Athletic Trainers Research Articles

Effects of mindfulness intervention on competition state anxiety in sprinters—a randomized controlled trial

ObjectivesWith the rapid growth of China’s sprint program’s international competitiveness, the psychological problems of sprinters have become a common concern in sports training theory and practice. Hence, the study examined the impact of a 7-week Mindfulness training program on competition state anxiety in Chinese sprinters.MethodsTwenty-four sprinters (Mage = 22.46 ± 1.351) were selected in a 2 × 3 mixed design, with the group (mindfulness/control) as the between-subjects variable and test time (pre-test/mid-test/post-test) as the within-subjects variable. The dependent variables corresponded to the mindfulness score and competition state anxiety score. One 60-min session was conducted once a week for 7 weeks, and the control group did not undergo any psychological training. The mindfulness group received mindfulness training, and the control group received regular psychological guidance. The subjects filled in the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) and the Competition State Anxiety Scale at baseline, followed by additional assessments 3 weeks and 7 weeks later.Results(1) In terms of competition state anxiety, there were no significant differences in the pre-test between the mindfulness group and the control group. There were significant differences in sprinters’ competition state anxiety after mindfulness intervention in terms of time, group, and the interaction between time and groups (p = 0.03, 0.004, and 0.009). (2) In terms of the mindfulness level, the difference between the mindfulness group and the control group was not significant in the pre-test. The sprinters’ mindfulness level was significant in the interaction between groups and that between groups and time after mindfulness intervention (p = 0.027 and 0.028).ConclusionMindfulness training alleviated sprinters’ competition anxiety by reducing sprinters’ somatic state anxiety (SSA) and cognitive state anxiety (CSA), as well as improving state self-efficacy. The results provide guidance and references for Chinese sprinters’ psychological problems.

Effects of resistance and strength training on serum phosphorus levels in male footballers: implications for physical educators and sports trainers

Background and Study Aim. Sports performance and overall health of athletes are highly dependent on various physiological markers. Among these, blood biochemistry is of great importance and should be carefully considered in athletes' training regimens. However, the effect of strength and resistance training on serum phosphorus levels still requires further clarification and more effective solutions. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of strength and resistance training on serum phosphorus levels in elite male soccer players. Material and Methods. A sample of 90 volunteers was recruited from football athletes in the Peshawar division. Thirty participants were selected from each of the under-16, under-19, and under-23 age groups. They were divided into three groups: the Resistance Training Group (RTG), the Strength Training Group (STG), and the Control Group (CG). Each group consisted of 30 participants, with 10 from each age category. Phosphorus levels and anthropometric measurements (height, weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR)) were assessed before and after a 12-week strength and resistance training intervention. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and paired sample t-tests were used to evaluate changes over time. Results. Significant improvements were observed in serum phosphorus levels in the Resistance Training Group (4.77±0.258 vs. 3.66±0.207, P<0.001) and in the Strength Training Group (4.31±0.304 vs. 3.66±0.209, P<0.001). A 12-week regimen of strength and resistance training significantly improved serum phosphorus levels among the participants. Analysis of variance indicated that both strength and resistance training significantly affected serum phosphorus levels after 12 weeks of intervention. Tukey’s HSD test revealed that the effects of resistance training were more pronounced than those of strength training. Conclusions. This study highlights the importance of incorporating both strength and resistance training in athletic programs. These training approaches are crucial for optimizing physical health and performance. The findings underscore the need for educators and trainers to adapt and refine their methods to maximize the benefits of these interventions. By doing so, they can enhance the effectiveness of training regimens and contribute to the overall well-being of athletes.

Physiological adaptations in small-side games combined with speed-endurance training: analyzing heart rate and rate of perceived exertion

