The purpose of this study was to analyze the on-court demands of handball players during the European Handball Federation Champions League Final Four (VELUX EHF FINAL4) 2019 to define time-motion ...characteristics (played time; covered distances) both in offense and defense. Furthermore; we aimed to define position-specific demands and differences among them. Forty players from three teams were analyzed during the tournament using a local positioning system (LPS) for the first time in top handball. Players covered similar distances both in offense (1388.28 ± 2627.08 m), and in defense (1305.47 ± 5059.64 m) and remained on court for a similar average time (15.69 ± 8.02 min and 15.40 ± 8.94 min respectively). When locomotion activities were normalized according to the time they spent on court; significant differences were found for defense compared to offense in walking (+20%;
< 0.000; Cohen's effect size (ES) = 1.01) and jogging (-29.6%;
= 0.000; ES = 0.90), as well as a tendency for high-intensity running (+ 25.2%;
= 0.077; ES = 0.31). Per playing position; center and left back (CB = 94.86 ± 10.98 m·min
; LB = 96.55 ± 24.65 m·min
) showed the highest running pace in offense and mid-left; front center defender and outside right for the defense (ML = 90.38 ± 30.16 m·min
; FCD = 87.04 ± 14.94 m·min
; OR = 89.64 ± 34.93 m·min
). In conclusion; profile differences existed among players' position activity; both in offense and defense; which should be taken into account when designing specific physical training programs.
The aim of this study was to analyze the throwing velocity and effectiveness of elite male handball players during the European Championship 2020. A local positioning system was used for the first ...time in a European Championship to collect 6568 throw events from 337 players of 24 national teams during 65 matches. ANOVA (F = 80.8, p < 0.01, η2 = 0.058) revealed that back players throws were significantly faster (24.3–26.5 m/s) than the rest of the players (22.2–22.5 m/s). Similarly, throws made from the central zone showed the highest speed values of 28.0 m/s (F = 43.2, p < 0.01, η2 = 0.050). In regard to the goal hit zone, higher speeds were shown for throws in side zones (24.9–26.8 m/s) compared to central zones (23.0–23.8 m/s) (F = 49.0, p < 0.01, η2 = 0.063). Effectiveness was higher in wing players (62%–64%) than the rest (45%–56%) (F = 30.9, p < 0.01, η2 = 0.023). Interestingly, the two higher velocity categories (>22 m/s) showed similar effectiveness (~60%), which were higher than the preceding slower category of 17–22 m/s (39.7%) (F = 175.1, p < 0.01, η2 = 0.074). Regarding court zones, throws from first‐line zones (48%–60%), were more effective than from second line (38%–43%) (F = 13.1, p < 0.01, η2 = 0.016). With respect to the goal hit zone, effectiveness was higher in side (72%–77%) than in central zones (58%–64%) (F = 523.2, p < 0.01, η2 = 0.418). Coaches should improve the throwing velocity of players but also train at submaximal velocities (effective velocity) to save energy and reduce the potential risk of injury. Finally, training should be specialized according to the performance shown by players from different throwing zones, rather than from playing positions.
This paper presents a study of different types of parametric signals with application to underwater acoustic communications. In all the signals, the carrier frequency is 200 kHz, which corresponds to ...the resonance frequency of the transducer under study and different modulations are presented and compared. In this sense, we study modulations with parametric sine sweeps (4 to 40 kHz) that represent binary codes (zeros and ones), getting closer to the application in acoustic communications. The different properties of the transmitting signals in terms of bit rate reconstruction, directivity, efficiency, and power needed are discussed as well.
An observational, repeated measures design was used in this study to assess the validity of the Ergotex Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) against a 3D motion capture system for measuring trunk, hip, ...and shoulder angles in ten healthy adult males (38.8 ± 7.3 y, bodyweight 79.2 ± 115.9 kg, body height 179.1 ± 8.1 cm). There were minimal systematic differences between the devices, with the most significant discrepancy being 1.4 degrees for the 80-degree target angle, denoting Ergotex's precision in joint angle measurements. These results were statistically significant (
< 0.001), with predominantly trivial to small effect sizes, indicating high accuracy for clinical and biomechanical applications. Bland-Altman analysis showed Limits of Agreement (LoA) approximately ±2.5 degrees across all angles and positions, with overall LoA ranging from 3.6 to -2.4 degrees, reflecting Ergotex's consistent performance. Regression analysis indicated uniform variance across measurements, with minor heteroscedastic errors producing a negligible underestimation trend of around 0.5 degrees in some instances. In conclusion, the Ergotex IMU is a reliable tool for accurate joint angle measurements. It offers a practical and cost-effective alternative to more complex systems, particularly in settings where precise measurement is essential.
