Steadiness of technical variables as a determinant factor of performance in a virtual simulated regatta.

The aim of this investigation is to explore the relationship between Optimist sailing performance with boat steadiness as well as the steadiness of cyclic variables related to sailors' technique, in the upwind leg of a regatta. Thirty-two sailors from the optimist class (16 bottom level and 16 top level) performed a regatta in a semi-immersive simulator which measures the instantaneous velocity, heading, boom, heel, and rudder angle and hiking effort. It was calculated the mean values as well as the short-term steadiness and long-term steadiness throughout the test. Top level and bottom level sailors were compared and the correlation between these variables and mean velocity were analysed. Significant differences were found between groups on mean values, STS values and LTS values as well as significant correlations ranging r values between 0.385 and 0.768. If the steadiness of sailing variables is considered, they appear as determinants of performance in Optimist class while this is not observed when analysing mean values.

Plantar Pressure Differences between Nordic Walking Techniques.

High plantar pressure has been associated with increased risk of injury. The characteristics of each physical activity determine the load on the lower limbs. The influence of Nordic Walking (NW) technique on plantar pressure is still unknown. The aim of this study was to analyze the differences between plantar pressure during NW with the Diagonal technique (DT) versus Alpha technique (AT) and compare them with the pressure obtained during normal walking (W). The normality and sphericity of the plantar pressure data were checked before performing a two-way repeated measures ANOVA in order to find differences between speeds (preferred, fast) and the gait (NW, W) as within-subject factors. Then, a t-test for independent measures was used to identify the specific differences between NW techniques. The strength of the differences was calculated by means of the effect size (ES). The results demonstrated that during NW with AT at preferred speed the pressure was lower under the Calcaneus, Lateral Metatarsal and Toes compared to the DT group (p = 0.046, ES = 1.49; p = 0.015, ES = 1.44; p = 0.040, ES = 1.20, respectively). No differences were found at the fast speed (p > 0.05). Besides the increase in walking speed during NW (p < 0.01), both technique groups showed lower pressure during NW compared to W under the Hallux and Central Metatarsal heads (F = 58.321, p = 0.000, ES = 2.449; F = 41.917, p = 0.012, ES = 1.365, respectively). As a practical conclusion, the AT technique may be the most effective of the NW techniques at reducing plantar pressure while allowing NW practitioners to achieve the physiological benefits of NW.

Visual Search Strategy During Regatta Starts in a Sailing Simulation.

In a sport conditioned by natural elements such as sailing, visual perception is a key factor for the performance. Research has shown that the visual behavior of athletes at different skill levels varies, which may cause differences in the performance achieved. The aim of this research was to examine the visual behavior of sailors from different ranking positions at the start of a race in a simulated situation. Twenty junior sailors (N = 10 top and N = 10 bottom ranking) participated in this study. The visual behavior was recorded at the start of a sailing simulation. The top-ranking sailors performed more visual fixations on the locations that have more highly relevant information, such as "telltales" and "rivals," than do bottom-ranking sailors (p < .005). The top-ranking sailors are closer to the start line at the time of the start signal. The analysis of the visual search strategy shows that top-ranking sailors employed a more active visual search strategy. More experienced athletes can make better use of the information obtained from the important locations.

A probabilistic model for analysing the effect of performance levels on visual behaviour patterns of young sailors in simulated navigation.

The visual behaviour is a determining factor in sailing due to the influence of the environmental conditions. The aim of this research was to determine the visual behaviour pattern in sailors with different practice time in one star race, applying a probabilistic model based on Markov chains. The sample of this study consisted of 20 sailors, distributed in two groups, top ranking (n = 10) and bottom ranking (n = 10), all of them competed in the Optimist Class. An automated system of measurement, which integrates the VSail-Trainer sail simulator and the Eye Tracking System(TM) was used. The variables under consideration were the sequence of fixations and the fixation recurrence time performed on each location by the sailors. The event consisted of one of simulated regatta start, with stable conditions of wind, competitor and sea. Results show that top ranking sailors perform a low recurrence time on relevant locations and higher on irrelevant locations while bottom ranking sailors make a low recurrence time in most of the locations. The visual pattern performed by bottom ranking sailors is focused around two visual pivots, which does not happen in the top ranking sailor's pattern. In conclusion, the Markov chains analysis has allowed knowing the visual behaviour pattern of the top and bottom ranking sailors and its comparison.

Análise do rendimento no primeiro serviço em tenistas de competição sob o efeito de um escoamento aerodinâmico induzido / Análisis del rendimiento del primer servicio en tenistas de competición bajo la influencia de flujo aerodinámico inducido / Analysis of the performance in the first serve in competitive tennis players under the effect of the induced aerodynamic flow

O presente estudo analisou as variáveis de produto no serviço de tênis em 12 jogadores experientes, quando constrangidos com um escoamento aerodinâmico induzido (EAI) produzido por um ventilador industrial. Para o cálculo da exatidão do serviço, recorreu-se a uma análise 2D. A velocidade de saída da bola foi medida através de um radar. Os jogadores realizaram 100 serviços à máxima velocidade e para o ponto de interseção da linha central e linha de serviço. Os resultados não evidenciam diferenças estatisticamente significativas na exatidão e precisão entre a condição de controlo e as quatro condições com EAI. Na variável velocidade de serviço verificaram-se diferenças significativas em seis participantes. Na relação entre a velocidade e a exatidão constatou-se a existência de correlações negativas e estatisticamente significativas, nas condições EAI1; EAI3 e EAI aleatório. Os jogadores apresentaram uma menor exatidão e precisão em profundidade e maior na direção do serviço.

This study analysed the product variables on the tennis serve of 12 experienced players, when constrained by an induced streamlined flow (EAI), delivered by an industrial ventilator. In order to obtain the serve accuracy, we use 2D analysis. Moreover, the ball's speed was measured by radar. The players performed 100 services at maximum speed and to the intersection point between the central and the service lines. The results showed no statistically significant changes in accuracy and precision between the control condition and the four EAI conditions. The results also showed prominent statistical changes in the serve speed for 6 among the 12 players. Concerning to the relation between the serve's speed and the accuracy, the results showed the existence of negative significant correlations for the speeds EA1, EAI3 and for random EAI. Lastly, the players' attempts had narrower accuracy and precision in the depth than in the serve direction.

Este estudio analizó las variables del producto en el servicio de tenis en 12 jugadores expertos, cuando se les aplica un flujo aerodinámico inducido (EAI) mediante un ventilador industrial. Se calculó la precisión del servicio aplicando un análisis 2D. La velocidad de salida de la bola fue medida con un radar. Los sujetos realizaron 100 servicios a máxima velocidad hacia la línea de intersección entre la línea central y de servicio. Los resultados no muestran diferencias significativas en la exactitud y precisión entre la condición de control y las cuatro condiciones con EAI. En la variable de velocidad del servicio se encontraron diferencias significativas en 6 participantes. Se hallaron correlaciones negativas y significativas entre la velocidad y la precisión entre las condiciones EAI1; EAI3 y EAI aleatorio. Los jugadores presentaron una menor exactitud y precisión en profundidad y mayor en la dirección del servicio.