Early changes in Achilles tendon behaviour in vivo following downhill backwards walking
- Authors: Joseph, Corey , Bradshaw, Elizabeth , Furness, Trentham , Kemp, Justin , Clark, Ross
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Sports Sciences Vol. 34, no. 13 (Jul 2016), p. 1215-1221
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- Description: Downhill backwards walking causes repeated, cyclical loading of the muscle-tendon unit. The effect this type of repeated loading has on the mechanical behaviour of the Achilles tendon is presently unknown. This study aimed to investigate the biomechanical response of the Achilles tendon aponeurosis complex following a downhill backwards walking protocol. Twenty active males (age: 22.3 +/- 3.0years; mass: 74.7 +/- 5.6kg; height: 1.8 +/- 0.7m) performed 60min of downhill (8.5 degrees), backwards walking on a treadmill at -0.67m center dot s(-1). Data were collected before, immediately post, and 24-, 48- and 168-h post-downhill backwards walking. Achilles tendon aponeurosis elongation, strain and stiffness were measured using ultrasonography. Muscle force decreased immediately post-downhill backward walking (P=0.019). There were increases in Achilles tendon aponeurosis stiffness at 24-h post-downhill backward walking (307 +/- 179.6N center dot mm(-1), P=0.004), and decreases in Achilles tendon aponeurosis strain during maximum voluntary contraction at 24 (3.8 +/- 1.7%, P=0.008) and 48h (3.9 +/- 1.8%, P=0.002) post. Repeated cyclical loading of downhill backwards walking affects the behaviour of the muscle-tendon unit, most likely by altering muscle compliance, and these changes result in tendon stiffness increases.
Educational heterotopia and student's use of Facebook
- Authors: Hope, Andrew
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australasian Journal of Educational Technology Vol. 32, no. 1 (2016), p. 47-58
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- Description: "Facebook" use in higher education has grown exponentially in recent years, with both academics and students seeking to use it to support learning processes. Noting that research into educational cyberspace has generally ignored spatial elements, this paper redresses this deficiency through using Foucault's (1986) discussion of "different spaces" to examine "Facebook" use. Recognising that more than simple façade space is also social practice, Foucault's heterotopian principles are used to explore spatial notions of difference (deviance and divergence), relational aspects (conflicts and connections) and flow (time and thresholds). It is argued that social networking sites offer possibilities for creative deviations, can foster learning communities and help to develop social relations. Yet they also distract students, allowing them to "escape" seminars, whilst giving rise to damaging, rigid definitions of work and study. Ultimately, if universities are to be architects of the future, rather than its victims, the inherent differences of such learning spaces need to be recognised and traditional notions of academic work challenged.
Learning from clinical placement experience : Analysing nursing students' final reflections in a digital storytelling activity
- Authors: Paliadelis, Penny , Wood, Pamela
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Nurse Education in Practice Vol. 20, no. (2016), p. 39-44
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- Description: This paper reports on the learning potential of a reflective activity undertaken by final year nursing students, in which they were asked to recount two meaningful events that occurred during their clinical placements over the duration of their 3-year nursing degree program and reflect on how these events contributed to their learning to become beginning level Registered Nurses (RNs). This descriptive qualitative study gathered narratives from 92 students as individual postings in an online forum created within the University's learning management system. An analysis of the students' reflections are the focus of this paper particularly in relation to the value of reflecting on the identified events. Four themes emerged that clearly highlight the way in which these students interpreted and learned from both positive and negative clinical experiences, their strong desire to fit into their new role and their ability to re-imagine how they might respond to clinical events when they become Registered Nurses. The findings of this study may contribute to developing nursing curricula that better prepares final year students for the realities of practice. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd.
