Wireless applications have become a common part of daily life. Whether it is mobile phones, the Wi-Fi router at home, the keycard which has replaced the car key, a radio frequency identification access system to a building or a Bluetooth headset for your computer or phone, the means of modern wireless data exchange is an omnipresent technology. In sports, the market is in its infancy for wireless, technical applications or gadgets. Only heart rate monitors and GPS watches are currently used by recreational athletes. Even though most of the larger sports equipment companies regularly launch new products related to sports performance monitoring and mobile phone technology, product innovation leaps are rare.In this work the design of a wireless sports performance measurement platform is presented. Using the example of kayaking, this platform is configured as a paddle performance measuring system, the Kayak XL System, which can monitor propulsive paddle force, paddle kinematics and boat velocity, interalia. A common mobile phone platform has been chosen as the user interface for this system. The design approach focussing on user requests, demands and expectations in combination with the process of iterative technical development are unveiled in this thesis. An evaluation of the system is presented and the work is finalised with an overview of further systems which have been designed based on the developed measurement platform. The Kayak XL System is a flexible system designed to be mounted onto any standard kayak paddle and installed in any competition kayak. Versatility, unobtrusiveness and usability were major design concerns. The developed system consists of four modules plus a software which has been designed for Android mobile phones. The phone communicates with each of the four modules trough Bluetooth radio. These four modules are also referred to as nodes and have specific measurement purposes. Two nodes have been designed to measure paddle force and kinematics, one node has the purpose to measure foot stretcher force and boat motion data, and the fourth node enables a more convenient method of calibrating paddle force measurement. The fourth node is therefore only needed prior to performance data acquisition. Results show that paddle and foot stretcher force can be measured with a resolution below 1N after calibration. Installing the paddle nodes on a previously configured paddle without repeated calibration is facilitated with the compromise of a doubled error margin. The default sampling frequency is set to 100 Hz and can, like all system parameters, be configured on the mobile phone. Real-time computation of complex performance parameters is only limited by the phone CPU. The system adds twice 109 g to the paddle and approximately 850 g to the kayak, excluding the mass of the mobile phone / <p>QC 20120827</p>

Protein identification and quantitation using mass spectrometry has evolved as the dominant technique for studying the protein complement of a system: cell, tissue or organism. The proteomics of body fluids is a very active research area as there is great potential for protein biomarker discovery; application of such technologies would revolutionise medical practice and treatment. Saliva, through its non intrusive nature of sampling, is an ideal body fluid for disease diagnosis, screening and monitoring. Gingivitis is a gum disease with symptoms including bleeding, swollen, and receding gums. After dental decay, gingivitis is estimated to be the most common disease worldwide, and around 40% of the population in the US are reported to have gingivitis. The end point goal of this project was to identify salivary biomarkers for gingivitis. This dissertation presents an investigation of: 1) the salivary proteome; 2) developments and applications of a mass spectrometry kinase assay; and 3) salivary biomarkers for gingivitis using proteomics and kinase activities. The soluble portion of the human salivary proteome (saliva supernatant) has been studied by several research groups but very few proteomic studies have been performed on the insoluble, cellular and bacterial portion of saliva. Presented here, is the first global proteomics study performed on the saliva residue and supernatant from the same test subject. A total of 834 and 1426 proteins were identified in the saliva supernatant and residue, respectively. A global analysis of protein complexes in saliva was also performed and is the first study, to date, of such an analysis. KAYAK (‘Kinase ActivitY Assay for Kinome analysis’) was further developed for its application on a number of cell types, tissue types, and a variety of organisms. Proof of concept work for in-gel kinase activity/kinase abundance correlation profiling using blue native gels was performed, and experiments using anion exchange chromatographic kinase activity/kinase abundance correlation profiling were performed to identify kinase-substrate pairs. KAYAK applications included the analysis of kinase activities in Saccharomyces cervisiae, Drosophila, mouse, and human saliva in which significant kinase activity was detected in the saliva supernatant, a novel finding. Finally, gingivitis was induced in patients, and the saliva samples were analysed using proteomics and kinase activity profiling. Although this work is ongoing, preliminary data indicate that there are increases in various inflammatory proteins, certain bacteria and also in the activity of particular kinases as a result of the induction of gingivitis. The overall study provided insights into the salivary proteome for both the human and bacterial complement, as well as discovering the presence of significant kinase activity in saliva. In the induced gingivitis study, almost half of all the proteins identified in the residue were from bacteria (1274 bacterial proteins, 198 species identified) and there may be more potential for biomarker discovery for certain diseases in the saliva residue than in the supernatant. A very large overlap was observed between the human proteins in the saliva supernatant and residue, indicating that many of the salivary proteins originate from lysed cells. The origin of the kinase activity in the saliva supernatant is not known but is also proposed to originate predominantly from lysed cells. A range of novel KAYAK applications have been investigated, demonstrating that KAYAK has a wide variety of future uses ranging from target compound evaluation in Pharmaceutical companies to patient testing in the clinic.

