Considerando as similaridades entre o nado crawl e a remada executada por surfistas, além da preparação física executada pelos mesmos em piscina, este trabalho objetivou avaliar surfistas recreacionais por meio da comparação, concordância e correlação das variáveis fisiológicas e biomecânicas obtidas a partir de testes nadando crawl e remando com prancha. Foram avaliados 14 surfistas (idade de 37,7 ± 4,7 anos) em duas situações: (i) teste em nado crawl, máximo, de 300 m e (ii) teste de remada, nas mesmas condições de intensidade e duração do teste de nado crawl. Os testes foram realizados na mesma piscina e nas mesmas condições de temperaturas e horário. Foram avaliados: consumo de oxigênio de pico (VO2pico) durante os testes, frequência cardíaca (Fcard), concentração sanguínea de lactato ([LA]), esforço percebido (EP) e cinemática em ambos os testes. Dentre os resultados: para teste de nado crawl e teste de remada respectivamente, destacam-se os resultados de VO2pico, Fcard, [LA], e EP: 38,5 ± 5,3 e 36,2 ± 5,3 ml.kg-1.min-1; 149,6 ± 17,4 e 162,2 ± 14,6 bpm; 10,4 ± 2,7 e 12,1 ± 2,7 mmol.l-1; e 16,1 ± 2,4 e 16,7 ± 1,4 pontos. As velocidades médias dos testes foram de, respectivamente, para teste de nado crawl e teste de remada: 0,91 ± 0,1 e 1,27 ± 0,1 m-s-1. De modo geral, os testes apresentaram resultados similares, com baixa concordância, alta correlação e de médios a grandes tamanhos de efeito entre nadar e remar. Considerando os resultados encontrados, o treinamento de surfistas, em piscina, não deveria ser apenas com natação. Conclui-se que os esforços e testes (nadar crawl e remar) não são plenamente intercambiáveis. / Considering the similarities between the front-crawl and the paddling movement, in addition to the physical preparation performed by surfers in swimming pool, this work aimed to compare, to test the agreement and to correlate surfers’ values of oxygen uptake obtained from swimming and paddling tests. A total of 14 surfers (age 37.7 ± 4.7 years) were evaluated in two situations: (i) a 300 m maximum front-crawl test (ii) a paddling test in the same conditions of intensity and duration of the swimming test. The tests were performed in the same pool and under the same conditions of temperatures and time of the day. Peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) during the tests, heart rate (Fcard), blood lactate concentration ([LA]), perceived exertion (PE) and kinematics in both tests were assessed. Among the results, VO2peak, Fcard, [LA], and EP were, respectively for front-crawl and paddling test:: 38.5 ± 5.3 and 36.2 ± 5.3 ml.kg-1.min-1; 149.6 ± 17.4 and 162.2 ± 14.6 bpm; 10.4 ± 2.7 and 12.1 ± 2.7 mmol.l-1; and 16.1 ± 2.4 and 16.7 ± 1.4 points. The mean velocities of the tests were, respectively, for front-crawl test and paddling test: 0.91 ± 0.1 and 1.27 ± 0.1 m.s-1. In general, the tests presented similar results, with low agreement, high correlation, and medium to large effect sizes between swimming and paddling. Considering the results, the training of surfers, in swimming pool, should not be just with swimming. It is concluded that the efforts and tests (front-crawl and the paddling movement) are not fully interchangeable.

Proprioception is an ability to perceive the position and speed of body parts that is important for construction of the body schema in the brain. Proper updating of the body schema is necessary for appropriate voluntary movement. However, the mechanisms mediating such an updating are not well understood. To study these mechanisms when the body part was at rest, electroencephalography (EEG) and evoked potentials studies were employed, and when the body was in motion, kinematic studies were performed. An experimental approach to elicit proprioceptive P300 evoked potentials was developed providing evidence that processing of novel passive movements is similar to processing of novel visual and auditory stimuli. The latencies of the proprioceptive P300 potentials were found to be greater than those elicited by auditory, but not different from those elicited by the visual stimuli. The features of the functional networks that generated the P300s were analyzed for each modality. Cross-correlation networks showed both common features, e.g. connections between frontal and parietal areas, and the stimulus-specific features, e.g. increases of the connectivity for temporal electrodes in the visual and auditory networks, but not in the proprioceptive ones. The magnitude of coherency networks showed a reduction in alpha band connectivity for most of the electrodes groupings for all stimuli modalities, but did not demonstrate modality-specific features. Kinematic study compared performances of 19 models previously proposed in the literature for movements at the shoulder and elbow joints in terms of their ability to reconstruct the speed profiles of the wrist pointing movements. It was found that lognormal and beta function models are most suitable for wrist speed profile modeling. In addition, an investigation of the blinking rates during the P300 potentials recordings revealed significantly lower rates in left-handed participants, compared to the right-handed ones. Future work will include expanding the experimental and analytical methodologies to different kinds of proprioceptive stimuli (displacements and speeds) and experimental paradigms (error-related negativity potentials), and comparing the models of the speed profiles produced by the feet to those of the wrists, as well as replicating the observations made on the blinking rates in a larger scale study.

