In golf, a range of shot types are necessary for successful performance, with driving and iron-play constituting the long-game. It is possible to vary long-game shots through altered trajectory, for example, by utilising right-to-left or left-to-right ball flight curvature, providing course management advantages. However, how golfers vary their biomechanics to achieve different trajectories is not scientifically understood. Therefore, the purpose of this thesis was to biomechanically investigate different trajectories hit with the same club. To investigate shot trajectories, accurate measures of performance were necessary. Launch monitors (TrackMan Pro IIIe and Foresight GC2+HMT) are bespoke technologies capable of tracking the clubhead and ball through impact. However, their accuracy for scientific research has not been independently validated. Therefore, a novel purpose-designed tracking method was developed using a three-dimensional optical tracking system (GOM). The accuracy of this method was validated and the system used as the benchmark to which the two launch monitors were compared through limits of agreement. The results showed, in general, the launch monitors were in closer agreement to the benchmark for ball parameters than clubhead. High levels of agreement were found for ball velocity, ball path, total spin rate and backspin. However, poorer agreement was shown for ball sidespin and spin axis as well as clubhead velocity, clubhead path and clubhead orientation. Consequently, the launch monitors were deemed unsuitable for inclusion in scientific research across a range of impact parameters. Draw and fade trajectories with a driver and draw, fade and low trajectories with a 5-iron were investigated biomechanically. The clubhead and ball were tracked using the optical method developed in this thesis. Key biomechanical variables (address position and whole-swing) were defined based on coaching theory. Statistically, analysis of variance (address) and principal components analysis (whole-swing), were used to compare draw against fade and low against natural trajectories. Multivariate correlation was used to identify swing pattern similarities between golfers. The group-level comparison showed draw-fade address differences whereby for draw trajectories, the ball was positioned further away from the target, the lead hand further towards the target and the pelvis, thorax and stance openness closed relative to the target line. Over the whole-swing, the draw when compared to the fade demonstrated a pelvis rotation, more rotated away from the target with later rotation; lumbar forward flexion, with slower extending in the downswing; lumbar lateral flexion, with more flexion towards the trail throughout and prolonged trail flexing through ball contact; thorax lateral flexion, with greater, slower lead flexing in the backswing and greater, more prolonged trail flexing in the downswing; pelvis translation further towards the target throughout, with earlier forward translation and centre of pressure, with an earlier, quicker, greater forward shift. Cluster differences were evident, with both Clusters I (57% of golfers with the driver) and II (71% of golfers with the 5-iron) showing greater, earlier thorax rotation towards the target and a tendency for greater lumbar forward flexion over the whole-swing (Cluster II) and backswing (Cluster I). For the group-level low-natural comparison, golfers positioned the ball further away from the target and their lead hand further towards the target for low trajectories. Further, Cluster IV (45% of golfers), narrowed their stance width and laterally flexed their thorax towards the lead, for the same trajectories. Over the whole-swing, the low when compared to the natural showed the pelvis translated towards the target throughout, with later, lesser forward shift for the low trajectories. Furthermore, centre of pressure displayed a greater forward shift for the same shots. Finally, both clusters (Cluster III 36% of golfers and Cluster IV) differed in lumbar forward flexion when playing low trajectories; over the backswing, Cluster III extended, whereas Cluster IV flexed. Cluster IV also showed greater extending in the downswing. Finally, Cluster IV showed more lumbar lateral flexion towards the lead throughout. The results of this study have implications for scientific researchers as well as golf coaches, club-fitters and professionals. Commercially available launch monitors appear accurate enough for coaching applications, however caution is needed for scientific research when tracking a range of clubhead and ball parameters. Furthermore, changes in biomechanics when playing different trajectories has implications for future research and interpretation of published work, as well as for coaching theory. Future work following this thesis could utilise the optical tracking method to validate further commercial systems and for more detailed experimental investigation of clubhead-ball impacts. Furthermore, additional biomechanical investigation into a wider range of shot trajectories across more variables could be conducted, with a more in-depth understanding gained from principal components analysis and golfer clustering.

