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Thesis (MMBK.)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of a six-week lateral movement training programme on selected physiological variables in netball players. Calf and thigh girth measurements, mass, body fat percentage, lateral agility, lateral flexibility, dynamic balance, heart rate and isokinetic concentric and eccentric quadriceps, hamstring, abductor and adductor muscle strength, were measured. A pre-recorded, six-week slide board training programme was followed in order to: increase calf and thigh girth measurements, decrease mass, decrease body fat percentage, increase lateral agility, increase lateral flexibility, better dynamic balance, meet the prescribed guidelines in terms of heart rate and increase the isokinetic muscle strength. The subjects (n=23) were between the ages of 18-23 years. They either played netball for the 1st or 2nd netball teams of the Maties Netball Club, or for the 1st or 2nd netball teams of the residence Nerina. They entered the study voluntarily. All of the subjects participated in the pre- and posttests. Fourteen subjects completed the six-week lateral movement training programme. Various significant differences (p < 0.05) were found between the pre- and post-test measurements: a significant decrease in body fat percentage, an increase in lateral agility, a decrease in mass, an increase in dynamic balance, an increase in concentric and eccentric abductor and adductor muscle strength, as well as an appropriate aerobic heart rate response. It was concluded that the lateral movement training programme proved to be beneficial to netball players at any level of fitness and participation. The programme provided an excellent aerobic workout, with either improvement or maintenance of the selected variables. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van die studie was om ondersoek in te stel na die invloed van In ses-weeklange laterale bewegingsoefenprogram op geselekteerde fisiologiese veranderlikes in netbal speelsters. Kuit- en bobeenomtrekmates, massa, liggaamsvetpersentasie, laterale ratsheid, laterale lenigheid, dinamiese balans, harttempo en isokinetiese konsentriese en eksentriese quadriceps-, hampeus-, abduktor- en adduktorspierkrag, is gemeet. In Vooraf opgestelde, ses-weeklange laterale oefenprogram is gevolg om: die kuit- en bobeenomtrekmates te vergroot, die massa te verminder, die liggaamsvetpersentasie te verlaag, die verbetering van laterale ratsheid, laterale lenigheid en dinamiese balans te bewerkstellig, die voorgestelde riglyne in terme van harttempo te handhaaf en om isokinetiese spierkrag te vermeerder. Die proefpersone (n=23) was tussen 18-23 jaar oud. Die proefpersone het óf vir die 1ste of 2de netbalspanne van die Maties Netbalklub gespeel, óf vir die 1ste of 2de netbal spanne van die koshuis Nerina. Hulle deelname was volkome vrywillig. Al die proefpersone het aan die pre- en post-toetse deelgeneem. Veertien proefpersone het die ses-weeklange laterale bewegingsoefenprogram voltooi. Verskeie beduidende verskille (p < 0.05) tussen die pre- en post-toetse is gevind: 'n beduidende afname in liggaamsvetpersentasie, In toename in laterale ratsheid, In afname in massa, In toename in dinamiese balans, In toename in konsentriese en eksentriese abduktor- en adduktorspierkrag, asook In ooreenstemmende harttempo reaksie. Daar is tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat die laterale bewegingsoefenprogram tot voordeel strek van netbalspeelsters op enige vlak van fiksheid en deelname. Die program bied In goeie aërobiese komponent met óf die verbetering, óf die handhawing van die geselekteerde veranderlikes.

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Postural set and body image are described as two interactive components of a dancer's expressive skills as a performing artist. The ways in which these components interact are influenced by numerous factors, including the dancer's physique, the environment in which movement is learned and practiced, the aesthetic requirements of particular dance techniques, and the kinds of body images the dancer has created or is in the process of creating. Postural set refers to a habitual, bipedal position of the body that is recognized by the central nervous system as an established motor response. Body image is defined as the summary notion, at any given moment, of one's body proportions and properties. Postural set and body image are functionally interrelated on psychological and physical levels, and both contribute to the experience of the body as a sensing, moving, and emotional entity.

