Características antropométricas, condición física y velocidad de lanzamiento en balonmano de élite y amateur

166 p.

Physiological modules for generating discrete and rhythmic movements: Component analysis of EMG signals

A central question in Neuroscience is that of how the nervous system generates the spatiotemporal commands needed to realize complex gestures, such as handwriting. A key postulate is that the central nervous system (CNS) builds up complex movements from a set of simpler motor primitives or control modules. In this study we examined the control modules underlying the generation of muscle activations when performing different types of movement: discrete, point-to-point movements in eight different directions and continuous figure-eight movements in both the normal, upright orientation and rotated 90 degrees. To test for the effects of biomechanical constraints, movements were performed in the frontal-parallel or sagittal planes, corresponding to two different nominal flexion/abduction postures of the shoulder. In all cases we measured limb kinematics and surface electromyographic activity (EMB) signals for seven different muscles acting around the shoulder. We first performed principal component analysis (PCA) of the EMG signals on a movement-by-movement basis. We found a surprisingly consistent pattern of muscle groupings across movement types and movement planes, although we could detect systematic differences between the PCs derived from movements performed in each sholder posture and between the principal components associated with the different orientations of the figure. Unexpectedly we found no systematic differences between the figute eights and the point-to-point movements. The first three principal components could be associated with a general co-contraction of all seven muscles plus two patterns of reciprocal activatoin. From these results, we surmise that both "discrete-rhythmic movements" such as the figure eight, and discrete point-to-point movement may be constructed from three different fundamental modules, one regulating the impedance of the limb over the time span of the movement and two others operating to generate movement, one aligned with the vertical and the other aligned with the horizontal.

Zehaztasun handiko artikulazioen malgutasun analisia.

[EU]Azken urteetan argi geratu da gizakiak aurrera egiteko ezinbestekoa duela zehaztasuna. Teknologia berriak geroz eta bideratuagoak daude produktuen tamaina ahalik eta gehien murrizten edota produktu handien perdoiak nanometroetara hurbiltzeko ahaleginetan. Hau lortzeko bidean ezinbestekoa da elementu guztietan zehaztasuna limitera eramatea eta funtsean, honetan zentratuko da lan hau. Proiektu hau artikulazioen zehaztasuna hobetzeko tekniketan zentratuko da, gehiago zehaztuz, optika arloan lan egingo duen errobot baten artikulazioak analizatuko ditu. Artikulazioen zehaztasun optimoa lortzeko artikulazio hauek generazio berriko artikulazioak izatea pentsatu da, artikulazio flexible edo “flexible joints” izenekoak. Artikulazio hauek, orain artekoak ez bezala, ez dituzte bi elementu elkartuko, elementu bakarrez osatuta egongo dira eta bere buruarekiko errotazioz eta flexioz egingo dute lan honela, ohiko artikulazioek funtzionamendu egokirako behar duten lasaiera baztertu egingo da zehaztasun hobeak lortuz. Lan honetan zehar artikulazio flexible mota bat aukeratuko da eta geometriaren hainbat parametroren eta material ezberdinen aurrean edukiko duen jokaera analizatuko da. Aipatu beharra dago, artikulazio flexibleak azken hamarkadetan garatutako ideiak direnez beraiei buruzko informazioa oso pribatizatua dagoela eta ez dela lan erraza hau interneten edota liburutegietan topatzea. Ala ere, hauen analisirako aurkitu den informazio guztia eranskinetan dauden artikuluetan dago. Bertatik atera den informazio garrantzitsuena elementu finituen bitartezko analisian geometriak eduki beharreko baldintza batzuk eta ulermen eta aldaratze egokia lortzeko komeni diren datuak zehaztea izan da. Interesgarria da aipatzea analisiaren ondorioak konstante elastiko eta biratu dezaketen angelu maximoaren bitartez egin direla.

Analysis of the Response Speed of Musculature of the Knee in Professional Male and Female Volleyball Players

The aim of this study was to evaluate the normalized response speed (Vrn) of the knee musculature (flexor and extensor) in high competitive level volleyball players using tensiomyography (TMG) and to analyze the muscular response of the vastus medialis (VM), rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), and biceps femoris (BF) in accordance with the specific position they play in their teams. One hundred and sixty-six players (83 women and 83 men) were evaluated. They belonged to eight teams in the Spanish women's superleague and eight in the Spanish men's superleague. The use of Vrn allows avoiding possible sample imbalances due to anatomical and functional differences and demands. We found differences between Vrn in each of the muscles responsible for extension (VM, RF, and VL) and flexion (BF) regardless of the sex. Normalized response speed differences seem to be larger in setters, liberos and outside players compared to middle blockers and larger in males when compared to females. These results of Vrn might respond to the differences in the physical and technical demands of each specific position, showing an improved balance response of the knee extensor and flexor musculature in male professional volleyball players.

Exploring Game Performance in the National Basketball Association Using Player Tracking Data

Recent player tracking technology provides new information about basketball game performance. The aim of this study was to (i) compare the game performances of all-star and non all-star basketball players from the National Basketball Association (NBA), and (ii) describe the different basketball game performance profiles based on the different game roles. Archival data were obtained from all 2013-2014 regular season games (n = 1230). The variables analyzed included the points per game, minutes played and the game actions recorded by the player tracking system. To accomplish the first aim, the performance per minute of play was analyzed using a descriptive discriminant analysis to identify which variables best predict the all-star and non all-star playing categories. The all-star players showed slower velocities in defense and performed better in elbow touches, defensive rebounds, close touches, close points and pull-up points, possibly due to optimized attention processes that are key for perceiving the required appropriate environmental information. The second aim was addressed using a k-means cluster analysis, with the aim of creating maximal different performance profile groupings. Afterwards, a descriptive discriminant analysis identified which variables best predict the different playing clusters. The results identified different playing profile of performers, particularly related to the game roles of scoring, passing, defensive and all-round game behavior. Coaching staffs may apply this information to different players, while accounting for individual differences and functional variability, to optimize practice planning and, consequently, the game performances of individuals and teams.