scholarly journals The Biomechanical Characteristics of the Strongman Yoke Walk

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin R. Hindle ◽  
Anna Lorimer ◽  
Paul Winwood ◽  
Daniel Brimm ◽  
Justin W. L. Keogh
Keyword(s):  
Stride Length ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Heel Strike ◽  
Strength And Conditioning ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
Training Tool ◽  
Training Adaptations ◽  
Stride Rate ◽  
Stance Duration

The yoke walk is a popular strongman exercise where athletes carry a heavily loaded frame balanced across the back of their shoulders over a set distance as quickly as possible. The aim of this study was to use ecologically realistic training loads and carry distances to (1) establish the preliminary biomechanical characteristics of the yoke walk; (2) identify any biomechanical differences between male and female athletes performing the yoke walk; and (3) determine spatiotemporal and kinematic differences between stages (intervals) of the yoke walk. Kinematic and spatiotemporal measures of hip and knee joint angle, and mean velocity, stride length, stride rate and stance duration of each 5 m interval were taken whilst 19 strongman athletes performed three sets of a 20 m yoke walk at 85% of their pre-determined 20 m yoke walk one repetition maximum. The yoke walk was characterised by flexion of the hip and slight to neutral flexion of the knee at heel strike, slight to neutral extension of the hip and flexion of the knee at toe-off and moderate hip and knee range of motion (ROM), with high stride rate and stance duration, and short stride length. Between-interval comparisons revealed increased stride length, stride rate and lower limb ROM, and decreased stance duration at greater velocity. Although no main between-sex differences were observed, two-way interactions revealed female athletes exhibited greater knee extension at toe-off and reduced hip ROM during the initial (0–5 m) when compared with the final three intervals (5–20 m), and covered a greater distance before reaching maximal normalised stride length than males. The findings from this study may better inform strongman coaches, athletes and strength and conditioning coaches with the biomechanical knowledge to: provide athletes with recommendation on how to perform the yoke walk based on the technique used by experienced strongman athletes; better prescribe exercises to target training adaptations required for improved yoke walk performance; and better coach the yoke walk as a training tool for non-strongman athletes.

scholarly journals The biomechanical characteristics of the strongman atlas stone lift

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e12066
Author(s):  
Benjamin Hindle ◽  
Anna Lorimer ◽  
Paul Winwood ◽  
Daniel Brimm ◽  
Justin W.L. Keogh
Keyword(s):  
Knee Flexion ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Ankle Dorsiflexion ◽  
Strength And Conditioning ◽  
Phase Duration ◽  
Male Athletes ◽  
Kinematic Measures ◽  
Temporal Measures ◽  
Hip Flexion

Background The atlas stone lift is a popular strongman exercise where athletes are required to pick up a large, spherical, concrete stone and pass it over a bar or place it on to a ledge. The aim of this study was to use ecologically realistic training loads and set formats to (1) establish the preliminary biomechanical characteristics of athletes performing the atlas stone lift; (2) identify any biomechanical differences between male and female athletes performing the atlas stone lift; and (3) determine temporal and kinematic differences between repetitions of a set of atlas stones of incremental mass. Methods Kinematic measures of hip, knee and ankle joint angle, and temporal measures of phase and repetition duration were collected whilst 20 experienced strongman athletes (female: n = 8, male: n = 12) performed three sets of four stone lifts of incremental mass (up to 85% one repetition maximum) over a fixed-height bar. Results The atlas stone lift was categorised in to five phases: the recovery, initial grip, first pull, lap and second pull phase. The atlas stone lift could be biomechanically characterised by maximal hip and moderate knee flexion and ankle dorsiflexion at the beginning of the first pull; moderate hip and knee flexion and moderate ankle plantarflexion at the beginning of the lap phase; moderate hip and maximal knee flexion and ankle dorsiflexion at the beginning of the second pull phase; and maximal hip, knee extension and ankle plantarflexion at lift completion. When compared with male athletes, female athletes most notably exhibited: greater hip flexion at the beginning of the first pull, lap and second pull phase and at lift completion; and a shorter second pull phase duration. Independent of sex, first pull and lap phase hip and ankle range of motion (ROM) were generally smaller in repetition one than the final three repetitions, while phase and total repetition duration increased throughout the set. Two-way interactions between sex and repetition were identified. Male athletes displayed smaller hip ROM during the second pull phase of the first three repetitions when compared with the final repetition and smaller hip extension at lift completion during the first two repetitions when compared with the final two repetitions. Female athletes did not display these between-repetition differences. Conclusions Some of the between-sex biomechanical differences observed were suggested to be the result of between-sex anthropometric differences. Between-repetition differences observed may be attributed to the increase in stone mass and acute fatigue. The biomechanical characteristics of the atlas stone lift shared similarities with the previously researched Romanian deadlift and front squat. Strongman athletes, coaches and strength and conditioning coaches are recommended to take advantage of these similarities to achieve greater training adaptations and thus performance in the atlas stone lift and its similar movements.

