Previous experiences can influence individual cricket spin bowlers' perceptions of affordances in the performance landscape.

The ecological dynamics framework emphasises that movement solutions are guided by the relationship that exists between the performer and their environment, scaled to an individual's own action capabilities. This suggests that representative practice tasks should be used in high performance settings to encourage individually optimised movement solutions for both team and individual sports. This study specifically focuses on individual cricket spin bowlers and aims to understand the influence of their prior learning experiences on their perceptual attunement strategies when tasked with performing on a familiar Australian cricket pitch and a less familiar bespoke international (Indian) pitch.

Influence of technique on upper body force and power production during medicine ball throws.

This project examined the interrelationships between power production and upper body kinematics during a series of medicine ball push-press (MBP-P) throws. Twenty-five regular weight trainers (body mass = 86 ± 10 kg) performed a series of ballistic vertical MBP-P throws at loads representing 5% and 10% of their assessed 5RM bench press. Throws were performed lying supine on a force platform (1 kHz) with upper body kinematics assessed using standard infra-red motion capture techniques (0.

Examining environmental constraints in sport: Spin characteristics of two cricket pitches with contrasting soil properties.

In the sport of cricket, the pitch is an organic surface that represents an important environmental constraint. While the soil properties of the pitch are known to influence the pace and bounce of medium and fast deliveries, it is unknown how the soil constructs or the seam of the cricket ball affect the pace, bounce, and deviation of a spinning delivery. A specialised spin bowling machine was used to deliver 276 (139 wrist spin, 137 finger spin) spinning deliveries onto two cricket pitches with contrasting soil properties.

A morphological adaptation? The prevalence of enlarged external occipital protuberance in young adults.

Enthesophytes are bony projections that arise from the sites of ligament, tendon or joint capsule attachment to a bone. They are seen rarely in radiographic findings in young adults, as these bony adaptations are assumed to develop slowly over time. However, in recent years, the presence of an enlarged external occipital protuberance (EEOP) has been observed frequently in radiographs of relatively young patients at the clinic of the lead author.

Factors that influence ground reaction force profiles during counter movement jumping.

Bakground: The purpose of this study was to examine how hip, knee and ankle kinetics and kinematics influence effective impulse production during countermovement jumps.

Methods: Eighteen semi-professional soccer players (22.8±2.

Mechanisms of anterior cruciate ligament injuries in elite women's netball: a systematic video analysis.

This study involved a systematic video analysis of 16 anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries sustained by elite-level netball players during televised games in order to describe the game situation, the movement patterns involved, the player's behaviour, and a potential injury mechanism. Eight of the ACL injuries were classified as "indirect contact" and eight as "non-contact". Two common scenarios were identified.

Influence of Test Distance on Change of Direction Speed Test Results.

This study assessed the relationships between linear running velocity and change of direction (CoD) ability and how assessing CoD ability over distances ≤5 m influences test reliability. Participants (n = 15) from amateur rugby league teams performed 3 trials of a 20-m sprint test (light gates at 5, 10, and 20 m) and 6 trials of the 5-0-5 agility test. Twelve participants repeated the 5-0-5 test several weeks later.

Quantifying stroke coordination during the breathing action in front-crawl swimming using an instantaneous net drag force profile.

This study used both an instantaneous net drag force profile and a symmetry timing to evaluate the effect of the breathing action on stroke coordination. Twenty elite swimmers completed a total of six randomised front-crawl towing trials: (i) three breathing trials and (ii) three non-breathing trials. The net drag force was measured using an assisted towing device mounted upon a Kistler force platform, and this equipment towed the swimmer at a constant speed.

Balance control during the delivery stride in competitive older age lawn bowlers.

This project assessed dynamic balance and stability in aged lawn bowlers during the delivery stride. Participants were divided into two groups: aged 65 years or less (n = 14) and aged over 65 years (n = 16). Standard balance-based center of pressure (CoP) and ground reaction force variables were recorded and a Dynamic Postural Stability Index (DPSI) was used for calculating during ten deliveries.

Stroke-coordination and symmetry of elite backstroke swimmers using a comparison between net drag force and timing protocols.

