Kinematic changes during learning the longswing on high bar

The purpose of this study is to provide evidence of technique changes during learning a sports-specific skill, the looped bar longswing (LLS). Thirteen male participants with no previous high bar experience took part in a training study. Kinematic data were collected using a CODA motion analysis system (200 Hz) during eight weekly testing sessions. Analyses focused on the amplitude of swing and the functional phase (FP) actions, defined by the rapid flexion to extension of the shoulders and extension to flexion of the hips as the performer passed through the lower vertical. Three groups were identified based on the number of sessions it took each participant to perform the LLS (G1: most successful, G2: intermediate, and G3: least successful). All participants were able to significantly increase swing amplitude over the training period (p < 0.05). For each participant the hip FP started significantly: later for G1, earlier for G2, and did not change for G3. Extension actions at the shoulders were dissimilar to those reported for elite gymnasts performing the longswing. The FP of the hips provides a mechanism to distinguish between the learners of different skill levels. The study has provided support for a single-subject design when investigating technique changes during learning.     

Triangulating Clinically Meaningful Change in the Six-minute Walk Test in Individuals with Chronic Heart Failure: A Systematic Review

Purpose

The purpose of the present review was to use existing, published data to provide an estimate of the amount of change in six-minute walk test distance (Δ6MWT) that represents a clinically meaningful change in individuals with chronic heart failure (CHF).

Methods

The present review included two separate literature searches of the CINAHL and Medline databases for articles that: (1) reported the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of the 6MWT in individuals with CHF, and (2) used the 6MWT along with either aerobic capacity or health-related quality of life (HRQL) as study endpoints in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of exercise-based intervention for individuals with CHF. The ICCs were used to calculate the minimum detectable difference (MDD) at the 95% confidence interval for each included study. The Δ6MWT associated with aerobic capacity and HRQL within-group effect sizes for the intervention and control groups in each included RCT was analyzed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.

Results

Thirteen articles reported the ICC for the 6MWT. The mean (standard deviation) MDD calculated based on these data was 43.1(16.8) m. Eighteen RCTs measured the 6MWT and either aerobic capacity and/or HRQL. A Δ6MWT of 40–45 m was associated with at least moderate aerobic capacity and HRQL effect sizes in the intervention groups. The Δ6MWT thresholds that discriminated between intervention and control groups using ROC curves revealed the following sensitivity/specificity for the respective thresholds: 19 m, 94.4/83.3%, 32 m, 83.3/94.4%, and 48 m 44.4/100% (AUC = .935, p = .009, CI_95% .855, 1.015).

Conclusions

A Δ6MWT of approximately 45 m appears to exceed measurement error and be associated with significant changes in either aerobic capacity and/or HRQL.Key Words: heart failure, six-minute walk test, clinically meaningful change, minimum detectable difference     

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. A 3D analysis (100 Hz) was conducted on 10 single figure handicap golfers using a six-camera motion capture system. Participants completed 18 putts (2 m) towards a cup in an indoor facility and were subsequently divided into two groups based on putting proficiency (Proficient: >79%; Non-proficient: <79%). Variables assessed were the linear movements of the centre of mass (COM) and head, and the angular movements of the pelvis and trunk. Effect size statistics showed that the Proficient putters tended to move predominantly in the frontal plane (towards the target), while the non-proficient putters moved more sagittally. In addition, the Non-proficient putters recorded greater movement variability. The implications of this study suggest that putting proficiency is enhanced when the COM moves towards the target.     

Modification of snowboard base material and its effect over the adhesion to epoxy/glass fibre core

In this work, the effect of different treatments over the adherence of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) to a composite material (epoxy/fibreglass), used as base and core of snowboards, respectively, was studied. The selected treatments were flame treatment, ultraviolet (UV) treatment and abrasion. Adhesion was assessed using lap shear tests. The results showed an increase in UHMWPE/composite adhesion of over six times with flame treatment, and a considerably lower increase with the abrasion. No increase in adhesion was detected with UV treatment. Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry tests were performed to explain these changes.     

