Upper extremity kinematic trends of fly-casting: Establishing the effects of line length

Fly-fishing is a popular form of recreation. Recent evidence has associated overhand fly-casting movements with upper extremity pain. However, little research exists on the motions and coordination common to fly-casting. The aim of this study was to establish upper extremity kinematic trends of fly-casting while casting greater line lengths. It was hypothesized that kinematic casting parameters would increase and time between peak angular velocities would decrease with greater line length. Eighteen males participated in the study. Three-dimensional motion capture was conducted to calculate shoulder, elbow, and wrist kinematics during casting conditions of 6.1, 12.2, 18.3, and 24.4 m of line. Multiple analyses of variance were used to assess the condition effect of line length on the kinematic variables (P = 0.05). Overall, total range of movement increased with increasing length of line cast. Peak angular velocity exhibited a proximal-to-distal trend: peak shoulder internal rotation followed by elbow extension, then wrist ulnar deviation. Time between peak shoulder and elbow angular velocities increased significantly as line length increased. Our findings indicate that specific changes in total range of movement accommodate the demands of casting greater lengths of line. Also, joint velocity coordination patterns of fly-casting appear to follow a proximal-to-distal pattern. These findings represent an initial foundation for connections between kinematics and upper extremity pain reported by fly-fisherman.     

e-Voting intent: A comparison of young and elderly voters

The ability to vote online has the potential to increase voter turnout for elections due to increased convenience over traditional voting polls. This study examines factors that can affect a citizen's intent to vote online. Survey subjects came from two different age groups: young adults, 18–25 years of age; and senior citizens, ages 60 plus. Using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), the study found that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, trust in the internet, and computer anxiety were significantly related to intent to use online voting. Trust in the government was insignificant. Performance expectancy, social influence, and computer anxiety were related to intent to vote online for both young adults and seniors. Effort expectancy was related to intent to vote for the seniors but not young adults, and trust in the internet was related to intent to vote for young adults but not seniors.     

Akute und chronische Effekte von Ausdauerbelastungen auf das Herz bei Sportlern, gesunden Normalpersonen und Patienten

Due to endurance exercise-induced increases of the cardiac biomarkers troponin and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), which are usually elevated in patients with acute myocardial infarction and heart failure and used in clinical practice as diagnostic tools in these diseases, the clinical and sportsmedical relevance of these exercise-induced increases was unclear. Therefore, the aim was to examine this topic systematically by consecutive studies. Considering the acute effects of endurance exercise, an intensity- and duration-dependent short-term elevation could be demonstrated in the majority of healthy athletes without pathological relevance. Considering the chronic effects of endurance exercise it could be shown that regular and competitive endurance exercise training induces an athlete??s heart with harmonic eccentric hypertrophy of the left and right ventricle, which also is not of pathological relevance. In conclusion it can be assumed from the results of these studies that acute and chronic endurance exercise is not harmful for the healthy heart.     

Safe touch: Reassurances for child care workers

Early childhood educators are aware of the important role touching plays in child development, nurturance, and guidance. But with attention increasingly focused on child sexual abuse in day care, we need to reexamine our behaviors and the role of touching in child care.Jan Allen is Assistant Professor of Child and Family Studies at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. This article has been adapted from a series of workshops presented to the Minneapolis Child Care Workers Alliance in 1983. The author expresses appreciation to Margaret Boyer, Minneapolis Child Care Resource Center-Southside, for suggesting the need for such workshops.