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Traditionally, coaches have relied on explicit instruction to enhance motor learning and performance during exercise. However, analogy learning has emerged as an effective alternative for improving motor learning and performance. This study aimed to investigate the effects of analogy (ANA) and explicit (EXP) instructions on performance and muscle activity during a weightlifting task. Twenty novice participants were randomly and counterbalanced instructed through ANA, EXP or control instruction prior to a weightlifting task (i.e., both isometric and dynamic lifting tasks). The experiment spanned three days, encompassing familiarization (day 1), control and experimental condition 1 (day 2), and experimental condition 2 (day 3). Muscle activity, force production, and declared knowledge were assessed using a within-participants comparative design. Participants exhibited significant changes in lower limb electromyography after instruction, regardless of the type (p < 0.05). Additionally, the rate of force development (RFD) in the first 200 ms was notably lower in the EXP group (p < 0.05), while the control instruction showed higher force production than EXP and ANA (p < 0.05). In conclusion, these findings suggest that when seeking maximum force production, no instruction may be the best option, except for rapid force production, in which analogy is not lower than control instruction. Nonetheless, the instruction can produce a reorganization in motor control, favoring a greater participation of the lower limbs.

Background: Knowledge of the relationship between fat free mass (FFM) and strength capacity is not only useful in athlete coaching, but may also be important in developing clinical strategies for evaluating health in general populations. Sufficient skeletal muscle mass and strength are important factors for health and physical function. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a popular and clinically useful tool for assessing body composition. However, being able to simultaneously estimate whole body muscle strength without having to perform additional tests may prove useful in evaluating an individual’s health and physical function. Aim: The primary purpose of this study was to quantify the association between total body fat free mass percentage (TBFFM%) and relative strength in the isometric midthigh pull test (IMTP) and grip strength (GS) test in a healthy general young Swedish population. A secondary purpose was to investigate if there are any sex differences. Methods: The design for this study was cross-sectional. The studied sample represented a general Swedish population of healthy young adults. Participants were asked to participate in testing on one occasion. Three tests were used for collecting data: BIA for data on FFM and both IMTP and hand dynamometer grip strength test for data on maximal force production. All tests were performed in the movement lab on Halmstad University campus. Statistical analyses were done using Pearson’s correlation and linear regression analysis. Results: Participants for this study consisted of healthy females (n=18) and males (n=17) aged 19-39. The primary findings of this study are that there are strong correlations between TBFFM% and relative strength (r = 0.621) in the IMTP test as well as relative GS (r = 0.705) on a whole-group level. The correlation between TBFFM% and relative GS was slightly stronger. Categorized by sex, we found strong positive correlations between TBFFM% and relative IMTP (r = 0.551) and relative G

Background: Knowledge of the relationship between fat free mass (FFM) and strength capacity is not only useful in athlete coaching, but may also be important in developing clinical strategies for evaluating health in general populations. Sufficient skeletal muscle mass and strength are important factors for health and physical function. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a popular and clinically useful tool for assessing body composition. However, being able to simultaneously estimate whole body muscle strength without having to perform additional tests may prove useful in evaluating an individual’s health and physical function. Aim: The primary purpose of this study was to quantify the association between total body fat free mass percentage (TBFFM%) and relative strength in the isometric midthigh pull test (IMTP) and grip strength (GS) test in a healthy general young Swedish population. A secondary purpose was to investigate if there are any sex differences. Methods: The design for this study was cross-sectional. The studied sample represented a general Swedish population of healthy young adults. Participants were asked to participate in testing on one occasion. Three tests were used for collecting data: BIA for data on FFM and both IMTP and hand dynamometer grip strength test for data on maximal force production. All tests were performed in the movement lab on Halmstad University campus. Statistical analyses were done using Pearson’s correlation and linear regression analysis. Results: Participants for this study consisted of healthy females (n=18) and males (n=17) aged 19-39. The primary findings of this study are that there are strong correlations between TBFFM% and relative strength (r = 0.621) in the IMTP test as well as relative GS (r = 0.705) on a whole-group level. The correlation between TBFFM% and relative GS was slightly stronger. Categorized by sex, we found strong positive correlations between TBFFM% and relative IMTP (r = 0.551) and relative G

