Improving the objectivity of the current World Para Swimming motor coordination test for swimmers with hypertonia, ataxia and athetosis using measures of movement smoothness, rhythm and accuracy.

The current protocol for classifying Para swimmers with hypertonia, ataxia and athetosis involves a physical assessment where the individual's ability to coordinate their limbs is scored by subjective clinical judgment. The lack of objective measurement renders the current test unsuitable for evidence-based classification. This study evaluated a revised version of the Para swimming assessment for motor coordination, incorporating practical, objective measures of movement smoothness, rhythm error and accuracy. Nineteen Para athletes with hypertonia and 19 non-disabled participants performed 30 s trials of bilateral alternating shoulder flexion-extension at 30 bpm and 120 bpm. Accelerometry was used to quantify movement smoothness; rhythm error and accuracy were obtained from video. Para athletes presented significantly less smooth movement and higher rhythm error than the non-disabled participants (p < 0.05). Random forest algorithm successfully classified 89% of participants with hypertonia during out-of-bag predictions. The most important predictors in classifying participants were movement smoothness at both movement speeds, and rhythm error at 120 bpm. Our results suggest objective measures of movement smoothness and rhythm error included in the current motor coordination test protocols can be used to infer impairment in Para swimmers with hypertonia. Further research is merited to establish the relationship of these measures with swimming performance.

Establishing the reliability of instrumented trunk impairment assessment methods to enable evidence-based classification in Para swimming.

This study examined the reliability of instrumented trunk assessment methods across two experiments to develop and improve evidence-based classification in Para swimming. Trunk coordination, range of motion (ROM), and strength were assessed in 38 non-disabled participants. Each test battery was completed on two occasions to determine inter-session reliability. Intra-session reliability was also determined in Experiment Two. Absolute agreement of two-way mixed intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC 3,1) was calculated to assess reliability. Standard errors of measurement (SEMs) were also reported to facilitate comparisons between different outcomes. Trunk coordination measures had low-to-moderate reliability (inter-session ICCs = 0.00-0.60; intra-session ICCs = 0.14-0.65) and variable SEMs (5-60%). Trunk ROM demonstrated moderate-to-excellent reliability (inter-session ICCs = 0.61-0.93; intra-session ICCs = 0.87-0.95) and good SEMs (<10%). Trunk strength measures demonstrated good-to-excellent reliability (ICCs = 0.87-0.98) and good SEMs (<10%). The strength values obtained for the load cell and hand-held dynamometer (HHD) were significantly different from each other with the HHD underestimating strength. Modifications provided in Experiment Two improved the reliability of strength and ROM assessments but did not improve coordination measures. Further research involving para swimmers is required to establish the validity of the methods.

Is machine learning and automatic classification of swimming data what unlocks the power of inertial measurement units in swimming?

Researchers have heralded the power of inertial sensors as a reliable swimmer-centric monitoring technology, however, regular uptake of this technology has not become common practice. Twenty-six elite swimmers participated in this study. An IMU (100Hz/500Hz) sensor was secured in the participant's third lumbar vertebrae. Features were extracted from swimming data using two techniques: a novel intrastroke cycle segmentation technique and conventional sliding window technique. Six supervised machine learning models were assessed on stroke prediction performance. Models trained using both feature extraction methods demonstrated high performance (≥ 0.99 weighted average precision, recall, F1-score, area under ROC curve and accuracy), low computational training times (< 3 seconds - bar XGB and when hyperparameters were tuned) and low computational prediction times (< 1 second). Significant differences were observed in weighted average stroke prediction F1-score (p = 0.0294) when using different feature extraction methods and model computational training time (p = 0.0007), and prediction time (p = 0.0026) when implementing hyperparameter tuning. Automatic swimming stroke classification offers benefits to observational coding and notational analysis, and opportunities for automated workload and performance monitoring in swimming. This stroke classification algorithm could be the key that unlocks the power of IMUs as a biofeedback tool in swimming.

