Physical Performance Indicators Research Articles

CF60 Concrete Composition Design and Application on Fudiankou Xijiang Super Large Bridge

Guangxi Wuzhou City Ring Road Fudiankou Xijiang super large bridge CF60 concrete is a new multi-phase composite high-performance concrete, this paper for the Fudiankou Xijiang bridge structure and characteristics of the project, in accordance with the principle of local materials and technical specification requirements, combined with the site conditions of CF60 engineering high performance concrete component materials, proportion and the technical performance, quantify the main physical and mechanical performance index. Analysis main influencing factors of the technical indicators, reasonable adjustment of concrete mix design parameters, and the use of technical means of admixture and multi-function composite admixture of concrete, obtain the optimal proportion of good work, process, mechanical properties stability and durability of engineering properties, recommend and verification of concrete mix; to explore the CF60 high performance concrete Soil in the Fudiankou Xijiang bridge application technology, detection and tracking the quality of concrete construction, concrete structure during the construction of the key technology and control points is proposed, evaluation of CF60 high performance concrete in the actual engineering application effect and benefit to ensure engineering quality of bridge structure and service life, and super long span bridge engineering construction to provide basis and reference.

Effect of ubiquinol supplementation on biochemical and oxidative stress indexes after intense exercise in young athletes

ABSTRACTObjectives: Physical exercise significantly impacts the biochemistry of the organism. Ubiquinone is a key component of the mitochondrial respiratory chain and ubiquinol, its reduced and active form, is an emerging molecule in sport nutrition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ubiquinol supplementation on biochemical and oxidative stress indexes after an intense bout of exercise.Methods: 21 male young athletes (26 + 5 years of age) were randomized in two groups according to a double blind cross-over study, either supplemented with ubiquinol (200 mg/day) or placebo for 1 month. Blood was withdrawn before and after a single bout of intense exercise (40 min run at 85% maxHR). Physical performance, hematochemical parameters, ubiquinone/ubiquinol plasma content, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, paraoxonase activity and oxidative DNA damage were analyzed.Results: A single bout of intense exercise produced a significant increase in most hematochemical indexes, in particular CK and Mb while, on the contrary, normalized coenzyme Q10 plasma content decreased significantly in all subjects. Ubiquinol supplementation prevented exercise-induced CoQ deprivation and decrease in paraoxonase activity. Moreover at a cellular level, in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, ubiquinol supplementation was associated with a significant decrease in cytosolic ROS while mitochondrial membrane potential and oxidative DNA damage remained unchanged.Discussion: Data highlights a very rapid dynamic of CoQ depletion following intense exercise underlying an increased demand by the organism. Ubiquinol supplementation minimized exercise-induced depletion and enhanced plasma and cellular antioxidant levels but it was not able to improve physical performance indexes or markers of muscular damage.

Buildings performance indicators to prioritise multi-family housing renovations

Paying attention to the constructed city and renovating buildings are two objectives of current European policies. This article develops a system of physical performance indicators to detect multi-family housing estates that perform worse in energy efficiency, airborne sound insulation against outside noise and accessibility terms. Indicators were developed in close cooperation with the local Administration for residential estates and on a district scale, and allowed the buildings in worse conditions to be detected. The results are graphically represented on urban plans. Indicators are presented by a case study of social housing states in the city of Zaragoza for the 1939–1979 period.

