Physical fitness characteristics of elite freestyle skiing aerials athletes.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the physical fitness characteristics of elite freestyle skiing aerials athletes, thereby enhancing the understanding of exercise physiologists, sports scientists, and coaches regarding the demands in this discipline. METHODS: After health screenings, 29 athletes from the Chinese National Freestyle Skiing Aerials Team were divided into elite and general groups, including males and females. Physical fitness indexes were determined through literature reviews, expert interviews, and the Delphi method, followed by physical fitness tests assessing body morphology, physiological function, and physical quality. Data normality was verified using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Differences between the two groups were then evaluated using independent sample t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests, after which effect sizes were calculated to assess the magnitude of the differences. RESULTS: Significant body morphology differences were noted between elite and general groups in fat-free body weight, leg, and waist circumferences (P < 0.05). Male athletes in the elite group exhibited a significantly lower percentage of body fat (P < 0.05), whereas the reduction in body fat percentage among female elite athletes was not statistically significant. In terms of physiological function assessment, elite athletes demonstrated superior performance in both maximum anaerobic capacity and relative maximum anaerobic capacity compared to their counterparts in the general group (P < 0.05). Notably, the difference in maximum anaerobic capacity was highly significant among male athletes (P < 0.01), and the relative maximum anaerobic capacity among female athletes was also markedly significant (P < 0.01). Regarding physical quality indexes, elite athletes outperformed those in the general group in all aspects except for the quick v-up and 12-minute run tests (P < 0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Elite athletes exhibit superior physical fitness characteristics compared to general athletes, attributable to differences in age, years of training, and their participation in ongoing specialized physical training within structured, cyclical programs. Specifically, elite athletes demonstrated higher fat-free body weight, larger waist and leg circumferences in terms of body morphology. Particularly, male athletes showed a trend towards lower body fat percentage. Physiologically, they exhibited stronger anaerobic metabolism capabilities. In terms of physical quality, elite athletes displayed superior limb strength, lower limb explosive power, and specialized core strength, along with better speed, agility, and overall coordination.

Construction of a physical fitness evaluation index system and model for high-level freestyle skiing aerials athletes in China.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to enhance the competitive level of Chinese freestyle skiing aerials athletes by developing a specialized physical fitness evaluation index system and model tailored for high-level Chinese athletes. This system intends to provide theoretical references and training monitoring schemes in preparation for the 25th Milan Winter Olympics. METHODS: A study was conducted on 29 high-level Chinese freestyle skiing aerials athletes. Physical fitness test indexes were selected using a literature review, expert interviews, and questionnaire surveys, and athletes were tested. Athletes were ensured to be in optimal physical condition before testing. Based on the test results, the representative indexes of the evaluation system are finally determined by combining R-type clustering analysis, multiple linear regression analysis. Determine index weights through weight questionnaires and normalization, and develop evaluation standards through methods such as percentile counting and weighted scoring. RESULTS: Physical fitness evaluation system for Chinese freestyle skiing aerialists includes three aspects: evaluation index, index weight, and evaluation standard. The evaluation indexes include 3 first-level, 11 second-level, and 11 third-level indexes of body form, physiological function, and physical quality. In the evaluation weight, physical quality is ranked first, and physiological function and body form rank second and third, respectively. The evaluation standard consists of a scoring evaluation standard and a rating evaluation standard. Based on the index system, this study constructs the general and ideal physical fitness model of China's high-level freestyle aerials athletes. CONCLUSION: The constructed physical fitness evaluation system effectively represents physical fitness development status of high-level freestyle skiing aerials athletes, providing a basis for creating personalized training plans. The established model serves as a reference for athletes' physical fitness development objectives.

Correlation between core stability and the landing kinetics of elite aerial skiing athletes.

Core stability is critical for improving athletic performance, reducing injury risks and is one of the most important elements of athletic training. However, the effect of core stability on landing kinetics during aerial skiing remains unclear, making relevant analysis and discussion an urgent issue to address. To enhance core stability training and landing performance aerial athletes, this study proposed a correlation analysis to investigate the effect of core stability on landing kinetics. Previous studies on aerial athletes have overlooked landing kinetics and lacked correlation analyses, leading to unsatisfactory analysis outcomes. The correlation analysis can be integrated with core stability training indices to analyze the effect of core stability on vertical and 360° jump landings. Therefore, this study can provide guidance for core stability training and athletic performance in aerial athletes.

Eight weeks of core stability training improves landing kinetics for freestyle skiing aerials athletes.