Kajaker härstammar från inuiterna och är en vattenfarkost som användes för att jaga och fiska. Idag används kajaker även till rekreationspaddling och detta projekt fokuserar på att framställa ett material som ger bättre förståelse för hur det ergonomiska sittandet i en kajak bör se ut. Syftet med projektet är att genomföra det självständigt på ett ingenjörsmässigt sätt och presentera detta skriftligt och muntligt. Projektet genomförs med metoder såsom observationer, intervju, enkäter och faktasökning och mynnar ut i ett informationsunderlag som kan ligga till grund för fortsatt arbete. Informationen presenteras för slutanvändare i form av en broschyr och slutsatsen som dras är att informationen som presenterats för slutanvändarna faller i god jord samt att ett gott ergonomiskt sittande är komplext. / Kayaks originate from the Inuits and is a watercraft that is used for hunting and fishing. Today, kayaks are also used for recreational paddling and this project focuses on producing a material that gives a better understanding of how the ergonomic sitting in a kayak should look. The purpose of the project is to carry it out independently in an engineering way and to present it orally and in writing. The project is carried out using methods such as observations, interviews, questionnaires and searching for facts. It culminates in an information base which can be the basis from which continued work can be carried out. The information has been presented to the end users in the form of a brochure and the conclusion drawn is that the information has been received favourably and that good ergonomic sitting is complex.

Tese de mestrado integrado. Engenharia Mecânica. Universidade do Porto. Faculdade de Engenharia. 2011

This thesis interrogates the intersections of gender and emotional labour in an exploratory study of guided kayak tours. The kayak tour is a socially produced location where guides hold the double role of entertainer and protector of their clients. The social space of the tour not only constructs and markets to particular clients (which impact guide-clients interactions), but also constructs particular gender locations for guides. Semi-structured, open-ended interviews were conducted to produce rich qualitative data, and were supplemented by fieldwork and examination of promotional materials. Guides’ stories offer detailed accounts of the emotional labour in which they engage as they produce a tour experience for clients. They also reveal the ways in which this labour is intertwined with their gender projects. As kayaking is unexamined within sociological literature, this thesis contributes to an understanding of the social world and furthers knowledge on the complexities of gender and emotional labour. / viii, 112 leaves ; 29 cm

A remada em Canoagem Velocidade se caracteriza por ser um movimento bilateral, cíclico e simétrico, sendo que a propulsão é gerada, principalmente, pelos membros superiores. Não estão claros os aspectos relacionados à assimetria entre os hemicorpos da remada e, quanto a esta influência, o desempenho no deslocamento de caiaques de Canoagem Velocidade. O presente estudo teve como objetivos quantificar e comparar a quantidade de força aplicada à água, em atletas de diferentes níveis de desenvolvimento, bem como estabelecer a relação entre essas variáveis e o desempenho durante a execução de um teste máximo de 200 m em um caiaque individual de Canoagem Velocidade. Foram avaliados 90 atletas, com idade entre 10 a 40 anos, sendo que os mesmos foram subdivididos em três grupos, de acordo com seu nível de desenvolvimento: Iniciantes, Intermediários e Avançados. Foi encontrado que atletas de nível de desenvolvimento mais avançado eram os mais velhos, mais altos, mais pesados, mais experientes e mais rápidos que os atletas dos níveis menos avançados (p<0,001). Os atletas dos níveis de desenvolvimento mais avançado também produziram mais força que os seus pares de nível Intermediário e Iniciantes. Contudo, não foram encontradas diferenças significantes tanto para a diferença entre os lados, bem como quanto à dominância lateral foi levada em consideração. Além disso, não foi encontrada relação entre diferença na produção de força entre os lados direito e esquerdo e o desempenho em 200m. Por outro lado, a força máxima apresentou correlação negativa significante (r=-0,92, ES – quase perfeito) com desempenho em 200 m. Por fim, foi verificado que o equipamento utilizado apresentou reprodutibilidade aceitável para mensurar a força em atletas de Canoagem Velocidade. Foi concluído que tanto características morfofisiológicas e técnicas em atletas de Canoagem Velocidade apresentam desenvolvimento contínuo, de acordo com tempo e quantidade de prática na modalidade. / Sprint Kayak stroke can be characterized as a bilateral, cyclic and symmetrical movement, where the propulsion lies mainly on the upper body. It is not clear, however, whether the stroke asymmetry affects Sprint Kayak performance. Therefore, this study aimed to quantify and compare force production amongst three developing level as well as to establish the relationships between force production and difference in left/right force production in those three different developing levels and 200 m performance in Sprint Kayak athletes. 90 athletes with ages ranging from 10 to 40 years volunteered for this study. They were allocated into three different groups based on developing level: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. Athletes of more advanced levels were older, taller, heavier, more experienced and faster than their lower level counterparts (p<0,001). Athletes from more advanced level also produced higher force scores than the intermediate and beginner levels. However, the force difference as well as lateral dominance were not different. Moreover, it was not found relationship between the difference and performance over 200 m. On the other hand, maximal force presented significant correlation with 200 m performance (r=-0,92 ES – nearly perfect). Finally, it was verified that the equipment used to measure force was reprodutible. In conclusion, morfophysiological and technical characteristics of Sprint Kayak athletes present a continuous development, according to time and amount of practice.

