The objectives of the present body of work were 1) to evaluate the Personal Lift-Assist Device (PLAD) in terms of its effect on lifting technique, interjoint coordination, and whether sex modulates these effects and 2) to explore the use of principal component analysis (PCA) as a method to investigate lifting waveforms. Thirty participants (15M, 15F) completed a freestyle, symmetrical lifting protocol during which three-dimensional kinematics of the ankle, knee, hip, and lumbar and thoracic spine were collected using a two-camera Optotrak 3020 system. There were four testing conditions: a) with and b) without wearing the PLAD; and c) 0% load and d) 10% of maximum back strength load. All data were evaluated using PCA. In the first analysis, the relationship between the PLAD and lifting technique under a loaded condition was explored. Results showed that 8 PCs were significantly different between the PLAD/No PLAD conditions yet there were no significant effects of sex on any of the PCs. It was concluded that wearing the PLAD encourages a lifting technique that is reflective of a squat lift, independent of sex. In the second analysis, the PLAD’s effect on interjoint coordination patterns under both loaded and unloaded conditions was examined using the relative phase angle (RPA). It was found that there were no significant differences between device, sex, or load conditions on any of the PCs retained in the model. A novel approach to enhance interpretability of PCs was developed during this study. Finally, when the PLAD was not worn, male and female differences were further investigated under loaded and unloaded conditions. It was determined that when the load is individualized to personal strength characteristics, sex differences in lifting technique are negligible. This is a contradictory finding from previous research. Overall, the major contributions of this research are: support for the use of the PLAD in industry; the recommendation that load be selected based on individual strength characteristics for lifting research experimental design; the use of PCA as a method to effectively evaluate lifting waveforms; and the development of a novel approach to aid in the interpretation of principal components. / Thesis (Master, Kinesiology & Health Studies) -- Queen's University, 2010-08-18 09:35:19.142

The objectives of the present study were: 1) to determine if there is a sex-based difference in lifting technique across increasing load conditions; and, 2) to examine the use of body size-adjusted tasks and back strength-adjusted loads in the analysis of lifting technique. Eleven male and 14 female participants (n=25) with no previous history of low back pain participated in the study. Participants completed freestyle, symmetric lifts of a box with handles from the floor to table height for five trials under three load conditions (10%, 20%, and 30% of their individual maximum isometric back strength). Joint kinematic data for the ankle, knee, hip, and lumbar and thoracic spine were collected using a two-camera Optotrak 3020 system (NDI, Waterloo, ON). Joint angles were calculated using a three-dimensional Euler rotation sequence and PCA was applied to assess differences in lifting technique across the entire waveform. A repeated measures ANOVA with a mixed design revealed no significant effect of sex for any of the PCs. This was contrary to previous research that used discrete points on the lifting curve to analyze sex-based differences but agreed with more recent research using more complex analysis techniques. There was a significant effect of load on lifting technique for six PCs of the lower limb (p<0.005). However, there was no significant difference in lifting technique for the thoracic and lumbar spine. It was concluded that, when load is standardized to individual back strength characteristics, males and females adopted a similar lifting technique. In addition, as load increases participants used more of a semi-squat or squat lifting technique. / Thesis (Master, Kinesiology & Health Studies) -- Queen's University, 2012-10-03 21:10:11.889

Thesis (M.Tech.: Chiropractic)--Durban University of Technology, 2009 / Objective: The efficacy of manipulation as compared to placebo in the treatment of two groups of weight trainers with Acromioclavicular (AC) Joint Dysfunction. Methods: Twenty patients (n=20), using randomised sampling were allocated to two intervention groups. Patients in each group received four treatments each over a two-week period and assessed at initial, one week, two weeks and one month follow ups. Objective measures included Algometer and Inclinometer readings. Numerical Pain Rating Scales (NRS), Shoulder Rating Questionnaire (SRQ) and the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) measured subjective outcomes. Results: Manipulation demonstrated significant improvement in objective findings. Subjective outcomes did not show significant difference between the manipulation and placebo groups. Conclusion: Manipulation, when compared to placebo, can be considered as an effective treatment intervention for the treatment of AC joint dysfunction with particular reference to objective outcomes. Although, caution needs to be utilised in accepting this outcome due to limitations in sample size, subjective measure sensitivity and specificity as well as the stringency of the inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Let V( ) denote a local system of weight on X = A2;n(C), where X is the moduli space of principle polarized abelian varieties of genus 2 over C with xed n-level structure. The inner cohomology of X with coe cients in V( ), H3 ! (X;V( )), has a Hodge ltration of weight 3. Each term of this Hodge ltration can be presented as space of cuspidal automorphic representations of genus 2. We consider the purely non-holomorphic part of H3 ! (X;V( )) denoted by H3 Ends(X;V( )). First of all we show that there is a non-zero subspace of H3 Ends(X;V( )) denoted by V (K), where K is an open compact subgroup of GSp(4;A), such that elements of V (K) are obtained by the global theta lifting of cuspidal automorphic representations of GL(2) GL(2)=Gm. This means that there is a non-zero part of H3 Ends(X;V( )) which is endoscopic. Secondly, we consider the local theta correspondence and nd an explicit answer for the level of lifted cuspidal automorphic representations to GSp(4; F) over a non-archimedean local eld F. Therefore, we can present an explicit way for nding a basis for V (K) for a xed level structure K. ii There is a part of the Hodge structure that only contributes in H(3;0) ! (X;V( )) H(0;3) ! (X;V( )). This part is endoscopic and coming from the Yoshida lift from O(4). Finally, in the case X = A2, if eendo(A2;V( )) denotes the motive corresponded to the strict endoscopic part (the part that contributes only in non-holomorphic terms of the Hodge ltration), then we have eendo(A2;V( )) = s 1+ 2+4S[ 1 2 + 2]L 2+1; (1) where = ( 1; 2) and is far from walls. Here S[k] denotes the motive corresponded to Sk, the space of cuspidal automorphic forms of weight k and trivial level, and sk = dim(Sk). ii

