Forensic kinesiology: foundations of an interdiscipline for accident/crime investigation.

Kinesiology is the study of human movement, and comprises several disciplines, each devoted to a specific aspect of human activity, each with its own set of principles and methods to assess and analyze movement. Forensic kinesiology is the application of kinesiological techniques to accident/crime investigation; specialists in this field can use various tools and procedures to measure, analyze, model, and determine the movement sequences involved in events under investigation. This article will highlight major subdisciplines of kinesiology most relevant to forensics, present the key assessment and analytical tools used by kinesiologists, and demonstrate how both the principles and the practices of kinesiology can be applied to accident/crime investigation.

Physical training of combat diving candidates: implications for the prevention of musculoskeletal injuries.

Physical training (PT) is a significant component in the operational preparation for Canadian Forces (CF) combat divers. However, in developing the various components of a PT program, consideration must be given to the potential for increasing the risk of injury. Indeed, all PT programs should incorporate components that minimize risks of injury, thereby attempting to prevent injury. This report identifies high-risk activities associated with PT during a CF Combat Diving Course and contains recommendations for PT modifications. Major high-risk activities identified were: inappropriate exercises, errors in exercise prescription, particularly in intensity and duration and incorrect lifting methods. From a specificity of training perspective, there is little support for the incorporation of 'dry land flutter kick' (i.e., repetitive, unsupported alternating straight leg raises), or high repetitions of push-ups, sit-ups and chin-ups in the training of CF combat diving candidates. Excessive use of these exercises, as performed during training, pose a high-risk for injury and are not recommended.

Assessing human movement with accelerometry.

The methods for measuring and evaluating human movement have advanced rapidly over the past 2 decades. The use of smaller, lighter, more powerful personal computers, digital video cameras and miniature, portable accelerometers have allowed the health professional, engineer, sports coach and scientist to very precisely record and quantify human movements on the sports field, in the business office, industrial setting and in the home. Most human motion analysis systems have evolved to meet the particular needs of the user. One such system that has developed over the past ten years in the Sport Science Laboratory at Dalhousie University is the Padlog series of accelerometer systems. This paper will discuss the development the Padlog systems at Dalhousie.

A research pilot project to test the efficacy of current pedorthic practices in the Canadian Forces.

Impact loading is a major factor in the high prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries among military personnel during operational tasks. One of the therapeutic purposes of a pedorthic approach is to attenuate impact load through footwear and supportive device cushioning. The following research pilot project attempts to investigate this relationship. Vertical acceleration was collected at the fourth lumbar level in 30 members of the Canadian Forces (CF) during two ladder descents on a CF warship. Body weight, time of descent, and a description of footwear and any additional supportive appliances were also collected. None of the evaluated variables were significantly different between members wearing standard issue footwear and medically prescribed footwear and supportive devices. Although the results of this research pilot must be viewed with caution, the preliminary findings of this pilot tends to suggest that the current pedorthic practices may not effectively reduce peak impact forces at the fourth lumbar level of the spine among CF personnel during a selected naval activity.

The etiology of low back pain in military helicopter aviators: prevention and treatment.

Low back pain (LPB) is a major health problem among military rotary-wing aircrews worldwide. In order to define the etiology and propose remedies to LBP in helicopter aviators a review and critique of the literature was conducted. In-flight sitting posture and vibration generated by the aircraft were identified as high risk factors for LBP. Consequently, researchers recommended ergonomic modifications to the crew stations. The efficacy of these technical interventions has not been proven. As well, these design changes are not financially practical. Following an in depth kinesiological analysis of the physical demands of this type of flying, and preliminary experimentation, an alternative aeromedical approach focusing on the aircrew rather than the craft is presented. The authors propose a set of flight-specific exercises that might effectively deal with this problem. A thorough testing of this approach is envisioned.

Effects of Hot or Cold Water Immersion and Modified Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Flexibility Exercise on Hamstring Length.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the changes in hamstring length resulting from modified proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation flexibility training in combination with cold-water immersion, hot-water immersion, and stretching alone. DESIGN AND SETTING: Training-only subjects stood motionless for 10 minutes, while subjects in the cold group stood in a cold-water bath (8 degrees +/- 1 degrees C) immersed up to the gluteal fold for 10 minutes, and subjects in the hot group stood in a hot-water bath (44 degrees +/- 1 degrees C) immersed up to the gluteal fold for 10 minutes. All subjects exercised only the right lower limb using a modified proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation flexibility protocol, consisting of 1 set of 4 repetitions. This procedure was followed for 5 consecutive days. SUBJECTS: Forty-five uninjured subjects (21 women, 24 men; age range, 18-25 years) were randomly assigned to the cold, hot, or stretching-alone group. MEASUREMENTS: Subjects were measured for maximum active hip flexion on the first and fifth days. RESULTS: Group results were assessed using a 2 x 3 analysis of variance, comparing changes in hamstring length from pretest to posttest. All 3 groups had significant improvements in hamstring length (pretest to posttest) (P <.05). However, no significant differences occurred among groups. CONCLUSIONS: No advantage was apparent in using complete hot or cold immersion to increase hamstring length in healthy subjects.