Does sports-specific training improve measures of impairment developed for para sport classification? A multiple-baseline, single-case experiment.

Conceptually, sports-specific training should not influence measures of impairment used to classify Para athletes. This study evaluated the extent to which measures of strength, range of movement and coordination developed for Para swimming classification changed in response to a performance-focused swimming programme. A five-phase multiple-baseline, single-case experimental research design was utilized. Three participants with cerebral palsy and high support needs completed the 64-week study, which included two 16-week performance-focused swimming training blocks. Swimming speed, isometric shoulder extension strength, shoulder flexion range of movement and upper limb coordination were monitored throughout.Interrupted Time-Series Simulation Method analysis demonstrated large, significant changes in swimming speed (m/s) during the first (d = 2.17; 95% CI 0.45-3.88; p = 0.01) and second (d = 2.59; 95% CI 1.66-3.52; p = 0.00) training blocks. In contrast, changes in strength, range of movement and coordination were predominantly trivial and non-significant. This was the first study to investigate training responsiveness of measures developed for Para sport classification. Results indicate that despite significantly improved swimming performance, impairment measures remained relatively stable, and therefore these measures of impairment may be valid for the purposes of Para swimming classification. Further research is required in elite athletes, different sports and different impairment types.

Developing additional competition classes for athletes with intellectual impairments: Conceptual approach and efficacy of an ICF derived measure.

The purpose of para sport classification systems is to minimize the impact of impairment on competition outcome. Currently, athletes with intellectual impairment (II) compete in one class, regardless of the extent of activity limitation resulting from their impairment. Consequently, athletes with II that cause relatively minor difficulty in sport have a competitive advantage over athletes who have intellectual impairments that cause more significant advantage. This research investigated the efficacy of a measure of health-related functional impairment, derived from the World Health Organization International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF), as a tool to classify athletes with intellectual impairments (II) into groups with impairments that cause similar activity limitation. The first study used a Delphi technique to identify the most relevant codes within the ICF from which a measure of impairment presence and severity was derived. The second study investigated whether the measure could discriminate between groups of II athletes organized into three competition groups, and whether these groups could be predicted by ICF score. The ICF-based questionnaire shows promise as a conceptual approach and as a tool in this context, but this is a preliminary step before establishing a sport-specific approach to classification.

Conceptual model of sport-specific classification for para-athletes with intellectual impairment.

The present paper describes the conceptual basis of evidence-based classification of para-athletes with intellectual impairment (II). An extensive description of the theoretical and conceptual foundation of the system as currently conceived is provided, as are examples of its applications in the three sports included in the Paralympic programme for II-athletes in 2020 (i.e., athletics, swimming and table tennis). Evidence-based classification for II-athletes is driven by two central questions: i. How can intellectual impairment be substantiated in a valid and reliable way, and ii. Does intellectual impairment limit optimal sport proficiency? Evolution of the system and current best practice for addressing these questions are described, and suggestions for future research and development are provided. Challenges of understanding and assessing a complex (multifaceted and intersectional) impairment in the context of sport also are considered.

Maximal Fully Tethered Swim Performance in Para Swimmers With Physical Impairment.

The assessment of swimming propulsion should be a cornerstone of Paralympic swimming classification. However, current methods do not objectively account for this component. PURPOSE: To evaluate the swimming propulsion of swimmers with and without physical impairment using a 30-second maximal fully tethered freestyle swim test. METHODS: Tethered forces were recorded during maximal fully tethered swimming in 80 competitive swimmers with (n = 70) and without (n = 10) physical impairment. The relationships between absolute and normalized tether forces and maximal freestyle swim speed were established using general additive models. RESULTS: Para swimmers with physical impairment had lower absolute and normalized tether forces than able-bodied swimmers, and there were moderate positive correlations found between tether forces and sport class (τ = .52-.55, P < .001). There was a nonlinear relationship between tether force and maximal freestyle swim speed in the participant cohort (adjusted R2 = .78-.80, P < .001). Para swimmers with limb deficiency showed stronger relationships between tether force and maximal freestyle swim speed (adjusted R2 = .78-.82, P < .001) than did Para swimmers with hypertonia (adjusted R2 = .54-.73, P < .001) and impaired muscle power (adjusted R2 = .61-.70, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Physical impairments affect Para swimmers' tether forces during maximal fully tethered freestyle swimming, explaining a significant proportion of their activity limitation. It is recommended that maximal fully tethered swimming be included in Paralympic swimming classification as an objective assessment of swimming propulsion.

