The effect of an 8 week prescribed exercise and low-carbohydrate diet on cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition and cardiometabolic risk factors in obese individuals: A randomised controlled trial
- Perissiou, Maria, Borkoles, Erika, Kobayashi, Kent, Polman, Remco
- Authors: Perissiou, Maria , Borkoles, Erika , Kobayashi, Kent , Polman, Remco
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Nutrients Vol. 12, no. 2 (2020), p. 482
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- Description: Low-carbohydrate (LC) diets are an effective method for treating obesity and reducing cardiometabolic risk. However, exposure to LC diets is associated with reductions in muscle mass and increased osteoporosis risk in obese individuals. The combination of exercise with a LC diet appears to attenuate muscle mass loss induced by LC diets alone, and to further improve cardiometabolic profile. However, evidence to date in obese individuals is limited. We assessed the effect of LC diet in combination with supervised exercise on cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition and cardiometabolic risk factors in obese individuals. Male and female participants in the experimental (EX-LC structured supervised exercise program + low-carbohydrate meals n = 33 35.3 years) and control (EX-CO structured supervised exercise program + standard dietary advice n = 31 34.2 years) conditions underwent measurements of cardiorespiratory fitness ( O peak), body fat, lean muscle mass (LMM), and cardiometabolic biomarkers before and after an 8 week intervention. : Participants in the EX-LC condition demonstrated greater improvements in O peak ( = 0.002) and fat mass index (FMI, = 0.001) compared to the EX-CO condition. Achieving a ketogenic state (β-hydroxybutyrate, βHB ≥0.3 mmol/L) was associated with greater reductions in total body fat ( = 0.011), visceral adipose tissue ( = 0.025), FMI ( = 0.002) and C-reactive protein (CRP, = 0.041) but also with greater reductions in LMM ( = 0.042). : Short-term LC diet combined with prescribed exercise enhanced cardiorespiratory fitness and the cardiometabolic profile of obese individuals but was also associated with greater muscle mass loss compared to similar exercise training and standard dietary advice. The long-term effects of the LC diet should be further explored in future studies.
- Authors: Perissiou, Maria , Borkoles, Erika , Kobayashi, Kent , Polman, Remco
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Nutrients Vol. 12, no. 2 (2020), p. 482
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Low-carbohydrate (LC) diets are an effective method for treating obesity and reducing cardiometabolic risk. However, exposure to LC diets is associated with reductions in muscle mass and increased osteoporosis risk in obese individuals. The combination of exercise with a LC diet appears to attenuate muscle mass loss induced by LC diets alone, and to further improve cardiometabolic profile. However, evidence to date in obese individuals is limited. We assessed the effect of LC diet in combination with supervised exercise on cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition and cardiometabolic risk factors in obese individuals. Male and female participants in the experimental (EX-LC structured supervised exercise program + low-carbohydrate meals n = 33 35.3 years) and control (EX-CO structured supervised exercise program + standard dietary advice n = 31 34.2 years) conditions underwent measurements of cardiorespiratory fitness ( O peak), body fat, lean muscle mass (LMM), and cardiometabolic biomarkers before and after an 8 week intervention. : Participants in the EX-LC condition demonstrated greater improvements in O peak ( = 0.002) and fat mass index (FMI, = 0.001) compared to the EX-CO condition. Achieving a ketogenic state (β-hydroxybutyrate, βHB ≥0.3 mmol/L) was associated with greater reductions in total body fat ( = 0.011), visceral adipose tissue ( = 0.025), FMI ( = 0.002) and C-reactive protein (CRP, = 0.041) but also with greater reductions in LMM ( = 0.042). : Short-term LC diet combined with prescribed exercise enhanced cardiorespiratory fitness and the cardiometabolic profile of obese individuals but was also associated with greater muscle mass loss compared to similar exercise training and standard dietary advice. The long-term effects of the LC diet should be further explored in future studies.
Network analyses of Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) symptoms in children
- Gomez, Rapson, Stavropoulos, Vasileios, Gomez, Andre, Brown, Taylor, Watson, Shaun
- Authors: Gomez, Rapson , Stavropoulos, Vasileios , Gomez, Andre , Brown, Taylor , Watson, Shaun
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: BMC Psychiatry Vol. 22, no. 1 (2022), p. 263-263
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- Description: Based on parent and teacher ratings of their children, this study used regularized partial correlation network analysis (EBIC glasso) to examine the structure of DSM-5 Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) symptoms. Parent and teachers (N = 934) from the general community in Malaysia completed questionnaires covering DSM-5 ODD symptoms. The most central ODD symptom for parent ratings was anger, followed by argue. For teacher ratings, it was anger, followed by defy. For both parent and teacher ratings, the networks revealed at least medium effect size connections for temper and argue, defy, and argue, blames others, and annoy, and spiteful and angry. Overall, the findings were highly comparable across parent and teacher ratings, and they showed a novel understanding of the structure of the ODD symptoms. The clinical implications of the findings for assessment and treatment of ODD are discussed.
- Authors: Gomez, Rapson , Stavropoulos, Vasileios , Gomez, Andre , Brown, Taylor , Watson, Shaun
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: BMC Psychiatry Vol. 22, no. 1 (2022), p. 263-263
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Based on parent and teacher ratings of their children, this study used regularized partial correlation network analysis (EBIC glasso) to examine the structure of DSM-5 Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) symptoms. Parent and teachers (N = 934) from the general community in Malaysia completed questionnaires covering DSM-5 ODD symptoms. The most central ODD symptom for parent ratings was anger, followed by argue. For teacher ratings, it was anger, followed by defy. For both parent and teacher ratings, the networks revealed at least medium effect size connections for temper and argue, defy, and argue, blames others, and annoy, and spiteful and angry. Overall, the findings were highly comparable across parent and teacher ratings, and they showed a novel understanding of the structure of the ODD symptoms. The clinical implications of the findings for assessment and treatment of ODD are discussed.
