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Human foot traffic in urban environments provides essential information for city planners to manage the urban resources and urban residents to plan their activities. Compared to camera or mobile-based solutions, seismic sensors detect human footstep signals with fewer privacy concerns. However, seismic sensors often record signals generated from multiple sources, particularly in an urban outdoor environment. In this article, we monitor people’s running activities during COVID-19 pandemic with a seismic sensor in a park in Singapore. We compare the spectra of natural and urban events in the recorded seismic data. For each 3 s seismic data, we define hierarchical screening criteria to identify footsteps based on the spectrum of the signal and its envelope. We derive the cadence of each runner by detecting the primary frequency of the footstep signals. The resulting algorithm achieves higher accuracy and higher temporal resolution for weak and overlapping signals compared to existing methods. Runner statistics based on four-month long seismic data show that urban running activities have clear daily and weekly cycles. Lockdown measures to mitigate COVID-19 pandemic promoted running activities, particularly over the weekends. Cadence statistics show that morning runners have higher cadence on average.

This study explores the influence of corona-specific training and playing conditions - especially empty stadiums - on match performance, contact behavior, and home advantage in the Bundesliga (BL) and Bundesliga 2 (BL2). We analyzed the 2017/18, 2018/19, and 2019/20 seasons and compared matches in rounds 26–34 before shutdown with “ghost” matches after restart. Results show increased running activity for high intensity distance: (+ 6.1%) and total distance covered (+ 4.3%). In BL2 in particular there were also changes in tactical aspects of the game (time in last third: –6.3%, pressure on pass receiver: –8.6%, success of attacking duels: –7.9%, share of long passes completed: + 15.6%, outplayed opponents per pass: –14.7%). Contact time to other players (

The present study aims to review whether dietary modifications will prevent body fat accumulation, muscle mass wasting and bone mineral density loss in postmenopausal women who incorporate physical exercise into daily life.9-week-old ovariectomized Wistar strain female rats were divided into four groups: CA-Ex, Gln-Ex, Leu-Ex and CitD-Ex. Depending on which group they were in, the rats were given a 20％ casein protein based experimental diet supplemented with nothing （control diet, CA-Ex）; 5％ of L-glutamine （Gln-Ex）; 5％ of L-leucine （Leu-Ex）; or 2.5％ of L-citrulline＋2.5％ of D-serine （CitD-Ex）, each 11 g per day for 10 weeks. All of these rats were housed in individual cage with a running wheel for 10 weeks. A sham operation was carried out on another group of rats （Sham） and were given the same diet as CA-Ex, the control diet.Results were as follows:1） Uterus weights of the ovariectomized rats, that is group CA-Ex, Gln-Ex, Leu-Ex and CitD-Ex, appeared to show lower values than that of the group Sham. 2） No significant differences were observed in a）changes in body weight, b）blood analyses, c）liver, kidney, uterus and muscle weights, and d）femoral-bone mineral density in groups Gln-Ex, Leu-Ex, and CitD-Ex as compared to the group CA-Ex.3） Relatively higher running activity was observed in group CitD-Ex than that of group CA-Ex. This observation suggests that increasing dietary L-citrulline plus D-serine in postmenopausal rats may lead to an increase in physical activity. Further research is needed to understand the physiological and nutritional significance of the unexpected results that dietary amino acid may accelerate the physical activity.

The aim was to compare the running activity in official matches with that achieved in two small-sided games, designed with the same relative area per player but with different constraints and field dimensions, aiming to stimulate high-speed and very-high-speed running. Seventeen young professional players played one 5 vs. 5+5 with 2 floaters, varying in terms of whether there was a change of playing area (SSGCA) or not change (SSGNC). Running activity was monitored using GPS and the following variables were recorded: total distance covered; high-speed distance (18–21 km·h−1); very high-speed distance (>21 km·h−1); peak speed; accelerations and decelerations between 2–3 m·s−2 and above 3 m·s−2. SSGCA achieved statistically higher total distance, high-speed, peak speed and number of accelerations and decelerations than SSGNC (large to small magnitude). Both drills showed statistically greater high speed, number of accelerations and decelerations than official matches (large to small magnitude). Moreover, SSGCA exhibited statistically more total distance and distance at higher speed than official matches (moderate and small magnitude, respectively). In contrast, official matches showed statistically higher peak speeds than both training tasks and more very high speed than SSGNC (large and moderate magnitude, respectively). Coaches could use SSGCA to promote greater running activity in soccer players.

