Sprint acceleration training has been highly researched and found that resistance sleds are one of the most effective tools for maximizing training adaptations. The resistance sled is being used by many of the world leaders in athletic training but has yet to be researched for the kinetic and kinematic effects some of its key components cause. The aim of this study was to better understand the effects of the attachment height on the sled and sled rail material on the user's trunk lean and jerking effect caused by the sled. This was done because it was hypothesized that the attachment height has a direct impact on trunk lean and sled rail material has a direct impact on jerk caused by the sled. To test these assumptions, experimental and theoretical data was collected using a single subject study analyzing trunk lean and acceleration values of the sled. The results presented a significant decrease in trunk lean (more horizontal line of action) when the attachment height was raised. Additionally, no significant values were attained to support the assumption that by modifying the sled rail material, jerking effects will decrease. The results indicate that there is a direct correlation between attachment height and trunk lean. More research is needed to better understand the relationship between sled rail material and jerk.

Polypterus senegalus, an extant member of the ray-finned fishes, can both swim in water and walk overland. Both environments impose different locomotor requirements on Polypterus fins. In an aquatic environment, forward propulsion is largely generated through oscillations of the pectoral fins working in sync with each other. On land, the pectoral fins are engaged in a contralateral gait, and are involved in lifting the body off the ground while simultaneously balancing the body. Polypterus have been shown to undergo behavioural, anatomical, and physiological changes during both short- and long-term exposure to land. Differences in force environments and locomotor behaviour between aquatic and terrestrial environments are hypothesized to be the cause of these plastic changes observed in the musculoskeletal tissues of Polypterus. Despite these observable changes, it is unclear exactly how the pectoral fins are experiencing ground reaction forces (GRF) during terrestrial locomotion. By measuring and quantifying force production during walking in Polypterus, this thesis provides a first look at the relationship between GRFs produced and experienced during walking and the pectoral fins of the amphibious fish, Polypterus. The kinematics of the pectoral fins and fore body were analyzed during terrestrial locomotion, and strategic points across both pectoral fins and body were digitized. Kinematics were compared with GRFs in the thrust (X), stabilizing (Y) and lifting (Z) planes to understand how impact forces travel through the fin tissues. Further analysis, using inverse dynamics, is required to determine how these impact forces travel through the musculature of the pectoral fins, perhaps providing potential hypotheses as to the effects of GRFs and their role in not only how terrestrial locomotion affects the behavioural, anatomical, and physiological plasticity observed in Polypterus, but also the limbs of tetrapods during the evolutionary transition from aquatic to terrestrial environments.

Background: Knowledge of the relationship between fat free mass (FFM) and strength capacity is not only useful in athlete coaching, but may also be important in developing clinical strategies for evaluating health in general populations. Sufficient skeletal muscle mass and strength are important factors for health and physical function. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a popular and clinically useful tool for assessing body composition. However, being able to simultaneously estimate whole body muscle strength without having to perform additional tests may prove useful in evaluating an individual’s health and physical function. Aim: The primary purpose of this study was to quantify the association between total body fat free mass percentage (TBFFM%) and relative strength in the isometric midthigh pull test (IMTP) and grip strength (GS) test in a healthy general young Swedish population. A secondary purpose was to investigate if there are any sex differences.  Methods: The design for this study was cross-sectional. The studied sample represented a general Swedish population of healthy young adults. Participants were asked to participate in testing on one occasion. Three tests were used for collecting data: BIA for data on FFM and both IMTP and hand dynamometer grip strength test for data on maximal force production. All tests were performed in the movement lab on Halmstad University campus. Statistical analyses were done using Pearson’s correlation and linear regression analysis. Results: Participants for this study consisted of healthy females (n=18) and males (n=17) aged 19-39. The primary findings of this study are that there are strong correlations between TBFFM% and relative strength (r = 0.621) in the IMTP test as well as relative GS (r = 0.705) on a whole-group level. The correlation between TBFFM% and relative GS was slightly stronger. Categorized by sex, we found strong positive correlations between TBFFM% and relative IMTP (r = 0.551) and relative GS (r = 0.596) for the female group and moderately strong correlations for the male group (relative IMTP r = 0.411; relative GS  r = 0.422).On a whole-group level, every unit increase in TBFFM% increases relative strength in the IMTP by 0.538N/kgBW (β = 0.538) and relative GS by 0.015 kg/kgBW (β = 0.015). Conclusion: TBFFM% was strongly associated with both relative IMTP strength and relative GS where the association was stronger for females than for males. TBFFM% values may be indicative of an individual's strength, which could be of value in a research setting.