Background and Study Aim. Monitoring physiological responses during training is crucial for understanding how athletes adapt to various exercise intensities. However, the specific effects of combining Small-Sided Game (SSG) and Speed-Endurance Training (SET) on these parameters require the search for more effective solutions. This study aims to determine the effect of combined SSG and SET on heart rate (HR) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE). Material and Methods. This quantitative research employed an experimental method with a weekly pretest-posttest design. The study population consisted of eighty-two members of the Unesa Soccer Student Activity Unit. A sample of eighteen individuals was selected through simple random sampling. The sample had the following characteristics: age 20±0.69 years, weight 65±9.54 kg, height 165.22±4.31 cm, and BMI 22.82±1.92. Data were collected using the Polar H-10 device, and RPE interviews were conducted ten minutes after each training session. Data analysis was performed using paired sample t-tests and Wilcoxon tests. Results. The results showed a significant difference in HR for pair 1 (p = 0.037), but no significant differences for pair 2 (p = 0.058) or pair 3 (p = 0.076). However, the results for RPE indicated significant differences in pair 1 (p = 0.001), pair 2 (p = 0.004), and pair 3 (p = 0.002). The combination of SSG and SET led to an increase in HR during the first and second weeks. In the third week, HR decreased. RPE increased from the first to the second week. It then stabilized in the third and fourth weeks, indicating a consistent level of effort. The decrease in HR during the third week, despite the same effort level, suggests that the athletes successfully adapted to the training program. Conclusions. The combination of SSG and SET demonstrates potential as an effective training method for improving both physiological performance and adaptation in athletes. These findings offer valuable insights into how athletes respond to structured training programs, providing a foundation for future research and practical applications in sports training. The results contribute to a deeper understanding of the role that specific training combinations play in athlete development and recovery.

Comparative analysis of hand dynamometer measurements across different arm positions: implications for rehabilitation and functional assessment

Background and Study Aim. Grip strength is a crucial measure of human physical capability, affecting activities from daily tasks to athletic performance. Variations in arm position during grip strength measurement may influence the results, which has significant implications for both rehabilitation and functional assessment. This study explores the impact of different arm positions on grip strength to enhance understanding of human biomechanics and inform rehabilitation and sports training practices. Material and Methods. Forty right-handed male volunteers (mean age 18.27 ± 0.90 years) participated in the study. Grip strength was measured using a CAMRY Model: EH101 hand dynamometer. Measurements were taken across four arm positions: seated with elbow extension, 90-degree elbow flexion, 90-degree elbow flexion with pronation, and 90-degree elbow flexion with supination. Each position was tested three times. The highest recorded value for each position was used for analysis. Results. The dominant right hand exhibited higher grip strength across all positions compared to the non-dominant left hand. Significant differences were noted, with the greatest grip strength in the extension position. Statistical analysis using paired t-tests indicated significant differences (p < 0.001) between the right and left hands across all positions. Pearson correlation coefficients highlighted strong relationships between different arm positions. Multiple linear regression analysis showed significant predictors of grip strength variability based on arm position, age, and BMI. Conclusions. Arm position significantly influences grip strength performance, underscoring the importance of standardized positioning in ergonomics. Standardizing arm position can optimize performance and mitigate injury risks in activities requiring robust grip strength. These findings have practical implications for rehabilitation protocols, sports training programs, and ergonomic assessments. The results emphasize the need for consistency in grip strength evaluations to ensure accurate and reliable results.

The achilles tendon rupture: A deeper dive into its impact on professional and high-performance athletes

Background: The Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) is an injury that has been detrimental to professional athletes over the years, recently rising to unforeseen heights as the intensity of sports has increased. Methods: To obtain relevant statistics for this paper, a review of prior research, including original research and case studies, was conducted. Digital publications and clinical data were reviewed to dissect factors such as injury causes, operations, current initiatives, the role of technology, and future implications. Results: The data revealed a significant increase in documented ATRs in athletes and the National Football League (NFL) over the years; most recently, these injuries increased from 11 in the 2019-2020 season to 24 in the 2021-2022 season.3 Despite advancements in technology and recovery methods, dynamic changes involving training, conditioning, physicality, and intensity in sports have greatly contributed to the increased rates of injuries. With modernized resources such as advanced testing and rehabilitation procedures incorporating artificial intelligence (AI), specialists continue to search for new ways to treat injury and improve functional outcomes more effectively. Conclusion: This paper examines ATRs in athletes, its risk factors, current surgical methods for treatment, and modern rehabilitation methods. Future research should continue to develop comprehensive assessment and treatment methods to decrease the time to return to play, reduce the risk of re-injuries, and ensure cost-effective standards in implementing advanced rehabilitation modalities.

