency on spatiotemporal parameters and lower-body stiffness in running.

This study aimed to determine the influence of footwear condition, foot-strike pattern and step frequency on running spatiotemporal parameters and lower-body stiffness during treadmill running. Thirty-one amateur endurance runners performed a two-session protocol (shod and barefoot). Each session consisted of two trials at 12 km · h over 5 minutes altering step frequency every minute (150, 160, 170, 180 and 190 spm).

European knowledge alliance for innovative measures in prevention of work-related musculoskeletal pain disorders (Prevent4Work Project): protocol for an international mixed-methods longitudinal study.

Introduction: Work-related musculoskeletal (MSK) pain is a highly prevalent condition and one of the main contributors to disability and loss of work capacity. Current approaches to the management and prevention of work-related MSK pain do not consistently integrate current evidence-based knowledge and seem to be outdated. The Prevent4Work (P4W) Project aims to collect and spread evidence-based information to improve the management and prevention of work-related MSK pain.

Relationship between Connective Tissue Morphology and Lower-Limb Stiffness in Endurance Runners. A Prospective Study.

Background: The lower limb behaves like a spring compressing and decompressing during running, where lower-limb stiffness is one of the most influential factors. This prospective observational study is aimed at examining the relationship between the connective tissue morphology and lower-limb stiffness and investigating whether the barefoot/shod condition influences on such relationship.

Methods: 14 male amateur runners (10-km time trial <50') were included.

Relationship between Reactive Strength and Leg Stiffness at Submaximal Velocity: Effects of Age on Distance Runners.

Background: Musculotendinous reactive strength is a key factor for the utilization of elastic energy in sporting activities such as running.

Aim: To evaluate the relationship between musculotendinous reactive strength and lower-limb stiffness during running as well as to identify age-related differences in both variables.

Methods: Fifty-nine amateur endurance runners performed three 20-cm drop jumps and a constant 3-min easy run on a motorized treadmill.

Does Arch Stiffness Influence Running Spatiotemporal Parameters? An Analysis of the Relationship between Influencing Factors on Running Performance.

This study aimed to determine the influence of arch stiffness on running spatiotemporal parameters at a common speed for a wide range of endurance runners (i.e., 12 km·h).

Is There a Relationship between the Morphology of Connective Tissue and Reactivity during a Drop Jump? Influence of Sex and Athletic Performance Level.

The influence of the morphologic characteristics of connective tissue, which plays an essential role during sports activities, on sporting tasks needs further research given the controversial findings reported in the literature. This study aimed at examining the relationship between lower limb connective tissue morphology and drop jump reactivity and determining the influence of sex and athletic performance level. A total of 30 men and 14 women, runners, executed 6 drop jumps (3 × 20 cm and 30 cm height respectively) and their thickness and cross-sectional area were recorded for Achilles and patellar tendons and plantar fascia.

Estimating Functional Threshold Power in Endurance Running from Shorter Time Trials Using a 6-Axis Inertial Measurement Sensor.

Wearable technology has allowed for the real-time assessment of mechanical work employed in several sporting activities. Through novel power metrics, Functional Threshold Power have shown a reliable indicator of training intensities. This study aims to determine the relationship between mean power output (MPO) values obtained during three submaximal running time trials (i.

Global Positioning System Analysis of Physical Demands in Small and Large-Sided Games with Floaters and Official Matches in the Process of Return to Play in High Level Soccer Players.

The aim of this study was twofold: (i) to analyze the physical demands in the return to play (RTP) process of high-level soccer players in the role of floater in different soccer sided games (SGs) formats (i.e., 4vs4 + 2 and 8vs8 + 1); and (ii) to analyze the differences in physical demands encountered by regular and floater players among the SGs formats and official matches by means of global positioning system technology (GPS APEX pod, North Ireland) was used.

Mechanical Power in Endurance Running: A Scoping Review on Sensors for Power Output Estimation during Running.

Mechanical power may act as a key indicator for physiological and mechanical changes during running. In this scoping review, we examine the current evidences about the use of power output (PW) during endurance running and the different commercially available wearable sensors to assess PW. The Boolean phrases endurance OR submaximal NOT sprint AND running OR runner AND power OR power meter, were searched in PubMed, MEDLINE, and SCOPUS.