The concept of synergies has been used to address the grouping of motor elements contributing to a task with the covariation of these elements reflecting task stability. This concept has recently been extended to groups of motor units with parallel scaling of the firing frequencies with possible contributions of intermittent recruitment (MU-modes) in compartmentalized flexor and extensor muscles of the forearm stabilizing force magnitude in finger pressing tasks. Here, we directly test for the presence and behavior of MU-modes in the tibialis anterior, a non-compartmentalized muscle. Ten participants performed an isometric cyclical dorsiflexion force production task at 1 Hz between 20 and 40% of maximal voluntary contraction and electromyographic (EMG) data were collected from two high-density wireless sensors placed on the skin over the right tibialis anterior. EMG data were decomposed into individual motor unit frequencies and resolved into sets of MU-modes. Inter-cycle analysis of MU-mode magnitudes within the framework of the uncontrolled manifold (UCM) hypothesis was used to quantify force-stabilizing synergies. Two or three MU-modes were identified in all participants and trials accounting, on average, for 69% of variance and were robust to cross-validation measurements. Strong dorsiflexion force-stabilizing synergies in the space of MU-modes were present in all participants and for both electrode locations as reflected in variance within the UCM (median 954, IQR 511–1924) exceeding variance orthogonal to the UCM (median 5.82, IQR 2.9–17.4) by two orders of magnitude. In contrast, MU-mode-stabilizing synergies in the space of motor unit frequencies were not present. This study offers strong evidence for the existence of synergic control mechanisms at the level of motor units independent of muscle compartmentalization, likely organized within spinal cord circuitry.

We applied the recently introduced concept of intramuscle synergies in spaces of motor units (MUs) to quantify indexes of such synergies in the tibialis anterior during ankle dorsiflexion force production tasks and their changes with fatigue. We hypothesized that MUs would be organized into robust groups (MU modes), which would covary across trials to stabilize force magnitude, and the indexes of such synergies would drop under fatigue. Healthy, young subjects (n 1⁄4 15; 8 females) produced cyclical, isometric dorsiflexion forces while surface electromyography was used to identify action potentials of individual MUs. Principal component analysis was used to define MU modes. The framework of the uncontrolled manifold (UCM) was used to analyze intercycle variance and compute the synergy index, DVZ. Cyclical force production tasks were repeated after a nonfatiguing exercise (control) and a fatiguing exercise. Across subjects, fatigue led, on average, to a 43% drop in maximal force and fewer identified MUs per subject (29.6 ± 2.1 vs. 32.4 ± 2.1). The first two MU modes accounted for 81.2 ± 0.08% of variance across conditions. Force-stabilizing synergies were present across all conditions and were diminished after fatiguing exercise (1.49 ± 0.40) but not control exercise (1.76 ± 0.75). Decreased stability after fatigue was caused by an increase in the amount of variance orthogonal to the UCM. These findings contrast with earlier studies of multieffector synergies demonstrating increased synergy index under fatigue. We interpret the results as reflections of a drop in the gain of spinal reflex loops under fatigue. The findings corroborate an earlier hypothesis on the spinal nature of intramuscle synergies.