The impact of limb deficiency impairment on Para swimming performance.

Swimmers with limb deficiency are a core population within Para Swimming, accordingly this study examined the contribution of limb segments to race performance in these swimmers. Data were obtained for 174 male Para swimmers with limb deficiency. Ensemble partial least squares regression showed accurate predictions when using relative limb segment lengths to estimate Para swimmers' personal best race performances. The contribution of limb segments to performance in swim events was estimated using these regression models. The analysis found swim stroke and event distance to influence the contributions of limb segments to performance. For freestyle swim events, these changes were primarily due to the increased importance of the hand, and decreased importance of the foot and shank, as the distance of the event increased. When comparing swim strokes, higher importance of the thigh and shank in the 100 m breaststroke compared with other swim strokes confirms the separate SB class. Varied contributions of the hand, upper arm and foot suggest that freestyle could also be separated from backstroke and butterfly events to promote fairer classification. This study shows that swim stroke and event distance influence the activity limitation of Para swimmers with limb deficiency suggesting classification should account for these factors.

Active Drag as a Criterion for Evidence-based Classification in Para Swimming.

INTRODUCTION: Paralympic classification should provide athletes with an equitable starting point for competition by minimizing the impact their impairment has on the outcome of the event. As swimming is an event conducted in water, the ability to overcome drag (active and passive) is an important performance determinant. It is plausible that the ability to do this is affected by the type and severity of the physical impairment, but the current World Para Swimming classification system does not objectively account for this component. The aim of this study was to quantify active and passive drag in Para swimmers and evaluate the strength of association between these measures and type of physical impairment, swimming performance, and sport class. METHODS: Seventy-two highly trained Para swimmers from sport classes S1 to S10 and 14 highly trained nondisabled swimmers were towed by a motorized winch while the towing force was recorded. Passive drag was measured with the arms held by the side; active drag was determined during freestyle swimming using an assisted towing method. RESULTS: Active and passive drag were higher in Para swimmers with central motor and neuromuscular impairments than for nondisabled swimmers and were associated with severity of swim-specific impairment (sport class) and maximal freestyle performance in these swimmers (r = -0.40 to -0.50, P ≤ 0.02). Para swimmers with anthropometric impairments showed similar active and passive drag to nondisabled swimmers, and between swimmers from different sport classes. CONCLUSIONS: Para swimmers with central motor and neuromuscular impairments are predisposed to high active drag during freestyle swimming that impacts on their performance. It is recommended that drag measures be considered in revised classification for these swimmers, but not for those with anthropometric impairments.

Automatic Identification of Physical Activity Type and Duration by Wearable Activity Trackers: A Validation Study.

