Identifying the Most Successful Formula 1 Drivers in the Turbo Era

Background: Formula 1 is the world’s fastest auto racing circuit and one that is among the most-watched of all televised sports. With its international flair and glamor and the glitz it brings to viewers and spectators, it is no surprise that fans, commentators, and media covering the races enjoy ranking the most successful teams and especially the most successful drivers of all time. Yet, there are few empirical studies that have developed and/or applied rigorous methodological techniques to examine which drivers are the most successful within the recent turbo-hybrid era. Objective: This study uses novel group-based trajectory methods to rank the most successful drivers within the turbo area, 2014-2019. Methods: Group-based trajectory methods are used to identify distinct groups of drivers according to accumulated points. Results: Using total points accumulated during each respective season as our measure of success, results showed that the 45 drivers who competed during this time period could be classified into three groups, with the top-performing group of drivers being Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. A second better-performing group of six drivers followed and included Bottas, LeClerc, Räikkönen, Ricciardo, Verstappen, and Vettel. The remaining 37 drivers were classified into a third low-performing group, a great number of which scored zero points during the time period. Conclusion: The most successful Formula 1 drivers during the turbo era were able to be identified using group-based trajectory modeling, with Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg identified as the best drivers based on accumulated points.

Comparison of TrackMan Data between Professional and Amateur Golfers at Swinging to Uphill and Downhill Fairways

Background: Golfers face different environmental conditions in each game played under various constraints. Enhancing affordances through training in a constrained outdoor environment is crucial. Objective: To analyze club head behavior at ball impact of a tee shot by 42 professional (PGs) and 25 amateur (AGs) golfers in swinging to uphill and downhill fairway environments using the TrackMan portable launch monitor. Methods: We used TrackMan to compare golf club movement adaptations in 42 PGs and 25 AGs. A 330-m driving range facing both the uphill (+5°) and downhill (-5°) fairways were used. The tee shot area was the only flat ground surface, with the uneven ground between the shot area and the 200-yard fairway. Results: The clubhead speed and attack angle were significantly higher among PGs than among AGs. PGs could adapt their swings to the uphill fairway by increasing the attack angle (3.6°±2.4) by 3.3° compared with the downhill fairway. The attack angle did not correlate with the launch angle among the AGs in the downhill condition, suggesting that they were unable to control the height of the ball based on the far side of the fairway. Conclusion: PGs increased the attack angle in uphill conditions, and their awareness of the affordance, which was different from that of AGs, allowed them to change the optimal ball trajectory to avoid perceived fairway risks. Thus, the more skill a player had, the better he was at recognizing the affordance of the visual field. PGs demonstrated a better ability to adapt to environmental constraints.

Muscle Activation and Torso Movement during Exercise using Novel Fiberglass Resistance Poles

Background: A novel form of functional training utilizes flexible fiberglass poles for resistance. Similar to elastic bands, as the poles flex, resistance increases. To date, no studies have examined activation patterns associated with such implements. Objective: This study examined muscle activation and torso rotation using different pole resistance intensities during a “push-pull” rotational core exercise. Methods: Twenty-one subjects (16 women, 5 men; age=20.4±1.3y) completed 6 trials of 10 repetitions each of a standing push and pull movement with 3 different pole tensions (very light, light, moderate). Muscle activation (electromyography) for the anterior and posterior deltoid, abdominal oblique, and paraspinal muscles were recorded. Concentric contractions during the push phase (PUSH) and the pull load (PULL) phases were recoded, and percent maximal voluntary contraction (%MVC) was computed. Markers on the acromion process and a vertically mounted camera were used to record torso rotation during each push and pull. ANOVA for each muscle and PUSH and PULL was used for comparisons across pole intensity. Results: Significant main effects for torso rotation were seen, with rotation with the very light pole (Push= 61.9 ± 9.20, Pull= 64.8 ± 14.00) significantly greater than moderate (Push= 52.0 ± 12.80, Pull= 54.9 ± 10.10). EMG data were highly variable, with no differences in muscle activation detected across pole resistance loads. Conclusion: Variability of the EMG data prevent clear resolution of activation patterns. However, torso rotation is limited with heavier pole resistance since increased pole flex also increases resistance.

