Thesis (M Sport Sc (Sport Science))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / Intellectually impaired (II) athletes are not allowed to participate at the Paralympic Games because there is no accepted classification system for these athletes. The rationale for this study was to see if there are any physical differences existing in the sprint performance of II and non-II athletes and to see if there is a way to incorporate these differences into a new (accepted) classification system. The objective of this study was to identify any physical sources for the differences between II and non-II, with regard to the acceleration phase, the first 30m of the 60m sprint race, which could then be used in conjunction with other tests in the classification of II athletes. This new classification system might then allow II athletes to participate in the Paralympic Games again. 32 II athletes (22 male and 10 females) and 14 non-II athletes (10 males and 4 females) were used in this study. The sprint performance was analysed and compared of each athlete using the DartFish ProSuite software programme. The data collected from these analysis was then compared using the unpaired t-test, looking for any significant differences between the groups (p<0.05). From this analysis, it was concluded that stride length was the reason for the poorer performance of the II group when compared to the non-II group. Further research is required before definite conclusions can be made on the possible reasons for this difference.

1 Abstract: The aim of this study quantify and compare the differences in the dynamics of foot movement compared with static in adulthood and old age, focusing on the midstance phase. A secondary objective is to outline the relationship with the angular distribution of pressure on the sole. For measurements two measuring methods were used. The kinematic analysis named Qualysis was used as a main method and system of plantar pressure insoles Pedar X as a complementary method. The difference in measured distance of 1-MP calcaneus, 5MP - calcaneus and pronate angle of calcaneus was prooved using the statistical calculation, which confirmed the hypothesis of half clear a significant degree. Subsequently, the changes were further specified using the results of the distribution of maximum force and contact time of the soles.

Thesis name: The evaluating of the change of walking quality in dancers in comparison with the normal population Thesis goal: This thesis deals with effect of long-term ballet dance on kinematic parameters of gait. The theoretical part includes basic characteristics of gait cycle and kinesiological and biomechanical findings of ballet movement and its compensatory mechanisms in musculoskeletal system. There is analyzed angular parameters of gait cycle in ballet dancers in performance of walking in the experimental part. The results will show if the many-years intensive training of dance affects the alignment of particular joints of the body during human walk. Method: Kinematic analysis by Qualisys system allowing automatic processing of record obtained with infrared cameras. Qualisys uses its own high-frequency cameras for precise movement tracking of the measured object using active or passive markers. Gathered data from device were processed and statictically evaluated with Microsoft Office Excel. Keywords: gait, bipedal locomotion, dance, gait analysis, gait of dancers, ballet, kinematics analysis

Author: Barbora Říhová Title: Kinematic Analysis of Gait in Patients with Hip Osteoarthrosis Objectives: The aim of this thesis was to analyse the gait patterns in probands with Stage III osteoarthritis of the hip joint, to compare these patterns with published norms and to confirm a set of pre-established hypotheses. Method: The thesis was designed as a case study, the purpose of which was to observe changes in the pelvis and trunk extension during gait, associated with significant degenerative changes in the hip joint. A total of 9 probands with Stage III osteoarthritis of the hip joint (6 females, 3 males) took part in the study. A complete physiotherapy assessment was carried out as part of the study. The temporal gait parameters were used to measure the probands' walking speed and relative stance phase duration. The following variables were measured in the frontal plane: lateral displacement of the pelvis and trunk toward the stance limb (cm) and pelvic obliquity toward the swing limb (degrees). A 3D motion analysis and evaluation of kinematic parameters were carried out using the Qualisys motion capture system device consisting of 6 infrared cameras. Gait was measured at different walking speeds during a 10-second time frame and the data was subsequently subtracted from a minimum of 5 gait...

Title: Experimental investigation of human gait analysis parameters Objective: The main objective of diploma thesis was an experiment, that examined kinematic and dimensional parameters of human gait which was captured by several cameras and acquired data was recorded in 2D and 3D measurement. Secondary objective was to compare and statistically evaluate data acquired from measurement. The objective of analysis was to discover and describe possible regularities, patterns of human gait and other connections in investigated subjects. Methods: Comparative method was used in the thesis. The purpose of the experiment was to compare parameters measured during attempts of every subject that were conducted under different conditions (different velocity, dressed, undressed, in the environment of 2D and 3D recording) and also to compare different subjects with each other. Results: In the experiment we observed that it is possible to prove the relation between the length of a step and the velocity of gait and also the relation between the change in the body height and the velocity of human gait by three dimensional recording of gait and its analysis. This contention was confirmed in the comparison dressed and undressed subjects. The result of the experiment was, that with increasing velocity of gait is...

