After investigating the injury mechanism, this dissertation aims to design an intelligent sprain-free sports shoe for the prevention of sport-related ankle sprain injury. It consists of a three-step mechanism: (1) Sensing, (2) Identification, and (3) Correction. The progress of this dissertation covers two options of sensing and identification. The first option is to monitor the ankle spraining motion with the ankle inversion angle. A method to employ two tiny inertial and magnetic sensors at the shank and foot segment is adopted as the sensing system. A laboratory study is conducted to obtain ankle inversion magnitude and velocity during various sport motions. Together with the article kinematics reported in the accidental sprain case report, a standard for identifying ankle sprain is established. The second option is to monitor the ankle spraining motion with the ankle supination torque. A feasible method to estimate the complete ground reaction forces with the information from pressure insoles is presented. Then, a tiny in-shoe three-pressure-sensor system is devised to monitor the ankle supination torque during sport motions. With the information of failure torque at the ankle joint reported by previous cadaveric study, an identification system of the ankle supination torque is devised. / Ankle sprain injury is the most common single type of sport-related musculoskeletal trauma which causes rupture and tear to the anterior talofibular ligament and ankle instability. In this dissertation, a new paradigm, "Orthopaedic Sport Biomechanics", is proposed to present the role of biomechanics in the practice of orthopaedics sports medicine, including the analysis of injury mechanism, and the design of prophylactic equipment for injury prevention. To directly investigate the injury, a case report of an accidental injury event in laboratory is presented. It was found that an internally rotated ankle orientation at foot strike may predispose the ankle joint to a supination sprain injury, by triggering lateral drift of the rearfoot and the subsequent vigorous inversion. At injury, the ankle joint reached an inversion of 48 degrees and an internal rotation of 10 degrees. / Future studies on the sensing and identification process, the correction, and the final evaluation are suggested. We hope that we could really invent the sprain-free shoe to help reducing the incidence of ankle sprain injury in sports in future. / Fong, Tik Pui Daniel. / Adviser: Kai-Ming Chan. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 70-06, Section: B, page: 3635. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 102-127). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

The circadian cycle, although seasonally adjusted, consists of two phases: a nocturnal period of darkness and a diurnal period of light. Many parameters of human physiology display either a nocturnal or diurnal peak as seen in athletic performance, immune, endocrine, physiology and cognitive function, respectively. The studies included in this thesis focused on the diurnal (morning or AM versus evening or PM) effect of high-intensity self-paced exercise on physiological and immunological measures and the influence of individual preference for activity or chronotype on these responses. Self-paced time-trials were completed in an environmental chamber (6°C) in the AM and PM and displayed a similar effect on physiological and biological parameters. Performance times were non-statistically quicker (P > 0.05) at PM. Physiological parameters heart rate, rate of perceived exertion, lung function and self-paced treadmill speed were not found to be statistically different at AM or PM trial (p > 0.05). Core body temperature (CBT), was significantly higher (p0.05). CD8+ T-lymphocyte cell-surface markers for naïve/senescence and differentiation (CD27CD45RA and CD27CD28) reported no diurnal difference between AM and PM exercise in experienced and experienced/recreational distance runners respectively (P > 0.05). However, a higher percentage of highly differentiated phenotypes were found in the recreationally active population. Neutrophils displayed a pronounced elevation in response to PM exercise with the mechanism driving this response unclear at this time. Cortisol concentration displayed less inflammatory responses in the morning compared to the evening with higher values pre, post and one-hour post AM trials. Chronotype showed no effect on physiology or biology at rest or in response to exercise. Chapter 4 presents data from a study that investigated diurnal physiology and immune response to high-intensity exercise in highly-trained men. Recreational and experienced endurance male runners at differing diurnal time-points were investigated in Chapter 5, while individual chronotype differences and circadian phase responses were explored in Chapter 6.In summary, it is concluded from this work that there was a lack of evidence showing a diurnal effect on running performance and subsequent immune response. Elevated circulating immune counts prior to exercise, irrespective of diurnal phase, appear to govern exercise-induced responses. The effect of high intensity exercise is subject to three distinct variables: the fitness status and experience of the individual completing the exercise, the time of day at which the exercise is undertaken, and the phase response of exercise at that point of the circadian cycle. No diurnal phase mediated a divergent effect on variables examined was observed at 09.00hrs and 17.00hrs. These time-points should be considered not sufficiently dissimilar to elucidate diurnal variation in trained and healthy males.

