european college of sport science

Friday, June 26 th , 2009
08:30 - 10:00
Invited symposia
IS-BM05 Complex systems in sport
COMPLEX SYSTEMS AND PHYSIOLOGICAL TESTING
VAINORAS, A., BALAGUE, N.
KAUNAS UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE, LITHUANIA; INEFC , BARCELONA, SPAIN.
IS-BM05 Complex systems in sport
Introduction: The complex systems approach to physiological testing in sport science is offering a chance to cope with the holistic nature
of the organism, giving information about the synergies of the main systems interacting during the exercise and their fractal characteristics
(Goldberger, 1997). The aim of this study is to introduce the basis of the complex approach to physiological testing and summarize the
main results obtained by the application of the Kaunas Load system in the evaluation of overtraining and exercise induced fatigue and
failure.
Methods: A formalized model and its software, involving the main holistic systems -muscles and bones (periphery system), cardiovascular
(supplying system), and regulatory system, has been used for the evaluation of trained individuals (Vainoras, 1997). A system of parameters
has been elaborated to reveal the behaviour and dynamics of the organism during the application of cycle ergometer workloads
and during the recovery period. The parameters are based on the synchronous registration of standard 12 lead ECG, arterial blood
pleasure and developed power. In the model some new and a set of nonlinear parameters –evaluation of sample entropy and evaluations
with the help of Hankel matrix are determined. The sensitivity to the model and its parameters to special features as overtraining,
fatigue and failure induced by exercise have been checked and will be discussed.
Results: The system and some evaluated parameters (Ad) have shown its sensitivity to special features as overtraining effects on the
organism. The evaluation of sample entropy and Hankel matrix analysis, as measures of organism complexity, revealed its sensitivity in
the study of the fatigue and failure during cycle ergometer endurance exercise. Both indicators decrease with the development of load,
returning to their initial values during the recovery period. A special hallmark is the increase in complexity observed before the failure
point is reached.
Discussion: The model and its software have been proven as being useful in the investigation of the human organism complexity during
exercise and have shown its sensitivity to some syndromes of complex nature as overtraining and fatigue and failure induced by exercise.
The computerized system is used for research purposes and is being applied to Lithuanian sportsman -from early ages up to the
Olympic team members. The main advantages of the system are related with the fast diagnostic and early detection of abnormal reactions
to workload exposures that are not possible through the more classical physiological testing Methods: References
Goldberger A. (1996). Non-linear dynamics for clinicians: chaos theory, fractals and complexity at the bedside. Lancet. 11,347(9011),1312-
1314.
Vainoras A., Gargasas L., Ruseckas R. et al..Computerized exercise electrocardiogram analysis system “Kaunas-Load”. (1997) In “Electrocardiology’97”
Bratislava, Slovak R., 253-256.
MANIPULATION OF TASK CONSTRAINTS AND REPLICA SYMMETRY BREAKING. AN ANALYSIS OF NOVEL PATTERN
FORMATION
HRISTOVSKI, R.
UNIVERSITY SS ¨CYRIL AND METHODIUS¨
Introduction: According to Sternberg & Lubart (1999) creativity is defined as an activity of generating novel and appropriate (i.e. satisfying
goal constraints) products. Within the constraints –led framework on action formation a generative system can be defined as a set of
task, personal and environmental constraints coupled to the action degrees of freedom of the performer. Using the tools of glassy state
physics which is a paradigm of complexity it may be shown how it can be used for capturing the most prominent features of creative
behavior in sport movements, that is, the generation of novel appropriate patterns.
Methods: An experiment of hitting actions was conducted. 6 participants unfamiliar with the task of hitting were asked to strike a frontally
positioned heavy bag from various positions and under varying energy of hand-target impact demands. The hand trajectories of performers
were analyzed by calculating the static and dynamic overlaps of the upper limb configurations and the probability distribution
function of the overlaps as well as by constructing a hierarchy of movement configuration states. In line with the glassy physics the hierarchical
states were interpreted as order parameters.
Results: Manipulation of task constraints brought about emergence of novel and appropriate behaviors of performers. Initially rare,
nucleating movement variations grew, stabilized and dissolute as the task constraints were varied. The probability distribution function of
the overlaps showed effects of replica symmetry breaking by showing peaks other than that of a zero overlap values. The hierarchical
structure also changed as a function of the task constraints. The dynamic overlaps showed an ergodicity breaking behavior and divergence
of the relaxation time. The relative entropy exhibited non-analytic behavior at the points of emergence of novel configurations.
Discussion: The investigation showed how the manipulation of task constraints leads to formation of novel and appropriate movement
configurations which is a hallmark of creative behavior. The results generalized the previous findings (Hristovski, Davids & Araújo, 2006).
By making task constraints more released or stringent movement configurations evolved from boxing to karate and dance-like patterns.
The glassy state modeling seems an appropriate mathematical model of a generative system of sport movements.
References
Hristovski, R., Davids, K., & Araújo, D. (2006). Affordance – controlled bifurcations of action patterns in martial arts. Nonlinear Dynamics,
Psychology and Life Sciences, 4, 409- 440.
304 14 TH
ANNUAL CONGRESS OF THE EUROPEAN COLLEGE OF SPORT SCIENCE