COMPARATIVE STUDY ON ANTHROPOMETRIC AND MOTOR DIFFERENCES IN U15 BASKETBALL PLAYERS

Basketball is a predominantly aerobic sport during which high-intensity anaerobic actions are performed. In recent years, this characteristic has evolved in terms of demands on the athlete and intensity of the competition, implying an increase in the number and duration of explosive actions. To meet the demands of this sport, good technical, tactical, physical and mental training is required. The research purpose was to determine the anthropometric and motor differences between two male basketball teams from a private club, both playing in the U15 age category. The study included 32 athletes who were divided into two groups. One group was made up of 16 players representing the club’s elite team, and the other group also consisted of 16 players representing the club’s secondary team for this age category. All players were tested in the same sports hall on two different days, during their training for the U15 National Basketball Championship of Romania. Anthropometric and physical characteristics were measured using a test battery with six variables: Height, Weight, Body mass index, 10 m Sprint, Standing long jump, Vertical jump, and Little Marathon. The methods used were: literature review, observation, mathematical statistics, tabular and graphical methods. Differences in anthropometric and physical values between the basketball players of the two teams were determined using the t-Test for independent small samples (Assuming Equal Variances). Our research hypothesis is confirmed, since there are significant anthropometric and motor differences between the players of the two representative club teams, justifying the presence of the elite team in the U15 National Basketball Championship.

STUDY CONCERNING THE IMPROVEMENT OF SPEED THROUGH BASKETBALL SPECIFIC TRAINING

Background. The major importance of physical education lessons in higher education is achieved through their contribution to maintaining health, to compensating for the increased intellectual efforts generated by passing exams. Basketball training helps in the positive development of the general and specific motor capacity required by the subsequent professional activity, as well as to the achievement of the necessary framework for recreation and the practice of the favorite sport. Therefore, at this level, the achievement of the following objectives will be mainly pursued: – maintaining health and increasing the ability to adapt to changing conditions; – the development of the general motor capacity necessary to carry out the sports activity; – improving the somato-functional indices and optimizing the relationship between them. Physical training is a component of sports training that constitutes the pivot for all other components, constituting the starting point for the entire training process (Ardelean. T, 1996). General physical training has different weightages in training, depending on the experience of the students and for the training of beginner students it is very important that the time allocated is much greater than in the training of students from older years. Objectives. This study aims to find and offer, through specific basketball exercises, how to improve the quality of speed. Speed should be present in the equipment of the "motric luggage" of each student, considering the evolution of our modern society, to dynamic games. This speed quality motor offers several advantages to basketball players: – allows the execution of thechnical and tactic actions in a sustained rhythm. – gives the player a high degree of complexity and dynamic adaptation to playing basketball. – develops the player's thinking, attention, rationality and ability to concentrate. Methods. For this study we used the following research methods: documentation, observation method, statistical method, graphical representation method and experimental method. Results. For checking the motility of students enrolled in educational experiment we chose the following control samples: speed running 15m, speed running 20m and dribbling through cones. Conclusion. The results of this test depend both on the execution speed and the technique in performing the dribbling. We therefore recommend that these results can be improved both by increasing the speed of movement and the execution technique.

The influence of sexual dimorphism on the manifestation of coordination abilities of volleyball players aged 15-17

Background and Study Aim. Sexual dimorphism plays a crucial role in the design of training programs for athletes. Therefore, understanding the influence of sexual dimorphism on various abilities is essential for optimizing training regimens. The aim of this study is to determine the influence of sexual dimorphism on the manifestation of coordination abilities in young volleyball players aged 15–17. Material and Methods. Volleyball players aged 15–17 years participated in the study (n=92, training experience – 5–7 years). Fifty of them were girls, and forty-two were boys. Motor tests were used to determine the level of coordination preparedness of the volleyball players. The study assessed kinesthetic differentiation, spatial orientation, reaction, coupling, binding of movements, and balance skills. Statistical data processing was carried out using Microsoft Excel and SPSS programs. Results. For most of the compared indicators of coordination abilities, there was no significant difference between male and female volleyball players aged 15–17 (p>0.05). In the “Shuttle run with back forward” test, which determined the ability of volleyball players to quickly rebuild motor activity, boys outperformed girls by 5.6% (p<0.05). In the “Sprint test with the given rhythm”, boys significantly outperformed girls by 16.6% (p<0.001). However, control exercises that determined the relative indicators of the above qualities did not show a significant difference. No significant differences (p>0.05) were found in the indicators that characterized the subjects' ability to demonstrate balance in both groups. Girls outperformed boys by 4.2% in terms of sagittal displacement of the center of mass. Comparison of the magnitude of latent periods of simple and complex visual-motor reaction by groups did not reveal significant differences among boys and girls. Conclusions. The results of the study indicate the need to implement targeted training programs to address and mitigate gender differences in coordination abilities among young volleyball players. These programs should focus on enhancing specific coordination skills. This approach ensures balanced development. Purposeful sports training can help overcome inherent physiological differences. By doing so, it leverages the benefits of tailored training to promote equality in athletic performance.