The anconeus, a small triangular muscle positioned on the posterolateral part of the elbow joint, has been the subject of considerable research without a satisfactory conclusion being reached regarding the role it plays during normal elbow kinematics. The aim of this investigation was to elucidate the function of the anconeus muscle and find the relative contribution that it makes to elbow kinematics by examining relative electrical muscle activity and elbow kinematics both before and after anconeus defunctioning carried out using a local anaesthetic (lidocaine). The study was performed through an examination of the myoelectric activity of the representative elbow flexor and extensor muscles (biceps brachii and triceps brachii) and the elbow kinematics and kinetics. Right-handed, healthy volunteers performed elbow flexion-extension and supination-pronation movements in both horizontal and sagittal planes before and after blocking of the anconeus. The kinematics and kinetics of the elbow were assessed using inertial sensors, and muscle electrical activity was recorded using surface electromyography. In the following stage of the study, the anconeus muscle was blocked through an injection of lidocaine and then the flexion-extension and pronation-supination movements were repeated. The relative electrical activity results from the anconeus before blocking clearly indicate that the activity of the muscle was higher during the extension portion of the flexion-extension cycle, suggesting that it behaves as an extensor muscle. However, from the paired sample t-test analysis, it was found that blocking of the anconeus had no effect on the kinematics and kinetics of the elbow, including the angular velocity, net torque, power and net joint work. Moreover, the angular velocity data for the elbow, before and after the blocking for all movements, showed a linear trend with slopes and Pearson's correlations close to unity, indicating no apparent difference on the elbow kinematics. In addition, the relative electrical activity of the biceps and triceps brachii muscles did not alter significantly following blocking of the anconeus. These findings suggest that the anconeus muscle is a relatively weak elbow extensor as it is likely that the small contribution that the anconeus provides during extension before blocking is compensated by the triceps brachii after the anconeus is deactivated. In order to provide additional weight and support to the findings of the experimental study, a computational model of the elbow joint was created in Abaqus CAE with the aim of investigating the contribution of the anconeus during the flexion-extension motion. In particular, the effect on the range of motion and contact area of the elbow joint was investigated both before and after anconeus blocking. The analysis was done in a range of motion of 90°, starting with the elbow extended 30° and ending flexed 120°. The elbow joint model considered cortical bone, trabecular bone, cartilage, collateral ligaments, the anconeus, biceps brachii and triceps brachii. The results of the investigation indicated that the anconeus muscle does not produce a significant change in the range of motion and contact area in the articulation, an outcome that supports the findings of the experimental investigation.

