Czesław Urbanik

Biomechanics of the Axel Paulsen Figure Skating Jump

Introduction. Figure skating is a sport discipline requiring a combination of artistic and athletic skills. The triple Axel Paulsen (Axel or A) jump is the most technically difficult jump of all figure skating jumps, which is why it is on the top of the International Skating Union (ISU) Judging System Code of Points (CoP). The purpose of this research was to explore the technical differences between the single Axel (1A), the double Axel (2A), and the triple Axel (3A) and to determine which parameters are the most important for performing the triple Axel successfully, using 3D kinematic analysis.

Comparative analysis of endurance of not hearing and hearing students

Summary Study aim: Sport participation is important for deaf children, as participants experience physical, psychological and social benefits [23]. This study is a summary of four year’s researches on the endurance level of deaf and well hearing girls and boys. The aim of this study was to compare endurance of not hearing and hearing students. Material and methods: 300 students aged 12, 14 and 16 from six Warsaw’s schools participated in the study. Students were divided into 12 groups according to three criterions: hearing impairment level, gender and age. The physical fitness was measured with laboratory methods. There was „inclined plane” measurement set used to estimate the endurance level. From the biomechanical point of view the measure of endurance is change of power versus time and total work. Results: The study result’s proved significant differences only between boy’s group. Deaf and hearing girls presented similar level of their endurance parameters. The significant differences in results of deaf and well-hearing students were observed in the groups of 14 years old boys. Deaf male students presented 23% lower (p < 0.01) values of maximal power in comparison to their hearing peers. Yet, they were more capable of sustaining the power developed for a longer time, which is proved by significantly higher (33%; p < 0.001) regression coefficient b. Since maximal power level was lower, the executed work was also significantly lower comparing to well-hearing students’ results. Conclusion: Research proved that deaf students do not vary from their well-hearing peers with regard to the energetic potential. Differences described in the literature and recorded in our research are probably the result of environmental (social) factors and different models of gaining movement habits.

Cross education after power training

The purpose of the study was to determine whether cross-education, defined as the increase in strength and power of an untrained limb after training of the contralateral homogenous limb, is specific for load types applied during the power training. Twenty four men attended the research After control measurement they were randomized into two groups (n=12 each). Subjects trained five times per week during 4 weeks and performed unilateral concentric training of the right knee on the special designed stand. Different load types were applied for each group: A - elastic bands (linear resistance load - elastic load) and B - weight discs (inertial load). Quantities of disc weights and elastic bands were established individually based on force-speed characteristics. Every Monday, before the training session, bilateral knee force during extension and flexion was measured on the Biodex System 3 Pro under isometric conditions and average power under isokinetic condition (240 deg/sec, 180 deg/sec, 60deg/sec and 30deg/sec). The above factors were measured four times in the post-training period again. Power training causes similar increase of force generating capacity for trained leg and no influence on homogenous force improvement for untrained leg. Until the end of experiment that trend was significantly evaluated in the group A to13 % and B to 9,3 % for the knee extensors. Moreover, 11 % increase of isometric force of agonists for untrained leg was noticed. Higher value occurred in the end of experiment was probably the effect of pelvis stabilization. Cross training effect for homogenous muscles was occurred for power of motion, but only for velocity similar to velocity of knee extension obtained for load quantity applied during power training. The increase of power in the absence of direct training confirmed hypothesis of alterations in neural control specific to training procedures. The influence of mechanical characteristics of external load on cross education was proved.