Adolescents and the extended residential learning program : A case study
- Authors: McDonough, Sharon
- Date: 2002
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: The purpose of this study was to explore, through the use of a case study, the impact of an eight-week residential learning program upon self-concept, learning and understanding of community amongst adolescent participants. The study utilized multiple methods of data collection including interviews, focus groups, observation, the Learning Process Questionnaire and the Self-Description Questionnaire II in order to address the research question.
- Description: Master of Education (Research)
- Authors: McDonough, Sharon
- Date: 2002
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: The purpose of this study was to explore, through the use of a case study, the impact of an eight-week residential learning program upon self-concept, learning and understanding of community amongst adolescent participants. The study utilized multiple methods of data collection including interviews, focus groups, observation, the Learning Process Questionnaire and the Self-Description Questionnaire II in order to address the research question.
- Description: Master of Education (Research)
Spiritual Art : evoking the numinous using a 3D computer game engine
- Authors: Nelson, Christopher
- Date: 2007
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: The Seven Valleys is an interactive 3D installation based artwork inspired by mystical writings of the Bahá'í Faith. Created as a modification of the firstperson shooter Unreal Tournament 2003 (Epic, 2003) it subverts the original paradigm of the game to create an experience of the numinous, which in spirit, is diametrically opposed to the original intent of the gameplay design. This artwork presents an exploration of, and allusion to, the often subtle and illusive concepts found in the sacred treatise The Seven Valleys (Bahá'u'lláh, 1991) in which the user engages in an experiential journey through the work. The user is faced with conditions and situations that provide motivation to question, explore and attempt to fathom the abstract sense of the numinous. Each of The Seven Valleys contains its own individual mysteries while at the same time contributing its part to the telling of a collective story.
- Description: Master of Arts
- Authors: Nelson, Christopher
- Date: 2007
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: The Seven Valleys is an interactive 3D installation based artwork inspired by mystical writings of the Bahá'í Faith. Created as a modification of the firstperson shooter Unreal Tournament 2003 (Epic, 2003) it subverts the original paradigm of the game to create an experience of the numinous, which in spirit, is diametrically opposed to the original intent of the gameplay design. This artwork presents an exploration of, and allusion to, the often subtle and illusive concepts found in the sacred treatise The Seven Valleys (Bahá'u'lláh, 1991) in which the user engages in an experiential journey through the work. The user is faced with conditions and situations that provide motivation to question, explore and attempt to fathom the abstract sense of the numinous. Each of The Seven Valleys contains its own individual mysteries while at the same time contributing its part to the telling of a collective story.
- Description: Master of Arts
When urban policy meets regional practice : Evidence based practice from the perspective of multi-disciplinary teams working in rural and remote health service provision
- Authors: Murphy, Angela
- Date: 2004
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: "In the main, contemporary research on Evidence Based Practice (EBP) has taken place within metropolitan locations, and has offered urbocentric solutions and insights. However the transferability of these developments to rural services is untested empirically. In addition, evidence development and studies on the implementation of this evidence have tended to be discipline-stream-specific; there has been very little research into either the development of multi-disciplinary evidence guidelines or the implementation of EBP from the perspective of individual practitioners working within multi-disciplinary teams. This research shortfall has provided the rationale for this study...."
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Murphy, Angela
- Date: 2004
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: "In the main, contemporary research on Evidence Based Practice (EBP) has taken place within metropolitan locations, and has offered urbocentric solutions and insights. However the transferability of these developments to rural services is untested empirically. In addition, evidence development and studies on the implementation of this evidence have tended to be discipline-stream-specific; there has been very little research into either the development of multi-disciplinary evidence guidelines or the implementation of EBP from the perspective of individual practitioners working within multi-disciplinary teams. This research shortfall has provided the rationale for this study...."
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Canonical Dual Algorithms for Global Optimization with Applications
- Authors: Zhou, Xiaojun
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Thesis
- Full Text:
- Description: Canonical duality theory provides a unified framework which can transform a nonconvex primal minimization problem to a canonical dual maximization problem over a convex domain without duality gap. But the global optimality is guaranteed by a certain positive definite condition and such condition is not always satisfied. The goal of this thesis aims to explore possible techniques that can be used to solve global optimization problems based on the canonical duality theory. Firstly, an algorithmic framework for canonical duality theory is established, which shows that the canonical dual algorithms can be developed in four aspects under the positive definite condition explicitly or implicitly, namely, (i) minimizing the primal problem, (ii) maximizing the canonical dual problem, (iii) solving a nonlinear equation caused by total complementary function, and (iv) solving a nonlinear equation caused by canonical dual function. Secondly, we show that if there exists a critical point of the canonical dual problem in the positive definite domain, by solving an equivalent semidefinite programming (SDP) problem, the corresponding global solution to the primal problem can be obtained easily via off-the-shelf software packages. A specific canonical dual algorithm is given for each problem, including sum of fourth-order polynomials minimization, nonconvex quadratically constrained quadratic program (QCQP), and boolean quadratic program (BQP). Thirdly, we propose a canonical primal-dual algorithm framework based on the total complementary function. Convergence analysis is discussed from the perspective of variational inequalities (VIs) and contraction methods. Specific canonical primal-dual algorithms for sum of fourth-order polynomials minimization is given as well. And a real-world application to the sensor network localization problem is illustrated. Next, a canonical sequential reduction approach is proposed to recover the approximate or global solution for the BQP problem. By fixing some previously known components, the original problem can be reduced sequentially to a lower dimension one. This approach is successfully applied to the well-known maxcut problem. Finally, we discuss the canonical dual approach applied to continuous time constrained optimal control. And it shows that the optimal control law for the n-dimensional constrained linear quadratic regulator can be achieved precisely via one-dimensional canonical dual variable, and for the optimal control problem with concave cost functional, an approximate solution can be obtained by introducing a linear perturbation term.