Abstracts of the 10th International Conference on Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle Wasting, Rome, Italy, 8-10 December 2017 (Part 1)

Abstracts of the 10th International Conference on Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle Wasting, Rome, Italy, 8-10 December 2017 (Part 1)

Essential irrigation and the economics of strawberries in a temperate climate

Strawberries are a high value crop in the UK soft fruit sector, with the majority of production grown at field-scale and under protected (polytunnel) conditions. Despite its importance to the rural economy, there is surprisingly little published scientific evidence on the economics of irrigated strawberry production and the value of water in this horticultural sector. A survey of growers, supplemented by secondary data and industry sources, shows considerable variation in key physical and financial performance indicators, both within and between different strawberry production systems, as well as evidence of good practice. Water application depths ranged widely from 800 to over 2000m3ha−1 according to grower and crop variety. Irrigation costs typically range between £1.30 and £2.50m−3 of water applied, highest where storage reservoirs and public water supplies are used. The average value of irrigation water for strawberry net of costs was about £6m−3, much higher than for field crops such as potatoes. The importance of a reliable water supply to support irrigated strawberry production is highlighted. Climate change and growing pressures on water resources are likely to force a greater interest in irrigation economics in the soft fruit sector, especially in the face of restrictions on summer abstraction and rising competition and charges for using public water supply.

Officiating Role Influences the Physical Match Activity Profiles of Rugby League Touch Judges and Referees.

This study investigated the effect of the officiating role on physical activity profiles of rugby league match officials during match-play. Physical performance indicators were collated from 23 match officials, resulting in 78 observations. Match officials were categorised into two groups: referees and touch judges. Microtechnology facilitated the quantification of total distance (m), relative distance (m⋅min-1), maximum velocity (m⋅s-1), the percentage of high intensity running distance (% total > 3.01 m⋅s-1), walking distance (<1 m⋅s-1), jogging distance (1.01 – 3 m⋅s-1), fast jogging distance (3.01 - 5 m⋅s-1), and sprinting distance (>5 m⋅s-1). Multivariate analysis modelled the main effect of the officiating role with follow up univariate analyses identifying significant differences. A significant effect was noted (V = 750; F(8, 66) = 24.71; p < 0.05) with referees covering a greater total distance (7767 ± 585 vs. 7022 ± 759 m), relative distance (90 ± 6 vs. 82 ± 8 m⋅min-1), jogging distance (3772 ± 752 vs. 3110 ± 553 m), and fast jogging distance (2565 ± 631 vs. 1816 ± 440 m) compared to touch judges. Touch judges covered greater distances while sprinting (1012 ± 385 vs. 654 ± 241 m). Results provide important guidance in the development of training programs for match officials.

Physical Fitness and Performance Indicators of Indian Female Volleyball Players: the Need for individual Data

Physical Fitness and Performance Indicators of Indian Female Volleyball Players: the Need for individual Data

Associations of low-intensity light physical activity with physical performance in community-dwelling elderly Japanese: A cross-sectional study.

BackgroundPhysical activity and physical performance relate to quality of life, mortality, and morbidity in elderly people. However, little is known about differences in physical performance related to low-intensity light physical activity (LLPA), high-intensity light physical activity (HLPA), and moderate-intensity physical activity (MPA) and how they are separated by sex in elderly populations.AimsThis study aimed to determine differences in LLPA, HLPA, MPA, and physical performance, and associations between these measures in community-dwelling elderly men and women.MethodsPhysical activity and physical performance such as timed-up-and-go test, one-leg standing time, and maximum gait speed were measured in 181 community-dwelling elderly men (mean age, 75.1 ± 5.3 years) and 109 women (mean age, 73.4 ± 4.8 years) in 2013. Physical activity was classified as LLPA (1.6~1.9 METs of physical activity), HLPA (2.0~2.9 METs of physical activity), and MPA (over 3 METs of physical activity). The association between the values of these three intensities of physical activity in the participants was assessed by Pearson’s correlation coefficients. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to assess the association of physical performance values with the three groups defined by accelerometer-measured physical activity intensity adjusted for sociographic, behavioral, and multiple diseases in the participants.ResultsMPA was beneficially associated with all physical performance indicators in the men (all P<0.05) and women (all P<0.05). Only HLPA showed significant associations with the timed-up-and-go test (P = 0.001) and maximum gait speed (P = 0.006) in women.DiscussionThese results may support the notion that not only HLPA in women but MPA in both sexes appears to improve physical performance in elderly populations.ConclusionThe present study findings provide novel epidemiological evidence for the potential benefits of HLPA in women and also reinforce the potential benefits of MPA in both sexes, which is the mainstay of public health recommendations.