BACKGROUND: Activity trackers are now ubiquitous in certain populations, with potential applications for health promotion and monitoring and chronic disease management. Understanding the accuracy of this technology is critical to the appropriate and productive use of wearables in health research. Although other peer-reviewed validations have examined other features (eg, steps and heart rate), no published studies to date have addressed the accuracy of automatic activity type detection and duration accuracy in wearable trackers. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the ability of 4 commercially available wearable activity trackers (Fitbits Flex 2, Fitbit Alta HR, Fitbit Charge 2, and Garmin Vívosmart HR), in a controlled setting, to correctly and automatically identify the type and duration of the physical activity being performed. METHODS: A total of 8 activity types, including walking and running (on both a treadmill and outdoors), a run embedded in walking bouts, elliptical use, outdoor biking, and pool lap swimming, were tested by 28 to 34 healthy adult participants (69 total participants who participated in some to all activity types). Actual activity type and duration were recorded by study personnel and compared with tracker data using descriptive statistics and mean absolute percent error (MAPE). RESULTS: The proportion of trials in which the activity type was correctly identified was 93% to 97% (depending on the tracker) for treadmill walking, 93% to 100% for treadmill running, 36% to 62% for treadmill running when preceded and followed by a walk, 97% to 100% for outdoor walking, 100% for outdoor running, 3% to 97% for using an elliptical, 44% to 97% for biking, and 87.5% for swimming. When activities were correctly identified, the MAPE of the detected duration versus the actual activity duration was between 7% and 7.9% for treadmill walking, 8.7% and 144.8% for treadmill running, 23.6% and 28.9% for treadmill running when preceded and followed by a walk, 4.9% and 11.8% for outdoor walking, 5.6% and 9.6% for outdoor running, 9.7% and 13% for using an elliptical, 9.5% and 17.7% for biking, and was 26.9% for swimming. CONCLUSIONS: In a controlled setting, wearable activity trackers provide accurate recognition of the type of some common physical activities, especially outdoor walking and running and walking on a treadmill. The accuracy of measurement of activity duration varied considerably by activity type and tracker model and was poor for complex sets of activity, such as a run embedded within 2 walking segments.

Establishing the reliability of a novel battery of range of motion tests to enable evidence-based classification in Para Swimming.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the reliability of swimming-specific range of movement tests developed in order to permit evidenced-based classification in the sport of para swimming. DESIGN: Test-retest intra- and inter-examiner reliability. SETTING: International Swimming training camps and university exercise science departments. PARTICIPANTS: 42 non-disabled participants (mean age 23.2 years) and 24 Para swimmers (mean age 28.5 years). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Intra- and inter-examiner reliability of a battery of novel active range of motion tests. RESULTS: Good to excellent intra-examiner reliability was found for the majority (32/34) of tests in non-disabled participants (ICC = 0.85-0.98). SEM values ranged from 1.18° to 6.11°. Similarly, good to excellent inter-examiner reliability was found for the majority (35/42) of tests in non-disabled participants (ICC = 0.85-0.98). SEM values range from 0.73° to 6.52°. Para swimmers exhibited significantly reduced range of motion compared to non-disabled participants. CONCLUSIONS: The large majority of ROM tests included in this novel battery were reliable both within and between examiners in non-disabled participants. The tests were found to differentiate between non-disabled participants and Para swimmers with hypertonia or impaired muscle power.

Performance Characteristics of Para Swimmers: How Effective Is the Swimming Classification System?

Swimming is one of the inaugural sports within the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the key difference between the Olympic and Paralympic games being the classification system. The aim of this study was to investigate how effective the current classification system creates clearly differentiated Paralympic competition classes, based on performance time for all swimming strokes and events. Based on the performance characteristics of swimmers within the current classification system, the relationship between impairment and swimming performance is inconsistent, potentially disadvantaging some athletes. Appropriate sports medicine tests are required for the development of an evidence-based swimming classification system.

