Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2011. / Background: As Kinesio® tape may increase range of motion, facilitate muscle function, enhance circulation, and normalize muscle length/tension ratios creating optimal force, use of this athletic tape has gained popularity in various sporting disciplines. Cycling is a highly competitive sport that continually seeks ways of improving performance. There are, however, no controlled, published studies examining the effects of Kinesio® tape on a cyclist‟s performance. Objectives: To determine the participants‟ power output, bicycle speed, and cadence, quadriceps length/tension, and hip and knee flexion and extension range of motion in terms of the objective findings without the use of Kinesio® tape and then following the application of Kinesio® tape to the quadriceps muscles. To determine the participants‟ perception of a change in their power output, speed, and cadence post- intervention. Method: Forty asymptomatic trained amateur cyclists performed two 1.5 km time trials pre- and post- Kinesio® tape application. The pre- and post- intervention range of motion measurements and the average and maximum power output (watts), cadence (rpm), and speed (km/h) were measured using a universal goniometer and cycle ergometer respectively. The participants‟ perception of a change in power, cadence, and speed following the application of Kinesio® tape was also recorded. SPSS version 18 (SPSS Inc.) was used to analyse the data. Results: There was a significant decrease in maximum power (p = 0.007) post- intervention, but no significant differences in the average power, or average and maximum speed and cadence measurements. Range of motion measurements post- intervention showed a significant flexion (p < 0.021). The majority of the participants (60%) perceived an increase in power and speed post- intervention. Conclusions: There was a visual trend showing an increase in most of the power, speed, and cadence parameters assessed. The range of motion parameters revealed conflicting results and warrant further research

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy , Durban University of Technology, 2011. / The treatment with homoeopathic remedies, namely Phosphoricum acidum 200CH has proved to be effective in many clinical situations; however confirmation of its use within the sporting industry is limited. This study aimed to test Phosphoricum acidum 200CH efficacy in treating highly trained cyclists. This study was a superiority trial, in which the homoeopathic intervention was hypothesized to be superior to the placebo control group, in a statistically significant way (p < 0.05). Aim This study aimed to test the use of Phosphoricum acidum 200CH in treating the adverse physiological and psychological symptoms induced by exercise on cyclists. The aim for treating these adverse symptoms, induced by exercise, is to enhance performance and recovery of cyclists. Performance and recovery were tracked by assessing blood lactate concentration, oxygen consumption rate, heart rate, peak power output and emotional status. Methodology The study was a randomized controlled clinical trial, parallel group design. Participants were selected using convenience sampling of male road and mountain bike cyclists in the Western Cape. This study followed an explanatory Randomized Controlled Trial test, where the efficacy of the homoeopathic remedy (Phosphoricum acidum 200CH) was under investigation. The participants were selected with great care and testing was completed under highly controlled conditions. Thirty competitive male cyclists volunteered for this study. All participants were required to complete two cycling power to exhaustion interval tests, consisting of a ten minute warm-up at 100 Watts, followed by a five minute constant load at 150 Watts. The purpose of the constant load was to test cycling economy (CE). Thereafter the workload was increased to 200 W for 30 seconds and then the workload was increased by 20 Watts every 30 seconds. The test continued until the participant could no longer maintain the set repetitions per minute for that workload. The peak power output attained iv was recorded. The first test served as a baseline, after which a single dose of Phosphoricum acidum 200CH or identical placebo was administered, a 30 minute recovery period allowed for the remedy to take effect. The test interval was then repeated, the second test results were then compared to the first baseline test to determine the effect of treatment. The study took many different aspects of the remedies action on the cyclists into account, including mental and physiological effects. Breath-by-breath gases were continuously recorded. Expired gases, volumes and air flow were sampled through a flow meter and gas sampling line and heart rate was measured through telemetry (Polar®, Polar Electro, Oy, Finland) and analyzed by a cardio-pulmonary metabolic system (Quark CPET ® Cosmed, Rome, Italy, 2009). Data recorded was filtered for values outside the normal ranges and averaged for every five seconds. Oxygen consumption (vO2 mL.min-1) and heart rate (bpm) at different stages of each test interval were recorded. More specifically oxygen consumption and heart rates were averaged over the 5 minute section following the warm-up to determine cycling economy, directly after exhaustion for one minute and two minutes following exhaustion for another one minute period. Maximum attained heart rate was recorded for each interval test. Maximum oxygen consumption (vO2Max Absolute) was calculated as the mean of the highest three values attained, this mean was then divided by the participants body mass to determine maximum aerobic capacity (vO2Max Relative). Blood