Take-off Force Research Articles

Research on Track and Field Teaching and Training Based on Computer-Aided Analysis

At present, the primary method of sports biomechanics research in track and field events is to use a high-speed image analysis system to monitor the training process and obtain kinematics information through special or general analytical software. To improve the training efficiency and correct the defects of technical movements in time, coaches urgently need a kind of equipment that can feedback the movement information in time during the training. Because of this situation, a track and field training information acquisition and feedback system based on a digital track are proposed based on sufficient condensing project requirements. The system USES flexible array sensors obtain contact interaction information during the run-up, and USES special analytical software to process kinematic parameters in an integrated manner, providing real-time biomechanical parameters such as step length and speed step frequency, and takeoff force in the process of moving. The system realizes the comprehensive analysis of sports representation and internal mechanical factors, which helps coaches and athletes to deeply grasp the internal law of the project. Its effectiveness and scientificity have been preliminarily verified through the athletes’ testing in the national track and field team’s long jump event.

A Novel Method to Categorize Stretch-Shortening Cycle Performance Across Maturity in Youth Soccer Players.

Pedley, JS, Lloyd, RS, Read, PJ, Moore, IS, Myer, GD, and Oliver, JL. A novel method to categorize stretch-shortening cycle performance across maturity in youth soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 36(9): 2573-2580, 2022-This study used a novel method to categorize stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) function during a drop jump (DJ) using the force-time curve. This method was then used to determine the effect of maturity status upon SSC function and effect of SSC function on DJ performance. Prepeak, circa-peak, and postpeak height velocity male youth soccer players completed a preseason 30-cm DJ onto a force plate. Stretch-shortening cycle function was categorized as poor (impact peak and not spring-like), moderate (impact peak and spring-like), or good (no impact peak and spring-like). Interactions between SSC function and maturity status, and SSC function and kinetic variables were explored. Youth soccer players displaying good SSC function were older and more mature than those with poor SSC function; however, 9.9% of post peak height velocity still displayed poor SSC function. Players with good SSC function recorded significantly shorter ground contact times, reduced time between peak landing and takeoff force, reduced center of mass displacement, and significantly greater takeoff forces than players with moderate and poor SSC function (all p < 0.05). SSC function during a standardized DJ improves with maturation, but a portion of mature players still demonstrate poor SSC function. Good SSC function was associated with improved DJ outcome measures except jump height. Tailored training interventions based on SSC competency may be required to optimally enhance SSC function.

A MULTI-BODY MODEL OF A SPRINGBOARD IN GYMNASTICS

In order to develop and optimize movements in gymnastics vault, knowledge of take-off velocity and angular momentum is important. Due to the short times of contact on the springboard, high-frequency kinemetric methods are very time-consuming for the determination of the take-off parameters. A multi-body model of a springboard was developed to determine the take-off forces to calculate specific take-off parameters. The Gymnova springboard was modeled using the simulation environment software alaska. The evaluation under dynamic conditions was carried out with a falling mass test, drop-jumps and forward handspring. The evaluation was done on the parameters of the ground reaction forces (GRF): force impact (p) and maximum vertical force (Fmax). For the drop-jump and forward handspring simulation the real measured acceleration of the upper board was given as input parameter in the model. When comparing the vertical displacement of the real and the modelled upper board, a discrepancy of 6.1 % can be observed. For the falling mass test differences for p=0.4 % and Fmax=28.2 % were achieved between the real board and the model. For typical loads for the gymnastics sport, drop-jumps have been used. There were realized differences of up to 8.4 % for Fmax and 6.8 % for p. For the final stage of the review, forward handstand vaults were examined. Horizontal and vertical forces were investigated. Through thorough evaluation on several stages, it was possible to develop a springboard model that is suitable to calculate the GRF under dynamic conditions successfully in 2-d. Therefore, the forces acting on the take-off position can be calculated. Take-off parameters can be determined from these forces. This evaluation also shows that the horizontal forces in especial have to be observed.

