Timely and accurate feedback on athlete performance is a key contributing factor to improving that athletic performance. For alpine skiers, feedback usually comes in the form of video, coach's comments, and the timing system. Video and coach's comments come well after the performance (usually many hours) and are subjective. The timing systems give only one or a few data points which represent as many as 50 gates, making it too general as a training tool. The aim of the present article is to describe the development of a real-time performance measurement and feedback system for training alpine skiers using Optical Navigation Technology and to present the results of field work done with alpine ski racers. In order to understand the special needs of alpine skiers, the first section of this article describes what racers and recreational skiers consider to be the ideal turn. One of the key characteristics of this ideal turn is the lack of lateral displacement. This article explores a new method for precisely measuring lateral displacement, converting that measured displacement into audible feedback which is in turn fed back to the skier in real-time. Lastly, the results of a field study are presented in which the perceived benefits of real-time feedback were demonstrated with 100% of the subjects stating that real-time feedback had definitely or probably helped them better understand their carving skills and 83% of subjects stating that the real-time feedback definitely or probably helped them improve their carving skills after only one two-hour session.

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is a growing global phenomenon, and its damaging effects in terms of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk are becoming more apparent. NAFLD is estimated to affect around one quarter of the world population and is often comorbid with other metabolic disorders including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and metabolic syndrome. In this review, we examine the current evidence describing the many ways that NAFLD itself increases CVD risk. We also discuss the emerging and complex biochemical relationship between NAFLD and its common comorbid conditions, and how they coalesce to increase CVD risk. With NAFLD’s rising prevalence and deleterious effects on the cardiovascular system, a complete understanding of the disease must be undertaken, as well as effective strategies to prevent and treat its common comorbid conditions.

Background and Aim Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and coronary artery disease (CAD) have been explored using coronary angiography, which showed a link between severe NAFLD and cardiovascular disease risk. This study's aim is to determine if computed tomography (CT) coronary artery calcium (CAC) scores used to determine CAD severity in asymptomatic populations can help predict the presence of NAFLD. Methods This was a retrospective cross‐sectional study of positive CT CAC scores and liver imaging with either CT; ultrasound; magnetic resonance imaging of the abdomen; or CT of the chest, which included liver images. Drinking 7 or 14 drinks per week for a female or male, respectively, and chronic viral hepatitis diagnosis were the exclusion criteria. CT CAC scores, hepatic steatosis, age, gender, lipid and liver panels, weight, blood pressure, F‐4/BARD scores, and hemoglobin A1c were correlated to CAD severity and NAFLD by logistic regression. Results A total of 134 patients with a mean age of 62.3 years (σ = 9.1), with 65% males, body mass index 28.5 (σ = 6.0), and 8% diabetics, were recruited. CAD severity was not associated with the presence of hepatic steatosis (odds ratio 1.96 [95% confidence interval, confidence interval 0.74–5.23] P = 0.36). Adjusted for variables, a link between hepatic steatosis, CAD severity, body mass index over 30 (odds ratio 6.77 [95% confidence interval 1.40–32.66] P = 0.02), and diabetes (odds ratio 9.60 [95% confidence interval 0.56–165.5] P = 0.01) was observed. Conclusions In patients with CAD detected using a positive CT CAC scan, we determined that BMI over 30 and diabetes were correlated with the presence of NAFLD. There was no direct relationship between CAD presence and hepatic steatosis presence.

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