Objectives To determine whether two-dimensional video analysis could discriminate running kinematics between recreational runners with and without a running-related knee injury. Design Case-control. Setting Research laboratory. Participants Forty-two recreational runners (5 male-13 female injured; 7 male-17 female non-injured). Running-related knee injury was defined as the presence of anterior or lateral knee pain, resulting in altered running activity for at least one week. Main outcome measures Foot and tibia inclination at initial contact, and lateral trunk position, contralateral pelvic drop, femoral adduction, hip adduction, knee flexion and ankle dorsiflexion at midstance were measured with two-dimensional video analysis during running. Participant characteristics (sex, age, body weight, body length, body mass index, running volume before injury, running speed) and two-dimensional measured angles were compared between groups. Results No significant differences in participant characteristics between groups were identified (P > .05). The injured group ran with greater contralateral pelvic drop (P = .035), femoral adduction (P = .021) and hip adduction (P = .001) at midstance, and significantly smaller foot inclination at initial contact (P = .031). Conclusion Two-dimensional video analysis can discriminate kinematics between runners with and without running-related knee injury. Greater contralateral pelvic drop, femoral adduction and hip adduction at midstance may provide running retraining targets for runners with running-related knee injury.

Antitoxin is currently the only approved therapy for botulinum intoxications. The efficacy of antitoxin preparations is evaluated in animals. However, while in practice antitoxin is administered to patients only after symptom onset, in most animal studies, it is tested in relation to time postintoxication. This may be attributed to difficulties in quantitating early botulism symptoms in animals. In the current study, a novel system based on high-resolution monitoring of mouse activity on a running wheel was developed to allow evaluation of postsymptom antitoxin efficacy. The system enables automatic and remote monitoring of 48 mice simultaneously. Based on the nocturnal activity patterns of individual naive mice, two criteria were defined as the onset of symptoms. Postsymptom treatment with a human-normalized dose of antitoxin was fully protective in mice exposed to 4 50% lethal doses (LD(50)s) of botulinum neurotoxin serotype A (BoNT/A) and BoNT/B. Moreover, for the first time, a high protection rate was obtained in mice treated postsymptomatically, following a challenge with BoNT/E, the fastest-acting BoNT. The running wheel system was further modified to develop a mouse model for the evaluation of next-generation therapeutics for progressive botulism at time points where antitoxin is not effective. Exposure of mice to 0.3 LD(50) of BoNT/A resulted in long-lasting paralysis and a reduction in running activity for 16 to 18 days. Antitoxin treatment was no longer effective when administered 72 h postintoxication, defining the time window to evaluate next-generation therapeutics. Altogether, the running wheel systems presented herein offer quantitative means to evaluate the efficacy of current and future antibotulinum drugs.

Genome-wide association studies have identified adenylyl cyclase type 5 (ADCY5) as candidate gene for diabetes-related quantitative traits and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Mice with a whole-body deletion of Adcy5 (Adcy5–/–) do not develop obesity, glucose intolerance and insulin resistance, have improved cardiac function and increased longevity. Here, we investigated Adcy5 knockout mice (Adcy5–/–) to test the hypothesis that changes in adipose tissue (AT) may contribute to the reported healthier phenotype. In contrast to previous reports, we found that deletion of Adcy5 did not confer any physiological or biochemical benefits. However, this unexpected finding allowed us to investigate the effects of Adcy5 depletion on AT independently of lower body weight and a metabolically healthier phenotype. Adcy5–/– mice exhibited an increased number of smaller adipocytes, lower mean adipocyte size and a distinct AT gene expression pattern with midline 1 (Mid1) as the most significantly downregulated gene compared to control mice. Our Adcy5–/– model challenges previously described beneficial effects of Adcy5 deficiency and suggests that targeting Adcy5 does not improve insulin sensitivity and may therefore limit the relevance of ADCY5 as potential drug target.

