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Shultz SP, Kung SM, Atack AC, Buck AN, Mahaffey R. The impact of pediatric obesity on biomechanical differences across the gait cycle at three walking speeds. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 2024; 114:106236. [PMID: 38564981 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2024.106236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obesity impacts a child's ability to walk with resulting biomechanical adaptations; however, existing research has not comprehensively compared differences across the gait cycle. We examined differences in lower extremity biomechanics across the gait cycle between children with and without obesity at three walking speeds. METHODS Full gait cycles of age-matched children with obesity (N = 10; BMI: 25.7 ± 4.2 kg/m2) and without obesity (N = 10; BMI: 17.0 ± 1.9 kg/m2) were analyzed at slow, normal, and fast walking speeds. Main and interaction effects of group and speed across hip, knee, and ankle joint angles and moments in sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes were analyzed using one-dimensional statistical parametric mapping. FINDINGS Compared to children without obesity, children with obesity had greater hip adduction during mid-stance, while also producing greater hip extensor moments during early stance phase, abductor moments throughout most of stance, and hip external rotator moments during late stance. Children with obesity recorded greater knee flexor, knee extensor and knee internal rotator moments during early stance, and knee external rotator moments in late stance than children without obesity; children with obesity also demonstrated greater ankle plantarflexor moments throughout mid and late stance. Interaction effects existed within joint kinetics data; children with obesity produced greater hip extensor moments at initial contact and toe-off when walking at fast compared to normal walking speed. INTERPRETATION While few kinematic differences existed between the two groups, children with obesity exhibited greater moments at the hip, knee, and ankle during critical periods of controlling and stabilizing mass.
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Affiliation(s)
- S P Shultz
- School of Sport, Exercise, and Nutrition, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand; Kinesiology Department, Seattle University, Seattle, Washington, United States; School of Arts and Sciences, Fort Lewis College, Durango, CO, United States.
| | - S M Kung
- School of Sport, Exercise, and Nutrition, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand; Sports Medicine Department, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Sports Surgery Clinic, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - A C Atack
- School of Sport, Exercise and Applied Sciences, St Mary's University Twickenham, Twickenham, United Kingdom.
| | - A N Buck
- Kinesiology Department, Seattle University, Seattle, Washington, United States; Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
| | - R Mahaffey
- School of Sport, Exercise and Applied Sciences, St Mary's University Twickenham, Twickenham, United Kingdom.
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Bull HG, Atack AC, North JS, Murphy CP. The effect of attentional focus instructions on performance and technique in a complex open skill. Eur J Sport Sci 2023; 23:2049-2058. [PMID: 36426512 DOI: 10.1080/17461391.2022.2150895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
External focus of attention has been shown to promote more automatic motor control, yielding better performance and more efficient technique, than an internal focus. However, most research has used closed-skill tasks in novices. The extent to which the reported pattern of findings generalises to more complex, time-constrained tasks requires further investigation. In this study, we investigated the effect of attentional focus instructions on performance and technique in an open-skill task in skilled performers. Thirteen skilled cricket batters batted from a ball projector in four conditions, receiving instructions to focus on the movement of their hands (internal focus), the movement of their bat (proximal external focus), the flight of the ball (distal external focus), or no instruction (control). Performance and technique were