Lithium deposition on anode surfaces can lead to fast capacity degradation and decreased safety properties of Li-ion cells. To avoid the critical aging mechanism of lithium deposition, its detection is essential. We present workflows for the efficient detection of Li deposition on electrode and cell level. The workflows are based on a variety of complementary advanced physico-chemical methods which were validated against each other for both graphite and graphite/Si electrodes: Electrochemical analysis, scanning electron microscopy, glow discharge-optical emission spectroscopy and neutron depth profiling, ex situ optical microscopy, in situ optical microscopy of cross-sectioned full cells, measurements in 3-electrode full cells, as well as 3D microstructurally resolved simulations. General considerations for workflows for analysis of battery cells and materials are discussed. The efficiency can be increased by parallel or serial execution of methods, stop criteria, and design of experiments planning. An important point in case of investigation of Li depositions are rest times during which Li can re-intercalate into the anode or react with electrolyte. Three workflows are presented to solve the questions on the occurrence of lithium deposition in an aged cell, the positions of lithium deposition in a cell, and operating conditions which avoid lithium depositions in a cell.

Bending of electrodes in certain cell designs (cylindrical cells or flat wound jellyrolls) leads to curved electrodes (curvature κ ). For double side-coated electrodes, this curvature leads to convex and concave sides of the coating. In this work, we describe the effect of curved electrodes on the microstructure and aging. From a simple elastic model, we find that the porosities of the convex and concave sides of curved electrode coatings can deviate theoretically for first inner winding in a typical cylindrical cell in the order of ±2%, respectively. The elastic model is compared with light microscopy images and Post-Mortem analysis revealing additional plastic deformation for small electrode bending radii. Electrode resistance measurements of the electrode coating as a function of winding radius is added to the overall context. The study concludes with an evaluation and discussion on typical bending radii of electrodes in different cell types (pouch, PHEV1, and 21700) and states (fresh, aged, and abused).

PurposeTo ascertain the typical metabolic power characteristics of elite handball players of different positions, and whether changes occur within matches.Methods414 elite male handball players were included. During all 65 matches of the EURO 2020, local positioning system data were collected, yielding 1853 datasets. Field players were categorised into six positional groups: centre backs (CB), left/right wings (LW/RW), left/right backs (LB/RB) and pivots (P). Metabolic power, total energy expenditure, high-power energy, and the equivalent distance index were calculated. We used linear mixed models with players as random and positions as fixed effects models. Intensity models adjusted for time-dependency by incorporating the duration of play.ResultsLW/RW spent most time on the court, expanded most total energy, and most relative energy per kg body weight in the high-intensity categories. CB played at the highest mean metabolic power (7.85 W/kg; CI95% [7.67, 8.03]). Playing intensity decreased by 2.5% (0.2 kJ/kg/s; CI95% [0.17, 0.23]) per 10 min played.ConclusionPositional differences in metabolic power parameters exist. In general, wing players had the highest volume and CB the highest intensity of match-play. Analysis of metabolic intensity in handball should take position and players' time on the court into account.

INTRODUCTION:Inactivity and long periods of sitting are common in our society, even though they pose a health risk. Dynamic sitting is recommended to reduce this risk. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of continuous passive motion (CPM) conducted by a novel motorized office chair on lumbar lordosis and trunk muscle activation, oxygen uptake and attentional control. STUDY DESIGN:Randomized, single-session, crossover with two periods/conditions. METHODS:Twenty office workers (50% women) sat for one hour on the motorized chair, one half with CPM, the other not. The starting condition (CPM/no CPM) was switched in half of the sample. The participants were equipped with a spirometric cart, surface EMG, the Epionics SPINE system and performed a computer-based test for attentional control (AX-CPT). Outcomes were lumbar sagittal movements and posture, number of trunk muscle activations, attentional control and energy expenditure. RESULTS:The CPM of the chair causes frequent low-amplitude changes in lumbar lordosis angle (moved: 498 ± 133 vs. static: 45 ± 38) and a higher number of muscle activations. A periodic movement pattern of the lumbar spine according to the movement of the chair was observed in every participant, although, sitting behavior varied highly between individuals. Attentional control was not altered in the moved condition (p = .495; d = .16). Further, oxygen uptake did not increase higher than 1.5 MET. CONCLUSION:The effects of the motorized chair can be particularly useful for people with static sitting behavior. Further studies should investigate, whether CPM provides the assumed beneficial effects of dynamic sitting on the spine.