BACKGROUND Performance during a rugby union game is based on technical and tactical performance and running activity. Notational and time-motion analyses may be useful to better understand the mutual influence of both factors. Thus, this study investigated the relationship between technical and tactical performance and running activity for both forwards and backs during official games of under-20 Six Nations Championship. METHODS Technical and tactical performance and running activity of thirty under-20 elite players (age range: 18-20 years; total games = 98) were assessed in relation to 20 key performance indicators (KPIs) and analysed separately for forwards and backs. General linear mixed models were performed to evaluate the relationship between KPIs, including subjects and games as random effect. RESULTS Different technical and tactical KPIs influenced the running activities for forwards and backs, while tackles, passes, and positive work rate influenced running activity (i.e. total distance, meters/minute, % high speed running, and explosive distance) in forwards. Only passes and possession influenced running activity (i.e. % high-speed running and distance covered above 14 km/h, 17 km/h, and 24 km/h speed) in backs. CONCLUSIONS Technical and tactical performance affects running activities differently for forwards and backs. During training sessions, coaches should stimulate forwards to be more active (i.e. to complete more meters/minute, more explosive distance) and backs to control more the defensive structure (i.e. less % high-speed running and less distance covered above 14 km/h and 17 km/h speed). A progression from short to long game sequences, that quickly recreate the game plan and keep the momentum, could stimulate technical and tactical performance, as well as physical conditioning.

Wearable devices are becoming a “virtual coach” for novice, recreational and competitive runnner. In fact, wearable devices are non intrusive and can ecologically monitor the performance and the well-being of the runner, providing personalize information to enhance performance, comfort and prevention. In this paper we present an exploratory study of user needs and design specifications to develop wearable devices for long distance runners. Data was collected in twenty-two runners (16 females, 6 males, aged (35.54 ± 14.85 years)). Our results showed that 59% of participants is interested in being monitored and having feedback by a wearable device. Especially, only 27% of them like to be monitored during running activity. In conclusion, only 9.1% of runners consider the wearable device as a “virtual coach” for real-time feedback of their performance.

Air pollution is a major health problem and children are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects. Facemasks are one form of protection but, to be effective, they need to filter out airborne pollutants, fit the face well and be wearable. In this pilot study, we assess the perceived wearability of three facemasks (Vogmask, TuHao and ReSpimask) marketed in the UK as being designed to protect children against exposure to air pollution. Twenty-four primary school children wore each facemask during a standardised walking and running activity. After each activity, the children were asked to rate facemask wearability in terms of parameters, such as perceived comfort, hotness, breathability and fit. At the end of the trial, the children compared and identified their preferred facemask. The main complaint about the facemasks was the children’s faces being too hot. The ReSpimask was most frequently reported as being perceived to be the hardest to breathe through. The TuHao facemask was the only adjustable strap mask assessed but was reported to be difficult to adjust. Facemasks with a nose clip were frequently rated highest for fit (TuHao and Vogmask). The patterned, cloth fabric Vogmask had significantly higher ratings for appearance and perceived fit. The results show children’s perceptions of facemasks are highly affected by the facemask’s design, hotness and perceived breathability. By making children’s facemasks more appealing, breathable, cooler and improving their fit, wearability may be improved.

Carbon fiber running-specific prostheses have allowed lower extremity amputees to participate in running activity by providing spring-like properties in their affected limb. It has been established that as running speed increases, stiffness of the leg spring (leg stiffness; kleg) remains constant in non-amputees. Although a better understanding of kleg regulation may be helpful for the development of spring-based prostheses, little is known about stiffness regulation in unilateral transfemoral amputees. The aim of this study was to investigate stiffness regulation at different running speeds in unilateral transfemoral amputees wearing a running-specific prosthesis. Nine unilateral transfemoral amputees performed running on an instrumented treadmill across a range of speeds (30, 40, 50, 60, and 70% of their maximum running speed). Using a spring-mass model, kleg was calculated as the ratio of maximal vertical ground reaction force to maximum leg compression during the stance phase in both affected and unaffected limbs. We found a decrease in kleg from the slower speed to 70% speed for the affected limb, whereas no change was present in the unaffected limb. Specifically, there was a significant differences in the kleg between 30% and 70%, 40% and 70%, and 50% and 70%, and the magnitude of the kleg difference between affected and unaffected limbs varied with variations in running speeds in unilateral TFAs with an RSP. These results suggest the kleg regulation strategy of unilateral transfemoral amputees is not the same in the affected and unaffected limbs across a range of running speeds.