Reporting multiple individual injuries in studies of team ball sports : A systematic review of current practice
- Authors: Fortington, Lauren , van der Worp, Henk , van den Akker-Scheek, Inge , Finch, Caroline
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Sports Medicine Vol. 47, no. 6 (2016), p. 1103-1122
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- Description: BACKGROUND: To identify and prioritise targets for injury prevention efforts, injury incidence studies are widely reported. The accuracy and consistency in calculation and reporting of injury incidence is crucial. Many individuals experience more than one injury but multiple injuries are not consistently reported in sport injury incidence studies. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate current practice of how multiple injuries within individuals have been defined and reported in prospective, long-term, injury studies in team ball sports. DATA SOURCES: A systematic search of three online databases for articles published before 2016. STUDY SELECTION: Publications were included if (1) they collected prospective data on musculoskeletal injuries in individual participants; (2) the study duration was >1 consecutive calendar year/season; and (3) individuals were the unit of analysis. DATA EXTRACTION: Key study features were summarised, including definitions of injury, how multiple individual injuries were reported and results relating to multiple injuries. RESULTS: Of the 71 publications included, half did not specifically indicate multiple individual injuries; those that did were largely limited to reporting recurrent injuries. Eight studies reported the number/proportion of athletes with more than one injury, and 11 studies presented the mean/number of injuries per athlete. CONCLUSIONS: Despite it being relatively common to collect data on individuals across more than one season, the reporting of multiple injuries within individuals is much more limited. Ultimately, better addressing of multiple injuries will improve the accuracy of injury incidence studies and enable more precise targeting and monitoring of the effectiveness of preventive interventions.
Risk and protective factors for middle- and long-distance running-related injury
- Authors: Hulme, Adam , Nielsen, Rasmus , Timpka, Toomas , Verhagen, Evert , Finch, Caroline
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Sports Medicine Vol. 47, no. 5 (2016), p. 869-886
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1058737
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- Description: BACKGROUND: Despite a rapidly growing body of research, a systematic evidence compilation of the risk and protective factors for middle- and long-distance running-related injury (RRI) was lacking. OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to compile the evidence about modifiable and non-modifiable training-related and behavioral risk and protective factors for middle- and long-distance RRI. METHODS: We searched five databases (PubMed, CINAHL, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, and PsycINFO) for the dates 1 January 1970 to 31 December 2015, inclusive, for original peer-reviewed articles. The eligible designs were cross-sectional, case-control, longitudinal observational studies, and randomized controlled trials involving runners competing at distances from >/=800 m to =42.2 km. Outcomes were any specific and/or general RRI, and exposures included training-related and behavioral factors. We extracted authors and date, study design, injury type(s), descriptors and comparators for each exposure, and results and measures of association from the selected studies. Methodological quality was independently appraised using two separate checklists: a modified checklist for observational study designs and the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale for randomized controlled trials. RESULTS: Among 73 articles eligible for inclusion, 19 (26.0%) and 30 (41.0%) were of high or satisfactory methodological quality, respectively. As a non-modifiable exposure, a history of previous injury was found to be associated with an increased risk of both general and specific RRI. In terms of modifiable exposures, irregular and/or absent menstruation was found to be associated with an increased risk of stress fracture development, whereas the use of oral contraceptives was found to be associated with a decreased risk. High clinical, methodological, and statistical heterogeneity meant it was not feasible to estimate a pooled effect size across similar studies. CONCLUSIONS: A history of previous injury was associated with an increased risk of both general and specific RRI. The use of oral contraceptives was found to be associated with a decreased risk of skeletal stress fracture. Conversely, irregular and/or absent menstruation was associated with an increased risk. The varied effect directions and/or a number of statistically insignificant results associated with the majority of factors hindered our ability to draw any definitive conclusions about their relationship to RRI risk.
Sport injuries sustained by athletes with disability : A systematic review
- Authors: Weiler, Richard , van Mechelen, Willem , Fuller, Colin , Verhagen, Evert
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Sports Medicine Vol. 46, no. 8 (2016), p. 1141-1153
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- Description: Background Fifteen percent of the world's population live with disability, and many of these individuals choose to play sport. There are barriers to sport participation for athletes with disability and sports injury can greatly impact on daily life, which makes sports injury prevention additionally important. Objective The purpose of this review is to systematically review the definitions, methodologies and injury rates in disability sport, which should assist future identification of risk factors and development of injury prevention strategies. A secondary aim is to highlight the most pressing issues for improvement of the quality of injury epidemiology research for disability sport. Methods A search of NICE, AMED, British Nursing Index, CINAHL, EMBASE and Medline was conducted to identify all publications up to 16 June 2015. Of 489 potentially relevant articles and reference searching, a total of 15 studies were included. Wide study sample heterogeneity prevented data pooling and meta-analysis. Results Results demonstrated an evolving field of epidemiology, but with wide differences in sports injury definition and with studies focused on short competitions. Background data were generally sparse; there was minimal exposure analysis, and no analysis of injury severity, all of which made comparison of injury risk and injury severity difficult. Conclusion There is an urgent need for consensus on sports injury definition and methodology in disability sports. The quality of studies is variable, with inconsistent sports injury definitions, methodologies and injury rates, which prevents comparison, conclusions and development of injury prevention strategies. The authors highlight the most pressing issues for improvement of the quality in injury epidemiology research for disability sport.
