Robert Needham

The acute effect of different warm-up protocols on anaerobic performance in elite youth soccer players.

Needham, RA, Morse, CI, and Degens, H. The acute effect of different warm-up protocols on anaerobic performance in elite youth soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 23(9): 2614-2620, 2009-The purpose of the study was to investigate the acute effect of different warm-up protocols on anaerobic performance in elite youth soccer players. Twenty elite youth soccer players (mean age 17.2 ± 1.2 years) performed 3 different warm-up protocols in a random order on nonconsecutive days. Each warm-up protocol consisted of a 5-minute low-intensity jog followed by 10 minutes of static stretching (SS), dynamic stretching (DS), or dynamic stretching followed by 8 front squats + 20% body mass (DSR). Subjects performed a countermovement jump followed by a 10- and 20-m sprint test immediately and at 3 and 6 minutes after each warm-up protocol. Vertical jump performance following DSR was better at 3 and 6 minutes than after DS, which in turn was better than after SS at 0, 3, and 6 minutes (p < 0.05). Jump performance was better at 3 minutes than immediately after, and this improvement was maintained at 6 minutes after DSR (p < 0.05). A better sprint performance was observed after DSR and DS compared with SS immediately and at 3 and 6 minutes following each warm-up protocol (p < 0.05). The results of the study suggest that a dynamic warm-up with the inclusion of resistance enhances jumping ability more than dynamic exercise alone. In addition, a dynamic warm-up produces a superior sprint and jump performance compared to a warm-up consisting of static stretching.

Quantifying lumbar-pelvis coordination during gait using a modified vector coding technique

The complexity of human gait patterns has become a topic of major interest in motor control and biomechanics. Range of motion is still the preferred method to quantify movement impairment, however, within these traditional linear measures, the inter-segmental coordination and movement variability is normally ignored. A dynamical systems approach using vector coding and circular statistics provides non-linear techniques to quantify coordination and variability. This study provides comprehensive vector coding and circular statistics calculations. Additionally, pelvis-lumbar coordination and coordination variability data obtained from ten healthy young male participants during five walking trials using an optoelectronic system is provided. This novel data can form the baseline information for future studies in this area of research. Finally, a new illustration to present coordination and coordination variability information of gait kinematics, combining the output from the modified vector coding technique with traditional time-series segmental angle data is presented. This technique, when applied to single patients can be beneficial to assess the effect of an intervention on the patient-specific inter-segmental coordination pattern with implications to the clinical setting.

The Effect of an Intervention Program on Functional Movement Screen Test Scores in Mixed Martial Arts Athletes

Abstract Bodden, JG, Needham, RA, and Chockalingam, N. The effect of an intervention program on functional movement screen test scores in mixed martial arts athletes. J Strength Cond Res 29(1): 219–225, 2015—This study assessed the basic fundamental movements of mixed martial arts (MMA) athletes using the functional movement screen (FMS) assessment and determined if an intervention program was successful at improving results. Participants were placed into 1 of the 2 groups: intervention and control groups. The intervention group was required to complete a corrective exercise program 4 times per week, and all participants were asked to continue their usual MMA training routine. A mid-intervention FMS test was included to examine if successful results were noticed sooner than the 8-week period. Results highlighted differences in FMS test scores between the control group and intervention group (p = 0.006). Post hoc testing revealed a significant increase in the FMS score of the intervention group between weeks 0 and 8 (p = 0.00) and weeks 0 and 4 (p = 0.00) and no significant increase between weeks 4 and 8 (p = 1.00). A &khgr;2 analysis revealed that the intervention group participants were more likely to have an FMS score >14 than participants in the control group at week 4 (&khgr;2 = 7.29, p < 0.01) and week 8 (&khgr;2 = 5.2, p ⩽ 0.05). Finally, a greater number of participants in the intervention group were free from asymmetry at week 4 and week 8 compared with the initial test period. The results of the study suggested that a 4-week intervention program was sufficient at improving FMS scores. Most if not all, the movements covered on the FMS relate to many aspects of MMA training. The knowledge that the FMS can identify movement dysfunctions and, furthermore, the fact that the issues can be improved through a standardized intervention program could be advantageous to MMA coaches, thus, providing the opportunity to adapt and implement new additions to training programs.

A new coordination pattern classification to assess gait kinematics when utilising a modified vector coding technique.

A modified vector coding (VC) technique was used to quantify lumbar-pelvic coordination during gait. The outcome measure from the modified VC technique is known as the coupling angle (CA) which can be classified into one of four coordination patterns. This study introduces a new classification for this coordination pattern that expands on a current data analysis technique by introducing the terms in-phase with proximal dominancy, in-phase with distal dominancy, anti-phase with proximal dominancy and anti-phase with distal dominancy. This proposed coordination pattern classification can offer an interpretation of the CA that provides either in-phase or anti-phase coordination information, along with an understanding of the direction of segmental rotations and the segment that is the dominant mover at each point in time. Classifying the CA against the new defined coordination patterns and presenting this information in a traditional time-series format in this study has offered an insight into segmental range of motion. A new illustration is also presented which details the distribution of the CA within each of the coordination patterns and allows for the quantification of segmental dominancy. The proposed illustration technique can have important implications in demonstrating gait coordination data in an easily comprehensible fashion by clinicians and scientists alike.