The aim of this study was two-fold: 1) what the hammer throwing technique differences between sexes are and 2) what technique parameters help determine throw distance. The performances of the top 16 male and female throwers at the 2003 World Athletic Final and the top 13 male and female throwers from the 2003 USA Track and Field Nationals were examined. Video was captured using three Canon 60 Hz cameras. The best throws of each athlete were digitized and analyzed using the Peak Motus 8.2 motion analysis system. T-tests revealed that athlete mass, athlete height, velocity at release, timing components, and centripetal force were different between sexes. The separation between the shoulders and hips and between the shoulders and the hammer at particular positions during the throw, radius changes at certain phases of the throw, and generation of large centripetal forces helped determine throwing distance. Performance would be aided by working on the development of centripetal force, the magnitude of radius changes, the separation that occurs between the shoulders and hips, and the separation between the shoulders and hammer.

Objectives: Clinical implementation of 3D ultrasound (3D-US) in vascular surgery is in its infancy. The aim of this thesis was to develop novel clinical applications for 3D-US in the diagnosis and management of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Methods: Four principle clinical applications were investigated. 1) Intraoperative imaging – The ability of 3D-US to detect and classify endoleaks was compared with digital subtraction angiography in patients undergoing EVAR. 2) Detection and classification of endoleaks following endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) – The abilityof 3D-US to accurately detect and classify endoleaks following EVAR was compared to CTA and the final multi-disciplinary team decision. 3) AAA volume measurement – measurements using magnetic and optically-tracked 3D-US were compared to CTA. 4) Biomechanical analysis – the challenges of using 3D-US to generate surface models for biomechanical simulation was explored by development of an interactive segmentation technique and comparison of paired CT and 3D-US datasets. Optimal results were used in finite element analysis (FEA) and computational fluid dynamic(CFD) simulations. Results: 3D-US out-performed uniplanar angiography for the detection of endoleaks during EVAR. This approach allowed contrast-free EVAR to be performed in patients with poor renal function. 3D contrast-enhanced ultrasound was superior to CTA for endoleak detection and classification when compared with the final decision of the multi-disciplinary team. Optimal results for AAA volume measurements were gained using an optically tracked 3D-US system in EVAR surveillance. However, there remained a significant mean difference of 13.6ml between CT and 3D-US. Complete technical success of generating geometries for use in biomechanical analysis using 3D-US was only 5%. When the optimal results were used, a comparable CFD analysis under the conditions of steady, laminar and Newtonian flow was achieved. Using basic modelling assumptions in FEA, peak von Mises and principle wall stress was found to be at the same anatomical location on both the CT and 3D-US models but the 3D-US model overestimated the wall stress values by 41% and 51% respectively. Conclusions: 3D-US could be clinically implemented for intra-operative imaging and EVAR surveillance in specific cases. 3D-US volume measurement is feasible but future work should aim to improve accuracy and inter-observer reliability. Although the results of biomechanical analysis using the optimal results was encouraging and provided a proof-of-principal, there are a number of technical developments required to make this approach feasible in a larger number of patients.