This planned MiSpEx-Network reanalysis was designed to derive a dose-response relationship under consideration of further effect modifiers in exercises on low back pain. One thousand four hundred eighty three intervention participants with low back pain (mean age, 40.9 years [SD 14 years]) performed stabilisation exercises (3 weeks supervised, 9 weeks self-administered). Patients reported pain intensity, disability, and disability days at baseline, 3 weeks, 12 weeks, and 6 months post randomisation. Exercise characteristics and effect modifiers were prospectively monitored. Beyond the comparison to the results of the control group, linear mixed models were calculated to determine a dose-response relationship. The interventions led to small but significantly larger symptom reductions than in the control group at each measurement. Longer durations of the intervention led to larger symptom reductions. Higher exercise frequencies were associated with a decrease in pain intensity: to train once more per week led to a mean decrease of 0.93 points in pain intensity [95% CI = -1.54 to -0.32]. Disability days were also impacted (estimate = -0.07 [-0.14 to 0.00]), but disability was not (-0.09 [-0.67 to 0.48]). Adding perturbation was superior to adding stretching or a behavioural module. The relationships were robust when additional effect modifiers were considered and against the control group' effects. The odds ratio for a clinically important effect with higher exercise frequencies decreased at 3 weeks (OR = 0.71 [0.618-0.813] for >2.5*week(-1)) and increased at 12 weeks (1.13 [1.006-1.270], >1.5*week(-1)). Using longer intervention durations, adding a perturbation component to the stabilisation trainings and using higher frequencies (up to a certain point) may lead to an even more beneficial response on exercise in patients with low back pain. Developing strategies to maintain a training frequency of at least 2 times per week may be relevant in stabilisation exercises to treat low back pain.

PurposeTo summarize the mechanical loading of the spine in different activities of daily living and sports.MethodsSince the direct measurement is not feasible in sports activities, a mathematical model was applied to quantify spinal loading of more than 600 physical tasks in more than 200 athletes from several sports disciplines. The outcome is compression and torque (normalized to body weight/mass) at L4/L5.ResultsThe data demonstrate high compressive forces on the lumbar spine in sport-related activities, which are much higher than forces reported in normal daily activities and work tasks. Especially ballistic jumping and landing skills yield high estimated compression at L4/L5 of more than ten times body weight. Jumping, landing, heavy lifting and weight training in sports demonstrate compression forces significantly higher than guideline recommendations for working tasks.ConclusionThese results may help to identify acute and long-term risks of low back pain and, thus, may guide the development of preventive interventions for low back pain or injury in athletes.

Objective To investigate the effectiveness and mechanisms of a multimodal treatment including perturbation exercise. Methods A matched cohort study was conducted. The intervention consists of a 12-week back pain prevention course with perturbation exercise and education embedded in primary health care according to German social law. Participants from the intervention group had chronic or recurrent low back pain with heterogenous but on average rather low pain and chronification. Control groups (usual care) were matched from a multi-center RCT. Outcomes were pain, disability, isokinetic trunk strength and balance. Bayesian regression models were used to estimate the Average Treatment effect on the Treated (ATT). Further, sub-group and mediation analyses within the intervention group using the biopsychological avoidance-endurance model were conducted. Median values with highest posterior density intervals (HPDI) from baseline-adjusted analyses are presented. Results Over 12 weeks, intervention and control (n = 128 each) experienced a similar decrease in pain and disability, which led to negligible ATTs for pain (−0.3 (HPDI95% [-4.3, 3.4]) and disability (−0.2 (HPDI95% [-4, 3.7])). Changes in functional parameters (n=18) showed small effects in favor of the intervention group, in particular for monopedal stances (standardized mean difference: -0.5 HPDI95% [-0.79, -0.21]). Depression was higher in drop-outs and decreases in pain/disability were associated with decreases in depression. Distress-endurance subgroups experienced higher baseline pain and disability and showed the highest reductions in both parameters upon completion of the intervention. Conclusion Perturbation exercise with education yielded only small treatment effects in a heterogenous population with rather mild symptoms. Targeting distress-endurance subgroups with a multimodal treatment approach is probably an effective strategy in treatment tailoring. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. ### Clinical Trial Intervention: DRKS00030389, Control: DRKS00010129 ### Funding Statement This study was conducted within the MiSpEx research network and funded by the German Federal. ### Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below: The study was approved by the local ethics committee of the Faculty of Sport Science of Ruhr-University Bochum (EKS V 10/2017). I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines and uploaded the relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material as supplementary files, if applicable. Yes Data of the treatment group, study documents and the analysis script are available in our online repository.