Title: Assessment of the timing of tennis strokes using kinematic analysis and surface electromyography Aims: Assess the timing of tennis forhand, service and appropriate training exercises using kinematic analysis. Describe the activation of muscles in time for the chosen execution of the strokes by recording surface electromyography (SEMG). Compare the results of various executions and describe the differences between using the racquets with different parameters and between executions of various training exercises. Method: Case study using kinematic analysis and surface electromyography was made. Results: We have found out that the execution of the strokes using the players own racquet was the most stable. We have found the differences in timing while using various racquets. The heavier the equipment we are using in training exercise is the more different is the timing of this movement. We concluded that the chosen training exercises are inappropriate as the special exercises to improve coordination. Key words: tennis, timing, service, forhand, electromyographic analysis, kinematic analysis

Title: Experimental motion analysis of human locomotion Objectives: The aim of this work is verification of the hypothesis that it is possible to identify humans using measurement of parameters of their gait taken from surveillance camera's records. Methods: In our thesis we used the method of comparison. The aim of the experiment is comparison of parameters measured in different trials of each subject under different conditions (different walking speeds, with or without clothes on, and using either 2D or 3D record), as well as comparison across different subjects. Results: We found that using a 3D record of human gait, it is possible to improve our capability of identifying them. We also found that it is necessary to compare either dressed subjects strictly among themselves or stripped subjects strictly among themselves, because otherwise the comparison is not meaningful. Furthermore, we found that using our geometrical methods, it is possible to deduce gait parameters from a 2D camera record when it comes to height of the subject, but not so for length of their step. Keywords: gait, identification, kinematic analysis, forensic biomechanics

Introdução: As órteses são recursos terapêuticos auxiliares indicados para alívio da dor, melhora do padrão funcional ou aplicação de forças para correção de deformidades. Existe uma carência de estudos que analisem as alterações biomecânicas promovidas pelas órteses no padrão funcional do membro superior. O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar os efeitos biomecânicos do ombro e do cotovelo com o uso de órteses funcionais em pacientes com disfunções decorrentes de traumas do sistema musculoesquelético. Métodos: O estudo analisou as alterações do padrão de movimento com o uso das órteses dinâmicas e estáticas por meio da análise cinemática e eletromiográfica do membro superior durante a realização de uma tarefa funcional padronizada, sendo que os controles serão os próprios pacientes. Os movimentos analisados foram flexão-extensão de ombro, abdução-adução de ombro, rotação interna-rotação externa de ombro, flexão-extensão de cotovelo, pronação-supinação. Na eletromiografia foi analisada a integral normalizada dos músculos trapézio superior, bíceps braquial e tríceps braquial. Além disso foi realizada dinamometria isométrica de preensão e pinças, bem como a aplicação do questionário QuickDASH sobre sintomatologia e funcionalidade. Foram incluídos 6 pacientes, maiores de 18 anos, com disfunções decorrentes de lesões nervosas periféricas e deformidades musculoesqueléticas decorrentes de artrite reumatóide, que tiveram indicação do uso de órtese. Resultados: embora as órteses estáticas sejam indicadas para correção de desvio ulnar e para bloqueio de garra mista, de acordo com os resultados deste estudo, não agregaram em termos de funcionalidade. Neste último modelo, um voluntário apresentou diferença clinicamente importante de 22,7 pontos, sinalizando piora da função na situação com órtese. Além disso, as órteses para bloqueio de garra mista demandaram maior recrutamento de trapézio superior e bíceps braquial. As órteses dinâmicas para lesão do nervo radial parecem favorecer a força de preensão estática, porém, promoveram compensações proximais durante a execução de tarefas dinâmicas, que envolveram elevação e deslocamento do membro superior, em termos de amplitude de movimento de abdução de ombro, flexão e pronação de cotovelo / Introduction: Orthoses are therapeutic resources that are indicated for pain relief, improvement of the functional pattern and / or to correct deformities. There is a lack of studies that analyze the biomechanical alterations promoted by the orthoses in the functional pattern of the upper limb. The aim of the present study was to analyze the biomechanical effects in shoulder and elbow promoted by orthoses in patients with upper extremity dysfunctions due to trauma of the musculoskeletal system. Methods: The range of motion and muscle activation was collected simultaneously during the performance of a standardized functional task with and witho no orthosis. The movements analyzed were shoulder flexion-extension, shoulder abduction-adduction, shoulder internal-external rotation, elbow flexion-extension, pronation-supination and the integrated electromyography signal of the upper trapezius, brachial bíceps and brachial triceps muscles were analyzed. In addition, isometric dynamometry of gripping and pinch, besides the application of the questionnaire QuickDASH about symptomatology and functionality. Were included six patients, older than 18 years, with peripheral nerve dysfunction and musculoskeletal deformities due to rheumatoid arthritis, who had indication of the use of orthosis. Results: although the static orthosis are indicated for correction of ulnar deviation and MCP extension-blocking, according to the results of this study, they did not add in terms of functionality. MCP extension-bloking orthosis promoted a clinically important difference of 22,7 points, suggesting worsing of the funtion. In addition, this model demanded greater proximal muscular recruitment of upper trapezius and brachial biceps. Dynamic orthoses for radial nerve injury seem to favor static grip strength, but they promoted proximal compensations during the execution of dynamic tasks, that involved elevation and displacement of the upper limb in terms of shoulder abduction, flexion and pronation of elbow