Sports Injury Surveillance Systems : A Review of Methods and Data Quality
- Authors: Ekegren, Christina , Gabbe, Belinda , Finch, Caroline
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Sports Medicine Vol. 46, no. 1 (2016), p. 49-65
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/565907
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1058737
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- Description: Background and Aims: Data from sports injury surveillance systems are a prerequisite to the development and evaluation of injury prevention strategies. This review aimed to identify ongoing sports injury surveillance systems and determine whether there are gaps in our understanding of injuries in certain sport settings. A secondary aim was to determine which of the included surveillance systems have evaluated the quality of their data, a key factor in determining their usefulness. Methods: A systematic search was carried out to identify (1) publications presenting methodological details of sports injury surveillance systems within clubs and organisations; and (2) publications describing quality evaluations and the quality of data from these systems. Data extracted included methodological details of the surveillance systems, methods used to evaluate data quality, and results of these evaluations. Results: Following literature search and review, a total of 15 sports injury surveillance systems were identified. Data relevant to each aim were summarised descriptively. Most systems were found to exist within professional and elite sports. Publications concerning data quality were identified for seven (47 %) systems. Validation of system data through comparison with alternate sources has been undertaken for only four systems (27 %). Conclusions: This review identified a shortage of ongoing injury surveillance data from amateur and community sport settings and limited information about the quality of data in professional and elite settings. More surveillance systems are needed across a range of sport settings, as are standards for data quality reporting. These efforts will enable better monitoring of sports injury trends and the development of sports safety strategies. © 2015, Springer International Publishing Switzerland.
Telomere length maintenance and cardio-metabolic disease prevention through exercise training
- Authors: Denham, Joshua , O'Brien, Brendan , Charchar, Fadi
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Sports Medicine Vol. 46, no. 9 (2016), p. 1213-1237
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1009490
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- Description: Telomeres are tandem repeat DNA sequences located at distal ends of chromosomes that protect against genomic DNA degradation and chromosomal instability. Excessive telomere shortening leads to cellular senescence and for this reason telomere length is a marker of biological age. Abnormally short telomeres may culminate in the manifestation of a number of cardio-metabolic diseases. Age-related cardio-metabolic diseases attributable to an inactive lifestyle, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease, are associated with short leukocyte telomeres. Exercise training prevents and manages the symptoms of many cardio-metabolic diseases whilst concurrently maintaining telomere length. The positive relationship between exercise training, physical fitness and telomere length raises the possibility of a mediating role of telomeres in chronic disease prevention via exercise. Further elucidation of the underpinning molecular mechanisms of how exercise maintains telomere length should provide crucial information on how physical activity can be best structured to combat the chronic disease epidemic and improve the human health span. Here, we synthesise and discuss the current evidence on the impact of physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness on telomere dynamics. We provide the molecular mechanisms with a known role in exercise-induced telomere length maintenance and highlight unexplored, alternative pathways ripe for future investigations.