Purpose To biomechanically profile force generation connected to the complex role of the trunk in double poling in a representative sample of Para-Nordic sit-skiers. Methods Twelve male World Cup Para-Nordic sit-skiers (sport classes: LW10–12) were skiing on flat snow terrain at submaximal speed of 4.5 m/s (~ 73% maximum speed). 2D video (50 Hz) and pole force analyses (1000 Hz) were performed synchronously, examining angle, force and cycle characteristics to analyse the role of the trunk in generating propulsion. Results LW10–11.5 skiers lost between 21% and 4% propulsive force versus LW12 athletes only due to different geometrics of the trunk and pole angle at an equal axial pole force. While LW10–11 skiers indicated trunk extension or position maintenance during pole thrust, LW11.5–12 skiers showed strong trunk flexion combined with smaller pole angles to the ground. Hence, LW11.5–12 skiers could create larger propulsive forces and therefore greater cycle lengths at lower cycle rates at the same speed. Maximum speed increased from LW10 to LW12 and was significantly correlated to trunk flexion range of motion (r = 0.63) and cycle length (r = 0.59). Trunk flexion ROM showed a significant relationship to the impulse of propulsive force (r = 0.63) and pole angle to the ground (r = − 0.76) (all P < 0.05). Conclusion The impact of impairment on the force production profiles and its physiological-biomechanical consequences need further investigation also in other terrains and at wider spectrums of skiing speeds. The evident problem of low numbers of LW10–11 skiers in World Cup needs creative future solutions for research.

Focusing attention externally, rather than internally, has generally proved advantageous as it avoids interfering with self-organzing processes. However, some research has suggested that this may not necessarily be the case with highly skilled individuals who by definition possess a greater capacity to either adapt or maintain stability under varied task constraints. This study aimed to address this gap by comparing the performance of skilled athletes under internal and external attentional focus conditions using the swimming dive start as a task vehicle. Using a counterbalanced repeated measures design, skilled swimmers performed dive starts in conditions of differing attentional focus – internal and external attentional focus. Kinetic and kinematic variables were collected and statistical analyses conducted to compare differences between conditions. The results revealed no differences in outcome performance (relative peak power, horizontal velocity, and time to 5 m) between internal and external focus conditions. However, remaining kinematic and kinetic measures revealed that all movement events occurred earlier in the movement sequence, suggesting superior self-organization of movement in the external focus condition. An external focus may be beneficial for the organization of movement control in skilled swimmers, but may not have an immediate impact upon the outcome of the task.

Purpose To biomechanically profile force generation connected to the complex role of the trunk in double poling in a representative sample of Para-Nordic sit-skiers. Methods Twelve male World Cup Para-Nordic sit-skiers (sport classes: LW10–12) were skiing on flat snow terrain at submaximal speed of 4.5 m/s (~ 73% maximum speed). 2D video (50 Hz) and pole force analyses (1000 Hz) were performed synchronously, examining angle, force and cycle characteristics to analyse the role of the trunk in generating propulsion. Results LW10–11.5 skiers lost between 21% and 4% propulsive force versus LW12 athletes only due to different geometrics of the trunk and pole angle at an equal axial pole force. While LW10–11 skiers indicated trunk extension or position maintenance during pole thrust, LW11.5–12 skiers showed strong trunk flexion combined with smaller pole angles to the ground. Hence, LW11.5–12 skiers could create larger propulsive forces and therefore greater cycle lengths at lower cycle rates at the same speed. Maximum speed increased from LW10 to LW12 and was significantly correlated to trunk flexion range of motion (r = 0.63) and cycle length (r = 0.59). Trunk flexion ROM showed a significant relationship to the impulse of propulsive force (r = 0.63) and pole angle to the ground (r = − 0.76) (all P < 0.05). Conclusion The impact of impairment on the force production profiles and its physiological-biomechanical consequences need further investigation also in other terrains and at wider spectrums of skiing speeds. The evident problem of low numbers of LW10–11 skiers in World Cup needs creative future solutions for research.

Purpose To biomechanically profile force generation connected to the complex role of the trunk in double poling in a representative sample of Para-Nordic sit-skiers. Methods Twelve male World Cup Para-Nordic sit-skiers (sport classes: LW10–12) were skiing on flat snow terrain at submaximal speed of 4.5 m/s (~ 73% maximum speed). 2D video (50 Hz) and pole force analyses (1000 Hz) were performed synchronously, examining angle, force and cycle characteristics to analyse the role of the trunk in generating propulsion. Results LW10–11.5 skiers lost between 21% and 4% propulsive force versus LW12 athletes only due to different geometrics of the trunk and pole angle at an equal axial pole force. While LW10–11 skiers indicated trunk extension or position maintenance during pole thrust, LW11.5–12 skiers showed strong trunk flexion combined with smaller pole angles to the ground. Hence, LW11.5–12 skiers could create larger propulsive forces and therefore greater cycle lengths at lower cycle rates at the same speed. Maximum speed increased from LW10 to LW12 and was significantly correlated to trunk flexion range of motion (r = 0.63) and cycle length (r = 0.59). Trunk flexion ROM showed a significant relationship to the impulse of propulsive force (r = 0.63) and pole angle to the ground (r = − 0.76) (all P < 0.05). Conclusion The impact of impairment on the force production profiles and its physiological-biomechanical consequences need further investigation also in other terrains and at wider spectrums of skiing speeds. The evident problem of low numbers of LW10–11 skiers in World Cup needs creative future solutions for research.

