Evaluation of Ability of Two Different Pneumatic Boxing Gloves to Reduce Delivered Impact Forces and Improve Safety

Two prototype pneumatic boxing gloves of different design were compared against conventional 10?oz (Std 10?oz) and 16?oz (Std 16?oz) gloves in terms of ability to reduce impact forces delivered to a target. One of the pneumatic gloves (SBLI) contained a sealed air bladder inflated to a pressure of 2?kPa. The other (ARLI) incorporated a bladder that allowed release of air to the external environment upon contact with a target, followed by rapid air reuptake. Each glove was placed on to a mechanical fist and dropped 10 times on to an in-floor force plate from each of nine heights ranging from 1.0 to 5.0 metres, with the 5-metre drop generating a peak pre-impact glove velocity close to the reported maximum for elite boxers. Compared to the conventional gloves, the ARLI glove substantially reduced peak impact forces at all drop heights, with the reduction exceeding 30% even at the 5-metre level. The SBLI glove was as effective as the ARLI glove in reducing peak impact forces at drop heights of up to 2.5 metres, but its performance then progressively diminished, and at drop heights of 4.0, 4.5 and 5.0 metres it produced peak force readings similar to those recorded for the Std 10?oz and Std 16?oz gloves. The superiority of the ARLI glove was even more evident in relation to peak rate of force development, with reductions relative to the Std 10?oz glove being ~60% at drop heights up to 3.5 metres and still ~47% at 5 metres. Peak rate of force development for the SBLI glove exceeded that for the ARLI glove for all drop heights of 2.0 metres and above, and at 4.0, 4.5 and 5.0 metres it was higher than the readings for the Std 10 oz and 16?oz gloves. The protective effect of the ARLI glove was?associated with an increase in impact compliance and prolongation of contact time between glove and target. It is concluded that a pneumatic boxing glove that provides for air exchange with the external environment can greatly reduce impact magnitudes across the whole range of pre-impact glove velocities likely to be encountered in boxing, thereby mitigating risks associated with the sport. While acceptance of the gloves by the boxing community is uncertain, opportunity may exist for almost immediate uptake in modified boxing programs.

The effect of high and low exercise intensity periods on a simple memory recognition test

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of variable intensities on a simple memory recognition task during exercise.Methods: Twenty active participants took part in initial testing, a familiarization trial and then four 60 min cycling interventions in a randomized order.Interventions consisted of no exercise（control）, constant exercise at 90% ventilatory threshold（constant） and 2 trials that initially mimicked the constant trial, but then included periods of high(90% VO2peak) and low intensities(50% VO2peak). Cardiorespiratory measures and capillary blood samples were taken throughout. A short tablet-based cognitive task was completed prior to and during（50 and 55 min into exercise） each intervention.Results: The exercise conditions facilitated response time（p = 0.009）, although the extent of this effect was not as strong in the variable exercise conditions（p = 0.011–0.089）. High intensity exercise periods resulted in some cognitive regression back towards control trial performance.Elevations in cardiorespiratory measures and periods of hypocapnia could not explain changes in cognitive performance.Conclusion: Changes in cognitive performance with variations in exercise intensity are likely to have implications for sport and occupational settings. The timing of cognitive tests to exercise intensity changes as well as use of short cognitive assessments will be important for future work.

Reflections on Long-Term Development and Use of Automated Scoring Technology in a Sport (Modified Boxing) Context