Application and Effect of Computer-Aided Design in Table Tennis Training

The application of computer technology in the field of sports training is more and more extensive. This paper discusses the application and effect of computer-aided design in table tennis training. More and more automatic control systems which rely on digital model control appear in people’s lives. There is also a lack of introduction of automatic control systems for the training of table tennis players to improve their training efficiency and reaction ability. Therefore, based on an artificial intelligence algorithm, a genetic algorithm is integrated. According to the patting and kicking action of the automatic control system and the camera imaging device, the feature points in the motion process are divided. Based on an artificial intelligence algorithm, feature points are taken as initial values. Through testing, the matrix orthogonality of motion attitude is determined. The influence of computer-aided design on the training effect of table tennis was analyzed. Finally, we will summarize the advantages of computer-aided design in table tennis training and its future development direction.

Application of 3D Motion Graphic Design Technology of Object Simulation Human Body in Sports Teaching

In the current era, the rapid development of computer technology has brought unprecedented opportunities for innovation in physical education teaching. The introduction of computer technology not only improves the efficiency of physical education teaching but also provides more accurate and scientific means for sports training. In response to this trend, this paper proposes an innovative human body model design method and explores in detail the key implementation techniques of computer simulation of 3D motion maps, aiming to further optimize and improve the quality of physical education teaching. The design of human body models plays a crucial role in physical education teaching and training, as it can help students and teachers better understand the mechanisms and principles of human movement. By introducing computer technology, this paper can construct a more precise, dynamic, and realistic human body model that conforms to the actual motion situation. This model can simulate various movement states of the human body, providing students with an intuitive and vivid learning experience. In the classroom, teachers can use projection or virtual reality devices to display 3D motion models, allowing students to intuitively see the details and changes of motion movements, deepening their understanding of the essentials of the movements. Teachers can demonstrate different movements in real time by operating models, and explain the technical points and precautions of each movement. Students can observe the motion trajectory and posture changes of the model from multiple perspectives to improve learning efficiency. The system generates personalized feedback reports based on students’ movement data, pointing out the problems and improvement directions that students have during the exercise process. Teachers can provide more accurate guidance to students based on these feedbacks, helping them correct incorrect movements and improve their skill levels.

Isokinetic Force Modeling in Sports Based on Embedded System of Motion Recognition Model

With the gradual deepening of sports research, sports training methods integrating more scientific and technological means can greatly improve athletes’ professional ability. Combined with the isokinetic strength training method, it can effectively alleviate muscle recovery and body flexibility, which requires an analysis of the level of sports body promotion, and a more efficient training program for various sports parameters. In this study, taking strength enhancement as an example, the convolutional neural network is innovatively integrated into isokinetic strength training. Using the motion data obtained by wearable sensors in the training, we trained the neural network model by real-time analysis of data samples through an embedded system. Further, we optimized the network parameters to realize the extraction and recognition of EMG depth features. Compared with the traditional isokinetic strength classification model, this model lays a foundation for further constructing personalized strength training guidance methods. After the simulation test, the difference of the model’s accuracy requirement before and after the pre-training is 4.6%, and the difference of the test set before and after the pre-intensive training is [Formula: see text]1%. It is 16.2% higher than the TCAM algorithm, and the gap with STA-LSTM remains between [Formula: see text]. It is verified that the attention concentration control scheme can not only reduce the error rate in visual recognition tasks, but also improve the complexity of the neural network model. The optimized lightweight data structure is especially suitable for embedded systems with limited computing power. All kinds of test projects verify its rationality and make full use of the control ability of the embedded system and the characteristics of parallel computing and programmability, which has great practical application value for the development of the Internet of Things system network. The research results have made a thorough study of the physiological guidance of existing strength training, the identification and evaluation methods of exercise-induced muscle fatigue, and the current situation of the existing isokinetic equipment.