Purpose To biomechanically profile force generation connected to the complex role of the trunk in double poling in a representative sample of Para-Nordic sit-skiers. Methods Twelve male World Cup Para-Nordic sit-skiers (sport classes: LW10–12) were skiing on flat snow terrain at submaximal speed of 4.5 m/s (~ 73% maximum speed). 2D video (50 Hz) and pole force analyses (1000 Hz) were performed synchronously, examining angle, force and cycle characteristics to analyse the role of the trunk in generating propulsion. Results LW10–11.5 skiers lost between 21% and 4% propulsive force versus LW12 athletes only due to different geometrics of the trunk and pole angle at an equal axial pole force. While LW10–11 skiers indicated trunk extension or position maintenance during pole thrust, LW11.5–12 skiers showed strong trunk flexion combined with smaller pole angles to the ground. Hence, LW11.5–12 skiers could create larger propulsive forces and therefore greater cycle lengths at lower cycle rates at the same speed. Maximum speed increased from LW10 to LW12 and was significantly correlated to trunk flexion range of motion (r = 0.63) and cycle length (r = 0.59). Trunk flexion ROM showed a significant relationship to the impulse of propulsive force (r = 0.63) and pole angle to the ground (r = − 0.76) (all P < 0.05). Conclusion The impact of impairment on the force production profiles and its physiological-biomechanical consequences need further investigation also in other terrains and at wider spectrums of skiing speeds. The evident problem of low numbers of LW10–11 skiers in World Cup needs creative future solutions for research.

Background: Heart failure (HF) is the leading cause of death in western countries. Cardiac dysfunction is accompanied by skeletal alterations resulting in muscle weakness and fatigue. Exercise is an accepted interventional approach correcting cardiac and skeletal dysfunction, thereby improving mortality, re-hospitalization and quality of life. Animal models are used to characterize underpinning mechanisms. Transverse aortic constriction (TAC) results in cardiac pressure overload and finally HF. Whether exercise training improves cardiac remodeling and peripheral cachexia in the TAC mouse model was not analyzed yet. In this study, 2 weeks post TAC animals were randomized into two groups either performing a moderate exercise program (five times per week at 60% VO2 max for 40 min for a total of 8 weeks) or staying sedentary. Results: In both TAC groups HF characteristics reduced ejection fraction (- 15% compared to sham, p < 0.001), cardiac remodeling (+ 22.5% cardiomyocyte cross sectional area compared to sham; p < 0.001) and coronary artery congestion (+ 34% diameter compared to sham; p = 0.008) were observed. Unexpectedly, peripheral cachexia was not detected. Furthermore, compared to sedentary group animals from the exercise group showed aggravated HF symptoms [heart area + 9% (p = 0.026), heart circumference + 7% (p = 0.002), right ventricular wall thickness - 30% (p = 0.003)] while muscle parameters were unchanged [Musculus soleus fiber diameter (p = 0.55), Musculus extensor digitorum longus contraction force (p = 0.90)]. Conclusion: The severe TAC model is inappropriate to study moderate exercise effects in HF with respect to cardiac and skeletal muscle improvements. Further, the phenotype induced by different TAC procedures should be well documented and taken into account when planning experiments.

