Thesis (Ph. D.)--Temple University, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 89-96). Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Temple University, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references.

The author undertook to present the system of football used by North Texas from 1940 through 1950, the T formation, which he has used since 1941. The purpose of the study was to present the T formation as we use it, in the system of football we endeavor to coach. A further purpose was to organize the data in such a way that they would be available for use by the Physical Education Department of North Texas State College, and perhaps be helpful to men working in the field of football coaching.

The nervous systems of animals evolved to exert dynamic control of behavior in response to the needs of the animal and changing signals from the environment. To understand the mechanisms of dynamic control, we need a means of predicting how individual neural and body elements will interact to produce the performance of the entire system. We have developed a neuromechanical application named AnimatLab that addresses this problem through simulation. A computational model of a body and nervous system can be constructed from simple components and situated in a virtual world for testing. Simulations and live experiments were used to investigate questions about locust jumping. The neural circuitry and biomechanics of kicking in locusts have been extensively studied. It has been hypothesized that the same neural circuit and biomechanics governed both behaviors, but this hypothesis was not testable with current technology. We built a neuromechanical model to test this and to gain a better understanding of the role of the semi-lunar process (SLP) in jump dynamics. The SLP are bands of cuticle that store energy for use during jumping. The results of the model were compared to a variety of published data and were similar. The SLP significantly increased jump distance, power, total energy, and duration of the jump impulse. Locust can jump precisely to a target, but also exhibit tumbling. We proposed two mechanisms for controlling tumbling during the jump. The first was that locusts adjust the pitch of their body prior to the jump to move the center of mass closer to the thrust vector. The second was that contraction of the abdominal muscles during the jump produced torques that countered the torque due to thrust. There was a strong correlation relating increased pitch and takeoff angle. In simulations there was an optimal pitch-takeoff combination that minimized tumbling that was similar to the live data. The direction and magnitude of tumbling could be controlled by adjusting abdominal tension. Tumbling also influenced jump elevation. Neuromechanical simulation addressed problems that would be difficult to examine using traditional physiological approaches. It is a powerful tool for understanding the neural basis of behavior.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:19:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 890.pdf: 2264472 bytes, checksum: 6edbcc6e17524c5dbcff6f0b401fd7f6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-02-09 / Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos / This study aimed to characterize the spontaneous kicking patterns in 1-and-2-monthold infants, as well as verify whether the extra weight of 1/10 and 1/3 of the leg mass can modify such patterns. Eight infants were longitudinally recorded in supine at 1 and 2 months of age. The experiment lasted six minutes and twenty seconds, and was subdivided into five conditions: (1) training: the examiner put the infants right foot, then their left foot, and finally their feet simultaneously on a board three times running in order to make them raise the board and start the mobile. (2) Baseline: while kicking, the infants used their feet to raise the board and start the mobile; (3) Extra Weight 1: the same as the baseline condition, but with the weight of 1/10 of the leg mass on the ankle; (4) Extra Weight 2: The same as the baseline condition, but with the weight of 1/3 of the leg mass on the ankle; (5) Post-weight: the same as the baseline condition. Frequency of kicking, frequency of feet contact with the board when starting the mobile, uni and bipodal movements, and lateralization were verified by analyzing the images. In order to analyze intralimb coordination pattern, kicking duration, mean velocity, and straightness index, the kinematic analysis was applied by using the Dvideow System 6.3. The Chi-Square test indicated a significant increase in the frequency of kicking at 2 months and in the conditions of extra weight 1 and postweight. The frequency of feet-contact with the board decreased in the condition of extra weight 2, and increased at 2 months. Unilateral kicking was predominant in all the conditions and ages, and infants showed no preference for either leg. The Kruskal- Wallis test indicated no significant differences in the