The purpose of this study was to identificate, describe and compare biomechanical variables of the sprinting technique, in the phase of maximal velocity, on children whith diferent levels of technique. Other goal was to make an experiment to test the effect of a didatic proceeding destinated to improve the subject s mastery in this task. The subject sample comprised two groups, one composed by children without any kind of classes of sprint technique, named Debutantes and other with a minimal experience of six months in learning and training the sprinting technique, named Initiates. The average age was 144,49 months. A 3D Kinematic analysis video system (Peak Motus System) was used to collect the biomechanical parameters, at a frequence of 180 Hz. The study was developed in a cinder track in good conditions, in two stages, the first with subjects performing two trials running in maximal velocity within any information and the second when the subjects had run two trials permanently facing an object placed in front of the course s axis. In each situation it were choosed the best trial in image s quality, to collect data. Data processing consisted of the analysis of 20 biomechanical variables referents to one running stride. The spacial and temporal variables were normalised in order to compare with other studies. The main results shows that Initiates had a higher level of mastery in the initial trial and the analysis of the second trial showed an increase of this diference. Statistical analysis had nt shown significante differences for variables in the comparison inter-trials. However technical and qualitative differences were found that are importante in regarding the sportive dimension, since in sprint there was little difference between performers in competition. Keywords: sprint technique; biomechanical analysis ; sport initiation / Este estudo teve com um de seus objetivos descrever e comparar variáveis biomecânicas da corrida de velocidade, na fase de máxima velocidade, em crianças com distintos níveis de vivência nesta destreza motora. Outro objetivo do estudo foi efetuar um experimento no qual se testaria a resposta destas variáveis a um procedimento didático destinado a melhorar a técnica de corrida dos sujeitos. Foram constituídos dois grupos de sujeitos, com idade média de 144,49 meses, um sem prática sistemática desta atividade, denominado Debutantes, subdividido por gênero, com 7 sujeitos do sexo feminino e 7 do sexo masculino e outro com pelo menos seis meses de prática orientada para provas de velocidade, denominado Iniciados, dividido em dois subgrupos, com 4 sujeitos do sexo masculino e 4 do sexo feminino. As principais justificativas para este estudo são a ausência de dados biomecânicos em relação à corrida nesta faixa etária e a pouca atenção que é destinada a este tipo de informação nos textos que tratam da iniciação atlética em geral. A metodologia escolhida foi a videografia tridimensional, com uso de 4 câmeras de vídeo de alta velocidade (180 Hz), utilizando o método DLT de reconstrução tridimensional e o sistema de coleta e análise de imagens Peak Motus System. A coleta de dados foi efetuada em pista atlética com piso de carvão. O estudo foi desenvolvido em duas etapas, na primeira delas cada sujeito era filmado passando em máxima velocidade por um trecho onde foram gravadas imagens correspondentes a um ciclo de passada. Após, foram gravados mais dois ensaios, denominados ensaios pós-dica, nos quais os sujeitos deveriam correr com o olhar sempre orientado para um objeto colocado à frente do eixo da corrida, a uma altura de 1,45m. Foram digitalizadas e analisadas as imagens de um passo da corrida de um ensaio antes da dica e um após a dica, desde o contato de um membro inferior ao contato do membro oposto, passo este efetuado com a impulsão do membro dominante. As variáveis trabalhadas foram as seguintes: velocidade média do passo (VMP); frequência (FREQ); amplitude do deslocamento do centro de massa (ACM); oscilação vertical do centro de massa (OVCM); amplitude do deslocamento do centro de massa em suporte (ACMSU); amplitude do deslocamento aéreo do centro de massa (ACMAE); tempo do passo (TP); tempo da fase aérea (TFAE); tempo da fase de suporte (TFSU); tempo de bloqueio (TBLO); tempo de impulsão (TIMP); distância de contato (DCON); distância de impulsão (DIMP); ângulo de contato (ACON); ângulo de impulsão AIMP); ângulo do tronco com a vertical (ATRO); ângulo da coxa com a horizontal (ACOX); ângulo entre coxas (AECOX); ângulo do joelho no contato (AJC); ângulo do joelho na impulsão (AJI). Os dados foram analisados por estatística não-paramétrica, pelas variações percentuais das variáveis e através de ranqueamento. Foram normalizadas ou relativizadas todas as variáveis possíveis, de forma a possibilitar comparações com quaisquer outras populações, de faixas etárias, níveis e morfologia diversos. Os principais resultados mostraram que por ocasião do comportamento de entrada dos grupos houve superioridade técnica por parte do grupo Iniciados o que se acentuou no ensaio pós-dica. A análise estatística mostrou poucas variações significativas para as variáveis ao se comparar os ensaios pré e pós-dica. No entanto, procedendo-se a uma análise da variação percentual dos valores dos ensaios anteriores e posteriores à intervenção didática pode se encontrar em diversas variáveis mudanças que, apesar de não serem detectadas pela análise estatística, podem ser relevantes de um ponto de vista técnico-esportivo, em se tratando de provas que se decidem hoje em dia por centésimos de segundo.

