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In many physiological studies, variables of interest are not directly accessible, requiring that they be estimated indirectly from noisy measured signals. Here, we introduce two empirical methods to estimate the true physiological signals from indirectly measured, noisy data. The first method is an extension of Tikhonov regularization to large-scale problems, using a sequential update approach. In the second method, we improve the conditioning of the problem by assuming that the input is uniform over a known time interval, and then we use a least-squares method to estimate the input. These methods were validated computationally and experimentally by applying them to flow-through respirometry data. Specifically, we infused CO2 in a flow-through respirometry chamber in a known pattern, and used the methods to recover the known input from the recorded data. The results from these experiments indicate that these methods are capable of sub-second accuracy. We also applied the methods on respiratory data from a grasshopper to investigate the exact timing of abdominal pumping, spiracular opening, and CO2 emission. The methods can be used more generally for input estimation of any linear system. / Master of Science / The goal of an inverse problem is to determine some signal or parameter of interest that is not directly accessible but can be obtained from an observed effect or a processed version that is measurable. Finding the gas exchange signal in animals is an example of an inverse problem. One method to noninvasively measure the gas exchange rate of animals is to put them in a respirometry chamber, flow air through the chamber, and measure the concentration of the respiratory gasses outside the chamber. However, because the gasses mix in the chamber and gradually flow through the gas analyzer, the pattern of the measured gas concentration can be dramatically different than the true pattern of real instantaneous gas exchange of the animal. In this thesis, we present two methods to recover the true signal from the recorded data (i.e., for inverse reconstruction), and we evaluate them computationally and experimentally.

This study investigated possible effects of hypoxic training upon speed of high school sprint freestyle. Thirty-eight subjects, grouped as their two schools, performed identical loads during the ten-week program. The Experimental group used hypoxic techniques for about one-half of each workout. Pretests and posttests conducted for the 50-yard and 100-yard distances yielded highly correlated mean scores, with marked differences between the two groups. Analysis of covariance was used, selecting the .05 level for rejection. The comparison of adjusted group means indicated neither group superior at 50 yards, while the 100-yard F-ratio was significant at the .0047 level favoring hypoxic training. It is recommended that hypoxic techniques be incorporated into existing programs, possibly benefitting other strokes.

The purposes of the study were to determine the effects of self-recording techniques upon competitive swimming times, to determine the relationship between stated level of aspiration and subsequent performance, and to determine the influence of success or failure upon stated levels of aspiration. Subjects were fifteen female high-school competitive swimmers. Five subjects utilized self-recording techniques and projected levels of aspiration; ten subjects did not. Data were analyzed by analysis of covariance and by regression analysis. Alpha was .05. Conclusions of this study were that self-recording techniques do not significantly affect competitive swimming times, that a strong relationship exists between stated level of aspiration and subsequent performance, and that successful and unsuccessful performances generate increases in stated levels of aspiration.

Title: Swimming literacy of 11-12 year old kids Goals: The aim of this thesis is to identify and assess the level of swimming literacy of children at the eight year high school. Swimming level reference file is going to be assessed in relation to the defined primary and post the swimming literacy (see Sec. 2.3). We are going to work with a group of 24 pupils who shares swimming training in compulsory education. Method: In this work, we collected the data based on the observation and videorecording. Through expert evaluation using scaling, we obtained a video processed and evaluated. The obtained data are subjected to final processing using nonparametric statistical methods. Results: Based on the results of the work we can see that the level of the reference set of swimming is sufficient in terms of primary and post-literacy of the swimming. Watched group of boys and girls are not differ significantly from each other, except for one test in which the difference between boys and girls was significant. Key words: physical literacy, swimming literacy, diagnosis of the swimming literacy

Title: Didactic interaction between teacher and child in preparatory swimming lessons. Objects: The object of this thesis was to describe and analyze the interaction profiles of two kindergarten teachers. Both teachers have many years of teaching experience of preparatory swimming lessons with children 3 to 4 years old. At the same time the aim was to contribute to the objectification of ideas about the specific didactic interaction in the physical learning in the water. Methods: The method of participant observation of two kindergarten teachers with many years of teaching experience was used at this thesis. The data collection was realized by taking a video. Processing and evaluating of the video followed using a modified analysis of didactic interaction method. The method of questioning was also used for the observed teachers. Results: According to our results the most common form of behavior of two selected teachers during the lessons was instruction. The most common of one of our selected teacher was using notification. The other teacher was using feedback and participation the most often. According to the content of didactic interaction dominated learning activities in all analyzed videos. The organization activities were evaluated by the program of modified analysis of didactic interaction as...

