Player's Body Research Articles

‘Mind your head’, tackle characteristics associated with concussions in rugby league: A case-control study

ObjectivesIdentify tackle characteristics associated with concussions in male professional rugby league. DesignCase-control study. MethodsTackles resulting in 196 clinically diagnosed concussions and 6592 non-concussive tackles were analysed, from the men's rugby league Super League between 2018 and 2022. Eleven tackle characteristics were coded for each tackle, and Firth penalised logistic regression models were employed to identify influential variables through forward stepwise selection. Three multivariate models were produced; all (i.e., ball-carrier and tackler), tackler, and ball-carrier concussions. ResultsOf the 196 concussions, 70 % occurred to the tackler and 30 % to the ball-carrier. Initial impact location on the ball-carrier was identified as a predictor in all models, specifically the shorts, upper- and lower-leg (OR 9.1–12.3, compared to shoulder) for tacklers and head/neck (OR 66.1, compared to shoulder) for ball-carriers. Tackler head placement in front of the ball-carrier (OR 8.5, compared to away from the body) and a ball-carrier leading arm in any position (OR 4.8–22.1, compared to no leading arm) provided the greatest odds of a tackler concussion. For player's body position the greatest risk of concussion for all players was observed when both players were falling/diving (OR 8.8, compared to both players upright). One (OR 4.9, compared to two) and four (OR 3.7, compared to two) defender tackles provide the greatest odds for all concussions. ConclusionsConcussion prevention strategies should aim to reduce head impacts by deterring initial contact with the ball-carrier's head/neck. Tackle technique should prioritise making initial impact with the torso and avoid the head being in front of the ball-carrier and any leading arms.

Relationship between vertical jump performance and playing time and efficiency in professional male basketball players.

With innovative force plate technology being available to many sports organizations worldwide that allow for time-efficient in-depth neuromuscular performance assessment, the purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between some of the most commonly analyzed countermovement vertical jump (CVJ) force-time metrics and basketball playing time and efficiency. Twenty-four professional male basketball players volunteered to participate in the present study. The CVJ testing procedures were conducted within the first quarter of the competitive season span. Following a standardized warm-up protocol, each athlete stepped on a dual uni-axial force plate system sampling at 1,000 Hz and performed three maximum-effort CVJs with no arm swing. To minimize the possible influence of fatigue, each jump trial was separated by a 10-15 s rest interval and the average value across three jumps was used for performance analysis purposes. Basketball playing efficiency and average playing time were obtained at the end of the regular season competitive period from the coaching staff records and the official team records. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients (r) were used to examine the strength of the relationships between force-time metrics and basketball playing time and efficiency, separately for each dependent variable (p < 0.05). A significant positive association was observed between playing efficiency and eccentric mean force and eccentric mean and peak power (r = 0.406-0.552). Similarly, an increase in eccentric mean power was positively correlated with the number of minutes played during the competitive season (r = 0.464). Moreover, the aforementioned relationship remained present even when eccentric mean power was expressed relative to the player's body mass (r = 0.406). Thus, the findings of the present study indicate that, at the professional level of men's basketball competition, CVJ eccentric strength and power have a positive impact on both playing time and efficiency.

The range of motion of some joints of the body and its relationship to the accuracy of the performance of the transmitter facing from the top (Tennessee) in volleyball for the Kirkuk University team players

The aim of the research is to identify the relationship between the range of motion of some joints of the player's body and the accuracy of the performance of the skill of the transmitter facing from the top (Tennessee) in the effectiveness of volleyball, and the two researchers used the descriptive approach in the survey method for its suitability and the nature of the research. The research sample included (6) six players from the team of University of Kirkuk Volleyball for the academic year(2019-2020). Test, measurement and analysis of the content of previous studies were used as means to collect data for the research, and the two researchers used (the arithmetic mean, standard deviation, simple correlation of Pearson and percentage) statistical methods to process the data, and the researchers concluded that the range of motion of the joints of the body A large and effective role in the technical performance of the tennis-serving skill facing in volleyball, especially the wrist and trunk joints, as well as recording the research sample. Accuracy of performance in the studied skill reached (80%), which is a high accuracy rate.