Power, Muscle, and Take-Off Asymmetry in Young Soccer Players.

(1) Background: The objective of the study was to check the relationship between laterality, amount of muscle mass (MM), and selected strength parameters on lower extremities and assessment of asymmetry like a result of training. (2) Methods: The screened sample consisted of soccer players (n = 65, age = 16.0 ± 1.2 years). The legs were assessed for MM, height of reflection on a force plate, and power over 30 s Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT). The relationships between the individual parameters and age dependence were assessed using a correlation analysis. The differences between the dominant and non-dominant leg were assessed using the t-test. (3) Results: A relationship between the jump height and the mean 30 s power in WAnT (r = 0.375, p < 0.01) and between the amount of MM and the absolute power of the individual legs in WAnT (r = 0.695–0.832, p < 0.01) was proved. A relationship between the take-off force and the MM, or between the MM and the relative power during a velocity force load was not found. (4) Conclusions: The amount of MM in young soccer players does not affect take-off force or strength power in WAnT. The more specific the movement is, the lower the effect on the achieved power output of the concerned MM. Differences in the performance between the dominant and non-dominant leg decrease with duration of the training.

Assisted Jumping in Healthy Older Adults: Optimizing High-Velocity Training Prescription.

Tufano, JJ, Vetrovsky, T, Stastny, P, Steffl, M, Malecek, J, and Omcirk, D. Assisted jumping in healthy older adults: optimizing high-velocity training prescription. J Strength Cond Res 36(6): 1518-1523, 2022-Because older adults benefit from power training, training strategies for athletes such as supramaximal velocity-assisted jumping could also be useful for older adults. However, optimizing-assisted exercise prescription in older adults remains uninvestigated. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effects of different bodyweight (BW) assistance levels on jumping force and velocity in healthy older adults. Twenty-three healthy older adults (67.6 ± 7.6 years, 167.0 ± 8.8 cm, 72.7 ± 14.3 kg, and 27.1 ± 6.9% body fat) performed 5 individual countermovement jumps at BW, 90, 80, 70, and 60% of BW. Jumps were performed on a force plate, which provided peak take-off force (TOF), flight time, and peak impact force. A linear position transducer measured peak concentric velocity (PV). The rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was also assessed after each condition. Take-off force was greater during BW than all other conditions, 90 and 80% were greater than 70 and 60%, but there were no differences between 80 and 90% or between 70 and 60%. The FT progressively increased at all assistance levels, and PV was faster for all assistance levels than BW, with no differences between assistance levels. Impact force was greater during BW than 80, 70, and 60% and was greater during 90% than 60%. The RPE was less than BW during all assistance conditions but was the least during 70%. Implementing assisted jumping between 70 and 80% of BW in older adults likely provides the ideal combination of force, velocity, and RPE.

Optimal design and performance analysis of a hybrid system combing a floating wind platform and wave energy converters

Combined floating offshore wind platform and Wave Energy Converters (WECs) systems have the potential to provide a cost-effective solution to offshore power supply and platform protection. The objective of this paper is to optimize the size and layout of WECs within the hybrid system under a given sea state with a numerical study. The numerical model was developed based on potential flow theory with viscous correction in frequency domain to investigate the hydrodynamic performance of a hybrid system consisting of a floating platform and multiple heaving WECs. A non-dimensional method was presented to determine a series of variables, including radius, draft, and layout of the cylindrical WEC at a typical wave frequency as the initial design. WECs with larger diameter to draft ratio were found to experience relatively smaller viscous effects, and achieve more wave power, larger effective frequency range and similar wave power per unit weight compared with those with the smaller diameter to draft ratio in the same sea state. The addition of WECs reduced the maximum horizontal force and pitch moment on the platform, whereas the maximum vertical force increased due to the increasing power take-off force, especially at low frequencies. The results presented in this paper provide guidance for the optimized design of WECs and indicate the potential for synergies between wave and wind energy utilization on floating platforms.