measured by quality of bat-ball contacts and step length/knee flexion, respectively, whilst playing straight drives. Compared to external focus and control conditions, focusing internally yielded significantly worse batting performance and shorter step lengths, with the largest effects observed between internal and distal external focus conditions. Quality of bat-ball contact data suggested that participants' ability to protect the wicket (as evidenced by more miss/edge shots) was more negatively affected by focusing internally than their ability to play shots to score runs (as evidenced by fewer good bat-ball contacts). Findings suggest that, for skilled performance of open-skill tasks, a distal external focus yields more effective performance and technique compared with focusing internally. Findings highlight the need for further research on attentional focus effects between different skills within specific sports.Highlights A distal external focus of attention enhances performance and technique of skilled cricket batters compared with an internal focus.Providing skilled batters with no instructions yields similar performance benefits to distal external focus instructions.Focusing internally differentially negatively affects skilled cricket batters depending on the strategic intention of the shot being played (e.g. protecting the wicket vs attempting to score runs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamish G Bull
- Research Centre for Applied Performance Sciences, Faculty of Sport, Allied Health and Performance Science, St Mary's University, Twickenham, UK
| | - Alexandra C Atack
- Research Centre for Applied Performance Sciences, Faculty of Sport, Allied Health and Performance Science, St Mary's University, Twickenham, UK
| | - Jamie S North
- Research Centre for Applied Performance Sciences, Faculty of Sport, Allied Health and Performance Science, St Mary's University, Twickenham, UK
| | - Colm P Murphy
- Research Centre for Applied Performance Sciences, Faculty of Sport, Allied Health and Performance Science, St Mary's University, Twickenham, UK
- Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, UK
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Mattiussi AM, Shaw JW, Price P, Brown DD, Cohen DD, Lineham J, Pedlar CR, Tallent J, Atack AC. Reliability of ankle mechanics during jump landings in turned-out and parallel foot positions in professional ballet dancers. J Biomech 2023; 156:111662. [PMID: 37300978 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2023.111662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the within- and between-session reliability of ankle mechanics and vertical ground reaction forces (vGRF) during jump landings in turned-out and parallel foot positions in professional ballet dancers. Twenty-four professional ballet dancers (men = 13, women = 11) attended two data collection sessions where they completed five maximal countermovement jumps in each foot position. The ankle joint mechanics and vGRF of the right limb were recorded via a seven-camera motion capture system and one force platform. Within- and between-session intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), coefficients of variation (CV), standard error of measurement, and minimal detectable change were calculated for three-dimensional ankle excursion, peak ankle angle, ankle joint velocity, moment, and power, as well as peak landing vGRF, time to peak landing vGRF, loading rate, and jump height. Across both foot positions, within- (ICC: 0.17-0.96; CV: 1.4-82.3%) and between-session (ICC: 0.02-0.98; CV:1.3-57.1%) reliability ranged from poor to excellent, with ankle excursion, peak ankle angle, and jump height demonstrating the greatest ICC values (ICC: 0.65-0.96; CV: 1.4-57%). Jump landings in a turned-out foot position demonstrated better within-session reliability compared to a parallel position, however, no difference in between-session reliability across the foot positions was observed. Most ankle mechanics provide adequate between-session, but not within-session, reliability during jump landings in professional ballet dancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam M Mattiussi
- Faculty of Sport, Allied Health and Performance Science, St Mary's University, Twickenham, UK; Ballet Healthcare, The Royal Ballet, Royal Opera House, London, UK.