Facial trauma in the major league baseball

ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to identify and describe significant facial trauma present in the Major League Baseball (MLB) that resulted in players missing games or in the injury reserve list. Study designThis a retrospective cohort study. The predictor variables were player's age, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI), position, team conference and if played games were playoffs. The outcome variables were injury location (upper, middle, and lower facial third) and type of injury (soft tissue, fracture). Chi square and logistic regression were computed to determine associations between predictor and outcome variables. ResultsA total of 109 players missed games due to facial injuries, and a total of 115 injuries were identified. Of the 115 injuries, none occurred in the upper facial third, 96 (83%) were in the middle third, and 19 (17%) in the lower third. Most fractures occurred in fielders (45%); and most soft tissue injuries in basemen (40%). ConclusionSignificant facial trauma in the MLB has risen in recent years. The player's height, conference and playoff games were the most associated factors. Most injuries occurred in the periorbital area, a recommendation towards the use of protection goggles can be made to prevent them.

The relationship between body height and plantar pressure distribution in adult handball players: A cross-sectional study

Background/purpose The relationship between a handball player's upper body posture, body weight distribution in relation to body height is poorly understood. So, this study explored the relationship between body height and sagittal spinal curvatures and plantar pressure distribution in handball players. Method According to handball player's body height, 63 male handball players were divided into two groups; group A (age, 23.54 ± 1.32 years) consisted of 30 handball players with body height above average, and group B (age, 23.40 ± 1.73 years) consisted of 33 handball players with body height below average. The thoracic and lumbar curvatures and trunk height were measured with the Formetric III 4D spine, and the DIERS Pedoscan device was used to assess the plantar pressure distribution for both groups. Results The thoracic kyphosis of group A was significantly higher than that of group B ( p = 0.001), without a significant difference in lumbar lordosis ( p = 0.086). Group A showed a significant increase in the forefeet pressure and a significant decrease in the rearfeet pressure compared to group B ( p = 0.001). There was a high positive correlation between the body height and trunk length, and body height and kyphosis angle ( r = 0.932, r = 0.665, respectively). There was a high positive correlation between the body height and forefoot plantar pressure ( r = 0.665, p &lt; 0.01). Conclusion The taller handball players have an increased thoracic kyphosis angle and forefeet pressure compared to shorter handball players.

Analysis of Superior Extremity Strength on the Groundstroke Attack Skills of Tennis Athletes

A tennis player must be able to produce groundstroke attacks effectively because these strokes have an important strategic role in controlling and dominating the course of the match. To produce a groundstroke attack, a tennis player must have muscle strength in the superior extremities, because the superior extremities are the primary source of kinetic energy required to transfer momentum to the racket. Apart from that, good coordination between the muscles of the arms, shoulders, and back is also important to achieve optimality in groundstroke attacks. In a coordinated movement, energy from the tennis player's body is transferred through the arms to the tip of the racket when the racket makes contact with the ball. The aim of this study was to determine how much influence superior extremity strength has on forehand groundstroke skills. The type of research used is a correlational description, involving the independent variable being superior extremity muscle strength while the dependent variable is forehand groundstroke attack skill. The research sample was 20 POMNAS South Sulawesi tennis athletes taken by purposive sampling. The instruments used were the Bouncing Medicine Ball Test and the Hewitt Tennis Performance Test. Analysis through a correlation regression test. The results concluded that the ability to groundstroke attack was influenced by upper limb muscle strength by 59.3%.