As características intermitentes do futebol exigem a aplicação de testes específicos à modalidade. O teste Yo-yo intermitente recuperativo nível 1 (YYIR1) é considerado um teste específico e confiável na avaliação de jogadores de futebol. Contudo, as variáveis de desempenho que o influenciam são pouco conhecidas. O presente estudo, teve como objetivo verificar as variáveis determinantes do desempenho final do teste YYIR1 em jogadores de futebol de campo. Para tanto, dez jogadores de futebol de campo da categoria sub-20 foram submetidos a três sessões de avaliação onde foram determinadas as seguintes variáveis: a) composição corporal (%G) e força dinâmica máxima (1RM) no exercício agachamento; b) economia de corrida (EC) e as variáveis relacionadas a potência (VO2max e vVO2max) e capacidade aeróbia (Limiar anaeróbio LAn-3,5mM) em esteira rolante e c) no teste YYIR1, determinação de forma direta das variáveis respiratórias e análise cinemática do deslocamento determinando a média da aceleração pico (AP-média) e a média da velocidade pico (VP-média) durante os estágios. Antes e após o teste em esteira (TE) e o teste YYIR1 foram determinadas a altura de salto vertical (Alt-jump), o tempo de contato com o solo (TC-jump) e o índice de força reativa (IFR-jump) através da técnica Drop Jump. Além disso, em ambos os testes foram determinadas as participações energéticas. Os principais resultados foram: a) houve diferença significante entre o VO2max determinado em esteira (57,33 ± 3,4ml/kg/min) e no teste YYIR1 (53,57 ± 2,67ml/kg/min) e estes não se correlacionaram; b) a participação energética tanto no TE (92,31 ± 1,79%) quanto no YYIR1 (74,08 ± 6,88%) é predominantemente aeróbia, porém, o YYIR1 apresenta maior participação anaeróbia quando comparado ao TE (25,91 ± 6,88 e 7,67 ± 1,79%, respectivamente); c) as variáveis determinadas no Drop Jump não foram influenciadas pela realização do TE e o YYIR1; d) nenhuma variável relacionada à capacidade de força (1RM, 1RM/MCT; Alt-jump, TC-jump e IFR-jump) apresentou correlação com o desempenho final do YYIR1; e) a %G (r = -0,63), VO2max (r = 0,74), vVO2max (r = 0,86), LAn-3,5mM (r = 0,76), AP-média (r = 0,77) e a participação anaeróbia alática no YYIR1(r = -0,65) apresentaram correlação significante com o desempenho final no YYIR1; f) destas apenas a vVO2max e a participação anaeróbia alática no YYIR1 foram determinantes no desempenho final do teste. Conclui-se que, embora correlacionado com outras variáveis, o desempenho final do YYIR1 é influenciado pela maior vVO2max determinada no TE e menor participação do metabolismo anaeróbio alático no YYIR1 / The intermittents characteristics of the soccer require the application of specific tests to this game. The Yo-yo intermittent recovery level 1 test (YYIR1) is considered a reliable and specific test in the evaluation of soccer players. However, the variables that influence their performance is little known. The present study aimed at finding out the variables which determine the final YYIR1 performance test in the soccer field. Therefore ten soccer players in the U-20 field underwent three evaluation sessions in which the following variables were determined: a) body composition (% BF) and maximal dynamic strength (1RM) in the squat exercise; b) running economy (RE) and the variables related to power (VO2max and vVO2max), aerobic capacity (anaerobic threshold - AT-3,5mM) on treadmill, and c) determining directly in the YYIR1 test the respiratory variables and analysing the displacement kinematic that causes the average peak acceleration (PA-average) and the average peak velocity (VP-average) during the stages. Before and after the treadmill test (ET) and the YYIR1 test there were determined the height of the vertical jump (Alt-jump), the time of contact with the ground (TC-jump) and reactive strength index (RSI-jump) through Drop Jump technique. Additionally, in both tests there were determined energy holdings. The main results were: a) there was a significant difference between the indicated treadmill VO2max (57.33 ± 3.4 ml/kg/min) and the YYIR1 test (53.57 ± 2.67 ml/kg/min) and these indicators were not correlated; b) the energy participation in TE (92.31 ± 1.79%) and in the YYIR1 (74.08 ± 6.88%) was predominantly aerobic; however the YYIR1 test had a greater anaerobic participation compared to TE (25.91 ± 6 , 7.67 ± 1.79 and 88%, respectively); c) the variables evaluated in the Drop Jump were not affected by the ET, and the YYIR1; d) no variable related to the power capacity (1RM 1RM/MCT; Alt-jump, TC-jump and IFR-jump) was correlated to the YYIR1 final performance; e) the % BF (r = -0.63), VO2max (r = 0.74), vVO2max (r = 0.86), AT-3,5mM (r = 0.76), AP-average (r = 0 , 77) and anaerobic alactic participation in the YYIR1 (r = -0.65) showed significant correlation with the final performance in the YYIR1; f) among these only the vVO2max and anaerobic alactic participation in the YYIR1 were determinant in the final performance. The conclusion is that, although correlated with other variables, the final YYIR1 was influenced by the greater vVO2max determined in the TE and the lower participation of the anaerobic alactic metabolism in the YYIR1