Eles protagonizaram o apogeu do basquetebol brasileiro nos anos 50 e 60. Representaram o país vitoriosamente em diversas competições, sendo as conquistas dos títulos mundiais em 1959 e 1963, e as medalhas de bronze olímpicas em 1960 e 1964, os feitos mais emblemáticos. Mas embora desfrutassem de certa notoriedade por estes feitos, não foram isentos das implicações do amadorismo esportivo. A profissionalização da carreira atlética ainda era uma realidade distante para eles, e a dedicação ao esporte, para que pudesse ser legítima, tinha que ser majoritariamente voluntária e gratuita. Essas e outras configurações influenciaram decisivamente a forma como os bicampeões mundiais de basquetebol geriram suas carreiras e passaram pela transição respectivamente. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi trazer elementos para a reflexão e compreensão do fenômeno transição de carreira no esporte, analisando os significados e características deste processo por meio das narrativas biográficas dos bicampeões mundiais Wlamir Marques, Amaury Pasos, Rosa Branca, Antônio Sucar, Carlos Massoni, Luiz Claudio Menon, Jatyr Schall, Waldyr Boccardo, Friedrich Fritz e Vitor Mirshawka. Analisadas a luz do modelo de adaptação humana à transição de Schlossberg e das considerações teóricas sobre a transição de carreira no esporte, as narrativas sugeriram que a saída do papel de atleta, bem como o processo de mudança para outras esferas da vida, foram experiências decisivamente marcadas pelo momento histórico ao qual os bicampeões pertenciam. Nos tempos de amadorismo o apoio financeiro à carreira atlética era escasso, condição que requereu dos atletas a adoção de uma estratégia de gestão de carreira atlética que conjugasse prática esportiva com formação acadêmica e emprego remunerado. Esse trânsito contínuo entre carreira atlética e outros interesses estreitou a relação dos bicampeões com a vida cotidiana de maneira que seus términos e transições de carreira puderam ocorrer sem maiores dificuldades. As situações estruturantes dessa qualidade de transição caracterizam-se pela concorrência de atividades determinando a tomada de decisão pela priorização de interesses; pela possibilidade de mover-se para dentro ou dar continuidade à vida profissional dentro do contexto esportivo como professor, técnico ou gestor; pela possibilidade de realização em outras esferas da vida, e, por fim, pela presença de sistemas de suporte informais (família e amigos). As narrativas biográficas alertaram ainda para a dificuldade enfrentada pelos bicampeões no que se refere à conciliação da carreira atlética com a vida para além do esporte, bem como para a ausência de sistemas de suporte formais (apoio institucional, especializado, previdência social para atletas) para a transição e vida pós-atleta / They played leading roles in the heyday of Brazilian basketball in the 50s and 60s. They represented the country triumphantly in a range of competitions, the most emblematic of their achievements being victories at the world championships in 1959 and 1963, and the Olympic bronze medals in 1960 and 1964. But although they enjoyed a certain level of notoriety as a result of these achievements, they weren\'t exempt from the implications of being amateur sportsmen. The athletic career as a profession was still a distant reality for them, and in order to be legitimate, their dedication to the sport had to be overwhelmingly voluntary and unpaid. These and other aspects decisively influenced both the way in which the two-time basketball champions managed their careers, and how they went through transitions, respectively. The objective of this research was to provide elements for the reflection and understanding of the phenomenon of career transition in sport, analyzing the significance and characteristics of this process through the narrative biographies of the two-time world champions Wlamir Marques, Amaury Pasos, Rosa Branca, Antônio Sucar, Carlos Massoni, Luiz Claudio Menon, Jatyr Schall, Waldyr Boccardo, Friedrich Fritz and Vitor Mirshawka. Analyzed in the light of Schlossberg\'s model of human adaptation and transition, and the theoretical reflections on career transition in sport, the narratives suggested that withdrawal from the role of an athlete, as well as the process of shifting to other spheres of life, were experiences decisively marked by the historical moment to which the two-time champions belonged. In this period where sport was an amateur affair, financial support for their athletic careers was scarce, a condition which required the athletes to adopt a strategy for managing their career which would unite sport training with education and gainful employment. This continuous compromise between athletic career and other interests gave the two-time champions such a close relationship with everyday life that the terminations and transitions of their careers were able to occur without great difficulties. The situations that give rise to this aspect of the transition are characterized by a multitude of activities making it necessary to prioritize interests; by the possibility of staying within or continuing with professional life within a sporting context as an instructor, coach or manager; by the possibility of success in other spheres of life, and, lastly, by the presence of informal support systems (family and friends). The narrative biographies brought further to light the difficulty faced by the two-time champions with regard to the reconciliation of their athletic careers with the world outside of sport, as well as the absence of formal support systems (institutional, specialized support, welfare for athletes) for the transition and life after sport