Uncertainty analysis and risk‐based design of detention basin without damage function

AbstractRisk‐based analysis provides an economically defensible framework for determining the optimal design of hydrosystems with the minimum total cost including project cost (installation plus operation/maintenance/repair) and failure‐induced expected damage cost. However, failure‐related damage function with good quality may not be widely available in practical applications for assessing annual expected damage cost. In addition to aleatory uncertainty representing natural randomness of hydrologic events, there exists a variety of epistemic uncertainties due to knowledge deficiency from the use of inadequate models, inaccurate model parameters, etc. The presence of epistemic uncertainties could affect the loads and capacity of hydrosystem facilities which, in turn, would affect the value of failure‐induced physical performance indicators. Using detention basin design as an example, this paper presents a systematic framework to integrate aleatory and epistemic uncertainties for the risk‐based design under the condition of no monetary damage function. For illustration, aleatory uncertainty due to randomness of rainfall intensity and epistemic uncertainties caused by runoff coefficient and curve number are considered in risk‐based design of an example detention basin.

The Trends of Physical and Functional Indicators of Junior Elite High Performance Traditional Karate Do Athletes during Transitional Period

While preparing high performance karate do athletes and aiming for the highest results at international competitions, the training of athletes is based on the fundamental sport training elements. It is relevant to know how athletes’ body functions change during all periods of training, however we have the least knowledge of how the qualification of athletes varies during a transitional period. A relevant goal for the transitional period is to create right conditions so that athletes’ body system would recover after great physical and psychological strains experienced at training sessions and competitions. It is also important to ensure that athletes’ physical, functional and technical qualification wouldn‘t decrease at a large scale during the transitional period. The aim of the study was to examine high performance level traditional karate do athletes’ changes in physical development, physical and functional capacity during the transitional period. To pursue the above stated aim, these methods of research were used: diagnostic analyses identified somatometric and physiometric indicators of physical development, also indicators of anaerobic alactic muscle capacity, psychomotoric functions and physical performance. After generalizing the survey data it was determined to form only one sample of the research subjects. The results of research were processed by mathematical statistics methods. We found that during the transitional period the functional capacity of circulatory and respiratory systems had a tendency to improve, psychomotoric reaction time and movement frequency during the time of research didn‘t change. At significantly increased height of maximal jump and a shortened time of take-off, it was seen a tendency of one-time‘s muscle contraction power growth. The indicators of a short muscle action power didn‘t change. This shows that the transitional period didn‘t have a significant influence on functional and physical capacity of athletes‘ body systems. After summer holidays most athletes start preparatory period having a good physical and functional capacity that makes the training at a preparatory period easier. Keywords: adaptation, physical load, muscle power, annual cycle, activity. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15823/sm.2017.8

Quality of diet and level of physical performance related to inflammatory markers in community-dwelling frail, elderly people.

The aim of this study was to assess whether diet quality and functional status were associated with serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in frail, elderly, community-dwelling individuals. Seventy-eight frail, elderly individuals (age ≥65 y, usual gait speed <0.6m/s and Mini Nutritional Assessment <24) participated in this cross-sectional study from the National Home Healthcare Services in Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, South Korea. Diet quality was assessed using mean adequacy ratio (MAR) of the diet, which was calculated by averaging the sum of the nutrient adequacy ratios (NAR) for the intakes of energy, protein, and 11 micronutrients. Grip strength was measured as an indicator of muscle strength, and short physical performance battery (SPPB) was measured as an indicator of physical performance. The levels of the inflammatory markers IL-6 and TNF-α were obtained from serum samples. MAR and NAR scores for phosphorus; vitamins A, B1, and B6; and niacin were negatively associated with IL-6 (β=-0.006, -0.004, -0.004, -0.007, -0.004, and -0.005, respectively; P<0.05). SPPB score, as well as NAR scores for vitamin B6, niacin, and vitamin C, were negatively associated with TNF-α (β=-0.098, -0.006, -0.006, and -0.004, respectively; P<0.05). MAR of the diet was inversely associated with IL-6 concentration in frail elderly individuals, and higher SPPB score was associated with lower levels of TNF-α. Results from the present study suggest that improving diet quality and physical performance might lower levels of inflammation in this frail, elderly population.