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar e comparar os efeitos de 12 semanas do treinamento de força (TF) com o treinamento de força com instabilidade (TFI) nos desfechos clínicos, na capacidade de produção de força muscular, nos mecanismos inibitórios espinhais e no volume total de treinamento (VTT) de indivíduos entre os estágios 2 e 3 da doença de Parkinson (DP). Para tanto, 39 indivíduos (testados e treinados no estado \"on\" da medicação) atenderam aos critérios de inclusão e foram randomizados em três grupos: grupo controle nenhum exercício (GC), grupo TF (GTF) e grupo TFI (GTFI). O GTF e o GTFI realizaram 12 semanas de TF orientado à hipertrofia, duas vezes por semana, em dias não consecutivos. Apenas o GTFI adicionou acessórios de instabilidade (e.g., BOSU®) ao TF que progrediram dos menos para os mais instáveis. Antes e após as 12 semanas foram avaliados os seguintes desfechos: a) clínicos - mobilidade (desfecho primário), sintomas motores, comprometimento cognitivo, medo de cair, equilíbrio, desempenho da marcha (distância, cadência e velocidade) em condições de dupla tarefa e qualidade de vida; b) capacidade de produção de força muscular - raiz quadrada média (RMS), mean spike frequency (MSF) e retardo eletromecânico (REM) dos músculos vasto lateral, vasto medial e gastrocnêmio medial; pico de torque, taxa de desenvolvimento de torque (TDT) e tempo de meio relaxamento (TMR) dos músculos extensores do joelho e flexores plantares; uma repetição máxima (1RM) dos membros inferiores e área de secção transversa do músculo quadríceps femoral (ASTQ) e; c) mecanismos inibitórios espinhais - inibições pré-sináptica e recíproca do músculo sóleus. O VTT foi avaliado durante o protocolo experimental para os exercícios agachamento, flexão plantar e leg-press. Do pré ao pós-treinamento, somente o GTFI melhorou todos os desfechos clínicos (P<0,05), os desfechos da capacidade de produção de força muscular (P<0,05) com exceção do TMR dos músculos extensores de joelho (P=0.068) e melhorou os desfechos dos mecanismos inibitórios espinhais (P<0,05). Houve diferenças significantes entre o GTFI e o GC no pós-treinamento para os seguintes desfechos: mobilidade, comprometimento cognitivo, equilíbrio, desempenho na marcha em condições de dupla tarefa (distância, cadência e velocidade), RMS de todos os músculos avaliados, MSF do músculo gastrocnêmio medial, pico de torque e TDT dos flexores plantares, pico de torque dos extensores de joelho, 1RM dos membros inferiores e inibições pré-sináptica e recíproca (P<0,05). Além disso, o GTFI apresentou melhores valores do que o GTF para os seguintes desfechos: desempenho na marcha em condições de dupla tarefa (distância e velocidade), RMS do músculo vasto medial, MSF do músculo gastrocnêmio medial, TDT dos flexores plantares e inibições pré-sináptica e recíproca (P<0,05). O GTFI apresentou um menor VTT comparado ao GTF (P<0,05). Por fim, nenhum efeito adverso foi observado. Em conclusão, somente o TFI melhorou os desfechos clínicos e foi mais efetivo do que o TF em promover adaptações neuromusculares mesmo com um menor VTT. Assim, o TFI é recomendado como uma inovadora intervenção terapêutica para minimizar os declínios na mobilidade e em um amplo espectro de deficiências, sem causar efeitos adversos em indivíduos com DP / The aim of this study was to analyze and to compare the effects of 12 weeks of strength training (ST) with strength training with instability (STI) on clinical outcomes, muscle-force-production capacity, spinal inhibitory mechanisms and the total training volume (TTV) of individuals between stages 2 and 3 of Parkinson\'s disease (PD). For this, 39 individuals (assessed and trained in the clinically defined \"on\" state) met the inclusion criteria and were randomized into three groups: non-exercising control group (CG), ST group (STG) and STI group (STIG). The STG and STIG performed 12 weeks hypertrophy-oriented ST, twice a week, on non-consecutive days. Only STIG added unstable devices (e.g., BOSU®) to ST that progressed from the less to the more unstable devices. Before and after 12 weeks were assessed the following outcomes: a) clinical - mobility (primary outcome), motor symptoms, cognitive impairment, fear of falling, balance, dual-task gait performance (distance, cadence, and, velocity), and