Mineral Density and Markers of Bone Remodelling in Young Athletes in Response to Weightlifting Exercise: A Pilot Study

Background: Weightlifting is a practice that exerts a high degree of pressure on the skeleton when supporting large loads of weight. The practice of exercise contributes by improving bone mineral density (BMD) and can prevent problems associated with low BMD. Objective: The objective of the present study was to determine BMD and measure bone turnover using blood markers in weightlifting athletes in response to exercise. Methods: The study included 16 athletes and 16 controls of both sexes in the range of 18 to 22 years old. BMD was determined at the femoral neck, hip, lumbar spine, and Total Mineral Density (TMD). The value of the total mineral density (TMDV) was obtained from the sum of the BMD of the evaluated regions. Bone formation and resorption in blood were evaluated by Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) and Acid Phosphatase (ACP), respectively. In addition, the concentration of urea and Creatine Kinase (CK) were determined. Results: The mean BMD of the lumbar spine and TMDV was of 1.2 g/cm2 in female and male athletes. In young people who did not practice weightlifting, BMD in the lumbar spine (0.9 g/cm2 in both groups) and TMDV (1.05 g/cm2 in women and 1.11 g/cm2 in men) were significantly lower (p <0.05). The activity in bone formation and CK in male athletes was twice as high compared to the other groups. The blood urea concentration in athletes (32.7- 38.0 mg/dL) was significantly higher (p <0.05) compared to the control groups (19.3-18.8 mg/dL). Conclusion: The practice of weightlifting benefits bone mass gain in the lumbar spine. These findings suggest that exercises in which high weight loads are supported promote bone turnover and mineralization to prevent bone weakening.

Characterization of Warm-Up in Soccer: Report from Portuguese Elite Soccer Coaches

Background: Warm-up before competition and training is a strategy that is widely acknowledged to improve players’ physical condition and performance. However, the importance of warm-up is not well understood and so there is a research gap into this topic. Objective: This study aimed to characterize the warm-up of professional soccer players by differences and similarities between different coaches’ methodologies. Methods: A group of thirty-two Portuguese elite soccer coaches participated in this study An observational study design was conducted through a cross-sectional descriptive questionnaire with nineteen questions. During the questionnaire, coaches were asked to provide specific information about the warm-ups prescribed for soccer players, about their importance from a technical, physical and psychological point of view and the importance they attached to the warm-up / reheating of substitute players. The questionnaire was administered to the coaches at the end of a training session. Results: The results indicated that there is no consensus regarding the type of warm-up that should be prescribed. There are different opinions between elite coaches regarding the warm-up components that must be emphasized in order to prepare players for the game demands. Moreover, considering the tactical, technical, physical, and psychological dimensions, the coaches have different perspectives of the warm-up. Conclusion: This study allowed to conclude that there is no standard regarding the prescription of warm-up in professional soccer players, in the opinion of coaches. This is mainly due to the fact that there is a distinct appreciation in relation to the importance and influence of warm-up for performance.

Application of Theory in Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Research and Clinical Practice

Introduction: Chronic pain has multiple aetiological factors and complexity. Pain theory helps us to guide and organize our thinking to deal with this complexity. The objective of this paper is to critically review the most influential theory in pain science history (the gate control theory of pain) and focus on its implications in chronic pain rehabilitation to minimize disability. Methods: In this narrative review, all the published studies that focused upon pain theory were retrieved from Ovoid Medline (from 1946 till present), EMBAS, AMED and PsycINFO data bases. Results: Chronic pain is considered a disease or dysfunction of the nervous system. In chronic pain conditions, hypersensitivity is thought to develop from changes to the physiological top-down control (inhibitory) mechanism of pain modulation according to the pain theory. Pain hypersensitivity manifestation is considered as abnormal central inhibitory control at the gate controlling mechanism. On the other hand, pain hypersensitivity is a prognostic factor in pain rehabilitation. It is clinically important to detect and manage hypersensitivity responses and their mechanisms. Conclusion: Since somatosensory perception and integration are recognized as a contributor to the pain perception under the theory, then we can use the model to direct interventions aimed at pain relief. The pain theory should be leveraged to develop and refine measurement tools with clinical utility for detecting and monitoring hypersensitivity linked to chronic pain mechanisms.