Dynamical systems theory represents a prominent theoretical framework for the investigation of movement coordination and control in complex neurobiological systems. Central to this theory is the investigation of pattern formation in biological movement through application of tools from nonlinear dynamics. Movement patterns are regarded as attractors and changes in movement coordination can be described as phase transitions. Phase transitions typically exhibit certain key indicators like critical fluctuations, critical slowing down and hysteresis, which enable the formulation of hypotheses and experimental testing. An extensive body of literature exists which tested these characteristics and robustly supports the tenets of dynamical systems theory in the movement sciences. However, the majority of studies have tended to use a limited range of movement models for experimentation, mainly bimanual rhythmical movements, and at present it is not clear to what extent the results can be transferred to other domains such as discrete movements and/or multi-articular actions. The present work investigated coordination and control of discrete, multi-articular actions as exemplified by a movement model from the sports domain: the basketball hook shot. Accordingly, the aims of the research programme were three-fold. First, identification of an appropriate movement model. Second, development of an analytical apparatus to enable the application of dynamical systems theory to new movement models. Third, to relate key principles of dynamical systems theory to investigations of this new movement model. A summary of four related studies that were undertaken is as follows: 1. Based on a biomechanical analysis, the kinematics of the basketball hook shot in four participants of different skill levels were investigated. Participants were asked to throw from different shooting distances, which were varied in a systematic manner between 2m and 9m in two different conditions (with and without a defender present). There was a common significant trend for increasing throwing velocity paired with increasing wrist trajectory radii as shooting distance increased. Continuous angle kinematics showed high levels of inter- and intra-individual variability particularly related to throwing distance. Comparison of the kinematics when throwing with and without a defender present indicated differences for a novice performer, but not for more skilled individuals. In summary, the basketball hook shot is a suitable movement model for investigating the application of dynamical systems theory to a discrete, multi-articular movement model where throwing distance resembles a candidate control parameter. 2. Experimentation under the dynamical systems theoretical paradigm usually entails the systematic variation of a candidate control parameter in a scaling procedure. However there is no consensus regarding a suitable analysis procedure for discrete, multiarticular actions. Extending upon previous approaches, a cluster analysis method was developed which made the systematic identification of different movement patterns possible. The validity of the analysis method was demonstrated using distinct movement models: 1) bimanual, wrist movement, 2) three different basketball shots, 3) a basketball hook shot scaling experiment. In study 1, the results obtained from the cluster analysis approach matched results obtained by a traditional analysis using discrete relative phase. In study 2, the results from the method matched the a-priori known distinction into three different basketball techniques. Study 3 was designed specifically to facilitate a bimodal throwing pattern due to laboratory restrictions in throwing height. The cluster analysis again was able to identify the a-priori known distribution. Additionally, a hysteresis effect for throwing distance was identified further strengthening the validity of the chosen movement model. 3. Using eight participants, hook shot throwing distance was varied between 2m and 9m in both directions. Some distinct inter-individual differences were found in regards to movement patterning. For two subjects clear transitions between qualitatively distinct different patterns could be established. However, no qualitative differences were apparent for the remaining participants where it was suggested that a single movement pattern was continually scaled according to the throwing distance. The data supported the concept of degeneracy in that once additional movement degrees of freedom are made available these can be exploited by actors. The underlying attractor dynamics for the basketball hook shot were quite distinct from the bistable regime typically observed in rhythmical bimanual movement models. 4. To provide further evidence in support of the view that observed changes in movement patterning during a hook shot represented a phase transition, a perturbation experiment with five participants was performed. Throwing distance was once again varied in a scaling manner between 2m and 9m. The participants wore a wristband which could be attached to a weight which served as a mechanical perturbation to the throwing movement. Investigation of relaxation time-scales did not provide any evidence for critical slowing down. The movements showed high variation between all subsequent trials and no systematic variation in relation to either the mechanical perturbation or the successive jumps in throwing distance was indicated by the data. In summary, the results of the research programme highlighted some important differences between discrete multi-articular and bimanual rhythmical movement models. Based on these differences many of the findings ubiquitous in the domain of rhythmical movements may be specific to these and accordingly may not be readily generalized to movement models from other domains. This highlights the need for more research focussing on various movement models in order to broaden the scope of the dynamical systems framework and enhance further insight into movement coordination and control in complex neurobiological systems.

Despite dramatic changes in tennis equipment and technique, more than 30% of recreational tennis players suffer from lateral elbow pain ("tennis elbow"). Certain kinematic and electromyographic characteristics in backhand strokes have been implicated as major factors responsible for lateral elbow pain. From a local tennis club, 22 recreational players who were rated 3.0 to 5.0 skill level (intermediate to advanced) by United States Tennis Association criteria participated in this study. Either one-handed or two-handed backhand ground stroke techniques were used by the subjects according to their preference. Half of the subjects for each technique had lateral elbow pain related to playing tennis. Four groups (one-handed and two-handed technique with and without elbow pain) were analyzed in terms of kinematic and electromyographic characteristics. A three-dimensional kinematic analysis was performed using data obtained with 60 Hz videography. Electromyographic data were collected using a telemetered electromyography (EMG) system at 100 Hz through surface electrodes. / Graduation date: 1997

Thesis (M.S.)--Rutgers University, 2009. / "Graduate Program in Biomedical Engineering." Includes bibliographical references (p. 44-45).

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2010. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 72-74). Also available on the World Wide Web.

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