The aim of this study was to compare the running activity between training and match-play for young high-level tennis players. Ten female and ten male young high-level tennis players took part in the study (13.80 age ±2.08 years). Twelve Portable GPS devices operating at10 Hz were used to collect velocity data. Match-play analysis was carried out by Aragon Tennis Master on hard court and training analysis was carried out by High Level Performance Centre of the Aragon Tennis Federation. The distance covered per minute (DCmin) by players in match-play was higher than in training (Match-play = 50.4 ± 6.0 m· min−1 vs. Training = 34.5 ± 6.2 m· min−1; F(1, 76) = 163.9; p

Fatigue is recognized as one of the most common and distressing side effects of cancer and anticancer therapy. In the present study, we used mice without cancer to examine the specific influence of chemotherapy on fatigue. Mice were administered a single dose of cisplatin (CDDP; 10 mg/kg, i.p.) or saline as a control, and then were treated with glucose (500 or 5000 mg/kg p.o.), olive oil (10 ml/kg p.o.), or saline daily for 4 days. At 24 h after the final dose of glucose, olive oil, or saline, fatigue-like behavior was investigated by assessment of running activity on a treadmill. After administration of CDDP, running activity of mice decreased significantly. In addition, mice treated with CDDP showed significant weight loss compared with control mice. In CDDP-treated mice, daily administration of glucose caused a significant and dose-dependent increase of both the liver glycogen content and running activity. Although blood glucose levels were higher in the CDDP + olive oil group than in the CDDP + saline group, daily administration of olive oil did not increase either liver glycogen or running activity. These results suggest that maintenance of the liver glycogen content prevented fatigue-like behavior in mice after administration of CDDP.

Researchers and clinicians are increasingly using plantar pressure and force measurement system to evaluate foot functions. This research evaluates the quality and reliability of a Tekscan HR mat to study the plantar pressures and forces acting during walking, running, jumping, and standing of healthy subjects. The following regions of the foot were investigated: heel, mid foot, metatarsophalangeal joint, hallux, and the toes. The arches of both feet of the three healthy subjects in the gait analysis were presented which addresses the balancing issues of the body during locomotion. The results indicated that the peaks at the big toe (79.4 ± 8.5 N/cm2, p = 0.0001) were the maximum compared to forefoot (40.3 ± 3.3 N/cm2, p = 0.001), to midfoot (7.5 ± 1.3 N/cm2, p = 0.001), and to heel (27.8 ± 3.9 N/cm2, p = 0.0002) for jump activity. The running activity demonstrated similar results as jump where the maximum peak pressures were absorbed at the big toe region. The heel region during running (86.3 ± 12.6 N/cm2, p = 0.001) showed three times the pressure peak compared to the jump land (27.8 ± 3.9 N/cm2, p = 0.0002) activity. The measurement system proved to be highly capable of detecting heel strike and toe-off moments.

This study aims to analyse the effect of different pitch surface, i.e. artificial turf (AT), natural turf (NT) and dirt field (DF) on running activity and technical demands of young soccer players (age:13.4 ± 0.5yrs; height: 161.82 ± 7.52cm; body mass; 50.79 ± 7.22kg; and playing experience: 3.5 ± 1.4 yrs). Running activity data were collected using GPS units which allowed the calculation time–motion variables. Technical performance data were registered filming soccer matches. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures was employed to assess differences among variables. Total distance covered; distance for low-intensity running and very high-intensity running were higher on AT than NT (TD: η2 = .09, p = .007); (LIR: η2 = .062, p ≤ .05); and (VHIR: η2 = .05, p ≤ .05), respectively. Significant differences were identified between pitch surfaces on successful passing (η2 = .052, p = .051); unsuccessful passing (η2 = .155, p < .001); and interceptions (η2 = .1087, p < .001). Results suggest t...

Purpose : to develop an individual program of running work of athletes, specializing in running for long distances, during the preparation for the autumn-winter cross season. Material & Methods: study was conducted in the group of improving sports skill in athletics of the faculty of physical education of the Pedagogical University. It was attended by 4 athletes, specializing in running for long distances at the age of 19–20 years. Results: the individual program of running work of a track and field athlete on the basis of a system of mesocycles and microcycles is presented. The structure and content of running work in each mesocycle is disclosed. Trends in the growth of running loads in mesocycles are determined. Conclusion: proved the effectiveness of the introduction of this program in the training process of training athletes for the cross season on the basis of improving the result of the competitive exercise and improving athletic qualifications for track and field cross.