Facial Injuries in the National Basketball Association

Sport injuries can negatively impact physical and psychological aspects of athletes. There is a gap in the literature regarding facial trauma present in basketball. The purpose of this study is to identify and describe facial trauma present in the National Basketball Association (NBA). This is a retrospective cohort study in which the sample (n=206) consists of players that missed games due to facial injuries in the NBA, the data were collected from a public access online resource. The predictor variables were player position (center, point guard, shooting guard, small forward, and power forward), team conference (Eastern/Western), and if played games occurred in playoff season. The primary outcome variable was the injury location (upper, middle, and lower facial third), and the secondary outcome was type of injury (soft tissue/bone fracture). Player's age, height, weight, and body mass index were collected. χ2 and logistic regression were calculated to determine associations between predictor and outcome variables. Logistic regression was used to determine if variables were predictive for injury. Odds ratio was also computed for significant results. P value less than .05 (95% confidence interval) was considered statistically significant. A total of 206 players missed games due to facial injuries, and a total of 212 injuries were quantified. The mean age of the injured players was 27.24±4.06years, mean height (centimeters) was 201±59.31cm, mean weight (kilograms) was 99.48±12.41kg, and body mass index was 24.52±1.75kg/m2. Of the 212 injuries, none of them occurred in the upper facial third, 158 (75%) were in the middle third, and 54 (25%) were in the lower third; 151 of them were fractures (61%) and 61 were soft tissue injuries (29%). Most injuries were concentrated in centers (23%) and power forwards (23%). The most common fracture occurred in the nasal bones (39.2%), and most soft tissue injuries occurred in the eye globes (25%). Almost all injuries occurred during regular season games (97%), and the Eastern conference was slightly predominant (52%). Significant facial trauma in the NBA has risen in recent years. The player's position, height, and weight were the primary factors associated with facial trauma in the NBA.

Error Action Recognition on Playing The Erhu Musical Instrument Using Hybrid Classification Method with 3D-CNN and LSTM

Erhu is a stringed instrument originating from China. In playing this instrument, there are rules on how to position the player's body and hold the instrument correctly. Therefore, a system is needed that can detect every movement of the Erhu player. This study will discuss action recognition on video using the 3DCNN and LSTM methods. The 3D Convolutional Neural Network method is a method that has a CNN base. To improve the ability to capture every information stored in every movement, combining an LSTM layer in the 3D-CNN model is necessary. LSTM is capable of handling the vanishing gradient problem faced by RNN. This research uses RGB video as a dataset, and there are three main parts in preprocessing and feature extraction. The three main parts are the body, erhu pole, and bow. To perform preprocessing and feature extraction, this study uses a body landmark to perform preprocessing and feature extraction on the body segment. In contrast, the erhu and bow segments use the Hough Lines algorithm. Furthermore, for the classification process, we propose two algorithms, namely, traditional algorithm and deep learning algorithm. These two-classification algorithms will produce an error message output from every movement of the erhu player.

A case-control study of tackle based head impact event (HIE) risk factors from the first three seasons of the National Rugby League Women's competition.

The tackle is the most injurious event in rugby league and carries the greatest risk of concussion. This study aims to replicate previous research conducted in professional men's rugby league by examining the association between selected tackle characteristics and head impact events (HIEs) in women's professional rugby league. We reviewed and coded 83 tackles resulting in an HIE and every tackle (6,318 tackles) that did not result in an HIE for three seasons (2018-2020) of the National Rugby League Women's (NRLW) competition. Tackle height, body position of the tackler and ball carrier, as well as the location of head contact with the other player's body were evaluated. Propensity of each situation that caused an HIE was calculated as HIEs per 1,000 tackles. The propensity for tacklers to sustain an HIE was 6.60 per 1,000 tackles (95% CI: 4.87-8.92), similar to that of the ball carrier (6.13 per 1,000 tackles, 95% CI: 4.48-8.38). The greatest risk of an HIE to either the tackler or ball carrier occurred when head proximity was above the sternum (21.66 per 1,000 tackles, 95% CI: 16.55-28.35). HIEs were most common following impacts between two heads (287.23 HIEs per 1,000 tackles, 95% CI: 196.98-418.84). The lowest propensity for both tackler (2.65 per 1,000 tackles, 95% CI: 0.85-8.20) and ball carrier HIEs (1.77 per 1,000 tackles, 95% CI: 0.44-7.06) occurred when the head was in proximity to the opponent's shoulder and arm. No body position (upright, bent or unbalanced/off feet) was associated with an increased propensity of HIE to either tackler or ball carrier. In the NRLW competition, tacklers and ball carriers have a similar risk of sustaining an HIE during a tackle, differing from men's NRL players, where tacklers have a higher risk of HIEs. Further studies involving larger samples need to validate these findings. However, our results indicate that injury prevention initiatives in women's rugby league should focus on how the ball carrier engages in contact during the tackle as well as how the tackler executes the tackle.

