Predicting vertical ground reaction force during running using novel piezoresponsive sensors and accelerometry

ABSTRACT

Running is a common exercise with numerous health benefits. Vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) influences running injury risk and running performance. Measurement of vGRF during running is now primarily constrained to a laboratory setting. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a new approach to measuring vGRF during running. This approach can be used outside of the laboratory and involves running shoes instrumented with novel piezoresponsive sensors and a standard accelerometer. Thirty-one individuals ran at three different speeds on a force-instrumented treadmill while wearing the instrumented running shoes. vGRF was predicted using data collected from the instrumented shoes, and predicted vGRF were compared to vGRF measured via the treadmill. Per cent error of the resulting predictions varied depending upon the predicted vGRF characteristic. Per cent error was relatively low for predicted vGRF impulse (2–7%), active peak vGRF (3–7%), and ground contact time (3–6%), but relatively high for predicted vGRF load rates (22–29%). These errors should decrease with future iterations of the instrumented shoes and collection of additional data from a more diverse sample. The novel technology described herein might become a feasible way to collect large amounts of vGRF data outside of the traditional biomechanics laboratory.     

Xi'an:A Poetic City with Cultural Richness

Over the sweep of Chinese history,the Tang Empire has been widelyrecognized as a most powerfuand prosperous era, with an open andall-inclusive attitude toward foreign     

Night of Qujiang: a Show Club with Cultural Richness

The moon-lit night, the dazzling classical- style buildings, the passionate dancers, all these elements contribute to present a gorgeous Night of Qujiang-a show club with cultural richness in the historic city of Xi’an. The Night of Qujiang is located in the heart of Qujiang New Area, a district well     

Conversations about sexuality on a public university campus: perspectives from campus ministry students and leaders

Little is known about university campus religious organisations’ influence on students’ sexuality-related attitudes and behaviours. This study sought to better understand sexuality-related communication within the context of campus ministries by exploring students’ and campus ministry leaders’ conversational experiences at a public university in the south-east USA. Data sources included an online survey of undergraduates participating in student religious organisations (n = 57), focus groups with campus ministry students (n = 36), and individual interviews with campus ministry leaders (n = 19). Findings indicated student satisfaction with the focus and frequency of conversations about romantic relationships and sexual health within the context of campus ministries. However, both campus ministry students and leaders indicated discomfort in discussions of sexuality. Leaders acknowledged their need for better strategies to engage students; students focused on how to integrate religious messages about sexuality with messages from other sources. These findings suggest campus ministry leaders may benefit from focused training and support to communicate more effectively with college students about sexuality.     

The Impact of Campus Context,College Encounters,and Religious/Spiritual Struggle on Ecumenical Worldview Development

Using a national longitudinal sample of 14,274 college students generated as part of the UCLA Spirituality in Higher Education Project, this study employed structural equation modeling to analyze how students develop an ecumenical worldview. The findings suggest that challenging co-curricular experiences and the salience of religion and spirituality in academic encounters tend to provoke religious/spiritual struggles, which in turn enhance ecumenical worldview.     

Implementation and Evaluation of a Values Clarification Activity for a Large Undergraduate Human Sexuality Course

Values clarification is an important tool that helps individuals to clarify their beliefs about sexuality-related issues. This lesson plan provides instructions for a 1-hour values clarification activity for a large undergraduate human sexuality course that serves as an introduction to course content and tone, stimulates students' initial thinking about course topics, and demonstrates the diversity of perspectives on sexuality-related issues. Survey-based evaluation findings (N = 71) establish that the activity successfully meets its learning objectives and that students feel comfortable participating. Step-by-step directions, recommendations for facilitation, and reflections on best practices for the activity are provided.     

我在中国教书

2006年,对我来说是一个全新的开始,我来到了中国衢州。在这个全新的国度里,我从事了一份以前未曾做过的工作,同时也交上新的朋友。对我来说,以前从未有过这样的经历,所以来到衢州时一直有些紧张和担心,而即将独自去面对所有的一切让我尤其感到焦虑不安。此前,我曾经到过中国首都北京,但那是完全不同的一种情况：那时我是学生,     

Celebrating Chinese New Year in the Tang Paradise

From January 23 to March 2, the Tang Paradise, a large historic theme park in the New Area of A Qujiang in Xi＇an, hosted a grand lan- tern fair to celebrate the Chinese lu- nar year of the horse, attracting tens of thousands of visitors. This 39-day- long lantern fair features the ele- ments of the Tang Dynasty which set the capital in Xi＇an, appealing visitors with exotic gourmet, folk tradition showcases, gala shows and dazzling displays of Chinese palace lanterns.     

Tang Paradise Celebrates Ninth Anniversary

Shangyi Festival, also known as the Double Third Festival, is an ancient Chinese festival celebrated on the third day of the third lunar month. On this day, people would go for an outing by the water, picnic and pluck orchids. The festival this year coincides with the 9th anniversary of the Tang Paradise, a site park in the southern suburb of Xi＇an, a historic city of northwest Shaanxi province. The spring outing event entitled ＂En- voy of Spring＂ and the poetry recital for women were launched in the park to celebrate this traditional festival.