Pharmacological treatment of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of human placenta extract - laennec infusions in the treatment of patients with confirmed diagnosis of 'Chronic fatigue syndrome' (CFS). The study included 38 patients with CFS, randomized into 2 groups: patients of the experimental group (EG, n=24) were treated with 10 intravenous laennec infusions, 4 ml each, 2 times/week, for 5 weeks. The control group (CG) consisted of 14 patients. Treatment efficacy evaluated by the severity of chronic fatigue ('The degree of chronic fatigue' questionnaire), state anxiety, depression and anger (Spilberger test) and quality of life (SF-36v2), exercise tolerance (cardiopulmonary exercise test with gas analysis), blood parameters were assessed before, after, and 5 weeks of follow-up. The EG patients showed a significant reduction in the index of chronic fatigue, which was accompanied by the significant decrease in state depression, anxiety, improvements in subjective assessment of quality of life, as well as a significant increase in physical performance indices (maximal oxygen consumption, anaerobic threshold, load time to failure, normalization of the lipid 'profile' immediately after course of infusions and in 5 weeks follow-up). No changes in chronic fatigue index and other recorded indicators were identified in CG. Laennec did not cause side effects, was well tolerated by all patients.

Evaluation of direct indicators of physical performance in servicemen via simulation of typical elements of the military-professional activities

Relevance. Servicemen wearing body armor (BA) have reduced physical performance as well as quantitative and qualitative indices of training and combat activities. Objective. To assess the influence of modern body armor on direct indicators in servicemen performing standard elements of military professional activity. Methodology. 195 volunteers from motorized rifle units and parachute units equipped with modern body armor were examined. Direct indicators of physical performance were assessed during military-professional activity: 5 km quick march and obstacle course. Exercise time was documented along with specific obstacle elements servicemen could not overcome. Results and Discussion. The research has shown that greater body armor weights disturbed the quality and ability to overcome obstacles typical for combined-arms battle. This weight is undoubtedly one of the most important medical and technical characteristics and should be considered in relation to the body weight of servicemen (SM) to derive the (mBA/mSM) ratio and assess influence on direct indicators of physical performance. Conclusion. Modern trends in body armor development include increased area and protection level; this is associated with increased physical load and lower effectiveness, thus creating additional risks of exposure to enemy fire.

Heat transfer performance characteristics of hybrid nanofluids as coolant in louvered fin automotive radiator

Present study deals with the enhancement of convective heat transfer performance of EG brine based various hybrid nanofluids i.e. Ag, Cu, SiC, CuO and TiO2 in 0–1% volume fraction of Al2O3 nanofluid, as coolants for louvered fin automobile radiator. The effects of nanoparticles combination and operating parameters on thermo physical properties, heat transfer, effectiveness, pumping power and performance index of hybrid nanofluids have been evaluated. Comparison of studied hybrid nanofluids based on radiator size and pumping power has been made as well. Among all studied hybrid nanofluids, 1% Ag hybrid nanofluid (0.5% Ag and 0.5% Al2O3) yields highest effectiveness and heat transfer rate as well as pumping power. However, SiC + Al2O3 dispersed hybrid nanofluid yields maximum performance index and hence this can be recommended for best coolant. For the same radiator size and heat transfer rate, pumping power increases by using Ag hybrid nanofluids leading to increase in engine thermal efficiency and hence reduction in engine fuel consumption. For same coolant flow rate and heat transfer rate, the radiator size reduces and pumping power increases by using Ag hybrid nanofluids leading to reduction in radiator size, weight and cost.

