Incorporating aspects of motor control in the optimisation of human performance (original) (raw)
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Applied Sciences
The identification of optimum technique for maximal effort sporting tasks is one of the greatest challenges within sports biomechanics. A theoretical approach using forward-dynamics simulation allows individual parameters to be systematically perturbed independently of potentially confounding variables. Each study typically follows a four-stage process of model construction, parameter determination, model evaluation, and model optimization. This review critically evaluates forward-dynamics simulation models of maximal effort sporting movements using a dynamical systems theory framework. Organismic, environmental, and task constraints applied within such models are critically evaluated, and recommendations are made regarding future directions and best practices. The incorporation of self-organizational processes representing movement variability and “intrinsic dynamics” remains limited. In the future, forward-dynamics simulation models predicting individual-specific optimal technique...
In this study we used musculoskeletal modelling with mathematical optimization tools to find whole-body kinematics that simultaneously reduce risk of injury and enhance sports performance. Combining these objectives has long been the goal of sports science research. We focused on improving hang-time parameters in volleyball (Gupta et al., 2015). We were able to preserve an advantage of hang-time (late swing) and address its disadvantage (potential loss in peak height of the hitting arm) by increasing the height of the hitting wrist by 1 cm, while at the same time not increasing the shoulder moments. This study provided a proof of concept that this optimization framework can potentially find a balance between performance and injury prevention in a complex sports task. INTRODUCTION: Finding the whole body kinematic pattern that enhances performance with minimal risk of injury has long been the goal of research in biomechanics in sports. The human body is a multi-segment, multi-degree of freedom " machine " with complex connections between segments. Hence, both overall performance quality and injury in one segment could be due to the movement of a completely different segment, a segment that might not even be directly connected to the performing or injured segment. The majority of previous studies have focused on movement of one segment or the action of musculature around that segment to address the issues of performance and/or injury prevention (Reeser et al., 2010; Seminati et al., 2013). Although these studies provide great insights, they provide incomplete causal information about the complex multi-segmental dynamics of movement tasks. This information requires study of the full body during the task. In-silico simulations in conjunction with optimization methods have been used to identify whole-body kinematics for reducing peak valgus knee moments for a side-stepping task (Donnelly et al., 2012) during the weight acceptance phase to prevent ACL injury. They used the open source musculoskeletal modelling software OpenSim (an open source software available at the website simtk.org.) to produce in-silico simulation of the movement pattern based on motion data. Residual reduction algorithm (RRA) is an optimization tool within OpenSim capable of altering the whole-body kinematics. This tool can be used through an outer level optimization process (Reinbolt et al., 2011) to find a new movement pattern that reduces peak knee valgus moments and makes the simulations run with negligible residual forces and moments. The outer level optimization (Reinbolt et al., 2011) essentially works based on the definition of cost function that encapsulates the aims of the optimization process. Donnelly et al. (2012) used it to loosely follow the original movement pattern, reduce the residuals to near 0 and reduce the peak knee valgus moments. Since RRA within OpenSim allows for calculation of the whole-body kinematics and the corresponding joint torques, the outer level cost function can be reprogramed such that it tries to enhance performance parameters and reduce injury risk factors like high joint torques.
Strength Performance Assessment in a Simulated Men's Gymnastics Still Rings Cross
Journal of sports science & medicine, 2007
Athletes in sports such as the gymnastics who perform the still rings cross position are disadvantaged due to a lack of objective and convenient measurement methods. The gymnastics "cross "is a held isometric strength position considered fundamental to all still rings athletes. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if two small force platforms (FPs) placed on supports to simulate a cross position could demonstrate the fidelity necessary to differentiate between athletes who could perform a cross from those who could not. Ten gymnasts (5 USA Gymnastics, Senior National Team, and 5 Age Group Level Gymnasts) agreed to participate. The five Senior National Team athletes were grouped as cross Performers; the Age Group Gymnasts could not successfully perform the cross position and were grouped as cross Non- Performers. The two small FPs were first tested for reliability and validity and were then used to obtain a force-time record of a simulated cross position. The ...