Self-reported wellness profiles of professional australian football players during the competition phase of the season
- Gallo, Tania, Cormack, Stuart, Gabbett, Tim, Lorenzen, Christian
- Authors: Gallo, Tania , Cormack, Stuart , Gabbett, Tim , Lorenzen, Christian
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research Vol. 31, no. 2 (2017), p. 495-502
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- Description: With the prevalence of customized self-report measures in high-performance sport, and the incomplete understanding of athletes' perceived wellness in response to matches and training load, the objective of this study was to explore weekly wellness profiles within the context of the competitive season of professional Australian football. Internal match load, measured through the session-rating of perceived exertion method, match-to-match microcycle, stage of the season, and training load were included in multivariate linear models to determine their effect on weekly wellness profile (n = 1,835). There was a lower weekly training load on a 6-day microcycle compared with a 7-day and 8-day microcycle. Match load had no significant impact on weekly wellness profile, while there was an interaction between microcycle and days postmatch. There was a likely moderately lower wellness Z-score 1 day postmatch for an 8-day microcycle (mean; 95% confidence interval: -1.79; -2.02 to -1.56) compared with a 6-day (-1.19; -1.30 to -1.08) and 7-day (-1.22; -1.34 to -1.09) cycle (d; 95% confidence interval: -0.82; -1.3 to -0.36, -0.78; -1.3 to -0.28, respectively). The second half of the season saw a possibly small reduction in overall wellness Z-score than the first half of the season (0.22; 0.12-0.32). Finally, training load had no effect on wellness Z-score when controlled for days postmatch, microcycle, and stage of the season. These results provide information on the status of players in response to matches and fixed conditions. Knowing when wellness Z-score returns to baseline relative to the length of the microcycle may lead practitioners to prescribe the heaviest load of the week accordingly. Furthermore, wellness "red flags" should be made relative to the microcycles and stage of the season to determine an athlete's status relative to their typical weekly profile. © 2016 National Strength and Conditioning Association.
- Authors: Gallo, Tania , Cormack, Stuart , Gabbett, Tim , Lorenzen, Christian
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research Vol. 31, no. 2 (2017), p. 495-502
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: With the prevalence of customized self-report measures in high-performance sport, and the incomplete understanding of athletes' perceived wellness in response to matches and training load, the objective of this study was to explore weekly wellness profiles within the context of the competitive season of professional Australian football. Internal match load, measured through the session-rating of perceived exertion method, match-to-match microcycle, stage of the season, and training load were included in multivariate linear models to determine their effect on weekly wellness profile (n = 1,835). There was a lower weekly training load on a 6-day microcycle compared with a 7-day and 8-day microcycle. Match load had no significant impact on weekly wellness profile, while there was an interaction between microcycle and days postmatch. There was a likely moderately lower wellness Z-score 1 day postmatch for an 8-day microcycle (mean; 95% confidence interval: -1.79; -2.02 to -1.56) compared with a 6-day (-1.19; -1.30 to -1.08) and 7-day (-1.22; -1.34 to -1.09) cycle (d; 95% confidence interval: -0.82; -1.3 to -0.36, -0.78; -1.3 to -0.28, respectively). The second half of the season saw a possibly small reduction in overall wellness Z-score than the first half of the season (0.22; 0.12-0.32). Finally, training load had no effect on wellness Z-score when controlled for days postmatch, microcycle, and stage of the season. These results provide information on the status of players in response to matches and fixed conditions. Knowing when wellness Z-score returns to baseline relative to the length of the microcycle may lead practitioners to prescribe the heaviest load of the week accordingly. Furthermore, wellness "red flags" should be made relative to the microcycles and stage of the season to determine an athlete's status relative to their typical weekly profile. © 2016 National Strength and Conditioning Association.
Cross-sectional study of soil-transmitted helminthiases in black belt region of Alabama, USA
- Poole, Claudette, Barker, Troy, Bradbury, Richard, Capone, Drew, Chatham, Amy, Handali, Sukwan, Rodriguez, Eduardo, Qvarnstrom, Yvonne, Brown, Joe
- Authors: Poole, Claudette , Barker, Troy , Bradbury, Richard , Capone, Drew , Chatham, Amy , Handali, Sukwan , Rodriguez, Eduardo , Qvarnstrom, Yvonne , Brown, Joe
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Emerging Infectious Diseases Vol. 29, no. 12 (2023), p. 2461-2470
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- Description: We conducted a cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthiases (STH) in areas of rural Alabama, USA, that have sanitation deficits. We enrolled 777 children; 704 submitted stool specimens and 227 a dried blood spot sample. We microscopically examined stool specimens from all 704 children by using Mini-FLOTAC for helminth eggs. We tested a subset by using molecular techniques: real-time PCR analysis for 5 STH species, TaqMan Array Cards for enteric helminths, and digital PCR for Necator americanus hookworm. We analyzed dried blood spots for Strongyloides stercoralis and Toxocara spp. roundworms by using serologic testing. Despite 12% of our cohort reporting living in homes that directly discharge untreated domestic wastewater, stool testing for STH was negative; however, 5% of dried blood spots were positive for Toxocara spp. roundworms. Survey data suggests substantial numbers of children in this region may be exposed to raw sewage, which is itself a major public health concern. © 2023 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). All rights reserved.
- Authors: Poole, Claudette , Barker, Troy , Bradbury, Richard , Capone, Drew , Chatham, Amy , Handali, Sukwan , Rodriguez, Eduardo , Qvarnstrom, Yvonne , Brown, Joe
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Emerging Infectious Diseases Vol. 29, no. 12 (2023), p. 2461-2470
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: We conducted a cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthiases (STH) in areas of rural Alabama, USA, that have sanitation deficits. We enrolled 777 children; 704 submitted stool specimens and 227 a dried blood spot sample. We microscopically examined stool specimens from all 704 children by using Mini-FLOTAC for helminth eggs. We tested a subset by using molecular techniques: real-time PCR analysis for 5 STH species, TaqMan Array Cards for enteric helminths, and digital PCR for Necator americanus hookworm. We analyzed dried blood spots for Strongyloides stercoralis and Toxocara spp. roundworms by using serologic testing. Despite 12% of our cohort reporting living in homes that directly discharge untreated domestic wastewater, stool testing for STH was negative; however, 5% of dried blood spots were positive for Toxocara spp. roundworms. Survey data suggests substantial numbers of children in this region may be exposed to raw sewage, which is itself a major public health concern. © 2023 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). All rights reserved.