Take-off velocity, force and power features manifestation in training exercises of athletes

The purpose of the study is to identify take-off velocity, force and power features manifestation in training exercises of athletes. 11 training exercises were subjected to metrological assessment. Analysis of take-off indicators allows us to assess their level individually for each athlete in each exercise. It greatly facilitates the coach’s task of individual exercises selection.

INVESTIGATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PATELLOFEMORAL (Q) ANGLE DIFFERENCES WITH LOWER EXTREMITY PERFORMANCE IN YOUNG AND VETERAN VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS

This study was carried out to determine the relation between patellofemoral (Q) angle differences and static equilibrium, flexibility and take-off force in young and veteran volleyball players. To the study 20 young males with an average age of 18 ± 00, 19 young females with a mean age of 18 ± 73, 21 veteran males with a mean age of 49 ± 04, 20 veteran females with a mean age of 48 ±70 who are registered players in Mugla Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports, a total of 80 athletes voluntarily participated. The height, body weight, right and left leg Q angles in standing and laying, balance, flexibility and vertical take-off measurements were performed in the research group respectively. The statistical evaluation of the obtained data was done in SPSS 21.00 package program on a personal computer. In the data with normal distribution, the parametric statistical methods were used. While the analysis of variance (ANOVA) test was used for intergroup comparisons, the Tukey test was used for multiple comparisons, and the correlation level was used to determine the relationship between the variables and the significance level was taken as p <0.05. According to the findings, there were significant differences between the Q angles, balance, flexibility, and take-off values of the participants (p <0.01). Also, there was a positive relationship between Q angle values and elasticity values in standing and laying position, and a negative relationship between balance and take-off force values (p <0.05). As a result: Q angle values of volleyball players were examined and it was seen that the difference between groups has resulted from gender; the difference between young and veteran volleyball players was not statistically significant. As the Q angle increased, the increase in the elasticity values and the decrease in the balance and splash values were determined. In this respect, Q angle differences are thought to be related to lower extremity performances of young and veteran volleyball players.

Adaptive Control of a Wave Energy Converter

Energy maximizing controllers (EMCs), for wave energy converters (WECs), based on linear models, are attractive in terms of simplicity and computation. However, such (Cummins equation) models are normally built around the still water level as an equilibrium point and assume small movement, leading to poor model validity for realistic WEC motions, especially for the large amplitude motions obtained by a well-controlled WEC. The method proposed here is to use an adaptive algorithm to estimate the control model online, whereby system identification techniques are employed to identify a linear model that is most representative of the actual controlled WEC behavior. Using exponential forgetting, the linear model can be regularly adapted to remain representative in changing operational conditions. To that end, this paper presents a novel adaptive controller based on a receding horizon pseudospectral formulation. A case study is presented, providing an preliminary evaluation of the adaptive receding horizon pseudospectral control (ARHPC), using simulations based on both linear hydrodynamic modeling and computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The parameter adaptation is shown to behave as expected in both different simulation environments. The ARHPC is observed to perform well in irregular sea states, absorbing more power than its nonadaptive counterpart. The optimal trajectory calculated by the adaptive model is seen to have a smaller motion and power take-off (PTO) forces, compared to those calculated by the nonadaptive linear control model, due to the increased amount of hydrodynamic resistance estimated by the adaptive model, as identified from the nonlinear viscous CFD simulation.

Acute reduction of lower-body contractile function following a microbiopsy of m.vastus lateralis.

