Kinematic Analysis of the Technique for Elite Male Long-Distance Speed Skaters in Curving

2007 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 128-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Yuda ◽  
Masahiro Yuki ◽  
Toru Aoyanagi ◽  
Norihisa Fujii ◽  
Michiyoshi Ae

The purpose of this study was to investigate technical factors for maintaining skating velocity by kinematic analysis of the skating motion for elite long-distance skaters during the curve phase in official championship races. Sixteen world-class elite male skaters who participated in the 5,000-m race were videotaped with two synchronized high-speed video cameras (250 Hz) in a curve lane by using a panning DLT technique. Three-dimensional coordinates of the body and blades during the first and second halves of the races were collected to calculate kinematic parameters. In the group that maintained greater skating velocity, the thigh angle during the gliding phase of the left stroke during the second half was greater than that during the first half, and the center of mass was located more forward during the second half. Thus, it was suggested that long-distance speed skaters should change the support leg position during the gliding phase in the left stroke of the curve phase under fatigued conditions so that they could extend the support leg with a forward rotation of the thigh and less shank backward rotation.

1997 ◽  
Vol 200 (13) ◽  
pp. 1919-1929 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Kram ◽  
B Wong ◽  
R J Full

We tested the hypothesis that fast-running hexapeds must generate high levels of kinetic energy to cycle their limbs rapidly compared with bipeds and quadrupeds. We used high-speed video analysis to determine the three-dimensional movements of the limbs and bodies of cockroaches (Blaberus discoidalis) running on a motorized treadmill at 21 cm s-1 using an alternating tripod gait. We combined these kinematic data with morphological data to calculate the mechanical energy produced to move the limbs relative to the overall center of mass and the mechanical energy generated to rotate the body (head + thorax + abdomen) about the overall center of mass. The kinetic energy involved in moving the limbs was 8 microJ stride-1 (a power output of 21 mW kg-1, which was only approximately 13% of the external mechanical energy generated to lift and accelerate the overall center of mass at this speed. Pitch, yaw and roll rotational movements of the body were modest (less than +/- 7 degrees), and the mechanical energy required for these rotations was surprisingly small (1.7 microJ stride-1 for pitch, 0.5 microJ stride-1 for yaw and 0.4 microJ stride-1 for roll) as was the power (4.2, 1.2 and 1.1 mW kg-1, respectively). Compared at the same absolute forward speed, the mass-specific kinetic energy generated by the trotting hexaped to swing its limbs was approximately half of that predicted from data on much larger two- and four-legged animals. Compared at an equivalent speed (mid-trotting speed), limb kinetic energy was a smaller fraction of total mechanical energy for cockroaches than for large bipedal runners and hoppers and for quadrupedal trotters. Cockroaches operate at relatively high stride frequencies, but distribute ground reaction forces over a greater number of relatively small legs. The relatively small leg mass and inertia of hexapeds may allow relatively high leg cycling frequencies without exceptionally high internal mechanical energy generation.


2017 ◽  
Vol 284 (1852) ◽  
pp. 20170359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arjun Nair ◽  
Christy Nguyen ◽  
Matthew J. McHenry

An escape response is a rapid manoeuvre used by prey to evade predators. Performing this manoeuvre at greater speed, in a favourable direction, or from a longer distance have been hypothesized to enhance the survival of prey, but these ideas are difficult to test experimentally. We examined how prey survival depends on escape kinematics through a novel combination of experimentation and mathematical modelling. This approach focused on zebrafish ( Danio rerio ) larvae under predation by adults and juveniles of the same species. High-speed three-dimensional kinematics were used to track the body position of prey and predator and to determine the probability of behavioural actions by both fish. These measurements provided the basis for an agent-based probabilistic model that simulated the trajectories of the animals. Predictions of survivorship by this model were found by Monte Carlo simulations to agree with our observations and we examined how these predictions varied by changing individual model parameters. Contrary to expectation, we found that survival may not be improved by increasing the speed or altering the direction of the escape. Rather, zebrafish larvae operate with sufficiently high locomotor performance due to the relatively slow approach and limited range of suction feeding by fish predators. We did find that survival was enhanced when prey responded from a greater distance. This is an ability that depends on the capacity of the visual and lateral line systems to detect a looming threat. Therefore, performance in sensing, and not locomotion, is decisive for improving the survival of larval fish prey. These results offer a framework for understanding the evolution of predator–prey strategy that may inform prey survival in a broad diversity of animals.