This study is aimed to identify running, jogging and walking activities of female athletes in every indoor hockey. It is done by calculating the overall average running, jogging and walking activities for female athletes who compete in three matches. This study is also purposed to determine the distance from each activity of running, jogging and walking so that coaches can get the parameters in preparing the training program. In this study, the researcher considered quantitative research as the design. To collect the data, the researcher utilized a descriptive approach to analyze the video match of the East Java women’s hockey team in the 2016 National multi-event championship. Based on the result, it is explained that the athlete’s average running, jogging and walking activities are 3365.92 m with an average run of 1306.92 m, the average jogging is 535.06 m and the average walking is 523.94 m. The conclusion of this study is the most dominant running activity is 55.24%, while running and walking are almost as big as 22.62% and 22.14%.

Purpose:To describe the repeated-high-intensity activity and internal training load of rugby sevens players during international matches and to compare the differences between the 1st and 2nd halves.Methods:Twelve international-level male rugby sevens players were monitored during international competitive matches (n = 30 match files) using global positioning system technology and heart-rate monitoring.Results:The relative total distance covered by the players throughout the match was 112.1 ± 8.4 m/min. As a percentage of total distance, 35.0% (39.2 ± 9.0 m/min) was covered at medium speed and 17.1% (19.2 ± 6.8 m/min) at high speed. A substantial decrease in the distance covered at >14.0 km/h and >18.0 km/h, the number of accelerations of >2.78 m/s and >4.0 m/s, repeated-sprint sequences interspersed with ≤60 s rest, and repeated-acceleration sequences interspersed with ≤30 s or ≤60 s rest was observed in the 2nd half compared with the 1st half. A substantial increase in the mean heart rate (HR), HRmax, percentage of time at >80% HRmax and at >90% HRmax, and Edwards training load was observed in the 2nd half compared with the 1st half.Conclusion:This study provides evidence of a pronounced reduction in high-intensity and repeated-highintensity activities and increases in internal training load in rugby sevens players during the 2nd half of international matches.

Objectives: The health benefits from participation in half-marathon is challenged by a yearly running-related injury (RRI) incidence proportion exceeding 30%. Research in injury etiology is needed to successfully prevent injuries. The body's load capacity is believed to play an essential role for injury development. Therefore, the purpose of ProjectRun21 was to investigate the association between load capacity defined as running experience and running pace, and RRI when following a specific half-marathon running schedule. Design: A 14-week prospective cohort study. Methods: A cohort of 784 healthy runners followed a specific half-marathon running schedule. Data on running activity was collected objectively using a Global-Positioning-System watch or smartphone. RRI were collected using e-mail-based weekly questionnaires. Primary exposures were running experience and running pace, dichotomized into a high and a low group for runners running less or more than 15 km/week and faster or slower than 6 min/km, respectively. Data was analyses through time-to-event models with cumulative risk difference (RD) as measure of association. Results: A total of 136 participants sustained a RRI during follow-up. Although not statistically significant, all estimates indicate a tendency toward fewer injuries amongst runners categorized as having high experience (RD = −11.3% (−27.2% to 4.6%)) or high pace (RD = −17.4% (−39.0% to 4.5%)), and a combination of both high experience and high pace (RD = −8.1% (−22.3% to 6.1%)) compared with their counterpart peers. Conclusions: Runners covering less than 15 km per week, and/or runs slower than 6 min/km, may sustain more RRI than their counterpart runners.

Summary Previous results indicated that stress impairs learning and memory. In this research, the effects of preventive, therapeutic and regular continually running activity on chronic stress-induced memory deficit in rats were investigated. 70 male rats were randomly divided into seven groups as follows: Control, Sham, Stress–Rest, Rest–Stress, Stress–Exercise, Exercise–Stress and Exercise–Stress & Exercise groups. Chronic restraint stress was applied 6 h/day for 21days and treadmill running 1 h/day. Memory function was evaluated by the passive avoidance test. The results revealed that running activities had therapeutic effect on mid and long-term memory deficit and preventive effects on short and mid-term memory deficit in stressed rats. Regular continually running activity improved mid and long-term memory compared to Exercise–Stress group. The beneficial effects of exercise were time-dependent in stress conditions. Finally, data corresponded to the possibility that treadmill running had a more important role on treatment rather than on prevention on memory impairment induced by stress.

