Gender differences among sagittal plane knee kinematic and ground reaction force characteristics during a rapid sprint and cut maneuver

Women are more prone to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during cutting sports than men. The purpose of this study was to examine knee kinematic and ground reaction forces (GRF) differences between genders during cutting. Male and female athletes performed cutting trials while force platform and video data were recorded (180 Hz). Differences (p < . 05) were observed between groups for knee flexion at contact and GRF at maximum knee flexion. Women averaged 5.8 degrees less flexion at contact and 1.0 N. (kg x m x s(-1))(-1) greater GRF at maximum flexion. Knee range of motion and peak GRF variables were not significantly different, but women had greater values. Women exhibited technique characteristics believed to increase ACL injury risk, but men exhibiting similar characteristics were also observed and could also be at risk.     

Opportunities on the Web: a role for information professionals, using the development of the BMA Library Online Service as a case study

The paper considers how attributes and skills fundamental to the information profession may be applied to the development and management of Web-based services and resources. It also looks at the need for the acquisition of new skills as part of a continuing professional development programme. The report considers the changing role of the Webmaster and the implications this might have in terms of the role of information professionals. To offer a practical example, from within the healthcare sector, the article goes on to describe the development of BMA Library Online. This is the BMA Library's own suite of Web-based information services and resources for personal members, institutional members and staff. The library's own Web team has been responsible for the development and maintenance of BMA Library Online. To conclude, the paper looks forward to future possibilities for information professionals as Web developers and at how this might be influenced by changes in the Webmaster role. It is crucial that skills and expertise are shared as the roles that go to make up a Webmaster or Webmaster team continue to merge and evolve, and with the possible wider distribution of provision of Web content within organizations.     

The information requirements and information-seeking behaviours of health and social care professionals providing care to children with health care needs: a pilot study

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this work were to identify the sources of information currently received, information-seeking behaviours, information requirements and preferences for future information provision amongst health and social care professionals providing care to children with health care needs. METHODS: Data were collected using a cross-sectional postal questionnaire survey. RESULTS: A wide range of information resources was reported as being available to professionals. However, a large proportion of respondents found it necessary to perform additional searches for information, suggesting that current resources were not satisfying their needs. The majority of professionals reported a preference for electronic formats, whilst a smaller proportion preferred hard copy materials. Participants promoted the use of informal networks as a means of support and exchange of information. CONCLUSION: Supplementing the information that is provided in electronic and hard copy formats, by enhancing informal networks, may be the most effective way of meeting the information needs of this group of professionals.     

Training and testing physical capacities for elite soccer players

Elite soccer players spend a substantial amount of time trying to improve physical capacities, including aerobic endurance and strength and the strength derivatives of speed and power. The average oxygen uptake for international soccer teams ranges from 55 to 68 ml.kg-1.min-1 and the half-squat maximal strength from 120 to 180 kg. These values are similar to those found in other team sports. Recently, it has been shown that the heart's stroke volume is the element in the oxygen chain that mainly limits aerobic endurance for athletes. These findings have given rise to more intensive training interventions to secure high stroke volumes, which, in turn, have proved positive in changing both maximal oxygen consumption and soccer performance in terms of distance covered, contacts with the ball and number of sprints in a game. The training employed has consisted of 4x4-min "intervals" running uphill at 90-95% of maximal heart rate interspersed with 3 min jogging at 70% of maximal heart rate to facilitate removal of lactate. Research has revealed that a soccer-specific training routine with the ball might be as effective as plain running. Strength training to produce neural adaptations has been effective in changing not only strength in terms of "one-repetition maximum", but also sprinting velocity and jumping height, in elite soccer players without any change in body mass. The same training has also improved running economy and thus aerobic endurance performance. The training regimen used for a European Champions League team was 4x4 repetitions of half-squats with the emphasis on maximal mobilization of force in the concentric action.     

“原谅我这一生不羁放纵爱自由” 行走在刃脊——致中国技术型登山的开拓者(?)一桦和他的搭档美国人JON OTTO

总有那样的人,是不甘于平庸的；也总有那样的人,永远不肯驻足。在远方,在路上,一直是他们生活的理想。在做这期户外运动的特别策划时,我们脑子里一直在萦绕着Beyond的那一首《海阔天空》：今天我寒夜里看雪飘过怀著冷却了的心窝飘远方风雨里追赶雾里分不清影踪天空海阔你与我可会变(谁没在变)多少次迎著冷眼与嘲笑从没有放弃过心中的理想一刹那恍惚若有所失的感觉不知不觉已变淡心里爱(谁明白我)原谅我这一生不羁放纵爱自由也会怕有一天会跌倒背弃了理想谁人都可以那会怕有一天只你共我仍然自由自我永远高唱我歌我们写了他们,写了热爱自由热爱行走的他们；我们也期待你,跃跃欲试身未动心却先行的你,加入到这样的行列。原谅我这一生不羁放纵爱自由’,我们的特别策划,献给所有这样的你,你们。     

The effect of submaximal exercise on recovery hemodynamics and thermoregulation in men and women

Five women and 5 men were studied to examine the effects of submaximal exercise on thermoregulatory and hemodynamic variables during recovery in two environments: (a) control (C), 22 degrees C, 33% rh; and (b) hot humid (H), 32 degrees C. The participants exercised on a cycle ergometer at 60% of peak oxygen consumption for 35 min prior to 90 min of seated recovery. Sessions were identical, except for environment. Variables evaluated (p < .05) were: core temperature (TR), mean skin temperature (Ts), sweat rate (SR), heart rate (HR), stroke index (SI), cardiac index (CI), forearm blood flow (FBF), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Men and women exhibited similar patterns of TR, Ts, and SR in both environments. Ts and SR (collapsed means for gender) were higher in the H than in the C. DBP was higher in men than in women throughout recovery in both environments. With combined means for gender, HR was higher in the H than in the C. CI, SI, FBF, and SBP were similar in both environments and returned to baseline within 15 min into recovery. These data suggest that heat dissipation during extended recovery was accomplished with similar contributions of cutaneous vasodilation and sweating in M and F. Furthermore, the moderate exercise level did not influence hemodynamics beyond 15 min of recovery in either environment.     

