Miřátský, P, Hank, M, Gryc, T, Brožka, M, Cabell, L, Escamilla, R, Zahálka, F, and Malý, T. Fitness differences among professional firefighters utilizing various conditioning regimens throughout the year. J Strength Cond Res 39(7): e898-e908, 2025-The aim of this study was to compare selected parameters of physical fitness of Czech frontline professional firefighters ( n = 92), who performed various physical activities according to their preferences within their regular physical preparation for 1 year. These firefighters were assigned to 1 of 3 groups based on their training preferences and sport focus: General Sports Activities (GSA; n = 30), Fire Sport (FS; n = 36), and Toughest Firefighter Alive (TFA; n = 26). All subjects completed (in period September) a battery of laboratory fitness tests including body composition, lower limb muscular strength and power, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Firefighters in the FS and TFA groups were found to have significantly higher values ( p < 0.01) for the following variables: fat-free mass, isokinetic strength, muscle power, maximum aerobic capacity, minute ventilation, and heart rate at the anaerobic threshold than their counterparts in the GSA group. There were no significant differences in body mass ( p = 0.21) and body mass index (BMI) ( p = 0.48) between the firefighter groups. Professional frontline firefighters' level of physical fitness is improved by the incorporation of specific physical training activities, duties, and disciplines. This can have a direct impact on frontline firefighters' capacity to fight fires safely and effectively.
- MeSH
- anaerobní práh fyziologie MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- hasiči * MeSH
- kardiorespirační zdatnost fyziologie MeSH
- kondiční příprava * metody fyziologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- složení těla fyziologie MeSH
- srdeční frekvence fyziologie MeSH
- svalová síla fyziologie MeSH
- tělesná výkonnost * fyziologie MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
The aim of this study was to determine the differences in golf swing execution in terms of the parameters of the pelvis and thorax movement between the sexes in junior golfers and their relation to the golf club velocity. Elite female and male players (age: 15.4 ± 1.0 and 15.8 ± 1.7 years, respectively) performed 10 golf swings with a driver under laboratory conditions. Pelvis and thorax movement parameters and golf club velocities were measured using a three-dimensional motion capture system. Statistical parametric mapping analysis of pelvis-thorax coupling revealed a significant difference (p < 0.05) between boys and girls during backswing. Analysis of variance showed a significant effect of sex on the parameters of maximal pelvic rotation (F = 6.28, p = 0.02), X-factor (F = 5.41, p = 0.03), and golf club velocity (F = 31.98, p < 0.01). No significant relationship was found between pelvis and thorax movement parameters and golf club velocity in the girls. We found a significant negative relationship between the parameters of maximal thorax rotation and golf club velocity (r = -0.941, p < 0.01) and between X-Factor and golf club velocity (r = -0.847, p < 0.05) in the boys. We suggest that these negative relationships in males were caused by the influence of hormones during their maturation and biological development, where there is decreased flexibility (lower shoulders rotation and X-factor) and growth of muscle strength (higher club head velocity).
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
BACKGROUND: The physical characteristics of golfers have a strong relationship with the clubhead speed (CHS), which is the main indicator of energy produced during a golf swing. However, perennial observations of development in CHS, physical characteristics, and body composition, and their long-term effects on CHS are lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the lower body physical characteristics and body composition parameters and their relationship with clubhead speed during one and over a two-year period in junior golfers. METHODS: Nineteen skilled, male, junior golfers participated in this study. RESULTS: A significant positive relationship (P<0.05) was found between improvement in CHS and increase in the body height (r=0.56), increase in peak power of the countermovement jump (r=0.55), and squat jump (r=0.52). A near-significant positive relationship was found between improvement in CHS and increases in the fat-free mass (r=0.42; P=0.06) and peak torque of the knee extensor at an angular velocity of 60° s-1 (r=0.44; P=0.07). CONCLUSIONS: Thus, we recommend that golf coaches work on muscle strengthening and conditioning with their players, focusing on: 1) the increase of the active muscle mass as opposed to the total body mass in relation to the acceleration of CHS; and 2) exercises to develop the muscle power (vertical jumping) and maximum lower limb strength (knee extension).
