Thesis (M.A.)--University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 207-212).

The practice of using X-Ray fluorescence analysis as a method in ar-chaeological, forensic and osteological studies have resulted in a vast amount of data. It is time and cost efficient, and the method of µXRF element analysis has been of great use to archaeologists, forensic an-thropologists and osteologists to understand dietary customs, techno-logical trade patterns, understanding of diagenesis, elemental accumu-lation in bone and more. Moreover, the method has been crucial due to its non-destructive nature since bones and ancient artifacts are fragile and thus a nonde-structive method is preferable. This essay will give the reader an intro-duction to the basics of micro X-Ray fluorescence analysis and will explore the possibilities of trace elements in right (dexter) and left (sinister) thighbones (femur) on a medieval population in Visby Got-land, namely Sankt Hans. The reader will also come to know the fun-damental principles, applications, strengths and weaknesses of mi-croX-Ray fluorescence, as well as its limitations. Keywords: µXRF, non-destructive, data, method, left, right, thigh-bone, elements, analysis.

Although traditional prevention and management strategies for hamstring injuries have focussed on optimising muscle strength, flexibility and endurance, incidence and/or recurrence rates of these injuries remains high. A theoretical framework was developed considering additional factors that increase the stabilising demand of the hamstrings. These factors included loss of related stability at the knee and lumbopelvic regions and extrinsic factors during functional and sporting activities. The aims of this research were to determine whether electromyographic (EMG) derived hamstrings, quadriceps and gluteal muscle activation patterns as well as isokinetic torque generation patterns could differentiate athletes who had incurred a hamstring injury from uninjured control athletes. It was hypothesised that the EMG activity of the injured participants would be decreased compared to uninjured control participants during maximal activities, but increased during weight bearing activities. The research included the identification of laboratory-based tasks relevant to the function of the hamstring muscles; test-retest reliability of EMG variables recorded during these tasks; and a comparative cross-sectional study of hamstring-injured (hamstring group, HG) and control athletes (control group, CG). Electromyographic activation patterns were determined during assessment of concentric and eccentric isokinetic strength of the thigh muscles, during transition from double- to single-leg stance, and forward lunging. Isokinetic and EMG onset and amplitude variables were compared both within- and between-groups. Despite no significant differences for peak torque, the HG injured limb generated lower average eccentric flexor torque towards the outer range of motion in comparison to the HG uninjured limb (P = 0.034) and the CG bilateral average (P = 0.025). Furthermore, the EMG root mean square (RMS) decrease from the start to the end range of the eccentric flexor contraction was greater for the HG injured limb hamstrings than the CG bilateral average. During the transition from double- to single-leg stance, the EMG onsets of the HG injured limb (biceps femoris [BF] P < 0.001, medial hamstrings [MH] P = 0.001), and the HG uninjured limb (BF P = 0.023, MH P = 0.011) were earlier in comparison to the CG bilateral average. The transition normalised EMG RMS was significantly higher for the HG injured side BF (P = 0.032), MH (P = 0.039) and vastus lateralis (VL, P = 0.037) in comparison to the CG bilateral average. During the forward lunge, no significant differences were observed within- and between-groups for the normalised EMG amplitude prior to and following initial foot contact. These results suggest that during maximal isokinetic eccentric flexor contractions, the average torque and EMG activity is decreased towards the lengthened position of the hamstring-injured limb. This may be due to structural changes or neurophysiological inhibitory mechanisms. During the static weight bearing task an earlier onset of the HG hamstring muscles was evident in comparison to controls. The hamstrings and the VL of the injured limbs were activated at greater normalised amplitude. The increased muscle activation in the hamstring-injured limbs during the support phase may indicate a greater demand towards stability of the kinetic chain or changes in proprioceptive function. Future research should consider the mechanisms and clinical implications underlying a loss of eccentric flexor torque towards the outer range of contraction, and investigate why increased activation of thigh muscles occurs during the static weight bearing task in hamstring-injured athletes.