- Description: PhD
- Authors: Zhou, Xiaojun
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Thesis
- Full Text:
- Description: Canonical duality theory provides a unified framework which can transform a nonconvex primal minimization problem to a canonical dual maximization problem over a convex domain without duality gap. But the global optimality is guaranteed by a certain positive definite condition and such condition is not always satisfied. The goal of this thesis aims to explore possible techniques that can be used to solve global optimization problems based on the canonical duality theory. Firstly, an algorithmic framework for canonical duality theory is established, which shows that the canonical dual algorithms can be developed in four aspects under the positive definite condition explicitly or implicitly, namely, (i) minimizing the primal problem, (ii) maximizing the canonical dual problem, (iii) solving a nonlinear equation caused by total complementary function, and (iv) solving a nonlinear equation caused by canonical dual function. Secondly, we show that if there exists a critical point of the canonical dual problem in the positive definite domain, by solving an equivalent semidefinite programming (SDP) problem, the corresponding global solution to the primal problem can be obtained easily via off-the-shelf software packages. A specific canonical dual algorithm is given for each problem, including sum of fourth-order polynomials minimization, nonconvex quadratically constrained quadratic program (QCQP), and boolean quadratic program (BQP). Thirdly, we propose a canonical primal-dual algorithm framework based on the total complementary function. Convergence analysis is discussed from the perspective of variational inequalities (VIs) and contraction methods. Specific canonical primal-dual algorithms for sum of fourth-order polynomials minimization is given as well. And a real-world application to the sensor network localization problem is illustrated. Next, a canonical sequential reduction approach is proposed to recover the approximate or global solution for the BQP problem. By fixing some previously known components, the original problem can be reduced sequentially to a lower dimension one. This approach is successfully applied to the well-known maxcut problem. Finally, we discuss the canonical dual approach applied to continuous time constrained optimal control. And it shows that the optimal control law for the n-dimensional constrained linear quadratic regulator can be achieved precisely via one-dimensional canonical dual variable, and for the optimal control problem with concave cost functional, an approximate solution can be obtained by introducing a linear perturbation term.
- Description: PhD
Mission-based compacts and organisational learning at an Australian University
- Authors: Lawler, Alan
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Thesis
- Full Text:
- Description: The research explored the issues of organisational learning in the context of a regional, multi-sector university, the former University of Ballarat, during the development and implementation of the federal government’s mission-based compacts initiative during 2011-2013. Mission-based compacts were an initiative by the then federal government to create a relatively new agreement regarding each university’s mission, strategic objectives and funding over a three year period. The study sought to take advantage of being timed to coincide with the early stages of the development and implementation of the compact initiative. The purpose of the research, and its contribution to knowledge, was the theoretical elaboration of the concepts and relationships involved in the nexus between organisational learning and mission-based compacts. A qualitative methodology based on a modified form of grounded theory was used. The research method proceeded in three phases over 2011-2013 with the findings of each phase informing the nature and direction of the subsequent phase. Phase one consisted of initial interviews of key staff at the University of Ballarat prior to the publication of the compacts, which occurred in May, 2012. Phase two consisted of a second round of interviews with a slightly different range of UB staff, associates and the original architect of the compact initiative. Phase two included the analysis of the published compacts of five universities: University of Ballarat, University of Melbourne, Swinburne University of Technology, CQUniversity and the Australian National University. Phase three consisted of written responses to key questions which arose from phases 1 and 2. The research led to the development of two new conceptual models. Model 1, Institutional organisational learning, clarified the nature and operation of organisational learning at the institutional level. Model 2, Organisational learning in the university sector in Australia, clarified the nature of the interaction between the individual institution and the university sector. Future research could extend the application of the two models across a range of universities in Australia. Such a framework would be useful to the university sector in Australia.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Lawler, Alan
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Thesis
- Full Text:
- Description: The research explored the issues of organisational learning in the context of a regional, multi-sector university, the former University of Ballarat, during the development and implementation of the federal government’s mission-based compacts initiative during 2011-2013. Mission-based compacts were an initiative by the then federal government to create a relatively new agreement regarding each university’s mission, strategic objectives and funding over a three year period. The study sought to take advantage of being timed to coincide with the early stages of the development and implementation of the compact initiative. The purpose of the research, and its contribution to knowledge, was the theoretical elaboration of the concepts and relationships involved in the nexus between organisational learning and mission-based compacts. A qualitative methodology based on a modified form of grounded theory was used. The research method proceeded in three phases over 2011-2013 with the findings of each phase informing the nature and direction of the subsequent phase. Phase one consisted of initial interviews of key staff at the University of Ballarat prior to the publication of the compacts, which occurred in May, 2012. Phase two consisted of a second round of interviews with a slightly different range of UB staff, associates and the original architect of the compact initiative. Phase two included the analysis of the published compacts of five universities: University of Ballarat, University of Melbourne, Swinburne University of Technology, CQUniversity and the Australian National University. Phase three consisted of written responses to key questions which arose from phases 1 and 2. The research led to the development of two new conceptual models. Model 1, Institutional organisational learning, clarified the nature and operation of organisational learning at the institutional level. Model 2, Organisational learning in the university sector in Australia, clarified the nature of the interaction between the individual institution and the university sector. Future research could extend the application of the two models across a range of universities in Australia. Such a framework would be useful to the university sector in Australia.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
The construct validity of DSM-IV attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- Authors: Tallent, Ron
- Date: 2003
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: "This study examined the internal (Study 1) and external (Study 2) validity of DSM-IV ADHD using children with primary ADHD diagnosis." -- abstract.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Tallent, Ron
- Date: 2003
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: "This study examined the internal (Study 1) and external (Study 2) validity of DSM-IV ADHD using children with primary ADHD diagnosis." -- abstract.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
An investigation into commercially feasible applications of ellagic acid and its derivatives
- Authors: Przewloka, Simon
- Date: 1999
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: "Significant quantities of ellagic acid and its metal salts, in the form of waste byproducts, are readily available from both the pulping and tanning industries should a feasible commercial use for the acid (1) be found. The purpose of this work was to prepare key derivatives of ellagic acid and assess their feasibilty for use on a commercial scale. To accomplish this, it was first necessary to prepare ellagic acid in high yield."
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Przewloka, Simon
- Date: 1999
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: "Significant quantities of ellagic acid and its metal salts, in the form of waste byproducts, are readily available from both the pulping and tanning industries should a feasible commercial use for the acid (1) be found. The purpose of this work was to prepare key derivatives of ellagic acid and assess their feasibilty for use on a commercial scale. To accomplish this, it was first necessary to prepare ellagic acid in high yield."
