Sports

111 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Somnolent Youth-Sleep and the Influence of Exercise: A Narrative Review

by Haresh T. Suppiah and Michael Chia

Sports 2015, 3(2), 116-135; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports3020116 - 23 Jun 2015

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 6380

Sleep is crucial to the physiological and psychological development of youth. The implications of insufficient sleep on learning and school performance are well documented. However, adequate sleep often goes unmet due to a combination of biological, societal, and environmental factors, especially during adolescence. In the present review, the changes to adolescent sleep patterns, and its consequences on cognition and learning are briefly explored. We then review the empirical literature of the role of exercise in regulating adolescent sleep patterns, and its potential mechanisms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Paediatric Exercise Physiology)

125 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Overview of the Running Performance of Athletes with Lower-Limb Amputation at the Paralympic Games 2004–2012

by Hossein Hassani, Mansi Ghodsi, Mehran Shadi, Siamak Noroozi and Bryce Dyer

Sports 2015, 3(2), 103-115; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports3020103 - 16 Jun 2015

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 8379

Abstract

This paper analyses the performances of lower-limb amputees in the 100, 200 and 400 m running events from the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Paralympic Games. In this paper, four hypotheses are pursued. In the first, it investigates whether the running performance of lower-limb amputees over three consecutive Paralympic Games has changed. In the second, it asks whether a bi-lateral amputee has a competitive advantage over a uni-lateral amputee. In the third, the effect of blade classification has been considered and we attempt to see whether amputees in various classifications have different level of performance. Finally, it is considered whether the final round of competition obtains different levels of performance in comparison to the qualification heats. Based on the outcomes of these investigations, it is proposed that future amputee-based running events should be undertaken with separate and not combined events for the T42, T43 and T44 classifications at the Paralympic Games. Full article

783 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Relationship between the Pedaling Biomechanics and Strain of Bicycle Frame during Submaximal Tests

by Aneliya V. Manolova, Samuel Crequy, Philippe Lestriez, Pierre Debraux and William M. Bertucci

Sports 2015, 3(2), 87-102; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports3020087 - 16 Jun 2015

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 7010

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of forces applied to pedals and cranks on the strain imposed to an instrumented bicycle motocross (BMX) frame. Using results from a finite element analysis to determine the localisation of highest stress, eight strain gauges were located on the down tube, the seat tube and the right chain stay. Before the pedaling tests, static loads were applied to the frame during bench tests. Two pedaling conditions have been analysed. In the first, the rider was in static standing position on the pedals and applied maximal muscular isometric force to the right pedal. The second pedaling condition corresponds to three pedaling sprint tests at submaximal intensities at 150, 300 and 550 W on a cycle-trainer. The results showed that smaller strain was observed in the pedaling condition than in the rider static standing position condition. The highest strains were located in the seat tube and the right chain stay near the bottom bracket area. The maximum stress observed through all conditions was 41 MPa on the right chain stay. This stress was 11 times lower than the yield stress of the frame material (460 MPa). This protocol could help to adapt the frame design to the riders as a function of their force and mechanical power output. These results could also help design BMX frames for specific populations (females) and rider morphology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports Medicine)

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107 KiB

Open AccessProject Report

A Retrospective Review from 2006 to 2011 of Lower Extremity Injuries in Badminton in New Zealand

by Joanna Reeves, Patria A. Hume, Simon Gianotti, Barry Wilson and Erika Ikeda

Sports 2015, 3(2), 77-86; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports3020077 - 12 Jun 2015

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 7395

Abstract

Aim: To describe lower extremity injuries for badminton in New Zealand. Methods: Lower limb badminton injuries that resulted in claims accepted by the national insurance company Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) in New Zealand between 2006 and 2011 were reviewed. Results: The estimated national injury incidence for badminton injuries in New Zealand from 2006 to 2011 was 0.66%. There were 1909 lower limb badminton injury claims which cost NZ$2,014,337 (NZ$ value over 2006 to 2011). The age-bands frequently injured were 10–19 (22%), 40–49 (22%), 30–39 (14%) and 50–59 (13%) years. Sixty five percent of lower limb injuries were knee ligament sprains/tears. Males sustained more cruciate ligament sprains than females (75 vs. 39). Movements involving turning, changing direction, shifting weight, pivoting or twisting were responsible for 34% of lower extremity injuries. Conclusion: The knee was most frequently injured which could be due to multi-planar loading. Turning or cutting movements typically involve motion in the frontal and transverse planes that may place the knee at greater risk of injury than movement in the sagittal plane alone. Further research on badminton specific movements is warranted to better understand the mechanisms of lower extremity injuries in the sport. Sports medicine and support personnel should take into account the susceptibility of the knee to injury when designing training and injury prevention programmes given the large number of change of direction movements during badminton. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports Medicine)

758 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Neuromuscular Retraining in Female Adolescent Athletes: Effect on Athletic Performance Indices and Noncontact Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Rates

by Frank R. Noyes and Sue D. Barber-Westin

Sports 2015, 3(2), 56-76; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports3020056 - 13 May 2015

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 10993

Abstract

While many anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) prevention programs have been published, few have achieved significant reductions in injury rates and improvements in athletic performance indices; both of which may increase compliance and motivation of athletes to participate. A supervised neuromuscular retraining program (18 sessions) was developed, aimed at achieving both of these objectives. The changes in neuromuscular indices were measured after training in 1000 female athletes aged 13–18 years, and the noncontact ACL injury rate in 700 of these trained athletes was compared with that of 1120 control athletes. There were significant improvements in the drop-jump test, (p < 0.0001, effect size [ES] 0.97), the single-leg triple crossover hop (p < 0.0001, ES 0.47), the t-test (p < 0.0001, ES 0.64), the multi-stage fitness test (p < 0.0001, ES 0.57), hamstring strength (p < 0.0001), and quadriceps strength (p < 0.01). The trained athletes had a significant reduction in the noncontact ACL injury incidence rate compared with the controls (1 ACL injury in 36,724 athlete-exposures [0.03] and 13 ACL injuries in 61,244 exposures [0.21], respectively, p = 0.03). The neuromuscular retraining program was effective in reducing noncontact ACL injury rate and improving athletic performance indicators. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports Medicine)

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Sports, Volume 3, Issue 2 (June 2015) – 5 articles , Pages 56-135

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