The trajectory of maternal perinatal depressive symptoms predicts executive function in early childhood
- Power, Josephine, Watson, Stuart, Chen, Wai, Lewis, Andrew, Van Ijzendoorn, Marinus, Galbally, Megan
- Authors: Power, Josephine , Watson, Stuart , Chen, Wai , Lewis, Andrew , Van Ijzendoorn, Marinus , Galbally, Megan
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Psychological Medicine Vol. 53, no. 16 (2023), p. 7953-7963
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- Description: Background Perinatal maternal depression may affect fetal neurodevelopment directly or indirectly via exposures such as smoking, alcohol, or antidepressant use. The relative contribution of these risk factors on child executive function (EF) has not been explored systematically. Methods A prospective pregnancy cohort of 197 women and their children was studied to determine whether maternal depression diagnosis and the trajectory of maternal depressive symptoms (MDSs) from early pregnancy to 12 months postpartum predicts child EF at age 4 (measured using the preschool age psychiatric assessment, NEPSY-II, and Shape School task) using latent growth curve modeling. Indirect effects of smoking, alcohol, and antidepressant use were also formally tested. Results Increasing maternal perinatal depressive symptoms over time predicted more inattentive symptoms, poorer switching, and motor inhibition, but not cognitive inhibition. When adjusted for multiple comparison, and after accounting for maternal cognition and education, the association with child inattentive symptoms remained significant. However, diagnosed depression did not predict child EF outcomes. Prenatal exposure to smoking, alcohol, and antidepressants also did not mediate pathways from depressive symptoms to EF outcomes. Our findings were limited by sample size and statistical power to detect outcome effects of smaller effect size. Conclusions This study suggests that increasing MDSs over the perinatal period is associated with poorer EF outcomes in children at age 4 - independent of prenatal smoking, drinking, or antidepressant use. Depressive chronicity, severity, and postpartum influences may play crucial roles in determining childhood outcomes of EF. Copyright © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press.
- Authors: Power, Josephine , Watson, Stuart , Chen, Wai , Lewis, Andrew , Van Ijzendoorn, Marinus , Galbally, Megan
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Psychological Medicine Vol. 53, no. 16 (2023), p. 7953-7963
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background Perinatal maternal depression may affect fetal neurodevelopment directly or indirectly via exposures such as smoking, alcohol, or antidepressant use. The relative contribution of these risk factors on child executive function (EF) has not been explored systematically. Methods A prospective pregnancy cohort of 197 women and their children was studied to determine whether maternal depression diagnosis and the trajectory of maternal depressive symptoms (MDSs) from early pregnancy to 12 months postpartum predicts child EF at age 4 (measured using the preschool age psychiatric assessment, NEPSY-II, and Shape School task) using latent growth curve modeling. Indirect effects of smoking, alcohol, and antidepressant use were also formally tested. Results Increasing maternal perinatal depressive symptoms over time predicted more inattentive symptoms, poorer switching, and motor inhibition, but not cognitive inhibition. When adjusted for multiple comparison, and after accounting for maternal cognition and education, the association with child inattentive symptoms remained significant. However, diagnosed depression did not predict child EF outcomes. Prenatal exposure to smoking, alcohol, and antidepressants also did not mediate pathways from depressive symptoms to EF outcomes. Our findings were limited by sample size and statistical power to detect outcome effects of smaller effect size. Conclusions This study suggests that increasing MDSs over the perinatal period is associated with poorer EF outcomes in children at age 4 - independent of prenatal smoking, drinking, or antidepressant use. Depressive chronicity, severity, and postpartum influences may play crucial roles in determining childhood outcomes of EF. Copyright © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press.
Match-play running demands and technical performance among elite gaelic footballers : does divisional status count?
- McGahan, Jason, Mangan, Shane, Collins, Kieran, Burns, Con, Gabbett, Tim, O'Neill, Cian
- Authors: McGahan, Jason , Mangan, Shane , Collins, Kieran , Burns, Con , Gabbett, Tim , O'Neill, Cian
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research Vol. 35, no. 1 (2021), p. 169-175
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- Description: The aim of the current study was to compare positional differences in running demands and technical performance variables among elite Gaelic football teams from separate divisions. Data were obtained from a division 1 (26.7 ± 2.9 years, 179.2 ± 21.3 cm, 89.9 ± 21.2 kg) and a division 3 (25.7 ± 3.5 years, 183.0 ± 4.7 cm, 84.4 ± 6.5 kg) team. Match-play running variables were collected using 4-Hz global positioning system (GPS) units (VX Sport; Visuallex Sport, Lower Hutt, New Zealand) (Match data sets; division 1: n = 107, division 3: n = 97). Selected variables assessed were high-speed running distance (HSR) (
- Authors: McGahan, Jason , Mangan, Shane , Collins, Kieran , Burns, Con , Gabbett, Tim , O'Neill, Cian
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research Vol. 35, no. 1 (2021), p. 169-175
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The aim of the current study was to compare positional differences in running demands and technical performance variables among elite Gaelic football teams from separate divisions. Data were obtained from a division 1 (26.7 ± 2.9 years, 179.2 ± 21.3 cm, 89.9 ± 21.2 kg) and a division 3 (25.7 ± 3.5 years, 183.0 ± 4.7 cm, 84.4 ± 6.5 kg) team. Match-play running variables were collected using 4-Hz global positioning system (GPS) units (VX Sport; Visuallex Sport, Lower Hutt, New Zealand) (Match data sets; division 1: n = 107, division 3: n = 97). Selected variables assessed were high-speed running distance (HSR) (
Powered mobility device use in residential aged care : a retrospective audit of incidents and injuries
- Dickson, Natalie, Gohil, Apeksha, Unsworth, Carolyn
- Authors: Dickson, Natalie , Gohil, Apeksha , Unsworth, Carolyn
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: BMC Geriatrics Vol. 23, no. 1 (2023), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: Powered wheelchairs and motorised mobility scooters, collectively called powered mobility devices (PMD), are highly valued by older Australians, including those living in residential care, to facilitate personal and community mobility. The number of PMDs in residential aged care is expected to grow proportionally with that of the wider community, however, there is very little literature on supporting residents to use PMDs safely. Prior to developing such supports, it is important to understand the frequency and nature of any incidents experienced by residents whilst using a PMD. The aim of this study was to determine the number and characteristics of PMD use related incidents occurring in a group of residential aged care facilities in a single year in one state in Australia including incident type, severity, assessment, or training received and outcomes on follow-up for PMD users living in residential aged care. Methods: Analysis of secondary data, including documentation of PMD incidents and injuries for one aged care provider group over 12 months retrospectively. Follow-up data were gathered 9–12 months post incident to review and record the outcome for each PMD user. Results: No fatalities were recorded as a direct result of PMD use and 55 incidents, including collisions, tips, and falls, were attributed to 30 residents. Examination of demographics and incident characteristics found that 67% of residents who had incurred incidents were male, 67% were over 80 years of age, 97% had multiple diagnoses and 53% had not received training to use a PMD. Results from this study were extrapolated to project that 4,453 PMD use related incidents occur every year within Australian residential aged care facilities, with the potential for outcomes such as extended recovery, fatality, litigation, or loss of income. Conclusion: This is the first time that detailed incident data on PMD use in residential aged care has been reviewed in an Australian context. Illuminating both the benefits and the potential risks of PMD use emphasizes the need to develop and improve support structures to promote safe PMD use in residential aged care. © 2023, Crown.