Voluntary wheel cage assessment of mouse activity is commonly employed in exercise and behavioral research. Currently, no standardization for wheel cages exists resulting in an inability to compare results among data from different laboratories. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the distance run or average speed data differ depending on the use of two commonly used commercially available wheel cage systems. Two different wheel cages with structurally similar but functionally different wheels (electromechanical switch vs. magnetic switch) were compared side-by-side to measure wheel running data differences. Other variables, including enrichment and cage location, were also tested to assess potential impacts on the running wheel data. We found that cages with the electromechanical switch had greater inherent wheel resistance and consistently led to greater running distance per day and higher average running speed. Mice rapidly, within 1–2 days, adapted their running behavior to the type of experimental switch used, suggesting these running differences are more behavioral than due to intrinsic musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, or metabolic limits. The presence of enrichment or location of the cage had no detectable impact on voluntary wheel running. These results demonstrate that mice run differing amounts depending on the type of cage and switch mechanism used and thus investigators need to report wheel cage type/wheel resistance and use caution when interpreting distance/speed run across studies. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The results of this study highlight that mice will run different distances per day and average speed based on the inherent resistance present in the switch mechanism used to record data. Rapid changes in running behavior for the same mouse in the different cages demonstrate that a strong behavioral factor contributes to classic exercise outcomes in mice. Caution needs to be taken when interpreting mouse voluntary wheel running activity to include potential behavioral input and physiological parameters.

Physical activity or exercise contributes to energy balance via affecting energy expenditure and food intake, but how exercise affects food intake and the neural mechanism of the feeding effect of exercise remain to be determined. Growing evidence indicates that physical exercise exerts a distinct action in the control of food intake and body weight. Studies of exercise in rodent models with voluntary access to running wheels reveal an inhibitory effect of voluntary exercise on food intake and body weight. Voluntary running activity decreases food intake and body weight, prevents obesity, and slows down body weight regain. Running activity modulates corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF), neuropeptide Y (NPY) and transthyretin (TTR) signals in the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH). Altering these peptide signals affects food intake and body weight. The present review outlines these observations and highlights the potential roles for DMH peptide signaling in mediating the feeding and body weight effects of exercise.

[Purpose] Voluntary loaded wheel running involves the use of a load during a voluntary running activity. A muscle-strength or power-type activity performed at a relatively high intensity and a short duration may cause fewer apparent metabolic adaptations but may still elicit muscle fiber hypertrophy. This study aimed to determine the effects of acute voluntary wheel running with an additional load on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in the rat hippocampus. [Methods] Ten-week old male Wistar rats were assigned randomly to a (1) sedentary (Control) group; (2) voluntary exercise with no load (No-load) group; or (3) voluntary exercise with an additional load (Load) group for 1-week (acute period). The expression of BDNF genes was quantified by real-time PCR. [Results] The average distance levels were not significantly different in the No-load and Load groups. However, the average work levels significantly increased in the Load group. The relative soleus weights were greater in the No-load group. Furthermore, loaded wheel running up-regulated the BDNF mRNA level compared with that in the Control group. The BDNF mRNA levels showed a positive correlation with workload levels (r=0.75), suggesting that the availability of multiple workload levels contributes to the BDNF-related benefits of loaded wheel running noted in this study. [Conclusion] This novel approach yielded the first set of findings showing that acute voluntary loaded wheel running, which causes muscular adaptation, enhanced BDNF expression, suggesting a possible role of high-intensity short-term exercise in hippocampal BDNF activity.

Background The aim of this study was to assess the match-to-match variability obtained using GPS devices, collected during official games in professional soccer players. Methods Global positioning system (GPS)-derived data from nineteen elite soccer players were collected over two consecutive seasons. Time-motion data for players with more than five full-match were analyzed (N.=202). Total distance covered (TD), TD>13-18 km/h, TD>18-21 km/h, TD>21 km/h, number of acceleration >2.5-4 m.s-2 and >4 m.s-2 were calculated. The match-to-match variation in running activity was assessed by the typical error expressed as a coefficient of variation (CV%) and the magnitude of the CV was calculated (effect size). Results When all players were pooled together, CVs ranged from 5% to 77% (first half) and from 5% to 90% (second half), for TD and number of acceleration >4 m.s-2, and the magnitude of the CVs were rated from small to moderate (effect size=0.57-0.98). The CVs were likely to increase with running/acceleration intensity, and were likely to differ between playing positions (e.g., TD>13-18 km/h 3.4% for second strikers vs. 14.2% for strikers and 14.9% for wide-defenders vs. 9.7% for wide-midfielders). Conclusions Present findings indicate that variability in players' running performance is high in some variables and likely position-dependent. Such variability should be taken into account when using these variables to prescribe and/or monitor training intensity/load.

