The purpose of this study was to determine if a firefighter's fundamental movement patterns can act as predictors for occupational injury and performance during the firefighter academy training. The study consisted of 23 firefighter candidates entering the 16-week firefighter academy training. The firefighter candidates', VO2Max, 1.5 mile-run and Firefighter Physical Conditioning Course and movement patterns were assessed at the on-set of the 16-week training. The firefighter movement patterns were assessed utilizing the Functional Movement Screen, which was designed to identify flaws in fundamental movement patterns. The firefighter candidates were then observed and their injuries documented during the firefighter academy training. The injury results as well as the initial performance tests were then compared to the results obtained by the Functional Movement Screen. There were no significant findings when comparing the Functional Movement Screen to the performance tests. The only significant correlation was with the Functional Movement Screen asymmetry score and the Firefighter Physical Conditioning Course. The relationship between the injuries recorded and Functional Movement Screen scores were inconclusive. The results of this study were unable to determine if a movement-based assessment such as the Functional Movement Screen can be utilized as an injury or performance predictor tool. The findings determined that further research needs to be performed with efforts placed on larger population groups and more emphasis placed on the scoring and analysis criteria used by the movement-based assessment. / Ph. D.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Swiss ball training on (1) knee joint reposition sense (knee proprioception), (2) core muscle strength and (3) dynamic balance in sedentary collegiate students. In this thesis, two different participant groups and two different training methods were used. In order to evaluate the effect of Swiss ball training on knee proprioception and core strength, 3 days per week training was conducted throughout 10 weeks (Study 1). In order to evaluate the effect of Swiss ball training on dynamic balance, 2 days per week training was conducted throughout 10 weeks (Study 2). 60 sedentary university students participated in Study 1. 47 sedentary university students participated in Study 2. The results of the study indicated that Swiss ball training has significant effect on knee proprioception and core muscle strength. For dynamic balance, at the end of the 10-week Swiss ball training, in both groups (Swiss ball and control), dynamic balance scores were improved significantly. Therefore, effect of the Swiss ball training on dynamic balance could not be determined. As a conclusion, an instability training program using Swiss balls with body weight as resistance can provide prolonged improvements in joint proprioception and core strength which would contribute to general health and performance.

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Bakgrund: I dagens längdskidåkning har stakningen utvecklats till att bli en avgörande komponent till att prestera framgångsrikt, framförallt inom sprintåkningen där de höga hastigheterna ställer stora krav på överkroppsstyrka. Bålens styrka bör därför testas för att planera och utvärdera träning vilket endast sker genom statiska och uthållighetbaserade övningar som inte är speciellt idrottsspecifika. Ett isokinetiskt bålstyrkettest för elitskidåkare saknas i dagsläget men med Biodex System 3 är det möjligt att utveckla. Syftet med studien var att ta fram ett testprotokoll för isokinetisk bålstyrka i Biodex och analysera sambandet mellan isokinetisk, isometrisk och explosiv bålstyrka samt ställa resultatet mot FIS-punkter i sprint. Metod: Elva elitskidåkare deltog i studien där de efter ett testbatteri med explosiva och statiska styrketester genomförde ett isokinetiskt bålstyrketest i Biodex. I testet skulle forskningspersonerna fastspända i sittande position producera maximal koncentrisk kraft i 50-90° höftflexion under sex repetitioner under en standardiserad hastighet på 60° per sekund. Datat analyserades med Spearmans korrelationskoefficient (r) och signifikansvärdet var: p <0,05.  Resultat: Ett starkt positivt samband (r=0,79, p <0,05) fanns mellan det isokinetiska bålstyrketestet (Biodexₘₐₓ) och det isometriska bålstyrketestet (Isobålₘₐₓ). För de manliga åkarna påvisades ett starkt positivt samband mellan Biodexₘₐₓ och FIS-punkter i sprint (r=0.89, p<0.05) samt Biodexₘₐₓ och vikt (r=0,92 p <0,05). Inga fler statistiskt signifikanta samband kunde påvisas. Konklusion: Studien visar att det finns ett tydligt samband mellan Biodexₘₐₓ och Isobålₘₐₓ samt Biodexₘₐₓ och vikt bland män. Ingen signifikant koppling mellan Biodexₘₐₓ och bollkastet samt Biodexₘₐₓ och längd bland män kunde hittas. Sambandet mellan Biodexₘₐₓ och FIS-punkter i sprint bland män visar att högt resultat i biodextestet tyder på sämre prestationsförmåga i sprint. Inga stora slutsatser kan dras från resultatet på grund av för lågt deltagarantal. Däremot kan isokinetisk bålstyrka nu testas i Biodex och bidra till framtida forskning. / Backgrund: Double poling has developed into a crucial component for cross country skiing performance, especially in sprint where high velocities place great demands on upper body strength. Core strength should therefore be tested to evaluate training which only occurs through static and endurance-based exercises that are not particularly sports-specific. An isokinetic core strength test for elite skiers is currently not available but the Biodex System 3 makes it possible to develop. The purpose of the present study was to develop a protocol for isokinetic core strength and analyze the relationship between isokinetic, isometric and explosive core strength and also compare the result to FIS-points in sprint.  Method: Eleven cross country skiers participated in the study where they after a set of explosive and static tests completed an isokinetic core strength test in the Biodex. The subjects were strapped to the Biodex into a sitting position where they produced maximum concentric force in 50-90° hip flexion during six repetitions at a standardized speed of 60° per second. The data was analysed with Spearman korrelationskoeffizient (r) och the level of significance was: p <0,05. Result: A strong positive relationship (r=0,79, p <0,05) was found between the isokinetic core strength test (Biodexₘₐₓ) and the isometric core strength test (Isobålₘₐₓ). For male skiers a strong positive relationship was found between Biodexₘₐₓ and FIS-point in sprint (r=0.89, p<0.05) and Biodexₘₐₓ and weight (r=0,92 p <0,05). No more statistically significant results were observed. Conclusion: This study shows a strong relationship between Biodexₘₐₓ against Isobålₘₐₓ and Biodexₘₐₓ and weight among men. No statistically significant connection was found between Biodexₘₐₓ and the ball throw and Biodexₘₐₓ and length among men. The relationship between Biodexₘₐₓ and FIS-points in sprint among men indicates that high values in the Biodex means a decreased performance in sprint. No major conclusions can be made from the results due to the low numbers of participants. However, isokinetic core strength can now be tested in the Biodex and contribute to future recherch.