2013 ◽  
Vol 842 ◽  
pp. 445-448
Author(s):  
Wei Chao Yang ◽  
Chuan He ◽  
Li Min Peng

This paper describes the results of numerical work to determine the flow structures of the slipstream and wake of a high speed train on platforms of underground rail station using three-dimensional compressible Euler equation. The simulations were carried out on a model of a simplified three-coach train and typical cross-section of Chinese high-speed railway tunnel. A number of issues were observed: change process of slipstreams, longitudinal and horizontal distribution characteristics of train wind. Localized velocity peaks were obtained near the nose of the train and in the near wake region. Maximum and minimum velocity values were also noticed near to the nose rear tip. These structures extended for a long distance behind the train in the far wake flow. The slipstream in platform shows the typical three-dimensional characteristics and the velocity is about 4 m/s at 6 m away from the edge of platform.


2014 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matteo Zago ◽  
Andrea Francesco Motta ◽  
Andrea Mapelli ◽  
Isabella Annoni ◽  
Christel Galvani ◽  
...  

Abstract Soccer kicking kinematics has received wide interest in literature. However, while the instep-kick has been broadly studied, only few researchers investigated the inside-of-the-foot kick, which is one of the most frequently performed techniques during games. In particular, little knowledge is available about differences in kinematics when kicking with the preferred and non-preferred leg. A motion analysis system recorded the three-dimensional coordinates of reflective markers placed upon the body of nine amateur soccer players (23.0 ± 2.1 years, BMI 22.2 ± 2.6 kg/m2), who performed 30 pass-kicks each, 15 with the preferred and 15 with the non-preferred leg. We investigated skill kinematics while maintaining a perspective on the complete picture of movement, looking for laterality related differences. The main focus was laid on: anatomical angles, contribution of upper limbs in kick biomechanics, kinematics of the body Center of Mass (CoM), which describes the whole body movement and is related to balance and stability. When kicking with the preferred leg, CoM displacement during the ground-support phase was 13% higher (p<0.001), normalized CoM height was 1.3% lower (p<0.001) and CoM velocity 10% higher (p<0.01); foot and shank velocities were about 5% higher (p<0.01); arms were more abducted (p<0.01); shoulders were rotated more towards the target (p<0.01, 6° mean orientation difference). We concluded that differences in motor control between preferred and non-preferred leg kicks exist, particularly in the movement velocity and upper body kinematics. Coaches can use these results to provide effective instructions to players in the learning process, moving their focus on kicking speed and upper body behavior


2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 528-535
Author(s):  
Yoichi Masuda ◽  
◽  
Masato Ishikawa

[abstFig src='/00290003/08.jpg' width='230' text='The tripedal robot “Martian petit”' ] Significant efforts to simplify the body structure of multi-legged walking robots have been made over the years. Of these, the Spring-Loaded-Inverted-Pendulum (SLIP) model has been very popular, therefore widely employed in the design of walking robots. In this paper, we develop a SLIP-based tripedal walking robot with a focus on the geometric symmetry of the body structure. The proposed robot possesses a compact, light-weight, and compliant leg modules. These modules are controlled by a distributed control law that consists of decoupled oscillators with only local force feedback. As demonstrated through experiments, the simplified design of the robot makes possible the generation of high-speed dynamic locomotion. Despite the structural simplicity of the proposed model, the generation of several gait-patterns is demonstrated. The proposed minimalistic design approach with radial symmetry simplifies the function of each limb in the three-dimensional gait generation of the robot.


1994 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 166-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mero Antti ◽  
Paavo V. Komi ◽  
Tapio Korjus ◽  
Enrique Navarro ◽  
Robert J. Gregor

This study investigated body segment contributions to javelin throwing during the last thrust phases. A 3-D analysis was performed on male and female javelin throwers during the finals of the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona. The subjects were videotaped from the right sight of the throwing area by two NAC high-speed cameras operating at 100 frames per second. Both men’s and women’s grip of javelin and body center of mass displayed a curved pathway to the right from the left (bracing) foot during the final foot contact. The position of the body center of mass decreased at the beginning of the final foot contact, but after the decrease period it began to increase. Simultaneously with the increase, the peak joint center speeds occurred in a proper sequence from proximal to distal segments and finally to the javelin at release. Release speed correlated significantly with throwing distance in both male and females.


2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 198-208
Author(s):  
Alison Schinkel-Ivy ◽  
Vicki Komisar ◽  
Carolyn A. Duncan

Investigating balance reactions following continuous, multidirectional, support surface perturbations is essential for improving our understanding of balance control in moving environments. Segmental motions are often incorporated into rapid balance reactions following external perturbations to balance, although the effects of these motions during complex, continuous perturbations have not been assessed. This study aimed to quantify the contributions of body segments (ie, trunk, head, upper extremity, and lower extremity) to the control of center-of-mass (COM) movement during continuous, multidirectional, support surface perturbations. Three-dimensional, whole-body kinematics were captured while 10 participants experienced 5 minutes of perturbations. Anteroposterior, mediolateral, and vertical COM position and velocity were calculated using a full-body model and 7 models with reduced numbers of segments, which were compared with the full-body model. With removal of body segments, errors relative to the full-body model increased, while relationship strength decreased. The inclusion of body segments appeared to affect COM measures, particularly COM velocity. Findings suggest that the body segments may provide a means of improving the control of COM motion, primarily its velocity, during continuous, multidirectional perturbations, and constitute a step toward improving our understanding of how the limbs contribute to balance control in moving environments.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 (0) ◽  
pp. _J027022-1-_J027022-5
Author(s):  
Yusuke UCHIDA ◽  
Gen LI ◽  
Masashi NAKAMURA ◽  
Hiroto TANAKA ◽  
Hao LIU