Influência Verbal nas Estratégias de Coping em Atletas de Nado Sincronizado / Influencia verbal en las estrategias de "coping" en atletas de natación sincronizada / Verbal influence in coping strategies in synchronized swimming atheletes

Os objetivos do presente estudo foram: 1º investigar se uma intervenção verbal e demonstrativa, no momento discriminado como T2, promoveu alterações nas estratégias de enfrentamento (coping) quando comparado ao momento T1; 2º investigar o comportamento da percepção de eficácia após uma intervenção verbal e demonstrativa no momento T2; 3º verificar se as notas atribuídas na prova de figuras no momento T2 foram mais altas quando comparadas ao momento T1. Metodologia: Participaram 23 atletas de nado sincronizado de dois diferentes torneios, descritos como Tempo um (T1) e Tempo dois (T2). Resultados: Os resultados encontrados nos 10 pares testados (-2.40 < t(22) < 0.31) indicaram diferença apenas nas médias da subdimensão "Ação Direta" ( XT1 = 18.57; XT2 = 19.65) e revelaram-se estatisticamente diferentes (p < 0.05), antes e depois da intervenção educativa. Houve maior intensidade da OE (XT1 = 65.04; XT2 = 67.61), e uma discreta redução na intensidade da OA (XT1= 40.52; XT2 = 40.26) em T2, o que pode indicar uma tendência à maior intensidade da OE após a intervenção. Boa parte das atletas relatou maior percepção de eficácia influenciada pela intervenção verbal no momento T2. Conclusão: Apesar de não ser possível atribuir tal resultado somente à aplicação dessa intervenção educativa, consideramos a possibilidade desse programa contribuir para um maior emprego de estratégias cognitivas e comportamentais por prover maior repertorio de recursos a essas atletas (AU)

Los objetivos del presente estudio fueron: 1º investigar si una intervención verbal y demostrativa, en el momento discriminado como T2, promovió cambios en las estrategias de enfrentamiento (coping) cuando comparado al momento T1; 2º investigar el comportamiento de la percepción de eficacia después de una intervención verbal y demostrativa en el momento T2; 3º verificar si las notas atribuidas en la prueba de figuras en el momento T2 fueron más altas cuando comparadas al momento T1. Metodología: 23 atletas de natación sincronizada participado de dos torneos diferentes de natación sincronizada, descrito como Tiempo uno (T1) y el Tiempo dos (T2). Resultados: Los resultados en 10 pares probados (-2.40 < t(22) < 0.31) tenia unica diferencia en el promedio de sub dimensión "acción directa" (XT1 = 18.57; XT2 = 19.65) y ha demostrado ser diferentes (p < 0.05), antes y después de la intervención educativa. Tuvo una mayor intensidad de AO (XT1 = 65.04; XT2 = 67.61), y una liger reducción en la intensidad de EO (XT1= 40.52; XT2 = 40.26) T2, lo que indica una tendencia a una mayor intensidad de OA después de la intervención. Muchos de los atletas reportaron una mayor percepción de la eficacia de la intervención verbal en el momento T2. Conclusión: No es posible atribuir este resultado sólo la aplicación de esta intervención educativa, considere la posibilidad de este tipo de programas contribuye a un mayor uso de estrategias cognitivas y comportamiento proporcionar mayores recursos repertorio de estos atletas (AU)

The objectives of the present study were: 1st investigate if a verbal and demonstrative intervention at the moment discriminated as T2 promoted changes in coping strategies when compared to the T1 moment, 2nd investigate the behavior of the perception of efficacy after a verbal and demonstrative intervention at the time T2, 3rd to verify if the scores attributed in the proof of figures at time T2 were higher when compared to T1 moment. Methodology: 23 synchronized swimming athletes, participants in two different synchronized swimming tournaments, here described as Time one (T1) and Time two (T2), were assessed. Results: The results found in the 10 tested pairs (-2.40 < t(22) < 0.31) indicate a difference only on the subdimension "Direct Action" (XT1 = 18.57; XT2 = 19.65) and were statistically different (p < 0.05), before and after educational intervention. There was high intensity in CO (XT1 = 65.04; XT2 = 67.61) and a discreet intensity reduction in WO (XT1= 40.52; XT2 = 40.26) in T2, what may suggest a great tendency to high intensity CO after intervention. Most part of the athletes reported a better efficiency perception influenced by the verbal intervention in T2. Conclusion: Although it is not possible to accredit these results only to the educational intervention, we consider that programs as this may contribute to the usage of cognitive and behavioral strategies once they provide a larger resources repertoire the athletes (AU)

Characteristics and Challenges of Open-Water Swimming Performance: A Review.

