Title: Analysis of running technique and efficiency when using Nike Air Zoom Alphafly shoes. Objectives: The main goal is to identify possible changes in selected physiological parameters and biomechanics of running when using Nike Air Zoom Alphafly shoes compared to standard running shoes. Methods: A 3D treadmill (H/P Cosmos Gaitway II S, Germany) was used in the analysis of running biomechanics. For the analysis of physiological parameters, the Metalyzer device was used within the spiroergometric examination of the run. The Borg scale was used to analyze the subjective assessment of the load. A paired T-test of Excel software was used to process the results. Results: The results of the work partially show a change in the biomechanics of running. A statistically significant difference was recorded at all speeds (15 km/h, 18 km/h, 21 km/h) in loading rate (p15 = 0,003; p18 = 0,000; p21 = 0,001) and time to impact peak (p15 = 0,017; p18 = 0,022; p21 = 0,003). At a speed of 15 km/h, an additional difference in running cadence (p = 0,044) was noted. The results show a statistically significant change in the economics of running all measured parameters, in oxygen intake converted to kilograms of weight (p = 0,003), minute ventilation (p = 0,000), respiratory rate (p = 0,000), respiratory coefficient (p...

Thesis title: Evaluation of Common Injuries and Determinants of Participation in the Programme of a Running Institution. Aim of the thesis: The aim of the research is to evaluate the most common injuries for women in an amateur running organization and their possible causes. The partial goal is to evaluate key determinansts of female runners' enrollment in the training courses. Methods used: The diploma thesis contains theoretical knowledge acquired from Czech and foreign literature. In the work, the method of questionnaire survey was used which covered female runners in a selected amateur running organization. In total, 106 questionnaires were evaluated using Microsoft Excel and its functions. Results: Out of the total of 106 female runners, 38 were injured, representing 35.8 %. The most common injury in a selected running organisation were ankle distortions (34.2%), further, painful lower leg syndrome (23.7%) and, in the 3rd place, muscle injuries (21.1 %). Among the most common causes of injuries was stepping wrong, as well as uneven surface or a significant increase in the running distance. The key determinants of female runners' enrollment in training courses included "compelling myself to regular running", improving physical condition, improving running technique and losing weight. Keywords:...

No description available.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the psychophysiological effects of exercise on measures of cardiovascular fitness, depression, self-esteem, and anxiety. The 1.5 mile run (Cooper, 1972) was used to determine changes in cardiovascular fitness. The Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale was used to measure varying levels of depression. The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale was used to measure self-esteem. The Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was used to measure state anxiety. An Electromyographic Assay and Digital Skin Temperature were performed on the Experimental and Corrective Therapy Groups in order to measure physiological concomitants of anxiety. A Body Composition Assay was performed in order to measure changes in body composition.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