- Authors: Dickson, Natalie , Gohil, Apeksha , Unsworth, Carolyn
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: BMC Geriatrics Vol. 23, no. 1 (2023), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: Powered wheelchairs and motorised mobility scooters, collectively called powered mobility devices (PMD), are highly valued by older Australians, including those living in residential care, to facilitate personal and community mobility. The number of PMDs in residential aged care is expected to grow proportionally with that of the wider community, however, there is very little literature on supporting residents to use PMDs safely. Prior to developing such supports, it is important to understand the frequency and nature of any incidents experienced by residents whilst using a PMD. The aim of this study was to determine the number and characteristics of PMD use related incidents occurring in a group of residential aged care facilities in a single year in one state in Australia including incident type, severity, assessment, or training received and outcomes on follow-up for PMD users living in residential aged care. Methods: Analysis of secondary data, including documentation of PMD incidents and injuries for one aged care provider group over 12 months retrospectively. Follow-up data were gathered 9–12 months post incident to review and record the outcome for each PMD user. Results: No fatalities were recorded as a direct result of PMD use and 55 incidents, including collisions, tips, and falls, were attributed to 30 residents. Examination of demographics and incident characteristics found that 67% of residents who had incurred incidents were male, 67% were over 80 years of age, 97% had multiple diagnoses and 53% had not received training to use a PMD. Results from this study were extrapolated to project that 4,453 PMD use related incidents occur every year within Australian residential aged care facilities, with the potential for outcomes such as extended recovery, fatality, litigation, or loss of income. Conclusion: This is the first time that detailed incident data on PMD use in residential aged care has been reviewed in an Australian context. Illuminating both the benefits and the potential risks of PMD use emphasizes the need to develop and improve support structures to promote safe PMD use in residential aged care. © 2023, Crown.
A qualitative exploration of the impact of knowledge and perceptions about hypertension in medication adherence in Middle Eastern refugees and migrants
- Shahin, Wejdan, Kennedy, Gerard, Stupans, Ieva
- Authors: Shahin, Wejdan , Kennedy, Gerard , Stupans, Ieva
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Exploratory Research in Clinical and Social Pharmacy Vol. 3, no. (2021), p. 100038-100038
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Knowledge and perceptions about chronic disease and medications play a crucial role in determining long-term treatment adherence to diseases such as hypertension. Exploring in depth the barriers and enablers to medication adherence in specific population subgroups such as Middle Eastern refugees and migrants in Australia is important. This may provide a better understanding of each of these groups' beliefs and knowledge and suggest strategies and interventions to improve medication adherence. This study aimed to understand Middle Eastern refugees' and migrants' experiences, perceptions, and knowledge about hypertension and to explore factors affecting medication adherence. In this study 15 participants who identified themselves as Middle Eastern refugees and migrants in Australia and had been diagnosed with hypertension were interviewed (migrants = 5, refugees =10) using semi-structured interviews. Recorded interviews were analysed using a thematic analysis framework and the findings were reported according to consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research. Three key themes emerged from the interview analysis: (1) dealing with the illness in terms of understanding the symptoms and causes, self-managing of high blood pressure, and coping and acquaintance with the illness (2) beliefs, practices around medication adherence and the barriers and facilitators to taking medications regularly and (3) healthcare encounters represented by participants trust in healthcare providers. Differences were found between refugees and migrants relating to the understanding, control, and coping with hypertension, beliefs about medications, trust of healthcare providers, and taking medications as prescribed. There were also differences in the social context of the two groups. Understanding the factors that prevent adherence to hypertension in Middle Eastern refugees addressed the gap in the literature regarding refugees' beliefs and medication adherence. Future studies are recommended to assess the improvement in medication adherence in refugees by modifying their beliefs, attitude, and knowledge about medications and illness. In addition, healthcare providers should consider the differences between Middle Eastern refugees and migrants when providing the health advice that targets each of these population independently to ultimately improve their overall health and adherence to medications. Erratum: The publisher regrets that the section below was accidentally anonymized in the original published version of this article: “Ethical approval was obtained from (redacted) 60–19/22299”. This section should read: “Ethical approval was obtained from RMIT University Ethics Committee 60–19/22299”. The publisher would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.
