The effect of ergometer design on rowing stroke mechanics.

The effect of rowing ergometer design upon power delivery and coordination patterns of the rowing stroke was analyzed for 14 elite rowers. Rowers were tested in three ergometer conditions: the fixed stretcher Concept2c ergometer, the Concept2c ergometer mounted on sliding rails, and the sliding stretcher RowPerfect ergometer. Ergometers were instrumented to measure the external force generated at the handle and the foot stretcher and a nine-segment inverse dynamics model used to calculate joint and overall power delivery. Peak power generation and absorption at the knee joint was significantly greater, and total power delivered to the ergometer delayed on the fixed stretcher ergometer when compared to the sliding stretcher ergometers. No differences were found in the mechanical energy delivered to the handle of the three ergometers; however, greater joint mechanical energy production of the lower limb reduced mechanical efficiency when rowing the Concept2c fixed ergometer. The fixed foot stretcher on the Concept2c fixed ergometer acts to increase the inertial forces that the rower must overcome at the catch, increasing the moment and power output at the knee, and affecting the coordination pattern during the recovery phase.

Intermediate results of health related quality of life after vertical banded gastroplasty.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to evaluate (a) health-related quality of life (HRQL) after vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) (Mason) and (b) predictors of HRQL. SUBJECTS: Eighty-two consecutive patients were assessed preoperatively and then after 6, 12 and 24 months. Patients filled out questionnaires for subjective appraisal of HRQL (physical well-being, mood, physical performance, perceived health, social support and coping/adjustment). RESULTS: The greatest improvement in weight and HRQL was seen within 6 months of surgery. Twenty-four months after VBG weight reduction (P<0.05), perceived health (P<0.05), physical well-being (P<0.05), physical performance (P<0.05), mood (P<0.05), coping/adjustment (P<0.05) continued to be better than before surgery. Preoperative binge eating was the most important predictor of HRQL. CONCLUSION: Two years after VBG weight loss and a significant improvement of HRQL can be found. HRQL and weight loss are not associated in terms of outcome, indicating that weight loss alone may not be enough to improve HRQL.

Fermentation patterns of poorly fermenting cabbage hybrids.

Thirteen varieties of cabbage, including five commonly used commercial varieties and eight newly developed hybrids, were analyzed for their ability to undergo lactic acid fermentations. The rates of fermentation, total quantities of acids produced, and chemical analyses indicate that 11 of the 13 selections could support adequate fermentation at any of the three stages of maturation. However, two varieties G27 x G51 (105) and G60 x W-1 (106), harvested during the earlier phases of the 1967 and 1968 growing seasons, failed to undergo proper fermentations and consistently resulted in producing putrid products. These hybrids when harvested at the late stage of maturation were capable of producing total titratable acidities comparable to the acceptable varieties. However the resulting sauerkrauts were judged to be of poor quality. The inability of these varieties to support adequate fermentations may be due to growth inhibitory substances or the lack of inherent maturation-dependent growth factor(s) essential for the growth of lactic acid bacteria.