Purpose To biomechanically profile force generation connected to the complex role of the trunk in double poling in a representative sample of Para-Nordic sit-skiers. Methods Twelve male World Cup Para-Nordic sit-skiers (sport classes: LW10–12) were skiing on flat snow terrain at submaximal speed of 4.5 m/s (~ 73% maximum speed). 2D video (50 Hz) and pole force analyses (1000 Hz) were performed synchronously, examining angle, force and cycle characteristics to analyse the role of the trunk in generating propulsion. Results LW10–11.5 skiers lost between 21% and 4% propulsive force versus LW12 athletes only due to different geometrics of the trunk and pole angle at an equal axial pole force. While LW10–11 skiers indicated trunk extension or position maintenance during pole thrust, LW11.5–12 skiers showed strong trunk flexion combined with smaller pole angles to the ground. Hence, LW11.5–12 skiers could create larger propulsive forces and therefore greater cycle lengths at lower cycle rates at the same speed. Maximum speed increased from LW10 to LW12 and was significantly correlated to trunk flexion range of motion (r = 0.63) and cycle length (r = 0.59). Trunk flexion ROM showed a significant relationship to the impulse of propulsive force (r = 0.63) and pole angle to the ground (r = − 0.76) (all P < 0.05). Conclusion The impact of impairment on the force production profiles and its physiological-biomechanical consequences need further investigation also in other terrains and at wider spectrums of skiing speeds. The evident problem of low numbers of LW10–11 skiers in World Cup needs creative future solutions for research.

Purpose To biomechanically profile force generation connected to the complex role of the trunk in double poling in a representative sample of Para-Nordic sit-skiers. Methods Twelve male World Cup Para-Nordic sit-skiers (sport classes: LW10–12) were skiing on flat snow terrain at submaximal speed of 4.5 m/s (~ 73% maximum speed). 2D video (50 Hz) and pole force analyses (1000 Hz) were performed synchronously, examining angle, force and cycle characteristics to analyse the role of the trunk in generating propulsion. Results LW10–11.5 skiers lost between 21% and 4% propulsive force versus LW12 athletes only due to different geometrics of the trunk and pole angle at an equal axial pole force. While LW10–11 skiers indicated trunk extension or position maintenance during pole thrust, LW11.5–12 skiers showed strong trunk flexion combined with smaller pole angles to the ground. Hence, LW11.5–12 skiers could create larger propulsive forces and therefore greater cycle lengths at lower cycle rates at the same speed. Maximum speed increased from LW10 to LW12 and was significantly correlated to trunk flexion range of motion (r = 0.63) and cycle length (r = 0.59). Trunk flexion ROM showed a significant relationship to the impulse of propulsive force (r = 0.63) and pole angle to the ground (r = − 0.76) (all P < 0.05). Conclusion The impact of impairment on the force production profiles and its physiological-biomechanical consequences need further investigation also in other terrains and at wider spectrums of skiing speeds. The evident problem of low numbers of LW10–11 skiers in World Cup needs creative future solutions for research.

During invasion, cells breach basement membrane (BM) barriers with actin-rich protrusions. It remains unclear, however, whether actin polymerization applies pushing forces to help break through BM, or whether actin filaments play a passive role as scaffolding for targeting invasive machinery. Here, using the developmental event of anchor cell (AC) invasion in Caenorhabditis elegans, we observe that the AC deforms the BM and underlying tissue just before invasion, exerting forces in the tens of nanonewtons range. Deformation is driven by actin polymerization nucleated by the Arp2/3 complex and its activators, whereas formins and cross-inkers are dispensable. Delays in invasion upon actin regulator loss are not caused by defects in AC polarity, trafficking, or secretion, as appropriate markers are correctly localized in the AC even when actin is reduced and invasion is disrupted. Overall force production emerges from this study as one of the main tools that invading cells use to promote BM disruption in C. elegans., QC 20181127