IntroductionLow back pain is a major health issue in elite rowers. High training volume, frequent flexion movements of the lower spine and rotational movement in sweep rowing contribute to increased spinal strain and neuropathological patterns. Perturbation-based trunk stabilization training (PTT) may be effective to treat neuromuscular deficits and low back pain.MethodsAll boat classes (8+, 4+/-, 2-) of the male German national sweep rowing team participated in this non-randomized parallel group study. We included 26 athletes (PTT: n = 12, control group: n = 14) in our analysis. Physical and Sports therapists conducted 16 individualized PTT sessions á 30–40 minutes in 10 weeks, while the control group kept the usual routines. We collected data before and after intervention on back pain intensity and disability, maximum isometric trunk extension and flexion, jump height and postural sway of single-leg stance.ResultsWe found less disability (5.3 points, 95% CI [0.4, 10.1], g = 0.42) for PTT compared to control. Pain intensity decreased similar in both groups (-14.4 and -15.4 points), yielding an inconclusive between-group effect (95% CI [-16.3, 14.3]). Postural sway, strength and jump height tend to have no between- and within-group effects.ConclusionPerturbation-based trunk stabilization training is possibly effective to improve the physical function of the lower back in elite rowers.

Li-ion cells of the industrially-relevant formats PHEV1 (prismatic), multi-layer pouch, and 21700 (cylindrical) are directly compared by experiments for the first time. All three cell formats were reproducibly built on pilot-scale with the same anode (graphite), cathode (NMC622), separator, and electrolyte allowing a direct comparison. The main differences between these formats are their capacities (24.6 Ah, 2.2 Ah, 2.3 Ah), volume/surface ratios, as well as tab and the jellyroll/stack configurations (flat-wound, stacked, wound). The comparison involves voltage curves during formation (0.1 C), discharge rate capability (0.5 C−3 C), heating behaviour, cell impedances, geometrical properties such as electrode curvatures and tab configurations, as well as comparison with coin half cells with anode and cathode vs Li counter electrode. The data are put into context with commercial and pilot-line built cells from other studies.

Low back pain is a major health issue in elite rowers. High training volume, frequent flexion movements of the lower spine and rotational movement in sweep rowing contribute to increased spinal strain and neuropathological pattern. Perturbation-based trunk stabilization training (PTT) may be effective to treat neuromuscular deficits and back pain. All boat classes (8+, 4+/-, 2-) of the male German national sweep rowing team participated in this non-randomized, parallel group study. We included 26 athletes (PTT: n=12, control group: n=14) in our analysis. Sports therapists conducted 16 individualized PTT sessions á 30-40 minutes in 10 weeks, while the control group kept the usual routines. We collected data before and after intervention on back pain intensity and disability, maximum isometric trunk extension and flexion, jump height and postural sway of single-leg stance. We found less disability (5.3 points, 95% CI [0.4, 10.1], g=0.42) for PTT compared to control. Pain intensity decreased similar in both groups (-14.4 and -15.4 points), yielding an inconclusive between-group effect (95% CI [-16.3, 14.3]). Postural sway, strength and jump height tend to have no between and within-group effects. Perturbation-based trunk stabilization training is possibly effective to improve the physical function of the lower back in elite rowers.