- Authors: Shahin, Wejdan , Kennedy, Gerard , Stupans, Ieva
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Exploratory Research in Clinical and Social Pharmacy Vol. 3, no. (2021), p. 100038-100038
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Knowledge and perceptions about chronic disease and medications play a crucial role in determining long-term treatment adherence to diseases such as hypertension. Exploring in depth the barriers and enablers to medication adherence in specific population subgroups such as Middle Eastern refugees and migrants in Australia is important. This may provide a better understanding of each of these groups' beliefs and knowledge and suggest strategies and interventions to improve medication adherence. This study aimed to understand Middle Eastern refugees' and migrants' experiences, perceptions, and knowledge about hypertension and to explore factors affecting medication adherence. In this study 15 participants who identified themselves as Middle Eastern refugees and migrants in Australia and had been diagnosed with hypertension were interviewed (migrants = 5, refugees =10) using semi-structured interviews. Recorded interviews were analysed using a thematic analysis framework and the findings were reported according to consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research. Three key themes emerged from the interview analysis: (1) dealing with the illness in terms of understanding the symptoms and causes, self-managing of high blood pressure, and coping and acquaintance with the illness (2) beliefs, practices around medication adherence and the barriers and facilitators to taking medications regularly and (3) healthcare encounters represented by participants trust in healthcare providers. Differences were found between refugees and migrants relating to the understanding, control, and coping with hypertension, beliefs about medications, trust of healthcare providers, and taking medications as prescribed. There were also differences in the social context of the two groups. Understanding the factors that prevent adherence to hypertension in Middle Eastern refugees addressed the gap in the literature regarding refugees' beliefs and medication adherence. Future studies are recommended to assess the improvement in medication adherence in refugees by modifying their beliefs, attitude, and knowledge about medications and illness. In addition, healthcare providers should consider the differences between Middle Eastern refugees and migrants when providing the health advice that targets each of these population independently to ultimately improve their overall health and adherence to medications. Erratum: The publisher regrets that the section below was accidentally anonymized in the original published version of this article: “Ethical approval was obtained from (redacted) 60–19/22299”. This section should read: “Ethical approval was obtained from RMIT University Ethics Committee 60–19/22299”. The publisher would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Conceptualising social media addiction: a longitudinal network analysis of social media addiction symptoms and their relationships with psychological distress in a community sample of adults
- Tullett-Prado, Deon, Doley, Jo, Zarate, Daniel, Gomez, Rapson, Stavropoulos, Vasileios
- Authors: Tullett-Prado, Deon , Doley, Jo , Zarate, Daniel , Gomez, Rapson , Stavropoulos, Vasileios
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: BMC Psychiatry Vol. 23, no. 1 (2023), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: Problematic social media use has been identified as negatively impacting psychological and everyday functioning and has been identified as a possible behavioural addiction (social media addiction; SMA). Whether SMA can be classified as a distinct behavioural addiction has been debated within the literature, with some regarding SMA as a premature pathologisation of ordinary social media use behaviour and suggesting there is little evidence for its use as a category of clinical concern. This study aimed to understand the relationship between proposed symptoms of SMA and psychological distress and examine these over time in a longitudinal network analysis, in order better understand whether SMA warrants classification as a unique pathology unique from general distress. Method: N = 462 adults (M age = 30.8, SD age = 9.23, 69.3% males, 29% females, 1.9% other sex or gender) completed measures of social media addiction (Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale), and psychological distress (DASS-21) at two time points, twelve months apart. Data were analysed using network analysis (NA) to explore SMA symptoms and psychological distress. Specifically, NA allows to assess the ‘influence’ and pathways of influence of each symptom in the network both cross-sectionally at each time point, as well as over time. Results: SMA symptoms were found to be stable cross-sectionally over time, and were associated with, yet distinct, from, depression, anxiety and stress. The most central symptoms within the network were tolerance and mood-modification in terms of expected influence and closeness respectively. Depression symptoms appeared to have less of a formative effect on SMA symptoms than anxiety and stress. Conclusions: Our findings support the conceptualisation of SMA as a distinct construct occurring based on an underpinning network cluster of behaviours and a distinct association between SMA symptoms and distress. Further replications of these findings, however, are needed to strengthen the evidence for SMA as a unique behavioural addiction. © 2023, The Author(s).
- Authors: Tullett-Prado, Deon , Doley, Jo , Zarate, Daniel , Gomez, Rapson , Stavropoulos, Vasileios
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: BMC Psychiatry Vol. 23, no. 1 (2023), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: Problematic social media use has been identified as negatively impacting psychological and everyday functioning and has been identified as a possible behavioural addiction (social media addiction; SMA). Whether SMA can be classified as a distinct behavioural addiction has been debated within the literature, with some regarding SMA as a premature pathologisation of ordinary social media use behaviour and suggesting there is little evidence for its use as a category of clinical concern. This study aimed to understand the relationship between proposed symptoms of SMA and psychological distress and examine these over time in a longitudinal network analysis, in order better understand whether SMA warrants classification as a unique pathology unique from general distress. Method: N = 462 adults (M age = 30.8, SD age = 9.23, 69.3% males, 29% females, 1.9% other sex or gender) completed measures of social media addiction (Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale), and psychological distress (DASS-21) at two time points, twelve months apart. Data were analysed using network analysis (NA) to explore SMA symptoms and psychological distress. Specifically, NA allows to assess the ‘influence’ and pathways of influence of each symptom in the network both cross-sectionally at each time point, as well as over time. Results: SMA symptoms were found to be stable cross-sectionally over time, and were associated with, yet distinct, from, depression, anxiety and stress. The most central symptoms within the network were tolerance and mood-modification in terms of expected influence and closeness respectively. Depression symptoms appeared to have less of a formative effect on SMA symptoms than anxiety and stress. Conclusions: Our findings support the conceptualisation of SMA as a distinct construct occurring based on an underpinning network cluster of behaviours and a distinct association between SMA symptoms and distress. Further replications of these findings, however, are needed to strengthen the evidence for SMA as a unique behavioural addiction. © 2023, The Author(s).
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.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- 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.
- 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.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- 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.