The Relationship between training load and injury, illness and soreness : A Systematic and literature review
- Authors: Drew, Michael , Finch, Caroline
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Sports Medicine Vol. 46, no. 6 (Jun 2016), p. 861-883
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1058737
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- Description: Background Clinically it is understood that rapid increases in training loads expose an athlete to an increased risk of injury; however, there are no systematic reviews to qualify this statement. Objective The aim of this systematic review was to determine training and competition loads, and the relationship between injury, illness and soreness. Methods The MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL and EMBASE databases were searched using a predefined search strategy. Studies were included if they analysed the relationship between training or competition loads and injury or illness, and were published prior to October 2015. Participants were athletes of any age or level of competition. The quality of the studies included in the review was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). The level of evidence was defined as strong, 'consistent findings among multiple high-quality randomised controlled trials (RCTs)'; moderate, 'consistent findings among multiple low-quality RCTs and/or non-randomised controlled trials (CCTs) and/or one high-quality RCT'; limited, 'one low-quality RCT and/or CCTs, conflicting evidence'; conflicting, 'inconsistent findings among multiple trials (RCTs and/or CCTs)'; or no evidence, 'no RCTs or CCTs'. Results A total of 799 studies were identified; 23 studies met the inclusion criteria, and a further 12 studies that were not identified in the search but met the inclusion criteria were subsequently added to the review. The largest number of studies evaluated the relationship between injuries and training load in rugby league players (n = 9) followed by cricket (n = 5), football (n = 3), Australian Football (n = 3), rugby union (n = 2), volleyball (n = 2), baseball (n = 2), water polo (n = 1), rowing (n = 1), basketball (n = 1), swimming (n = 1), middle-distance runners (n = 1) and various sports combined (n = 1). Moderate evidence for a significant relationship was observed between training loads and injury incidence in the majority of studies (n = 27, 93 %). In addition, moderate evidence exists for a significant relationship between training loads and illness incidence (n = 6, 75 %). Training loads were reported to have a protective effect against injury (n = 9, 31 %) and illness (n = 1, 13 %). The median (range) NOS score for injury and illness was 8 (5-9) and 6 (5-9), respectively. Limitations A limitation of this systematic review was the a priori search strategy. Twelve further studies were included that were not identified in the search strategy, thus potentially introducing bias. The quality assessment was completed by only one author. Conclusions The results of this systematic review highlight that there is emerging moderate evidence for the relationship between the training load applied to an athlete and the occurrence of injury and illness. Implications The training load applied to an athlete appears to be related to their risk of injury and/or illness. Sports science and medicine professionals working with athletes should monitor this load and avoid acute spikes in loads. It is recommended that internal load as the product of the rate of perceived exertion (10-point modified Borg) and duration be used when determining injury risk in team-based sports. External loads measured as throw counts should also be monitored and collected across a season to determine injury risk in throwing populations. Global positioning system-derived distances should be utilised in team sports, and injury monitoring should occur for at least 4 weeks after spikes in loads.
Activity behaviors of university staff in the workplace : A pilot study
- Authors: Bird, Marie-Louise , Shing, Cecilia , Mainsbridge, Casey , Cooley, Dean , Pedersen, Scott
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Physical Activity and Health Vol. 12, no. 8 (2015), p. 1128-1132
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- Description: Background: Sedentary behavior is related to metabolic syndrome and might have implications for the long-term health of workers in a low activity environment. The primary aim of this pilot study was to determine activity levels of adults working at a University during work hours. A secondary aim was to determine the relationship between actual and perceived activity levels. Methods: Activity levels of university staff (n = 15, male = 7, age = 53 ± 7 years, BMI = 26.5 ± 2.5kg•m2) were monitored over 5 consecutive workdays using SenseWear accelerometers, then participants completed a questionnaire of their perception of workplace sedentary time. Results: Each participant spent 71.5 ± 13.1% (358 ± 78 min) of their workday being sedentary (< 1.5 METs), 15.6 ± 9.0% involved in light activity (1.5-3 METs), 11.7 ± 10.0% in moderate activity (3-5 METs), and 1.1 ± 1.3% in vigorous activity (> 5 METs) (P <.0001). The mean difference between actual (SenseWear < 1.5 METs) and perceived sitting time was-2 ± 32%; however, perceived sedentary time was reported with a range of under-to-over estimation of-75% to 51%. Conclusion: This pilot study identifies long periods of low metabolic activity during the workday and poor perception of individual sedentary time. Interventions to reduce sedentary time in the workplace may be necessary to ensure that the work environment does not adversely affect long-term health. © 2015 Human Kinetics, Inc.