quality of life; b) muscle-force-production capacity - root mean square (RMS), mean spike frequency (MSF), and electromechanical delay (EMD) of the vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and gastrocnemius medialis; peak torque, rate of torque development (RTD) and half-relaxation time (HRT) of the knee-extensors and plantar flexors; one repetition maximum (1-RM) of the lower limbs and quadriceps cross sectional area (QCSA) and; c) spinal inhibitory mechanisms - presynaptic inhibition and reciprocal inhibition of the soleus muscle. The TTV for each lower limb exercise (half-squat, plantar flexion, and leg-press) was determined during the experimental protocol. From pre- to post-training, only the STIG improved all of the clinical outcomes (P <0.05), the muscle-force-production capacity outcomes (P <0.05) with exception of the HRT of the knee-extensors (P = 0.068) and, improved the spinal inhibitory mechanisms outcomes (P <0.05). There were differences between the STIG and the CG for the following outcomes: mobility, cognitive impairment, balance, dual-task gait performance (distance, cadence, and speed), RMS all of the muscles assessed, MSF of the gastrocnemius medialis, peak torque and RTD of the plantar flexor, peak torque of the knee-extensors, 1RM of the lower limbs, presynaptic inhibition, and reciprocal inhibition at post-training (P <0.05). Moreover, the STIG showed better values than the STG for the following outcomes: dual-task gait performance (distance and speed), RMS of the vastus medialis, MSF of the gastrocnemius medialis, RTD of the plantar flexors, presynaptic inhibition, and reciprocal inhibition at post-training (P <0.05). The STIG showed a lower TTV than the STG (P <0.05). Finally, no adverse effects were observed. In conclusion, only the STIG improved all of the clinical outcomes and it was more effective than the STG to promote neuromuscular adaptations even the STIG has had a lower TTV than the STG. Thus, STI is recommended as a novel therapeutic intervention to minimize declines in mobility and in a wide spectrum of impairments without causing adverse effects in individuals with PD

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar e comparar os efeitos de 12 semanas do treinamento de força (TF) com o treinamento de força com instabilidade (TFI) nos desfechos clínicos, na capacidade de produção de força muscular, nos mecanismos inibitórios espinhais e no volume total de treinamento (VTT) de indivíduos entre os estágios 2 e 3 da doença de Parkinson (DP). Para tanto, 39 indivíduos (testados e treinados no estado \"on\" da medicação) atenderam aos critérios de inclusão e foram randomizados em três grupos: grupo controle nenhum exercício (GC), grupo TF (GTF) e grupo TFI (GTFI). O GTF e o GTFI realizaram 12 semanas de TF orientado à hipertrofia, duas vezes por semana, em dias não consecutivos. Apenas o GTFI adicionou acessórios de instabilidade (e.g., BOSU®) ao TF que progrediram dos menos para os mais instáveis. Antes e após as 12 semanas foram avaliados os seguintes desfechos: a) clínicos - mobilidade (desfecho primário), sintomas motores, comprometimento cognitivo, medo de cair, equilíbrio, desempenho da marcha (distância, cadência e velocidade) em condições de dupla tarefa e qualidade de vida; b) capacidade de produção de força muscular - raiz quadrada média (RMS), mean spike frequency (MSF) e retardo eletromecânico (REM) dos músculos vasto lateral, vasto medial e gastrocnêmio medial; pico de torque, taxa de desenvolvimento de torque (TDT) e tempo de meio relaxamento (TMR) dos músculos extensores do joelho e flexores plantares; uma repetição máxima (1RM) dos membros inferiores e área de secção transversa do músculo quadríceps femoral (ASTQ) e; c) mecanismos inibitórios espinhais - inibições pré-sináptica e recíproca do músculo sóleus. O VTT foi avaliado durante o protocolo experimental para os exercícios agachamento, flexão plantar e leg-press. Do pré ao pós-treinamento, somente o GTFI melhorou todos os desfechos clínicos (P<0,05), os desfechos da capacidade de produção de força muscular (P<0,05) com exceção do TMR dos músculos extensores de joelho (P=0.068) e melhorou os desfechos dos mecanismos inibitórios espinhais (P<0,05). Houve diferenças significantes entre o GTFI e o GC no pós-treinamento