We describe the case of a 25-year-old athlete experiencing syncope during a 5-km running race. A thorough diagnostic workup reasonably excluded a cardiac disorder as the cause of syncope. The characterization of this episode of syncope as noncardiac appears to contradict the common belief that syncope during exercise has always a cardiac origin. Following a detailed history taking, it was revealed that the symptoms of the athlete started after a 180° turn of the route. This situation represents a setting relevant to a runner who stops suddenly after reaching the finish line and soon after experiences noncardiac syncope due to the abrupt cessation of muscle pump function of the lower limbs. Although the symptoms of the athlete in this report occurred during running, implying at a first glance the diagnosis of syncope occurring during exercise, a more detailed analysis of the circumstances indicated that these symptoms were in essence presenting after exercise from a pathophysiological view. The distinction between syncope occurring during and after exercise may be challenging enough for athletic activities involving a sudden stop of the running activity, such as for running races with sudden inversion of the route and sports characterized by rapid “starts and stops.”

【This research sought to analyze the characteristics of breast movement at the treadmill activity levels. It also examined the effect of wearing a sports bra in reducing breast displacement. The subjects for the data collection were females in their 20s (n=2) with C-cup size breast. The experimental conditions were three different moving speeds (4 km/h, jogging: 7 km/h, and sprinting: 10 km/h) and two types of sports bras. Three dimensional breast displacement was measured. The displacement of the right nipple point was measured with a 3D motion analyzer. The results show that the breasts were greatly displaced from the walking speed (4 km/h) when subjects did not wear any bra. Whereas their breast displacement distance decreased remarkably when they wore sports bras. The nipple point moved 42~44 mm in the vertical direction at walking speed with naked condition. But it was reduced by 80% after wearing sports bras. When subjects running (7 km/h, 10 km/h) without any bra, the nipple point moved 122~141 mm. However it was reduced by 60~70% when they wore sports bras. The apartment time (time delay) between at the highest point of the upper body and the nipple was 0.25 seconds at the running speeds (7 km/h, 10 km/h) without wearing any bra. After wearing sports bras, the time delay was cut to 0.06~0.12 seconds. These results implies that without wearing any bra the skin surrounding the breasts might be seriously pulled at running activity. The functional sports bra suppress breast movement. It might prevent the sagging of breasts by preventing the damage of the Cooper's ligaments.】

Background In this double-blind randomised controlled trial, we tested if leisure-time runners using shoes with less compliant midsoles have a higher running-related injury (RRI) risk. Method We provided 247 runners with standard running shoes having either a soft study shoes (soft-SS) or a hard study shoes (hard-SS) midsole and followed them prospectively for 5 months regarding RRI. All information about sports practice and injuries was uploaded on a dedicated internet platform and checked for consistency and completeness. RRI was defined as any first-time pain sustained during or as a result of running practice and impeding normal running activity for at least 1 day. Cox proportional hazards regressions were used to identify RRI risk factors. Result The type of study shoes used for running was not associated with RRIs (HR=0.92; 95% CI 0.57 to 1.48). The hard-SS had a 15% greater overall stiffness in the heel region. The two study groups were similar regarding personal and sports participation characteristics, except for years of running experience, which was higher (p