Características antropométricas, biomecânicas e fisiológicas são considerados fatores determinantes do desempenho em natação. A prova de 200 m nado livre apresenta condições energéticas singulares que oferecem interessantes desafios para nadadores, treinadores e cientistas do esporte. Os objetivos deste estudo foram identificar a importância de cada fator relacionado ao desempenho na prova de 200 m nado livre, e suas interrelações. Foram voluntários neste estudo 12 nadadores do sexo masculino (idade: 18,3 ± 2,9 anos; estatura: 174,3 ± 5,8 cm; envergadura: 181,1 ± 7,5 cm; massa corporal total: 66,4 ± 6,3 kg; somatório de quatro dobras cutâneas: 31,9 ± 8,2 mm), federados e nadando 37 ± 7 km por semana, cujo melhor tempo na prova de 200 m nado livre era 125,2 ± 2,7 s. Além das variáveis antropométricas, foram obtidos, de 200 m nado crawl, executados em piscina de 25 m, sob máxima intensidade, desempenho em s, transformados em valores pontuais (DESP), considerando o recorde mundial da prova como 1000 pontos e variáveis cinemáticas distância média percorrida por ciclo de braçadas (DC), freqüência média de ciclo de braçadas (FCL) e velocidade média de nado (VN), dos oito trechos de 25 m dos 200 m. Variáveis cinemáticas foram obtidas empregando-se um sistema digital para videogramatria. Antes da realização dos 200 m foram identificados o consumo de oxigênio (VO2r) e a concentração de lactato, ambos de repouso ([LAr]). Após os 200 m foram identificados o consumo de oxigênio pós esforço (VO2e), pelo método de retroextrapolação e o pico de concentração de lactato P[LA]. Para identificar os valores de VO2 foi utilizado um analisador de gases portátil e para os valores de [LA] um lactímetro portátil. Dos valores de VO2 e [LA] foram calculados os valores líquidos dos mesmos (VO2l e [LAL] e a energia total (Etot) gasta na realização dos 200 m. A realização de um teste de nado estacionário, de 30 s de duração, possibilitou a identificação do impulso total (IMP) e da taxa de variação do impulso (TIMP), com a utilização de célula de carga de tração. Foram calculados os coeficientes de variação (cv) das variáveis e aplicados testes estatísticos de medidas repetidas, de comparação de médias e modelos de regressão linear múltipla, estes em cinco modelos: antropométrico, cinemático, fisiológico, cinético e geral. O desempenho dos nadadores avaliados foi de 130,2 ± 2,8 s (711,8 ± 29,1 pontos). Respectivamente valores médios de DC, FCL e VN foram: 2,10 ± 0,11 m, 0,69 ± 0,07 Hz e 1,45 ± 0,11 m·s-1. Já valores de VO2l, [LA]L e Etot foram de, respectivamente, 55,5 ± 5,5 ·kg-1·min-1, 11,15 ± 1,17 mmol·l-1 e 67,2 ± 5,5 ml·kg-1·min-1. Valores de IMP e TIMP foram de, respectivamente, 2648,4 N·s e – 25,1 ± 3,7 N. No modelo geral de regressão linear múltipla entraram as variáveis que puderam, de modo significativo, explicar o desempenho nos modelos por grupos de variáveis (DC, cvVN, VO2l e IMP) exceto a envergadura (ENV), que não responde a estímulos de treinamento. O modelo geral conseguiu explicar até 72,2% da variação do DESP, com as variáveis DC e VO2l entrando de modo significativo no modelo de regressão múltipla (DESP = 67,09DC – 3,048VO2l + 733,4). De maneira geral, os resultados indicaram que envergadura, distância média percorrida por ciclo de braçadas e impulso total em nado estacionário de 30 s correlacionam–se positivamente com o desempenho, já o consumo de oxigênio líquido e o coeficiente de variação da velocidade média de nado, negativamente. Para o melhor desempenho na prova de 200 m nado livre, espera-se que o nadador apresente uma maior DC e um nado mais econômico. / Anthropometrics, biomechanics and physiological characteristics have been considered determining factors of swim performance. Two-hundred meters freestyle event shows unique metabolic energetic conditions offering a challenge for swimmers, coaches and researchers. The aims of this study were to identify each performance determinant factor importance and its interrelations with the 200 m freestyle swimming event. Twelve male swimmers (age: 18.3 ± 2.9 years; stature: 174.3 ± 5.8 cm; arm limb span: 181.1 ± 7.5 cm; total body mass: 66.4 ± 6.3 kg; four skin folds sum: 31.9 ± 8.2 mm, weekly training 37.7 ± 7 km, best time in the event: 125.2 ± 2.7 s) participated in this study. In addition to anthropometrics variables were obtained, from the 200 m freestyle performed in a 25 m pool at maximal intensity, performance in seconds, transformed in points values (DESP) – considering the world record as 1000 points – and kinematics variables: mean stroke length (DC), stroke rate (FCL) and swimming velocity (VN) during all eight