List of Titles

An online critical thinking course reduces misconceptions in the knowledge of personal trainers

- Jolley, Daniel, Davis, Melissa, Lavender, Andrew, Roberts, Lynne

Authors: Jolley, Daniel , Davis, Melissa , Lavender, Andrew , Roberts, Lynne
Date: 2022
Type: Text , Journal article
Relation: Studies in Continuing Education Vol. 44, no. 1 (2022), p. 39-54
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Description: Personal trainers are a popular source of exercise guidance for the public but have been shown to have fundamental errors in their knowledge, and hold misconceptions about some exercise and nutritional concepts. Critical thinking skills have been found to relate inversely to misconceptions in other populations but this has not been examined in personal trainers. This study assessed the impact of an online, domain-specific, critical thinking course on the misconceptions and critical thinking ability (CTA) of personal trainers. One hundred and twenty-five participants were recruited into a randomised control trial. Participants completed measures of knowledge, misconceptions, CTA, and their use and perceived trustworthiness of sources of information about exercise and nutrition, then were allocated to either an intervention or control group. The intervention group completed the course over six weeks, while the control group waited six weeks before being surveyed again. Participants showed reduced endorsement of misconceptions and increased trust in reliable sources after completing the intervention. CTA improved in both the intervention and control groups. These results provide evidence that targeting critical thinking skills tailored to relevant content may contribute positively to the professional development of personal trainers. © 2020 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Blood–brain barrier disruption and ventricular enlargement are the earliest neuropathological changes in rats with repeated sub-concussive impacts over 2 weeks

- Hiles-Murison, Bailey, Lavender, Andrew, Hackett, Mark, Armstrong, Joshua, Nesbit, Michael

Authors: Hiles-Murison, Bailey , Lavender, Andrew , Hackett, Mark , Armstrong, Joshua , Nesbit, Michael
Date: 2021
Type: Text , Journal article
Relation: Scientific Reports Vol. 11, no. 1 (2021), p.
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Description: Repeated sub-concussive impact (e.g. soccer ball heading), a significantly lighter form of mild traumatic brain injury, is increasingly suggested to cumulatively alter brain structure and compromise neurobehavioural function in the long-term. However, the underlying mechanisms whereby repeated long-term sub-concussion induces cerebral structural and neurobehavioural changes are currently unknown. Here, we utilised an established rat model to investigate the effects of repeated sub-concussion on size of lateral ventricles, cerebrovascular blood–brain barrier (BBB) integrity, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and biochemical distribution. Following repeated sub-concussion 3 days per week for 2 weeks, the rats showed significantly enlarged lateral ventricles compared with the rats receiving sham-only procedure. The sub-concussive rats also presented significant BBB dysfunction in the cerebral cortex and hippocampal formation, whilst neuromotor function assessed by beamwalk and rotarod tests were comparable to the sham rats. Immunofluorescent and spectroscopic microscopy analyses revealed no significant changes in neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, lipid distribution or protein aggregation, within the hippocampus and cortex. These data collectively indicate that repeated sub-concussion for 2 weeks induce significant ventriculomegaly and BBB disruption, preceding neuromotor deficits. © 2021, The Author(s). *Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 5 including Federation University Australia affiliate “Andrew Lavender” is provided in this record**

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Buffering the fear of COVID-19 : social connectedness mediates the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and psychological wellbeing

- Humphrey, Ashley, March, Evita, Lavender, Andrew, Miller, Kyle, Alvarenga, Marlies, Mesagno, Christopher