Approaches and Study Skills Inventory for Students (ASSIST) in an introductory course in chemistry
- Authors: Brown, Stephen , White, Sue , Wakeling, Lara , Naiker, Mani
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice Vol. 12, no. 3 (2015), p. 1-12
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- Description: Approaches to study and learning may enhance or undermine educational outcomes, and thus it is important for educators to be knowledgeable about their students’ approaches to study and learning. TheApproaches and Study Skills Inventory for Students(ASSIST) – a 52 item inventory which identifies three learning styles (Deep, Strategic, and Surface), was given to first year undergraduate students undertaking an introductory chemistry course. Completed inventories (n=103, 85% response), included 30 BSc Biomedicine, 15 BSc Food and Nutrition, 22 BSc Geology, 18 BSc Science students, and a further 18 students on unnamed BSc pathways. The dominant learning style adopted was the Surface approach, with a mean score (SD) of 2.94 (0.54). The preference of the surface approach was consistent for all BSc pathways.There was a higher mean score for the strategic learning style in males (n= 59) compared to females (n=44) with no gender-based differences in either the deep or the surface learning styles.A surface approach may not necessarily indicate a lack of interest in chemistry, rather chemistry may be perceived as being peripheral to the students’ interests – this may be a problem when students with a diverse range of career aspirations study common content in large, first year introductory courses. Identifying students that adopt a surface learning style at an early stage in the undergraduate education journey is an important step in effectively targeting educational resources aimed at enhancing students’ learning habits.
Australian Rural Accountants views on how locally provided CPD compares with City-based provision
- Authors: Halabi, Abdel
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Accounting Education Vol. 24, no. 6. Special Issue: RMIT Accounting Educators' Conference 2014 (2015), p. 539-554
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- Description: This paper analyses Australian rural accountant's attitudes and levels of satisfaction with continuing professional development (CPD), based on whether the CPD was delivered by a professional accounting body in a rural or metropolitan area. The paper responds to prior research that finds rural accountants are dissatisfied with professional accounting bodies [Rural and regional Australian public accounting firm services: Service provision, concerns and tensions. Australian Accounting Review, 23(23), 163–176]. Findings of a survey to which 156 rural accountants responded were that when CPD is delivered into the rural areas, there are greater levels of CPD satisfaction. The study also found that cost was significantly better for rural-delivered CPD and that when more rural-based CPD was attended differences became more significant across a number of satisfaction measures. The findings have important implications for both rural accountants and professional accounting bodies. © 2015 Taylor & Francis.
Effective strategies adopted by migrants to improve food security in Tasmania
- Authors: Terry, Daniel , Yeoh, Joanne Sin Wei , Le, Quynh , McManamey, Rosa
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Food Studies: An Interdisciplinary Journal Vol. 4, no. 3-4 (2015), p. 1-13
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- Description: Accessibility, affordability, availability, and sustainability of food are vital for all to achieve food security. Specifically, attention should be given to people of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities such as migrants who settle in a new country. When migrants first reach the host country, they may encounter different food security challenges. Thus, various strategies are required to promote greater food security among migrants. This study aims to investigate the acculturation strategies adopted by migrants to improve their food security in Tasmania. A mixed methods approach using questionnaires and semi-structured interviews was used to gather data from 301 questionnaire participants and 33 interviewees. The data indicated that 42.2% of migrants replaced cultural ingredients with other locally sourced items and 25.8% of migrants went without, while, 46.0% of the participants received ongoing support from friends in terms of food access. These were three strategies that were utilised by many migrants in this study. Loglinear analysis and chi-square tests showed that region of origin and length of stay in Tasmania were factors that influenced migrants’ attitudes in coping with food security issues. Interview data revealed six main acculturation strategies: access from other places; adaptation; home gardening; equipping self with food knowledge; support from social networks; and access to technology. In addition, social and cultural capital was also vital in improving migrants’ food security. Overall, migrants employed different strategies for food security while acculturating into the new environment. These strategies employed may guide policy among various government or private sector organisations that seek to address food security issues and enhance migrants’ food security.