A remada em Canoagem Velocidade se caracteriza por ser um movimento bilateral, cíclico e simétrico, sendo que a propulsão é gerada, principalmente, pelos membros superiores. Não estão claros os aspectos relacionados à assimetria entre os hemicorpos da remada e, quanto a esta influência, o desempenho no deslocamento de caiaques de Canoagem Velocidade. O presente estudo teve como objetivos quantificar e comparar a quantidade de força aplicada à água, em atletas de diferentes níveis de desenvolvimento, bem como estabelecer a relação entre essas variáveis e o desempenho durante a execução de um teste máximo de 200 m em um caiaque individual de Canoagem Velocidade. Foram avaliados 90 atletas, com idade entre 10 a 40 anos, sendo que os mesmos foram subdivididos em três grupos, de acordo com seu nível de desenvolvimento: Iniciantes, Intermediários e Avançados. Foi encontrado que atletas de nível de desenvolvimento mais avançado eram os mais velhos, mais altos, mais pesados, mais experientes e mais rápidos que os atletas dos níveis menos avançados (p<0,001). Os atletas dos níveis de desenvolvimento mais avançado também produziram mais força que os seus pares de nível Intermediário e Iniciantes. Contudo, não foram encontradas diferenças significantes tanto para a diferença entre os lados, bem como quanto à dominância lateral foi levada em consideração. Além disso, não foi encontrada relação entre diferença na produção de força entre os lados direito e esquerdo e o desempenho em 200m. Por outro lado, a força máxima apresentou correlação negativa significante (r=-0,92, ES – quase perfeito) com desempenho em 200 m. Por fim, foi verificado que o equipamento utilizado apresentou reprodutibilidade aceitável para mensurar a força em atletas de Canoagem Velocidade. Foi concluído que tanto características morfofisiológicas e técnicas em atletas de Canoagem Velocidade apresentam desenvolvimento contínuo, de acordo com tempo e quantidade de prática na modalidade. / Sprint Kayak stroke can be characterized as a bilateral, cyclic and symmetrical movement, where the propulsion lies mainly on the upper body. It is not clear, however, whether the stroke asymmetry affects Sprint Kayak performance. Therefore, this study aimed to quantify and compare force production amongst three developing level as well as to establish the relationships between force production and difference in left/right force production in those three different developing levels and 200 m performance in Sprint Kayak athletes. 90 athletes with ages ranging from 10 to 40 years volunteered for this study. They were allocated into three different groups based on developing level: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. Athletes of more advanced levels were older, taller, heavier, more experienced and faster than their lower level counterparts (p<0,001). Athletes from more advanced level also produced higher force scores than the intermediate and beginner levels. However, the force difference as well as lateral dominance were not different. Moreover, it was not found relationship between the difference and performance over 200 m. On the other hand, maximal force presented significant correlation with 200 m performance (r=-0,92 ES – nearly perfect). Finally, it was verified that the equipment used to measure force was reprodutible. In conclusion, morfophysiological and technical characteristics of Sprint Kayak athletes present a continuous development, according to time and amount of practice.