Unprepared for the depth of my feelings' - capturing grief in older people through research poetry
- Gerber, Katrin, Brijnath, Bianca, Lock, Kayla, Bryant, Christina, Hills, Danny, Hjorth, Larissa
- Authors: Gerber, Katrin , Brijnath, Bianca , Lock, Kayla , Bryant, Christina , Hills, Danny , Hjorth, Larissa
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Age and Ageing Vol. 51, no. 3 (2022), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: Older people are more likely to experience bereavements than any other age group. However, in healthcare and society, their grief experiences and support needs receive limited attention. Through innovative, arts-based research poetry, this study aimed to capture older people's bereavement stories and the effects of grief on their physical and mental health. Method: Semi-structured in-depth interviews with 18 bereaved older adults were analysed using thematic and poetic narrative analysis, following a five-step approach of immersion, creation, critical reflection, ethics and engagement. Results: Research poems were used to illustrate three themes of bereavement experiences among older adults: feeling unprepared, accumulation of losses and ripple effects of grief. While half of participants reported that the death of their family member was expected, many felt unprepared despite having experienced multiple bereavements throughout their life. Instead, the accumulation of losses had a compounding effect on their health and well-being. While these ripple effects of grief focussed on emotional and mental health consequences, many also reported physical health effects like the onset of a new condition or the worsening of an existing one. In its most extreme form, grief was connected with a perceived increased mortality risk. Conclusions: By using poetry to draw attention to the intense and often long-lasting effects of grief on older people's health and well-being, this article offers emotional, engaging and immersive insights into their unique bereavement experiences and thereby challenges the notion that grief has an expiry date. © 2022 The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Geriatrics Society. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.
- Authors: Gerber, Katrin , Brijnath, Bianca , Lock, Kayla , Bryant, Christina , Hills, Danny , Hjorth, Larissa
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Age and Ageing Vol. 51, no. 3 (2022), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: Older people are more likely to experience bereavements than any other age group. However, in healthcare and society, their grief experiences and support needs receive limited attention. Through innovative, arts-based research poetry, this study aimed to capture older people's bereavement stories and the effects of grief on their physical and mental health. Method: Semi-structured in-depth interviews with 18 bereaved older adults were analysed using thematic and poetic narrative analysis, following a five-step approach of immersion, creation, critical reflection, ethics and engagement. Results: Research poems were used to illustrate three themes of bereavement experiences among older adults: feeling unprepared, accumulation of losses and ripple effects of grief. While half of participants reported that the death of their family member was expected, many felt unprepared despite having experienced multiple bereavements throughout their life. Instead, the accumulation of losses had a compounding effect on their health and well-being. While these ripple effects of grief focussed on emotional and mental health consequences, many also reported physical health effects like the onset of a new condition or the worsening of an existing one. In its most extreme form, grief was connected with a perceived increased mortality risk. Conclusions: By using poetry to draw attention to the intense and often long-lasting effects of grief on older people's health and well-being, this article offers emotional, engaging and immersive insights into their unique bereavement experiences and thereby challenges the notion that grief has an expiry date. © 2022 The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Geriatrics Society. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.
The occurrence of different vertical jump types in basketball competition and their relationship with lower-body speed-strength qualities
- Talpey, Scott, Smyth, Andrew, O'Grady, Mathew, Morrison, Matthew, Young, Warren
- Authors: Talpey, Scott , Smyth, Andrew , O'Grady, Mathew , Morrison, Matthew , Young, Warren
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Strength and Conditioning Vol. 1, no. 1 (2021), p.
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- Reviewed:
- Description: Jumps occur frequently in basketball and can be executed from a single-leg take-off following a run-up or bilaterally from a standing start. Understanding the type of jumps performed in competition and how different muscular qualities influence their performance, informs training prescription. Firstly, to quantify the occurrence of different jump types performed in competition an analysis of 15 semi-professional basketball games was undertaken. Secondly, to understand the influence of muscular qualities on performance of different jump types, Semi-professional male basketball players (N=17) performed jump tests standing vertical jump, running vertical jumps with a double leg take-off (RVJ2) and a single leg take-off (RVJ1) and tests of lower-body speed-strength reactive strength index (RSI) from a drop jump, counter movement jump (CMJ) and squat jump. A stationary approach was employed for 69%, a running approach for 26% and a one-step approach for 5%. RVJ1 displayed non-significant (P=0.07) moderate correlation with jump height attained from the CMJ (r=0.439) and a very large (r =.806) significant (P<0.01) correlation with RSI. Most jumps were executed from a stationary start with a bilateral take-off while a run-up occurred prior to a substantial proportion of jumps. Jumps with a single-leg take-off from a run-up strongly correlate with RSI.
- Authors: Talpey, Scott , Smyth, Andrew , O'Grady, Mathew , Morrison, Matthew , Young, Warren
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Strength and Conditioning Vol. 1, no. 1 (2021), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Jumps occur frequently in basketball and can be executed from a single-leg take-off following a run-up or bilaterally from a standing start. Understanding the type of jumps performed in competition and how different muscular qualities influence their performance, informs training prescription. Firstly, to quantify the occurrence of different jump types performed in competition an analysis of 15 semi-professional basketball games was undertaken. Secondly, to understand the influence of muscular qualities on performance of different jump types, Semi-professional male basketball players (N=17) performed jump tests standing vertical jump, running vertical jumps with a double leg take-off (RVJ2) and a single leg take-off (RVJ1) and tests of lower-body speed-strength reactive strength index (RSI) from a drop jump, counter movement jump (CMJ) and squat jump. A stationary approach was employed for 69%, a running approach for 26% and a one-step approach for 5%. RVJ1 displayed non-significant (P=0.07) moderate correlation with jump height attained from the CMJ (r=0.439) and a very large (r =.806) significant (P<0.01) correlation with RSI. Most jumps were executed from a stationary start with a bilateral take-off while a run-up occurred prior to a substantial proportion of jumps. Jumps with a single-leg take-off from a run-up strongly correlate with RSI.