intralimb coordination pattern among the conditions or ages. However, hip-knee correlation was shown to be high, indicating that these articulations are in-phase when kicking. The ANOVA for repeated measures showed no significant differences in kicking duration, mean velocity, and straightness index. In summary, kinematic variables were not altered with extra weight or increased age. Therefore, it is possible to suggest that the infants changed the frequency of kicking at 1 and 2 months of age due probably to intrinsic factors (e.g. increased mass and muscle strength, infants behavioral state, maturation of the Central Nervous System) and extrinsic factors (e.g. interest in interacting with the environment and performing the proposed tasks). Furthermore, the infants spontaneous kicking was influenced by the stimulation of the proprioceptive system when bearing the extra weight of 1/10 of their leg mass. / Este trabalho teve por objetivo caracterizar o padrão de chutes espontâneos de lactentes nas idades de um e dois meses, bem como verificar se pesos adicionais de 1/10 e 1/3 da massa do membro inferior do lactente modificam o padrão dos chutes nessas idades. Participaram do estudo oito lactentes com um e dois meses de vida. Os lactentes foram filmados longitudinalmente, nas idades de um e dois meses, em supino. O experimento teve a duração de seis minutos e vinte segundos, subdivididos em cinco condições: (1) Treinamento: o examinador, segurando os tornozelos dos lactentes, colocava o pé direito, em seguida o pé esquerdo e, finalmente, os dois pés simultaneamente por três vezes consecutivas no painel a fim de elevá-lo para acionar o móbile; (2) Linha de Base: o lactente, durante os chutes, poderia elevar o painel com os pés e acionar o móbile; (3) Condição de Peso 1: idêntica à condição anterior, exceto pelo acréscimo da tornozeleira contendo 1/10 da massa do membro inferior; (4) Condição de Peso 2: idêntica à condição anterior, entretanto com peso de 1/3 da massa do membro inferior; e (5) Póspeso: idêntica à Linha de Base. Através da conferência das imagens, analisamos a freqüência de chutes, a freqüência de contatos dos pés no painel que acionava o móbile, os movimentos uni e bipodais e a lateralidade. Para analisar o padrão de coordenação intramembro, a duração dos chutes, a velocidade média e o índice de retidão, empregamos a análise cinemática através do Sistema Dvideow 6.3. O teste Quiquadrado revelou aumento significativo da freqüência de chutes nas idades de dois meses e nas condições referentes ao peso de 1/10 e pós-peso. Na condição de peso de 1/3 da massa do membro, verificamos diminuição do contato dos pés no painel e, na idade de dois meses, aumento da freqüência de contatos. Em todas as condições e idades houve predomínio por chutes unilaterais, não havendo preferência por um dos membros. Para o padrão de coordenação intramembro, o teste Kruskal-Wallis não revelou diferenças significativas entre as condições experimentais ou entre as idades. No entanto, a correlação entre quadril e joelho foi alta, demonstrando que essas articulações estão em-fase durante a realização dos chutes. A ANOVA para medidas repetidas não revelou diferença significativa nas variáveis duração dos chutes, velocidade média e índice de retidão. Dessa forma, podemos verificar que as variáveis cinemáticas não foram alteradas com o peso adicional ou nos dois meses estudados. Portanto, podemos sugerir que nas idades de um e dois meses de vida, os lactentes alteraram a freqüência dos chutes espontâneos, provavelmente, devido aos fatores intrínsecos ao organismo (como aumento da massa e força musculares, estado comportamental dos lactentes, maturação do Sistema Nervoso Central) e fatores extrínsecos (como interesse pelo ambiente e em realizar a tarefa proposta). Além disso, os chutes espontâneos dos lactentes foram influenciados pela estimulação do sistema proprioceptivo, empregandose 1/10 da massa do membro inferior.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-06T17:07:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 MARCELO PINTO.pdf: 1198069 bytes, checksum: d0bf83a097faa213dc8b92cbbf92f219 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-07-30 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / To understand the factors that affect the capability of fast swimming is crucial to obtain success in the sport. The underwater dolphin kick UDK - has a great balance between minimize the drag and maximize the forward impulse, reducing the physical effort of the swimmer. Thus, to know the elements that compound the UDK, like frequency, force, angles and amplitudes of kicking lead to a better understanding that feature of swimming is one of the factors that most compromise the swimming time. The aim of this work was to compare kinects and cinematic variables of UDK between groups of swimmers with different performances. Twenty-four competitive male swimmers have done four maximal performances of 17 meters of UDK. It was used three underwater cameras putted on 