para os seguintes desfechos: mobilidade, comprometimento cognitivo, equilíbrio, desempenho na marcha em condições de dupla tarefa (distância, cadência e velocidade), RMS de todos os músculos avaliados, MSF do músculo gastrocnêmio medial, pico de torque e TDT dos flexores plantares, pico de torque dos extensores de joelho, 1RM dos membros inferiores e inibições pré-sináptica e recíproca (P<0,05). Além disso, o GTFI apresentou melhores valores do que o GTF para os seguintes desfechos: desempenho na marcha em condições de dupla tarefa (distância e velocidade), RMS do músculo vasto medial, MSF do músculo gastrocnêmio medial, TDT dos flexores plantares e inibições pré-sináptica e recíproca (P<0,05). O GTFI apresentou um menor VTT comparado ao GTF (P<0,05). Por fim, nenhum efeito adverso foi observado. Em conclusão, somente o TFI melhorou os desfechos clínicos e foi mais efetivo do que o TF em promover adaptações neuromusculares mesmo com um menor VTT. Assim, o TFI é recomendado como uma inovadora intervenção terapêutica para minimizar os declínios na mobilidade e em um amplo espectro de deficiências, sem causar efeitos adversos em indivíduos com DP / The aim of this study was to analyze and to compare the effects of 12 weeks of strength training (ST) with strength training with instability (STI) on clinical outcomes, muscle-force-production capacity, spinal inhibitory mechanisms and the total training volume (TTV) of individuals between stages 2 and 3 of Parkinson\'s disease (PD). For this, 39 individuals (assessed and trained in the clinically defined \"on\" state) met the inclusion criteria and were randomized into three groups: non-exercising control group (CG), ST group (STG) and STI group (STIG). The STG and STIG performed 12 weeks hypertrophy-oriented ST, twice a week, on non-consecutive days. Only STIG added unstable devices (e.g., BOSU®) to ST that progressed from the less to the more unstable devices. Before and after 12 weeks were assessed the following outcomes: a) clinical - mobility (primary outcome), motor symptoms, cognitive impairment, fear of falling, balance, dual-task gait performance (distance, cadence, and, velocity), and quality of life; b) muscle-force-production capacity - root mean square (RMS), mean spike frequency (MSF), and electromechanical delay (EMD) of the vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and gastrocnemius medialis; peak torque, rate of torque development (RTD) and half-relaxation time (HRT) of the knee-extensors and plantar flexors; one repetition maximum (1-RM) of the lower limbs and quadriceps cross sectional area (QCSA) and; c) spinal inhibitory mechanisms - presynaptic inhibition and reciprocal inhibition of the soleus muscle. The TTV for each lower limb exercise (half-squat, plantar flexion, and leg-press) was determined during the experimental protocol. From pre- to post-training, only the STIG improved all of the clinical outcomes (P <0.05), the muscle-force-production capacity outcomes (P <0.05) with exception of the HRT of the knee-extensors (P = 0.068) and, improved the spinal inhibitory mechanisms outcomes (P <0.05). There were differences between the STIG and the CG for the following outcomes: mobility, cognitive impairment, balance, dual-task gait performance (distance, cadence, and speed), RMS all of the muscles assessed, MSF of the gastrocnemius medialis, peak torque and RTD of the plantar flexor, peak torque of the knee-extensors, 1RM of the lower limbs, presynaptic inhibition, and reciprocal inhibition at post-training (P <0.05). Moreover, the STIG showed better values than the STG for the following outcomes: dual-task gait performance (distance and speed), RMS of the vastus medialis, MSF of the gastrocnemius medialis, RTD of the plantar flexors, presynaptic inhibition, and reciprocal inhibition at post-training (P <0.05). The STIG showed a lower TTV than the STG (P <0.05). Finally, no adverse effects were observed. In conclusion, only the STIG improved all of the clinical outcomes and it was more effective than the STG to promote neuromuscular adaptations even the STIG has had a lower TTV than the STG. Thus, STI is recommended as a novel therapeutic intervention to minimize declines in mobility and in a wide spectrum of impairments without causing adverse effects in individuals with PD