This study investigated the explanatory power of a sensor fusion of two complementary methods to explain performance and its underlying mechanisms in ski jumping. A differential Global Navigation ...Satellite System (dGNSS) and a markerless video-based pose estimation system (PosEst) were used to measure the kinematics and kinetics from the start of the in-run to the landing. The study had two aims; firstly, the agreement between the two methods was assessed using 16 jumps by athletes of national level from 5 m before the take-off to 20 m after, where the methods had spatial overlap. The comparison revealed a good agreement from 5 m after the take-off, within the uncertainty of the dGNSS (±0.05m). The second part of the study served as a proof of concept of the sensor fusion application, by showcasing the type of performance analysis the systems allows. Two ski jumps by the same ski jumper, with comparable external conditions, were chosen for the case study. The dGNSS was used to analyse the in-run and flight phase, while the PosEst system was used to analyse the take-off and the early flight phase. The proof-of-concept study showed that the methods are suitable to track the kinematic and kinetic characteristics that determine performance in ski jumping and their usability in both research and practice.
Scientific understanding of the contextual interference effect stems mainly from studies on unskilled participants learning artificial laboratory tasks. Although one goal of such studies is to ...extrapolate the findings to include real-world learning situations such as sports, this generalization is not straightforward. This study tested the contextual interference effect with 66 sub-elite, competitive alpine ski racers who learned a new movement pattern−the pumping technique to increase velocity in slalom−by practicing this skill in three different slalom courses over a 3-day training period. The interleaved group practiced all three courses each day in a semi-random order. In contrast, the blocked group practiced only one course each day, which was randomized and counterbalanced across the participants in this group. A retention test was delivered 72 h after the last practice day. In contrast to our hypothesis, the interleaved group did not display significantly better retention than the blocked group. The interleaved group’s performance was also not significantly attenuated during skill learning compared to the blocked group. Our results underscore the importance of conducting motor learning experiments in natural environments to understand the conditions that facilitate learning beyond the laboratory environment.
Important insight into ski function, and ultimately skier technique and tactics, can be gained by studying how measured ski trajectories compare to predictions based on theoretical models of ski-snow ...interaction mechanics. The aim of this investigation was to use a 3D kinematic data set collected on highly-skilled skiers during slalom race simulations to quantify ski motion characteristics and to compare these measures with theoretical predictions based primarily on ski geometrical characteristics. For slalom turns on moderate steepness (19°), ski edging angles reached maximum values of 65.7 ± 1.7° and 71.0 ± 1.9° for 10 and 13 m gate spacings. Turn radii reached minimum values of 3.96 ± 0.23 and 4.94 ± 0.59 m for the 10 and 13 m courses. These values were in good agreement with theoretical predictions by Howe (2001) of turn radius based on edging angle. Other results of the study support recent developments in understanding of the role which the ski shovel plays in groove formation during carving, and also point to the need for further study of how ski geometrical and physical characteristics interact to determine the ski's trajectory, particularly at low edge angles. These results have important implications for understanding the consequences that ski design can have for skier technique and tactics in competitive slalom skiing.
Having dementia before the age of 65 (YOD) represents a radical break from an age-normative and expected life course. The disease afflicts the person's identity, threatens the self-image and ...self-confidence, and erodes the person's plans. The aim of the study was toexamine how people living alone with YOD perceive the course of dementia, their needs, and coping strategies, with a focus on narrating everyday life experiences. A longitudinal study using a qualitative approach was used. Five interviews, each with 10 informants, took place every 6 months from 2014 to 2017. The main theme is the person's experiences of changes of identity over time. The most significant aspects of their experiences of the dementia affecting them and their reactions are these: the initial signs, coping efforts, concealing the diagnosis, social retraction, existential anxiety, revival of the self, worse and worse, and health personnel as background. The study concluded thatpeople with dementia are able to describe their experiences and needs for a long time during the progression of dementia. Their voices should be listened to for planning of services. Personalized care should be used to support them in order to preserve their identity in a normalized everyday life as far as possible.