Comparing four technologies for measuring postural micromovements during monitor engagement

Objective metrics of engagement are valuable for estimating user experience or progression through interactional narratives. Postural micromovements of seated individuals during computer engagement have been previously measured with magnetic field sensors and chair-mounted force matrix detection mats. Here we compare readings from a head-mounted accelerometer, single camera sagittal motion tracking, and force distribution changes using floor-mounted force plates against a Vicon 8-camera motion capture system. Measurements were recorded on five participants who were watching or interacting with a computer monitor. Our results show that sagittal and coronal plane measurements for Vicon, the accelerometer and the single camera produced nearly identical data, were precisely synchronized in time, and in many cases proportional in amplitude. None of the systems tested were able to match the Vicons measurement of yaw.

Multi-segment kinematic model to assess three-dimensional movement of the spine and back during gait

Background: Relatively little is known about spine during gait compared to movement analysis of the lower extremities. The trunk is often regarded and analysed as a single rigid segment and there is a paucity of information on inter-segmental movement within the spine and its relationship to pelvis and lower limbs. Objectives: To develop and validate a new multi-segment kinematic model to assess regional three-dimensional movement of the lumbar, lower thoracic and upper thoracic spine during gait. Study design: Observational study. Methods: The study was conducted in two parts: (1) to provide validation measures on the kinematic model built in commercially available software and (2) to apply the marker configuration to the spine at T3, T8 and L3 during gait analysis on 10 healthy male volunteers. Results: Proposed model revealed excellent concurrent validation measures between an applied input angle to the recorded output angle from the kinematic model. A high reliability was observed during gait analysis, both during a single session and between sessions for all participants. Conclusion: The thoracic region of the spine should not be modelled as a single rigid segment and the proposed three-dimensional cluster is reliable and repeatable to assess the inter-segmental movement of the spine. Clinical relevance Reliable kinematic data can be collected using the three-dimensional cluster technique, thus, allowing researchers to accurately distinguish between movement patterns of healthy individuals to those with a clinical condition, and provide confidence in data acquisition during the monitoring process of an implemented rehabilitation intervention programme.

Three-dimensional kinematics of the lumbar spine during gait using marker-based systems: a systematic review.

Abstract To review the current scientific literature on the assessment of three-dimensional movement of the lumbar spine with a focus on the utilisation of a 3D cluster. Electronic databases PubMed, OVID, CINAHL, The Cochrance Library, ScienceDirect, ProQuest and Web of Knowledge were searched between 1966 and March 2015. The reference lists of the articles that met the inclusion criteria were also searched. From the 1530 articles identified through an initial search, 16 articles met the inclusion criteria. All information relating to methodology and kinematic modelling of the lumbar segment along with the outcome measures were extracted from the studies identified for synthesis. Guidelines detailing 3D cluster construction were limited in the identified articles and the lack of information presented makes it difficult to assess the external validity of this technique. Scarce information was presented detailing time-series angle data of the lumbar spine during gait. Further developments of the 3D cluster technique are required and it is essential that the authors provide clear instruction, definitions and standards in their manuscript to improve clarity and reproducibility.

Quantification of rear-foot, fore-foot coordination pattern during gait using a new classification

Fellin, R.E. et al. (2010). Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 26 (4), 407 414. Jordan, K., Challis, J.H., & Newell, K.M. (2006). Long range correlations in the stride interval of running. Gait and Posture, 24(1), 120 125. Lenhoff, M.W., Santner, T.J., Otis, J.C., Peterson, M.G.E., Williams, B.J., & Backus, S.I. (1999). Bootstrap prediction and confidence bands: a superior statistical method for analysis of gait data. Gait and Posture, 9(1), 10 17. Oriwol, D., Milani, T.L., & Maiwald, C. (2012). Methodological issues associated with the mean value of repeated laboratory running measurements. Footwear Science, 4(3), 183 190. Riley, P.O., Paolini, G., Croce, U.D., Paylo, K.W., & Kerrigan, C. (2007). A kinematic and kinetic comparison of overground and treadmill walking in healthy subjects. Gait and Posture, 26(1), 17 24.

Using Wearable Inertial Sensors to Compare Different Versions of the Dual Task Paradigm during Walking

The dual task paradigm (DTP), where performance of a walking task co-occurs with a cognitive task to assess performance decrement, has been controversially mooted as a more suitable task to test safety from falls in outdoor and urban environments than simple walking in a hospital corridor. There are a variety of different cognitive tasks that have been used in the DTP, and we wanted to assess the use of a secondary task that requires mental tracking (the alternate letter alphabet task) against a more automatic working memory task (counting backward by ones). In this study we validated the x-io x-IMU wearable inertial sensors, used them to record healthy walking, and then used dynamic time warping to assess the elements of the gait cycle. In the timed 25 foot walk (T25FW) the alternate letter alphabet task lengthened the stride time significantly compared to ordinary walking, while counting backward did not. We conclude that adding a mental tracking task in a DTP will elicit performance decrement in healthy volunteers.

Coordination pattern between the forefoot and rearfoot during walking on an inclined surface

Vector coding (VC) is a nonlinear data analysis technique that provides a quantitative measure of coordination and coordination variability. The outcome measure derived from the VC technique is ref...