Authors: Humphrey, Ashley , March, Evita , Lavender, Andrew , Miller, Kyle , Alvarenga, Marlies , Mesagno, Christopher
Date: 2022
Type: Text , Journal article
Relation: Behavioral Sciences Vol. 12, no. 3 (2022), p.
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Description: Social connections are crucial for an individual’s health, wellbeing, and overall effective functioning. During the COVID-19 pandemic, one major preventative effort for reducing the spread of COVID-19 involved restricting people’s typical social interactions through physical distancing and isolation. The current cross-sectional study, conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, explored the relationship among fear of COVID-19, social connectedness, resilience, depressive symptomologies, and self-perceived stress. Participants (N = 174) completed an anonymous, online questionnaire, and results indicated that social connectedness mediated the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and psychological wellbeing. In contrast, the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and psychological wellbeing was not mediated by resilience. These findings highlight the important role that social connections and resilience play in buffering against negative psychological wellbeing outcomes, especially during a pandemic. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

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Countermovement jump variables not tensiomyography can distinguish between sprint and endurance focused track cyclists

- Lewis, Mitchell, Young, Warren, Knapstein, Luke, Lavender, Andrew, Talpey, Scott

Authors: Lewis, Mitchell , Young, Warren , Knapstein, Luke , Lavender, Andrew , Talpey, Scott
Date: 2022
Type: Text , Journal article
Relation: Biology of Sport Vol. 39, no. 1 (2022), p. 67-72
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Description: This study investigated the reliability and discriminative ability of tensiomyography and countermovement jump variables as measures of a muscles contractile properties in a cohort of elite endurance and sprint track cyclists. Tensiomyography was performed on the vastus lateralis (VL) and rectus femoris (RF) muscles in sprint track cyclists (N = 8) and endurance track cyclists (N = 8). Additionally, the participants completed a countermovement jump on a force plate. Tensiomyography measurements obtained from the RF displayed greater reliability (ICC = 0.879–0.997) than VL (ICC = 0.746–0.970). Radial muscle belly displacement (Dm), contraction time (Tc) and delay time (Td) demonstrated the most reliable TMG measurements. Only two variables displayed acceptable coefficient of variation (RF Td = 8.89, VL Td = 6.88), other variables presented as unacceptable. The TMG variables were unable to discriminate between endurance and sprint track cyclists whilst the CMJ variables could. Due to the high variability in measurements and its inability to distinguish between sprint and endurance based track cyclists TMG should be used cautiously in this athlete population and if available the CMJ is a more appropriate assessment of leg muscle function. © 2022 Institute of Sport. All rights reserved.

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Effectiveness of mouth rinsing versus ingesting pickle juice for alleviating electrically induced cramp in physically active adults

- Georgieva, Julia, Brade, Carly, Ducker, Kagan, Davey, Paul, Jacques, Angela, Ohno, Masato, Lavender, Andrew

Authors: Georgieva, Julia , Brade, Carly , Ducker, Kagan , Davey, Paul , Jacques, Angela , Ohno, Masato , Lavender, Andrew
Date: 2021
Type: Text , Journal article
Relation: Applied Sciences (Switzerland) Vol. 11, no. 24 (2021), p.
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Description: (1) Background: Stimulating oropharyngeal transient receptor potential (TRP) channels in-hibits muscle cramping by triggering a supraspinal reflex to reduce α-motor neuron hyperexcitability. This study investigated whether the longer stimulation of the TRP channels via mouth rinsing with PJ is more effective than drinking PJ at inhibiting an electrically induced muscle cramp (EIMC). Both conditions were compared to the control (water). (2) Methods: The tibial nerves in 11 cramp-prone adults were percutaneously stimulated to elicit an EIMC of the flexor hallucis brevis in three trials that took place one week apart from each other. At cramp onset, the participants received mouth rinsing and expelling PJ (25 mL), ingesting PJ (1 mL·kg−1 body-mass (BM)), or ingesting water (1 mL·kg−1 BM). Cramp onset and offset were induced by electromyography, and the severity of discomfort was recorded using a visual analogue scale (VAS). (3) Results: The median time to cramp cessation as a percentage of water was 82.8 ± 14.63% and 68.6 ± 47.78% for PJ ingestion and PJ mouth rinsing, respectively. These results had large variability, and no statistically significant differences were observed. There were also no differences in perceived cramp discomfort between conditions, despite the hazard ratios for the time taken to reach VAS = 0, which was higher than water (control) for PJ ingestion (22%) and mouth rinsing (35%) (p = 0.66 and 0.51, respectively). (4) Conclusions: The data suggest no difference in cramp duration and perceived discomfort between PJ and water. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. **Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 5 including Federation University Australia affiliate “Andrew Lavender” is provided in this record**