Predictors of ventricular and atrial feature tracking-derived global longitudinal strain in healthy athletes and volunteers

Abstract Background Feature tracking (FT) strain analysis provides insights into the mechanics of the heart and carries essential prognostic and diagnostic information without prolonging image acquisition during cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) scans. However, data regarding CMR-derived FT strain in athletes is scarce, especially in the atria. We explored the determinants of FT global longitudinal strain (GLS) values concerning all four cardiac chambers in healthy competitive athletes and less active volunteers. Methods Long- and short-axis cine sequences were analyzed with Medis Suite v4.0 (Leiden, The Netherlands) to assess FT strain. After excluding individuals with preexisting pathologies and images with quality issues, subjects were classified by sport types following the 2020 ESC Sports Cardiology Guidelines. Multiple linear regression models were constructed to assess the impact of age, sex (male=0, female=1), weekly training hours, and sports category (power coded as 0, mixed as 1, endurance as 2) on GLS values. Atrial strain values are positive, and ventricular ones are negative. Intercepts/constants are denoted as "baseline" for easier comprehension. Results Native CMR scans acquired at a tertiary cardiac centre of 596 healthy Caucasian subjects (411 athletes: 145 females, mean age 21±6, range 14-36 years; and 185 volunteers: 86 females, mean age 24±5, range 13-35 years) were included. Athletes had a high exercise load versus the controls who performed no or maximum recreational physical activity (19±7 vs. 3±2 hours/week, p<.001). When assessing athletes (weekly training≥6h), RA GLS (baseline: 34%, p<.001) is increased in females (β=2.0) but is expected to decrease with every one-hour increase in training hours (β=-0.2). LA GLS is notably affected by sex alone (baseline: 37%, β=3.6, p<.001), suggesting markedly higher values for females. RV GLS (baseline: -30%, p<.001) is associated with both age and training hours (β=0.1 for each), making it less negative. Conversely, LV GLS (baseline: -25%, p<.0001) is significantly modulated by all studied factors, with sports category (β=0.5), age, and training hours (β=0.1 each) increasing values and sex decreasing them (β=-0.9). In less active volunteers (weekly training<6h), sex (β=4.7) is the only significant factor for RA GLS (baseline: 33%, p=.04), and sports category (β=2.7, the group included 98 recreational athletes with low training loads) for LA GLS (baseline: 38%, p=.04). No variables were retained in the model for RV GLS, but sex (β=-1.4) remained a predictor in the LV GLS model (baseline: -21%, p=.002). Conclusion GLS shows significant variations influenced by age, sex, sports category, and training hours across all four heart chambers in athletes. These effects appear mostly inconclusive among less active individuals. This data calls for further advanced analyses of athlete's hearts to refine differentiation methods between healthy adaptation and cardiac pathologies.Left atrial FT analysisModel outputs for GLS predictions

A socially interactive communication skills training for competent health educators

Abstract Background Every contact with expectant and new parents can be a “teachable moment” for promoting the health of mother-baby-family; yet, healthcare providers may not effectively perform their educational role. Previous studies have described various setting-specific challenges. Procedural knowledge, resulting in lack of confidence and avoidance, is a universal theme, challenging current communications skills training. Given the evolving role of midwives under the new Cyprus National Healthcare System, there is need for innovative practices. Objectives “Baby Buddy Communicators” designed, implemented and piloted tested a socially interactive digital environment on the Edubreak platform, where practicing (N = 8) and in-training (N = 7) Midwives completed an 8-week iterative hybrid communication skills course along with service-users. Results Four situational-based scenarios were co-created with ‘holders of the experience’ tapping on key priorities (elective caesarean, breastfeeding challenges, baby in NICU, postnatal depression). Participants produced video artefacts of role-play consultations and engaged in peer-to-peer and service-user feedback via the in-built video annotations and blog writing tools. Deductive content analysis of the rich material using the 18-item Health Professionals Communications Skills (HPCS) scale identified recurrent patterns tapping on both informational aspects (e.g. incomplete information gathering, overload without assessing comprehension) as well as social skills (e.g. agenda setting, early reassurance, assertiveness). Conclusions This cross-sectoral transfer of social video from sports training to healthcare is a “proof of concept”. Inverted (i.e. making current practices visible) and experiential learning (e.g. feedforward) with cross-sectoral (service-user involvement) and cross-module dimensions (i.e. communication skills and evidence-based practice) provided the basis for evaluation and a source of shared learning and reflection. Key messages • Several areas of improvement in communication skills of maternal healthcare providers were identified while peer-to-peer and service-user feedback was a source of reflection. • The use of digital technology and social video allowed immersive role-playing, observation and constructive feedback loops providing a new paradigm in health communication skills training.