Twenty-three resistance trained men 18-35years (23 [3] years, 1.8 [0.1] m, 81 [10] kg body mass, 2.3 [1.1] years resistance training experience; mean [SD]) performed repeated maximal voluntary isometric squats (ISQ) and countermovement jumps (CMJ) pre- and +30minutes post a unilateral microbiopsy of m.vastus lateralis. ISQ and CMJ were simultaneously measured by two force plates sampling ipsilateral (biopsied) and contralateral (non-biopsied) limb force. Bilateral limb force (ipsilateral+contralateral) and imbalance (ipsilateral/bilateral) data are reported as % change from pre-biopsy (mean [95% CI]). A post-biopsy reduction in bilateral ISQ peak force (-17 [-23, -11] %; P<0.001), ISQ rate of force development (RFD; -28 [-41, -15] %, P=0.002) and CMJ peak take-off force (-7 [-13, -1]%, P=0.019) occurred. Imbalance was observed for ISQ peak force (3.2 [2.1, 4.3] %, P<0.001), RFD (2.8 [1.6, 4.0] %, P<0.001) and CMJ landing (3.3 [1.0, 5.6] %, P=0.009), resultant of a force transfer from the ipsilateral (biopsied) to the contralateral (non-biopsied) limb. These data suggest that in young, resistance trained men a modulatory influence on maximal voluntary static and dynamic lower-body contractile function is evoked acutely (+30minutes) following a microbiopsy of m.vastus lateralis.

Field-Based and Lab-Based Assisted Jumping: Unveiling the Testing and Training Implications.

Purpose: Assisted jumping can supplement resistance training and traditional plyometric training to increase vertical jump performance. However, as coaches may choose to make field-based decisions based on lab-based research, this study determined whether a field-based assisted jumping set-up results in different ground contact times (CT), take off forces (TOF), flight times (FT), and impact forces (IF) compared to a lab-based set-up.Methods: Eighteen active males (24.8 ± 3.0 yr; 178.8 ± 7.8 cm; 77.8 ± 7.8 kg) performed two sessions of assisted jumping: one with each hand holding a commercially available resistance band (1m) that was attached to a pull-up bar (FIELD), and the other with assistance from a custom-built system of ropes, pulleys, and long (3 m) elastic bands (LAB). With each set-up, subjects performed five sets of five countermovement jumps on a force plate. Each set was performed with either bodyweight (BW), 90, 80, 70, or 60% of BW, which was achieved by either grabbing higher or lower on the bands during FIELD, or by being pulled upward via a full-body harness during LAB. The order of each visit was counter-balanced, and the order of jumps within each visit was quasi-randomized. Data from the 90, 80, 70, and 60% trials for each set-up were then expressed relative to the data of BW jumps, and these relative values were then used for analysis.Results: CTFIELD was less than CTLAB at 80, 70, and 60%. FTFIELD was greater than FTLAB at 90 and 80%, but FTLAB became greater at 60%. TOF and IF remained unchanged during LAB, but TOFFIELD was consistently less than TOF during BW, with IFFIELD generally being greater than IFLAB.Conclusion: If the purpose of assisted jumping is to spend less time on the ground without decreasing force, systems with finite adjustments and longer bands like LAB should be used. However, shorter bands similar to FIELD may also be used; but due to the larger variability of assistance throughout the range of motion, such systems may alter the neuromuscular characteristics of the jump in other ways that should be investigated in future research.

The Effect of Environmental Contour Selection on Expected Wave Energy Converter Response

A wave energy converter must be designed to both maximize power production and to ensure survivability, which requires the prediction of future sea states. It follows that precision in the prediction of those sea states should be important in determining a final WEC design. One common method used to estimate extreme conditions employs environmental contours of extreme conditions. This report compares five environmental contour methods and their repercussions on the response analysis of Reference Model 3 (RM3). The most extreme power take-off (PTO) force is predicted for the RM3 via each contour and compared to identify the potential difference in WEC response due to contour selection. The analysis provides insight into the relative performance of each of the contour methods and demonstrates the importance of an environmental contour in predicting extreme response. Ideally, over-predictions should be avoided, as they can add to device cost. At the same time, any “exceedances,” that is to say sea states that exceed predictions of the contour, should be avoided so that the device does not fail. For the extreme PTO force response studied here, relatively little sensitivity to the contour method is shown due to the collocation of the device's resonance with a region of agreement between the contours. However, looking at the level of observed exceedances for each contour may still give a higher level of confidence to some methods.