Esta pesquisa foi realizada com o intuito de descrever o protocolo de obtenção da imagem termográfica, definir o padrão térmico normal da coluna vertebral e também descrever os valores cinemáticos durante a locomoção em 17 cães condrodistróficos da raça Dachshund. Foram analisadas as imagens tomográficas de toda a extensão da coluna; e também foram avaliadas as regiões dorsal e lateral de todos as regiões da coluna vertebral por meio da termografia. Para a realização da análise cinemática, foram aderidos em pontos anatômicos específicos de cada um dos cães marcadores reflexivos e foram obtidos os valores de máxima extensão, mínima flexão e a amplitude articular durante a locomoção das articulações dos membros torácicos e pélvicos do lado direito e esquerdo do animal. Foi testada a normalidade dos dados e comparados os lados direito e esquerdo, e as regiões da coluna vertebral de cada cão. Nenhum dos 17 cães mostrou evidencia tomográfica de compressão extradural da medula espinhal. Houve diferença estatística entre os pontos da região cervical e torácica e entre a região cervical e toracolombar; o ponto médio de maior temperatura encontrado foi na região toracolombar. Foram obtidos os dados cinemáticos de 5 passagens válidas de cada animal, a velocidade foi mantida entre 1,2 e 1,5m/seg. Os valores cinemáticos apresentaram uma distribuição normal e a simetria entre os lados de cada uma das articulações foi constatada. O mapa térmico em cães da raça Dachshund hígidos se caracteriza por apresentar uma maior temperatura na região torácica e toracolombar. Em toda a extensão da coluna o mapa térmico se caracteriza por uma zona central mais quente com diminuição simétrica da temperatura nas áreas mais laterais. A análise cinemática da locomoção permitiu a obtenção dos valores simétricos do movimento de flexão, extensão e amplitude articular da articulação coxofemoral, joelho, tibiotársica, ombro e cotovelo bilateral. Não foi possível a obtenção dos valores da articulação radiocárpica. Conclui-se que a termografia é uma ferramenta útil e não invasiva para medir a temperatura da coluna vertebral em cães da raça Dachshund e que estes apresentam um padrão de movimento articular simétrico durante a locomoção. / This research was conducted with the purpose of describing the protocol to obtain the thermographic image, to define the normal thermal pattern of the spine and to describe the kinematic data during locomotion in 17 Dachshund breed dogs. The tomographic images of the entire spine were analyzed; and the dorsal and lateral view of all the regions of the spine were also evaluated using thermography. To perform the kinematic analysis, reflective markers were attached to specific anatomical landmarks and the numeric values of maximum extension, minimum flexion and range of motion were obtained during locomotion for the joints of the fore and hind limbs of the right and left side of the animal. The normality of the data was tested and the right and left side, and the regions of the spine of each dog were compare. None of the 17 dogs showed tomographic evidences of extradural compression of the spinal cord. There was statistical difference between the points of the cervical and thoracic region and between the cervical and thoracolumbar region; the midpoint with the highest temperature was found in the thoracolumbar region. Kinematic data of 5 valid passages of each animal were obtained, velocity was maintained between 1.2 and 1.5 m/sec. The kinematic data had normal distribution and the symmetry between the sides of each joint was verified. The thermal map in healthy Dachshund dogs is characterized by presenting the higher temperature in the thoracic and thoracolumbar regions. Throughout the whole extension of the spine the thermal map is characterized by a warmer central zone with symmetrical decrease of temperature in the lateral areas. The kinematic gait analysis allowed us to obtain the symmetrical bilateral values of flexion, extension and range of motion of the hip, knee, tibiotarsal, shoulder and elbow joints. It was not possible to obtain the values of the radiocarpal joint. It was concluded that thermography is a useful and non-invasive tool to measure the spinal temperature in Dachshund breed dogs and that they have a pattern of symmetrical joint movement during locomotion.