- MeSH
- biomechanika MeSH
- golf * fyziologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- postura těla MeSH
- složení těla MeSH
- sportovní výkon * fyziologie MeSH
- svalová síla fyziologie MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
The purpose of our study was to investigate peak torque (PT) of knee extensors (KE) and knee flexors (KF), bilateral and unilateral strength asymmetries in isokinetic testing and vertical jump height (JH), vertical ground reaction force (VGRF), and force differences (ΔVGRF) between legs during different jump tests in professional first-line firefighters (n = 15) competing in fire sports disciplines. There was a significant effect of jump type on JH (F2,44 = 7.23, p < 0.05), VGRF (F2,44 = 16.03, p < 0.05), and ΔVGRF (F2,44 = 3.45, p < 0.05). Professional firefighters achieved a mean JH of 50.17 cm in the countermovement jump free arms and high PT of KEs (3.15 Nm/kg). No significant differences (p > 0.05) and small effect sizes (d < 0.3) were found between the legs when PTs were assessed. We found a slightly higher (d = 0.53) unilateral strength ratio in non-dominant legs (58.12 ± 10.26%) compared to dominant legs (55.31 ± 7.51%). No effect of laterality was found among limb comparisons, but a higher unilateral isokinetic strength ratio was found in non-dominant legs of firefighters. A high level of strength (PT of KEs > 3 times body weight) and vertical jump performance is comparable to the performance of elite athletic populations.
- MeSH
- biomechanika MeSH
- hasiči * MeSH
- koleno MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- sporty * MeSH
- svalová síla MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
Congenital tibial deficiency is a rare developmental skeletal disorder. When the surgical treatment fails the amputation and/or prosthesis is needed. Recent studies of prosthetic gait present only data for acquired case of prosthetic gait, mainly measured in comfortable self-selected speed, which does not reflect changes visible only during higher demands conditions i.e. faster gait. Prosthetic gait of acquired cases (i.e. traumatic amputation) differs from normal gait mostly in gait asymmetry (GA). However, it was not yet studied in a developmental case of prosthetic gait. In this case study, GA changes in different speed of walking with ankle-foot prosthesis were identified for unilateral congenital tibial deficiency in a young healthy man. Selected joint kinematic, spatial-temporal, and kinetic gait parameters were collected using 3D motion capture system and treadmill with force plate simultaneously. Mean values, SD, and symmetry indexes were calculated in different walking speeds and descriptively analyzed. Results show developmental prosthetic gait specific pattern and GA in most of the measured gait parameters. Kinematic parameters of joint angular ranges register decreasing GA with increasing gait speed on intact limb side. Spatial-temporal parameters present decreasing GA with increasing speed on the prosthetic limb side for double support and step duration. Kinetic parameters show increasing GA on intact limb in all parameters, except loading rate which decrease with increasing speed. In the case of congenital tibial deficiency, gait pattern, GA and compensatory mechanisms differ to the acquired prosthetic gait and depend on walking speed. These findings complete the missing point in prosthetic gait research and may serve as a base for further research of differences between developmental and acquired cases of prosthetic gait patterns.
- MeSH
- analýza chůze * MeSH
- biomechanika MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- ektromelie genetika terapie MeSH
- fibrózní dysplazie kosti genetika terapie MeSH
- kineziologie aplikovaná MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- protézy a implantáty * MeSH
- rychlost chůze MeSH
- tibie abnormality MeSH
- výzkum MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- kazuistiky MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
High golf performance depends on ability to repeat golf swing execution with all golf clubs and reach repetitive contact between the golf club and the ball. The aim of the study was to determine the variability of golf swing execution in lower and upper body parameters for two golf clubs. Eleven elite female golfers of junior age volunteered in the study and performed 10 trials with mid-iron and with driver at laboratory conditions. 3D motion capture system was used to measure the lower and upper body movement parameters and club head speed. To assess variability the coefficient of variation and biological coefficient of variation were used. Two-tailed t test was used to identify difference between mid-iron and driver variability for all kinematic variables. Club effect was found at top of the backswing in shoulders tilt (p = 0.02) and at impact in shoulders rotation (p = 0.01), shoulders tilt (p = 0.02) and club head speed (p = 0.001). We did not found any significant difference in variability of body movement kinematic parameters and temporal parameters between mid-iron and driver. We found high stability of performance in temporal parameters and for lower limbs kinematic parameters at three selected moments of the golf swing for both clubs. We suggest that stability of temporal parameters is the key to achieve the effective and repeatable golf swing in all golf clubs.
High golf performance depends on ability to repeat golf swing execution with all golf clubs and reach repetitive contact between the golf club and the ball. The aim of the study was to determine the variability of golf swing execution in lower and upper body parameters for two golf clubs. Eleven elite female golfers of junior age volunteered in the study and performed 10 trials with mid-iron and with driver at laboratory conditions. 3D motion capture system was used to measure the lower and upper body movement parameters and club head speed. To assess variability the coefficient of variation and biological coefficient of variation were used. Two-tailed t test was used to identify difference between mid-iron and driver variability for all kinematic variables. Club effect was found at top of the backswing in shoulders tilt (p = 0.02) and at impact in shoulders rotation (p = 0.01), shoulders tilt (p = 0.02) and club head speed (p = 0.001). We did not found any significant difference in variability of body movement kinematic parameters and temporal parameters between mid-iron and driver. We found high stability of performance in temporal parameters and for lower limbs kinematic parameters at three selected moments of the golf swing for both clubs. We suggest that stability of temporal parameters is the key to achieve the effective and repeatable golf swing in all golf clubs.