The Effect of Changes in Fundamental Skill Complexity on Upper Limb Loading in Female Gymnastics
2020
The aim of this study was to investigate if changes in elbow and wrist joints loading occurred as a function of (a) different hand placement and (b) fundamental skills difficulty level in female gymnastics. Ten female gymnasts performed 54 successful trials of roundoff skills (cartwheel [18], round-off [18], round-off to back handspring [18]), with three different hand positions (parallel, T-shape and reverse). Kinematic and kinetic data were collected for each trial. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze the injury risk factors. Results suggested that the Tshape technique during different levels of round-off skills decreases mechanical load (peak vertical ground reaction forces and joint kinetics at the elbow and wrist) and may represent safer technique for young female gymnasts.
Biomechanical research in artistic gymnastics: a review
Sports Biomechanics, 2006
Biomechanical research into artistic gymnastics has grown substantially over the years. However, most research is still skill oriented with few tries at generalization. Consequently, our understanding of the principles and bases of the sport, although improved, is still marginal with gaps in knowledge about technique attributes throughout the sport. For that reason, this review begins with an attempt to identify important variables contributing to successful performance. The review is presented in clusters of work in similar apparatuses culminating in Tables offering an 'at a glance' summary of knowledge in each cluster. The last section of the review tries to give some direction to future biomechanical research in gymnastics in issues relating to data collection -two-dimensional or three-dimensional, image size, frame rateand analysis, such as descriptive or explanatory, simulation and optimization, and statistical issues.
Biomechanics of Technique Selection in Women’s Artistic Gymnastics: From Theory to Practice
ISBS - Conference Proceedings Archive, 2016
This research aimed to determine effective technique selection for the female longswing through four themes: contemporary trend (T1), biomechanical conceptual (T2), musculoskeletal (T3) and energetic (T4) approaches. 3D video data at two elite competitions provided high ecologically validity. T1 identified the straddle Tkachev as the ideal vehicle with three distinct preparatory techniques (arch, pike, straddle) preceding it. Significant joint kinematic differences were not replicated in release parameters (T2) although joint kinetics highlighted greater physical demands in the pike (T3), with an energetics effectiveness score highlighting the arch as a technique promoting skill development (T4). Increasing knowledge and understanding allows coaches to optimise technique selection.
Applications of Modelling to the Improvement of Sports Technique
Isbs Conference Proceedings Archive, 2008
Models of high jumping, high bar circling, swinging on rings, tumbling, diving, twisting and balancing can give insight into the mechanics of these movements and provide a basis for coaching in order to improve performance. Such models can also be used to investigate the viability of new movements or new techniques. Training aids based on models of sports movements have the potential to speed learning and enable athletes to reach new levels of achievement.
BACKGROUND: A vaulting performance takes a short time and it is infl uenced by and aff ects the quantity of mechanical variables. After the 2000 Olympic Games, the traditional horse was replaced by a new vaulting table. While the biomechanical data of vaulting using the new table (post 2000 Olympic competition) are not available yet, there is a question what the current technique of handspring performed by top-level female gymnasts looks like. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to determine the biomechanical factors that govern success in the performance of the handspring and front somersault vaults. METHODS: Eight top-level female gymnasts participated in this study. For the 3D spatial movement analysis, two digital camcorders with a frame rate of 50 fi elds per second were used. The data was digitized by the Simi motion software. The method of Hay and Reid (1988) was used to identify the biomechanical variables that determine the linear and angular motions of the handspring and front somersault vaults. A correlation analysis was used to establish the strength of the relationship between the causal biomechanical variables and the judges' scores. The level of statistical signifi cance was determined at the value of p < 0.05. RESULTS: Five out of 23 examined variables showed signifi cant correlations with the scores. A signifi cant correlation was found in the vertical height of the body center of mass during the takeoff from the vaulting table (r = 0.86), in the maximum height of the body center of mass in the second fl ight phase (0.83), in the change of the horizontal velocity during the phase of the takeoff from the vaulting table (r = –0.69), in the horizontal component of the velocity during the spring from the vaulting table (r = 0.75) and in the duration of the second fl ight phase (r = 0.69). CONCLUSIONS: The phase of the takeoff from the vaulting table is a crucial phase of the vault. Top-level artistic female gymnasts are able to execute the takeoff from the vaulting table in a relatively short period of time with a full extent of the movement (maximization of the height of the body center of mass at the board takeoff). The takeoff from the vaulting table is executed at a high vertical and horizontal velocity that ensures a suffi cient height of the vault and landing distance of from the vaulting table. The longer time of the second fl ight allowed gymnasts to complete the rotation motion during the second fl ight phase and perform a controlled and safe landing.