Physical exercise seems to have a promising effect on numerous variables related to the recovery of drug-dependent patients. However, some contradictions are found in the literature. The aim of this ...study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis in order to identify the effect of physical exercise on mental disorders, quality of life, abstinence, and craving, and make a comparison of the effect of exercise depending on the type of program. A search for articles was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. Studies were selected that measured the acute effects or long-term effect (≥2 weeks) of exercise in patients who met criteria for alcohol use disorders or substance use disorders. A total of 59 studies were included. An effect of exercise on mental disorders (standardized mean differences (SMD) = 0.66 (confidence interval (CI): 0.46, 0.86); z = 6.50;
< 0.00001) and quality of life (SMD = 0.69 (95% CI: 0.53, 0.84); z = 8.65;
< 0.00001) was identified. Subgroup analysis revealed an effect of exercise in craving (SMD = 0.80 (CI: 0.07, 1.53); z = 2.15,
= 0.03), stress (SMD = 1.11 (CI: 0.31, 1.91); = 2.73;
= 0.006), anxiety (SMD = 0.50 (CI: 0.16, 0.84); z = 2.88;
= 0.004) and depression (SMD = 0.63 (CI: 0.34, 0.92); z = 4.31;
< 0.0001). Body-mind activities and programs based on improving physical conditions produced similar results in mental disorders and quality of life. Available evidence indicates that physical exercise, both body-mind and physical fitness programs, can be effective in improving mental disorders, craving, and quality of life in drug-dependent patients.
The literature has yielded promising data over the past decade regarding the use of inertial sensors for the analysis of occupational ergonomics. However, despite their significant advantages (e.g., ...portability, lightness, low cost, etc.), their widespread implementation in the actual workplace has not yet been realized, possibly due to their discomfort or potential alteration of the worker's behaviour. This systematic review has two main objectives: (i) to synthesize and evaluate studies that have employed inertial sensors in ergonomic analysis based on the RULA method; and (ii) to propose an evaluation system for the transparency of this technology to the user as a potential factor that could influence the behaviour and/or movements of the worker. A search was conducted on the Web of Science and Scopus databases. The studies were summarized and categorized based on the type of industry, objective, type and number of sensors used, body parts analysed, combination (or not) with other technologies, real or controlled environment, and transparency. A total of 17 studies were included in this review. The Xsens MVN system was the most widely used in this review, and the majority of studies were classified with a moderate level of transparency. It is noteworthy, however, that there is a limited and worrisome number of studies conducted in uncontrolled real environments.
The teaching and learning process is highly determined by motivation and the learning environment. The motivation and thelearning environment, within education, both of them depend a lot on the ...educational methodologies that are implemented in educationalcenters. The objective of this work is to compare the motivation and the state of Flow between the Flipped Classroom methodologicalstrategy and a traditional methodology. For this reason, a quasi-experimental design study was carried out, with a selection of the non-probabilistic and intentional sample. 103 university students participated in the study, divided into an experimental group (FlippedClassroom) and a control group (traditional methodology). The motivation and the state of Flow were evaluated before the beginning ofthe lessons related to the subject: «Physical Education Didactics» and at the end of it (four months later). The 2x2 achievement goalquestionnaires (Guan et al., 2006) and DREEM (Herrera et al., 2015) were used. To determine if there are initial and final differencesbetween the groups, the T-Student test was performed on independent samples. To observe intra-group differences (pre vs. post-test),a T-Student test was detected for related samples. The results found that there are differences between the control group and theexperimental group in the variables approach/mastery (p < .001), teaching (p = .003) and learning (p = .05). With the Flipped Classroommethodology, students have higher levels of motivation and Flow status than students who teach a traditional methodology
El proceso de enseñanza y aprendizaje está muy determinado por la motivación y el ambiente de aprendizaje. La motivacióny el ambiente de aprendizaje, dentro de la educación, dependen mucho de las metodologías educativas que se implementan en los centroseducativos. El objetivo de este trabajo es comparar la motivación y el estado de Flow entre la estrategia metodológica Flipped Classroomy una metodología tradicional. Para ello se llevó a cabo un estudio de diseño cuasiexperimental, con selección de la muestra no probabilísticae intencional. 103 alumnos universitarios participaron en el estudio, divididos en un grupo experimental (Flipped Classroom) y un grupocontrol (metodología tradicional). La motivación y el estado de Flow se evaluaron antes de comenzar la impartición de leccionesrelacionadas con la asignatura: «Didáctica de la Educación Física» y al finalizar la misma (cuatro meses). Se utilizaron los cuestionariosde metas de logro 2x2 (Guan et al., 2006) y DREEM (Herrera et al., 2015). Para determinar si existían diferencias iniciales y finales entrelos grupos se realizó la prueba T-Student de muestras independientes. Para observar las diferencias intragrupo (pre vs pos-test) se utilizóuna prueba T-Student para muestras relacionadas. Los resultados muestran que existen diferencias significativas entre el grupo de controly el grupo experimental en las variables aproximación/maestría (p < .001), enseñanza(p = .003) y aprendizaje (p = .05). Con lametodología Flipped Classroom el alumnado presenta niveles en la motivación y en el estado de Flow superiores al alumnado que imparteuna metodología tradicional.