The combined effect of cranial-nerve non-invasive neuromodulation with high-intensity physiotherapy on gait and balance in a patient with cerebellar degeneration: a case report
- Bastani, Andisheh, Cofré Lizama, L. Eduardo, Zoghi, Maryam, Blashki, Grant, Davis, Stephen, Kaye, Andrew, Khan, Fary, Galea, Mary
- Authors: Bastani, Andisheh , Cofré Lizama, L. Eduardo , Zoghi, Maryam , Blashki, Grant , Davis, Stephen , Kaye, Andrew , Khan, Fary , Galea, Mary
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Cerebellum Ataxias Vol. 5, no. 1 (2018), p. 6
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Cranial-nerve non-invasive neuromodulation (CN-NINM) using the portable neuromodulation stimulator (PoNS™ device has been proposed as a novel adjuvant intervention to improve efficacy of gait and balance. This device modulates input and output signals during motor tasks which prompts neuroplastic changes. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of physiotherapy using the PoNS™ in a case with cerebellar degeneration. The PoNS™ was used during a high-intensity physiotherapy programme delivered over 2 weeks (2 × 1.5 h sessions daily). Clinical and instrumented gait and balance tests were applied pre- and post-intervention. The patient improved in all tests without any adverse effects. This study showed the efficacy and feasibility of combined high-intensity physiotherapy and CN-NINM for gait and balance rehabilitation. Further studies should explore CN-NINM effects in larger and more diverse samples of neurological patients.
- Authors: Bastani, Andisheh , Cofré Lizama, L. Eduardo , Zoghi, Maryam , Blashki, Grant , Davis, Stephen , Kaye, Andrew , Khan, Fary , Galea, Mary
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Cerebellum Ataxias Vol. 5, no. 1 (2018), p. 6
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Cranial-nerve non-invasive neuromodulation (CN-NINM) using the portable neuromodulation stimulator (PoNS™ device has been proposed as a novel adjuvant intervention to improve efficacy of gait and balance. This device modulates input and output signals during motor tasks which prompts neuroplastic changes. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of physiotherapy using the PoNS™ in a case with cerebellar degeneration. The PoNS™ was used during a high-intensity physiotherapy programme delivered over 2 weeks (2 × 1.5 h sessions daily). Clinical and instrumented gait and balance tests were applied pre- and post-intervention. The patient improved in all tests without any adverse effects. This study showed the efficacy and feasibility of combined high-intensity physiotherapy and CN-NINM for gait and balance rehabilitation. Further studies should explore CN-NINM effects in larger and more diverse samples of neurological patients.
Home advantage and LBW decisions : the contribution of umpiring to the home-ground (dis)advantage in cricket
- Adie, Joshua, Renshaw, Ian, Polman, Remco, Mann, David
- Authors: Adie, Joshua , Renshaw, Ian , Polman, Remco , Mann, David
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 25, no. 6 (2022), p. 520-523
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- Reviewed:
- Description: Objectives: This study aimed to determine whether elite cricket umpires' decisions contribute to home advantage via leg-before-wicket decisions. Design: Leg-before-wicket decisions (n = 4971) from actual elite level cricket matches in Australia between 2009 and 2016 were analysed using a binomial logistic regression to predict the umpires' leg-before-wicket decisions. Methods: Regressions were performed to determine whether the batter's team (home or away) influenced the likelihood that the umpire would give them out leg-before-wicket. Results: We found no evidence of home advantage in umpires' leg-before-wicket decisions. In fact, we found evidence that umpires in some instances disadvantage the home team. Conclusions: We suggest that the increased professionalism of sports officials, and the scrutiny they are placed under, may lead umpires to reduce or even overcompensate for any existing biases in their decision making. © 2022 Sports Medicine Australia
- Authors: Adie, Joshua , Renshaw, Ian , Polman, Remco , Mann, David
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 25, no. 6 (2022), p. 520-523
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Objectives: This study aimed to determine whether elite cricket umpires' decisions contribute to home advantage via leg-before-wicket decisions. Design: Leg-before-wicket decisions (n = 4971) from actual elite level cricket matches in Australia between 2009 and 2016 were analysed using a binomial logistic regression to predict the umpires' leg-before-wicket decisions. Methods: Regressions were performed to determine whether the batter's team (home or away) influenced the likelihood that the umpire would give them out leg-before-wicket. Results: We found no evidence of home advantage in umpires' leg-before-wicket decisions. In fact, we found evidence that umpires in some instances disadvantage the home team. Conclusions: We suggest that the increased professionalism of sports officials, and the scrutiny they are placed under, may lead umpires to reduce or even overcompensate for any existing biases in their decision making. © 2022 Sports Medicine Australia
Reliability of the ICECAP-O quality of life scale with community-dwelling people with dementia
- Bibi, Iram, Polman, Remco, Nyman, Samuel
- Authors: Bibi, Iram , Polman, Remco , Nyman, Samuel
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine Vol. 8, no. (2022), p.
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- Description: Currently, measures of quality of life used with older people with dementia (PWD) are mainly health related. Health is not an actual attribute of but a means to attain quality of life. The Investigating Choice Experiments for the Preferences of Older People - CAPability index (ICECAP-O) measures attributes of quality of life. While its construct validity has been tested with PWD, no study has yet published data on the reliability of this scale used directly with PWD. In this study, we tested the external (test-retest) reliability of the ICECAP-O with 54 community-dwelling older PWD from the south of England. The ICECAP-O had acceptable test-retest reliability (r =.68, p <.01 and r =.56, p <.01 for raw and tariff scores, respectively). This suggests that the ICECAP-O is both a reliable and valid measure of quality of life for use directly with community-dwelling PWD. © The Author(s) 2022.
- Authors: Bibi, Iram , Polman, Remco , Nyman, Samuel
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine Vol. 8, no. (2022), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Currently, measures of quality of life used with older people with dementia (PWD) are mainly health related. Health is not an actual attribute of but a means to attain quality of life. The Investigating Choice Experiments for the Preferences of Older People - CAPability index (ICECAP-O) measures attributes of quality of life. While its construct validity has been tested with PWD, no study has yet published data on the reliability of this scale used directly with PWD. In this study, we tested the external (test-retest) reliability of the ICECAP-O with 54 community-dwelling older PWD from the south of England. The ICECAP-O had acceptable test-retest reliability (r =.68, p <.01 and r =.56, p <.01 for raw and tariff scores, respectively). This suggests that the ICECAP-O is both a reliable and valid measure of quality of life for use directly with community-dwelling PWD. © The Author(s) 2022.