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Applying reinforcement learning in playing Robosoccer using the AIBO
- Authors: Mukherjee, Subhasis
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: "Robosoccer is a popular test bed for AI programs around the world in which AIBO entertainments robots take part in the middle sized soccer event. These robots need a variety of skills to perform in a semi-real environment like this. The three key challenges are manoeuvrability, image recognition and decision making skills. This research is focussed on the decision making skills ... The work focuses on whether reinforcement learning as a form of semi supervised learning can effectively contribute to the goal keeper's decision making when a shot is taken." -
- Description: Master of Computing (by research)
- Authors: Mukherjee, Subhasis
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: "Robosoccer is a popular test bed for AI programs around the world in which AIBO entertainments robots take part in the middle sized soccer event. These robots need a variety of skills to perform in a semi-real environment like this. The three key challenges are manoeuvrability, image recognition and decision making skills. This research is focussed on the decision making skills ... The work focuses on whether reinforcement learning as a form of semi supervised learning can effectively contribute to the goal keeper's decision making when a shot is taken." -
- Description: Master of Computing (by research)
Broadening the concept of school: how a re-configuration of school must be inclusive of students who are "put at" a disadvantage
- Authors: Peters, Edward (Keith)
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: This thesis critically examines how students enrolled in state-funded schools can be ‘put at’ a disadvantage. I do this through examining two techniques of exclusion that stimulate student disconnection from school: first, the ways in which standards-based and performativity-driven learning outcomes are implemented to shape how student success is determined. Secondly, I examine how discourses around power control curriculum and student identity instil monological learning structures that normalises standards-based learning outcomes. Challenging this, I allow the voices of my co-researchers, the students in my thesis, to speak back to confront these school-based policies that allow disconnection to occur. Examining school policy and student voice at the point where they intersect allowed me to undertake an evaluation of how schools adversely affect students, and what students say they want from their experience of schooling. The final theme I develop is based on student and agency worker voice and what they say school-based learning should become. Relational learning and learning that develops students ethically emerged as fundamental strengths of what enriching learning transactions should look like. I argue that creating relational learning spaces develop challenging environments that can lead students to ethically understand their identity within complex social and cultural lifestyles. I argue that the ways in which schools are organised to administer time and space must be radically overhauled if this is to be achieved.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Peters, Edward (Keith)
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: This thesis critically examines how students enrolled in state-funded schools can be ‘put at’ a disadvantage. I do this through examining two techniques of exclusion that stimulate student disconnection from school: first, the ways in which standards-based and performativity-driven learning outcomes are implemented to shape how student success is determined. Secondly, I examine how discourses around power control curriculum and student identity instil monological learning structures that normalises standards-based learning outcomes. Challenging this, I allow the voices of my co-researchers, the students in my thesis, to speak back to confront these school-based policies that allow disconnection to occur. Examining school policy and student voice at the point where they intersect allowed me to undertake an evaluation of how schools adversely affect students, and what students say they want from their experience of schooling. The final theme I develop is based on student and agency worker voice and what they say school-based learning should become. Relational learning and learning that develops students ethically emerged as fundamental strengths of what enriching learning transactions should look like. I argue that creating relational learning spaces develop challenging environments that can lead students to ethically understand their identity within complex social and cultural lifestyles. I argue that the ways in which schools are organised to administer time and space must be radically overhauled if this is to be achieved.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
The presence and role of Thiamine and Riboflavin in the malting and brewing industries
- Authors: Hucker, Barry
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Thiamine and riboflavin vitamers are present in a wide range of foods including beer. They play critical roles in a variety of enzymatic complexes and can promote and maintain metabolism. Currently, the presence and role of these vitamers in the malting and brewing industry has not been widely explored. This research has investigated the effects of various malting and brewing processes on the final thiamine and riboflavin vitamer content of finished beer. In order to achieve this, a highly accurate and reproducible HPLC (spike recovery > 95 %; RSD < 5.0 %) method was developed that allowed the separation of thiamine diphosphate (TDP), thiamine monophosphate (TMP), thiamine, riboflavin 5-phosphate (FMN) and riboflavin in various sample matrices. This method was utilised to determine the vitamer content of various cereals and malts and it was found that malting vastly alters the thiamine content of malted barley, while it has minimal effect on riboflavin content. When malted barley is roasted, all vitamers are rapidly degraded. The mashing process releases the various vitamers into a solution and this release is dependent on temperature and enzymatic activity, while wort boiling significantly reduces the vitamer content of the wort. During fermentation, the thiamine content of wort is quickly utilised within the first six hours of standard fermentations and the uptake of this vitamin is not affected by increases in wort gravity. Meanwhile riboflavin is only poorly utilised during these fermentations. Post-fermentative additives, such as the addition of tannic acid and potassium metabisulphite, negatively affect the vitamin content of the final product while phosphorylated forms of these vitamins are greatly affected by the addition of many post-fermentative processing aids/additives. The presence of both thiamine and riboflavin can enhance the spoilage of beer by known brewery spoilage organisms, and the incorrect storage of bottle-conditioned beer can negatively affect the vitamin and organoleptic properties of the final product. These various steps involved in the production of beer greatly affect the final vitamin content, and this knowledge helps to explain the large variation in the thiamine and riboflavin vitamer content of a survey of 204 commercially available beers. This survey concluded that despite the large variations within particular styles of beer, lagers contain the least amount of thiamine compared to ales, stout/porters and wheat beers. However the average riboflavin content of the tested beers was statistically similar (p = 0.608) across all of the styles. This is due to the limited utilisation of this vitamin during fermentations.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Hucker, Barry
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Thiamine and riboflavin vitamers are present in a wide range of foods including beer. They play critical roles in a variety of enzymatic complexes and can promote and maintain metabolism. Currently, the presence and role of these vitamers in the malting and brewing industry has not been widely explored. This research has investigated the effects of various malting and brewing processes on the final thiamine and riboflavin vitamer content of finished beer. In order to achieve this, a highly accurate and reproducible HPLC (spike recovery > 95 %; RSD < 5.0 %) method was developed that allowed the separation of thiamine diphosphate (TDP), thiamine monophosphate (TMP), thiamine, riboflavin 5-phosphate (FMN) and riboflavin in various sample matrices. This method was utilised to determine the vitamer content of various cereals and malts and it was found that malting vastly alters the thiamine content of malted barley, while it has minimal effect on riboflavin content. When malted barley is roasted, all vitamers are rapidly degraded. The mashing process releases the various vitamers into a solution and this release is dependent on temperature and enzymatic activity, while wort boiling significantly reduces the vitamer content of the wort. During fermentation, the thiamine content of wort is quickly utilised within the first six hours of standard fermentations and the uptake of this vitamin is not affected by increases in wort gravity. Meanwhile riboflavin is only poorly utilised during these fermentations. Post-fermentative additives, such as the addition of tannic acid and potassium metabisulphite, negatively affect the vitamin content of the final product while phosphorylated forms of these vitamins are greatly affected by the addition of many post-fermentative processing aids/additives. The presence of both thiamine and riboflavin can enhance the spoilage of beer by known brewery spoilage organisms, and the incorrect storage of bottle-conditioned beer can negatively affect the vitamin and organoleptic properties of the final product. These various steps involved in the production of beer greatly affect the final vitamin content, and this knowledge helps to explain the large variation in the thiamine and riboflavin vitamer content of a survey of 204 commercially available beers. This survey concluded that despite the large variations within particular styles of beer, lagers contain the least amount of thiamine compared to ales, stout/porters and wheat beers. However the average riboflavin content of the tested beers was statistically similar (p = 0.608) across all of the styles. This is due to the limited utilisation of this vitamin during fermentations.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Young, gay and suicidal : who cares? : the attitudes of Australian heterosexual and homosexual men and women towards the suicide of gay male and lesbian adolescents
- Authors: Molloy, Mari
- Date: 2004
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: "The present study sought to examine the attitudes of heterosexual and homosexual men and women towards gay male and lesbian adolescent suicide."