Epidemiology of hospital-treated injuries sustained by fitness participants
- Authors: Gray, Shannon , Finch, Caroline
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport Vol. 86, no. 1 (2015), p. 81-87
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/565900
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- Description: Purpose: The purpose of this study was to provide an epidemiological profile of injuries sustained by participants in fitness activities in Victoria, Australia, based on hospital admissions and emergency department (ED) presentations and to identify the most common types, causes, and sites of these injuries. Method: Hospital-treated fitness activity-related injury cases were identified from International Classification of Disease activity codes (for admissions) and from text narratives of injury events (for ED presentations) from 2003 to 2010, inclusive. Cases were categorized as being associated with aerobics/group exercise (n = 252), resistance/weight training (n = 830) or "other equipment" (motorized and general gym equipment; n = 1,156). Participation information was taken from the Exercise, Recreation and Sport Survey. Results: Overall, 2,238 cases were identified and 11.6% of all patients with ED presentations were subsequently hospitalized. Those participants with aerobics cases were generally female (76.6%) and aged 25 to 34 years old (35.3%), with injuries to the lower limbs (59.1%) and due to falls (57.9%). Resistance-training injuries increased significantly during the 8-year period (by 215.7%; 95% CI [133.5, 326.9]) and generally occurred in male participants (78.0%), in people aged 15 to 24 years old (36.4%), and with injuries to the upper limbs (45.1%) caused by being hit, struck, or crushed by weights or fellow exercisers (71.4%). The "other equipment" cases were equally distributed by gender; they occurred most commonly in people aged 15 to 24 years old (27.8%), with injuries to the lower limbs (41.5%) and due to falls (57.6%). Across all categories, dislocations, sprains, and strains were the most common injury types. Conclusions: Fitness activity-related injury prevention strategies should be targeted at different subgroups according to the type of fitness activity being undertaken.
- Description: Purpose: The purpose of this study was to provide an epidemiological profile of injuries sustained by participants in fitness activities in Victoria, Australia, based on hospital admissions and emergency department (ED) presentations and to identify the most common types, causes, and sites of these injuries. Method: Hospital-treated fitness activity-related injury cases were identified from International Classification of Disease activity codes (for admissions) and from text narratives of injury events (for ED presentations) from 2003 to 2010, inclusive. Cases were categorized as being associated with aerobics/group exercise (n = 252), resistance/weight training (n = 830) or “other equipment†(motorized and general gym equipment; n = 1,156). Participation information was taken from the Exercise, Recreation and Sport Survey. Results: Overall, 2,238 cases were identified and 11.6% of all patients with ED presentations were subsequently hospitalized. Those participants with aerobics cases were generally female (76.6%) and aged 25 to 34 years old (35.3%), with injuries to the lower limbs (59.1%) and due to falls (57.9%). Resistance-training injuries increased significantly during the 8-year period (by 215.7%; 95% CI [133.5, 326.9]) and generally occurred in male participants (78.0%), in people aged 15 to 24 years old (36.4%), and with injuries to the upper limbs (45.1%) caused by being hit, struck, or crushed by weights or fellow exercisers (71.4%). The “other equipment†cases were equally distributed by gender; they occurred most commonly in people aged 15 to 24 years old (27.8%), with injuries to the lower limbs (41.5%) and due to falls (57.6%). Across all categories, dislocations, sprains, and strains were the most common injury types. Conclusions: Fitness activity-related injury prevention strategies should be targeted at different subgroups according to the type of fitness activity being undertaken.
Examining intercultural competency through social exchange theory
- Authors: Pillay, Soma , James, Reynold
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Vol. 27, no. 3 (2015), p. 320-329
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- Description: Intercultural competency (ICC) has been an extensively researched area within the past decade, given the broad consensus that this trait constitutes one of the key competencies of the 21st century manager. However, somewhat under-explored are aspects including the implications and effects that pedagogies such as blended learning have on the inculcation of ICC traits, specifically within the context of multicultural, multi-ethnic university level student groups in Australia, within which this research has been conducted. Drawing on social psychology, this exploratory study examines perceptual data on blended learning experiences within a cross-cultural higher education setting. Results suggest that intercultural competency is best learned through social exchanges, such as faceto-face rather than blended learning. Our findings provide support for the importance of context, which is significantly related to cross-cultural studies and curriculum development and design.