lactate levels were tested before, 15 minutes into and directly after each interval, to assess resting lactate status, cycling economy and to determine maximum lactate accumulation. Psychological testing included mood analysis, using a Stellenbosch mood scale (STEMS) questionnaire and further symptoms were analyzed using a Numerical rating scale (NRS) with symptomatic questions. Results From the results, it was clearly apparent that the control group proved to be of a higher calibre when comparing performance variables of the two groups namely:  Higher peak power output  Higher vO2Max  Lower economy lactate v  Lower resting lactate Despite the treatment group being the weaker of the two groups, they showed improvement in performance after administration of the remedy. This improvement was manifest through physiological alteration in the second test. More exclusively is the acceptance of the hypothesis concerning heart rate and oxygen consumption, whereby results showed that the administration of Phosphoricum acidum 200CH decreased heart rate and submaximal oxygen consumption rates during performance and recovery. There was no observable psychological effect during this study. The results suggest that Phosphoricum acidum 200CH primary demonstrated physiological effects on the cyclists. The researcher believes that this is due to insufficient time given for psychological alterations. Conclusion The Phosphoricum acidum 200CH has proven to be effective in enhancing cycling economy, reducing maximum heart rate and enhancing recovery to a large degree for the first minute following exhaustion. These positive effects are of great importance as the treatment group was the weaker of the two groups. Resulting in the possibility of even larger results being observable in repeated studies where both groups have similar performance abilities.

Thesis (MSpor)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of plyometric exercise training on the aerobic and anaerobic capacities of well-trained cyclists. Twenty male competitive cyclists (age: 24 ± SD 5 years, height: 180 ± SD 6 cm and body mass: 77 ± SD 6 kg), including 12 mountain bikers and eight road cyclists were randomly divided into an experimental (n = 13) and a control group (n = 7). Testing included kinanthropometric measurements, vertical jump test, bench pull test, maximal aerobic capacity test, indoor 5-kilometer time trial (TT), anaerobic capacity test (30-second Wingate test) and an outdoor 4.4-kilometer time trial (field test). The plyometric training program had no statistically significant effect on the maximal aerobic capacity, anaerobic capacity, time trial performance (laboratory and field) and vertical jump performance of the experimental group. Selected outcome variables, i.e. VO2max, PPO and MP during the Wingate test and time to complete the laboratory TT, bordered on statistical significance. The experimental group significantly improved their upper body strength. There was also a strong correlation between the outdoor TT and upper body strength (r = 0.72). Although the plyometric training program did not significantly improve the performance of the cyclists, indications were that the experimental group improved their anaerobic power and upper body strength. One previous study in the literature suggested that the effects of a plyometric training program may only become evident a few weeks after completion of the program. It is therefore possible that the cyclists in this study would have experienced the benefits of plyometric training only later, i.e. closer to the competition season when the aim of their training program is to improve power and speed. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van die studie was om te bepaal wat die effek van pliometriese oefeninge is op die aërobiese en anaërobiese vermoëns van goed ingeoefende fietsryers. Twintig kompeterende mans fietsryers, (ouderdom: 24 ± SD 5 jaar, lengte: 180 ± SD 6 cm en gewig: 77 ± SD 6 kg), was ewekansig ingedeel in of ‘n eksperimentele (n = 13) of ‘n kontrole groep (n = 7). Die groep sluit twaalf bergfietsryers en agt padfietsryers in. Kinantropometriese metings, vertikale spronghoogte, ‘n bolyf kragtoets (“bench pull test”), ‘n maksimale aërobiese uithouvermoë toets, ‘n binneshuise 5-kilometer tydtoets (TT), ‘n anaërobiese kapasiteit toets (30-sekonde Wingate toets) en ‘n buitemuurse 4.4-kilometer tydtoets (veldtoets) was voltooi gedurende die toetsperiode. Die pliometriese oefenprogram het geen statisties betenisvolle effek op maksimale aërobiese kapasiteit, anaërobiese kapasiteit, tydtoets prestasie (laboratorium en veld) of op vertikale spronghoogte van die eksperimentele groep gehad nie. Spesifieke uitkomsveranderlikes, soos VO2maks, piek en gemiddelde kraguitset gedurende die Wingate toets, en die tyd wat dit geneem het om die laboratorium tydtoets te voltooi, het gegrens aan ‘n statistiese betekenisvolle verbetering in die eksperimentele groep. Die eksperimentele groep het ‘n betekenisvolle verbetering getoon in hul bolyfkrag na die intervensie. Daar was ook ‘n sterk verband tussen die veld tydtoets en die bolyfkrag in die eksperimentele groep (r = 0.72). Hoewel die pliometriese oefenprogram nie die prestasie van die fietsryers betekenisvol verbeter het nie, het dit tekens van verbetering in die eksperimentele groep se anaërobiese en bolyfkrag getoon. ‘n Vorige studie het voorgestel dat ‘n pliometriese inoefeningsprogram slegs na ‘n paar weke na die intervensie ‘n effek sal toon in prestasie. Daarom is dit moontlik dat die fietsryers in die studie die voordele van pliometriese oefeninge eers later ervaar het, nader aan die kompetisiefase wanneer die doel van die oefenprogram is om spoed en krag te verbeter.