Freestyle skiing aerials are characterized by technical elements including strength, flexibility and balance. Core stability in aerials can improve sporting performance. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the effect of 8 weeks of core stability training on core stability performance in aerials. METHODS: Participants were randomly assigned to a control group (CG; n = 4male + 5female; age 15.89 ± 1.54 years; height 163.11 ± 6.19 cm; weight 55.33 ± 5.07 Kg) and a training group (TG; n = 4male+5female; age 16.11 ± 2.47 years; height 161.56 ± 5.25 cm; weight 57.56 ± 8.11 Kg). Body shape, the performance of core stability, and landing kinetics were measured after 8 weeks of core stability training. Independent sample t-tests were used to compare baseline values between groups. A two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) (time × group) was used. RESULTS: The TG improved body shape, and waist circumference (t = -2.333, p = 0.020). Performance of core stability, squat (t = -4.082, p = 0.004), trunk flexion isometric test (t = -4.150, p = 0.003), trunk lateral bending isometric test (t = -2.668, p = 0.008), trunk rotation isometric test (t = -2.666, p = 0.008), side bridge (t = -2.666, p = 0.008), back hyperextension (t = -4.116, p = 0.003), single foot triple jump (t = -4.184, p = 0.003), and single-leg balance with eyes closed (t = 4.167, p = 0.003). Performance in landing kinetics, End/Phase (t = -4.015, p = 0.004), sagittal axes (t = -4.598, p = 0.002), frontal axis (t = 3.116, p = 0.014), peak power hip changing range (t = 2.666, p = 0.017), peak power knee changing range (t = 2.256, p = 0.049). CONCLUSION: Core stability training leads to improvements in body shape, the performance of core stability, and landing kinetics. Therefore, these improvements can improve the sporting performance in aerials competitions.

RhythmNet: End-to-end Heart Rate Estimation from Face via Spatial-temporal Representation.

Heart rate (HR) is an important physiological signal that reflects the physical and emotional status of a person. Traditional HR measurements usually rely on contact monitors, which may cause inconvenience and discomfort. Recently, some methods have been proposed for remote HR estimation from face videos; however, most of them focus on well-controlled scenarios, their generalization ability into less-constrained scenarios (e.g., with head movement, and bad illumination) are not known. At the same time, lacking large-scale HR databases has limited the use of deep models for remote HR estimation. In this paper, we propose an end-to-end RhythmNet for remote HR estimation from the face. In RyhthmNet, we use a spatial-temporal representation encoding the HR signals from multiple ROI volumes as its input. Then the spatial-temporal representations are fed into a convolutional network for HR estimation. We also take into account the relationship of adjacent HR measurements from a video sequence via Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) and achieves efficient HR measurement. In addition, we build a large-scale multi-modal HR database (named as VIPL-HRVIPL-HR is available at: ), which contains 2,378 visible light videos (VIS) and 752 near-infrared (NIR) videos of 107 subjects. Our VIPL-HR database contains various variations such as head movements, illumination variations, and acquisition device changes, replicating a less-constrained scenario for HR estimation. The proposed approach outperforms the state-of-the-art methods on both the public-domain and our VIPL-HR databases.

[Mr. HU Yin-pei: a famous acupuncture specialist in Beijing].

Mr. HU Yin-pei, who is good at treating difficult and complicated syndromes of internal medicine, gynaecology and paediatrics with golden needles, is a famous acupuncture specialist of modern times in Beijing. He attaches great importance on integration of acupuncture and materia medica. It is held that acupuncture and herbal medicine can complement mutual promotion as the same function, mutual supplement as the different action, restrict each other as the opposite function and regulate different syndromes respectively so as to enhance the therapeutic effect and bring their own advantages into full play. He focuses on acupuncture manipulation, and puts forward four key points of accuracy, gentle and fast, stable as well as effective. It is held that the root cause of diseases should be given explored, differentiation of syndromes should be based on differentiation according to meridians, and diagnosis should be as accurate as possible. Selection of points is refined with key points, and the application is flexible with obvious therapeutic effects.

[Mr. Wang Le-ting: a master of acupuncture].

Mr. WANG Le-ting attaches great importance to accurate differentiation of syndromes, strict selection of acupoints, technique and direction of needle insertion, clear reinforcing and reducing methods after the appearance of needling sensations, proper opportunities of manipulations as well as needle withdrawal techniques, and reasonable application of acupuncture and moxibustion respectively. The above mentioned principles are known as his "5 agreements". He emphasizes that the selection of acupoints should be "in accordance with both the meridians and the accurate location of the points", and "needling sensation is necessary for each point". He holds that the back-shu points of the five-zang organs and Geshu (BL 17) can be adopted for patient with deficiency of qi, blood, yin and yang. In the aspect of acupoint theory, he insists the accurate location of Xuanzhong (GB 39). He also adjusts the locations of Huatuo Jiaji (EX-B 2) points, and finds the location of the new Dubi (ST 35). For easier applications, he divides the functions of acupoints into different schools of qi, blood, cold, heat, deficiency, excess, wind and dampness. And 41 combinations of acupoints are also invented as innovation. He is always strict to his students, instructing and influencing them by his own words and deeds. He is always conscientious and meticulous, which benefit immensely his followers, and remains a lot of precious experiences for the later generations.