Physical qualities and body composition predictors of running performance in national level women's official soccer matches.

The purpose of the study was to (1) determine match running performance, anthropometry and various physical qualities of national level women soccer players and (2) identify key physical qualities and anthropometric predictors of match running profile during a competitive season. Twenty-five national level Finnish soccer players participated in the study. Players performed countermovement jump, loaded squat jumps, 30-meter sprint, maximum isokinetic knee flexor and extensor contractions, an incremental treadmill test and underwent body composition assessment in the lab. Match running performance was analyzed from 115 match observations during competitive league matches over 11 weeks after the laboratory tests. Pearson's correlation was used to determine bivariate relationships between match running variables and physical qualities and anthropometric variables. Identified significant bivariate relationships were then entered into multiple regression analyses to identify the best predictors of match running performance. Physical qualities and anthropometric variables predicted 65% of very high-intensity (VHIR) (> 19 km/h) and 63% of high-intensity (HIR) (13-19 km/h) running distances covered during matches, but only 22% of low-intensity (LIR) and 43% of total distances. Body fat percentage and high-speed knee flexor concentric strength were the most important predictors to VHIR and HIR while aerobic capacity-related variables were most important predictors to LIR and total distance. Physical qualities and anthropometry can predict a large portion of players' VHIR and HIR performance during matches in women's national level soccer. To increase player's VHIR and HIR distance, coaches could aim to develop players' high-speed (especially knee flexor concentric) strength and optimize player's body composition.

Virtual Runner: A Virtual Reality-based Exergaming Application using Accelerometer

Generally speaking, playing video games didn't require a lot of movement or exercise, but with technological advances and the introduction of new features in the game console, you can now design "fitness games" where the movement of the player's body is reflected to the game. This is called exergaming. On the other hand, with the still ongoing pandemic, many opt to work and take their activities back at home including exercising. However, at-home exercise can be monotonous, repetitive, and even discouraging for many, thus an exergaming can be a solution. In this research we created a Virtual Reality-based exergaming that encourage its users to exercise and have fun at the same time. By utilizing a typical Android smartphone’s accelerometer, gyroscope, and compass, we created an affordable exergaming device. The app also features estimated calories counter as well as high scoring to entice its users.

Artificial Intelligence Technologies and Their Application for Reform and Development of Table Tennis Training in Complex Environments.

The development of information technology has been deployed in almost all sectors and is making life easier. In this development, the sports sector has seen tremendous expansion. In traditional table tennis training, the coach and the players have to meet daily to take appropriate training for the game. This process is time-consuming in a complex environment, and it will have a significant impact on the reformation and development of table tennis training. The utilization of improved technologies can overcome this challenge by performing training of the game online with an intelligent wireless system with advanced training mechanisms. Carrying the traditional and heavier intelligent wireless devices will be difficult for the players. In this research, the fine-grained evaluation (FGE) system is incorporated into the deep learning model to analyze the player's body postures during the training and event sessions and make them develop after each session through online training in any circumstance. The proposed FGE was compared with the traditional statistical model, and it was observed that the proposed FGE had obtained higher precision and recall values of 70% and 98.9% than the statistical model.

Analysis of body type, dietary intake, and cardiorespiratory function in college soccer players

This study aims to analyze body type, dietary intake, and cardiorespiratory function of college soccer players. A total of 32 players (20 players from Yogyakarta State University and 12 players from Gadjah Mada University) were involved in this study. The study was carried out in April - June 2014. Body type, or somatotype, was calculated based on anthropometric measurements (weight, height, epicondylar humerus and epicondylar femur width, arm and calf circumference, and subcutaneous fat thickness). 24-hour food recall was used to measure the athlete's dietary intake. VO2max was used to describe the athlete's cardiorespiratory function, and it was measured by yo-yo intermittent recovery test level 2. The data were analyzed descriptively using statistical software. More than three-quarter of the players had normal nutritional status with body mass index=21.54±1.84. The majority player's body type was balanced mesomorph (2.6-4.4-2.7). Balanced mesomorph players and ectomorphic mesomorph players had adequate energy and protein intake (2,623.83 kcal energy and 75.82 g protein for balanced mesomorph players; 2.724.68 kcal energy and 84.83 g protein for ectomorphic mesomorph players). Ectomorphic mesomorph players had the highest VO2max level (52.37±2.61 ml/kg/min). Soccer players with a mesomorph component supported by good energy and protein intake have the most optimal VO2max level.