2000 ◽  
Vol 203 (12) ◽  
pp. 1869-1885 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Roberts ◽  
N.A. Hill ◽  
R. Hicks

Many amphibian tadpoles hatch and swim before their inner ears and sense of spatial orientation differentiate. We describe upward and downward swimming responses in hatchling Xenopus laevis tadpoles from stages 32 to 37/38 in which the body rotates about its longitudinal axis. Tadpoles are heavier than water and, if touched while lying on the substratum, they reliably swim upwards, often in a tight spiral. This response has been observed using stroboscopic photography and high-speed video recordings. The sense of the spiral is not fixed for individual tadpoles. In ‘more horizontal swimming’ (i.e. in directions within +/−30 degrees of the horizontal), the tadpoles usually swim belly-down, but this position is not a prerequisite for subsequent upward spiral swimming. Newly hatched tadpoles spend 99 % of their time hanging tail-down from mucus secreted by a cement gland on the head. When suspended in mid-water by a mucus strand, tadpoles from stage 31 to 37/38 tend to swim spirally down when touched on the head and up when touched on the tail. The three-dimensional swimming paths of stage 33/34 tadpoles were plotted using simultaneous video images recorded from the side and from above. Tadpoles spiralled for 70 % of the swimming time, and the probability of spiralling increased to 1 as swim path angles became more vertical. Tadpoles were neutrally buoyant in Percoll/water mixtures at 1.05 g cm(−)(3), in which anaesthetised tadpoles floated belly-down and head-up at 30 degrees. In water, their centre of mass was ventral to the muscles in the yolk mass. A simple mathematical model suggests that the orientation of tadpoles during swimming is governed by the action of two torques, one of which raises the head (i.e. increases the pitch) and the other rotates (rolls) the body. Consequently, tadpoles (i) swim belly-down when the body is approximately horizontal because the body is ballasted by dense yolk, and (ii) swim spirally at more vertical orientations when the ballasting no longer stabilises orientation. Measurements in tethered tadpoles show that dorsal body flexion, which could produce a dorsal pitch torque, is present during swimming and increases with tailbeat frequency. We discuss how much of the tadpole's behaviour can be explained by our mathematical model and suggest that, at this stage of development, oriented swimming responses may depend on simple touch reflexes, the organisation of the muscles and physical features of the body, rather than on vestibular reflexes.


1999 ◽  
Vol 82 (6) ◽  
pp. 3021-3029 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helga Hirschfeld ◽  
Maria Thorsteinsdottir ◽  
Elisabeth Olsson

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis whether weight transfer during sit-to-stand (STS) is the result of coordinated ground forces exerted by buttocks and feet before seat-off. Whole-body kinematics and three-dimensional ground forces from left and right buttock as well as from left and right foot were recorded for seven adults during STS. We defined a preparatory phase from onset of the first detectable anterior/posterior (A/P) force to seat-off (buttock forces fell to 0) and a rising phase from seat-off to the decrease of center of mass (CoM) vertical velocity to zero. STS was induced by an increase of vertical and backward directed ground forces exerted by the buttocks that significantly preceded the onset of any trunk movement. All ground forces peaked before or around the moment of seat-off, whereas all kinematic variables, except trunk forward rotation and hip flexion, peaked after seat-off, during or after the rising phase. The present study suggests that the weight transfer from sit to stand is induced by ground forces exerted by buttocks and feet before seat-off, i.e., during the preparatory phase. The buttocks generate the isometric “rising forces,” e.g., the propulsive impulse for the forward acceleration of the body, while the feet apply adequate damping control before seat-off. This indicates that the rising movement is a result of these coordinated forces, targeted to match the subject's weight and support base distance between buttocks and feet. The single peaked, bell-shaped profiles peaking before seat-off, were seen beneath buttocks for the “rising drive,” i.e., between the time of peak backward directed force and seat-off, as well as beneath the feet for the “damping drive,” i.e., from onset to the peak of forward-directed force and for CoM A/P velocity. This suggests that both beginning and end of the weight transfer process are programmed before seat-off. The peak deceleration of A/P CoM took place shortly (∼100 ms) after CoM peak velocity, resulting in a well controlled CoM deceleration before seat-off. In contrast to the view of other authors, this suggests that body equilibrium is controlled during weight transfer.


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