Exercise-induced responses in salivary testosterone, cortisol, and their ratios in men : A meta-analysis
- Authors: Hayes, Lawrence , Grace, Fergal , Baker, Julien , Sculthorpe, Nicholas
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Sports Medicine Vol. 45, no. 5 (2015), p. 713-726
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- Description: BACKGROUND: Testosterone, cortisol and their ratios may be indicators of anabolic status, but technical issues surrounding blood sampling has limited wider application. The advent of salivary testosterone (sal-T) analysis simplified sample acquisition, resulting in a subsequent rapid increase in the number of published research articles. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to undertake a meta-analysis to determine the effect of acute exercise bouts on post exercise sal-T and salivary cortisol (sal-C) concentrations and their ratio (sal-T:C). DATA SOURCES: Relevant databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct and SPORTDiscus were searched up to and including 31 December 2013 for the term 'saliva AND testosterone AND exercise'. STUDY SELECTION: Studies (n = 21) selected from the 933 identified included randomised controlled trials (RCTs; n = 2), uncontrolled trials (UCTs; n = 18) and control trials (CTs; n = 1), all of which had an exercise component characterised as either aerobic, resistance or power training, each with acute sal-T and sal-C measurement obtained within 30 min of exercise bout completion. STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS: A meta-analysis was conducted on change in sal-T, sal-C and the sal-T:C ratio following exercise using standard difference in means (SDM) and a random effects model. RESULTS: For aerobic, resistance and power exercise, the overall SDMs for sal-T were 0.891, 1.061 and 0.509, respectively; for sal-C, the SDMs were 3.041, 0.773 and 1.200, respectively. For sal-T:C, the SDMs were -2.014, 0.027 and -0.968, respectively. RCTs, UCTs and CTs were separated by subgroup analysis. There were significant differences in overall weighted SDM values for sal-T between RCTs, UCTs and CTs within exercise modes. When examining aerobic exercise interventions, a quantitative interaction of study design was observed. RCTs resulted in a greater SDM than UCTs (1.337 vs. 0.446). Power interventions displayed a qualitative interaction with study design. UCTs where baseline measures were obtained 24 h before exercise had an SDM of -1.128, whereas UCTs where baseline was determined immediately prior to exercise had an SDM of 0.486. The single CT trial had an SDM of 2.260. Resistance exercise interventions were primarily UCTs; however, an observed influence of baseline sampling time whereby immediately pre- and 24 h pre-exercise resulted in differing SDMs. The sole resistance exercise RCTs resulted in the greatest SDM (2.500). CONCLUSION: The current body of evidence regarding acute responses of sal-T to exercise is weak. This meta-analysis identifies varying exercise-dependent effect sizes. Each appear to be greatly influenced by study design and sample timing. There is a need for more RCTs and a standardised methodology for the measurement of salivary hormones in order to better determine the effect of exercise modality.
God counts for children's spiritual well-being
- Authors: Fisher, John
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Childrens Spirituality Vol. 20, no. 3-4 (2015), p. 191-203
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- Description: Over the last three decades, qualitative studies of children's spirituality have variously mentioned God. During this time, nearly 300 quantitative measures of spirituality and well-being have been developed and employed with youth and adults. However, very little similar work has been done with children. An article in this journal reported development of a purported spiritual sensitivity scale. That paper is critiqued here on the basis of its statistical methods as well as its failure to mention God in a study with Australian Catholic school students. In this paper, spiritual well-being (SWB) is taken as being reflected in the quality of relationships that people have with themselves, with others, with the environment and/or with God. Empirical evidence derived from extensive studies with primary school children in State, Catholic, Christian community and other independent schools in Australia reveals that an instrument called Feeling Good, Living Life is a statistically sound spirituality measure for children. Of the four sets of relationships reflecting SWB, relationship with God explains greatest variance in SWB overall. In this respect, relationship with God is most important for SWB among primary school students, just as other studies have shown it to be among youth and adults.
