Predictive saccades were initiated significantly later when batters knew the types of pitch in advance compared to when they did not. We also found that the best three batters started predictive saccades significantly later and tended to have fewer gaze-ball errors than the other three batters. This result suggests that top batters spend slightly more time obtaining visual information by delaying the initiation of saccades. Furthermore, although all batters showed positive correlations between bat location and head direction at the time of impact, the better batters showed no correlation between bat location and gaze direction at that time. These results raise the possibility of differences in the coding process for the location of bat-ball contact; namely, that top batters might utilize head direction to encode impact locations.Several methods to determine turn switch points during alpine skiing using the vertical GRF exist in the literature. Although comparative studies between pressure insoles (PI) and force platforms (FP) have been conducted, there are no reports comparing the detected time points. Yet, these sensors and methods have been used interchangeably. This study aims to compare the turn switch time points with both sensors and various methods. Twenty skiers performed turns with FP and PI for two different ski styles (high and low dynamic turns). Three different assessment methodologies were compared minima, functional minima, and crossings. Bland Altman and repeated measures ANOVA were used to assess statistical differences. Main effects of sensor and method were observed (p 30% of the turn duration. A large effect size (η2 = 0.153) was found between the crossing method and the minima and functional minima methods. This indicates that those methods assess different events during the turn switch phase. selleck compound In conclusion, the sensors and assessment methodologies compared in this study are not interchangeable with the possible exception of the minima and functional minima assessed with FP.Reliable assessment of the performance of alpine skiers is essential. Previous studies have highlighted the potential of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) for evaluating this performance. Accordingly, the present perspective summarizes published research concerning methodological and practical aspects of the assessment of alpine skiing performance by GNSS. Methodologically, in connection with trajectory analysis, a resolution of 1-10 cm, which can be achieved with the most advanced GNSS systems, has proven to provide acceptable accuracy. The antenna should be positioned to follow the trajectory of the skier’s center-of-mass (CoM) as closely as possible and estimation of this trajectory can be further improved by applying advanced modeling and/or other computerized approaches. From a practical point of view, effective assessment requires consideration of numerous parameters related to performance, including gate-to-gate times, trajectory, speed, and energy dissipation. For an analysis that is both more comprehensive and more easily accessible to coaches/athletes, video filming should be synchronized with the GNSS data. In summary, recent advances in GNSS technology already allow, at least to some extent, precise biomechanical analysis of performance over an entire alpine skiing race course in real-time. Such feedback has both facilitated and improved the work of coaches. Thus, athletes and coaches are becoming more and more aware of the advantages of analyzing alpine skiing performance by GNSS in combination with advanced computer software, paving the way for the digital revolution in both the applied research on and practice of this sport.The objective of this manuscript was to examine the periodization strategy of an international Rugby-7s team during an Olympic season. Training load data were collected in 14 elite male players over a 48-week period during the 2015-2016 Olympic season. The season consisted of 3 macrocycles including preseason (12-weak duration), in-season (25-weak) fragmented into four 4-7 weeks mesocycles (In-1-4) and the final preparation for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games (Olympic preparation, 11-weak). External training load (TL) such as the total distance (TD), the high-intensity distance (HID) and the number of accelerations performed, was monitored in training and competition over the entire duration of the season using a global positioning system (GPS) devices. The rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was multiplied by the session duration (min) to provide an internal TL (session-RPE) value for all training sessions and competitions. The Olympic preparation may enable planning of higher external TL compared to the preseason (TD, 21 ± 13%, moderate; total accelerations, 27 ± 4%, moderate) whereas no difference was observed for internal TL values between these two periods. High-intensity distance (HID) and internal TL (session-RPE) were lower (-11.0 ± 7.8%, small and -38 ± 3%, moderate, respectively) during the in-season compared to preseason. Internal TL, TD as well as HID were lower in the third in-season mesocycle (In-3) compared with the first in-season mesocycle (In-1) (-25 ± 12%, moderate; -32 ± 4%, moderate; -49 ± 8%, moderate, respectively). The staff managed the workload considering the in-season as the main part of the “Road to Rio.” The strategy to reduce the workload at the middle of the season and to induce weeks of regeneration at the end of the in-season was highlighted by the training availability of 100% of the squad at the beginning of the Olympic preparation. The workload periodization strategy of an Olympic season differs from the strategy previously described during a non-Olympic season.Background Increasing ultramarathons participation, investigation into strenuous exercise and kidney function has to be clarified. Study Design Prospective observational study. Methods and Protocol The study used data collected among ultra-marathon runners completing the 2017 edition of the 120 km “Infernal trail” race. Samples were collected within 2 h pre-race (start) and immediately post-race (finish). Measurements of serum creatinine (sCr), cystatin C (Cys), creatine kinase, and urine albumin were completed. Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) as defined by the RIFLE criteria. “Risk” of injury was defined as increased serum Creatinine (sCr) × 1.5 or Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) decrease >25%. Injury was defined as 2 × sCr or GFR decrease >50%. These two categories of AKI were combined to calculate total incidence at the finish line. GFR was estimated by two methods, using measure of sCr and using measure of cystatin C. Urinary biomarkers [neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL)] were also used to define AKI.