The relationship between physical match performance and 48-h post-game creatine kinase concentrations in English Premier League soccer players

The aim of the investigation was to determine the relationship between blood creatine kinase and physical match performance in 15 elite male soccer players competing in the English Premier League. Blood samples were collected 48 h following a competitive match and analysed for creatine kinase concentration immediately after collection. Physical match performance data were collected using a computerised tracking system (Prozone®) from &gt;6 matches for each player. Mean ± S.D creatine kinase concentration 48 h post-match was 520 ± 224 µ.mol.l−1. Large individual variation in creatine kinase response at this time point was observed (184 µ.mol.l−1 to 1573 µ.mol.l−1). No significant correlation coefficients were observed between the chosen indicators of physical match performance and creatine kinase concentration 48 h post-match. These data suggest that creatine kinase concentrations are elevated as a consequence of playing a soccer match. Creatine kinase may also be of limited value in supporting important decisions in the coaching process.

Does Gait Speed Replace Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment in the Elderly?

Summary Background Ageing is associated with generalized slowing of movement. Gait speed is an indicator of physical performance. The present study aimed to determine whether the gait speed could replace the comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) to assess the status of the elderly. Methods 531 participants aged 60 or more years were recruited from inpatients and community population in this study. The CGA was performed, including sociodemographic information, neuropsychological assessment, nutritional status, social support and physical health assessment. Moreover, timed gait speed (m/s) was assessed over 20 m at a usual pace. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of gait speed was constructed to determine the optimal threshold of gait speed for CGA components. Results 285 (53.7%) participants had a low gait speed (gait speed ≤0.8 m/s). Gait speed was associated with age, some chronic diseases, disability, nutritional status, part of social support, multi-drug used, depression, mild cognitive impairment, length of hospital stay. ROC curve showed that the optimal threshold of gait speed between MCI and cognitive healthy individuals was 0.73 m/s (sensitivity: 67.6%, specificity: 68.3%). Conclusion Gait speed only reflects part of situations of the elderly. Thus, our present results do not support that gait speed may replace CGA to assess the status of the elderly.

Polishing process planning based on fuzzy theory and case-based reasoning

Process planning is a key step for obtaining high machine quality and efficiency in the polishing. By studying the polishing process planning idea of the skilled technician, a novel process planning method combining with artificial intelligence principle is proposed in this paper. Polishing planning model based on fuzzy theory and case-based reasoning (CBR) technology is investigated in detail, which consists of fuzzy comprehensive evaluation of material machinability, case retrieval, case inference, and case modification. Fuzzy comprehensive evaluation standard based on material physical mechanics performance index is used for determining material cutting performance level. Specific steps are as follows: establishing the factor set, establishing the weight set, establishing evaluation set, fuzzy evaluation of single factor, and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation. The primary cases are chosen according to the grade of material cutting performance. In case retrieval, all primary cases are retrieved in terms of the nearest neighbor principle and the similarity between two cases is calculated according to Euler distance. The retrieval features include the surface roughness before polishing, material characteristics, and the surface roughness requirements after polishing. In the case inference, the method of the cross-correlation coefficient is used for reasoning all cases retrieved in order to evaluate the impact of each process parameter on the surface quality and identify the relevance of each process parameters on the surface quality. In the case modification, the methods of linear extrapolation and parameter adjustment are used for adjusting and revising the process parameters of case retrieved according to the correlation coefficients. At last, example verification is finished and the experiment results are generally acceptable. It is concluded that it is feasible to solve the problem of polishing process parameters selection using this method.