5, 10 and 15 meters of the path. The swimmers were recorded to cinematic analyze. The frames of all performances were digitalized in the program Ariel Perfomance Analysis Systems APAS. It was evaluated the kinematics variables of the swimmer during the UDK using the software Aquanex (Swimming Technology Research, FLO, USA). The mean of the performances between the groups was compared using the T student s test, for the normalized distribution samples and the Mann-Whitneys s U test for the non-normal with confidence value of 95% (p<0,05). It was used the multiple regression analysis to correlate the variables the exerts more influence during the UDK. The results have shown that the difference between both groups could be explained for the following variables: frequency of kicking, peak of force, mean of force, duration of kicking cycle, horizontal maximum speed, maximum down speed, maximum vertical speed down-guided and up-guided normalized by the high of lower limbs. The multiple regression analysis showed that the variables: mean of force and frequency of kicking explain, together, 48% of the performance of time in 5-15 meters. / Entender os fatores que afetam a capacidade de nadar rápido é fundamental para obter êxito no esporte. O movimento de pernas na ondulação subaquática MPOS, possui um ótimo equilíbrio entre minimizar o arrasto e maximizar o impulso, reduzindo o esforço físico exigido do nadador. Conhecer elementos intrínsecos da sua execução, como a frequência, a força, os ângulos e as amplitudes das pernadas levam a compreensão do MPOS que é um dos fatores que mais influência no tempo de nado. O objetivo do estudo, portanto, foi comparar variáveis cinéticas e cinemáticas do MPOS, entre grupos com diferentes desempenhos e correlacionar estas variáveis com o desempenho. Vinte e quatro nadadores competitivos do sexo masculino realizaram quatro execuções máximas de 17 metros do MPOS. Foram utilizadas três câmeras subaquáticas posicionadas nos 5, 10 e 15 m e uma que acompanhava os nadadores durante o percurso. Eles foram filmados para análise cinemática. Os quadros de todas as execuções foram digitalizados manualmente no programa Ariel Perfomance Analysis Systems APAS. Também foram avaliadas as variáveis cinéticas aplicadas pelo nadador durante o MPOS por meio do sistema de aquisição de dados Aquanex (Swimming Technology Research, FLO, USA). A média das execuções entre os grupos foi comparada através do teste t de Student, para as variáveis que apresentaram distribuição normal e o teste "U" de Mann-Whitney com nível de confiança de 95% (p<0,05). Foi utilizada, ainda, a análise de regressão múltipla para correlacionar as variáveis que mais influenciaram durante o MPOS. Os resultados encontrados demonstraram que a diferença entre os grupos pode ser explicada pelas seguintes variáveis: frequência de pernadas, pico de força, força média, duração do ciclo, velocidade máxima horizontal, velocidade máxima vertical para baixo, velocidade máxima vertical para baixo e para cima normalizada pela altura dos membros inferiores. Com base na análise de regressão múltipla, as variáveis força média e frequência da pernada explicaram, em conjunto, 48% do desempenho no tempo de 5-15 m.

Background: Plyometric training is a form of conditioning with increasing popularity that involves the performance of body weight jumping type exercises with the use of the stretch-shortening cycle muscle action. It is widely accepted that plyometric training has beneficial effects on many sports, including soccer. Objectives: To assess the effect of plyometric training on explosive actions of soccer performance (sprinting, jumping, agility, ball kicking) and indicated the kind, the frequency and targeted age groups on which the plyometrics should be executed. Methods: A search for all types of trials was performed on Pubmed, Web of Science and Sport Discus databases and the results were recorded according to PRISMA recommendations. 24 studies were included and judged for risk of bias and quality of evidence according to Cochrane guidelines and GRADE. Results: The studies were judges to have “low”, “high” and “unclear” risk of bias and were judged as “moderate”, “low” and very low quality of evidence. The finding of most of the studies show that plyometric training has beneficial effects and statistically significant improvements on the explosive actions (sprinting, jumping, agility and ball kicking) of young soccer players between 10 and 19 years old. Conclusions: The level of evidence of the review is moderate which means that further research is likely to have an important impact on our confidence in the estimate of effect and may change the estimate. The current study suggests that plyometric training can be beneficial for young soccer players when is applied with gradual intensity, frequency of 2-3 times per week and along with regular soccer and strength training. Future research of higher quality of evidence studies and lower risk of bias should be performed in this field.

Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The RoboCup offers a research platform to advance robotics and multi-robot cooperation in dynamic environments. This project builds on work previously done to develop a research platform for multi-robot cooperation at Stellenbosch University. This thesis describes the development of an active ball handling system for a robot in the RoboCup Small Size League (SSL). This was achieved by building on the work done in the previous projects. The hardware for the kicker and dribbler mechanisms on the robot were implemented and tested to characterise their capabilities. The kicker was characterised to control the speed at which a ball is kicked and the dribbler for optimal control over a ball. More accurate movement was required and the Proportional Integral and Derivative (PID) controllers for translational and rotational movement on the robot were improved. The test results show an improvement in straight line trajectory tracking when compared to those of the previous controllers. Dribble control sensors were implemented on the robot for successful dribbling by the robot. This resulted in a significant improvement to the dribbling ability of the robot when these sensors are used. This dribbling ability was compared to the dribbling ability of the robot when no feedback was received from the sensors. Lastly a proposed curved trajectory tracking algorithm was tested by combining translational and rotational movement of the robot. This algorithm showed the capabilities of the robot to follow a curved trajectory with the improved translational and rotational controllers. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die RoboCup bied ’n navorsingsplatvorm om robotika en multi-robot samewerking in ’n dinamiese omgewing te bevorder. Hierdie projek bou voort op werk wat reeds gedoen is om ’n navorsingsplatvorm vir multi-robot samewerking aan die Universiteit van Stellenbosch te ontwikkel. Hierdie tesis beskryf die ontwikkeling van ’n aktiewe balhanteringsstelsel vir ’n robot in die RoboCup Klein Liga (KL). Dit is bereik deur voort te bou op die werk wat in vorige projekte gedoen is. Die hardeware vir die skopper- en dribbelmeganismes is geïmplementeer en getoets om hulle vermoëns te karakteriseer. Die skopper is gekenmerk deur die spoed waarteen ’n bal geskop word en die dribbler vir optimale beheer oor ’n bal. Meer akkurate beweging was nodig en die PID-beheerders vir translasie- en rotasiebeweging in die robot is verbeter. Die resultate van die toetse toon ’n verbetering in reguitlynbeweging in vergelyking met dié van die vorige beheerders. Dribbelbeheersensors is in die robot geïmplementeer vir suksesvolle dribbelbeweging deur die robot. Gevolglik is daar ’n aansienlike verbetering in die dribbelvermoë van die robot wanneer hierdie sensors gebruik word. Hierdie dribbelvermoë is vergelyk met die dribbelvermoë wanneer die robot geen terugvoer van die sensors ontvang nie. Laastens is ’n voorgestelde algoritme vir die robot om ’n geboë trajek te volg, getoets. Dit is bereik deur die translasie- en die rotasiebeweging van die robot te kombineer. Hierdie algoritme het die vermoë van die robot om ’n geboë baan te laat volg deur gebruik te maak van die verbeterde translasie- en rotasiebeheerders.

Author: Bc. Tomáš Zajíček Title: Analysis of game activities of goalkeeper during European Championship Under-21 2015. Objectives: The main objective is to analyse of game activities of goalkeeper on European Chapmionship Under-21 2015. Partial objectives: ranking of all matches on European Chapmionship Under-21 2015 in football, completing data, frequency of game activities, ratio of defensive and offensive game activities of goalkeeper and comparing the effect of regular and irregular performance on the goalkeeper on European Chapmionship Under-21 2015 in Czech republic. Methods: For getting information there were used indirect observation in this Bachelor thesis. The indirect observation from videorecords was time postponed. Results: The results show that in current football the goalkeeper has to be in control of the game with his foot more than ever before. A study points to the fact that the goalkeeper has to offend four times more than defend during the game. Available data show that U21 goalkeepers run less towards center balls than their older colleagues. The data also show that especially defense experience and regular utilization during the game shows. Keywords: Goalkeeper, game activities of goalkeeper, catching ball, rebound ball, running out for centered balls, taking ball, throwing...