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KinectX (KX) and KinectX Pro (KXP) are two specific applications for the training and evaluation of precision in body motion coordination. KinectX Pro was designed to provide an evaluation of efficiency of Ultra Slow Motion Intelligent Training (USMIT) for precision in motor coordination. KinectX was designed to provide direct feedback during the USMIT training in order to know the proper constant speed in ultra slow motions (10 mm/s). Material and method. 142 voluntary subjects participated in four sets of trials (a total of 657 tests): (1) preliminary tests (N=8); (2) motor coordination and psychological trait correlation tests (N=100); (3) precision progress in motor coordination tests (N=8); (4) motor coordination tests (N=27). Five advantages of KX and KXP were identified: (1) "no strings" movement; (2) "live" speed feedback; (3) trajectory feedback; (4) good sensor sensitivity (up to 30 evaluations per second); (5) easy relocation of KX and KXP systems. Two major disadvantages were identified and corrected during testing: (1) high sensitivityto light intensity variations; (2) high sensitivityto infrared radiations. One minor disadvantage: (1) variations inthe test results with variations in the subject's position vs. sensor. Results. A guide for the optimal use of both applications was completed, tested and used in the trials. A beta version was completed for both KX and KXP and successfully used in the trials andthe training of athletes, members of the Romanian Olympic Team 2018. Conclusion. KinectX and KinectX Pro are reliable instruments in the training and evaluation of precision in motor coordination, based on the USMIT program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effect whole body vibration (WBV) on the dynamic stability of NCAA Division I women basketball players. Eleven subjects were evaluated in two test conditions including one with and one without WBV. After each condition, subjects were tested for time to stabilization (TTS) on a force platform during bilateral, right leg, and left leg countermovement jumps (CMJ). Results of the statistical analysis revealed no significant difference in TTS between the vibration and non-vibration conditions for the bilateral (p = 0.24) and right leg (p = 0.48) CMJ. A significant difference was found between the conditions demonstrating a shorter TTS in the non-vibration condition for the left leg CMJ (p = 0.04, d = 0.57, ηp2 = 0.36). Acute WBV has no effect on and in some cases impairs dynamic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to compare the velocity of the barbell with the criterion of the velocity of the center of gravity during the explosive bench press lift with different loads. Fifteen highly trained soccer players participated in this study. Three-dimensional upper extremities kinematic data during the bench press were collected. Participants lifted loads of 10, 30, 50, 70 and 90% of one repetition maximum (1RM) with maximal velocity. All upper extremity segments and barbell were modeled as frustra of cones while the barbell was modeled as a cylinder. One way repeated ANOVA revealed that peak barbell velocity was significantly higher with 10, 30 and 50% and the mean barbell velocity was significantly higher with 10 and 30% of 1RM. Additionally, kinematic methods based on the barbell velocity measurement overestimate the velocity of the center of mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subjects performed drop jumps from 46 cm, a single leg jump, counter movement jump, and squat jump on a hard surface, wrestling mat and in water. Ground reaction force data obtained via a force platform were used to determine the time to takeoff, takeoff peak ground reaction force, power, jump height, and landing peak ground reaction force. A one way repeated measures ANOVA demonstrated differences between plyometic exercises assessed for all of the variables assessed (P ≤ 0.05), with post hoc analysis demonstrating the specific differences. Results indicate that the hard surface and mat conditions were similar for almost all of the plyometric exercises assessed for most outcome variables whereas the plyometric exercises performed in water were different than those performed on the hard surface or mat in most cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to explore how specific shoulder stabilizing exercises influenced the shoulder strength balance, incidence of practice time lost due to shoulder ailments and swim performance. Two US high school varsity swim teams participated in the study. The treatment team (N = 59) performed thrice weekly 20-minute dryland activities to improve shoulder and scapular stability, whereas the control team (N = 68) did not explicitly train their athletes in this manner. In addition to the shoulder ailment incidence and lost practice time, we also monitored changes in athletic performance. The results indicate that shoulder-stabilizing exercises reduce the incidence and duration of shoulder ailments in swimmers, without being detrimental to swim performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One potentially simple way to maximize jumping effort and thus intensity is to have athletes jump to and attempt to touch challenging overhead goals during training. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of jumping with and without the use of an overhead goal. Subjects performed 3 countermovement jumps in conditions with and without an overhead goal. Jump performance was evaluated using a force platform to determine peak ground reaction force, time to takeoff, power, and jump height. Data were evaluated with a two way ANOVA with results demonstrating no significant (p > 0.05) difference between goal conditions for any of the variables assessed and no interaction between goal condition and gender (p > 0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-intrusive ultrasonic detection scheme has been implemented to monitor and quantify the loading effect of training sessions on athletes. The detection is obtained along a line between two acoustic transducers with similar size and shape as stick-on electrodes. All the data is derived from the transmission time-of-flight of the ultrasonic chirp signal passing through the muscle and the ultrasonic force sensor. Muscle dynamics and force generated due to maximum isometric contraction was synchronously detected with the aid of an arbitrary function generator and a two channels transient recorder. At least 16 performance deciding parameters of athletes are quantified. The achieved spatial and temporal resolutions are ± 0.01 mm and 0.01 ms respectively. Detected movement reaction time could be used as a potential indicator to identify false-start in athletics, swimming and other necessary fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]