| | - Joseph W Shaw
- Faculty of Sport, Allied Health and Performance Science, St Mary's University, Twickenham, UK; Ballet Healthcare, The Royal Ballet, Royal Opera House, London, UK. https://twitter.com/@josephshaw
| | - Phil Price
- Faculty of Sport, Allied Health and Performance Science, St Mary's University, Twickenham, UK. https://twitter.com/@thepricep
| | - Derrick D Brown
- Institute of Sport Science, Dance Science, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. https://twitter.com/@ddbrown__
| | - Daniel D Cohen
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Santander, Bucaramanga, Colombia. https://twitter.com/@danielcohen1971
| | - Jack Lineham
- Faculty of Sport, Allied Health and Performance Science, St Mary's University, Twickenham, UK
| | - Charles R Pedlar
- Faculty of Sport, Allied Health and Performance Science, St Mary's University, Twickenham, UK; Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, University College London, UK. https://twitter.com/@pedlarcr
| | - Jamie Tallent
- School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, UK; Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. https://twitter.com/@jamietallent
| | - Alexandra C Atack
- Faculty of Sport, Allied Health and Performance Science, St Mary's University, Twickenham, UK. https://twitter.com/@a_atack2
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Mullally EM, Atack AC, Glaister M, Clark NC, Brown N. A cross-sectional retrospective survey of injury situation and prevalence in female recreational netball players with a focus on knee injuries. Phys Ther Sport 2023; 60:70-74. [PMID: 36706648 DOI: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2023.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine situations of injury and injury prevalence in female adult recreational netball players with a focus on knee injuries. DESIGN Cross sectional retrospective online survey. PARTICIPANTS 193 female adult recreational netball players. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Any injury sustained in the previous 12 months, situation of injury, any knee injuries sustained in the previous five years, the length of time unable to play netball, and knee injury management. RESULTS In the previous 12 months, 61% of respondents sustained injury to the lower limb, and 27% to the upper limb. Lower limb injury situations were mostly landings (46%). Upper limb injury situations were mostly collisions with an opponent (27%). 46% reported sustaining a knee injury in the previous five years. Following knee injury, players were unable to play netball for 6.8 ± 7.0 months (training); and 8.2 ± 7.4 months (matches) respectively. CONCLUSIONS Lower limb injury is more common than upper limb injury in recreational adult female adult netball players. Landing was the most common situation of injury for the lower limb including knee injuries. In the previous five years, nearly half of the players had sustained a knee injury resulting in more than six months out of the game.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaine M Mullally
- Faculty of Sport, Health and Applied Sciences. St Mary's University, Waldegrave Road, Twickenham, TW1 4SX, United Kingdom.
| | - Alexandra C Atack
- Faculty of Sport, Health and Applied Sciences. St Mary's University, Waldegrave Road, Twickenham, TW1 4SX, United Kingdom.
| | - Mark Glaister
- Faculty of Sport, Health and Applied Sciences. St Mary's University, Waldegrave Road, Twickenham, TW1 4SX, United Kingdom.
| | - Nicholas C Clark
- School of Sport, Rehabilitation, and Exercise Sciences. University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex, CO4 3SQ, United Kingdom.
| | - Nicola Brown
- Faculty of Sport, Health and Applied Sciences. St Mary's University, Waldegrave Road, Twickenham, TW1 4SX, United Kingdom.
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Atack AC, Trewartha G, Bezodis NE. The approach towards the ball, rather than the physical characteristics of the kicker, limits accurate rugby place kicking range. J Sports Sci 2021; 40:104-115. [PMID: 34530687 DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2021.1976494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to understand how a place kicker's range is limited by their approach to the ball and their physical characteristics. Thirty-three kickers performed maximal place kicks and vertical jumps in a laboratory. Whole-body motion and ground reaction forces during the approach phase of the kicks, jump performance and anthropometric measurements of those whose predicted maximum distance was limited by range (n = 17) rather than accuracy were analysed. Principal component analysis (PCA) reduced the number of variables considered before stepwise regression analyses assessed variance in place kick maximum distance and associated criteria. Four components, explaining 94% of the variance in maximum distance, were extracted from the PCA: width of approach, anterior-posterior body position, centre-of-mass height and lower limb strength. Lower limb strength was a significant predictor of both kicking foot velocity (R2 = 0.55, p = 0.001) and ball velocity magnitude (R2 = 0.57, p < 0.001). However, maximum distance was determined by body position during the approach (antero-posterior position, R2 = 0.52, p = 0.001 and centre-of-mass height, R2 = 0.12, p = 0.049). This highlights the importance of considering three-dimensional motion of the kicker alongside their physical capabilities to understand place kicking range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra C Atack