In the long distance running community there is currently controversy as a result of the release of Advanced Footwear Technology (AFT) type of shoes. The AFT shoes with performance enhancing mechanical properties are currently used with great success. All of the current world records in long distance running have been set by athletes wearing the novel type of shoes. The new type of shoes have been shown to reduce energetic cost of running but the exact mechanisms of the reduced energetic cost are still unclear. In the research community several hypotheses of mechanisms and performance enhancing features exist. In this thesis the focus was on investigating the performance enhancing feature, energy return and the effect it has on the biomechanical variables, ground reaction force, joint moments and joint power.  For this thesis five male subelite to elite runners were recruited. The participants ran over two force platforms with a controlled running velocity while motion data was recorded with a marker based motion analysis system. The curves from the contact of the foot with the force platform were analysed with the motion analysis software, Visual 3D and the SPM1D statistical package in Matlab.  The results suggest that energy return properties of AFT shoes do affect lower extremity loading. Significant differences in the biomechanical variables GRF, ankle moment and ankle power were seen between high energy return shoes and low energy return shoes. In addition the number of significantly different intervals show a tendency of a pattern, where shoes share the largest amount of significantly different intervals with shoes that are furthest away on the energy return list. However, shoe #4 did not behave according to the energy return ranking. This means that a sole dependency on energy return characteristics was not found.    The knowledge gained from this thesis does not reduce the controversy surrounding the shoes. It does however establish a base for further research in the area of AFT. From that base, further research could create a solid scientific understanding of the shoes, which can be used to justify regulation changes. Regulations with a solid scientific backing would reduce the controversy. / Inom långdistanslöpning finns det för närvarande en kontrovers till följd av lanseringen av skor av typen Advanced Footwear Technology. Advanced Footwear Technology-skor med prestandaförbättrande mekaniska egenskaper används för närvarande med stor framgång. Alla nuvarande världsrekord i långdistanslöpning har satts av idrottare som bär den nya typen av skor. Det har visat sig att den nya typen av skor minskar den energetiska kostnaden för löpning, men de exakta mekanismerna för den minskade energetiska kostnaden är fortfarande oklara. Inom forskarvärlden finns flera hypoteser om mekanismer och prestationshöjande egenskaper. I den här uppsatsen låg fokus på att undersöka den prestationshöjande egenskapen, energiåtergivning, och vilken effekt den har på de biomekaniska variablerna markreaktionskraft, ledmoment och ledeffekt.  För denna uppsats rekryterades fem manliga subelit- till elitlöpare. Deltagarna sprang över två kraftplattformar med en kontrollerad löphastighet medan rörelsedata registrerades med ett markörbaserat rörelseanalyssystem. Kurvorna från fotens kontakt med kraftplattformen analyserades med rörelseanalys-programmet Visual 3D och statistikpaketet SPM1D i Matlab.  Resultaten tyder på att AFT-skor har egenskaper som ger energiåtergivning och som påverkar belastningen på nedre extremiteterna. Signifikanta skillnader i de biomekaniska variablerna GRF, fotledsmoment och fotledskraft sågs i resultaten. Dessutom visar antalet signifikant olika intervall en tendens till ett mönster, där skor delar det största antalet signifikant olika intervall med skor som ligger längst bort på listan över energiåtergivning. Sko #4 uppförde sig dock inte i enlighet med rangordningen för energiåtergivning. Detta innebär att man inte har funnit något beroende av egenskaperna för energiåtervändning.    Den kunskap som erhållits genom denna uppsats minskar inte kontroverserna kring skorna. Den skapar dock en grund för ytterligare forskning inom området Advanced Footwear Technology. Utifrån denna grund kan ytterligare forskning skapa en solid vetenskaplig förståelse för skorna, som kan användas för att motivera ändringar av regler. Ett regelverk med ett gediget vetenskapligt stöd skulle minska kontroverserna.

Research has shown that riding a motorcycle can potentially be much more dangerous than operating a conventional vehicle. There are factors inherent in driving or riding a small two wheeled vehicle, such as a motorcycle, moped or even bicycle that can potentially decrease their ability to be seen or noticed by other drivers. This disadvantage is reflected in the disproportionate over-representation of injuries and/or fatalities incurred by this particular driving group. This creates a significant problem which deserves dedicated evaluation as to causative factors and/or influential variables. The following research was conducted with intentions to investigate the topic of motorcycle conspicuity so as to further explain the variables which positively contribute to a motorcycle being seen and to supplement the body of knowledge that currently exists on this topic. This study specifically evaluated the influence of sex, age, motorcycle lighting conditions, and vehicular daytime running lights upon one's ability to effectively detect a motorcycle within a "high fidelity" simulated environment. This research additionally sought to examine the feasibility and validity of using a novel fixed base "high fidelity" simulator for the evaluation of motorcycle conspicuity. The results from this research clearly indicate a link between vehicular DRLs and the effective detection of motorcycles and also support previous research as to the effectiveness of motorcycle DRLs. Additionally, these results suggest that as one ages, certain degradations in vision, cognition, and physiology occur which decrease one's performance in detecting and responding to a motorcycle. These findings additionally provide support for the use of a "high definition" fixed base simulator as a valid technology for the evaluation of motorcycle conspicuity.