The peak velocity derived from the Carminatti Test is related to physical match performance in young soccer players

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the peak velocity derived from the Carminatti Test (T-CAR) (PVT-CAR) and physical match performance in young soccer players. Thirty-three youth soccer players were recruited from 2 non-professional clubs. Friendly matches and small-sided game were performed. Physical match demands were assessed using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. On a separate occasion, the players were submitted to the T-CAR. Players were categorised into 3 groups based on their T-CAR performance: Low (PVT-CAR ≤ P33), Intermediate (P33 > PVT-CAR < P66) and High (PVT-CAR ≥ P66). The PVT-CAR (15.5 ± 0.7 km·h−1) was significantly related to high-intensity activities (HIA; r = 0.78, P < 0.001), high-intensity running (HIR; r = 0.66, P < 0.001), sprinting (r = 0.62, P < 0.001) and total distance (TD) covered (r = 0.47, P < 0.01) during friendly matches. The PVT-CAR was strongly correlated with the amount of HIA (r = 0.81, P < 0.001), HIR (r = 0.85, P < 0.001) and TD covered (r = 0.81, P < 0.001) during small-sided game. No significant correlation was observed between the PVT-CAR and distance of sprinting (r = 0.49, P = 0.067) during small-side game. Furthermore, players in the High group covered significantly more TD (10%) and did more HIA (42%), sprinting (31%) and HIR (25%) during friendly matches compared to the players classified as having Low performance on the T-CAR. These differences still remained after adjusting for chronological age (CA), maturity and body size. In conclusion, the current study gives empirical support to the ecological and construct validity of this novel field test (T-CAR) as an indicator of match-related physical performance in young soccer players during pubertal years.

The relationship between game-based performance indicators and developmental level in junior Australian football: Implications for coaching

ABSTRACTIdentifying performance differences between juniors at different stages of a talent pathway may assist with the development of prospective talent. This study investigated the relationship between game-based performance indicators and developmental level in junior Australian football (AF). Players were categorised into 2 groups according to developmental level; U16 and U18. Physical and technical skill performance indicators were collated for all U16 (n = 200) and U18 (n = 244) participants of their respective 2014 national championships. Data were acquired from all 28 games (12 U16, 16 U18); resulting in 1360 player observations (568 U16, 792 U18). Microtechnology and a commercial provider facilitated the quantification of 15 performance indicators. Generalised estimating equations (GEEs) modelled the extent to which these performance indicators were associated with developmental level. The GEE model revealed that “contested marks” and “contested possessions” had the strongest association with the U16 level, while “total marks” and “clearances” had the strongest association with the U18 level. The remaining performance indicators were not developmentally discriminant. These results indicate that there are distinctive features of gameplay more associated with the U16 and U18 levels in AF. Coaches may wish to consider these results when constructing training drills designed to minimise developmental gaps.

The phenomenon of long-term commitment (16 years) patients with physical rehabilitation after acute myocardial infarction

Goal. Description of the influence of systematic phisical training (PT) on some indicators of physical performance (Fed) and the assessment of daily locomotor activity and psychological status of patients after myocardial infarction and were followed for 16 years. Material and methods. We observed 11 patients (9 men and 2 women) who after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have participated in a one-year rehabilitation program, the basis of which amounted to the controlled PT of medium intensity (50-60%). Subsequently, patients continued PT program in hospital and in the home environment (observation of patients was 16 years). Programs of systematic PT were performed in a hospital, carried out with a small break in 2014-2015. Patients are constantly trained (ie the period of continuous PT amounted to 2 years), while a program of home exercises, patients try to perform consistently. They all underwent clinical examination, had a load test performed on a cycle ergometer protocol submaximal loading, questionnaires were evaluated by physical activity, level of subjective control, anxiety and depression and adherence to therapy estimated. Results. Blood pressure (BP) in patients were stable: in 2014 (prior to the beginning of organized PT) systolic blood pressure (SBP) was 127.9±15.2 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) - 74±6.3 mm Hg. In 2 years (2015) after the resumption of organized PT SBP decreased slightly to 121.2±7.0 mm Hg (p0.05), ie, 16 years. In 2015, when compared with the 1999 peak of PE decreased SBP by 4.6% (p