Title: Analysis of the immediate effect of kinesiotaping on the upper limbs when landing into a press-up position when doing gymnastic aerobics Objectives: The aim of this diploma thesis is to find out if the use of the tape on the upper limbs changes the acceleration associated with the reaction inertial force of the arm, the angle in the elbow joint and wrist when landing into the press-up position, as well as subjective evaluation of probands. The hypothesis for the practical part is that the angles in the joints mentioned and the magnitude of the force with the applied tap change, which would result in better stabilization of the upper limbs in this element, as well as positive evaluation of the probands. Methods: The theoretical part deals with kinesiological-biomechanical description of upper limbs and the characteristics of gymnastic aerobics. Moreover, biomechanical analysis and kinesiotaping are described. The practical part is devoted to the measurement of landings into the press-up position  first without tape and then with tape. The tape is described in detail. The XSens MVN was used to record motion. Results: The results showed that kinesiotape had no effect on the angle of the elbow and wrist joints or shoulder joints when landing into the press-up position. However, a positive...

This project investigas humeral torsion and activity-related change in the human upper limb. Increased humeral torsion angles have been identified in the professional throwing athlete and may be associated with strenuous activity. The nature of humeral torsion as an osteogenic response to the strain environment is investigated to identify its role in the behavioural morphology of the upper limb. These physical manifestations of strenuous physical activity provide an insight into the make-up of medieval armies prior to the establishment of standing armies. Populations analysed include two blade-injured samples, Towton and a subsample of blade-injured men from the Priory of St. Andrew, Fishergate, York. The men from the Mary Rose, a Tudor warship are also investigated. Other samples analysed include the rural sites of Wharram Percy and Hickleton, the urban cemeteries from the Priory of St. Andrew, Fishergate,York and the leprosarium of Sts. James and Mary Magdalene, Chichester, the modern cadaver-based Terry collection and non-human primates, Gorilla sp., Pan sp., Pongo sp., and Macaca sp.. Measurement of the humeral torsion angle and external measurements and indices of architecture, articulations and robusticity are employed. Cross-sectional geometric properties are investigated using CT imaging of the paired humeri from a sub-sample of blade-injured individuals and a comparative sample of those who were not. Bilateral asymmetry is investigated to identify the role of plasticity within the humerus and to reveal aspects of limb dominance. The results are compared with non-human primate species to obtain insight into inter-species differences. Results indicate the humeral torsion is not ontogenetically constrained, but is highly variable between and within populations, individuals and even between sides. Biomechanical analyses indicate that in the Towton population, humeral torsion may serve as part of a two-stage adaptation, in which the architecture is modified to enable greater biomechanical efficiency in distributing strain, reducing the need of increased cortical thickness. Changes in humeral torsion related to strenuous activity have been identified, although in the blade-injured samples it is decreased torsion angles, w hile in the comparative sample it is increased torsion angles that significantly correlate with limb hypertrophy. Humeral torsion appears to be influenced by other measurementd of humeral architecture, specifically, the amount of anterior bowing and anterior curvature to the distal humeral shaft. This work demonstrates the need for individual rather than population-based analyses, as the heterogeneity within population samples obscures individual variation in activity patterns. This analysis provides baseline data for typical populations of the Middle Ages. From this, it is then possible to investigate the individual within this baseline, to identify those who stand out from their samples through habitual, strenuous activity patterns. Movement patterns identified related to warfare include those consistent with the use of the longbow in the Towton sample and the use of a sword in the Fishergate blade-injured sample. These men, and those of the Mary Rose, appear to have either been selected for combat based on size, or benefited from a more nutritious diet during growth.