CONTEXT: Although the popularity of open-water swimming (OWS) events has significantly increased in the last decades, specific studies regarding performance of elite or age-group athletes in these events are scarce. PURPOSE: To analyze the existing literature on OWS. METHODS: Relevant literature was located via computer-generated citations. During August 2016, online computer searches on PubMed and Scopus databases were conducted to locate published research. RESULTS: The number of participants in ultraendurance swimming events has substantially increased in the last 10 y. In elite athletes there is a higher overall competitive level of women than of men. The body composition of female athletes (different percentage and distribution of fat tissue) shows several advantages (more buoyancy and less drag) in aquatic conditions that determine the small difference between males and females. The main physiological characteristics of open-water swimmers (OW swimmers) are the ability to swim at high percentage of [Formula: see text] (80-90%) for many hours. Furthermore, to sustain high velocity for many hours, endurance swimmers need a high propelling efficiency and a low energy cost. CONCLUSION: Open-water races may be characterized by extreme environmental conditions (water temperature, tides, currents, and waves) that have an overall impact on performance, influencing tactics and pacing. Future studies are needed to study OWS in both training and competition.

La coordinación de socorristas acuáticos profesionales en espacios acuáticos naturales (playas) / The management of lifeguards in natural acuatic spaces (beaches)

Este estudio nace con la necesidad de establecer criterios básicos y descripción de recomendaciones para mejorar el nivel de atención de los socorristas acuáticos profesionales en los espacios acuáticos naturales, concretamente en el trabajo realizado en las playas, con el objetivo de aumentar la seguridad de estas zonas de baño. El estudio se ha desarrollado en la Comunidad Autónoma de Cataluña, concretamente en tres playas de varios municipios de la provincia de Barcelona. Se puede afirmar que tras esta investigación la mayor parte de los socorristas acuáticos que han participado en el estudio valoraron positivamente las medidas y criterios propuestos, asumiendo que con los mismos se puede desempeñar mejor su trabajo (AU)

This study arises from the need to establish basic criteria and the description of recommendations to improve the level of responsiveness of lifeguards in natural aquatic areas, specifically in the work done on the beaches, in order to increase the safety of these bathing areas. The study was developed Cataluña, in three beaches of different municipalities in the province of Barcelona. We can aver after this research that most of the lifeguards who participated in the study value positively the proposed measures and criteria, through the assumption that these features help improve their work (AU)

Influencia de la práctica deportiva sobre la huella plantar en atletas españoles / Influence of sport practice on the footprint in Spanish athletes

El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer la asociación entre el entrenamiento de atletas con las características de cada pie. Se midieron y compararon las huellas plantares de tres grupos de deportistas (28 velocistas, 29 fondistas, 47 nadadores) y de 67 sujetos no entrenados (GC). Para la captura de parámetros plantares se empleó una plataforma de escaneado podálico Podoscanalycer®. El índice podálico, metatarsal, medio podálico, y calcáneo fue inferior en GC respecto a corredores de velocidad, fondo, y nadadores (p<0.001). El riesgo relativo de tener un pie cavo o un tipo de pié específico por pertenecer a una determinada modalidad atlética no resulto significativo (todos p>0.05). Se concluye que los años de entrenamiento y la edad en atletas españoles no se asocian significativamente con la curvatura y tipología del pie ni sobre ningún índice plantar específico. Sin embargo, sexo e IMC se asocia significativamente con los índices plantares según la modalidad atlética (AU)