Impact of hamstring flexibility on functional performance of collegiate football players

Introduction: Football is the most popular high-intensity intermittent team sport that requires speed, strength, agility, and endurance. During official matches, elite football players perform 150–250 short-lasting, energy-demanding intense actions interspersed with periods of low-intensity jogging or running. Collegiate football programs place great importance on controlling player's body weight, body composition, muscle strength, and length. Of all the muscle strains associated with competitive sport, hamstring strains are the most common and problematic. Objectives: To determine the correlation between hamstring flexibility and functional performance of collegiate football players.Methods: 100 subjects who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. Once the baseline data was collected the subject's hamstring flexibility was assessed by the Active knee extension test (AKE) and limb length was measured. Subjects were then asked to perform Illinois Agility Test, 30m Sprint Test and Wall Mount test, and Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT). Three trials of each test were performed, and the mean was taken for statistical evaluation. Result: There exists weak correlation between sprint, agility, SEBT, and hamstrings length; however, results indicate a moderate correlation between posterolateral reach distance and hamstring flexibility and a statistically significant relationship between hamstring length and vertical height of jump with p< 0.05.Conclusion: Hamstring flexibility has a weak correlation with functional performance of collegiate football players. However, it has positive correlation with vertical jump height and posterolateral reach distance of SEBT.

Le jeu est à l’espace ce que le récit est au temps. Une anthropologie ricœurienne du jeu comme mimèsis spatiale

By studying the logic that unites play, the rules of games and the body of players, this article intends to highlight a spatial mimesis through play and games. It consists of carrying out a Ricœurian anthropology of play and game, taking Ricœur's analysis of the relationship between time and narrative as a model. The article then shows that play prefigures the physical space as a lived space, that game configures a space of rules and that the player's body is refigured by the spatiality of the rules of the game. This application of the ternary model of Ricœurian mimesis thus allows a unified understanding of play and games by space, and of space by play and games.

“Are You in Your Body?!”. The Study of Biopolitical Interface Design

The article considers biopolitical design of interfaces in terms of computer games: the player's body is constructed with the help of a variety of technical instances that support gameplay (for instance, gamepads, haptic controllers, virtual reality devices). Through the interaction with interfaces, the new patterns of sensuality are formed, namely, the new forms of tactile communication with media. The article demonstrates the distinction between the representation of biopolitical processes in games (for instance, in Plague. Inc. and Bio. Inc.) and the process of incorporating biopolitical procedures into technical gaming devices, and through them into our bodies and lifestyle. The setting and narratives of games often tend to rely on biopolitical images. However, the processes that take place in our body during the game are more important than those that are presented on the screen: the new controllers increasingly take into account the physical state of the player in order to regulate the level of difficulty, promising not only entertainment but also care. The article raises the question of what the body feels and does not feel when it is included into the game, since the existing interfaces and controllers allow us to simulate a complex perceptual experience which includes not only audiovisual elements, but also touch, smell and so forth. After all, the (self-) control practices embedded in game controllers allow us to view them as technical dispositives through which we master the bodies of the future. The author of the article proposes the concept of a “touch-image" which captures a new dimension of hi-tech sensibility.

How to Use Global Positioning Systems (GPS) Data to Monitor Training Load in the "Real World" of Elite Soccer.

How to Use Global Positioning Systems (GPS) Data to Monitor Training Load in the "Real World" of Elite Soccer.