In biomechanical analyses, the position of long bone cross-section under study is defined relatively to biomechanical length (BML) of the bone. In damaged bones where BML can not be measured, the position of the cross-section has to be estimated. Sládek et al. (2010) studied the effect of inaccurately located femoral and tibial midshafts on the cross-sectional parameters in a pooled-sex sample from a single period. In the present study we aim to test whether the effect of inaccurately located femoral and tibial midshafts on the cross-sectional parameters is sample-specific and/or sex-specific. We used femora of 29 females and 25 males and tibiae of 24 females and 36 males from two different periods (Late Eneolithic and Early Bronze Age; early modern period). 29 cross-section CT scans per bone obtained at each 1% interval from 40% to 60% of BML and at each 5% interval from 20-40% and 60-80% of BML were available to us. We digitized the cross-section scans and computed the error ranges of the cross-sectional parameters. We compared the mean percentage difference (MD%) and mean accuracy range (MAR) between samples and sexes. Our results are in concordance with the results of Sladek et al. (2010): the cross-sectional parameters most sensitive to positioning error are tibial second moments of area (MAR...

Les personnes vivant avec une lésion de la moelle épinière (LMÉ) dépendent de l'utilisation d'un fauteuil roulant (FR) pour les déplacements de la vie quotidienne. Une des activités, associée à l'utilisation du FR, la plus exigeante est le transfert latéral en position assise, nécessaire pour entrer et sortir du FR. Cette activité, de part sa sollicitation importante des membres supérieurs et les nombreuses répétitions, expose les personnes vivant avec une LMÉ à plusieurs risques de blessures, dont les troubles musculo-squelettiques (TMS) et le risque de chute. Ce travail de doctorat vise à évaluer l'exposition à ces risques, pendant le transfert latéral parallèle, et plus particulièrement, comment l'environnement peut influencer cette exposition. L'évaluation mise en place utilise des outils d'analyse de mouvement (système de capture de mouvement, plateformes de force et électromyographie) pour calculer les positions articulaires, les efforts externes et internes, les activations musculaires et les stratégies de contrôle postural mis en oeuvre pour la réalisation du transfert. Une analyse statistique des résultats est utilisée pour déterminer les différences apportées par l'utilisation et la hauteur d'un accoudoir. Les résultats sont synthétisés et combinés afin d'aboutir à une conclusion intégrative sur l'exposition aux risques de blessures durant les transferts, réalisés par les personnes vivant avec une LMÉ. / People living with spinal cord injury (SCI) depend on a wheelchair for daily life mobility. One of the most strenuous activities associated with wheelchair use is the performance of lateral sitting transfers, needed to get in and out of their wheelchair. Through the high demand on the upper extremities and many repetitions, this activity exposes people living with SCI to injury risks, between which the development of musculoskeletal disorders and traumatic lesions due to falls. This PhD thesis aims to evaluate the exposure to these risks during parallel lateral sitting transfers, and more in particular how the environment might influence this exposure. The evaluation realized uses instruments for human movement analysis (motion capture, force plates and electromyography) to calculate joint angles, external and internal mechanical efforts, muscular activation and postural control strategies used to perform transfers. A statistical analysis of the results determines the modifications induced by the use and the height of an armrest. The results are synthesized and combined to generate an integrative conclusion on the injury exposure risk during transfers realized by people living with SCI.