Stroke-coordination and symmetry influence the force fluctuations within any net drag force profile. The aim of this study was to analyse elite (FINA points 938) backstroke swimmers stroke-coordination using an instantaneous net drag force and timing protocols using a symmetry index tool. Ten male and nine female elite backstroke swimmers completed three maximum speed trials and five maximum speed net drag force swimming trials.

Mechanisms for triceps surae injury in high performance front row rugby union players: a kinematic analysis of scrummaging drills.

The front row of a rugby union scrum consists of three players. The loose head prop, hooker and tight head prop. The objective of this study was to determine if known biomechanical risk factors for triceps surae muscle injury are exhibited in the lower limb of front row players during contested scrummaging.

Unfit for duty? Evaluation of 4 years of paramedic preemployment fitness screening test results.

Background: Preemployment testing is utilized by many ambulance services. Surprisingly, there is limited published research on the efficacy of this testing in determining an employee's ability to complete the requirements of this physically demanding occupation.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze the preemployment fitness test results from a 4-year cohort of paramedic students from an Australian university.

The interrelationship of the thorax and pelvis under varying task constraints.

Unlabelled: The purpose of this study was to investigate the interrelationship between the thorax and pelvis during coupled movement patterns. Fifty-seven participants were assessed using an infrared motion analysis system to track trunk movement during maximal pelvis and thorax rotations over four trunk inclinations and two pelvic constraint conditions. A repeated-measures multivariate analysis of variance investigated the effects of forward trunk inclination and pelvic constraint on thorax and pelvic rotation.

Backstroke swimming: exploring gender differences in passive drag and instantaneous net drag force.

This study explored and quantified gender differences in passive drag and instantaneous net drag force profile for elite backstroke swimmers (FINA points 938 ± 71). Nine female and ten male backstroke swimmers completed eight maximum speed trials. During the passive drag condition participants were towed at the speed achieved within the maximum effort backstroke swimming trials, while holding a supine stationary streamline position.

Front-crawl stroke-coordination and symmetry: a comparison between timing and net drag force protocols.

This study compared stroke-coordination and symmetry using traditional timing methods and net drag force profiles. Twenty elite front-crawl swimmers Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA ranking 908 ± 59) were tested to identify the influence of both gender and breathing. A total of six randomised free-swimming trials were conducted: (i) three breathing, (ii) three non-breathing.

Putting proficiency: contributions of the pelvis and trunk.

Putting proficiency is a key determinant of golfing success and yet minimal biomechanical research has been published on this important skill. Little is known about the motion and coordination of the pelvis and trunk during the putting motion. The purpose of this study was to present detailed three-dimensional (3D) kinematic profiles of the pelvis and trunk during the putting motion, and to determine if differences in kinematics exist between proficient and non-proficient golfers.

Changes in drive phase lower limb kinematics during a 60 min cycling time trial.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the three dimensional lower limb kinematics during a simulated cycling time trial.

Design: Repeated measures.

Methods: Ten experienced male road cyclists performed a 60 min cycling test at a workload based on previous onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA) testing.

Kinematic analysis of line-out throwing in elite international rugby union.

The rugby union line-out is a key aspect of game play and involves players from both teams contesting for the ball after it has been thrown in from the side line. Successful lines-out throws require the ball to be delivered accurately to the hands of a jumping and/or lifted team mate (approximately 3-3.5 m off the ground) over distances of between 5- 18 m.

Modification of agility running technique in reaction to a defender in rugby union.

Three-dimensional kinematic analysis examined agility running technique during pre-planned and reactive performance conditions specific to attacking ball carries in rugby union. The variation to running technique of 8 highly trained rugby union players was compared between agility conditions (pre-planned and reactive) and also agility performance speeds (fast, moderate and slow). Kinematic measures were used to determine the velocity of the centre of mass (COM) in the anteroposterior (running speed) and mediolateral (lateral movement speed) planes.

The impact of lower extremity mass and inertia manipulation on sprint kinematics.

Resistance sprint training is a sprint-specific training protocol commonly employed by athletes and coaches to enhance sprint performance. This research quantified the impact of lower extremity mass and inertia manipulation on key temporal and kinematic variables associated with sprint performance. A 3-dimensional analysis of 40 m sprinting was conducted on 8 elite sprinters under normal conditions and resisted sprint training.