Injury risk during different physical activity behaviours in children: A Systematic review with bias assessment
- Authors: Nauta, Joske , Martin-Diener, Eva , Martin, Brian , van Mechelen, Willem , Verhagen, Evert
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Sports Medicine Vol. 45, no. 3 (2015), p. 327-336
- Full Text: false
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- Description: Results: Eight studies were included. The risk of bias assessment resulted in two studies with a score that was higher than 75 %; risk bias of those two studies was considered low. The medically treated, injury incidence rate was reported to be between 0.15 and 0.27 injuries per 1,000 h of physical activity. The absolute number of injuries related to unorganised leisure time physical activity was higher than the absolute number of injuries reported in organised sports. The respective injury incidence rate expressed per 1,000 h exposure was, however, generally lower during unorganised leisure time than during organised sports. Reported injury incidence rates related to active commuting were comparable to those for unorganised leisure time physical activity. Conflicting injury incidence rates were reported for physical education. Subgroup analysis suggested that girls and children with low habitual levels of physical activity are at increased injury risk. A limitation of the review is that no standard bias assessment was available for this specific context.Conclusions: Children are at an inherent injury risk while participating in physical activities. Most injury prevention efforts have focussed on the sports setting, but our results suggest that many children sustain an injury during unorganised leisure time physical activities.Introduction: The current focus on a physically active lifestyle in children puts children at increased physical activity-related injury risk.Objective: To summarise, in a systematic review, the evidence for the injury risk of several physical activity behaviours in 6- to 12-year-old children.Methods: An electronic search was performed in three databases (Embase, PubMed and SPORTDiscus). Inclusion criteria were: age 6–12 years; report on injuries related to overall physical activity, active commuting, unorganised leisure time physical activity, physical education and/or organised sports; incidence rates expressed as injuries per hours of physical activity; and published after January 1st 2000. Risk of bias was assessed for all studies included. © 2014, Springer International Publishing Switzerland.
Mushin : learning in technique-intensive sports as a process of uniting mind and body through complex learning theory
- Authors: Light, Richard , Kentel, Jeanne
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy Vol. 20, no. 4 (2015), p. 381-396
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- Description: Background: Interest in the use of learning theory to inform sport and physical-education pedagogy over the past decade beyond games and team sports has been limited. Purpose: Following on from recent interest within the literature in Eastern philosophic traditions, this article draws on the Japanese concept of mushin and complex learning theory (CLT) to propose a CLT-informed pedagogy for coaching the 'technique-intensive' sports of track running and swimming. Method: This article grounds theoretical discussion about learning in specific examples of practice to establish a dialectic relationship between theory and practice. The suggestions we make draw on first hand teaching/coaching experiences and CLT as a broad theoretical framework within which we draw on Eastern concepts of learning expressed in the Japanese concept of mushin as a state in which mind and body are united. Conclusion: The pedagogy we suggest challenges a dualistic view of theory and teaching and the mind/body binary that has long dominated physical education teaching and sport coaching. It offers a means of recognizing and accounting for the body in learning and of offering positive pedagogy for teaching technique-intensive sports. © 2013 Association for Physical Education.
Narrative assessment: making mathematics learning visible in early childhood settings
- Authors: Anthony, Glenda , McLachlan, Claire , Lim , Rachel
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Mathematics Education Research Journal Vol. 27, no. 3 (2015), p. 385-400
- Full Text: false
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- Description: Narratives that capture children’s learning as they go about their day-to-day activities are promoted as a powerful assessment tool within early childhood settings. However, in the New Zealand context, there is increasing concern that learning stories—the preferred form of narrative assessment—currently downplay domain knowledge. In this paper, we draw on data from 13 teacher interviews and samples of 18 children’s learning stories to examine how mathematics is made visible within learning stories. Despite appreciating that mathematics is embedded in a range of everyday activities within the centres, we found that the nature of a particular activity appeared to influence ‘how’ and ‘what’ the teachers chose to document as mathematics learning. Many of the teachers expressed a preference to document and analyse mathematics learning that occurred within explicit mathematics activities rather than within play that involves mathematics. Our concern is that this restricted documentation of mathematical activity could potentially limit opportunities for mathematics learning both in the centre and home settings. © 2015, Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia, Inc.