- MeSH
- biomechanika * MeSH
- golf MeSH
- kineziologie aplikovaná metody MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- pánev MeSH
- rameno MeSH
- výzkum MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
OBJECTIVE: The unique foot morphology and distinctive functions facilitate complex tasks and strategies such as standing, walking, and running. In those weight-bearing activities, postural stability (PS) plays an important role. Correlations among foot type, PS, and other musculoskeletal problems that increase sport injury risk are known. However, long-term associations among the foot type, the PS, and body weight (BW) distribution are lacking. Thus, the purpose of this study was to longitudinally identify changes in foot morphology, PS, and symmetry in BW distribution during adolescence among elite male soccer players. METHODS: Thirty-five Czech elite male soccer players (age, 15.49 ± 0.61 years; BW, 64.11 ± 6.16 kg; body height, 174.62 ± 5.71 cm) underwent foot type, PS, and BW distribution measurements during 3 consecutive years (T1, T2, T3). The Chippaux-Smirak index (CSI), BW distribution, and centre of pressure (COP) displacement (total traveled way [TTW]) of each player for the preferred (PL) and non-preferred leg (NL) were acquired. Repeated-measures analysis of variance (RM ANOVA), Bonferroni´s post hoc tests, and partial eta-squared (ηp2) coefficient were used for investigating the effect of time on selected variables and effect size evaluation. RESULTS: Statistically significant effect of time on CSI values (PL: F2,68 = 5.08, p < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.13 and NL: F2,68 = 10.87, p < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.24) and COP displacement values (PL: F2,68 = 5.07, p <0.01, ηp2 = 0.13; NL: F2,68 = 3.53, p <0.05, ηp2 = 0.09) for both legs over 3-years period was identified. Furthermore, the Bonferroni´s post hoc analysis revealed a significant improvement of PS values in the PL (TTWT1 = 1617.11 ± 520.22 mm vs. TTWT2 = 1405.29 ± 462.76, p < 0.05; and between TTWT1 = 1617.11 ± 520.22 mm vs. TTWT3 = 1370.46 ± 373.94, p < 0.05). Only BW distribution parameter showed no significant differences, although slightly improved over time. CONCLUSIONS: We observed changes in foot typology, PS, and BW distribution in young elite male soccer players during 3 consecutive years. Results demonstrated that changes in PS and body weight distribution under the high-load sport conditions during adolescence may improve with aging, except for foot morphology. Therefore, foot morphology should be carefully monitored to minimize sport injury risk in professional young soccer players during adolescence. Further research is necessary to determine more clear associations between these parameters, soccer-related injuries, and sport performances.
- MeSH
- biomechanika MeSH
- fotbal zranění fyziologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- longitudinální studie MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- noha (od hlezna dolů) anatomie a histologie fyziologie MeSH
- plochá noha patologie patofyziologie MeSH
- posturální rovnováha fyziologie MeSH
- somatotypy fyziologie MeSH
- tělesná hmotnost fyziologie MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
Golfers with disability are limited in the execution of the full golf swing, but their performance in putting may be comparable because this stroke does not demand significant strength, balance and range of motion. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare putting performance, kinetic and kinematic consistency between golfers with different disabilities and healthy athletes. The participants consisted of three disabled athletes (perinatal cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, below knee lower limb amputee) and three healthy golfers (age 34 ± 4.5 years, body height 178 ± 3.3 cm, body mass 83 ± 6.2 kg). The golfers' movements were recorded by active 3D markers for kinematic analyses; the subjects performed 10 trials of a 6 m putting task while standing on separate force platforms placed under each lower limb. Putting performance was measured by the distance of the final ball position to the centre of the hole. ANOVA analyses did not show any differences in clubhead speed and total ball distance from the hole. The consistency of those two parameters expressed by the coefficient of variation (CV) was CV = 0.5% or better in both groups for clubhead speed and ranged from CV = 0.40 to 0.61% in healthy and CV = 0.21 to 0.55% in disabled athletes for total error distance. The main effect ANOVA showed differences in weight shift, hip and shoulder kinematics (p < 0.05) between healthy players and all players with disability. All disabled athletes shifted their weight toward the healthy side (towards the healthy lower limb) and alternated the end of the swing. The player with below knee amputation had the lowest range of motion in the shoulder joint during the putting stroke. The players with perinatal cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis had the largest range of motion in the hips. Putting performance of disabled golfers was similar to healthy athletes. During training of disabled players, coaches should pay attention to the specificity of a particular disability when focused on putting performance. However, individual technique should achieve the same consistency as observed in healthy players.