scholarly journals Gender Differences in Kinematic Analysis of the Lower Limbs during the Chasse Step in Table Tennis Athletes

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 703
Author(s):  
Xiaoyi Yang ◽  
Yuqi He ◽  
Shirui Shao ◽  
Julien S. Baker ◽  
Bíró István ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Female Athletes ◽  
External Rotation ◽  
Rotational Velocity ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Table Tennis ◽  
Male Athletes ◽  
Analysis System ◽  
Hip Flexion ◽  
Hip Internal Rotation

The chasse step is one of the most important footwork maneuvers used in table tennis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the lower limb kinematic differences of table tennis athletes of different genders when using the chasse step. The 3D VICON motion analysis system was used to capture related kinematics data. The main finding of this study was that the step times for male athletes (MA) were shorter in the backward phase (BP) and significantly longer in the forward phase (FP) than for female athletes (FA) during the chasse step. Compared with FA, knee external rotation for MA was larger during the BP. MA showed a smaller knee flexion range of motion (ROM) in the BP and larger knee extension ROM in the FP. Moreover, hip flexion and adduction for MA were significantly greater than for FA. In the FP, the internal rotational velocity of the hip joint was significantly greater. MA showed larger hip internal rotation ROM in the FP but smaller hip external rotation ROM in the BP. The differences between genders can help coaches personalize their training programs and improve the performance of both male and female table tennis athletes.

Strength and conditioning in adolescent female athletes

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 420-426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corinne Sommi ◽  
Frances Gill ◽  
Jeffrey D. Trojan ◽  
Mary K. Mulcahey
Keyword(s):  
Female Athletes ◽  
Adolescent Female ◽  
Strength And Conditioning

Applying Strength and Conditioning Practices to Female Athletes

2018 ◽  
pp. 7-22
Author(s):  
Paul J. Read ◽  
Alicia Montalvo ◽  
Rich Blagrove ◽  
Rich Burden ◽  
Greg Myer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Female Athletes ◽  
Strength And Conditioning

Nutrition Knowledge, Opinions, and Practices of Coaches and Athletic Trainers at a Division I University

2001 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 174-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Smith Rockwell ◽  
Sharon M. Nickols-Richardson ◽  
Forrest W. Thye
Keyword(s):  
Female Athletes ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
Nutrition Knowledge ◽  
Division I ◽  
Registered Dietitians ◽  
Strength And Conditioning ◽  
Male Athletes ◽  
Nutritional Recommendations ◽  
Better Than ◽  
Analyze Data