The aim of the present study was to investigate and interpret metaphorical expressions of the lived experiences of everyday life in people with young-onset dementia (YOD) and to compare these ...findings with findings from an analysis via grounded theory to see if the second analysis adds more knowledge to the topic. In this secondary analysis of data, metaphors from 20 Norwegian men and women living with YOD were investigated. Using Steger's anthropological three-step method, three categories were identified: Sliding away, leaving traces, and all alone in the world. Comprehensively, we understood the metaphors as representing the participants' shifting sense of being. The main findings of the study show that by analysing the data by combining and using both methods, more knowledge to the topic was added. Acknowledging metaphorical expressions as a source of knowledge, this study reflects on how metaphors can be used in therapeutic dialogue. We conclude that metaphors add to the understanding of descriptions of daily life in a more existential way, beyond the results gained from the grounded theory analysis. However, the findings from the analysis via grounded theory included aspects that we did not find when analysing the metaphors.
Når demens rammer unge Rosness, Tor Atle; Haugen, Per Kristian; Engedal, Knut
Tidsskrift for den Norske Lægeforening,
2011, Volume:
131, Issue:
12
Journal Article
There are few studies of young persons (<65 years old) with dementia, and the situation of their children has been a neglected research field. The aim is explore how adult children of a parent with ...young-onset dementia have experienced the development of their parents' dementia and what needs they have for assistance.
Qualitative interviews with 14 informants (aged 20-37 years; 12 daughters, 2 sons) during 2011 were conducted and analyzed thematically.
The informants experienced great burdens and felt neglected during the development of their parents' dementia, both by their family and by health and social services. They emphasized a need to be seen as individuals, with their experiences, feelings, and personal needs for assistance. The stresses experienced during the development of parental dementia seemed to increase conflicts in the family. There were variations in reactions between children, depending on age, gender, family structure and relationships, responsibilities, personal relations with both parents, and whether there was an adult primary caregiver. The length of time living together with the parent with dementia seemed to increase the stress and burden to the children. They expressed a great need for information and support.
The findings strengthen the notion of the need for family-oriented support, combined with person-centered care for the children according to their needs. In addition, group meetings and contact with other young people in the same stage of life could be of interest for some.
Background: Promoting adaptation, improving well-being and maintaining an optimal quality of life (QOL) is an important aspect in dementia care. The purpose of this study was to identify determinants ...of QOL in young onset dementia, and to assess differences in QoL domains between people with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD).
Methods: In total 135 persons with AD and 58 persons with FTD were included from two prospective cohort studies. QOL was assessed with the proxy reported quality of life in Alzheimer's disease questionnaire (QoL-AD). Possible determinants were explored using multiple linear regression and included sociodemographic variables, diagnosis, dementia severity, disease awareness, neuropsychiatric symptoms, met and unmet needs and hours of personal and instrumental care. Differences between QOL domains in people with AD and FTD were calculated using Mann-Whitney U tests.
Results: Lower QOL was associated with more depressive symptoms, lower disease awareness, and a higher amount of needs, both met and unmet. People with AD scored lower on the memory and higher on the friends' subscale. No differences were found for the other items.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates a unique set of determinants of QOL in AD and FTD. Interventions directed towards these specific factors may improve QOL.
People with younger onset dementia (YOD <65 years) experience a great transformation of existential life. Living alone, they lack the support of a partner, and have a higher risk of moving into a ...residential care facility.
To explore how people living alone with YOD experience and cope with transitions during the progression of dementia.
A longitudinal qualitative approach was used. From 2014 to 2018, we interviewed 10 persons with YOD every 6 months for up to four years.
Two significant main transitions and themes were registered under the perspective; experiencing and coping with (1) receiving the diagnosis of dementia and (2) moving to a residential care facility, which covers two subthemes: moving to a supported living accommodation and moving to a nursing home. To get the diagnosis was initially experienced as a dramatic disaster, while moving to residential care were mainly experienced as positive. With efficient cognitive and emotion-focused coping strategies, the participants adapted and experienced a mostly good life for a long time.
People with dementia can describe their lived experiences for a long time after receiving the diagnosis. They adapt and preserve a feeling of a rather good life by the efficient use of various coping strategies. High-quality public support is of significant importance to assist them in sustaining quality of life and vitality.
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