Health Pedagogy and Sport: Attitudes and Practices of Gymnastics Coaches

Gymnasts are exposed to intense training,frequent competitions,controlled diets and high levels of psychological distress in youth age.These aspects can negatively affect athletic performance and have health consequences.Accordingly,if the coaches do not possess adequate knowledge and specific multi-disciplinary skills related to sports practice and health pedagogy,young athletes can be exposed to different health risks.The aim of this study is to investigate the knowledge and attitudes of coaches and identify any education needs to enhance or preserve the gymnasts’well-being.The sample is represented by 98 Italian rhythmic gymnastics coaches of different levels.The data were obtained by using structured and anonymous questionnaires with open and closed answers administered through interview.The aspects examined are related to nutrition,food supplements,overtraining syndrome,educational topics,gymnasts’hassles and trainings needs of coaches.Critical aspects that emerge from this study show the need for specific scientific training and support for coaches.This objective can be achieved by providing constant technical and scientific support,in order to make the coaches fully aware of their educational,pedagogical and long-term health responsibilities of their athletes.

Video Analysis of Side Hop Technique in Trials

Trials is a specialty of off-road cycling in which the rider has to face obstacle courses without resting feet on the ground. Technique in this sport has a great importance, since it reduces the risk of committing penalties and allows more efficient execution of the gesture. To improve technique, the motion analysis allows to study the gesture both qualitatively and quantitatively. In this work video analysis was used to study the side hop from rear wheel technique. Two different executions of this technique were analyzed. The primary purpose is the identification of the phases that make up the technical gesture. It was given an explanation to the movement strategies adopted in the execution of the jump in the two different situations.

Use of Optoelectronic Systems for the Analysis of Technique in Trials

Optoelectronic systems represent the gold standard of technologies used in the motion analysis for the evaluation of kinematics. Trials, a specialty of mountain biking, differ a lot from other cycling specialties, because in addition to pedaling, they require jumping techniques to overcome obstacles that involve the whole body. In this sport, more than in others, the evaluation of technical movements using optoelectronic systems goes far beyond simply assessing the biomechanics of pedaling or the correct positioning on the bike. Starting from a previous study conducted with video analysis technique applied to the lateral jumping technique, two versions of this technique were compared, considering the kinematics of the act, taking into account both the data relating the subject and the bicycle. The joint angles of the lower limbs and the angles described by the bicycle on the three space plane were considered. The major differences have been found in the ＂leap over＂ phase, about the bending of the lower limbs and the angles described by the bicycle.

Motion Analysis Technologies for Biomechanical Gait and Postural Analysis in Ballet

The dominant element in ballet is the search for flawless performance. The specific training required from early years may cause some changes compared to the normal human anatomy and physiology. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of motion analysis technologies for the evaluation of frequent changes in biomechanics of posture and dance. This paper presents an overview of the literature on the main postural compensation employed by the dancer; more specifically on the training effect of the fundamental basic techniques in ballet. It then focuses on the characteristics and potential of motion analysis technologies for the biomechanical evaluation of the dancer. The technologies investigated in this study are the optoelectronic system of gait analysis, which is one of the most advanced technologies for multifactorial motion analysis, integrated with the use of the force platform and the electromyography. These technologies enable a quantitative three-dimensional integrated multifactorial motion analysis in relation to kinematics and dynamics. Through specific systems of motion analysis, the instrumental analysis can describe objectively and with reasonable accuracy the biomechanics, the postural compensation, and the gait of the dancer.

The Correlation Between Technologies and Rating Scales in Gait Analysis

Gait is a key function of human movement which plays an important role in motion analysis. Both in the clinical field and in rehabilitation, gait analysis is useful to evaluate the parameters that are modified following the administration of a protocol of adapted physical activity （APA）. Gait parameters could be measured using traditional rating scales, such as the Short Physical Performance Battery （SPPB） and technologies as a support to provide an assessment of gait quality. The aim of this study is to increase the objectivity of gait data obtained before and after a targeted APA program for a group of elderly people by integrating the traditional SPPB rating scale with the G Walk digital system. The former is an assessment tool to evaluate the functioning of lower extremity, in terms of chair stand, walk, and standing balance; whereas the latter can objectively evaluate the parameters of the gait. The sample was composed of I 1 adults aged between 67 and 94 years. The participants were chosen on the basis of a number of tests carried out to analyze their levels of autonomy, intellectual capacities and motor functioning. It has planned a six months APA protocol： before and after it, SPPB and G-Walk were administered. The results showed that space-time characteristics generally improve after APA intervention; therefore, the use of technology is a useful support for the evaluation scales.