Title: Evolution of the performance of European junior medalists from the years 2000 - 2008 in swimming Objective: The aim of the Thesis is to find out whether swimmers who won a medal at the European Junior Championship in the period 2000-2008 continue swimming careers for the next five years. Methods: We chose the method of data analysis to describe the process of swimming careers. Data were obtained from scorecards of the European Junior Championships 2000 - 2008, European Championship in short pool 2001-2013 and the Olympic Games 2004, 2008, 2012. Results: Our survey shows that 70% of swimmers after their medal success at the European Junior Championship in 2000-2008 managed to qualify for the upcoming European Championship in the period. Analysis of collected data shows that 25% of competitors achieved medals at the European Championships in the years 2001-2013. Based on our research we can deduce that the most of the medalist from the European Junior Championship do not continue swimming careers in their adulthood. Keywords: Junior age, swimming career, swimming performance, swimming disciplines

The global population is ageing, and with it has been a growth of mature aged participation in sport. Following this trend, swimming amongst the adult population in South Africa, whether it is for recreation or competitive purposes, has increased. This research reports on the coaching strategies used by one coach who is training Masters swimmers in Johannesburg. It examines whether or not andragogical principles and teaching methods could be applied to an informal swimming coaching context. Qualitative methods were used for data collection, including an interview with the coach, focus group discussions with the swimmers, pool deck observations and video recordings of the training sessions. Results indicated that adult education principles could be applied to an informal swimming coaching context through flexible and accommodating coaching practices, ensuring effective communication between the swimmer and the coach and utilising the community of practice between the swimmers and coaches to ensure effective adult learning.