The purpose of this dissertation was to evaluate the stability of strength asymmetry over a long-term period (1 year) and investigate the relationship of strength asymmetry to field test performance asymmetry in NCAA division-1 athletes. Isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) peak force asymmetry, ground contact time and finish time asymmetries on 10m sprint and 505 agility test performances were also observed. The impact of strength was also investigated in these studies to determine its effect on the magnitude of asymmetry. In the second study, peak force asymmetry over a one-year period was observed to be a rather volatile quality, with ranges between 16% or 8%, depending on the formula used. Based on this finding, it is possible that there may be a “normal” range of asymmetry that an individual athlete exhibits that could be linked to training adaptations along with other factors. Based on simple observation, an individual tendency toward symmetry existed in certain athletes. This relationship may be useful to explore in future study.

This review article examines previous weightlifting literature and provides a rationale for the use of weightlifting pulling derivatives that eliminate the catch phase for athletes who are not competitive weightlifters. Practitioners should emphasize the completion of the triple extension movement during the second pull phase that is characteristic of weightlifting movements as this is likely to have the greatest transference to athletic performance that is dependent on hip, knee, and ankle extension. The clean pull, snatch pull, hang high pull, jump shrug, and mid-thigh pull are weightlifting pulling derivatives that can be used in the teaching progression of the full weightlifting movements and are thus less complex with regard to exercise technique. Previous literature suggests that the clean pull, snatch pull, hang high pull, jump shrug, and mid-thigh pull may provide a training stimulus that is as good as, if not better than, weightlifting movements that include the catch phase. Weightlifting pulling derivatives can be implemented throughout the training year, but an emphasis and de-emphasis should be used in order to meet the goals of particular training phases. When implementing weightlifting pulling derivatives, athletes must make a maximum effort, understand that pulling derivatives can be used for both technique work and building strength–power characteristics, and be coached with proper exercise technique. Future research should consider examining the effect of various loads on kinetic and kinematic characteristics of weightlifting pulling derivatives, training with full weightlifting movements as compared to training with weightlifting pulling derivatives, and how kinetic and kinematic variables vary between derivatives of the snatch.

The assessment of strength and power and the relationship of these measures to functional variables such as speed and vertical jump ability are understood poorly. This is particularly the case when dealing with a long-term preparation for a major event in a sport such as women's soccer. The results of this research suggest that a number of isoinertial speed strength measures may be sensitive to aspects of a training program and therefore be useful tools for determining the level of development of various underlying neuromuscular capacities. Further results provide a question mark about the role of maximum strength in the development of high velocity functional movements, as increases in maximum strength did not correlate to changes in measures of functional performance. An important finding from this research is the potential role of specific isoinertial speed strength parameters in the detection of neuromuscular fatigue. Time course analysis of the results in this study suggests that the use of these measures to detect fatigue warrants further investigation.