The relationship between shoulder alignment and elbow joint angle in cricket fast-medium bowlers

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between shoulder alignment and elbow angle during the delivery action of fast-medium bowlers. The elbow and upper trunk alignment were recorded for 13 high-performance bowlers (mean age 20 years) using a 12-camera Vicon motion analysis system operating at 250 Hz. The three highest velocity trials for "good" and "short" length deliveries were analysed. Results showed that bowlers with a more front-on shoulder alignment at back-foot impact and when the upper arm was horizontal to the ground experienced a significantly greater elbow flexion--extension range when compared with those who had a more side-on orientation at the same point in the delivery action. Bowlers with greater shoulder counter-rotation also recorded higher elbow flexion and subsequently extension during the period from upper arm horizontal to ball release. Shoulder alignment and elbow angles were similar for "short" and "good" length deliveries. It was concluded that bowlers with a more front-on shoulder orientation at back-foot impact demonstrated a higher elbow extension from upper arm horizontal to ball release and are therefore more likely to infringe International Cricket Council elbow tolerance levels, compared with those who adopt a more side-on shoulder orientation at back-foot impact.     

Automatic measurement of key ski jumping phases and temporal events with a wearable system

We propose a new method, based on inertial sensors, to automatically measure at high frequency the durations of the main phases of ski jumping (i.e. take-off release, take-off, and early flight). The kinematics of the ski jumping movement were recorded by four inertial sensors, attached to the thigh and shank of junior athletes, for 40 jumps performed during indoor conditions and 36 jumps in field conditions. An algorithm was designed to detect temporal events from the recorded signals and to estimate the duration of each phase. These durations were evaluated against a reference camera-based motion capture system and by trainers conducting video observations. The precision for the take-off release and take-off durations (indoor < 39 ms, outdoor = 27 ms) can be considered technically valid for performance assessment. The errors for early flight duration (indoor = 22 ms, outdoor = 119 ms) were comparable to the trainers' variability and should be interpreted with caution. No significant changes in the error were noted between indoor and outdoor conditions, and individual jumping technique did not influence the error of take-off release and take-off. Therefore, the proposed system can provide valuable information for performance evaluation of ski jumpers during training sessions.     

The value of a non-sport-specific motor test battery in predicting performance in young female gymnasts

Gymnastics talent identification focuses on the identification of young gymnasts who display characteristics for potential success in the future. The aim of this study was to identify which current performance characteristics are related to performance in competition 2 years later. Twenty-three female gymnasts aged 7-8 years completed a multidimensional test battery measuring anthropometric, physical, and coordinative characteristics and were technically evaluated by expert coaches. Two years later, the all-around competition results of those gymnasts now participating in elite (n = 12) and sub-elite (n = 11) competition were obtained. None of the initial measurements significantly correlated with the results of the sub-elite gymnasts 2 years later. For the elite gymnasts, a non-sport-specific motor test battery correlated strongly with the competition result, with more than 40% of the variation in competition performance being explained by the result on that test 2 years earlier. Neither the coaches' judgement nor the anthropometric and physical characteristics were sensitive enough to predict performance. A motor coordination test might be valuable in the early identification of gymnasts, as its discriminative and predictive qualities might be sufficiently powerful for selection within a relatively homogeneous population of gymnasts exhibiting similar anthropometric and physical profiles.     

Effects of cold water immersion on the recovery of physical performance and muscle damage following a one-off soccer match

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a single session of cold or thermoneutral water immersion after a one-off match on muscular dysfunction and damage in soccer players. Twenty-male soccer players completed one match and were randomly divided into cryotherapy (10 min cold water immersion, 10°C, n = 10) and thermoneutral (10 min thermoneutral water immersion, 35°C, n = 10) groups. Muscle damage (creatine kinase, myoglobin), inflammation (C-reactive protein), neuromuscular function (jump and sprint abilities and maximal isometric quadriceps strength), and delayed-onset muscle soreness were evaluated before, within 30 min of the end, and 24 and 48 h after the match. After the match, the players in both groups showed increased plasma creatine kinase activity (30 min, 24 h, 48 h), myoglobin (30 min) and C-reactive protein (30 min, 24 h) concentrations. Peak jump ability and maximal strength were decreased and delayed-onset muscle soreness increased in both groups. However, differential alterations were observed between thermoneutral water and cold water immersion groups in creatine kinase (30 min, 24 h, 48 h), myoglobin (30 min), C-reactive protein (30 min, 24 h, 48 h), quadriceps strength (24 h), and quadriceps (24 h), calf (24 h) and adductor (30 min) delayed-onset muscle soreness. The results suggest that cold water immersion immediately after a one-off soccer match reduces muscle damage and discomfort, possibly contributing to a faster recovery of neuromuscular function.