The heart is a complex organ whose structure and function are intricately linked at multiple length scales. Though several advancements have been achieved in the field of cardiac tissue engineering, current in vitro cardiac tissues do not fully replicate the structure or function necessary for effective cardiac therapy and cardiotoxicity studies. This is partially due to a deficiency in current understandings of cardiac tissue organization’s potential downstream effects, such as changes in gene expression levels. We developed a novel in vitro tool that can be used to decouple and quantify the contribution of organization and associated downstream effects to tissue function. To do so, cardiac tissues were designed to be organized anisotropically on a local scale and with any desired organization on a global scale. This study’s results showed that if the downstream effects were muted, the relationship between developed force and tissue organization was a surprisingly simple sum of force pseudovectors. Thus, a quantitative tool was developed to predict the generated stress based on organization. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the tool could be used to estimate the changes in stress production due to downstream effects decoupled from tissue architecture. This has the potential to elucidate properties coupled to tissue architecture, which change force production and pumping function in the diseased heart or stem-cell derived tissues.

The heart is a complex organ whose structure and function are intricately linked at multiple length scales. Though several advancements have been achieved in the field of cardiac tissue engineering, current in vitro cardiac tissues do not fully replicate the structure or function necessary for effective cardiac therapy and cardiotoxicity studies. This is partially due to a deficiency in current understandings of cardiac tissue organization’s potential downstream effects, such as changes in gene expression levels. We developed a novel in vitro tool that can be used to decouple and quantify the contribution of organization and associated downstream effects to tissue function. To do so, cardiac tissues were designed to be organized anisotropically on a local scale and with any desired organization on a global scale. This study’s results showed that if the downstream effects were muted, the relationship between developed force and tissue organization was a surprisingly simple sum of force pseudovectors. Thus, a quantitative tool was developed to predict the generated stress based on organization. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the tool could be used to estimate the changes in stress production due to downstream effects decoupled from tissue architecture. This has the potential to elucidate properties coupled to tissue architecture, which change force production and pumping function in the diseased heart or stem-cell derived tissues.

The aim of this study was to compare biomechanical and perceptual-cognitive variables between sexes during an offensive and defensive agility protocol. Twelve male and female (n = 24) recreational team sport athletes participated in this study, each performing 12 offensive and defensive agility trials (6 left, 6 right) changing direction in response to movements of a human stimulus. Three-dimensional motion, ground reaction force (GRF), and impulse data were recorded across plant phase for dominant leg change of direction (COD) movements, while timing gates and high-speed video captured decision time, total running time, and post COD stride velocity. Subjects also performed a unilateral isometric squat to determine lower body strength and limb dominance. Group (sex) by condition (2 x 2) MANOVAs with follow-up ANOVAs were conducted to examine differences between groups (P ≤ .05). Male athletes demonstrated significantly greater lower body strength, vertical braking force and impulse application, knee and spine flexion, and hip abduction, as well as faster decision time and post COD stride velocity during both agility conditions compared with females. Differences between offensive and defensive movements appear to be attributed to differences in decision time between sexes. This study demonstrates that biomechanical and perceptual-cognitive differences exist between sexes and within offensive and defensive agility movements.

peer-reviewed, Assessment of limb function asymmetry is of interest to practitioners due to its role in return to play guidelines and reported links to injury. Dynamometry is one of the most commonly used methods of assessing muscle function, but the mode of contraction used is different to the stretch-shortening cycles experienced during real-life activities. The aim of this study was to compare measures of limb function asymmetry during isometric and stretch-shortening cycle tasks and investigate agreement between the methods. Different between-limb effect sizes were observed between limbs dependent on test used, with different ranges of asymmetry observed. Agreement between methods was very poor. These results show the importance of assessing asymmetry in a condition that is as similar as possible to the task of interest., PUBLISHED, peer-reviewed