- Description: Doctor of Psychology (Clinical)
- Authors: Molloy, Mari
- Date: 2004
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: "The present study sought to examine the attitudes of heterosexual and homosexual men and women towards gay male and lesbian adolescent suicide."
- Description: Doctor of Psychology (Clinical)
Effect of proteins and low molecular weight surfactants on spray-drying and powder properties of sugar-rich foods
- Authors: Jayasundera, Mithila
- Date: 2011
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: The effect of proteins and low molecular weight surfactants on spray-drying and powder properties of sugar-rich foods has been studied. This PhD study was aimed at quantifying both the extent and effects of the migration of protein and surfactant to the powder surface of spray-dried sugar-rich foods and their implications for powder formation yields and the powder properties such as moisture content, water activity, particle size, glass transition temperature, amorphous/crystalline nature, surface protein coverage, surface stickiness and reconstitution (solubility). The use of proteins and to a lesser extent surfactants as drying aids for sugar rich foods is novel. Sodium caseinate can act as a ‘smart’ drying aid in producing powders out of sugar-rich foods due to their higher solubility and better film-forming property. The remarkable behaviour of sodium caseinate as a drying aid, especially for sucrose is a very significant result both scientifically and commercially. The surface protein coverage and the recovery of the powder in sucrose–protein systems were found to be very sensitive in the presence of low molecular weight surfactants as the concentration of the sodium caseinate in the bulk was below its critical micelle concentration. However, the type of low molecular weight surfactants had no effect on the amorphous nature of fructose–protein powders mainly due to higher protein content (higher than critical micelle concentration) in these powders. It has been found that the nature of the sugar (sucrose or fructose), especially its glass transition temperature determines the extent of protein required to achieve a comparable powder recovery. The maximum solubility of the protein content of sugar–protein and sugar–protein–surfactant powders was achieved within 5 minutes of dissolution.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Jayasundera, Mithila
- Date: 2011
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: The effect of proteins and low molecular weight surfactants on spray-drying and powder properties of sugar-rich foods has been studied. This PhD study was aimed at quantifying both the extent and effects of the migration of protein and surfactant to the powder surface of spray-dried sugar-rich foods and their implications for powder formation yields and the powder properties such as moisture content, water activity, particle size, glass transition temperature, amorphous/crystalline nature, surface protein coverage, surface stickiness and reconstitution (solubility). The use of proteins and to a lesser extent surfactants as drying aids for sugar rich foods is novel. Sodium caseinate can act as a ‘smart’ drying aid in producing powders out of sugar-rich foods due to their higher solubility and better film-forming property. The remarkable behaviour of sodium caseinate as a drying aid, especially for sucrose is a very significant result both scientifically and commercially. The surface protein coverage and the recovery of the powder in sucrose–protein systems were found to be very sensitive in the presence of low molecular weight surfactants as the concentration of the sodium caseinate in the bulk was below its critical micelle concentration. However, the type of low molecular weight surfactants had no effect on the amorphous nature of fructose–protein powders mainly due to higher protein content (higher than critical micelle concentration) in these powders. It has been found that the nature of the sugar (sucrose or fructose), especially its glass transition temperature determines the extent of protein required to achieve a comparable powder recovery. The maximum solubility of the protein content of sugar–protein and sugar–protein–surfactant powders was achieved within 5 minutes of dissolution.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Sense of belonging in workplace as a predictor of mental and physical health and intention to leave among university employees
- Authors: Oldfield, Stuart
- Date: 2003
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: It is has been recognised that sense of belonging and related concepts are strongly associated with mental and physical health. Research to date, however, has focused on sense of belonging to the community in which one lives. The present research extended the work on sense ofbelonging by assessing the relationship between sense ofbelonging in the workplace and the mental and physical health ofstaff employed in a regional university. It was hypothesised that there would be a significant negative relationship between sense ofbelonging and stress. It was also hypothesised that those staff who indicated a higher sense ofbelonging to their work team and organisation would be less likely to leave their employment and have fewer mental and physical health problems. A sample of 46 male and 49 female staff members completed sense ofbelonging and stress questionnaires. The research found that females showed a higher sense ofbelonging to both the work team and the organisation than males. Also, employees who showed a lower sense ofbelonging to the University had stronger intentions ofleaving their employment. Further, workers who indicated a higher sense ofbelonging to the work team exhibited lower burnout, lower global stress, and better general health. Results suggested that the mental health ofworkers can be improved by encouraging a sense of belonging to the immediate work team and that retention of workers may be increased by facilitating a sense of belonging to the organisation.
- Description: Master of Applied Science
- Authors: Oldfield, Stuart
- Date: 2003
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: It is has been recognised that sense of belonging and related concepts are strongly associated with mental and physical health. Research to date, however, has focused on sense of belonging to the community in which one lives. The present research extended the work on sense ofbelonging by assessing the relationship between sense ofbelonging in the workplace and the mental and physical health ofstaff employed in a regional university. It was hypothesised that there would be a significant negative relationship between sense ofbelonging and stress. It was also hypothesised that those staff who indicated a higher sense ofbelonging to their work team and organisation would be less likely to leave their employment and have fewer mental and physical health problems. A sample of 46 male and 49 female staff members completed sense ofbelonging and stress questionnaires. The research found that females showed a higher sense ofbelonging to both the work team and the organisation than males. Also, employees who showed a lower sense ofbelonging to the University had stronger intentions ofleaving their employment. Further, workers who indicated a higher sense ofbelonging to the work team exhibited lower burnout, lower global stress, and better general health. Results suggested that the mental health ofworkers can be improved by encouraging a sense of belonging to the immediate work team and that retention of workers may be increased by facilitating a sense of belonging to the organisation.