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Při golfovém švihu se zapojují všechny tělní segmenty a je tak považován za jeden z nejkomplexnějších pohybů ve sportu. Cílem studie bylo určit u zvolených kinematických parametrů pohybu pánve a segmentů horní části těla (rotace ramen, rotace boků, X-faktor, natažení X-faktoru), které ovlivňují rychlost hlavy hole při kontaktu s míčkem u elitních hráčů golfu. Pro utvoření modelu horní části těla bylo použito šest aktivních bodů a jejich poloha v průběhu měření byla snímána 3D kinematickým analyzátorem CODA Motion System. Pro určení stability provedení byl použit variační koeficient a pro statistické hodnocení vztahu mezi kinematickými a časovými parametry a rychlosti hlavy hole při kontaktu s míčkem byl použit Pearsonův korelační koeficient. Byla zjištěna vysoká interindividuální stabilita provedení, především u parametrů maximální rotace ramen v nápřahu a rychlost hlavy hole v okamžiku kontaktu s míčem. Při vztahové analýze mezi rychlostí hlavy hole v okamžiku kontaktu s míčkem a sledovanými kinematickými parametry pohybu horní části těla byl nalezen vysoký vztah pouze s parametrem natažení X-faktoru.
When the golf swing is involving all body segments and is thus considered as one of the most complex of sports motions. The aim of this study was to determine the selected kinematic parameters of movement of pelvic and segments of the upper body (shoulder rotation, hip rotation, X-Factor, stretch X-Factor) that affect the club head speed at ball contact in elite golfers. To build the upper body segment model were used spots and their position during the measurement was scanned by 3D kinematic analyzer CODA Motion System. To determine the interindividual stability of performance the coefficient of variation was used and for statistical analysis of the relationship between kinematic and temporal parameters and the club head speed at ball contact the Pearson's correlation coefficient was used. We found a high interindividual stability in maximized shoulders rotation and club head speed at ball contact parameters. When analyzing relationship between the club head speed at ball contact and the observed kinematic parameters of the movement of the upper body only a high relationship with the stretch X-factor parameter was found.
- MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- golf * MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- pánev fyziologie MeSH
- postura těla * MeSH
- rameno fyziologie MeSH
- rotace MeSH
- svalová síla * fyziologie MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
V průběhu plného golfového švihu je snahou většiny hráčů dosažení co nejvyšší rychlosti hlavy hole v okamžiku kontaktu s míčkem pro dosažení co nejdelší délky letu míčku. Cílem studie bylo zjistit vztah mezi X-Faktorem (rozdíl v osové rotaci pánve a horní části těla) ve vybraných fázích golfového švihu a rychlostí hlavy hole v okamžiku kontaktu s míčkem u profesionálních hráčů a u elitních hráčů dorostenecké kategorie. Pro snímání polohy jednotlivých segmentů bylo použito 6 aktivních bodů 3D kinematického analyzátoru CODA Motion System umístěných na těle probanda a na holi. U obou skupin golfistů byla nalezena vysoká interindividuální stabilita provedení u parametru rychlost hlavy hole v okamžiku kontaktu s míčem. U profesionálních hráčů i elitních hráčů dorosteneckého věku byl nalezen vysoký vztah mezi natažením X-Faktoru a rychlostí hlavy hole v okamžiku kontaktu s míčkem. U profesionálních hráčů byl nalezen vysoký vztah mezi parametry X-Faktor ve vrcholu nápřahu a maximální X-Faktor a rychlostí hlavy hole v okamžiku kontaktu s míčkem, avšak u elitních dorosteneckých hráčů byl nalezen vztah mezi těmito parametry vysoce negativní.
The goal of most players during the golf swing is to achieve maximum club head speed at ball contact to reach long ball flight. The aim of this study was to determine the relation between X-Factor (the difference in axial rotation of the pelvis and upper body) at selected golf swing phases and club head speed at impact at the professional players and elite junior golf players. 3D kinematic analyzer CODA Motion System with 6 active markers was used to sense the position of body segments and the club. High interindividual stability of performance was found for both groups of golfers at parameter clubhead speed at ball contact. High correlation between Stretch X-Factor and clubhead speed at impact were found at pros and elite junior players. At pros high correlation and at elite junior players high negative correlation was found between the parameters X-Factor at the top of the backswing and maximum X-Factor and clubhead speed at impact.
- Klíčová slova
- kinematická analýza,
- MeSH
- biomechanika * MeSH
- biometrie metody přístrojové vybavení MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- golf * MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- motorické dovednosti MeSH
- rotace * MeSH
- sportovci MeSH
- sportovní výkon MeSH
- statistika jako téma MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