Thesis (M.S.)--Springfield College, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (M.S.)--Springfield College, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references.

The purpose of this study was to examine the consistency of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) measures associated with a 10 minute vascular occlusion of the thigh during 5 consecutive days. A secondary purpose was to examine if the repeated daily occlusions modify the vascular response to such occlusions. The NIRS chromophores of oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2), deoxygenated hemoglobin (HHb), total hemoglobin (tHb), hemoglobin difference (HbDiff), and total saturation index (TSI) were monitored at the vastus lateralis muscle during each testing session. Participants were female (age 18-30 yrs) and were randomly assigned to one of two groups. The Test Group (age 23 ± 2yrs) completed an occlusion test every day for 5 consecutive days while the Control Group (age 21 ±1.6yrs) was tested on days 1, 3 and 5. Each testing session involved 10 minutes rest in a supine position, 10 minutes of femoral artery occlusion (preset at 250mmHg), 10 minutes of recovery. At onset of occlusion, the rapid cuff inflation system inflated in 0.3 seconds to the preset 250mmHg. Following the 10 minutes of occlusion, the cuff was deflated in 0.3 seconds. Heart rate was monitored throughout all testing sessions and mean arterial pressure was calculated and compared between groups. There were no significant group or day main effects found, nor any significant interactions for the following hemoglobin chromophores measures: HbO2, HHb, HbDiff, and TSI. In all participants, the NIRS response pattern to rest, occlusion and recovery was consistent for all testing days regardless of group. The response pattern to the occlusion initiated by the rapid cuff inflation was as follows: HbO2, tHb, HbDiff, and TSI decreased then slowly plateaued over the 10 minutes while HHb increased initially and then plateaued. Following the rapid cuff deflation, HbO2, tHb, HbDiff and TSI increased to their maximum reperfusion levels and then plateaued over the remainder of the 10 minutes of recovery. During that same period, HHb decreased initially upon reperfusion and then plateaued. Unlike the other measures, TSI and tHb demonstrated inconsistencies in their response pattern regardless of group or day. The consistency of hemoglobin chromophores response pattern to daily 10 minute vascular leg occlusions over 5 consecutive days is an important finding of this study. This response indicates that there is no apparent change in vascular response to repeated occlusions and has implications for exercise studies that use occlusion in their methodology. The study also emphasizes the inconsistency of tHb and TSI as primary hemoglobin response measures to occlusion. Similarly, the results demonstrate the potential misinterpretation of results if only relying on one hemoglobin measure during occlusion. / Graduate

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(医学) / 甲第22328号 / 医博第4569号 / 新制||医||1041(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻 / (主査)教授 大森 孝一, 教授 椛島 健治, 教授 松田 秀一 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

The purpose of this dissertation was to determine the effects of peristaltic pulse dynamic compression administered via NormaTec recovery system provides measurable kinetic, kinematic, or perceptual benefits following a weightlifting training session. During 2 testing sessions separated by 1 week, 6 weightlifters performed dynamic mid thigh pulls on a force plate with potentiometers at loads equal to 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 100%, 110%, and 120% of 1 RM clean before and after a weightlifting training session consisting of 5 sets of 5 repetitions of clean pulls from the floor with 90% of 1 RM clean and treatment with the NormaTec recovery system or a sham treatment. Following a cross over design the weightlifters served as their own control receiving NomaTec treatment during 1 testing session and sham treatment during 1 testing session. Pre- and postdynamic mid thigh pulls were analyzed for peak force, force at 50 ms, force at 90 ms, force at 250 ms, impulse at 50 ms, impulse at 90 ms, impulse at 250 ms, rate of force development, peak velocity, peak power, and peak displacement. A 2x2 (treatment, time) repeated measures ANOVA showed no statistical differences in the interaction of treatment and time with the exception of impulse at 250 ms at the 70% load. The minimal effects of NormaTec on recovery from a weightlifting training session demonstrated in this study suggest that NormaTec recovery system does not provide substantial benefits following clean pulls from the floor. However, it is possible that NormaTec may be more effective following a greater level of eccentric damage or a test of strength endurance.