- Description: Master of Applied Science
Video-based training to improve decision-making performance of Australian football umpires
- Authors: Larkin, Paul
- Date: 2012
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Highly refined perceptual and decision-making skills are fundamental to the umpiring process in all sports although there has been little applied research which considers ways to improve umpires‟ perceptual and decision-making skills. Contemporary research has shown that video-based decision-making tests reliably separate highly skilled Australian football umpires from their lesser skilled counterparts. To date however, no studies have considered whether video-based protocols can be used as a training tool to enhance perceptual-cognitive learning for Australian football umpires. Consequently, in this dissertation, three interconnected studies were undertaken to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a video-based training program to improve Australian football umpires‟ decision-making. Video-based methods of assessment have been commonly used to evaluate perceptual-cognitive performance of sports athletes and officials however, a major limitation of these studies is that they have not indicated whether their decision-making test had good reliability and/or validity. Study 1 of this PhD project sought to address this issue, by developing a valid and reliable video-based testing tool to monitor Australian football umpires‟ decision-making performance. The video-based decision-making test was developed from a pool of 156 video-based decision-making situations that were extracted from 23 Australian Football League games. The individual video-clips presented between 6-15 seconds of game play and all audio information was removed to ensure this did not influence participant responses. Face, content and construct validity were demonstrated, which indicated that the testing instrument was a representative measure of decision-making skill in Australian football umpires. The reliability study also provided evidence that 48 clips consistently measured decision-making skill over a two week time period. This investigation provided evidence of a reliable and valid decision-making test which can be used (pre and post) to detect improvements in decision-making following the implementation of a video-based intervention (Study 2). Study 2 investigated whether a 12-week video-based training intervention improved umpire decision-making. Metropolitan and regional Victorian Division One Australian football umpires were assigned to an intervention and control group. The intervention group completed one 20-minute video-based decision-making session per week, which presented between 60 and 225 decision-making situations. In total, 1040 different decision-making scenarios were presented over the duration of the program. In contrast to previous video-based training, the current investigation provided no explicit instruction or feedback. The control group only completed the pre and post decision-making tests. Decision-making performance of the intervention group significantly improved over time (p < 0.01), however no significant differences were observed in the control group (p = 0.94). The significant improvement of the intervention group mirrors the findings of other perceptual-cognitive research however, this study extended previous work by incorporating a greater number of decision-making trials and a discovery learning style. Findings indicated that decision-making skills can be improved without explicit instruction and in game experience. In addition, when separated according to umpire experience, participation in the video-based training program assisted less experienced umpires achieve the same decision-making standard on the video-based retention test as experienced umpires who did not complete any decision-making training (p = 0.85). Furthermore, decision-making performance of experienced umpires also showed significant improvement following participation in the video-based program (p = 0.02). Study 3 implemented a case study approach to investigate whether decision-making skills trained via video-based methods transferred to in-game performance. In-game performance of three participants from Study 2 (intervention group) were monitored (video-recoded and coded) during the Australian football season. In addition, qualitative methods were used to provide an understanding of the cognitive decision-making process of the three umpires. During the five monitored games each participant wore a voice recorder and were asked to „think out loud‟, providing a verbal report of their in-game decision-making process. Following the assessment of all five games, semi-structured interviews were conducted to provide further understanding of cognitive processes associated with each umpires‟ decision-making. Findings identified six themes that related to the in-game decision-making process (e.g., decision evaluation, player intention during game-play) and in-game umpire performance (e.g., anticipation, game-play instructions, player education, knowledge of game-play). Results supported the notion of skill transfer between video-based training and in-game decision-making performance, with all three participants improving their in-game decision-making performance from the first two games to the last two games analysed. This study provides initial evidence that video-based decision-making training can enhance in-game decision-making performance. Therefore, confirming that there is potential for skills developed through video-based training to transfer to in-game decision-making performance. As this was the first study to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a video-based training program to improve Australian football umpires‟ decision-making, this PhD makes a significant and meaningful contribution to empirical knowledge. This study provides insight into the need for valid and reliable decision-making tests, and consideration of these constructs in future research will ensure a comprehensive approach to investigate the potential transfer of decision-making skills from video-based training programs to in-game performance. From a practical perspective, the findings from this study highlight the value of video-based decision-making activities to accelerate the decision-making performance of umpires without the need for extensive time commitment and/or in-game experience. This has important implications for the development of future Australian football umpires, particularly as the current video-based program can be modified and/ or used in current umpire training without the need for large time investment by umpire coaches. Furthermore, positive transfer from video-based training to in-game performance was evident, thus, confirming the potential for video-based training to improve in-game performance. Whilst further research using high quality research designs is required, this dissertation serves to guide further video-based training research across multiple decision-making domains in sport (i.e., umpires/referees, players).