A remada em Canoagem Velocidade se caracteriza por ser um movimento bilateral, cíclico e simétrico, sendo que a propulsão é gerada, principalmente, pelos membros superiores. Não estão claros os aspectos relacionados à assimetria entre os hemicorpos da remada e, quanto a esta influência, o desempenho no deslocamento de caiaques de Canoagem Velocidade. O presente estudo teve como objetivos quantificar e comparar a quantidade de força aplicada à água, em atletas de diferentes níveis de desenvolvimento, bem como estabelecer a relação entre essas variáveis e o desempenho durante a execução de um teste máximo de 200 m em um caiaque individual de Canoagem Velocidade. Foram avaliados 90 atletas, com idade entre 10 a 40 anos, sendo que os mesmos foram subdivididos em três grupos, de acordo com seu nível de desenvolvimento: Iniciantes, Intermediários e Avançados. Foi encontrado que atletas de nível de desenvolvimento mais avançado eram os mais velhos, mais altos, mais pesados, mais experientes e mais rápidos que os atletas dos níveis menos avançados (p<0,001). Os atletas dos níveis de desenvolvimento mais avançado também produziram mais força que os seus pares de nível Intermediário e Iniciantes. Contudo, não foram encontradas diferenças significantes tanto para a diferença entre os lados, bem como quanto à dominância lateral foi levada em consideração. Além disso, não foi encontrada relação entre diferença na produção de força entre os lados direito e esquerdo e o desempenho em 200m. Por outro lado, a força máxima apresentou correlação negativa significante (r=-0,92, ES – quase perfeito) com desempenho em 200 m. Por fim, foi verificado que o equipamento utilizado apresentou reprodutibilidade aceitável para mensurar a força em atletas de Canoagem Velocidade. Foi concluído que tanto características morfofisiológicas e técnicas em atletas de Canoagem Velocidade apresentam desenvolvimento contínuo, de acordo com tempo e quantidade de prática na modalidade. / Sprint Kayak stroke can be characterized as a bilateral, cyclic and symmetrical movement, where the propulsion lies mainly on the upper body. It is not clear, however, whether the stroke asymmetry affects Sprint Kayak performance. Therefore, this study aimed to quantify and compare force production amongst three developing level as well as to establish the relationships between force production and difference in left/right force production in those three different developing levels and 200 m performance in Sprint Kayak athletes. 90 athletes with ages ranging from 10 to 40 years volunteered for this study. They were allocated into three different groups based on developing level: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. Athletes of more advanced levels were older, taller, heavier, more experienced and faster than their lower level counterparts (p<0,001). Athletes from more advanced level also produced higher force scores than the intermediate and beginner levels. However, the force difference as well as lateral dominance were not different. Moreover, it was not found relationship between the difference and performance over 200 m. On the other hand, maximal force presented significant correlation with 200 m performance (r=-0,92 ES – nearly perfect). Finally, it was verified that the equipment used to measure force was reprodutible. In conclusion, morfophysiological and technical characteristics of Sprint Kayak athletes present a continuous development, according to time and amount of practice.

Title: Evaluation of postural stability of sprint kayak athletes. Objectives: The aim of this thesis is to compare the level of thy dynamic postural stability of sprint kayakers with healthy population, which don't do any sport regularly with computerized posturography on the NeuroCom SMART EquiTest device. Methods: It is quantitative cross-sectional study. 24 sprint kayakers (experimental group) participated in this study and 40 individuals (control group), which don't do any sport on competitive level. The dynamic postural stability was evaluated with computerized posturography on the NeuroCom SMART EquiTest device in the Laboratory of Applied Kinesiology at the Department of Physiotherapy in Charles University Faculty of Physical Education and Sport. Every participant was tested once in all seven tests - - Sensory Organization Test, Motor Control Test, Adaptation Test, Limits of Stability, Rythmic Weight Shift, Weight Bearing Squat, Unilateral Stance. Data was recorded and processed by the NeuroCom Balance Manager Software and then converted into Microsoft Excel 365 programe. Data was statistically analysed by Shapiro - Wilk test, Mann - Whitney test, Pair t - test and Cohen's d. Results: Due to low number of statistically significant differences, we couldn't say that sprint kayakers have better...

Title: Comparative analysis of the kayak forward stroke Objectives: The aim of this study is to describe and to compare the kayak forward stroke performed in the pool with countercurrent and on the flat water. Methods: The research was conducted in an intentionally chosen sample of eight kayakers with high level of performance in whitewater slalom. We watched activity of twelve selected muscles during kayak forward stroke performed in the counterflow pool and on the flat water by surface electromyography and kinematic analysis. Study evaluates intraindividual and subsequently interindividual muscle timing and the size of the muscle activation due to maximal voluntary contraction. Results: The results proved the same timing of muscles in counterflow pool and on flat water. The muscle activity in the counterflow pool was bigger than on flat water. Key words: kayak, counterflow pool, surface electromyography, paddling