On establishing an analytical power capture limit for self-reacting point absorber wave energy converters based on dynamic response

To be a competitive supply of renewable energy, the power capture performance of ocean wave energy converters must improve. This requires that wave energy converter designers identify and invest resources to develop devices that exhibit a strong Technology Performance Level early in the development process. We contend that completing this identification process at the conceptual design stage requires a generalized method to establish the power capture upper bound for any given wave energy converter architecture. This upper bound must reflect simultaneous implementation of both optimal geometry control and power take-off force control – components known to be essential to optimizing performance but difficult to envision for complex WEC architectures.In this work, we develop and demonstrate a procedure, built on the mechanical circuit framework, to identify this upper bound for a self-reacting point absorber with an inertial modulation mechanism performing the geometry control. We illustrate how the analytical procedure generates generic design guidance, required to achieve the bound, without committing to a specific technology. We follow by formally introducing a new technology into the wave energy community, the inerter, capable of implementing the design guidance to enact the required geometry control. Finally, we apply the analytics within a numerical case study of a previously published wave energy converter configuration, and compare the power capture production of that device to one with equivalent hydrodynamics, but with the new geometry control feature set suggested by the new analytical procedure. Our analysis reveals the potential for a ten-fold increase in power capture even under stringent relative displacement constraints.

Relationship between Take-Off Force Profiles and Single Leg Hop Distance

The anterior single leg hop for distance test (SLHOP) is a functional performance task that is often used to assess return to play criteria following ACL reconstruction. Clinicians primarily assess SLHOP distance, but the way an individual completes the task may be important when determining return to play status. Recent research has indicated that non-uniformity in vertical ground reaction force (VGRF) profiles may be related to pathomechanics during a vertical jump, but little research has been done to explore the relationship between force profiles and SLHOP distance. PURPOSE: To determine the correlation between a force profile ratio and SLHOP distance. METHODS: Twenty-three female collegiate soccer players (19.1±1.5 years; 166.9±7.1 cm; 62.6±8.3 kg) performed three SLHOP tests for maximal distance off a tri-axial force plate. The SLHOP was performed on the dominant limb. Ground reaction force (GRF) data were collected during SLHOP take-off phase to produce force-time curves that were used to calculate the ratio between the instantaneous and average force profile between three events. Force profile ratios were calculated between: A) the minimum GRF after initiation of the countermovement and the peak GRF prior to takeoff, and B) the point during the countermovement when body weight is reached and peak GRF. Ratio A and B where calculated in both the vertical (z) and anterior-posterior (y) axes. All forces were normalized to body weight, and SLHOP distances were normalized to leg length (cm/cm). The strength of the association between each of the aforementioned force profile ratios and maximum SLHOP distance were calculated using Pearson correlation coefficients with an alpha level set a priori at p<0.05. RESULTS: There were no significant correlations between any combination of force profile ratios and SLHOP distance (p-value range:0.19 to 0.62, r range: -0.11 to -0.26). CONCLUSION: Force profile ratios between straight-line and trace-line distance are not significantly related to average or maximum SLHOP distance. Further research should explore the relationship between other phases within the force-time curve, pathomechanics, and SLHOP distance.

