Reduced gravity effects on gait coordinative structures.

Humans have stepped on the Lunar surface for less than 80 h of Extravehicular Activity, providing a narrow understanding of Lunar gait patterns. NASA's Human-crewed Artemis missions are quickly approaching; understanding how fractional gravity affects gait patterns will be critical for the Moon's and Mars' long-term habitation. This study examined gait patterns under 1.0 g (Earth), simulated 0.38 g (Martian), and 0.17 g (Lunar). Participants walked and ran on a treadmill supported by ARGOS (Active Response Gravity Offload System), simulating fractional gravity. Vicon motion capture data and principal component analysis software were used to capture and quantify coordinated gait structures. There were found to be significant differences (p < 0.05) in the coordinative gait structures for ambulation between fractional gravity conditions. Additionally, there were significantly higher asymmetric gait components for Lunar conditions. Finally, a skipping coordinative structure was identified within Lunar and Martian running.

Increased sprint performance with false step in collegiate athletes trained to forward step.

The ability to achieve rapid acceleration is a crucial asset for athletes. An emergent tactic to achieve this advantage has been the performance of a backward step when beginning a sprinting action. This action has even gained the moniker 'false step', implying its lack of utility. Thus, a significant debate has developed among coaches regarding the value of this phenomenon. This study examined the false step through a comparison with a forward step condition, where participants were only allowed to step forward to initiate a sprint. Comparisons were made between velocity products as well as mechanical antecedents during the first milliseconds of sprint initiation. Participants were 30 healthy college-aged student-athletes, who were asked to perform three false step and forward step sprint trials. Timing gates and 3D modelling were used to examine velocities and mechanical variables during these trials. Overall, results demonstrated that the false step was significantly (p < 0.001) faster (0.23s; 9.44%) over a ten-metre sprint. Additionally, angular variables of the ankles during sprint initiation were found to be significantly different between false and forward step conditions. Findings suggest that the false step may be beneficial for athletes and is an advantageous technique for achieving a rapid change in velocity.

The relationship between the digit ratio (2D:4D) and vertical jump performance in young athletes.

BACKGROUND: Digit ratio (2D:4D), a putative marker of prenatal testosterone, is a negative correlate of sports, athletic, and fitness performance. OBJECTIVES: To describe the relationship between 2D:4D and vertical jump performance in athletes. METHODS: Sixty-one Division I American Football players from a Midwestern U.S. university had their 2D:4D measured digitally and their vertical jump performance measured using jump mechanography. The primary outcome was jump height, with secondary outcomes depicting jump execution also recorded. Linear relationships between 2D:4D and vertical jump performance were quantified using partial correlations adjusted for age, height, mass, and ethnicity. RESULTS: 2D:4D was a statistically significant weak negative correlate of jump height (partial r [95% confidence interval]: -0.26 [-0.48, -0.01]), indicating that athletes with lower 2D:4Ds (i.e., relatively longer 4th digits) jumped higher. Relationships with jump execution variables were negligible to weak and negative, but not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The significant relationship between 2D:4D and jump height probably reflects both the long-term organizational and short-term activational benefits of testosterone. Therefore, 2D:4D may be a useful indicator of explosive strength among young athletes.

National Board Certified Physical Educators: perceived changes related to the certification process.

In this study, we examined National Board certified physical education teachers' (NBCPETs) perceptions of change as a result of certification. Randomly selected NBCPETs (65; women = 53, men = 12) were interviewed. Analysis was done through the lens of Lawson's (1989) Model of the interactive factors Influencing workplace conditions for the Physical Education Teacher Several themes connected to teachers' views of themselves as NBCPETs surfaced. In particular more teaching reflection and a greater focus on student learning and assessment, including an increased emphasis on individualizing teaching were described. An elevation in their perceived status and credibility and expanded opportunities within the educational community also emerged. Alternatively, several NBCPETs explained that the certification process had little or no effect on their teaching