The aim of the present study was to determine the association between athletic training and characteristics of each foot. Plantar foot print of three groups of athletes (28 sprinters, 29 distance runners, 47 swimmers) and 67 sedentary subjects (CG) were measured and compared. A scanning platform breech Podoscanalyzer was employed to obtain plantar pressure measurements. The breech, metatarsal, middle breech, and calcaneus index, were lower in CG compared to sprinters, long-distance runners, and swimmers (p<0.001). The relative risk of having a cavus foot or any specific type of foot as a result of practicing a particular athletic discipline was not significant (all p>0.05). We conclude that the years of training and the age are not significantly associated neither with the curvature and the type of the foot nor with any specific plantar arch index in Spanish athletes. Nevertheless, sex and BMI are significantly associated with the plantar arch indexes according to the athletic discipline (AU)

Prevalencia del dolor de hombro en nadadores de competición: estudio piloto / Shoulder pain prevalence in competitive swimmers: a pilot study

Objetivos: conocer la prevalencia de dolor de hombro en nadadores de competición, sus características y su relación con factores antropométricos y deportivos. Métodos: estudio de prevalencia. Ciento cuarenta nadadores/as entre 12 y 24 años cumplimentaron un cuestionario durante una fase de entrenamiento específico. Resultados: el 25,7% revelaron padecer dolor de hombro. Se hallaron relaciones estadísticamente significativas entre el dolor de hombro y episodios previos de dolor (p<0,001), experiencia superior a tres años (p=0,014), Índice de Masa Corporal (p=0,015) y la especialidad estilo (p=0,008) y distancia (p=0,011). El dolor fue significativamente más intenso durante la actividad que en reposo (p<0,001).Conclusiones: el dolor de hombro en nadadores de competición entre 12 y 24 años parece ser un problema frecuente y repetitivo, que aumenta con la experiencia y que se asocia a la actividad, a un mayor Índice de Masa Corporal y a la especialidad del nadador (AU)

Objectives: to investigate the prevalence of shoulder pain in competitive swimmers and find out the characteristics of pain as well as its relation to anthropometric and sports factors.Methods: prevalence study. A hundred and forty competitive swimmers between 12 and 24 years old completed a questionnaire in a high intensity training phase. Results: 25.7% swimmers reported shoulder pain. There were significant statistical correlations between shoulder pain and previous episodes of pain (p<0.001), more than three years of experience (p=0.014), Body Mass Index (p=0.015) and stroke (p=0.008) and distance (p=0.011) specialty. Pain was statistically correlated with activity (p<0.001). Conclusions: shoulder pain seems to be a frequent and repetitive problem in competitive swimmers between 12 and 24 years old, which increases with years of practice. Furthermore, it seems to be associated with the activity, a higher Body Mass Index and the swimmers’ specialty (AU)

Classification of the pre-settlement behaviour of barnacle cyprids.

Barnacle cyprids exhibit a complex swimming and exploratory behaviour on surfaces and settlement is a consequence of extensive surface probing and selection of suitable settlement sites. In this work, the behaviour of cyprids in their pre-settlement phase was studied by three-dimensional video stereoscopy. With this technique, three-dimensional trajectories were obtained that were quantitatively analysed. The velocity during vertical sinking of cyprids of Balanus amphitrite was used with a modified form of Stokes' law to calculate their mean body density. Furthermore, a classification of the swimming patterns allowed the extension of existing models describing cyprid locomotion and swimming behaviour. The patterns were characterized with respect to their occurrence, transition between patterns and their velocity distribution, and motions were identified that led to surface contacts. This analysis provides a classification framework, which can assist future attempts to identify behavioural responses of cyprids to specific settlement cues.