Technology is being increasingly used to aid judging in sport, but its employment as the primary means of scoring is rare. We have developed and implemented a fully automated scoring system in the context of a modified, low-risk form of boxing. The system, which requires contestants to wear vests and gloves incorporating sensor fabrics, has been used in multiple settings over the past five years. During that period, it has undergone progressive iteration guided by action research methodology. Here, we summarise that iteration, reflect on present status and identify possible future directions. We have found that concept of automated scoring has wide appeal, and the wearable technology is almost universally considered comfortable. Nevertheless, some issues remain to be addressed. Use of the technology requires considerable prior and subsequent commitment of time. Apparently valid contacts occasionally fail to score. Causative factors include the configuration of electrical circuitry in the vests and deterioration of that circuitry with repeated vest use and washing. Also, false positive scores are sometimes generated by vest self-shorting and effects of sweat. Many contestants adopt unorthodox styles aimed at exploiting the characteristics of the automated scoring methodology, affecting the aesthetics of the modified sport. There is an expectation that technologically-based scoring should have much greater accuracy than human judging, and should be essentially fail-proof. Disillusionment can occur in?situations where this expectation is not met. We have identified potential?solutions to all the existing issues, with some now being actively explored. Continuation of the quest seems justified by popular dissatisfaction with subjective human judging of boxing and other sports, but we have come to realise that purely technological judging can introduce unforeseen complexities. Our observations could be relevant to various sports interested in the notion of technological judging.

Injury and illness in short-course triathletes:A systematic review

Background:Determining the incidence and prevalence of injury and illness in short-course triathletes would improve understanding of their etiologies and therefore assist in the development and implementation of prevention strategies.This study synthesizes the existing evidence on the incidence and prevalence of injury and illness and summarizes reported injury or illness etiology and risk factors affecting short-course triathletes.Methods:This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.Studies reporting health problems(injury and illness)in triathletes(all sexes,ages,and experience levels)training and/or competing in short-course distances were included.Six electronic databases(Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials,MEDLINE,Embase,APA PsychINFO,Web of Science Core Collection,and SPORTDiscus)were searched.Risk of bias was independently assessed by 2 reviewers using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale.Two authors independently completed data extraction.Results:The search yielded 7998 studies,with 42 studies eligible for inclusion.Twenty-three studies investigated injuries,24 studies investigated illnesses,and 5 studies investigated both injuries and illnesses.The injury incidence rate ranged 15.7-24.3 per 1000 athlete exposures,and the illness incidence rate ranged 1.8-13.1 per 1000 athlete days.Injury and illness prevalence ranged between 2%-15%and 6%-84%,respectively.Most injuries reported occurred during running(45%-92%),and the most frequently reported illnesses affected the gastrointestinal(7%-70%),cardiovascular(14%-59%),and respiratory systems(5%-60%).Conclusion:The most frequently reported health problems in short-course triathletes were:overuse and lower limb injuries associated with running;gastrointestinal illnesses and altered cardiac function,primarily attributable to environmental factors;and respiratory illness mostly caused by infection.

Recent developments on Opuntia spp.,their bioactive composition,nutritional values,and health effects

Opuntia is a plant that grows in wild,arid,and semi-arid regions,and it is a renowned food source that is presently undervalued.The chemical composition and properties of the Opuntia genus have attracted research and commercial interest as its species are rich in phytochemicals,nutrients,and bioactive compounds.Several of these constituents have revealed anti-inflammatory,antioxidant,antibacterial,anti-cancer,anti-atherosclerotic,antidiabetic,neurological,and gut protective characteristics.This review provides an extensive and up-to-date evidence synthesis of the nutrients in the Opuntia genus,its phytochemical composition,health benefits,the influence of the processing technologies on its bioactive components,and the potential for functional food product development.Due to its high nutritional value,Opuntia genus has the potential to contribute to improving food security and contribute to the food industry as food additive or preservative.Accordingly,Opuntia products can be utilized as food substitutes as part of a well-balanced diet and may potentially have pharmacological properties.The Opuntia genus is also used as animal feed,a source of nutraceuticals,an addition to edible packaging materials,wastewater treatment,and land rehabilitation in arid regions.Opuntia is a rich source of minerals,essential amino acids,and vitamins,and is high in antioxidants,making it a promising candidate for the management of non-communicable diseases.The potential health-promoting effects of Opuntia consumption remain relatively unexplored,and further research human trials are required to unravel its mechanisms of action.