Seated-Shot-Put Equipment in Para Athletics-A Review and Presentation of Data From the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

This research provides a review of seated shot put alongside new data from the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games with the aim to understand the latest trends in equipment within a recently established rule set and how key equipment variables may impact performance for athletes in different classifications. First, a review of the literature found that the throwing pole is a key equipment aid that is not well understood, in part due to limitations in testing design. New data from the 2020 Paralympic Games showed inconsistent trends for the use of the throwing pole among athletes, particularly in transitionary classes (F33-34 and F54-55).

Prediction of Propulsion Kinematics and Performance in Wheelchair Rugby.

Prediction of propulsion kinematics and performance in wheelchair sports has the potential to improve capabilities of individual wheelchair prescription while minimizing testing requirements. While propulsion predictions have been developed for daily propulsion, these have not been extended for maximal effort in wheelchair sports. A two step-approach to predicting the effects of changing set-up in wheelchair rugby was developed, consisting of: (One) predicting propulsion kinematics during a 5 m sprint by adapting an existing linkage model; and (Two) applying partial least-squares regression to wheelchair set-up, propulsion kinematics, and performance.

Wheelchair Rugby chair configurations: an individual, Robust design approach.

Prescription of wheelchair rugby chairs is difficult due to the range of athlete impairment types and severities in the sport, difficulty in adjusting wheelchair settings, and assessing on-court performance. Currently, elite players rely on experiential knowledge (personal, coaches, and support staff) to select an appropriate set-up. Technological advancements, such as with inertial measurement units and processing algorithms, and representative testing approaches, has improved the potential for assessing set-ups at an individual level.

A practical assessment of wheelchair racing performance kinetics using accelerometers.

Due to the detrimental influence of unnecessary mass on performance, racing wheelchair instrumentation used in both competition assessment and research is currently limited. Attaining key kinetic parameters of propulsion can enhance technique and provide athletes with a competitive advantage. This research examined the plausibility of inertial measurement units (IMUs) to estimate propulsion forces, during a simulated wheelchair race start and training.

Placement effects of inertial measurement units on contact identification in wheelchair racing.

Inertial measurement units (IMUs) provide a practical solution for attaining key performance data for wheelchair sports. The effects of IMU placement position on the identification of propulsion characteristics are unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the variability in the reliability of cycle time measurements (time between hand contacts) across IMU locations on the chair frame (axle housings), and wheels (axle, push rim, outer rim), on both the left and right sides ( = 8).

Test design and individual analysis in wheelchair rugby.

Objectives: Use a task vehicle of sprint testing in wheelchair rugby (WCR) to explore the impact of small changes to test design using both group and individual analysis.

Design: Exploratory, repeated measures, on-court study METHOD: 25 national or international level wheelchair rugby players completed 5×5m sprints under two conditions: (i) an acceleration from standstill in their own time, and (ii) an 'active' start, simulating a key aspect of performance. Video analysis and accelerometer data were used to measure key kinematic and performance variables with a focus on the first three strokes.

Overground-Propulsion Kinematics and Acceleration in Elite Wheelchair Rugby.

Purpose: Maximal acceleration from standstill has been identified as a key performance indicator in wheelchair rugby; however, the impact of classification and kinematic variables on performance has received limited attention. This study aimed to investigate kinematic variables during maximal acceleration, with level of activity limitation accounted for using sport-classification scores.

Methods: Based on their sporting classification scores, which reflect combined trunk, arm, and hand function, 25 elite wheelchair rugby players were analyzed in high-, mid-, and low-point groups before completing five 5-m sprints from a stationary position.

Musculoskeletal Lower Limb Injury Risk in Army Populations.

Injuries are common within military populations, with high incidence rates well established in the literature. Injuries cause a substantial number of working days lost, a significant cost through compensation claims and an increased risk of attrition. In an effort to address this, a considerable amount of research has gone into identifying the most prevalent types of injury and their associated risk factors.

Impaired Physical Function Associated with Childhood Obesity: How Should We Intervene?

Background: This study examined relationships between adiposity, physical functioning, and physical activity.

Methods: Obese (N = 107) and healthy-weight (N = 132) children aged 10-13 years underwent assessments of percent body fat (%BF, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry); knee extensor strength (KE, isokinetic dynamometry); cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF, peak oxygen uptake by cycle ergometry); physical health-related quality of life (HRQOL); and worst pain intensity and walking capacity [six-minute walk (6MWT)]. Structural equation modelling was used to assess relationships between variables.

The Biomechanics of the Modern Golf Swing: Implications for Lower Back Injuries.

The modern golf swing is a complex and asymmetrical movement that places an emphasis on restricting pelvic turn while increasing thorax rotation during the backswing to generate higher clubhead speeds at impact. Increasing thorax rotation relative to pelvic rotation preloads the trunk muscles by accentuating their length and allowing them to use the energy stored in their elastic elements to produce more power. As the thorax and pelvis turn back towards the ball during the downswing, more skilled golfers are known to laterally slide their pelvis toward the target, which further contributes to final clubhead speed.

The crunch factor's role in golf-related low back pain.

Background Context: The golf swing exposes the spine to complex torsional, compressive, and shearing loads that increase a player's risk of injury. The crunch factor (CF) has been described as a measure to evaluate the risk of low back injuries in golfers and is based on the notion that lateral flexion and axial trunk rotation jointly contribute to spinal degeneration. However, few studies have evaluated the appropriateness of this measure in golfers with low back pain (LBP).

Knee extensor strength differences in obese and healthy-weight 10-to 13-year-olds.

The purpose of this study was to investigate if obese children have reduced knee extensor (KE) strength and to explore the relationship between adiposity and KE strength. An observational case-control study was conducted in three Australian states, recruiting obese [N = 107 (51 female, 56 male)] and healthy-weight [N = 132 (56 female, 76 male)] 10- to 13-year-old children. Body mass index, body composition (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry), isokinetic/isometric peak KE torques (dynamometry) and physical activity (accelerometry) were assessed.

Test-retest reliability of the Biodex System 4 Isokinetic Dynamometer for knee strength assessment in paediatric populations.

Background: Isokinetic dynamometry is a widely used tool for measuring muscle strength in clinical intervention and rehabilitation as well as research in children.

Objective: To assess the test-retest reliability of knee flexor/extensor strength using the Biodex Multi-Joint System 4 Isokinetic Dynamometer in children.

Methods: Peak isometric knee extensor (KE) and peak isokinetic knee flexor (KF) torques of the dominant and nondominant limbs were assessed twice in 11 children aged 10 to 13 yrs, 7 to 10 days apart.

The Biodex isokinetic dynamometer for knee strength assessment in children: advantages and limitations.

Objective: To critically appraise the Biodex System 4 isokinetic dynamometer for strength assessment of children.

Methods: Appraisal was based on experiences from two independent laboratories involving testing of 213 children. Issues were recorded and the manufacturer was consulted regarding appropriate solutions.

The effects of acute creatine supplementation on multiple sprint cycling and running performance in rugby players.

The benefits of creatine (CR) supplementation are well documented, particularly during repeated bouts of high-intensity muscular activity. Most published experiments use mass-supported (cycle ergometry) activities as a means of evaluating creatine's efficacy, therefore minimizing any possible adverse effects of increased body mass associated with CR supplementation. This study aims to use both mass-supported and mass-dependent activities to assess the effectiveness of acute CR supplementation on a group of highly trained rugby players.