Einleitung: Vorliegende empirische Daten verdeutlichen, dass in der Fachwelt zwar weites gehend Einigkeit über die Wirkung des Mediums Wasser auf den Organismus in Ruhe (metabolisch und endokrin) besteht, aber differente Aussagen bei Immersion und Bewegung (hämodynamisch, metabolisch und endokrin) getroffen werden. Wie unterscheidet sich die physische Beanspruchung an Land und im Wasser? Gelten die allgemeingültigen Empfehlungen an Land zur Steuerung erwünschter Trainings- bzw. Belastungseffekte auch für aquale Bewegungs- und Trainingsformen? Ergebnisse und Diskussion: Die Herzfrequenz, der systolische Blutdruck und der Sauerstoffverbrauch waren in Ruhe (baseline) an der anaeroben Schwelle und während der Ausbelastung auf dem Land und im Wasser ähnlich. Der Respiratorische Quotient wurde gering reduziert, als die Probanden im Wasser trainierten. Die Glukose- und Laktatkonzentration wurden vermindert, wohingegen die freie Fettsäurekonzentration mit der Belastung im Wasser erhöht wurde. Wasserimmersion senkte die Adrenalin- und Noradrenalinkonzentration und erhöhte die vermehrte ANP-Produktion während der Belastung. Belastungsinduzierte Anstiege endokriner Parameter (Adrenalin und Noradrenalin) sind im Wasser geringer ausgeprägt als an Land. Hinsichtlich der Stoffwechselregulation konnte beobachtet werden, dass ANP eine Rolle bei der Regulation des Fettstoffwechsels spielt. Die Ergebnisse lassen vermuten, dass Belastungen im Wasser vor allem eine spezifische humorale und metabolische Antwort des Organismus entlocken. Belastungsinduzierte Anstiege endokriner Parameter (Katecholamine) im Wasser sind geringer ausgeprägt als an Land. Immersions- und Belastungseffekte scheinen teilweise konträre Reize zu sein. Es sind daher weiterhin experimentelle Untersuchungen notwendig, um die Regulationsmechanismen des Organismus zur Kompensation eines erhöhten venösen Rückstroms bei Immersion ohne und vor allem mit Bewegung zu klären. Auf Grund der geringen Unterschiede in der hämodynamischen Reaktion des Körpers bei vergleichbarer körperlicher Belastung Land vs. Wasser kann sich an den allgemeingültigen Empfehlungen an Land zur Steuerung erwünschter Trainings-bzw. Belastungseffekte auch für aquale Bewegungs- und Trainingsformen orientiert werden. / Introduction: The empirical data we have shows clearly that that there may be a large area of agreement among professionals on the effect of water as a medium on the organism at rest (metabolic and endocrinal), but different conclusions have been drawn about immersion and exercise (hemodynamic, metabolic and endocrinal). How does physical stress differ on dry land and in the water? Do the general recommendations on land apply to control of desired training or stress effects as well as for aquatic types of exercise and training? Results and discussion: The heart rate, systolic blood pressure and uptake of oxygen at rest (baseline) were similar at the anaerobic threshold and during a workout on land and in the water. The respiratory quotient was slightly reduced when the test subjects were training in the water. Their glucose and lactate concentration was lowered, whereas the free fatty acid concentration was raised during physical workload in the water. Water immersion lowered adrenalin and noradrenalin concentration and raised the increased production of ANP during workload. Load-induced increases in endocrinal parameters (adrenalin and noradrenalin) are less marked in water than on land. When it comes to regulating the metabolism, it was possible to observe that ANP plays a role in regulating lipid metabolism. The results suggest that workloads in water elicit especially a specific humoral and metabolic response from the organism. Load-induced increases of endocrinal parameters (catecholamines) in water are less marked than on land. Immersion and load effects appear to be partly contrary stimuli. For this reason, further experimental tests are required in order to clarify the organism’s regulatory mechanisms to compensate for increased venous back current when immersed without and especially with exercise. Because of the slight differences in the body’s hemodynamic response at comparable physical loads on land versus water, the generally accepted recommendations to control the desired training and physical workload effects on land can be used as the basis for aquatic types of exercise and training as well.