- Faculty of Sport, Allied Health and Performance Sciences, St Mary's University, Twickenham, UK
| | | | - Neil E Bezodis
- Applied Sports, Technology, Exercise and Medicine (A-STEM) Research Centre, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
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Mullally EM, Atack AC, Glaister M, Clark NC. Situations and mechanisms of non-contact knee injury in adult netball: A systematic review. Phys Ther Sport 2020; 47:193-200. [PMID: 33321267 DOI: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2020.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Noncontact knee injuries in netball are a concern due to a range of negative consequences. To reduce the number of injuries, identifying the situation and mechanism of injury is important. This systematic review examined the literature reporting the situation and mechanism of noncontact knee injury in netball. DESIGN Systematic Review. METHODS PRISMA guidelines were followed and specific key-term combinations used to search databases. Descriptive and analytic-observational studies reporting the situation or mechanism of noncontact knee injury in females playing netball were included (evaluated using frequency counts). RESULTS Six articles were included (combined sample 11,401). Players self-reported the situation of injury in five studies, only one study reported both the situation and mechanism of injury. Landing was the most reported situation of knee injury, representing 46.6% of all knee injuries whilst knee abduction (valgus) collapse was the most observed mechanism. Situation and mechanism of noncontact knee injury in netball were not adequately reported. CONCLUSIONS Despite the variations in reporting methods, landing is the most common situation of injury. As only one study reported mechanism of injury, it is difficult to draw conclusions but the mechanism of noncontact knee injury in netball appears similar to those identified in other female athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaine M Mullally
- Faculty of Sport, Allied Health and Performance Science, Health and Applied Sciences, St Mary's University, Waldegrave Road, Twickenham, TW1 4SX, UK.
| | - Alexandra C Atack
- Faculty of Sport, Allied Health and Performance Science, Health and Applied Sciences, St Mary's University, Waldegrave Road, Twickenham, TW1 4SX, UK.
| | - Mark Glaister
- Faculty of Sport, Allied Health and Performance Science, Health and Applied Sciences, St Mary's University, Waldegrave Road, Twickenham, TW1 4SX, UK.
| | - Nicholas C Clark
- School of Sport, Rehabilitation, and Exercise Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex, CO4 3SQ, UK.
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Atack AC, Trewartha G, Bezodis NE. A joint kinetic analysis of rugby place kicking technique to understand why kickers achieve different performance outcomes. J Biomech 2019; 87:114-119. [PMID: 30851976 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2019.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
We aimed to identify differences in kicking leg and torso mechanics between groups of rugby place kickers who achieve different performance outcomes, and to understand why these features are associated with varying levels of success. Thirty-three experienced place kickers performed maximum effort place kicks, whilst three-dimensional kinematic (240 Hz) and ground reaction force (960 Hz) data were recorded. Kicking leg and torso mechanics were compared between the more successful ('long') kickers and two sub groups of less successful kickers ('short' and 'wide-left') using magnitude-based inferences and statistical parametric mapping. Short kickers achieved substantially slower ball velocities compared with the long kickers (20.8 ± 2.2 m/s vs. 27.6 ± 1.7 m/s, respectively) due to performing substantially less positive hip flexor (normalised mean values = 0.071 vs. 0.092) and knee extensor (0.004 vs. 0.009) joint work throughout the downswing, which may be associated with their more front-on body orientation, and potentially a lack of strength or intent. Wide-left kickers achieved comparable ball velocities (26.9 ± 1.6 m/s) to the long kickers, but they were less accurate due to substantially more longitudinal ball spin and a misdirected linear ball velocity. Wide-left kickers created a tension arc across the torso and therefore greater positive hip flexor joint work (normalised mean = 0.112) throughout the downswing than the long kickers. Whilst this may have assisted kicking foot velocity, it also induced greater longitudinal torso rotation during the downswing, and may have affected the ability of the hip to control the direction of the foot trajectory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra C Atack
- Faculty of Sport, Health and Applied Science, St Mary's University, Twickenham, UK.
| | | | - Neil E Bezodis
- Applied Sports, Technology, Exercise and Medicine (A-STEM) Research Centre, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
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