Kinematics Research Progress of Swim-start on the New Start Block

The new starting block by Omega firstly appeared in Beijing Olympic Games since the FINA (Fédération Internationale de Natation) amended the rule (OSB11, Corgémont, Switzerland). And this new start block gave rise to the researchers and academics focused more on the start techniques on this new start block. The aim of this study is to summarize the current literature regarding the kinematics research progress of swimming start on this new start block and find the proper swim-start to optimize the swimming performance. The aim of this study is to provide insight into the improvement of swimming performance on the new start block by kinematics view for coaches and athletes. Results suggest that the KS is superior to the TS and GS. With the introduction of the OSB11 starting plate, swimmers need to quickly modify and adjust their techniques to take advantage of the new swimming start plate during normal training. The swimmers should not only enhance their speed training and speed training methods but also strengthen the core and lower limb strength to obtain the best take-off forces and horizontal velocity.

Softly, softly, mosquitoes outwit human victims

Stealth and haste are often at the heart of most successful raids, and the forays of famished female mosquitoes are no different. ‘Female mosquitoes need a blood meal to develop their eggs’, explains Florian Muijres, from Wageningen University, The Netherlands, adding that zipping in and out after a quick sip without attracting the attention of the unfortunate victim is essential if the insect is to survive. ‘One critical manoeuvre is the escape take-off after blood-feeding’, says Muijres. The fully loaded insect should push off quickly from the surface of its victim to get away swiftly, but a softer and gentler take-off would be less likely to arouse the attention of a disgruntled host. Knowing that humans are particularly vulnerable to mosquito bites, which can transmit deadly disease, Muijres, Jeroen Spitzen (Wageningen University) and Sofia Chang (University of California, Berkeley, USA) scrutinised the voracious insect's escape technique to find out how it manages to evade scrutiny when fully laden.‘The experimental setup was rather complex’, admits Muijres, describing how Chang had to ensure that the insects were well fed on human blood before take-off trials, in addition to coordinating three cameras trained on the insect's launch pad to capture every aspect of the departure in minute detail. ‘To get everything to work properly required a lot of preparation, precise work and a steady hand’, chuckles Muijres.As most insects simply hurl themselves into the air with a hefty push of the legs, Chang, Muijres and Wouter van Veen were surprised to find that the mosquitoes began beating their wings about 30 ms before the final push-off, using an extraordinarily high wingbeat frequency of ∼600 beats s–1 compared with ∼200 beats s–1 used by other similarly sized insects. And when the team calculated how hard the mosquitoes pushed down on their victim over the course of a take-off, they realised that the insects took advantage of their exceptionally long legs, extending them gently while pushing down slowly over the 30 ms take-off, leaving the unsuspecting injured party none the wiser of the departure. In addition, when Chang and Muijres calculated the wings’ contribution to the take-off, they were impressed that they contributed 60% of the force needed to lift a well-fed mosquito off its victim.Next, the team compared the mosquitoes’ take-off performance with that of more stocky fruit flies to find out whether the mosquitoes had compromised the speed of their evasive action for a light-footed getaway. Calculating the take-off force generated by a sturdy fruit fly, the team was surprised that the take-offs weighed in at almost four times the forces exerted by the nimble mosquitoes; sufficient to attract the attention of a human. However, when the team compared the two insects’ take-off speeds, the mosquitoes were every bit as speedy (∼0.24 m s−1) as their heavy-footed counterparts. Mosquitoes are not penalised by their softly-softly strategy, and are every bit as swift as less subtle insects. And when Bart Biemans compared the size of the mosquito and fruit fly leg muscles, the mosquito leg muscles were smaller, ‘because they need to produce a lower force at push-off’, says Muijres.Having discovered the secret behind the mosquito's stealthy departure, Muijres and his colleagues are keen to find out whether other blood-sucking pests use the same strategy to outwit their victims and whether the irritating insects’ landings are as graceful as their departures.

