Effects of External Load on Sagittal and Frontal Plane Lower Extremity Biomechanics During Back Squats

Previous literature suggests the sticking region, the transition period between an early peak concentric velocity to a local minimum, in barbell movements may be the reason for failing repeated submaximal and maximal squats. This study determined the effects of load on lower extremity biomechanics during back squats. Twenty participants performed the NSCA's one-repetition maximum (1RM) testing protocol, testing to supramaximum loads (failure). After completing the protocol and a 10-minute rest, 80% 1RM squats were performed. Statistical parametric mapping was used to determine vertical velocity, acceleration, ankle, knee, and hip sagittal and frontal plane biomechanics differences between 1RM, submaximum, and supramaximum squats (105% 1RM). Vertical acceleration was a better discriminative measure than velocity, exibiting differences across all conditions. Supramaximum squats emphasized knee moments, whereas 1RM emphasized hip moments during acceleration. Submaximum squats had reduced hip and knee moments compared to supramaximum squats, but similar knee moments to 1RM squats. Across all conditions, knee loads mirrored accelerations and a prominent knee (acceleration) to hip (sticking) transition existed. These results indicate that 1) submaximum squats performed at increased velocities can provide similar moments at the ankle and knee, but not hip, as maximal loads and 2) significant emphasis on hip strength is necessary for heavy back squats.

Implementing a Web Application for W3C WebAuthn Protocol Testing

During the last few years, the FIDO Alliance and the W3C have been working on a new standard called WebAuthn that aims to substitute the obsolete password as an authentication method by using physical security keys instead. Due to its recent design, the standard is still changing and so are the needs for protocol testing. This research has driven the development of a web application that supports the standard and gives extensive information to the user. This tool can be used by WebAuthn developers and researchers, helping them to debug concrete use cases with no need for an ad hoc implementation.

Rapid detection of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) from artificial urine samples based on IFAST and ATP bioluminescence assay: from development to practical challenges during protocol testing in Kenya

Microfluidic IFAST/ATP bioluminescence assays were explored for potential point-of-care detection of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) in urine in low-resource settings.