laps of the 200 m. A two dimension digital motion system was used to obtain the kinematics variables. Prior to the 200 m test resting oxygen consumption and lactate concentrations were determined. After the 200 m test post oxygen consumption, by the backward extrapolation method, and lactate concentration peak P[LA] were evaluated. To identify the oxygen consumption values (VO2) and the lactate concentration ([LA]) a portable respiratory gas analyzer and a lactate meter, respectively, were used. From the VO2 and [LA] were calculated the net values (VO2l and [LAL]) and the total expended energy (Etot) during the 200 m. A 30 s tethered swim test allowed for the evaluation of the total impulse (IMP) and the impulse variation ratio (TIMP). The coefficients of variation (cv) of the variables were calculated and applied statistical tests using repeat measurements, mean comparison and multiple linear regression models, in five different models: anthropometric, kinematics, physiological, kinetic and general. The swimmers’ performance was 130.2 ± 2.8 s (711.8 ± 29.1 points). DC, FCL and VN were: 2.10 ± 0.11 m, 0.69 ± 0.07 Hz e 1.45 ± 0.11 m·s-1, respectively. Whereas VO2l, [LAL] and Etot were, respectively, 55.5 ± 5.3 ml·kg-1·min-1, 11.15 ± 1.17 mmol·l-1 and 67.2 ± 5.5 ml·kg-1·min-1. IMP and TIMP values were, respectively, 2648.4 N·s e – 25.1 ± 3.7 N. On the general multiple linear regression model only the variables that could, in a statistical way, explain the performance on the variable group models (DC, cvDC, VO2l and IMP) were used, except for one’s arm limb span which will obviously not respond to any training stimulus. The general model explained up to 72.2% of the DESP variation with the DC and VO2l variables, by the multiply regression model (DESP = 67.09DC – 3.048VO2l + 733.4). The results indicated that arm limb span, mean distance covered per stroke cycle and the total impulse at 30 s tethered swim test showed a positive correlation with performance. Whereas net oxygen consumption and coefficient of variation of the mean swim speed presented a negative correlation. For a better performance during the 200 m freestyle is expecting a bigger DC and a more economical swim.

The human shoulder complex relies on the sensorimotor system to maintain stability. The sensorimotor system includes sensory feedback, control of the central nervous system and motor output. Exercise is considered an important part of shoulder rehabilitation and sports training to help improve control of the sensorimotor system. However, few studies have investigated the effect of exercise on the sensorimotor system. The first study of this dissertation explored the central control of the deltoid and rotator cuff (infraspinatus). Although both the deltoid and infraspinatus contribute to shoulder abduction, the results from this study showed that the modulation of their corticospinal excitability was affected differently by elevation angle. This could be explained by the fact that they play different roles at the shoulder: the deltoid is a prime mover while the infraspinatus is a stabilizer. The second study of this dissertation investigated scapular proprioception, which has not been assessed in previous studies. The findings of this study demonstrated that joint position sense errors of the overall shoulder joint mainly came from the glenohumeral joint. Scapular proprioception may need to be tested separately in addition to overall shoulder proprioception. In the third study, the effect of the exercise on shoulder sensorimotor system was investigated by measuring shoulder kinematics, shoulder joint position sense and cortical excitability before and after a four-week exercise training program. This protocol included strengthening and neuromuscular exercises targeting rotator cuff and scapular muscles. After the training protocol, although strength increased overall, the only observed sensorimotor adaptations were a decrease in upper trapezius activation and a decrease in the corticospinal excitability of the supraspinatus. There were no changes in other key parameters. Exercises focusing on specific muscles, combined with low-intensity closed-chain exercises, were not found to improve shoulder joint position sense or scapular kinematics. Combined with the findings of the decrease in corticospinal excitability of the supraspinatus and no change in muscle activity of the rotator cuff, it appears that while the exercises increased rotator cuff strength, these gains did not transfer to an increase in muscle activation during motion. This dissertation includes previously published co-authored material.