Effects of sub-concussion on neuropsychological performance and its potential mechanisms : a narrative review

- Rawlings, Samuel, Takechi, Ryusuke, Lavender, Andrew

Authors: Rawlings, Samuel , Takechi, Ryusuke , Lavender, Andrew
Date: 2020
Type: Text , Journal article , Review
Relation: Brain Research Bulletin Vol. 165, no. (2020), p. 56-62
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Description: Concussion and mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) are recognised as serious medical events that are relatively common in contact sports. Recently, the seemingly non-injurious phenomenon of sub-concussion has gained interest among neuroscience researchers and early studies are showing that there may be some acute and chronic effects on brain health and function with repeated sub-concussive events of the type seen in soccer, where players strike the ball with the head, and collision sports like the rugby codes. The aim of this narrative review is to describe sub-concussion and the current understanding of short and long term effects of repeated minor impacts that have been found to occur in human and animal models. Here, potential mechanisms for cognitive dysfunction following sub-concussion and recommend directions for future research are discussed. The Potential mechanisms of injuries resulting from sub-concussion such as changes in blood brain barrier integrity, neuroinflammation, cognitive impairment, and oxidative stress damage, among other changes in central nervous system function vary considerably making understanding of the underlying causative mechanism challenging for researchers. Some evidence suggests a link between impaired cerebrovascular function and cognitive impairment which poses a potential mechanism linking the two. It is hoped that this review helps guide researchers toward a potential direction of investigations. © 2020

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Head accelerations during a 1-on-1 rugby tackling drill performed by experienced rugby union players

- Reha, Tahere, McNabb, Colm, Netto, Kevin, Davey, Paul, Lavender, Andrew

Authors: Reha, Tahere , McNabb, Colm , Netto, Kevin , Davey, Paul , Lavender, Andrew
Date: 2021
Type: Text , Journal article
Relation: Brain Sciences Vol. 11, no. 11 (2021), p.
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Description: Rugby Union is a popular sport played by males and females worldwide, from junior to elite levels. The highly physical skill of tackling occurs every few seconds throughout a match and various injuries associated with tackling are relatively common. Of particular interest are head injuries that result in a concussion. Recently, repeated non-injurious head impacts in sport have attracted the attention of researchers interested in brain health. Therefore, this study assessed head movement during repeated rugby tackle drills among experienced Rugby Union players. Experienced male and female participants performed 15 1-on-1 tackles in a motion analysis laboratory to measure the head movements of the ball carrier and tackler during each tackle, using three-dimensional motion capture. The average peak acceleration of the head for ball carriers was 28.9 ± 24.08 g and 36.67 ± 28.91 g for the tacklers. This study found that the type of head impacts common while performing a tackle in Rugby Union are similar to those experienced by soccer players during heading, which has been found to alter brain function that lasts hours after the event. This has important implications for player health and suggests that mitigation strategies should be considered for Rugby Union. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Misconceptions in the knowledge of vocational fitness students and graduates