INTEGRATION OF THE PROCESS OF COMPUTER GAME DEVELOPMENTWITH AUGMENTED REALITY IN STREAM-EDUCATION COMPONENTS

This article describes the links between STREAM-education components (Science, Technology, Reading/Writing, En-gineering, Arts, Mathematics) and the stages of computer game development (StoryTelling/Scripts, GameDesign,2D/3D-Computer graphics, Programming, Testing, and GameLevel) on the example of using sensors of human movement control. In order to effec-tively integrate the computer game development process with the augmented reality into the component of STREAM-education, the method for creating a real-complemented virtual training exercises using an example of training with a ball on the basis of the MS Kinect motion sensor is proposed. As a result of the analysis of the virtual environment characteristics created bythe sensor of the MS Kinect controller and taking into account the limits of the Scratch program, it is proposed to formalize the characteristics of the virtual environment. The results of the analysis of games offered by LumoPlay and MotionMagix softwaremanufacturers in logic, sports, entertaining classes in various game genres and relaxation with special effects are given. Examples of experiments are shown during the organization of two Meet and Code 2018master-classes for schoolchildren of virtual programming, complemented by the reality of football training, which has confirmed the interest of students in participating in many STREAM-related learning process-es. The results of the work also identified the directions of further research and development;in the research process the estimation of the visualization error of virtual objects determined the need for the development of a special algorithm for automatic correction of the coordinates of the location of virtual sprite objects that are part of a single group of objects player's body; Many examples of commercial game systems are based on new templates that allow you to quickly change the graphic part of the game, so it is planned to create similar scratch templates for developing games.

Prevalence and severity of all head impacts among semi-professional soccer players over one full season, according to their game position

Soccer players are frequently subject to head injuries, from impacts with another player's head or body part and impacts with the ground. Moreover, game-play in soccer involving intentional and repeated head impacts through heading the ball. These impacts can sometimes cause concussion and soccer players might have a risk of developing neurodegenerative disorders on the long term by cumulative effect. However, the prevalence of head impacts when playing soccer is relatively unknown, because until now this was evaluated most of the time by only self-assessment questionnaires. The objective of this study was to quantify players’ exposure to all various head impacts during one soccer season. We have followed a group of 51 semi-professional soccer players, aged from 16- to 35-years old, during one full season. With video analysis of the games, the number of head impacts per player, including heading and concussion, has been counted. The average of heading per hour during a game was from 0 to 9 depending on the player position, with a median of 4.61 for the forwards, 5.84 for the centre backs, 2.85 for the fullbacks, and 2.48 for the midfielders ( P = 0.0001.) We recorded three concussions due to a direct head to head trauma, including two on the same player. The number of head trauma recorded during practices was lower than during games. We have evaluated the exact prevalence of heading and all other head impacts during a full soccer season, and their direct consequences during the games (stoppage time, medical stoppage, exit game). Forwards and centre backs are mostly exposed. Next step should focus on improving the evaluation of the consequences of these repeated head impacts on brain structure and function, in order to consider possible prevention and protection tools for soccer players.

Relationship Between Physiologic Tests, Body Composition Changes, and On-Ice Playing Time in Canadian Collegiate Hockey Players.

Delisle-Houde, P, Chiarlitti, NA, Reid, RER, and Andersen, RE. Relationship between physiologic tests, body composition changes, and on-ice playing time in canadian collegiate hockey players. J Strength Cond Res 32(5): 1297-1302, 2018-Hockey player's body composition and physical fitness are suggested to influence coaching decisions regarding on-ice playing time. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between seasonal body composition changes, off-ice preseason testing, and on-ice metrics. Twenty-one Canadian collegiate hockey players (22.70 ± 1.30 years old, 181.0 ± 5.92 cm, 86.52 ± 6.41 kg) underwent off-ice physical testing at the beginning of their season and had one total body dual energy x-ray absorptiometry scan at the beginning and end of the season. The team's statistician tracked all on-ice metrics. Pearson correlations were used to explore relationships between off-ice tests (long jump, vertical jump, beep test, and Wingate test), change in body composition (body fat percentage, visceral adiposity, and total lean tissue mass), and on-ice performance (average time on ice, average shift length, power play time, penalty kill time, and shot differential). Long jump was correlated with shot differential (r = -0.532, p ≤ 0.05) and average shift length (r = -0.491, p ≤ 0.05) while fatigue index was correlated with average ice time (r = -0.476, p ≤ 0.05). Hockey performance is a complex interaction of player's body compositions and skeletal fitness that interact to affect on-ice playing metrics.