Water Polo Performance Classification Based on the Functional Test for Agility Performance: A Long-Term Training Tool

Background: Water polo is an open-skilled team sport in which agility is important. Objective: This study aimed to propose a water polo player classification based on the Functional Test for Agility Performance. Methods: A total of 78 male water polo players of different competition levels (7.7% regional, 52.5% national and 39.7% international), years of training (6.7 ± 4.5; 2-25 years), weekly training frequency (6.1 ± 2.1; 2-12) and age (18.1 ± 4.3; 12-36) were evaluated in the Functional Test for Agility Performance. Hierarchical Cluster Analysis was used in five levels to classify water polo player performance. Results: The players were classified based on the Functional Test for Agility Performance as excellent (≤ 3.22 s), very good (3.23-4.48 s); good (4.49-4.76 s); under development (4.77-5.11 s) and learning (≥ 5.12 s). Age, years of training, and weekly training frequency showed a decreasing trend from Gr1 to Gr4. Athletes at the international level ranked primarily in the best performing groups (Gr1 and Gr2, n = 30), the ones at the national level in the intermediate groups (Gr2, Gr3 and Gr4; n = 41), with a higher concentration in Gr2, and those at regional level mainly in Gr4 (n = 4). Conclusion: This classification proposal is expected to be useful as a tool to evaluate the training of athletes of different competition levels as well as to follow up on water polo athletes in long-term training.

Research on Physical Fitness Development for U10 five-a-side Football Teams

Background: Football is a team sport; players often have fierce ball disputes to limit the opponent's ability, resulting in a lot of physical consumption. Objective: To evaluate the professional development of physical fitness for U10 five-a-side football teams, this study introduces several exercises to test and improve their physical strength. Methods: We introduce 5 tests, including long jump on the spot, 15-meter sprint, 5x30m sprints, 5-minute running, and 1-minute rope skipping. 6 months of training was divided into 3 phases with four 90-minute training sessions/week. Phase 1 was aimed for the players to adapt to normal training, phase 2 was to develop the maximum focus speed, and phase 3 was to develop professional physical strength. Results: The results show that after 6 months of training, the participants’ physical achievements in all tests have witnessed growth. The growth was statistically significant because tcalculated > tstandard at the possibility P < 0.05, especially in the test of rope skipping in one minute with the highest growth rate W = 9.47%. Conclusion: The results of this research can be used as a reference and scientific basis of general physical fitness development in football for kids to build training programs and improve their effectiveness.

Rule Changes in Water Polo – History, FINA 2018 New Rules, and Literature Review

Water polo has recently encountered extensive challenges, including possible banishment from the Olympics. To meet the challenges, major rule changes have been implemented. This perspective is to provide a literature review of the impact of rule changes on water polo gameplay. An emerging and relatively small body of research has demonstrated significantly enhanced game dynamics and outcomes as intended by recent rule changes. The water polo community needs more analytical research on the impact of the latest rule changes approved in 2018.

Analysing the Accuracy of Elite Amateur Golf Players during a Pre-tournament Wedge Test

Background: Previous studies identified a medium/strong relationship between the accuracy of wedge play and performance of professional golf players. However, there is a lack of research studies investigating which distance in wedge play has the strongest relationship to performance. Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the accuracy with wedges of elite amateur golfers and find out the relationship between accuracy from different distances and short and long-term performance. Methods: Ten elite golf players assessed accuracy across distances (45 – 85 m) with Trackman in a pre-tournament wedge test and afterward attended a three-round tournament. Results: Percentage error rate decreases (19.0% to 8.4%) with increasing distance, in addition, a significant difference in percentage error rate between 45 m distance and 85 m distance (p = 0.02) significant relation between percentage error rate and short term/long term performance indicators at 45 and 55 m. Conclusion: Distance control was significantly more difficult (more variable) than direction control with wedges. Significant difference between distances indicates greater difficulty in controlling distance over shorter distances played with wedges. Results show higher importance of accuracy with wedges on performance in shorter (45 and 55 m) versus longer (65, 75 and 85 m) distances. Players performed the stroke more consistently in terms of controlling key impact factors at longer distances, especially in regards to the club head speed, which, together with the ball speed, is the main determinant of the carry distance.