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Movement velocity (MV) has been featured as a more accurate and stable variable for resistance exercise (RE) monitoring. However, its application in RE prescription based on self-selected MV (MVss) is not possible because the benefits were evaluated only in the maximal intended MV practice context. Thus, the objective of this study was to verify the validity and reliability of MVss as a performance measure in RE. A group of 41 people (28.75 ± 10.06 years, 77.25 ± 9.04 kg, 1.76 ± 0.06 m for men and 30.25 ± 15.97 years, 62.96 ± 14.31 kg, 1.65 ± 0.06 for women) volunteered to participate in this study, and their performances were evaluated in knee extension and close grip pull-down, using a rotary position transducer. In fact, the results presented evidence of concurrent validity of MVss, although its predictive validity must be questioned (R2 = 0.5; P < 0.05). Moreover, two points of performance transitions seem to exist, which could characterize three distinct zones of effort. Additionally, performances in both RE presented reasonable indicatives of reliability in consecutive evaluations (typical error = 0.05–0.07 m/s), suggesting the existence of minimal MVss thresholds. Despite the positive analyses of validity and reliability, practical applications of the MVss thresholds proposed here should be viewed with caution for RE monitoring in the individual context, taking into account the real capability to discriminate maximal and submaximal performances not supported by average-based comparisons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review aims to: (1) map the use of sonification in human movement tasks for physical therapy; (2) identify methods of data capture, tasks and its effects on human subjects; (3) suggest future research directions. Sonification can be described as a technique to translate data into sound. It has been used for human motion analysis tasks even if it is not part of most physical therapist's lexicon. Identify and analyze publications where sonification was used as an audio-feedback technique for physical therapy. Thirty-five papers were included, 13 randomized-control-trials. Thirteen papers reported an investigation on a specific dysfunction, while upper limb movements were investigated in fifteen papers. Inertial measurement units were the most commonly used technology to capture human movement, 10 papers reported improvements in motor control and/or movement quality. Gaps in the literature were identified: (1) absence of sonification framework for rehabilitation, (2) no long-term comparison with gold-standard interventions for specific populations, (3) approaches for cardio-respiratory physical therapy and injury prevention were absent. Sonification has the potential to support rehabilitation for physical therapy. Effects of sonification were varied and ranged from improvements in movement quality/control, increased movement and body-awareness and improvements in performance when compared with activities with audio-visual or non-specific audio-feedback among others. Data for sonification was mainly captured using inertial measurement units, smartphones and optical tracking devices but others are also commonly used. Well-designed clinical trials supported by current promising results need to be developed. We recommend testing different sonification techniques in common physical therapy disfunctions using significant outcome measures to understand and maximize its effects on motor learning and control while scoping for further benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to compare the dominant and non-dominant legs in respect of dynamic and static balance and to examine the effect of sport type, sportive experience and BMI on the static and dynamic balance of adolescent male judoists and wrestlers. The results of the study could be beneficial for the prevention of injury to the athletes and could be applied to training management. The study included 54 healthy, male, adolescent wrestlers and judoists (mean age: 15.81 ± 0.87 years; height: 165.01 ± 8.73 cm; weight: 62.01 ± 11.94 kg). Static and dynamic balance were assessed using the flamingo balance test (FBT) and the star excursion balance test (SEBT) in an institution-based sports sciences department. No statistically significant differences were determined between the dominant and non-dominant leg in the normalized SEBT reach distances (P > 0.05). The static balance performance scores were compared between the groups and the judoists were found to have higher static balance performance than the wrestlers (P < 0.05). Both adolescent judoists and wrestlers were found to have higher static and dynamic balance scores compared to other sports branches, and the judoists were determined to have better static and dynamic balance performances than the wrestlers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. – Finswimming is a sport of speed in which the legs act as propellant. This survey aims to quantify differences in kinematics between high-level and beginner finswimmers, as a function of race distance.Fact synthesis. – Twelve finswimmers with body marks on their joints were videotaped at the surface. Speed, amplitude, frequency, and angular position were analysed, as a function of the race distance and the practice level. Expert finswimmers pitch less than novice (respectively, 0.14 ± 0.02 and 0.23 ± 0.03 m).Conclusion. – Swimming techniques change with expertise adaptively, as a function of race distance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]