Chu Pak-Keung. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 78-88). / Text in English; abstracts in English and Chinese; questionnaire in Chinese. / Chu Pak-Keung. / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.I / ABSTRACT --- p.II / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.V / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.IX / LIST OF TABLES --- p.XIII / INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / BACKGROUND OF STUDY --- p.1 / KINEMATICS OF CYCLING --- p.2 / PEDALLING RATE OPTIMIZATION --- p.2 / DIFFERENT FORMS OF CYCLING OPTIMIZATION --- p.2 / FROM EXPERIMENT TO PRACTICE --- p.3 / RESEARCH PROBLEMS --- p.3 / IMPORTANCE OF CADENCE IN CYCLING --- p.3 / MODIFICATION OF CYCLING TECHNIQUE --- p.5 / PURPOSES OF STUDY --- p.5 / SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY --- p.6 / HYPOTHESES --- p.7 / DEFINITION OF TERMS AND OPERATIONAL VARIABLES --- p.7 / DELIMITATIONS AND LIMITATIONS --- p.9 / DELIMITATIONS --- p.9 / LIMITATIONS --- p.9 / REVIEW OF LITERATURE --- p.11 / METHODS OF CADENCE OPTIMIZATION --- p.11 / ENERGY PRODUCTION AND EFFICIENCY --- p.11 / BIOMECHANICAL OPTIMIZATION ESTIMATES --- p.13 / PERCEIVED EXERTION --- p.16 / CHOICE OF OPTIMIZATION METHOD --- p.17 / MUSCLE FATIGUE --- p.18 / CONCEPT OF FATIGUE --- p.18 / FATIGUE CATEGORIES --- p.19 / DETECTION OF MUSCLE FATIGUE BY INTEGRATED EMG --- p.20 / NEUROMUSCULAR FATIGUE OF WORKING MUSCLE DURING CYCLING EXERCISE --- p.23 / FEEDBACK TRAINING --- p.24 / ROLE OF FEEDBACK IN SKILL ACQUISITION --- p.24 / KNOWLEDGE OF RESULTS --- p.24 / SELECTION OF BIOMECHANICAL VARIABLE FOR FEEDBACK --- p.25 / AUGMENTED FEEDBACK IN CYCLING TRAINING --- p.26 / RETENTION --- p.26 / SUMMARY OF REVIEW --- p.29 / METHODOLOGY --- p.32 / DESIGN --- p.32 / SUBJECTS --- p.33 / PROTOCOL --- p.34 / OPTIMAL CADENCE DETERMINATION --- p.34 / AUGMENTED FEEDBACK ASSESSMENT --- p.34 / 10 DAY TRAINING SCHEDULE --- p.35 / INSTRUMENTATION --- p.38 / MEASUREMENT OF EMG --- p.41 / DATA ANALYSIS --- p.43 / RESULTS --- p.46 / SUBJECT V02Max RESULT --- p.46 / IEMG SLOPE OF SUBJECTS --- p.47 / POST-TEST AND RETENTION TEST IN AUGMENTED FEEDBACK TRAINING --- p.50 / TIME PERCENTAGE OF CADENCE ERROR DEVIATED FROM OPTIMAL CADENCE --- p.50 / DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CONTROL AND EXPERIMENT GROUP ACROSS DIFFERENT CADENCE ERRORS --- p.53 / DISTRIBUTION OF TIME PERCENTAGE OF DIFFERENT CADENCE ERRORS --- p.54 / STABILITY IN THE VARIABILITY OF CADENCE --- p.55 / PERFORMANCE IN ACQUISITION PHASE --- p.59 / TIME PERCENTAGE OF CADENCE ERROR DEVIATED FROM OPTIMAL CADENCE --- p.60 / DISTRIBUTION OF TIME PERCENTAGE OF CADENCE ERROR DURING ACQUISITION PHASE --- p.62 / STABILITY IN THE VARIABILITY OF CADENCE --- p.64 / SUMMARY OF RESULT FINDINGS --- p.66 / DISCUSSION --- p.67 / OPTIMAL CADENCE OF SUBJECTS --- p.67 / IEMG SLOPE OF SUBJECTS --- p.67 / POST-TEST AND RETENTION TEST IN AUGMENTED FEEDBACK TRAINING --- p.69 / TIME PERCENTAGE OF CADENCE ERROR DEVIATED FROM OPTIMAL CADENCE BY MORE THAN ZERO RPM --- p.70 / "TIME PERCENTAGE OF CADENCE ERROR DEVIATED FROM OPTIMAL CADENCE BY MORE THAN ONE, TWO AND THREE RPM" --- p.70 / TIME PERCENTAGE OF CADENCE ERROR DEVIATED FROM OPTIMAL CADENCE BY MORE THAN FOUR RPM --- p.71 / STABILITY IN THE VARIABILITY OF CADENCE --- p.72 / ACQUISITION PHASE OF AUGMENTED FEEDBACK TRAINING --- p.73 / "TIME PERCENTAGE OF CADENCE ERROR DEVIATED FROM OPTIMAL CADENCE BY MORE THAN ZERO, ONE, TWO AND THREE RPM" --- p.73 / STABILITY IN THE VARIABILITY OF CADENCE --- p.74 / CONCLUSIONS --- p.76 / RECOMMENDATIONS --- p.77 / REFERENCES --- p.78 / APPENDIXES --- p.89 / INFORMED CONSENT FORM --- p.90 / PAR-Q FORM --- p.91 / YMCA SUBMAXIMAL CYCLE ERGOMETER TEST --- p.92 / IEMG GRAPHS --- p.93