The purpose of this investigation was to assess nutrition knowledge, opinions, and practices of coaches and trainers at a Division I university. Participants (n = 53) completed questionnaires regarding nutrition knowledge, opinions, and practices. Descriptive statistics and analysis of variance were used to analyze data. Overall, participants responded correctly to 67% of nutrition knowledge questions. Participants who coached/trained female athletes tended to score better than respondents who coached/trained male athletes. Strength and conditioning coaches and participants with greater than 15 years of experience scored higher than other participants. Nutrition opinions/practices responses revealed that nutritional supplements were provided for all but 6% of participants’ athletes. Participants rated body weight as more important than body composition to athletes’ performances. Over 30% of participants perceived at least one case of disordered eating within the past year. Some participants (53%) felt that athletes may consume more nutritious meals on team-sponsored trips if given larger food allowances. Thirty percent of participants reported dietitians were available to them; the same percentage reported utilizing dietitians. Coaches and trainers are knowledgeable about some appropriate nutritional recommendations, but registered dietitians or qualified sports nutrition professionals may complement the nutrition-related education and counseling of athletes (23).

scholarly journals The Relationship between Isokinetic Trunk, Leg Strength and Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull Test, Counter Movement Jump in National Rowing Athletes

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 34-42
Author(s):  
Jong Baek Lee ◽  
Young Kyun Kim
Keyword(s):  
Female Athletes ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Maximum Height ◽  
Isokinetic Strength ◽  
Trunk Flexion ◽  
Pull Test ◽  
Leg Strength ◽  
Counter Movement Jump ◽  
Strengthening Exercise ◽  
The Relationship

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between isokinetic leg strength and maximum Isometric Med-Thigh Pull Test(IMTP) and maximum height of Counter Movement Jump (CMJ) in Korean national rowers.METHODS Each eight male and female athletes were participated in the study. Isometric IMTP, CMJ, and isokinetic trunk, hip, and knee strength were measured to analyze the relationship between the IMTP, CMJ and isokinetic strength. The correlation between variables was analyzed by the step-wise method of multiple regression analysis after analyzing the correlation between dependent and independent variables.RESULTS Knee, Hip and trunk isokinetic flexion and extension strength showed high correlation with maximum IMTP with the all participants. Knee extension and trunk flexion isokinetic strength showed higher correlation with IMTP. Knee extension isokinetic strength showed high correlation with CMJ.CONCLUSIONS For strengthening exercise of National rowers, ipsilateral strength balance and agonistantagonist strength balance of leg and trunk should be considered to improve performance efficiently.

scholarly journals The Immediate Effect of Static Hamstring Stretching on Dynamic Balance and Gait Biomechanical Variables in Athletes With Hamstring Tightness: A Preliminary Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parsa Salemi ◽  
Azadeh Shadmehr ◽  
Sara Fereydounnia
Keyword(s):  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Muscle Length ◽  
Total Force ◽  
Balance Task ◽  
Hamstring Flexibility ◽  
Straight Leg Raise ◽  
Stance Duration

Introduction: Flexibility is an essential component of muscle function, and insufficient muscle flexibility may lead to muscle injuries. Decreased hamstring flexibility is one of the frequently reported risk factors for a hamstring strain and diminished athletic performance. Stretching is a commonly used intervention for increasing muscle length. There is a lack of evidence concerning the possible effects of hamstring stretching in balance and gait biomechanics. So, this study was designed to investigate the potential effects of static hamstring stretching on the range of motion (ROM), dynamic balance, and biomechanical variables of gait in athletes with hamstring tightness. Materials and Methods: This study is a single-group, pretest-posttest clinical trial performed on semi-professional female athletes. Twelve female athletes aged 20 to 35 years with bilateral hamstring tightness received a single session of unilateral static hamstring stretching on their randomly selected side. All subjects were assessed for straight leg raise, popliteal angle (using standard goniometry), perceived hamstring tightness (using a visual analog scale). They completed single-leg standing and 15-m walking and running tasks before and immediately after the intervention. The biomechanical parameters, including gait-line length, swing duration, and stance duration in walking tasks, maximum total force and mean total force in running task, and center of pressure (COP) displacement and standard deviation during balance task were measured using OpenGo sensor insole system. The pre-post values were compared using the paired sample t-test, and the level of significance was 0.05. Results: The values for straight leg raise and popliteal angle significantly increased (P<0.05) compared with the baseline, while perceived tightness significantly decreased following stretching (P<0.001). The amplitude (P₌0.006) and standard deviation (P₌0.016) of COP displacement in the mediolateral direction during the single leg stance balance task were significantly decreased after the intervention. Stance duration in slow walking (P₌0.004), as well as stance duration (P₌0.012) and swing duration (P<0.001) in fast walking, were significantly decreased (P<0.05) after stretching. No change was observed in gait biomechanical variables during the running test (P>0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that static hamstring stretching can be a promising intervention not just for increasing hamstring flexibility but also for improving balance ability.