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Larkin, Paul
- Date: 2012
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Highly refined perceptual and decision-making skills are fundamental to the umpiring process in all sports although there has been little applied research which considers ways to improve umpires‟ perceptual and decision-making skills. Contemporary research has shown that video-based decision-making tests reliably separate highly skilled Australian football umpires from their lesser skilled counterparts. To date however, no studies have considered whether video-based protocols can be used as a training tool to enhance perceptual-cognitive learning for Australian football umpires. Consequently, in this dissertation, three interconnected studies were undertaken to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a video-based training program to improve Australian football umpires‟ decision-making. Video-based methods of assessment have been commonly used to evaluate perceptual-cognitive performance of sports athletes and officials however, a major limitation of these studies is that they have not indicated whether their decision-making test had good reliability and/or validity. Study 1 of this PhD project sought to address this issue, by developing a valid and reliable video-based testing tool to monitor Australian football umpires‟ decision-making performance. The video-based decision-making test was developed from a pool of 156 video-based decision-making situations that were extracted from 23 Australian Football League games. The individual video-clips presented between 6-15 seconds of game play and all audio information was removed to ensure this did not influence participant responses. Face, content and construct validity were demonstrated, which indicated that the testing instrument was a representative measure of decision-making skill in Australian football umpires. The reliability study also provided evidence that 48 clips consistently measured decision-making skill over a two week time period. This investigation provided evidence of a reliable and valid decision-making test which can be used (pre and post) to detect improvements in decision-making following the implementation of a video-based intervention (Study 2). Study 2 investigated whether a 12-week video-based training intervention improved umpire decision-making. Metropolitan and regional Victorian Division One Australian football umpires were assigned to an intervention and control group. The intervention group completed one 20-minute video-based decision-making session per week, which presented between 60 and 225 decision-making situations. In total, 1040 different decision-making scenarios were presented over the duration of the program. In contrast to previous video-based training, the current investigation provided no explicit instruction or feedback. The control group only completed the pre and post decision-making tests. Decision-making performance of the intervention group significantly improved over time (p < 0.01), however no significant differences were observed in the control group (p = 0.94). The significant improvement of the intervention group mirrors the findings of other perceptual-cognitive research however, this study extended previous work by incorporating a greater number of decision-making trials and a discovery learning style. Findings indicated that decision-making skills can be improved without explicit instruction and in game experience. In addition, when separated according to umpire experience, participation in the video-based training program assisted less experienced umpires achieve the same decision-making standard on the video-based retention test as experienced umpires who did not complete any decision-making training (p = 0.85). Furthermore, decision-making performance of experienced umpires also showed significant improvement following participation in the video-based program (p = 0.02). Study 3 implemented a case study approach to investigate whether decision-making skills trained via video-based methods transferred to in-game performance. In-game performance of three participants from Study 2 (intervention group) were monitored (video-recoded and coded) during the Australian football season. In addition, qualitative methods were used to provide an understanding of the cognitive decision-making process of the three umpires. During the five monitored games each participant wore a voice recorder and were asked to „think out loud‟, providing a verbal report of their in-game decision-making process. Following the assessment of all five games, semi-structured interviews were conducted to provide further understanding of cognitive processes associated with each umpires‟ decision-making. Findings identified six themes that related to the in-game decision-making process (e.g., decision evaluation, player intention during game-play) and in-game umpire performance (e.g., anticipation, game-play instructions, player education, knowledge of game-play). Results supported the notion of skill transfer between video-based training and in-game decision-making performance, with all three participants improving their in-game decision-making performance from the first two games to the last two games analysed. This study provides initial evidence that video-based decision-making training can enhance in-game decision-making performance. Therefore, confirming that there is potential for skills developed through video-based training to transfer to in-game decision-making performance. As this was the first study to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a video-based training program to improve Australian football umpires‟ decision-making, this PhD makes a significant and meaningful contribution to empirical knowledge. This study provides insight into the need for valid and reliable decision-making tests, and consideration of these constructs in future research will ensure a comprehensive approach to investigate the potential transfer of decision-making skills from video-based training programs to in-game performance. From a practical perspective, the findings from this study highlight the value of video-based decision-making activities to accelerate the decision-making performance of umpires without the need for extensive time commitment and/or in-game experience. This has important implications for the development of future Australian football umpires, particularly as the current video-based program can be modified and/ or used in current umpire training without the need for large time investment by umpire coaches. Furthermore, positive transfer from video-based training to in-game performance was evident, thus, confirming the potential for video-based training to improve in-game performance. Whilst further research using high quality research designs is required, this dissertation serves to guide further video-based training research across multiple decision-making domains in sport (i.e., umpires/referees, players).
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
The role of grief resolution in a cognitive-behavioural rehabilitation program for chronic pain
- Authors: Ledwich, Joan
- Date: 1997
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: The aim of the study was to examine to what extent the role of a grief resolution program component would enhance a concurrent cognitive program in the treatment of pain.
- Description: Master of Applied Science (Psychology)
- Authors: Ledwich, Joan
- Date: 1997
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: The aim of the study was to examine to what extent the role of a grief resolution program component would enhance a concurrent cognitive program in the treatment of pain.
- Description: Master of Applied Science (Psychology)
Development and evaluation of a pilot program to reduce stigma of mental illness among rural adolescents
- Authors: Newnham, Krystal
- Date: 2011
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Two forms of stigma – social and self – represent barriers to receiving professional help for rural Australian adolescents with mental health issues. Characteristics of rural communities such as self-reliance, social proximity and social exclusion are thought to compound experiences of stigma, creating a fear of seeking professional help. The aim of this project was to design and evaluate a stigma reduction program for rural secondary school students. A two-stage quasi-experimental research design was developed. Study 1 involved working collaboratively with seven students from a rural secondary school to develop a population specific program. The curriculum development process was evaluated and the final form of the intervention documented. Study 2 involved delivering and evaluating the intervention within the same secondary school. The aim of Study 2 was to decrease adolescents‟ stigma of mental illness, as measured by social and self stigmatic attitudes, desired social distance, and help-seeking intentions. The treatment group comprised students from year 7, 8, 9, and 12, and the control comprised a delayed treatment group of comparable students from these year levels. After accounting for attrition, the treatment group comprised 31 (16 females) participants, and the delayed treatment group 36 participants (16 females). Measures of stigmatic attitudes, desired social distance and help-seeking intentions were taken at pre-, post-, and 12-week follow-up. The intervention comprised two sessions each of 90 minutes spaced one week apart. Focus-group discussions held post-intervention expanded evaluations of the program; and suggested areas for improvement. The first hypothesis, that prior to intervention, adolescent boys would have significantly higher social stigma, self stigma, desired social distance from those with mental illness, and perceived barriers to seeking help than females, was supported. The second hypothesis, that participants in the treatment group would report lower social- and self-stigma, desired social distance, and fewer perceived barriers to seeking help post-intervention than pre-intervention and compared to the control group was supported in part. The third hypothesis, that reductions in social stigma, self stigma, desired social distance, and barriers to seeking help would be maintained at follow-up also received mixed support. Qualitative data confirmed that student attitudes towards those with mental health issues improved slightly; however, it also indicated that more change was possible and provided direction for future programs. Results have implications for anti-stigma campaign development and implementation. Suggestions for developing more effective anti-stigma programs that will help to lift the burden of stigma and to increase help-seeking behaviours for rural youth are discussed.