Muskelstärkande fysisk aktivitet kan likställas med styrketräning och definieras som fysisk aktivitet med avsikt att förbättra eller bibehålla muskulär styrka, muskelvolym och/eller muskulär uthållighet. Explosiv styrka kan beskrivas som kraftutveckling per tidsenhet och är en produkt av styrka/kraft och hastighet. Tidigare studier har visat att en god explosiv och maximal styrka bland annat kan ge hälsovinster, förbättra idrottslig förmåga, minska risken för idrottsskador och kan förebygga fallrisken hos äldre. Isometric mid-thigh pull-test (IMTP) har under de senaste 10 åren blivit ett vanligt test för att mäta helkroppsstyrka hos idrottare. Testet är lätt att administrera och har en god validitet samt reliabilitet. Studiens syfte var att undersöka sambandet mellan explosiv- och maximal styrka hos styrketränande personer vid ett IMTP-test. Tio deltagare med minst ett års erfarenhet av styrketräning rekryterades. Resultatet visade en måttligt stark korrelation (r = 0,48) mellan explosiv och maximal styrka, men ingen statistisk signifikans (p = 0,158). Deltagarnas Peak Force var i genomsnitt 2644 ± 404 N och Peak force vid 250ms var medel 1808 ± 231 N (i medel hade deltagarna uppnått 69% av Peak Force vid 250ms). Sammanfattningsvis noterades att det möjligen kan finnas en trend i korrelationen mellan explosiv och maximal styrka. Detta indikerar att maximal och explosiv styrka troligen överlappar varandra, det kan däremot inte bekräftas då det inte fanns något statistiskt samband. Vidare rekommenderas att framtida forskning undersöker explosiv styrka och maximal styrka som distinkta styrkeförmågor med fler deltagare och standardiserade testmetoder krävs för att vidare undersöka sambandet mellan maximal och explosiv styrka. / Muscle-strengthening physical activity can be equated with strength training and is defined as physical activity with the intention of improving or maintaining muscular strength, muscle volume, and/or muscular endurance. Explosive strength can be described as force development per unit of time and is a product of strength/power and speed. Previous studies have shown that good explosive and maximal strength can yield health benefits, improve athletic performance, reduce the risk of sports related injuries, and prevent the risk of falls in older adults. The Isometric Mid-Thigh-Pull-test (IMTP) has become a common test for measuring whole body strength in athletes over the past 10 years. The test is easy to administer and has good validity and reliability. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between explosive and maximal strength in resistance-trained individuals using an IMTP-test. Ten participants with at least one year’s experience of resistance training were recruited. The results showed a moderately strong correlation (r = 0,48) between explosive and maximal strength, but no statistical significance (p = 0,158). The participants’ Peak Force averaged 2644 ± 404 N, Peak Force at 250ms averaged 1808 ± 231 N (on average, participants had received 69% of Peak Force at 250ms). In summary, it was noted that there might be a trend in the correlation between explosive and maximal strength. This suggests that maximal and explosive strength likely overlap, but this cannot be confirmed as there was no statistical significance. Furthermore, it is recommended that future research investigates explosive strength as distinct strength abilities. More participants and standardized testing methods are required to further explore the relationship between maximal and explosive strength