To explore the use of within-subject variation in the Cognitive Timed Up and Go test (Cognitive TUGWSV) as an explanatory variable in fall risk in the Parkinson's disease population.
Cross-sectional ...study.
Fifty-three patients with Parkinson's disease completed 3 trials of the Cognitive TUGWSV. Within-subject variation was calculated using the standard deviation of an individual's repeated measurements, and compared on the basis of the fall history reported in the previous 6 months. Participants who reported < 2 falls were classified as "non-recurrent fallers" (n = 31) and those who reported ≥ 2 falls were classified as "recurrent fallers" (n = 22). Univariate and a multivariate logistic regression were used to investigate the statistical impact of the Cognitive TUGWSV as an explanatory variable in fall risk. Discriminative ability and cut-off score were determined based on receiver operating characteristic analysis.
There was a significant difference between groups in the Cognitive TUGWSV (p = 0.002). Univariate logistic regression indicated a significant association between Cognitive TUGWSV and fall risk (χ2=12.365, p < 0.001), with an odds ratio of 2.5 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 1.34-4.65). Multivariate logistic regression showed that body mass index (BMI), Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I), Cognitive TUGWSV, and the mean velocity of the centre of foot pressure under closed eyes condition (Velocity COP (CE)) were significant explanatory variables in fall risk. Cognitive TUGWSV was the most important independent variable. Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed an acceptable discriminative power (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.757, 95% CI = 0.619-0.864, p < 0.001) and a cut-off point of 1.53 s.
A higher Cognitive TUGWSV correlated significantly with higher fall risk. Thus, diagnostic tests and exercise programmes could consider Cognitive TUGWSV when assessing fall risk in the Parkinson's disease population.
Gamification is a novel active methodology used in Physical Education to motivate students. Purpose: This study analyzed the impact of this method on the motivation of Compulsory Secondary Education ...students in Spain during an 8-session Physical Education Didactic Unit.
A total of 275 students participated, divided into a gamified group (n = 133) and a control group (n = 142). The participants filled out 2 questionnaires, one aimed at assessing Basic Psychological Needs (BPNs) (Basic Psychological Needs in Exercise Scale) and the other at measuring the motivational component (The Sport Motivation Scale).
An interaction effect (Time x Treatment) was found, with the gamified group improving in BPNs (autonomy (F(1) 57.97, p = <0.001; η
2
p
= 0.175); competence (F(1) 37.28, p = <0.001; η
2
p
= 0.120); relatedness (F(1) 51.49, p = <0.001; η
2
p
= 0.159), and intrinsic motivation (F(1) 39.65, p = <0.001; η
2
p
= 0.127), while decreasing in amotivation (F(1) 21.42, p = <0.001; η
2
p
= 0.073)).
These data suggest that a gamified intervention enhances the satisfaction of the basic psychological needs, increases intrinsic motivation, while decreases amotivation in secondary education students.
Team handball is an Olympic sport played professionally in many European countries. Nevertheless, a scientific knowledge regarding women's elite team handball demands is limited. Thus, the purpose of ...this article was to review a series of studies (n = 33) on physical characteristics, physiological attributes, physical attributes, throwing velocity, and on-court performances of women's team handball players. Such empirical and practical information is essential to design and implement successful short-term and long-term training programs for women's team handball players. Our review revealed that (a) players that have a higher skill level are taller and have a higher fat-free mass; (b) players who are more aerobically resistant are at an advantage in international level women team handball; (c) strength and power exercises should be emphasized in conditioning programs, because they are associated with both sprint performance and throwing velocity; (d) speed drills should also be implemented in conditioning programs but after a decrease in physical training volume; (e) a time-motion analysis is an effective method of quantifying the demands of team handball and provides a conceptual framework for the specific physical preparation of players. According to our results, there are only few studies on on-court performance and time-motion analysis for women's team handball players, especially concerning acceleration profiles. More studies are needed to examine the effectiveness of different training programs of women's team handball players' physiological and physical attributes.
PDF