- Description: Doctor of Psychology
- Authors: Newnham, Krystal
- Date: 2011
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Two forms of stigma – social and self – represent barriers to receiving professional help for rural Australian adolescents with mental health issues. Characteristics of rural communities such as self-reliance, social proximity and social exclusion are thought to compound experiences of stigma, creating a fear of seeking professional help. The aim of this project was to design and evaluate a stigma reduction program for rural secondary school students. A two-stage quasi-experimental research design was developed. Study 1 involved working collaboratively with seven students from a rural secondary school to develop a population specific program. The curriculum development process was evaluated and the final form of the intervention documented. Study 2 involved delivering and evaluating the intervention within the same secondary school. The aim of Study 2 was to decrease adolescents‟ stigma of mental illness, as measured by social and self stigmatic attitudes, desired social distance, and help-seeking intentions. The treatment group comprised students from year 7, 8, 9, and 12, and the control comprised a delayed treatment group of comparable students from these year levels. After accounting for attrition, the treatment group comprised 31 (16 females) participants, and the delayed treatment group 36 participants (16 females). Measures of stigmatic attitudes, desired social distance and help-seeking intentions were taken at pre-, post-, and 12-week follow-up. The intervention comprised two sessions each of 90 minutes spaced one week apart. Focus-group discussions held post-intervention expanded evaluations of the program; and suggested areas for improvement. The first hypothesis, that prior to intervention, adolescent boys would have significantly higher social stigma, self stigma, desired social distance from those with mental illness, and perceived barriers to seeking help than females, was supported. The second hypothesis, that participants in the treatment group would report lower social- and self-stigma, desired social distance, and fewer perceived barriers to seeking help post-intervention than pre-intervention and compared to the control group was supported in part. The third hypothesis, that reductions in social stigma, self stigma, desired social distance, and barriers to seeking help would be maintained at follow-up also received mixed support. Qualitative data confirmed that student attitudes towards those with mental health issues improved slightly; however, it also indicated that more change was possible and provided direction for future programs. Results have implications for anti-stigma campaign development and implementation. Suggestions for developing more effective anti-stigma programs that will help to lift the burden of stigma and to increase help-seeking behaviours for rural youth are discussed.
- Description: Doctor of Psychology
An investigation into the agronomic factors affecting sustainability, surface hardness and rotational traction on community-level football grounds during drought conditions.
- Authors: Ford, Phillip
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Excessive hardness and rotational traction are the factors most associated with non-contact, ground-related injury risk in football. Irrigation has the greatest influence on surface hardness, and also in determining the turfgrass species that can be sustained. However, irrigation is prohibited on many Australian community-level grounds during drought. This thesis investigated the influence of various agronomic factors on surface hardness and on rotational traction, with the aim of devising strategies to reduce ground-related injury risk in drought conditions. In replicated plots tested over a drought period, Clegg hardness values on a football ground peaked at 160 gravities when turfgrass coverage was present, compared to values in excess of 200 gravities when turf coverage was absent. If the Clegg threshold was set at 160 g for community-level football, many grounds would stay open for play provided they sustained turfgrass coverage. In southern mainland Australia during drought and without irrigation, only a drought-resistant species such as couchgrass (Cynodon dactylon and hybrids) could do this. However, couchgrass has been linked by past epidemiological evidence to a higher risk of knee injury than perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), which was attributed to couchgrass having a higher rotational traction. In data presented in this thesis, perennial ryegrass actually had significantly higher rotational stiffness than couchgrass on four out of eight assessment dates. Consequently, there appears no reason to favour perennial ryegrass and to recommend against the use of couchgrass for reasons concerning rotational traction. Furthermore, the largest range in rotational traction was between areas of full grasscover compared to denuded areas. The thesis concluded that the ability to sustain turfgrass coverage provided the most effective agronomic solution for moderating both hardness and rotational traction on community-level football fields, and that a turfgrass species should be selected primarily on its ability to best sustain that coverage.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Ford, Phillip
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Excessive hardness and rotational traction are the factors most associated with non-contact, ground-related injury risk in football. Irrigation has the greatest influence on surface hardness, and also in determining the turfgrass species that can be sustained. However, irrigation is prohibited on many Australian community-level grounds during drought. This thesis investigated the influence of various agronomic factors on surface hardness and on rotational traction, with the aim of devising strategies to reduce ground-related injury risk in drought conditions. In replicated plots tested over a drought period, Clegg hardness values on a football ground peaked at 160 gravities when turfgrass coverage was present, compared to values in excess of 200 gravities when turf coverage was absent. If the Clegg threshold was set at 160 g for community-level football, many grounds would stay open for play provided they sustained turfgrass coverage. In southern mainland Australia during drought and without irrigation, only a drought-resistant species such as couchgrass (Cynodon dactylon and hybrids) could do this. However, couchgrass has been linked by past epidemiological evidence to a higher risk of knee injury than perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), which was attributed to couchgrass having a higher rotational traction. In data presented in this thesis, perennial ryegrass actually had significantly higher rotational stiffness than couchgrass on four out of eight assessment dates. Consequently, there appears no reason to favour perennial ryegrass and to recommend against the use of couchgrass for reasons concerning rotational traction. Furthermore, the largest range in rotational traction was between areas of full grasscover compared to denuded areas. The thesis concluded that the ability to sustain turfgrass coverage provided the most effective agronomic solution for moderating both hardness and rotational traction on community-level football fields, and that a turfgrass species should be selected primarily on its ability to best sustain that coverage.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Psychological sequela in coeliac disease : cross-sectional and longitudinal studies of mood, cognition, and quality of life
- Authors: Grech, Paul
- Date: 2003
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: "The goal of the thesis was to investigate psychological functioning in CD at different stages of treatment with gluten-free (GFD), both cross-sectionally and longitudinally"
- Description: Doctor of Psychology (Clinical)
- Authors: Grech, Paul
- Date: 2003
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: "The goal of the thesis was to investigate psychological functioning in CD at different stages of treatment with gluten-free (GFD), both cross-sectionally and longitudinally"
- Description: Doctor of Psychology (Clinical)
Seated working posture : a research thesis with experimental methodology and literature review
- Authors: Nelson, David
- Date: 1990
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: Masters Degree in Applied Science
- Description: Much has been written about seated working posture - particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and the furniture associated with achieving what is commonly referred to as the "German Square" postural geometry (after Mandal, 1974). The physical sciences aspects of chair, desk and associated furniture ancillary to the task required of the seated worker, have been described in the scientific literature and the standards and guideline publications of the authorities of many countries of the western world. The most important contribution of multi-adjustable furniture to the reduction of postural discomfort and musculo-skeletal complaints is recognised. As a result a variety of standards and guidelines concerning some of these aspects exists in countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, United States of America, Germany, Australia and the Scandinavian countries. The International Organisation for Standardisation published document TC136/SC7 in 1978, consolidating such existing standards. Less emphasis has been placed on the interface of the information exchange and the comfort, performance and preferences of the seated worker; ie., the practically, the comfort and the intrinsic safety of the working posture prescribed by the model established by the many standards. Existing specifications and guidelines differ in their orientation towards operator performance and comfort of the operator, in as much as some purport to be "furniture standards", for example C.E.N, Comite European de Normalisation, Paris, 1980, while others purport to be "postural standards", for example, International Organisation for Standardisation document TC 136/SC7 (1978). The standards are uniform in matters of upright trunk and 90° upper and lower limb geometry, but are divided in the lineal dimensions applied to eye height above the floor, shoulder acromion to home row of keys (or pen-grip position of the dominant hand and fingers), and eye distance to copy.