A method for comparing wave energy converter conceptual designs based on potential power capture

The design space for ocean wave energy converters is notable for its divergence. To facilitate convergence, and thereby support commercialization, we present a new simple method for analysis and comparison of alternative device architectures at an early stage of the design process. Using Thévenin's theorem, Falnes crafted an ingenious solution for the monochromatic optimal power capture of heaving point absorber devices by forming a mechanical impedance matching problem between the device and the power take-off. However, his solutions are limited by device architecture complexity. In this paper, we use the mechanical circuit framework to extend Falnes' method to form and solve the impedance matching problem and calculate the optimal power capture for converter architectures of arbitrary complexity. The new technique is first applied to reprove Falnes' findings and then to assess a complex converter architecture, proposed by Korde. This work also provides insight into a master-slave relationship between the geometry and power take-off force control problems that are inherent to converter design, and it reveals a hierarchy of distinct design objectives unbeknownst to Korde for his device. Finally, we show how application of the master-slave principle leads to the reduction in the dimensionality of the associated design space.

How birds direct impulse to minimize the energetic cost of foraging flight.

Birds frequently hop and fly between tree branches to forage. To determine the mechanical energy trade-offs of their bimodal locomotion, we rewarded four Pacific parrotlets with a seed for flying voluntarily between instrumented perches inside a new aerodynamic force platform. By integrating direct measurements of both leg and wing forces with kinematics in a bimodal long jump and flight model, we discovered that parrotlets direct their leg impulse to minimize the mechanical energy needed to forage over different distances and inclinations. The bimodal locomotion model further shows how even a small lift contribution from a single proto-wingbeat would have significantly lengthened the long jump of foraging arboreal dinosaurs. These avian bimodal locomotion strategies can also help robots traverse cluttered environments more effectively.

Powder properties and compaction parameters that influence punch sticking propensity of pharmaceuticals

Punch sticking is a frequently occurring problem that challenges successful tablet manufacturing. A mechanistic understanding of the punch sticking phenomenon facilitates the design of effective strategies to solve punch sticking problems of a drug. The first step in this effort is to identify process parameters and particle properties that can profoundly affect sticking performance. This work was aimed at elucidating the key material properties and compaction parameters that influence punch sticking by statistically analyzing punch sticking data of 24 chemically diverse compounds obtained using a set of tooling with removable upper punch tip. Partial least square (PLS) analysis of the data revealed that particle surface area and tablet tensile strength are the most significant factors attributed to punch sticking. Die-wall pressure, ejection force, and take-off force also correlate with sticking, but to a lesser extent.

Waffle production: influence of batter ingredients on sticking of fresh egg waffles at baking plates-Part I: effect of starch and sugar components.

Fresh egg waffles are a sweet convenience product typically baked from eggs, water, sugar, flour, fat, leavening agents, emulsifiers, preservatives, and flavors. In industrial production, waffles are baked continuously in high amounts of up to 200 kg raw material per hour. Therefore, it is important that the waffles do not stick onto the baking plates, which can cause significant product loss and increased costs due to interruption of the baking process, required cleaning procedures, and restarting of the energy‐consuming start‐up phase. Sticking of waffles is greatly influenced not only by baking plate material, release agent, baking temperature, and time, but also by the batter ingredients. In this study, effects of different starches and sugar components were investigated. Within the selected starches, potato starch demonstrated the highest effects on increasing waffle stability and releasing properties compared to wheat and lupine flour (less than 7% sticking waffles). Rice flour performed worst, with almost 50% of sticking waffles. Most of these waffles were broken during take‐off, due to their crumbly texture. Within the sugar components, glycerine was better suitable than sorbitol and crystal sugar was superior compared to powdered sugar. They required less take‐off force. It could be demonstrated that waffles with increased stability and texture were those that showed the least number of sticking waffles, thus the main aim of batter ingredients was to improve waffle quality. Waffle quality was influenced by batter parameters, significant correlations could be found, for example, a positive correlation between pH‐ and L‐value, negative correlations between pH‐ and a‐value, or density and aw‐value. This resulted in significant correlations with take‐off‐force, which was correlated with L*‐ and b*‐value (negative) and positive to a*‐value. Sticking behavior was strongly associated with b*‐value (positive) and to a*‐value (negative).