scholarly journals Concurrent Validity of a Commercial Wireless Trunk Triaxial Accelerometer System for Gait Analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Roel De Ridder ◽  
Julien Lebleu ◽  
Tine Willems ◽  
Cedric De Blaiser ◽  
Christine Detrembleur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Intraclass Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Concurrent Validity ◽  
Stride Length ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Sensor System ◽  
Double Support ◽  
Spatiotemporal Parameters ◽  
Stride Duration ◽  
Stance Duration

Context: Wearable sensor devices have notable advantages, such as cost-effectiveness, easy to use, and real-time feedback. Wirelessness ensures full-body motion, which is required during movement in a challenging environment such as during sports. Research on the reliability and validity of commercially available systems, however, is indispensable. Objective: To confirm the test–retest reliability and concurrent validity of a commercially available body-worn sensor—BTS G-WALK® sensor system—for spatiotemporal gait parameters with the GAITRite® walkway system as golden standard. Design: Reliability and concurrent validity study. Setting: Laboratory setting. Participants: Thirty healthy subjects. Main Outcome Measures: Spatiotemporal parameters: speed, cadence, stride length, stride duration, stance duration, swing duration, double support, and single support. Results: In terms of test–retest reliability of the BTS G-WALK® sensor system, intraclass correlation coefficient values for both the spatial and temporal parameters were excellent between consecutive measurements on the same day with intraclass correlation coefficient values ranging from .85 to .99. In terms of validity, intraclass correlation coefficient values between measurement systems showed excellent levels of agreement for speed, cadence, stride length, and stride duration (range = .88–.97), and showed poor to moderate levels of agreement (range = .12–.47) for single/double support and swing/stance duration. Bland–Altman plots showed overall percentage bias values equal to or smaller than 3% with limits of agreement ≤15% (speed, cadence, stride length, stride duration, swing duration, and stance duration). Only for single and double support, the limits of agreement were higher with, respectively, −15.4% to 19.5% and −48.0% to 51.4%. Conclusion: The BTS G-WALK® sensor system is reliable for all measured spatiotemporal parameters. In terms of validity, excellent concurrent validity was shown for speed, cadence, stride length, and stride duration. Cautious interpretation is necessary for temporal parameters based on final foot contact (stance, swing, and single/double support time).

The ADR Encoder is a reliable and valid device to measure barbell mean velocity during the Smith machine bench press exercise

2021 ◽  
pp. 175433712110628
Author(s):  
Alejandro Pérez-Castilla ◽  
Sergio Miras-Moreno ◽  
Agustín J García-Vega ◽  
Amador García-Ramos
Keyword(s):  
Bench Press ◽  
High Reliability ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Systematic Bias ◽  
Random Errors ◽  
Strength And Conditioning ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
Standard Linear ◽  
Monitoring Devices