Aim: The primary purpose of this study was to examine effects of a fan-induced airflow at standard room temperature (20-23°C) on 20-km cycling time trial performance. A secondary purpose was to investigate two fan speeds and whether a difference in performance existed with increased fan speed in intermediate duration indoor cycling tests. Methods: Seven trained cyclists completed three 20-km cycling time trials under three conditions in a randomized crossover design. The 3 conditions were: 1) control (no fan), 2) low speed fan, and 3) high speed fan. Results: A tendency for modest decreases in time to completion (TTC) were noted in the two experimental conditions compared to the control condition (-2.06% low speed fan; -3.29% high speed fan). There was also a tendency for small increases in power output during the experimental conditions, although neither time nor power output differences were statistically significant. No differences in mean heart rate and rating of perceived exertion were observed among the three conditions. Conclusion: These results suggest a relationship between fan use and 20-km indoor cycling time trial performance, specifically TTC and mean power output, but larger samples are needed to provide adequate statistical power. Further investigation into the effects of fan use in standard testing environments is recommended. No additional benefit was observed from increased fan speeds. Differences in the experimental conditions on average resulted in non-significant 1.2% improvement.

Physiotherapy and cycling training influence to patient’s independence and mobility in early stage after stroke That physical therapy is effective working with patients after cerebrovascular disease has for long been proved by research, but which methods works most effectively and should be widely applied are still in discussion. The research found that the traditional physical therapy is not sufficient quickly restore the balance and walk function. Scientists searching for new methods but not always the proposed methods are effective; there are some contradictory opinions in the literature. Actual problem for new methods searching how quicken balance and gait recovery and reduce rehabilitation period for patients after stroke still remains. We used combination of physical therapy program based on principles of Bobath and training with bicycle ergometer for patients in early period following stroke. This kind of cyclical training was chosen because it made a dynamic, bilateral action which has many similarities to walking, but is safer and can be performed when person is in early stage of motor recovery after the stroke. Also this method quickens compensatory mechanisms. We evaluated that complex physical therapy program based on Bobath method principles with cyclic training statistically significantly more influenced patients after brain infarction independence, balance and gait than the program based on Bobath method principles alone (p<0,05). Our research shows that... [to full text] / Kineziterapijos ir ciklinės treniruotės poveikis asmenų savarankiškumui ir mobilumui ankstyvuoju reabilitacijos periodu po galvos smegenų insulto Moksliniais tyrimais įrodyta, kad kineziterapija yra efektyvi reabilituojant pacientus po galvos smegenų kraujotakos sutrikimų. Atlikti įvairūs kineziterapijos efektyvumą analizuojantys tyrimai naudojant paprasčiausias kineziterapijos priemones bei sudėtingus aparatus įvairiais periodais pacientams po insulto. Tačiau ne visada siūlomi metodai buvo efektyvūs, nepakankamai nagrinėti metodai gerinantys pacientų pusiausvyros ir ėjimo funkcijas ankstyvuoju reabilitacijos periodu po insulto. Išlieka aktuali naujų metodikų paieškos problema, kaip pagreitinti pusiausvyros ir ėjimo funkcijų atsigavimą bei sutrumpinti pacientams po galvos smegenų insulto