Let V( ) denote a local system of weight on X = A2;n(C), where X is the moduli space of principle polarized abelian varieties of genus 2 over C with xed n-level structure. The inner cohomology of X with coe cients in V( ), H3 ! (X;V( )), has a Hodge ltration of weight 3. Each term of this Hodge ltration can be presented as space of cuspidal automorphic representations of genus 2. We consider the purely non-holomorphic part of H3 ! (X;V( )) denoted by H3 Ends(X;V( )). First of all we show that there is a non-zero subspace of H3 Ends(X;V( )) denoted by V (K), where K is an open compact subgroup of GSp(4;A), such that elements of V (K) are obtained by the global theta lifting of cuspidal automorphic representations of GL(2) GL(2)=Gm. This means that there is a non-zero part of H3 Ends(X;V( )) which is endoscopic. Secondly, we consider the local theta correspondence and nd an explicit answer for the level of lifted cuspidal automorphic representations to GSp(4; F) over a non-archimedean local eld F. Therefore, we can present an explicit way for nding a basis for V (K) for a xed level structure K. ii There is a part of the Hodge structure that only contributes in H(3;0) ! (X;V( )) H(0;3) ! (X;V( )). This part is endoscopic and coming from the Yoshida lift from O(4). Finally, in the case X = A2, if eendo(A2;V( )) denotes the motive corresponded to the strict endoscopic part (the part that contributes only in non-holomorphic terms of the Hodge ltration), then we have eendo(A2;V( )) = s 1+ 2+4S[ 1 2 + 2]L 2+1; (1) where = ( 1; 2) and is far from walls. Here S[k] denotes the motive corresponded to Sk, the space of cuspidal automorphic forms of weight k and trivial level, and sk = dim(Sk). ii

The customer currently lifts caravans with an ordinary car jack in combination with a beam and a tractor. The customer wants to have a device which grants more safety and stability. The task is executed by two international students. In order to develop a new design, a methodical design process is used. This process does not contain all steps of a product development process and in consists in this case of four steps. The outcome of this product development process is a device which meets the technical requirements and which is validated by a computer simulation. The device is safe to use and stable. Besides, the device is mobile, thus storable, and adjustable, as the customer requested. Lastly, the students made some recommendations for using the device.

The purpose of this study was to use EMG data of the erector spinae muscles synchronized with three-dimensional video techniques to determine the body's responses to asymmetric lifting under weight belt conditions. The subjects performed static maximum voluntary exertions and dynamic lifts from 0° and 45° from the midline of the body. Three weight belt conditions were used. EMG data revealed significant differences in EMG variables with belt conditions. Weight belt use decreased burst area, peak voltage, and maximum frequency. Kinematic data indicated a significant difference in the left knee and left and right elbow range of motion when the type of lift, symmetric or asymmetric, was considered. Lifting technique also produced a significant effect on the maximum and minimum velocity of the center of mass. The results of the study indicate that weight belt use is an effective means of reducing spinal compression and thus may be helpful in preventing low back injury. / School of Physical Education

Elastic bands are becoming more popular in strength and power training. Although increases in strength and power have been anecdotally reported with high loads of elastic resistance, there is no research on large band tensions and their effects on force and power variables. The purpose of this study was to quantify peak concentric force, peak concentric power and peak eccentric velocity produced by the subject when using differing levels of elastic resistance (0%, 20%, 50% and 75% of the total load being elastic resistance) in the bench press. Seven experienced male powerlifters and body builders participated in this study. Prior to subject testing all elastic bands were calibrated for force output throughout the bench press range of motion. Each subject performed a single repetition maximum press to determine the total correct testing load (85% of maximum press). The subjects then performed four presses with various elastic band resistances, each having the total equivalent weight of 85% of the subject’s maximal press weight at lockout. Dependent variables were peak concentric force, peak concentric power, and peak eccentric velocity as produced by the subject. A one-way ANOVA was used to determine the differences among the four levels of elastic resistance (ER) used in the study (α = 0.05). Compared to the baseline condition (2123.6 ± 499.9N), significantly lower average peak concentric force was observed with ER of 75% (1451.2 ± 151.0N, 31.9% decrease) (p = .010) and with an ER of 50% (1781.1 ± 174.3N, 16.4% decrease) (p = .052). When compared with baseline peak concentric power (702.6 ± 274.6W), higher peak power was observed in all band trials: 20% (895.2 ± 187.7W, 27.4% increase), 50% (972.5 ± 189.8W, 38.4% increase) and 75% (979.6 ± 171.0W, 39.4% increase) (p = .009; p = .007; p = .033, respectively). There was no significant difference in peak concentric power in any ER trials. No significant differences (p = .080) were seen in peak eccentric velocity. Therefore ER loads of 20, 50 and 75% provide greater stimuli for producing peak concentric power than no ER, with only a 20% load of ER maintaining the same peak concentric force production as baseline. ER loads of 50 and 75% may not be as effective a stimuli as free weights when the training objective is to increase force production. / School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Science

Graduation date: 1993

Thesis (MPhysio)--University of South Australia, 1998