Velocity-based training is a contemporary resistance training method, which uses lifting velocity to prescribe and assess the effects of training. However, the high cost of velocity monitoring devices can limit their use among strength and conditioning professionals. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the reliability and concurrent validity of an affordable linear position transducer (ADR Encoder) for measuring barbell velocity during the Smith machine bench press exercise. Twenty-eight resistance-trained males performed two blocks of six repetitions in a single session. Each block consisted of two repetitions at 40%, 60%, and 80% of their estimated one-repetition maximum. The mean velocity of the lifting phase was simultaneously recorded with the ADR Encoder and a gold-standard linear velocity transducer (T-Force® System). Both devices demonstrated high reliability for measuring mean velocity (ADR Encoder: CVrange = 2.80%–6.40% and ICCrange = 0.78–0.82; T-Force® System: CVrange = 3.27%–6.62% and ICCrange = 0.77–0.81). The ADR Encoder provided mean velocity at 40%1RM with a higher reliability than the T-Force® System (CVratio = 1.17), but the reliability did not differ between devices at higher loads (60%1RM–80%1RM) (CVratio ≤ 1.08). No fixed or proportional bias was observed for the different loads using least-products regression analysis, while the Bland–Altman plots revealed low systematic bias (0.01 m·s−1) and random errors (0.03 m·s−1). However, heteroscedasticity of the errors was observed between both devices ( R2 = 0.103). The high reliability and validity place the ADR Encoder as a low-cost device for accurately measuring mean velocity during the Smith machine bench press exercise.

Adaptive control for backward quadrupedal walking. I. Posture and hindlimb kinematics

1990 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 745-755 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Buford ◽  
R. F. Zernicke ◽  
J. L. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Stride Length ◽  
Stance Phase ◽  
Horizontal Displacement ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Treadmill Walking ◽  
Cycle Period ◽  
Phase Duration ◽  
Ankle Joints ◽  
Hindlimb Kinematics ◽  
Hip Extension

1. To gain new perspectives on the neural control of different forms of quadruped locomotion, we studied adaptations in posture and hindlimb kinematics for backward (BWD) walking in normal cats. Data from four animals were obtained from high-speed (100 fr/s) cine film of BWD treadmill walking over a range of slow walking speeds (0.3-0.6 m/s) and forward (FWD) treadmill walking at 0.6 m/s. 2. Postural adaptations during BWD walking included flexion of the lumbar spine, compared to a relatively straight spine during FWD walking. The usual paw-contact sequence for FWD walking [right hindlimb (RH), right forelimb (RF), left hindlimb (LH), left forelimb (LF)] was typically reversed for BWD walking (RH, LF, LH, RF). The hindlimbs alternated consistently with a phase difference averaging 0.5 for both forms of walking, but the phasing of the forelimbs was variable during BWD walking. 3. As BWD walking speed increased from 0.3 to 0.6 m/s, average hindlimb cycle period decreased 21%, stance-phase duration decreased 29%, and stride length increased 38%. Compared to FWD walking at 0.6 m/s, stride length was 30% shorter, whereas cycle period and stance-phase duration were 17% shorter for BWD walking. For both directions, stance occupied 64 +/- 4% (mean +/- SD) of the step cycle. 4. During swing for both forms of walking, the hip, knee, and ankle joints had flexion (F) and extension (E1) phases; however, the F-E1 reversals occurred earlier at the hip and later at the knee for BWD than for FWD walking. At the ankle joint, the ranges of motion during the F and E1 phases were similar for both directions. During BWD walking, however, the knee flexed more and extended less, whereas the hip flexed less and extended more. Thus horizontal displacement of the limb resulted primarily from hip extension and knee flexion during BWD swing, but hip flexion and knee extension during FWD swing. 5. At the knee and ankle joints, there were yield (E2) and extension (E3) phases during stance for both forms of walking; however, yields at the knee and ankle joints were reduced during BWD walking. At the hip, angular motion was unidirectional, as the hip flexed during BWD stance but extended during FWD stance. Knee extension was the prime contributor to horizontal displacement of the body during BWD stance, but hip extension was the prime contributor to horizontal displacement during FWD stance. 6. Our kinematic data revealed two discriminators between BWD and FWD walking.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

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