Automatic Recognition of Motor Skills in Triathlon: A Novel Tool for Measuring Movement Cadence and Cycling Tasks.

: The purpose of this research was to create a peak detection algorithm and machine learning model for use in triathlon. The algorithm and model aimed to automatically measure movement cadence in all three disciplines of a triathlon using data from a single inertial measurement unit and to recognise the occurrence and duration of cycling task changes. : Six triathletes were recruited to participate in a triathlon while wearing a single trunk-mounted measurement unit and were filmed throughout.

Relationship Between Mechanical Effectiveness in Sprint Running and Force-Velocity Characteristics of a Countermovement Jump in Australian Rules Football Athletes.

Morris, CG, Weber, JA, and Netto, KJ. Relationship between mechanical effectiveness in sprint running and force-velocity characteristics of a countermovement jump in Australian rules football athletes. J Strength Cond Res 36(3): e59-e65, 2022-This study evaluated the mechanical determinants of 40-m sprint performance in elite Australian Rules Football (ARF) athletes and identified variables of countermovement jumps (CMJs) that related to the sprint.

Noise Exposure on Mixed Grain and Livestock Farms in Western Australia.

Noise presents an ongoing occupational health and safety issue, which despite numerous studies still presents a significant risk in agriculture with high exposures prevalent. In this study, we measured noise exposures associated with significant activities on 42 mixed grain and livestock farms in Western Australia. Employing a mixture of personal noise measurements using dosimeters, noise measurements using sound level meters, and a validated survey, we identified that 32% of farm workers were exposed to noise levels above the LAeq,8h 85 dB(A) limit, before considering extended shifts.

Deceleration characteristics of elite Australian male field hockey players during an Olympic tournament.

Objectives: This study described the deceleration efforts of the Australian men's field hockey team during the 2016 Olympics by categorising efforts into 'bands' of intensity; and comparing the deceleration intensity and frequency by player position, game period and opponent.

Design: Descriptive retrospective analysis.

Methods: Global positioning system sensors (MinimaxX S4, Catapult Sports Pty.

Hip Taping Positively Alters Running Kinematics in Asymptomatic Females.

Greater functional knee valgus (FKV) is thought to contribute to a greater risk of sustaining overuse running injuries. The hip is commonly implicated in greater functional knee valgus, but no studies have investigated the effects of hip taping on running kinematics. The present study investigated whether or not hip taping altered hip and knee kinematics compared to sham and no taping in female runners demonstrating excessive functional knee valgus.

Classification of team sport activities using a single wearable tracking device.

Wearable tracking devices incorporating accelerometers and gyroscopes are increasingly being used for activity analysis in sports. However, minimal research exists relating to their ability to classify common activities. The purpose of this study was to determine whether data obtained from a single wearable tracking device can be used to classify team sport-related activities.

Validity of a Trunk-Mounted Accelerometer to Measure Physical Collisions in Contact Sports.

Context: Accelerometer peak impact accelerations are being used to measure player physical demands in contact sports. However, their accuracy to do so has not been ascertained.

Purpose: To compare peak-impact-acceleration data from an accelerometer contained in a wearable tracking device with a 3-dimensional motion-analysis (MA) system during tackling and bumping.

Validity of a trunk-mounted accelerometer to assess peak accelerations during walking, jogging and running.

The purpose of this study was to validate peak acceleration data from an accelerometer contained within a wearable tracking device while walking, jogging and running. Thirty-nine participants walked, jogged and ran on a treadmill while 10 peak accelerations per movement were obtained (n = 390). A single triaxial accelerometer measured resultant acceleration during all movements.

Validity of an upper-body-mounted accelerometer to measure peak vertical and resultant force during running and change-of-direction tasks.

This study assessed the validity of a tri-axial accelerometer worn on the upper body to estimate peak forces during running and change-of-direction tasks. Seventeen participants completed four different running and change-of-direction tasks (0 degrees, 45 degrees, 90 degrees, and 180 degrees; five trials per condition). Peak crania-caudal and resultant acceleration was converted to force and compared against peak force plate ground reaction force (GRF) in two formats (raw and smoothed).

An electromyographic comparison of neck conditioning exercises in healthy controls.

The purpose of this study was to compare surface electromyography (EMG) activation levels of selected neck muscles for two common neck-training modalities (Thera-Band and Cybex). Seventeen asymptomatic subjects (eight men and nine women) with a mean age 23.4 years were recruited.

Validation of an EMG-driven, graphically based isometric musculoskeletal model of the cervical spine.

EMG-driven musculoskeletal modeling is a method in which loading on the active and passive structures of the cervical spine may be investigated. A model of the cervical spine exists; however, it has yet to be criterion validated. Furthermore, neck muscle morphometry in this model was derived from elderly cadavers, threatening model validity.

Neck exercises compared to muscle activation during aerial combat maneuvers.

Introduction: Performing specific neck strengthening exercises has been proposed to decrease the incidence of neck injury and pain in high performance combat pilots. However, there is little known about these exercises in comparison to the demands on the neck musculature in flight.

Methods: Eight male non-pilots performed specific neck exercises using two different modalities (elastic band and resistance machine) at six different intensities in flexion, extension, and lateral bending.

Neck muscle activation and head postures in common high performance aerial combat maneuvers.

Introduction: Neck injuries are common in high performance combat pilots and have been attributed to high gravitational forces and the non-neutral head postures adopted during aerial combat maneuvers. There is still little known about the pathomechanics of these injuries.

Methods: Six Royal Australian Air Force Hawk pilots flew a sortie that included combinations of three +Gz levels (1, 3, and 5) and four head postures (Neutral, Turn, Extension, and Check-6).

Dynamic pacing strategies during the cycle phase of an Ironman triathlon.

Introduction: A nonlinear dynamic systems model has previously been proposed to explain pacing strategies employed during exercise.

Purpose: This study was conducted to examine the pacing strategies used under varying conditions during the cycle phase of an Ironman triathlon.

Methods: The bicycles of six well-trained male triathletes were equipped with SRM power meters set to record power output, cadence, speed, and heart rate.

Reliability of normalisation methods for EMG analysis of neck muscles.

Acceptable reliability of normalisation contractions in electromyography (EMG) is paramount for testing conducted over a number of days or if normal laboratory strength testing equipment is unavailable. This study examined the reliability of maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC) and sub-maximal (60%) isometric contractions for use in neck muscle EMG studies. Surface EMG was recorded bilaterally from eight sites around the neck at C4/5 level from five healthy male subjects.