reabilitacijos periodą. Tyrimo metu taikytas Bobath‘o metodikos ir veloergometro treniruotės derinys pacientams po galvos smegenų insulto ankstyvuoju reabilitacijos periodu. Treniruotė veloergometru pasirinkta todėl, kad juo atliekamas dinaminis, bilateralinis veiksmas daug kuo panašus į ėjimą, tačiau yra saugesnis ir gali būti pradėtas taikyti ankstyvuoju periodu po insulto. Be to, šis metodas pagreitina kompensacinius mechanizmus. Įvertinta, kad kineziterapijos programa, kurios metu buvo taikoma Bobath‘o metodika ir ciklinė treniruotė, labiau veikė asmenų po galvos smegenų infarkto savarankiškumą, pusiausvyrą ir ėjimą negu programa, kurios metu buvo taikoma tik Bobath‘o metodika (p<0,05)... [toliau žr. visą tekstą]

Kineziterapijos ir ciklinės treniruotės poveikis asmenų savarankiškumui ir mobilumui ankstyvuoju reabilitacijos periodu po galvos smegenų insulto Moksliniais tyrimais įrodyta, kad kineziterapija yra efektyvi reabilituojant pacientus po galvos smegenų kraujotakos sutrikimų. Atlikti įvairūs kineziterapijos efektyvumą analizuojantys tyrimai naudojant paprasčiausias kineziterapijos priemones bei sudėtingus aparatus įvairiais periodais pacientams po insulto. Tačiau ne visada siūlomi metodai buvo efektyvūs, nepakankamai nagrinėti metodai gerinantys pacientų pusiausvyros ir ėjimo funkcijas ankstyvuoju reabilitacijos periodu po insulto. Išlieka aktuali naujų metodikų paieškos problema, kaip pagreitinti pusiausvyros ir ėjimo funkcijų atsigavimą bei sutrumpinti pacientams po galvos smegenų insulto reabilitacijos periodą. Tyrimo metu taikytas Bobath‘o metodikos ir veloergometro treniruotės derinys pacientams po galvos smegenų insulto ankstyvuoju reabilitacijos periodu. Treniruotė veloergometru pasirinkta todėl, kad juo atliekamas dinaminis, bilateralinis veiksmas daug kuo panašus į ėjimą, tačiau yra saugesnis ir gali būti pradėtas taikyti ankstyvuoju periodu po insulto. Be to, šis metodas pagreitina kompensacinius mechanizmus. Įvertinta, kad kineziterapijos programa, kurios metu buvo taikoma Bobath‘o metodika ir ciklinė treniruotė, labiau veikė asmenų po galvos smegenų infarkto savarankiškumą, pusiausvyrą ir ėjimą negu programa, kurios metu buvo taikoma tik Bobath‘o metodika (p<0,05)... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / That physical therapy is effective working with patients after cerebrovascular disease has for long been proved by research, but which methods works most effectively and should be widely applied are still in discussion. The research found that the traditional physical therapy is not sufficient quickly restore the balance and walk function. Scientists searching for new methods but not always the proposed methods are effective; there are some contradictory opinions in the literature. Actual problem for new methods searching how quicken balance and gait recovery and reduce rehabilitation period for patients after stroke still remains. We used combination of physical therapy program based on principles of Bobath and training with bicycle ergometer for patients in early period following stroke. This kind of cyclical training was chosen because it made a dynamic, bilateral action which has many similarities to walking, but is safer and can be performed when person is in early stage of motor recovery after the stroke. Also this method quickens compensatory mechanisms. We evaluated that complex physical therapy program based on Bobath method principles with cyclic training statistically significantly more influenced patients after brain infarction independence, balance and gait than the program based on Bobath method principles alone (p<0,05). Our research shows that patient’s after stroke independence, balance and gait was influenced by patient’s age, gender, functional status and... [to full text]