A natação de águas abertas tem registrado aumento no número de competições e participantes em todo mundo. Acompanhando esta tendência têm sido desenvolvidos estudos para identificar as características físicas e as respostas fisiológicas dos atletas neste tipo de prova. Entretanto, são escassos estudos ao nível de análise comportamental, principalmente, em condições reais de distância e meio ambiente (mar). Foi objetivo deste estudo investigar as características de desempenho e da organização temporal das braçadas de nadadores de águas abertas. Mais especificamente, conhecer quais recursos os atletas de águas abertas lançam mão para atingir sua meta de vencer um percurso no mar no menor tempo possível. A amostra foi constituída por 23 atletas, com média de idade de 26,4(±3,2) anos. A tarefa foi nadar um trajeto de 1500 metros em forma de um circuito em mar aberto. Para a captação das variáveis relacionadas ao desempenho utilizou-se um GPS (Garmin modelo Fênix 3) e um cronômetro (FINIS modelo Accusplit Eagle AX602). O registro das imagens para captação dos dados relacionados à descrição da organização temporal das braçadas ocorreu em três pontos do trajeto: início (I) - 20 a 40 metros, meio (M) - 800 a 820 metros e final (F) - 1450 a 1470 metros. Foi utilizada uma filmadora (Nikon Coolpix S5300) afixada à embarcação. O software Kinovea 8.20 permitiu a análise quadro a quadro das braçadas. Foram consideradas variáveis dependentes relacionadas ao desempenho (tempo, velocidade e distância total percorrida, bem como, a frequência de braçadas em cada um dos três pontos do trajeto); aos aspectos variantes das braçadas (tempo total do ciclo, das braçadas, das fases aérea e aquática) e aos aspectos invariantes das braçadas (timing relativo das fases aérea e aquática e sua variabilidade). A análise de variância de medidas repetidas foi usada para comparar os três momentos da tarefa (I, M e F) para todas as variáveis, e a correlação de Pearson para analisar a magnitude das relações entre as variáveis de desempenho, enquanto o teste t de Student para medidas pareadas foi utilizado para comparar as possíveis diferenças entre os braços direito e esquerdo para cada um dos momentos e determinou-se como significância estatística α≤=0,05. Em relação ao desempenho, os resultados indicaram que os nadadores fizeram uso de frequência de braçada (Fb) diferente para os três momentos, sendo maior no I quando comparada ao M e F, e no M, menor que em F; estas mudanças foram acompanhadas por ajustes nos aspectos variantes como o tempo total do ciclo, das braçadas e das fases aérea e aquática. Ainda, nos três momentos os nadadores apresentaram simetria temporal entre as braçadas dos dois braços, apesar de as diferenças serem evidenciadas entre as fases das braçadas quando comparados os braços. Com relação aos aspectos invariantes detectou-se mudança do padrão de I para M e F da tarefa, sendo que em M e F os atletas utilizaram a mesma estrutura temporal. Quanto à variabilidade dos aspectos variantes e invariantes para as braçadas e as fases das braçadas, observou-se diminuição da magnitude ao longo da tarefa sendo que o braço esquerdo apresentou nos três momentos maior variabilidade que o direito. Assim, diante dos resultados, concluiu-se que os recursos utilizados por nadadores habilidosos para nadar em ambiente pouco estável, em condições reais de distância e meio ambiente (mar) compreendem a alteração do desempenho (Fb) associado a ajustes nos aspectos variantes, concomitantemente à alteração dos aspectos invariantes das braçadas, em função do momento da tarefa / Open water swimming has had an increasing number of competitions and participants worldwide. Following this trend, research efforts have been made to identify the physical and physiological responses of athletes in this type of race. However, only a few studies have focused on the behavioral analysis, particularly those based on real distance and environment (sea) situations. This study aims to investigate the characteristics of performance and temporal organization of the stroke of open water swimmers. More specifically, to find out which resources open water athletes can draw on to achieve their goal of swimming their way through a sea race as fast as possible. The sample consisted of 23 athletes, with a mean age of 26.4 (± 3.2) years. Their task was to swim a 1.5-kilometer open water circuit. A GPS (Garmin Fenix 3) and a stopwatch (Accusplit AX602) were used to collect performance-related variables. Images describing the temporal organization of the stroke were captured at three different time-points: beginning (B) 20-40 meters, middle (M) 800-820 meters and end (E) 1450-1470 meters of the course. A Nikon Coolpix S5300 camera attached to the boat was also used. Kinovea software (0.8.20 version) allowed for frame-by-frame analysis of the swimming stroke. Dependent variables related to performance (time, speed, total distance completed, as well as the stroke rates in each of the three time-points in the course); variant aspects of swimming strokes (total time of cycle, total time of strokes, recovery [out of water] and pull-though [in the water] phases) and non-variant aspects of the swimming stroke (relative timing of recovery and pull-through phases and its variability) were considered. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to compare the three time-points of the task (B, M and E) for all variables. Pearson correlation was used to assess the magnitude of the relationship between performance variables, while Student\'s t test for paired samples was used to compare the possible differences between the right and left arms at each time-point at α≤=0,05. As for performance, the results indicated that swimmers made use of stroke rate (Sr) for the three different time-points, which were higher during B compared to M and E, and during M, lower than B and E; these changes were followed by adjustments in the variant aspects such as the total time of cycle, stroke and recovery and pull-through phases. In addition, at the three time-points of collect, swimmers had a temporal symmetry between the strokes of both arms, even though differences were observed between the phases of the stroke when arms were compared against each other. Regarding the non-variant aspects, a change in pattern was detected between B towards M and E of the task, while at M and E time-points athletes used the same temporal structure. Regarding the variability between variant and non-variant aspects for strokes and stroke phases, there was a decrease in magnitude through the task course. The left arm showed greater variability at the three time-points compared to the right arm. Therefore, in view of the results, it can be concluded that the resources used by skilled swimmers when swimming in a unstable environment, real conditions of distance and environment (sea) comprise change in performance (Sf) associated with adjustments to variant aspects and of non-variant aspects of the stroke, simultaneously, depending on the moment of the task