Many daily motor tasks involve the precise control of both force level and motor timing. The neural mechanisms concurrently managing these movement parameters remain unclear, as the dominant focus of previous literature has been to examine each in isolation. As a result, little is understood regarding the contribution of various sensory modalities to force output and interval production in sequential motor tasks. This thesis uses a sequential force production task to investigate the roles of visual and somatosensory feedback in the timed control of force. In Chapter 2 we find that removal of visual force feedback resulted in specific force output errors, but leaves motor timing behavior relatively unaffected according to predictions of the two-level timing model by Wing and Kristofferson (1973). In Chapter 3, we show that force output errors exhibited in the absence of a visual reference may be related to the processing of reafferent somatosensation from self-generated force pulses. The results of Chapter 4 reveal evidence that force errors exhibited following visual feedback removal are consistent with a shift in the perceived magnitude of force output and that the direction of error may be determined by prior task constraints. In Chapter 5 we find evidence of effector-specificity in the processing of and compensation for reafferent somatosensation. Lastly, in Chapter 6 we find that the interplay between audition and somatosensation in the control of sound level by the vocal effectors resembles that which is observed between vision and somatosensation in the control of force by the distal effectors., Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Muscle load can affect performance of concurrent cognitive task. This effect is often explained by limited resources in the voluntary attention system. To examine whether earlier stages of cognitive information processing might be affected, we recorded the Mismatch Negativity component (MMN) of the auditory event-related brain potential before, during and after sustained handgrip at 7% and 30% of maximal voluntary contraction. MMN is an index of automatic detection of a deviating auditory event. MMN was not affected by force level. However, its amplitude at fronto-central sites decreased during the fatiguing 30% contraction, while it tended to increase during the light 7% work. Thus, muscle fatigue may affect auditory information processing at preattentive and preconscious stages, which could modify cognitive performance

The impact of chamber wall location on a radiometric device has been studied experimentally and numerically in chambers from 0.2m to 1.8m in diameter with background pressure ranging from 0.006 to 1Pa. The range of pressures investigated is broad enough to observe the impact of the chamber walls on a given radiometer configuration in both the free molecule and transitional regimes. The contribution of the chamber walls to both the flowfield structure and radiometric force production were examined for helium, argon, and nitrogen test gases. Various radiometer geometries were experimentally tested on a force balance, with nano- Newton resolution, placed in a stagnant gas. The computational results were obtained using the solution of the model kinetic equations and by the direct simulation Monte Carlo method. The simulations compliment the experimental work by varying the chamber dimensions to a degree not practically attainable, demonstrating both the decreasing temperature gradient of the flowfield and the reduced force production of the radiometer as the physical dimensions of the chamber increase. It is concluded that chamber wall location has a dramatic effect on the force production of a radiometer, especially at higher pressures, where increasing the distance from the vane to the wall reduces both temperature gradient and the total force produced., Submitted for presentation at the International Symposium on Rarefied Gas Dynamics, to be held in Kyoto, Japan on 21-25 July 2008.

Giant scallops, Placopecten magellanicus, respond to the presence of starfish predators with an escape response consisting of a series of rapid valve adductions that allow the scallop to jump or swim away from the predator. To evaluate the coordination of the activity of the tonic and phasic muscles during such escape responses, we recorded their force production by attaching a force gauge to the shell of intact scallops and then stimulating the scallops with starfish. These recordings showed series of phasic contractions (claps) separated by prolonged tonic contractions. Numerous characteristics could be quantified from these recordings including the maximal force, mean force during the first minute, force, frequency and number of claps per series, as well as the force and duration of tonic contractions. The number of claps per series declined and the duration of the tonic contractions increased as the escape response continued. For most scallops, phasic and tonic contractions produced similar levels of force that changed little during the escape responses. The alternation between phasic and tonic contractions suggests that periods of tonic contraction allow the phasic muscle to recuperate and facilitate subsequent phasic contractions. Principal component analysis (PCA) confirmed the coordination between the phasic and tonic adductor muscles, because characteristics of each type of contraction, were closely associated. This method combines the advantages of stimulation of scallops by their predators with the simplicity of force gauge measurements. Force production during escape responses by individual scallops was highly reproducible, suggesting these measurements have considerable potential for tracking changes in the physiologic status of giant scallops.