<p>Bol je subjektivno, neprijatno opažanje i osećaj. Čovek često oseća bol u delu tela koji<br />je znatno udaljen od mesta nastanka bola. U istraživanju je primenjena transverzalna<br />metoda, jednokratnog merenja. Ispitivanjem je obuhvaćeno 136 ispitanika, aktivnih<br />fudbalera, starosti 18-35 (20.49&plusmn;3.73) godina. Sva merenja su vr&scaron;ena od 2006. do<br />2016.godine. Ispitanici su ispunili anketu o postojanju bola u leđima, pre samog<br />početka testiranja, gde su intenzitet bolnosti subjektivno procenili Rolandovom skalom<br />bola). Celokupan uzorak je stratifikovan proporcionalnom tehnikom u pet grupa na<br />osnovu subjektivnog osećaja bola u leđima. Multivarijantnom metodom varijanse<br />utvrđivane su razlike na generalnom sistemu uzorkovanih varijabli, prilikom čega je<br />ustanovljeno da postoji statistički značajna razlika između navedenih grupa ispitanika<br />podeljenih na osnovu subjektivnog osećaja bola u leđima u izokinetičkim varijablama<br />koje su uzete u obzir ovim istraživanjem dok su Univarijantnom analizom varijanse<br />utvrđene razlike u pojedinačnim varijablama. Iz navedenih empirijskih saznanja i<br />relevantnih podataka iz stručne literature dobija se uvid u faktore koji utiču na bolno<br />stanje određene regije, disfunkciju i slabost pojedinih mi&scaron;ićnih grupa, uticaj pojedinih<br />mi&scaron;ićnih grupa na druge, kao i poremećaj u kinetičkom lancu lokomotornog aparata<br />kod fudbalera. Samo istraživanje ukazuju na značaj i potrebu da se standardizuju<br />protokoli i konstrui&scaron;u odgovarajući algoritmi za komparativnu sistematizaciju varijabli<br />dobijenih specifičnim ispitivanjima izokinetičkom dinamometrijom kod ispitanika koji<br />se bave timskim sportom sa loptom (fudbal, kosarka, rukomet i dr). Dobijeni podaci<br />poslužiće jednim delom kao deo monitoringa sportskog treninga, kao i efekata<br />različitih trenažnih protokola na parametre mi&scaron;ićne snage kod fudbalera. Sportskomedicinski značaj na polju testiranja parametara mi&scaron;ićne snage izokinetičkom<br />dinamometrijom se ogleda u prevenciji sportskih povreda ili u brzoj i efikasnoj<br />dijagnostici i terapiji istih, &scaron;to značajno utiče na ekonomski aspekt, s obzirom da je<br />profesionalni sport postao visoko komercijalizovan.</p> / <p>Pain is a subjective, uncomfortable perception and feeling. Human often feels<br />pain in the part of the body that is significantly away from the place of origin of pain.<br />The transversal method was performed during study, with a one-time measurement.<br />The study included 136 subjects, active players, ages 18-35 (20:49 &plusmn; 3.73) years. All<br />measurements were carried out from 2006 to 2016. Before the start of the test,<br />examinee completed the survey on the existence of back pain, where the intensity of<br />the pain was subjectively assessed according to Roland pain scale. The entire sample was stratified by proportional technique into five groups, based on the subjective experience of back pain. Multivariate variance method for detection of differences in the general system of sampled variables, during which it was established that there is a statistically significant difference between the groups of examinee, who were divided on the basis of subjective experience of back pain of the isokinetic variables that are taken into account in this study while the univariate analysis of variance determined differences in the individual variables. From the empirical findings above and relevant information from technical literature, an insight was obtained into the factors that influence the painful condition of a particular region, dysfunction and weakness of certain muscle groups, the impact of certain muscle groups on others, as well as the disruption in the kinetic chain of the locomotor apparatus. The research highlights the importance of and the need to standardize protocols and construct appropriate algorithms for comparative systematization of variables obtained by isokinetic dynamometry specific trials in subjects who are engaged in team sports with a ball (football, basketball, handball, etc.). The data will serve partially as part of the monitoring of sports training, as well as the effects of various parameters of training protocols on muscle strength in football. Sports and medical significance in the field of testing parameters with isokinetic muscle strength dynamometry is reflected in the prevention of sports injuries or in the quick and efficient diagnosis and treatment of the same, which significantly affects the economic aspect, considering that professional sport has become highly commercialized.</p>