Back pain is linked to alterations in movement behaviour. Yet, the interaction between pain intensity and movement is not fully understood. In particular, it remains unknown if the movement quality differs between (chronic) pain intensities. PURPOSE: To compare trunk movement behaviour, assessed by lumbar/pelvic and conjunct lateral flexion contributions to the total range of motion (RoM) during trunk flexion, between people with low and moderate to high back pain intensities. METHODS: A multi-centre study on 607 people with back pain was performed. Chronic pain intensity scores (INT [0-100]; sub-score of the Graded Chronic Pain Scale) were used to group participants into comparably low (LP; Score <30 points) and moderate to high pain intensity (HP; Score ≥ 30 points). Accordingly, 211 participants (49% f; 37±13y; 73±15kg; 174±9cm; INT 18±7) were allocated to LP and 393 participants (57% f; 41±14y; 75±16kg; 173±9cm; INT 46±13) were allocated to HP. Motion was assessed during maximal trunk flexion in upright standing. A mobile IMU system (six sensors), distinguishing between total, lumbar and pelvic motion in all three movement planes, was used. Outcome measures were total RoM, lumbo-pelvic ratio (LPR) and amount of conjunct lateral motion (CLM; sum of angular changes in lateral flexion, RoM-normalized). Between-group comparisons using adjusted unpaired t-tests/Mann-Whitney U test for RoM and LPR and two-way ANOVAs for CLM were performed. RESULTS: Significant between-groups differences in trunk flexion movement were found for LPR (LP 0.92±0.65; HP 0.72±0.49; p<0.0001) but not for RoM (LP 101±27°; HP 104±25°; p=0.28). CLM differed significantly between groups during downward movements in lumbar (LP 8.0±3.1; HP 7.1±2.7; p<0.01) but not in pelvic segments (LP 7.6±3.5; HP 8.3±3.4; p=0.06). No significant difference was found (lumbar: LP 8.7±3.3 HP 8.5±3.2; p=0.62; pelvic: LP 8.5±4.1; HP 9.2±4.0; p=0.08) during upward movements of the trunk. CONCLUSION: Though total RoM between subclinical and clinical back pain patients is not different, lumbar contribution on total trunk flexion movement is reduced and conjunct lateral movements at the lumbar area are increased with higher pain intensities. This might reflect a strategy to reduce potential pain at the lumbar back during flexion movements of the trunk.

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to examine the concurrent validity of the HUMAC Balance System (HBS) and Balance Trainer BTG4 (BTG) in comparison to a laboratory-grade force platform (FP) for postural control (PC) and vertical jump performance (VJP) assessment. In addition, reliability of the three devices was measured for PC.MethodsOverall 22 participants (age = 37.8 ± 13.3 years; gender = 9 male, 13 female; height = 174.1 ± 10.5 cm; body mass = 75.3 ± 17.6 kg) were recruited to participate. Double and single leg standing balance tests with eyes open or closed and counter movement jumps (CMJ) were performed on two separate occasions. Reliability and concurrent validity for COP parameters and VJP were examined using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), Bland-Altman plots (BAP), standard error of measurement (SEM) and minimum detectable change (MDC).ResultsCOP path length test-retest reliability was predominantly good to excellent for all three devices (ICC = 0.80-0.95). SEM and MDC values were high for all plates (SEM% = 8.0-15.2; MDC% = 22.8-44.5), with the HBS MDC values higher than the KIS and BTG in three of the four trials. ICC scores for concurrent validity were good to excellent for the BTG (ICC = 0.76-0.93) and moderate to good for the HBS (0.49-0.83). Band-Altman plots revealed a systematic bias for the HBS towards higher COP path length values under all conditions and for the BTG in two out of four trials towards lower values. Validity of VJP was excellent for the BTG (ICC = 1.0) and poor for the HBS (0.34), with a systematic bias towards lower values.ConclusionThe comparative analysis of PC and VJP revealed reliable and valid results for the BTG in comparison to a laboratory-grade force plate. The HBS showed reliable results for PC assessment with restrictions regarding its validity. Results of VJP showed that the HBS revealed deficits in the assessment of activities that require rapid, high force movements such as jumping and running. Due to the variable results of all three devices, it is recommended not to use them interchangeably.