- Authors: Nelson, David
- Date: 1990
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: Masters Degree in Applied Science
- Description: Much has been written about seated working posture - particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and the furniture associated with achieving what is commonly referred to as the "German Square" postural geometry (after Mandal, 1974). The physical sciences aspects of chair, desk and associated furniture ancillary to the task required of the seated worker, have been described in the scientific literature and the standards and guideline publications of the authorities of many countries of the western world. The most important contribution of multi-adjustable furniture to the reduction of postural discomfort and musculo-skeletal complaints is recognised. As a result a variety of standards and guidelines concerning some of these aspects exists in countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, United States of America, Germany, Australia and the Scandinavian countries. The International Organisation for Standardisation published document TC136/SC7 in 1978, consolidating such existing standards. Less emphasis has been placed on the interface of the information exchange and the comfort, performance and preferences of the seated worker; ie., the practically, the comfort and the intrinsic safety of the working posture prescribed by the model established by the many standards. Existing specifications and guidelines differ in their orientation towards operator performance and comfort of the operator, in as much as some purport to be "furniture standards", for example C.E.N, Comite European de Normalisation, Paris, 1980, while others purport to be "postural standards", for example, International Organisation for Standardisation document TC 136/SC7 (1978). The standards are uniform in matters of upright trunk and 90° upper and lower limb geometry, but are divided in the lineal dimensions applied to eye height above the floor, shoulder acromion to home row of keys (or pen-grip position of the dominant hand and fingers), and eye distance to copy.
Efficacy of various complex and contrast set protocols acute responses and chronic muscle power development.
- Authors: Talpey, Scott
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Thesis
- Full Text:
- Description: PhD
- Description: "The complex and contrast methods are two separate, but related approaches to resistance training that present intriguing options for coaches who are seeking to enhance an athletes explosive lower body movement. This intrigue is caused by the post-activation potentiation (PAP) phenomenon, which provides the physiological underpinning for these training methods. Exploitation of the PAP response is believed to elicit acute responses, and ultimately chronic adaptations in an individuals explosive force producing ability to an extent that is greater than can be obtained through conventional training methods. However, evidence to support the use of these training methods is derived from investigations that have reported acute increases in performance within a single session and not over an extended period of time. Additionally, the complex method of training, in which sets of a heavy resistance exercise (conditioning action) are performed prior to sets of a lighter explosive exercise has not been investigated as extensively as the contrast method, in which heavy and light exercises are alternated in a set-by-set fashion, leading to question which method is more effective. Furthermore, it is currently not understood if a static or dynamic conditioning action is more effective in complex or contrast methods, and how a change in body position from seated to standing acutely effects explosive lower body movement. Therefore, four studies were designed to address these current gaps in the literature." "The first study sought to determine the reliability of the explosive force variables of jump height (JH), peak bar velocity (BV), peak force (PF), and peak power (PP) obtained from a countermovement jump (CMJ) test." "The second study of the thesis examined the acute responses to five different unconventional resistance training methods which attempted to capitalise on a PAP response and one conventional session where CMJs were performed without any influence from a previous conditioning action." "The third investigation of this thesis was a nine-week training study in which participants were randomly assigned to two training interventions, conventional (n = 11) or complex (n = 9)." "Due to the dramatic improvements observed in CMJ height, that were not observed in other variables, it was questioned whether the specific instructions provided to participants during training and testing throughout the study to jump for maximal height had any influence on these results. This question led to the design of a fourth study. Though not directly related to complex or contrast training, this investigation into the effects of instructions on CMJ variables has scope to alter the way this test is conducted both in research and in a practical setting.
- Authors: Talpey, Scott
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Thesis
- Full Text:
- Description: PhD
- Description: "The complex and contrast methods are two separate, but related approaches to resistance training that present intriguing options for coaches who are seeking to enhance an athletes explosive lower body movement. This intrigue is caused by the post-activation potentiation (PAP) phenomenon, which provides the physiological underpinning for these training methods. Exploitation of the PAP response is believed to elicit acute responses, and ultimately chronic adaptations in an individuals explosive force producing ability to an extent that is greater than can be obtained through conventional training methods. However, evidence to support the use of these training methods is derived from investigations that have reported acute increases in performance within a single session and not over an extended period of time. Additionally, the complex method of training, in which sets of a heavy resistance exercise (conditioning action) are performed prior to sets of a lighter explosive exercise has not been investigated as extensively as the contrast method, in which heavy and light exercises are alternated in a set-by-set fashion, leading to question which method is more effective. Furthermore, it is currently not understood if a static or dynamic conditioning action is more effective in complex or contrast methods, and how a change in body position from seated to standing acutely effects explosive lower body movement. Therefore, four studies were designed to address these current gaps in the literature." "The first study sought to determine the reliability of the explosive force variables of jump height (JH), peak bar velocity (BV), peak force (PF), and peak power (PP) obtained from a countermovement jump (CMJ) test." "The second study of the thesis examined the acute responses to five different unconventional resistance training methods which attempted to capitalise on a PAP response and one conventional session where CMJs were performed without any influence from a previous conditioning action." "The third investigation of this thesis was a nine-week training study in which participants were randomly assigned to two training interventions, conventional (n = 11) or complex (n = 9)." "Due to the dramatic improvements observed in CMJ height, that were not observed in other variables, it was questioned whether the specific instructions provided to participants during training and testing throughout the study to jump for maximal height had any influence on these results. This question led to the design of a fourth study. Though not directly related to complex or contrast training, this investigation into the effects of instructions on CMJ variables has scope to alter the way this test is conducted both in research and in a practical setting.