“激”情四溢的肉搏战

新年伊始,先给各位读者拜个晚年,祝读者们在新的一年里步步高升,心想事成! 除了平常的1V1外,2V2赛事也引起了许多war3爱好者的关注,一些赛事例如一周一赛的双打杯,每周都有许多玩家自行组队‘基’情参赛,而在职业圈里也有Beiieve这位韩国大神参加,这也让比赛不缺乏亮点,而每周的皇冠录像中更是频频出现精彩的2V2录像,这也使得2V2比赛得到了广大玩家进一步的关注,也让War3所带给大家的魅力得以传承。     

War3经典比赛回顾之:暴力蜘蛛流

本次经典回顾为大家带来的是06年时的一场天王对决,比赛双方分别是巫妖王Sweet和兽王Grubby。在那个剑圣还没有被开发出来的年代里,兽人部落的首发英雄多半都是当时的领袖FS(先知),其独有的幽灵狼在前期能给予对手强有力的压制效果,而第二技能闪电链则是部落仅有的AOE神技之一,在当时配合上老牛的冲击波,威力十足,不过在当时几近无敌的吹风流和Sky一波流面前,兽人部落的抬头之日还没有到来。另一边亡灵当时的情况则是     

双线的较量

如今的魔坛,有一批玩家特别不喜欢和对手刚正面。无论对手如何用语言和进攻来挑衅,都能稳若泰山,不为所动,始终如一地贯彻蓿自己的战术思想。此时,路人甲问曰：难不成是存在于Dota传说中只能见酋不见尾的全球派？（关于全球派的介绍,请参阅电子竞技杂志八月下）,编者回曰：错矣!此派只出没于Solo对战中。路人乙强势插入质问：是不是令人“闻风丧胆“的猥琐派？!编者当时就震惊了,答曰：对矣!!……相信通过这简短的对话,读者应该能想到本场的主题了吧？,什么？你没听说过猥琐？,那么编者先来解释—下伺为猥琐。     

Comparison of heart rate monitoring with indirect calorimetry for energy expenditure evaluation

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to compare established methods with newly-developed methods for estimating the total energy expenditure (TEE).MethodsThe study subjects comprised 46 individuals, including 16 middle-aged men (mean age 51.4 years), 14 middle-aged women (mean age 49.9 years) and 16 young women (mean age 19.1 years). The TEE was estimated from 24-h heart rate (HR) data using newly-developed software (MoveSense HRAnalyzer 2011a, RC1, Suunto Oy, Vantaa, Finland), and was compared against the TEE determined using doubly labeled water (DLW). Agreement between the two methods was analyzed using Bland and Altman plots.ResultsThe HR method yielded similar TEE values as the DLW method at the group level, with an average of 8.6 kcal/day in the difference in the mean, but with large individual variations. Forty-four (96%) out of 46 subjects fell within ±2SD of the mean difference in TEE comparisons, and there was no tendency towards under- or over-estimation.ConclusionOur results indicate that the current software using HR analysis for the estimation of daily TEE needs further development for use with free-living individuals.     

Catalytic dechlorination and detoxification of 1-（2-chlorophenyl） ethanol by Pd/Fe

1-（2-chlorophenyl） ethanol （CPE） is of health and environmental concern due to its toxicity and its use as an intermediate in pharmaceutical manufacturing. The current work deals with the catalytic reductive dechlorination and detoxification of CPE by Pd/Fe bimetal. CPE was effectively dechlorinated to l-phenyl ethanol （PE） accompanied by the equivalent release of chloride. The extent of CPE dechlorination increased with temperature, Fe dosage and Pd loading. A decrease in solution pH increased CPE dechlorination, resulting presumably from an increase in hydrogen production. Under the specific conditions of 20 g/L Pd/Fe, 0.10% Pd （w/w） and initial pH 5-6, the CPE dechlorination was completed within 145 rain. The dechlorination followed a pseudo-first-order kinetics with an activation energy of 56.7 kJ/mol. The results of toxicity testing showed that CPE was very toxic to Chlorella, whereas PE showed little toxicity. The toxicity of the reaction solution declined gradually and the promoting effects on Chlorella intensified consequently with the dechlorination process. Thus, the reductive dechlorination of CPE to PE by Pd/Fe was a detoxification process. It may be used to effectively reduce the toxicological effects of CPE-contaminated wastewater, thereby enhancing the performance of subsequent biological processes in wastewater treatment.     

Generation of virtual models of cultural heritage

Different techniques and tools currently exist to generate three-dimensional models of small elements, buildings and cities. Apart from being easier to interpret than two-dimensional drawings, these models facilitate data necessary for reconstruction projects, preservation or rehabilitation of the architectural or archaeological heritage. Traditional surveying only enables us to obtain discrete information of the characteristic lines that define each surface, edge, slope change etc. whereas work with massive capture techniques allows us to obtain continuous points of the surfaces. Photogrammetry or laser scanning combined with conventional photography provides information of the building in addition to its geometry. We carried out a review of the different techniques showing the advantages and disadvantages of each technique as well as the information that can be obtained by applying these techniques to the survey of the great Gate of Antioch in the town of Aleppo, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986, in Syria.