"Kinderwelt ist Bewegungswelt" (Schmidt, 1997, S. 156, zitiert nach Schmidt, Hartmann-Tews & Brettschneider, 2003, S. 31). Das kindliche Bewegungsverhalten hat sich bereits im Grundschulalter verändert, so dass sich Bewegungsaktivitäten von Kindern erheblich unterscheiden und keineswegs mehr verallgemeinert werden können. Richtet man den Fokus auf die Frage „Wie bewegt sind unsere Kinder?“ so scheint diese von den Medien bereits beantwortet zu sein, da dort von ansteigendem Bewegungsmangel der heutigen Kinder gegenüber früheren Generationen berichtet wird. Wenn es in den Diskussionen um den Gesundheitszustand unserer Kinder geht, nimmt die körperlich-sportliche Aktivität eine entscheidende Rolle ein. Bewegungsmangel ist hierbei ein zentraler Begriff der in der Öffentlichkeit diskutiert wird. Bei der Betrachtung der einzelnen Studien fällt auf, dass deutliche Defizite in der Messung der körperlich-sportlichen Aktivität bestehen. Zentraler Kritikpunkt in den meisten Studien ist die subjektive Erfassung der körperlich-sportlichen Aktivität. Ein Großteil bisheriger Untersuchungen zum Bewegungsverhalten basiert auf Beobachtungen, Befragungen oder Bewegungstagebüchern. Diese liefern ausschließlich zum Teil subjektive Einschätzungen der Kinder oder Eltern über die tatsächliche Bewegungszeit und -intensität. Das objektive Erfassen der Aktivität bzw. Inaktivität ist zwar seit einigen Jahren zentraler Gegenstand vieler Studien, dennoch gilt es, dieses noch sachkundiger zu lösen, um subjektive und objektive Daten zu vergleichen. Um dem Bewegungsmangel der heutigen Kinder entgegenzuwirken, sind empirisch abgesicherte Erkenntnisse über die Bedingungsfaktoren und die Folgen des veränderten Bewegungsverhaltens dringend nötig. Die Quer- und Längsschnittuntersuchung umfasst die Bereiche Anthropometrie, die Erfassung der körperlich-sportlichen Aktivität und die Herzfrequenzmessung über 24h. Für die Studie konnten 106 Jungen und Mädchen im Zeitraum von Januar 2007 bis April 2009 rekrutiert und überprüft werden. Die physiologischen Parameter wurden mit Hilfe des ACTIHEART-Messsytems aufgezeichnet und berechnet. Die Ergebnisse zur körperlich-sportlichen Aktivität wurden in die Untersuchungsabschnitte Schulzeit gesamt, Pause, Sportunterricht, Nachmittag und 24h unterteilt. Durch das Messsystem werden die Bewegungsaktivität und die Herzfrequenz synchron aufgezeichnet. Das System nimmt die Beschleunigungswerte des Körpers auf und speichert sie im frei wählbaren Zeitintervall, Short oder Long Term, in Form von „activity counts“ ab. Das Messsytem berechnet weiterhin die Intensität körperlicher Aktivität. / "Children's World is the world movement" (Schmidt, 1997, p. 156, quoted by Schmidt, Hartmann-Tews & Brettschneider, 2003, p. 31). The child's physical activity has changed already in elementary school, so that physical activity of children vary considerably and can not be more generalized. If we turn our focus to the question "What moves are our children?" So this seems to have been answered by the media, because there is increasing lack of physical activity reported by today's children from previous generations. When it comes to discussions about the health of our children, taking the physical and sporting activity plays a decisive role. Lack of exercise is a key term here is in the public's debate. When examining the individual studies is striking that significant deficiencies exist in the measurement of physical and sporting activity. The central point of criticism in most studies is the subjective detection of physical and sporting activity. A majority of previous studies on physical activity based on observations, interviews, or movement diaries. These provide only partly subjective assessments of the children or parents about the actual movement of time and intensity. The objective recording of activity or inactivity, although in recent years, the central subject of many studies, yet it is true, this knowledgeable yet to be resolved in order to compare subjective and objective data. To counteract the lack of movement of today's children, empirically based insights into the determinants and consequences of changes in physical activity are urgently needed. The cross-sectional and longitudinal study covers the areas of anthropometry, the collection of physical and sporting activity and heart rate measured over 24 hours. For the study, 106 boys and girls in the period January 2007 to April 2009 are being recruited and examined. The physiological parameters were recorded using the ACTIHEART-measuring systems and calculated. The results for physical and sporting activity were divided into the total school study sections, breaks, physical education, and 24 afternoon. By the measurement system's physical activity and heart rate recorded synchronously. The system records the acceleration of the body and stores it in the selected time interval, from Short or Long Term, in the form of "activity counts". The measurement system calculates the intensity of physical activity continue.

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effect of mindfulness and task-relevant attentional focus on running performance. WKU psychology undergraduate students were assigned to one of two conditions: task-relevant attentional focus experimental training and no training control. Participants in the experimental condition received training designed to optimize the use of attentional focus strategies in a running context. Trait level mindfulness was examined as a covariate. Participants were compared on two mile run times and the use of attentional focus strategies. Differences were expected to reveal the effectiveness of the training by showing faster running times in the experimental group, and higher use of task-relevant attentional focus strategies. Only higher use of task-relevant attentional focus strategies, specifically focus on bodily sensation was supported by the data. Explanations of the results as well as exploratory analyses are provided in addition to suggestions for future research.

This study examines the effect of stratification on graduation at Western Kentucky University, a master’s level regional Division I Football Bowl Subdivision university in the South. The study begins by examining the historical basis of stratification in sport and higher education, and hypothesizes that becoming an intercollegiate athlete can eliminate the effect of being African American on graduation, which is generally negative and can be seen in lower graduation rates for African Americans compared to other populations. Using a data set that included 18,966 students, logistic regression was used to assess: 1) the effect of race on sport profile and 2) the effect of race and athletic status on graduation, controlling for sex, high school GPA, pre-collegiate standardized test scores, and department of academic major. Results indicate that African American students have 771 percent greater odds of participating in high profile sports compared to low profile sports, which supports the literature that sport is stratified in such a way that African Americans are more likely to bear a disproportionate load in revenue-producing sports. Even so, when interacting sport profile, athlete, and race, the penalty on graduation for being African American is eliminated, and African American athletes have the same odds of graduating as white non-athletes.