Barriers to Delivering Concussion Education: Identifying Opportunities for Change Through the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, Behavior (COM-B) Model.

This study aimed to describe barriers athletic trainers (ATs) face to implementing expert recommendations for improving athletes' concussion care-seeking behavior. We distributed an electronic survey through the National Athletic Trainers' Association to 9,997 ATs working in secondary schools or collegiate institutions and received 365 complete responses. We quantitatively measured their barriers using a validated survey based on the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, Behavior (COM-B) behavior system containing six Likert-type items with a scale of 0 to 10 (labeled Strongly Disagree-Strongly Agree). We performed three analyses: (a) descriptive analysis of COM-B responses, (b) separate ordinal regression analyses to determine if gender, years certified, percent of employment hours spent at their school, or setting (e.g., secondary school or college/university) predict COM-B responses, and (c) group comparisons within types of secondary schools and collegiate institutions. Athletic trainers reported the highest barriers in the opportunity-related constructs followed by capability-related and motivation-related constructs. Practicing in a secondary school, rather than college/university, setting predicted stronger barriers in psychological capability, social opportunity, physical opportunity, and automatic motivation. Athletic trainers at National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) affiliated colleges/universities had higher physical and psychological capability, compared to ATs at non-NCAA-affiliated colleges/universities. Athletic trainers feel motivated and capable of employing practices to improve athlete care-seeking after a concussion, but they face barriers. Organizations should support ATs by providing opportunities to deliver concussion education. Secondary schools and non-NCAA institutions may benefit from resources to reduce barriers to providing concussion education, like toolkits to help deliver concussion education and protected time to providing this education.

Based on sustainable development of skating sports training new ecological and environmental protection measures

In recent years, under the background of exam-oriented physical education reform, the government has issued a lot of physical education documents and policies. As a result, many schools have made fundamental changes in physical education activities. These policies are mainly aimed at getting young people to be more active and autonomous in school sports. This requires physical education training teachers must adhere to the people-oriented, student-oriented, so as to highlight the subject status of students. Based on this, students should establish a good sports values and ethics and form a good habit of lifelong sports, so as to further promote the sustainable development of youth sports activities. Based on the ecological theory of sustainable development as the background, this study constructs a unified theory of Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model for the sustainable training and development of youth skating sports training institutions. This study selects the youth skating sports training institutions in Beijing, China as the investigation object, covering small, medium and large institutions of different sizes, and analyzes based on the statistical data in 2023 and the results of field research. The results show that the application of this model not only increases the willingness of youth skating training institutions to continue to participate by 3.66%, but also promotes the diversified development of youth skating training. In addition, this study also discusses the environmental protection measures implemented in the process of skating training to ensure that the training activities are sustainable while reducing the impact on the environment, so as to build a sustainable development of the new ecology of skating sports training.

Feasibility of a new bicycle ergometer with adjustable pedaling configuration for personalized lower limb rehabilitation

Muscle atrophy due to prolonged immobilization leads to severe dysfunction and progression of disease and injury. This highlights the necessity for early rehabilitation, even during the non-ambulatory stages. As manifestations vary among individuals, target-specific rehabilitation is crucial for achieving optimal outcomes. Conventional bicycle ergometers, despite their wide usage in rehabilitation and sports training, fail to adequately recruit the muscles that predominantly operate in the coronal or axial plane. This is thought to be due to the restriction of pedaling trajectory in the sagittal plane. This study introduces a new bicycle ergometer capable of tilting the pedaling plane and adjusting the pedal orientation, in order to alter muscle recruitment patterns and limb alignments. A biomechanical analysis of eight healthy volunteers suggests that our device can elicit dynamic valgus/varus alignment and alter the axial rotations of the lower extremities. An electromyography analysis revealed a significant increase in the activation of specific muscle groups, particularly the abductors and adductors, suggesting promising results for targeted muscle recruitment. We expect this ergometer to provide a new method for target-specific rehabilitation and the treatment of bedridden patients or those with weak muscles.

Prevention and rehabilitation measures for knee injuries during sports training

Prevention and rehabilitation measures for knee injuries during sports training

Concussion Assessment and Management Self-efficacy Among Irish Clinicians.