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is the most common injury in runners and has a significant female sex bias. Current evidence suggests that several proximal factors, including hip muscle strength, hip muscle activation, and hip kinematics during running, play a large role in the development of PFPS, particularly in females. However, the relationships between these variables are unclear. A better understanding of these relationships in both males and females could help clinicians develop targeted interventions for this syndrome. Thus, this dissertation is comprised of four studies aimed to better understand the relationships between these risk factors. The first study investigated whether there are any relationships between hip muscle strength and hip muscle activation during running. Overall, hip muscle strength and hip muscle activity during running do not appear to be strongly related. The second study used a multiple regression approach to look for predictors of hip adduction and hip internal rotation during running. Sex was a significant predictor in both models, and running speed, static subtalar inversion range of motion, and gluteus maximus amplitude were significant predictors in the hip adduction model. The third study examined the effect of decreasing hip abduction strength on running kinematics and hip muscle EMG. After the fatigue protocol, there were no changes in gluteus medius amplitude or timing, and no changes in hip kinematics during running. However, there were some changes in kinematics, particularly at the trunk, as well as differences in gluteus maximus and tensor fascia latae activation. Finally, the fourth study used an alternative biomechanical method called continuous relative phase (CRP) to investigate the effect of sex and decreasing hip abduction strength on CRP variability at the hip. Decreasing hip abduction strength increased frontal plane CRP variability from 20-40% of stance phase, primarily in females, and females demonstrated less CRP variability than males in the frontal plane and transverse planes. Overall, the results from this study improve our understanding of the relationships between hip strength, hip muscle activation, and hip kinematics during running in both males and females, which may have implications for knee injury rehabilitation strategies. This dissertation includes unpublished co-authored material.

Considerando as similaridades entre o nado crawl e a remada executada por surfistas, além da preparação física executada pelos mesmos em piscina, este trabalho objetivou avaliar surfistas recreacionais por meio da comparação, concordância e correlação das variáveis fisiológicas e biomecânicas obtidas a partir de testes nadando crawl e remando com prancha. Foram avaliados 14 surfistas (idade de 37,7 ± 4,7 anos) em duas situações: (i) teste em nado crawl, máximo, de 300 m e (ii) teste de remada, nas mesmas condições de intensidade e duração do teste de nado crawl. Os testes foram realizados na mesma piscina e nas mesmas condições de temperaturas e horário. Foram avaliados: consumo de oxigênio de pico (VO2pico) durante os testes, frequência cardíaca (Fcard), concentração sanguínea de lactato ([LA]), esforço percebido (EP) e cinemática em ambos os testes. Dentre os resultados: para teste de nado crawl e teste de remada respectivamente, destacam-se os resultados de VO2pico, Fcard, [LA], e EP: 38,5 ± 5,3 e 36,2 ± 5,3 ml.kg-1.min-1; 149,6 ± 17,4 e 162,2 ± 14,6 bpm; 10,4 ± 2,7 e 12,1 ± 2,7 mmol.l-1; e 16,1 ± 2,4 e 16,7 ± 1,4 pontos. As velocidades médias dos testes foram de, respectivamente, para teste de nado crawl e teste de remada: 0,91 ± 0,1 e 1,27 ± 0,1 m-s-1. De modo geral, os testes apresentaram resultados similares, com baixa concordância, alta correlação e de médios a grandes tamanhos de efeito entre nadar e remar. Considerando os resultados encontrados, o treinamento de surfistas, em piscina, não deveria ser apenas com natação. Conclui-se que os esforços e testes (nadar crawl e remar) não são plenamente intercambiáveis. / Considering the similarities between the front-crawl and the paddling movement, in addition to the physical preparation performed by surfers in swimming pool, this work aimed to compare, to test the agreement and to correlate surfers’ values of oxygen uptake obtained from swimming and paddling tests. A total of 14 surfers (age 37.7 ± 4.7 years) were evaluated in two situations: (i) a 300 m maximum front-crawl test (ii) a paddling test in the same conditions of intensity and duration of the swimming test. The tests were performed in the same pool and under the same conditions of temperatures and time of the day. Peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) during the tests, heart rate (Fcard), blood lactate concentration ([LA]), perceived exertion (PE) and kinematics in both tests were assessed. Among the results, VO2peak, Fcard, [LA], and EP were, respectively for front-crawl and paddling test:: 38.5 ± 5.3 and 36.2 ± 5.3 ml.kg-1.min-1; 149.6 ± 17.4 and 162.2 ± 14.6 bpm; 10.4 ± 2.7 and 12.1 ± 2.7 mmol.l-1; and 16.1 ± 2.4 and 16.7 ± 1.4 points. The mean velocities of the tests were, respectively, for front-crawl test and paddling test: 0.91 ± 0.1 and 1.27 ± 0.1 m.s-1. In general, the tests presented similar results, with low agreement, high correlation, and medium to large effect sizes between swimming and paddling. Considering the results, the training of surfers, in swimming pool, should not be just with swimming. It is concluded that the efforts and tests (front-crawl and the paddling movement) are not fully interchangeable.