Maternal–infant interaction and behaviors are adapted to reduce the risk of predation and increase the probability of survival of the species. We determined how mother–young encounters and communication change by the development of the fawn (locomotion and feeding) throughout lactation in pampas deer (Ozotocerus bezoarticus). We registered the behavior of mother–fawn dyads for the first 60 postnatal days. Our results revealed three main developmental stages in the fawn, hiding (~0–19 days), active (~20–39 days), and adult-like (~40–60 days). In the hiding stage, the fawn stayed hidden, closer to the mother, and spent less time active, the mothers vocalized more often than the fawn, licked the fawns intensively while nursing, and were responsible for initiating nursing. In the active stage, licking behavior and vocalizations of the mother decreased while the fawns ate solid food, initiated nursing bouts, and displayed bursts of running activity. Finally, in the adult-like stage, the fawn showed many signs of nutritional weaning, and similar patterns of activity to their mothers. However, the duration and frequency of nursing bouts were unchanged during the study. We described mother–fawn interaction in pampas deer for the first time, and found that increased running activity in fawns anticipates nutritional weaning. Our results also suggest that to adapt to the development of the fawn, mothers only modify the dynamics of interaction and encounters rather than the time invested in nursing, an activity that also plays a role in maintaining mother–young affiliation.

The goals of this study were to (1) investigate the in vivo elongation behaviour of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) during running in the uninjured knee and (2) evaluate changes in PCL elongation during running after anatomic or non-anatomic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Seventeen unilateral ACL-injured subjects were recruited after undergoing anatomic (n = 9) or non-anatomic (n = 8) ACL reconstruction. Bilateral high-resolution CT scans were obtained to produce 3D models. Anterolateral (AL) and posteromedial (PM) bundles insertion sites of the PCL were identified on the 3D CT scan reconstructions. Dynamic knee function was assessed during running using a dynamic stereo X-ray (DSX) system. The lengths of the AL and PM bundles were estimated from late swing through mid-stance. The contralateral knees served as normal controls. Control knees demonstrated a slight decrease in AL bundle and a significant decrease in PM bundle length following foot strike. Length and elongation patterns of the both bundles of the PCL in the anatomic ACL reconstruction group were similar to the controls. However, the change in dynamic PCL length was significantly greater in the non-anatomic group than in the anatomic reconstruction group after foot strike (p

This study investigated variability in competitive high-speed running performance in an elite soccer team. A semi-automated tracking system quantified running performance in 12 players over a season (median 17 matches per player, 207 observations). Variability (coefficient of variation [CV]) was compared for: total sprint distance (TSD, >25.2 km/h), high-speed running (HSR, 19.8-25.2 km/h), total high-speed running (THSR, ≥19.8 km/h); THSR when the team was in and out of ball possession, in individual ball possession, in the peak 5-min activity period; and distance run according to individual maximal aerobic speed (MAS). Variability for % declines in THSR and distance covered at ≥80% MAS across halves, at the end of play (final 15-min versus mean for all 15-min periods), and transiently (5-min period following peak 5-min activity period) was analysed. Collectively, variability was higher for TSD versus HSR and THSR and lowest for distance run at ≥80% MAS (CVs: 37.1%, 18.1%, 19.8% and 11.8%). THSR CVs when the team was in/out of ball possession, in individual ball possession and during the peak 5-min period were 31.5%, 26.1%, 60.1% and 23.9%. Variability in THSR declines across halves, at the end of play and transiently, ranged from 37.1%-142.6%, while lower CVs were observed in these metrics for running at ≥80% MAS (20.9%-53.3%).These results cast doubt on the appropriateness of general measures of high-speed activity for determining variability in an elite soccer team although individualisation of high-speed running thresholds according to fitness characteristics might provide more stable indicators of running performance and fatigue occurrence.

The purpose of the study was to find out the effect of interval running and swimming activities on selected biochemical variables. Thirty male teachers aged between 35 and 40 years who knows swimming were selected for the study. They were divided into three equal groups, each group consisted of ten subjects in which Group I underwent interval running activity and group II underwent interval swimming activity, three days per week for twelve weeks and group III acted as control, who did not participate in any training. The subjects were tested on selected criterion variables such as total cholesterol, triglycerides and high -density lipoprotein, at prior to and immediately after the training period. The selected criterion variables, such as, total cholesterol, triglycerides and high density lipoproteins were assessed by using Boehringer Mannheim kit method. The analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to find out the significant differences if any, between the experimental groups and control group on selected criterion variables separately. Since, three groups were involved in the present study, the Scheffe S was used as post-hoc test. The results of the study showed that the selected criterion variables such as total cholesterol and triglycerides were decreased significantly and high-density lipoprotein was increased significantly for both the training groups when compared with the control group. Moreover, the result of the study also shown that there was no significant difference was occurred between the training groups on selected criterion variables such as, total cholesterol, triglycerides and high density lipoproteins.