Effect of periodized water exercise training program on functional autonomy in elderly women / Efecto de un programa de entrenamiento periodizado de ejercicio acuático sobre la autonomía funcional en adultas mayores

Background: Scientific evidence have been related negative functional autonomy to sedentary lifestyle in elderly women by other hand physical exercise is highly recommended to prevent deterioration of neuromuscular functions and proposed during the rehabilitation of physical disability and fall accidents. Aim: To determine the effect of periodized water exercise training on functional autonomy in elderly women. Methods: Twenty-six subjects were randomly assigned in two, water exercise intervention group (n=16) and control group (n=10); The intervention group followed 12-week of periodized water exercise training program five times a week, 30 minutes of water exercise with work heart rate reserve of 40-50% (1-6th week) increasing the load to 50-60% (7-12th week); The protocol of the Group of Latin-American Development for Maturity (GDLAM) was used to evaluate functional autonomy; As statistical analyses mixed 2 x 2 ANOVA was used, also percentage changes (Δ %) were calculated. Results: The results showed significant improvement (p<0.05) comparing the interaction intergroup and the measurements in 10 meters walk test (10mw) (p=0.001) and general GDLAM index (GI) (p=0.012), percentage changes (Δ %) showed positive improvements in the five components of (GDLAM) and (GI). Conclusion: Periodized water exercise training program was able to enhance (10 mW) and (GI) however, will be appropriated in the future more studies to better clarify the possibilities of improvements between water exercise and functional autonomy (AU)

Antecedentes: Evidencia cientifica relaciona autonomía funcional negativa y sedentarismo en adultas mayores, por otra parte el ejercicio fisico se ha recomendado para evitar el deterioro de funciones neuromusculares y durante la rehabilitacion de la discapacidad fisica y caidas. Objetivo: Determinar el efecto de un programa de entrenamiento periodizado de ejercicio acuatico sobre la autonomia funcional de adultas mayores. Metodos: Veintiseis sujetos fueron asignados al azar en grupo de ejercicio acuatico de intervencion (n = 16) y un grupo control (n = 10); El grupo de intervención participo en 12 semanas de ejercicio acuatico periodizado cinco veces por semana, 30 minutos con una frecuencia cardiaca de reserva de 40 a 50% (1-6 semana) y un aumento de la carga de 50 a 60% (7-12 semana); Se utilizo el protocolo del Grupo de Desarrollo Latinoamericano de Madurez (GDLAM) para evaluar la autonomía funcional; el analisis estadistico fue por ANOVA 2 x 2, tambien se calcularon los porcentajes de cambio (Δ%). Resultados: Se mostro mejoria significativa (p<0,05) al comparar la interaccion intergrupo y las mediciones en el test de caminar 10 metros (10 mW) (p=0,001) y el índice de GDLAM (GI) (p=0,012), los cambios porcentuales (Δ%) mostraron mejoras en los cinco componentes de (GDLAM) y (GI). Conclusion: El entrenamiento periodizado de ejercicio acuatico fue capaz de mejorar (10 mW) y (GI) en adultas mayores, aun sin embargo, se requieren futuros estudios para aclarar las posibilidades de mejora en el ejercicio acuatico y autonomia funcional (AU)

Cluster stability as a new method to assess changes in performance and its determinant factors over a season in young swimmers.

PURPOSE: To apply a new method to identify, classify, and follow up young swimmers based on their performance and its determinant factors over a season and analyze the swimmers' stability over a competitive season with that method. METHODS: Fifteen boys and 18 girls (11.8±0.7 y) part of a national talent-identification scheme were evaluated at 3 different moments of a competitive season. Performance (ie, official 100-m freestyle race time), arm span, chest perimeter, stroke length, swimming velocity, speed fluctuation, coefficient of active drag, propelling efficiency, and stroke index were selected as variables. Hierarchical and k-means cluster analysis were computed. RESULTS: Data suggested a 3-cluster solution, splitting the swimmers according to their performance in all 3 moments. Cluster 1 was related to better performances (talented swimmers), cluster 2 to poor performances (nonproficient swimmers), and cluster 3 to average performance (proficient swimmers) in all moments. Stepwise discriminant analysis revealed that 100%, 94%, and 85% of original groups were correctly classified for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd evaluation moments, respectively (0.11≤Λ≤0.80; 5.64≤χ2≤63.40; 0.001