Características antropométricas, biomecânicas e fisiológicas são considerados fatores determinantes do desempenho em natação. A prova de 200 m nado livre apresenta condições energéticas singulares que oferecem interessantes desafios para nadadores, treinadores e cientistas do esporte. Os objetivos deste estudo foram identificar a importância de cada fator relacionado ao desempenho na prova de 200 m nado livre, e suas interrelações. Foram voluntários neste estudo 12 nadadores do sexo masculino (idade: 18,3 ± 2,9 anos; estatura: 174,3 ± 5,8 cm; envergadura: 181,1 ± 7,5 cm; massa corporal total: 66,4 ± 6,3 kg; somatório de quatro dobras cutâneas: 31,9 ± 8,2 mm), federados e nadando 37 ± 7 km por semana, cujo melhor tempo na prova de 200 m nado livre era 125,2 ± 2,7 s. Além das variáveis antropométricas, foram obtidos, de 200 m nado crawl, executados em piscina de 25 m, sob máxima intensidade, desempenho em s, transformados em valores pontuais (DESP), considerando o recorde mundial da prova como 1000 pontos e variáveis cinemáticas distância média percorrida por ciclo de braçadas (DC), freqüência média de ciclo de braçadas (FCL) e velocidade média de nado (VN), dos oito trechos de 25 m dos 200 m. Variáveis cinemáticas foram obtidas empregando-se um sistema digital para videogramatria. Antes da realização dos 200 m foram identificados o consumo de oxigênio (VO2r) e a concentração de lactato, ambos de repouso ([LAr]). Após os 200 m foram identificados o consumo de oxigênio pós esforço (VO2e), pelo método de retroextrapolação e o pico de concentração de lactato P[LA]. Para identificar os valores de VO2 foi utilizado um analisador de gases portátil e para os valores de [LA] um lactímetro portátil. Dos valores de VO2 e [LA] foram calculados os valores líquidos dos mesmos (VO2l e [LAL] e a energia total (Etot) gasta na realização dos 200 m. A realização de um teste de nado estacionário, de 30 s de duração, possibilitou a identificação do impulso total (IMP) e da taxa de variação do impulso (TIMP), com a utilização de célula de carga de tração. Foram calculados os coeficientes de variação (cv) das variáveis e aplicados testes estatísticos de medidas repetidas, de comparação de médias e modelos de regressão linear múltipla, estes em cinco modelos: antropométrico, cinemático, fisiológico, cinético e geral. O desempenho dos nadadores avaliados foi de 130,2 ± 2,8 s (711,8 ± 29,1 pontos). Respectivamente valores médios de DC, FCL e VN foram: 2,10 ± 0,11 m, 0,69 ± 0,07 Hz e 1,45 ± 0,11 m·s-1. Já valores de VO2l, [LA]L e Etot foram de, respectivamente, 55,5 ± 5,5 ·kg-1·min-1, 11,15 ± 1,17 mmol·l-1 e 67,2 ± 5,5 ml·kg-1·min-1. Valores de IMP e TIMP foram de, respectivamente, 2648,4 N·s e – 25,1 ± 3,7 N. No modelo geral de regressão linear múltipla entraram as variáveis que puderam, de modo significativo, explicar o desempenho nos modelos por grupos de variáveis (DC, cvVN, VO2l e IMP) exceto a envergadura (ENV), que não responde a estímulos de treinamento. O modelo geral conseguiu explicar até 72,2% da variação do DESP, com as variáveis DC e VO2l entrando de modo significativo no modelo de regressão múltipla (DESP = 67,09DC – 3,048VO2l + 733,4). De maneira geral, os resultados indicaram que envergadura, distância média percorrida por ciclo de braçadas e impulso total em nado estacionário de 30 s correlacionam–se positivamente com o desempenho, já o consumo de oxigênio líquido e o coeficiente de variação da velocidade média de nado, negativamente. Para o melhor desempenho na prova de 200 m nado livre, espera-se que o nadador apresente uma maior DC e um nado mais econômico. / Anthropometrics, biomechanics and physiological characteristics have been considered determining factors of swim performance. Two-hundred meters freestyle event shows unique metabolic energetic conditions offering a challenge for swimmers, coaches and researchers. The aims of this study were to identify each performance determinant factor importance and its interrelations with the 200 m freestyle swimming event. Twelve male swimmers (age: 18.3 ± 2.9 years; stature: 174.3 ± 5.8 cm; arm limb span: 181.1 ± 7.5 cm; total body mass: 66.4 ± 6.3 kg; four skin folds sum: 31.9 ± 8.2 mm, weekly training 37.7 ± 7 km, best time in the event: 125.2 ± 2.7 s) participated in this study. In addition to anthropometrics variables were obtained, from the 200 m freestyle performed in a 25 m pool at maximal intensity, performance in seconds, transformed in points values (DESP) – considering the world record as 1000 points – and kinematics variables: mean stroke length (DC), stroke rate (FCL) and swimming velocity (VN) during all eight laps of the 200 m. A two dimension digital motion system was used to obtain the kinematics variables. Prior to the 200 m test resting oxygen consumption and lactate concentrations were determined. After the 200 m test post oxygen consumption, by the backward extrapolation method, and lactate concentration peak P[LA] were evaluated. To identify the oxygen consumption values (VO2) and the lactate concentration ([LA]) a portable respiratory gas analyzer and a lactate meter, respectively, were used. From the VO2 and [LA] were calculated the net values (VO2l and [LAL]) and the total expended energy (Etot) during the 200 m. A 30 s tethered swim test allowed for the evaluation of the total impulse (IMP) and the impulse variation ratio (TIMP). The coefficients of variation (cv) of the variables were calculated and applied statistical tests using repeat measurements, mean comparison and multiple linear regression models, in five different models: anthropometric, kinematics, physiological, kinetic and general. The swimmers’ performance was 130.2 ± 2.8 s (711.8 ± 29.1 points). DC, FCL and VN were: 2.10 ± 0.11 m, 0.69 ± 0.07 Hz e 1.45 ± 0.11 m·s-1, respectively. Whereas VO2l, [LAL] and Etot were, respectively, 55.5 ± 5.3 ml·kg-1·min-1, 11.15 ± 1.17 mmol·l-1 and 67.2 ± 5.5 ml·kg-1·min-1. IMP and TIMP values were, respectively, 2648.4 N·s e – 25.1 ± 3.7 N. On the general multiple linear regression model only the variables that could, in a statistical way, explain the performance on the variable group models (DC, cvDC, VO2l and IMP) were used, except for one’s arm limb span which will obviously not respond to any training stimulus. The general model explained up to 72.2% of the DESP variation with the DC and VO2l variables, by the multiply regression model (DESP = 67.09DC – 3.048VO2l + 733.4). The results indicated that arm limb span, mean distance covered per stroke cycle and the total impulse at 30 s tethered swim test showed a positive correlation with performance. Whereas net oxygen consumption and coefficient of variation of the mean swim speed presented a negative correlation. For a better performance during the 200 m freestyle is expecting a bigger DC and a more economical swim.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:27:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2003Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:35:57Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 magalhaesjunior_jfs_me_rcla.pdf: 652656 bytes, checksum: 28ad8c03cb983049745e90a5840155a7 (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Definir um padrão para um determinado movimento esportivo é de extrema importância para que os profissionais de Educação Física e Esportes possam interferir na prática do ensino ou treinamento deste fenômeno. A Cinemática é uma área da Biomecânica que possui ferramentas suficientes para quantificar qualquer movimento, por mais complexo que seja. Visando a maior compreensão do comportamento do membro inferior na execução do chute no futebol, este estudo definiu e comparou os padrões cinemáticos dos segmentos da coxa, perna e pé em indivíduos praticantes e não praticantes de futebol, descansados e induzidos à exaustão. Foram convidados 10 participantes praticantes regulares de futebol e 10 participantes que não possuem prática regular ou nunca praticaram o esporte. O limiar anaeróbio dos 20 participantes foi calculado através do teste de TEGTBUR e cada participante , em descanso, foi filmado por quatro câmeras de vídeo com freqüência de 120 Hz executando 5 séries de chutes ao gol simulando uma cobrança de falta e posteriormente foram induzidos à exaustão para a execução de outras 5 séries de chutes. Os padrões cinemáticos foram determinados pelas curvas das projeções estereográficas e comparados entre os grupos através da análise por cluster. Foram detectadas diferenças significativas entre os grupos dos praticantes e o grupo dos não praticantes nas duas situações (descanso e exaustão) para os segmentos da coxa perna e pé, sendo que as maiores diferenças surgiram no segmento do pé. Já na comparação intragrupos para as situações de descanso e exaustão não foram obtidas diferenças significativas. Com base nestes resultados é possível concluir que há diferença na execução do movimento entre indivíduos praticantes e não praticantes de futebol no que diz respeito ao comportamento dos segmentos... . / Defining a sports movement patter is an important factor to help Physical