This study explored concussion assessment and management self-efficacy and practices of allied healthcare professionals in Ireland. (1) Self-efficacy levels and practices vary across different concussion assessment and management skills, (2) the ability to practice skills impacts self-efficacy most. Cross-sectional. Level 3. Survey of allied healthcare professionals (285 responders), investigating (1) demographics, (2) concussion assessment (immediate and office) and management (postconcussion advice and management/rehabilitation) self-efficacy levels and practices, and (3) factors affecting self-efficacy. Levels of self-efficacy among clinicians were 64.5 ± 26.6 (immediate assessment) and 56.6 ± 25.4 (postconcussion advice) (highest scores: concussion symptom checklist [80 ± 28.4], physical rest advice [80.1 ± 27.8]; lowest: Child Sport Concussion Assessment Tool [44.6 ± 41.2] and nutrition advice [34.1 ± 33.7]). Overall levels of self-efficacy among Certified Athletic Therapists and Chartered Physiotherapists were 51.5 ± 20.1 (assessment) and 62.1 ± 20.9 (management) (highest scores: history/clinical evaluation nonspecific to concussion [86.6 ± 16.2], physical rest advice [86.3 ± 20]; lowest: paper/pencil neuropsychological test [16.7 ± 28.6], advice on medication use [39.2 ± 35]). A strong positive correlation was observed between clinician self-efficacy and frequency of use of overall (r = 0.795; P < 0.01) and immediate (r = 0.728; P < 0.01) assessment, advice (r = 0.805; P < 0.01), and management (r = 0.812; P < 0.01) skills. Factors with greatest positive impact on clinician self-efficacy were the ability to practice skills during clinical placement (3.3 ± 0.9) and remaining emotionally (3.3 ± 0.8) and physically (3.3 ± 0.8) calm while practicing. Clinicians in Ireland had moderate self-efficacy in concussion care. Those who used concussion-relevant skills frequently in practice displayed higher self-efficacy for those skills. Concussion-related self-efficacy can be enhanced through practice in a clinical environment and through experiencing composure while practicing.

Visualization Analysis of Integrating College Sports Training and Psychology into Basketball Physical Education Teaching System Based on Image Recognition Algorithm

ABSTRACT On this basis, a basketball movement model based on ORB (Oriented FAST and Rotated BRIEF) local feature extraction has been proposed, and a basketball teaching visualization analysis system has been constructed. By extracting images from athletes’ videos in basketball, and using their training as a standard, tracking the frequency of their various celebration postures appearing and improving their scores in the game, corresponding feature points are extracted, and then the BP (back propagation) neural network algorithm is used to classify feature points. Ten different participants were selected from 10 games. Their movements were tracked, and then the extracted feature actions were imported into the visualization system for visual analysis, comparing the changes before and after psychological intervention. The results showed that there were significant differences in scores, errors, hit rates, steals, and motivation among subjects who received psychological cues and incentives compared to the data before psychological counseling. The scores and positive and negative values increased to 2–4 points, which had a certain positive impact on the competitive results.

Rapid Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method for Determination of Total and Free Testosterone in Human Serum and Its Application to Monitoring Biomarker Response of Elite Athletes

Total testosterone (TT) and free testosterone (FT) are important biochemical markers for anabolism of the human body, and can also serve as early screening indicators for overtraining syndrome (OTS). Presently, there is no fast and reliable serum TT and FT determination method in the field of sport science that can meet the requirements of sports research. Thus, a rapid and accurate determination method for serum TT and FT to fill the gap is needed urgently in sports training. Herein, a simple and reliable liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the simultaneous determination of TT and FT in serum was developed and fully validated, followed by the application of professional athletes in training monitoring. Efficient pretreatments based on only one-step liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) for TT and one-step LLE after a 20 min ultrafiltration for FT were adopted in this study, and the isotope internal standard of testosterone-13C3 was used to ensure the reliability of the whole procedure. A linear range of four orders of magnitude with 0.02–100 ng/mL can meet the concentration range requirement between a higher limit for male TT and a lower limit for female FT. The accuracy, precision, stability, and matrix effect were all within the limits of the guidelines. The serum TT and FT levels of 200 professional athletes (98 male athletes and 102 female athletes) were investigated by this method. Serum TT, FT, and FT/TT levels of professional athletes were significantly higher than the general population, and serum TT levels were significantly higher by LC-MS/MS than by a chemiluminescence immunoassay. In conclusion, the LC-MS/MS method for TT and FT measurement developed in this study is time-saving and easy to operate, which can be used as a reliable method for the determination of serum TT and FT in sports training, offering valuable information for monitoring anabolism of athletes and screening OTS in the early stage.