Giant scallops, Placopecten magellanicus, respond to the presence of starfish predators with an escape response consisting of a series of rapid valve adductions that allow the scallop to jump or swim away from the predator. To evaluate the coordination of the activity of the tonic and phasic muscles during such escape responses, we recorded their force production by attaching a force gauge to the shell of intact scallops and then stimulating the scallops with starfish. These recordings showed series of phasic contractions (claps) separated by prolonged tonic contractions. Numerous characteristics could be quantified from these recordings including the maximal force, mean force during the first minute, force, frequency and number of claps per series, as well as the force and duration of tonic contractions. The number of claps per series declined and the duration of the tonic contractions increased as the escape response continued. For most scallops, phasic and tonic contractions produced similar levels of force that changed little during the escape responses. The alternation between phasic and tonic contractions suggests that periods of tonic contraction allow the phasic muscle to recuperate and facilitate subsequent phasic contractions. Principal component analysis (PCA) confirmed the coordination between the phasic and tonic adductor muscles, because characteristics of each type of contraction, were closely associated. This method combines the advantages of stimulation of scallops by their predators with the simplicity of force gauge measurements. Force production during escape responses by individual scallops was highly reproducible, suggesting these measurements have considerable potential for tracking changes in the physiologic status of giant scallops.

Giant scallops, Placopecten magellanicus, respond to the presence of starfish predators with an escape response consisting of a series of rapid valve adductions that allow the scallop to jump or swim away from the predator. To evaluate the coordination of the activity of the tonic and phasic muscles during such escape responses, we recorded their force production by attaching a force gauge to the shell of intact scallops and then stimulating the scallops with starfish. These recordings showed series of phasic contractions (claps) separated by prolonged tonic contractions. Numerous characteristics could be quantified from these recordings including the maximal force, mean force during the first minute, force, frequency and number of claps per series, as well as the force and duration of tonic contractions. The number of claps per series declined and the duration of the tonic contractions increased as the escape response continued. For most scallops, phasic and tonic contractions produced similar levels of force that changed little during the escape responses. The alternation between phasic and tonic contractions suggests that periods of tonic contraction allow the phasic muscle to recuperate and facilitate subsequent phasic contractions. Principal component analysis (PCA) confirmed the coordination between the phasic and tonic adductor muscles, because characteristics of each type of contraction, were closely associated. This method combines the advantages of stimulation of scallops by their predators with the simplicity of force gauge measurements. Force production during escape responses by individual scallops was highly reproducible, suggesting these measurements have considerable potential for tracking changes in the physiologic status of giant scallops.

Giant scallops, Placopecten magellanicus, respond to the presence of starfish predators with an escape response consisting of a series of rapid valve adductions that allow the scallop to jump or swim away from the predator. To evaluate the coordination of the activity of the tonic and phasic muscles during such escape responses, we recorded their force production by attaching a force gauge to the shell of intact scallops and then stimulating the scallops with starfish. These recordings showed series of phasic contractions (claps) separated by prolonged tonic contractions. Numerous characteristics could be quantified from these recordings including the maximal force, mean force during the first minute, force, frequency and number of claps per series, as well as the force and duration of tonic contractions. The number of claps per series declined and the duration of the tonic contractions increased as the escape response continued. For most scallops, phasic and tonic contractions produced similar levels of force that changed little during the escape responses. The alternation between phasic and tonic contractions suggests that periods of tonic contraction allow the phasic muscle to recuperate and facilitate subsequent phasic contractions. Principal component analysis (PCA) confirmed the coordination between the phasic and tonic adductor muscles, because characteristics of each type of contraction, were closely associated. This method combines the advantages of stimulation of scallops by their predators with the simplicity of force gauge measurements. Force production during escape responses by individual scallops was highly reproducible, suggesting these measurements have considerable potential for tracking changes in the physiologic status of giant scallops.

Pickett, C. W., Nosaka, K., Zois, J., Hopkins, W. G., & Blazevich, A. J. (2018). Maximal upper-body strength and oxygen uptake are associated with performance in high-level 200-m sprint kayakers. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 32(11), 3186-3192. Available here.

Spiteri T., Hart N.H., Nimphius S. (2014). Offensive and defensive agility: A sex comparison of lower body kinematics and ground reaction forces. Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 30(4), 514-520. Available here