Education and Sports professionals to understand and to intervene in the teaching and training of this phenomenon. The Kinematics is a Biomechanics' area that has enough tools to quantify a movement, does not matter his complexity. The purpose of this study was to have a great understanding of the lower limb behavior in the soccer kick, comparing the kinematic patterns of the thigh, shank and foot segments in soccer practitioners and non-practitioners in the rest and exhaustion situation. Ten soccer regular practitioners subjects and ten soccer non-practitioners subjects participated in this study. Anaerobic threshold was calculated through TEGTBUR test. In a rest situation, four video cameras (120 Hz) recorded each subject performing five free kicks to goal simulating a real situation of the game. After that they were induced to exhaustion condition from individual anaerobic threshold and performed more five free kicks. The images were transfer to computer and the kinematics patters were define through the stereographic projection curves of each segment and they were compared between the groups through the cluster analysis. Significant differences between the practitioners and non-practitioners groups in both situation (rest and exhaustion) of the thigh, shank and foot segments were found, with the greatest differences appearing in the foot segment. However, comparing the different situations inside the groups, no significant differences were found. According with this data we can conclude that there is a difference in the movement performance between soccer practitioners and non-practitioners subjects in the segments behavior analyzed, and these differences can be measured and compared. Furthermore it's possible to detect where these differences occur most. The results also oppose the hypothesis that this kind of fatigue can cause deficiency in the movement performance.

Este trabalho tem por objetivo analisar a cinemática de um robô hiperredundante composto por módulos de estrutura paralela e atuadores binários. Cada módulo possui três graus de liberdades, dois graus de liberdade de rotação, com eixos perpendiculares entre si, e um grau de liberdade de translação. Após uma busca das arquiteturas paralelas existentes e relatadas na literatura e uma análise dos graus de liberdades das arquiteturas, foi selecionada a estrutura 3-RPS para o módulo. Essa arquitetura é composta por três cadeias cinemáticas idênticas, cada uma com uma articulação de rotação, uma articulação de translação atuada e uma articulação esférica. Foi desenvolvido um programa computacional para calcular as dimensões ótimas dos módulos considerando as restrições de movimento da junta esférica, as dimensões da base e da plataforma, e o comprimento máximo e mínimo do atuador linear. É realizada uma análise do volume de trabalho do robô hiperredundante composto de três e cinco módulos em série. Como o robô possui atuadores binários o seu volume de trabalho é discreto, consistindo na união de pontos no espaço. Finalmente a cinemática inversa do robô hiper-redundante é calculada e observam-se pequenos erros entre as posições desejadas e as posições alcançadas pelo efetuador do robô hiper-redundante. / This research studies hyper-redundant robots focusing on the kinematics analysis. A hyper-redundant robot was developed based on modules of parallel architecture and binary actuators. Each module has three degrees-of-freedom, two rotational degrees of freedom with perpendicular axis and one translational degree of freedom. After searching for parallel structures existent in the literature and analyzing the degrees of freedom of these structures, the 3-RPS architecture was selected. This architecture is composed by three legs with identical chains, each leg has a rotational joint, a translational actuated joint and a spherical joint. A computational program was developed to calculate the best modules geometry, considering the physical constrains of the spherical joint, the dimensions of the base and of the platform, and the maximum and the minimum values of the binary actuated joint. An analysis of the workspace of the hyper-redundant robot composed by three and five modules in series is performed. Since the robot has discrete actuators its workspace is also discrete, i.e., it is composed by the union of points in space. Finally, the inverse kinematics of the hiper-redundant manipulator is calculated and small errors are observed between the desired position and the real position in space reached by the efectuator.