When performing a biomechanical analysis of human movement, knowledge about the ground reaction force (GRF) is necessary to compute forces and moments within joints. This is important when analysing a movement and its effect on the human body. To obtain knowledge about the GRF, the gold standard is to use force plates which directly measure all three components of the GRF (mediolateral, anteroposterior and normal). However, force plates are heavy, clunky and expensive, setting constraints on possible experimental setups, which make it desirable to exclude them and instead use a predictive method to obtain the full GRF. Several predictive methods exist. The node model is a GRF predictive method included in a musculoskeletal modeling software. The tool use motion capture and virtual actuators to predict all three GRF components. However, this model has not yet been validated during weighted leg press and weighted squat. Furthermore, the normal component of the GRF can be measured continuously during the activity with pressure sensitive insoles (PSIs), which might provide better accuracy of the GRF prediction. The objectives of this thesis were to investigate whether force plates can be exluded during weighted leg press and weighted squat and to investigate whether PSIs can improve the GRF prediction. To investigate this, the node model and a developed shear model was validated. The shear model computes the two shear GRF components based on data from PSIs, an external load acting upon the body and data from a motion capture system. Both the node model and the shear model were analysed with two test subjects performing two successive repetitions of both weighted squat and weighted leg press in a flywheel exercise device. During the leg press exercise, the node model had a mean coeffcient of correlation (Pearson's) ranging from 0.70 to 0.98 for all three directions with a mean root mean square error ranging between 8 % to 20 % of the test person's body weight. The developed shear model had a coeffcient of correlation (Pearson's) between 0.64 to 0.99 and a mean root mean square error between 3 % and 21 % of the test person's body weight. This indicates that it is possible to exclude force plates and instead predict the GRF during weighted leg press. During squat, neither the node model nor the shear model provided accurate results regarding the mediolateral and anteroposterior components of the GRF, suggesting that force plates can not yet be excluded to obtain the full GRF during weighted squat. The results of the normal component during leg press was somewhat improved with the shear model compared to the node model, indicating that using PSIs can improve the results to some extent.

This project investigas humeral torsion and activity-related change in the human upper limb. Increased humeral torsion angles have been identified in the professional throwing athlete and may be associated with strenuous activity. The nature of humeral torsion as an osteogenic response to the strain environment is investigated to identify its role in the behavioural morphology of the upper limb. These physical manifestations of strenuous physical activity provide an insight into the make-up of medieval armies prior to the establishment of standing armies. Populations analysed include two blade-injured samples, Towton and a subsample of blade-injured men from the Priory of St. Andrew, Fishergate, York. The men from the Mary Rose, a Tudor warship are also investigated. Other samples analysed include the rural sites of Wharram Percy and Hickleton, the urban cemeteries from the Priory of St. Andrew, Fishergate,York and the leprosarium of Sts. James and Mary Magdalene, Chichester, the modern cadaver-based Terry collection and non-human primates, Gorilla sp., Pan sp., Pongo sp., and Macaca sp.. Measurement of the humeral torsion angle and external measurements and indices of architecture, articulations and robusticity are employed. Cross-sectional geometric properties are investigated using CT imaging of the paired humeri from a sub-sample of blade-injured individuals and a comparative sample of those who were not. Bilateral asymmetry is investigated to identify the role of plasticity within the humerus and to reveal aspects of limb dominance. The results are compared with non-human primate species to obtain insight into inter-species differences. Results indicate the humeral torsion is not ontogenetically constrained, but is highly variable between and within populations, individuals and even between sides. Biomechanical analyses indicate that in the Towton population, humeral torsion may serve as part of a two-stage adaptation, in which the architecture is modified to enable greater biomechanical efficiency in distributing strain, reducing the need of increased cortical thickness. Changes in humeral torsion related to strenuous activity have been identified, although in the blade-injured samples it is decreased torsion angles, w hile in the comparative sample it is increased torsion angles that significantly correlate with limb hypertrophy. Humeral torsion appears to be influenced by other measurementd of humeral architecture, specifically, the amount of anterior bowing and anterior curvature to the distal humeral shaft. This work demonstrates the need for individual rather than population-based analyses, as the heterogeneity within population samples obscures individual variation in activity patterns. This analysis provides baseline data for typical populations of the Middle Ages. From this, it is then possible to investigate the individual within this baseline, to identify those who stand out from their samples through habitual, strenuous activity patterns. Movement patterns identified related to warfare include those consistent with the use of the longbow in the Towton sample and the use of a sword in the Fishergate blade-injured sample. These men, and those of the Mary Rose, appear to have either been selected for combat based on size, or benefited from a more nutritious diet during growth. / Arts and Humanities Research Board (AHRB), Francis Raymond Hudson Fund, Andy Jagger Fund.