- Jolley, Daniel, Davis, Melissa, Lavender, Andrew

Authors: Jolley, Daniel , Davis, Melissa , Lavender, Andrew
Date: 2020
Type: Text , Journal article
Relation: Australian Journal of Adult Learning Vol. 60, no. 1 (2020), p. 66-88
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Description: The use of non-academic sources of health information is popular among both the public and exercise professionals. However, the quality of this information varies and without the application of critical thinking skills, may lead to misconceptions forming. This research aimed to compare the knowledge, presence of misconceptions, and critical thinking ability of vocational education and training (VET) fitness students at the beginning and end of their training, and qualified personal trainers (PTs). It also examines differences in the sources of information used by students and professionals. An Exercise Science Knowledge Survey was developed to assess knowledge and misconceptions about ten areas of exercise and nutrition. VET students were assessed at the beginning and end of a personal training qualification and PTs were surveyed once. Though VET students’ knowledge improved and misconceptions decreased from pre-to post training, PTs did not differ from post-VET students in knowledge, misconceptions, or critical thinking ability. PTs reported using more varied sources of information and were more likely to trust reliable sources. Critical thinking ability correlated with higher knowledge scores and lower misconception scores. Instruction in critical thinking should be embedded at lower levels of VET, and exercise professionals should be encouraged to undertake higher levels of study. © 2020, ADULT LEARNING AUSTRALIA INC. All rights reserved.

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Repeated long-term sub-concussion impacts induce motor dysfunction in rats : a potential rodent model

- Lavender, Andrew, Rawlings, Samuel, Warnock, Andrew, McGonigle, Terry, Hiles-Murison, Bailey, Nesbit, Michael, Lam, Virginie, Hackett, Mark, Fitzgerald, Melinda, Takechi, Ryusuke

Authors: Lavender, Andrew , Rawlings, Samuel , Warnock, Andrew , McGonigle, Terry , Hiles-Murison, Bailey , Nesbit, Michael , Lam, Virginie , Hackett, Mark , Fitzgerald, Melinda , Takechi, Ryusuke
Date: 2020
Type: Text , Journal article
Relation: Frontiers in Neurology Vol. 11, no. (2020), p.
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Description: Whilst detrimental effects of repeated sub-concussive impacts on neurophysiological and behavioral function are increasingly reported, the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Here, we report that repeated sub-concussion with a light weight drop (25 g) in wild-type PVG rats for 2 weeks does not induce detectable neuromotor dysfunction assessed by beamwalk and rotarod tests. However, after 12 weeks of repeated sub-concussion, the rats exhibited moderate neuromotor dysfunction. This is the first study to demonstrate development of neuromotor dysfunction following multiple long-term sub-concussive impacts in rats. The outcomes may offer significant opportunity for future studies to understand the mechanisms of sub-concussion-induced neuropsychological changes. © Copyright © 2020 Lavender, Rawlings, Warnock, McGonigle, Hiles-Murison, Nesbit, Lam, Hackett, Fitzgerald and Takechi.

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The effect of sub-concussive impacts during a rugby tackling drill on brain function

- McNabb, Colm, Reha, Tahere, Georgieva, Julia, Jacques, Angela, Netto, Kevin, Lavender, Andrew

Authors: McNabb, Colm , Reha, Tahere , Georgieva, Julia , Jacques, Angela , Netto, Kevin , Lavender, Andrew
Date: 2020
Type: Text , Journal article
Relation: Brain Sciences Vol. 10, no. 12 (2020), p. 1-12
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Description: Concussion is known to detrimentally affect brain health. Rugby tackles commonly occur with high collision force between tackler and ball carrier, and low impact head contact is not uncommon. Cognitive deficits following a bout of soccer ball heading has been attributed to the impact and termed sub-concussion. Although soccer ball heading studies provide evidence for acute effects of sub-concussion, it is unknown whether this phenomenon occurs following rugby tackles. This study investigates the acute effects of rugby tackles on brain function and balance in rugby players. Twenty-six volunteers were assigned to either the ball carrier (9), tackler (9) or control (8) group. Controls performed running without the tackle. Outcome measures included corticomotor function using transcranial magnetic brain stimulation (TMS) and balance was assessed by a series of tasks performed on a NeuroCom Balance Master before and immediately after a tackle training drill. Following the tackling bout, the cortical silent period (cSP) increased for the tacklers with no change for ball carrier and control groups, and no differences between groups for balance measures were observed. Lengthening of cSP observed in the tacklers following the bout has been reported in studies of concussion and may indicate long term detrimental effects. © 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

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