Factors influencing creatine kinase response in youth national team soccer players
- Schuth, Gabor, Szigeti, Gyorgy, Dobreff, Gergely, Revisnyei, Peter, Pasic, Alija, Toka, Laszlo, Gabbett, Tim, Pavlik, Gabor
- Authors: Schuth, Gabor , Szigeti, Gyorgy , Dobreff, Gergely , Revisnyei, Peter , Pasic, Alija , Toka, Laszlo , Gabbett, Tim , Pavlik, Gabor
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Sports Health Vol. 13, no. 4 (2021), p. 332-340
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: Previous studies have examined the relationship between external training load and creatine kinase (CK) response after soccer matches in adults. This study aimed to build training- and match-specific CK prediction models for elite youth national team soccer players. Hypothesis: Training and match load will have different effects on the CK response of elite youth soccer players, and there will be position-specific differences in the most influential external and internal load parameters on the CK response. Study Design: Prospective cohort study. Level of Evidence: Level 4. Methods: Forty-one U16-U17 youth national team soccer players were measured over an 18-month period. Training and match load were monitored with global positioning system devices. Individual CK values were measured from whole blood every morning in training camps. The dataset consisted of 1563 data points. Clustered prediction models were used to examine the relationship between external/internal load and consecutive CK changes. Clusters were built based on the playing position and activity type. The performance of the linear regression models was described by the R2 and the root-mean-square error (RMSE, U/L for CK values). Results: The prediction models fitted similarly during games and training sessions (R2 = 0.38-0.88 vs 0.6-0.77), but there were large differences based on playing positions. In contrast, the accuracy of the models was better during training sessions (RMSE = 81-135 vs 79-209 U/L). Position-specific differences were also found in the external and internal load parameters, which best explained the CK changes. Conclusion: The relationship between external/internal load parameters and CK changes are position specific and might depend on the type of session (training or match). Morning CK values also contributed to the next day’s CK values. Clinical Relevance: The relationship between position-specific external/internal load and CK changes can be used to individualize postmatch recovery strategies and weekly training periodization with a view to optimize match performance. © 2021 The Author(s).
- Authors: Schuth, Gabor , Szigeti, Gyorgy , Dobreff, Gergely , Revisnyei, Peter , Pasic, Alija , Toka, Laszlo , Gabbett, Tim , Pavlik, Gabor
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Sports Health Vol. 13, no. 4 (2021), p. 332-340
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: Previous studies have examined the relationship between external training load and creatine kinase (CK) response after soccer matches in adults. This study aimed to build training- and match-specific CK prediction models for elite youth national team soccer players. Hypothesis: Training and match load will have different effects on the CK response of elite youth soccer players, and there will be position-specific differences in the most influential external and internal load parameters on the CK response. Study Design: Prospective cohort study. Level of Evidence: Level 4. Methods: Forty-one U16-U17 youth national team soccer players were measured over an 18-month period. Training and match load were monitored with global positioning system devices. Individual CK values were measured from whole blood every morning in training camps. The dataset consisted of 1563 data points. Clustered prediction models were used to examine the relationship between external/internal load and consecutive CK changes. Clusters were built based on the playing position and activity type. The performance of the linear regression models was described by the R2 and the root-mean-square error (RMSE, U/L for CK values). Results: The prediction models fitted similarly during games and training sessions (R2 = 0.38-0.88 vs 0.6-0.77), but there were large differences based on playing positions. In contrast, the accuracy of the models was better during training sessions (RMSE = 81-135 vs 79-209 U/L). Position-specific differences were also found in the external and internal load parameters, which best explained the CK changes. Conclusion: The relationship between external/internal load parameters and CK changes are position specific and might depend on the type of session (training or match). Morning CK values also contributed to the next day’s CK values. Clinical Relevance: The relationship between position-specific external/internal load and CK changes can be used to individualize postmatch recovery strategies and weekly training periodization with a view to optimize match performance. © 2021 The Author(s).
Can the workload–injury relationship be moderated by improved strength, speed and repeated-sprint qualities?
- Malone, Shane, Hughes, Brian, Doran, Dominic, Collins, Kieran, Gabbett, Tim
- Authors: Malone, Shane , Hughes, Brian , Doran, Dominic , Collins, Kieran , Gabbett, Tim
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 22, no. 1 (2019), p. 29-34
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate potential moderators (i.e. lower body strength, repeated-sprint ability [RSA] and maximal velocity) of injury risk within a team-sport cohort. Design: Observational cohort study. Methods: Forty male amateur hurling players (age: 26.2 ± 4.4 year, height: 184.2 ± 7.1 cm, mass: 82.6 ± 4.7 kg) were recruited. During a two-year period, workload (session RPE × duration), injury and physical qualities were assessed. Specific physical qualities assessed were a three-repetition maximum Trapbar deadlift, 6 × 35-m repeated-sprint (RSA) and 5-, 10- and 20-m sprint time. All derived workload and physical quality measures were modelled against injury data using regression analysis. Odds ratios (OR) were reported against a reference group. Results: Moderate weekly loads between ≥1400 AU and ≤1900 AU were protective against injury during both the pre-season (OR: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.18–0.66) and in-season periods (OR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.37–0.82) compared to a low load reference group (≤1200 AU). When strength was considered as a moderator of injury risk, stronger athletes were better able to tolerate the given workload at a reduced risk. Stronger athletes were also better able to tolerate larger week-to-week changes (>550–1000 AU) in workload than weaker athletes (OR = 2.54–4.52). Athletes who were slower over 5-m (OR: 3.11, 95% CI: 2.33–3.87), 10-m (OR: 3.45, 95% CI: 2.11–4.13) and 20-m (OR: 3.12, 95% CI: 2.11–4.13) were at increased risk of injury compared to faster athletes. When repeated-sprint total time (RSAt) was considered as a moderator of injury risk at a given workload (≥1750 AU), athletes with better RSAt were at reduced risk compared to those with poor RSAt (OR: 5.55, 95%: 3.98–7.94). Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that well-developed lower-body strength, RSA and speed are associated with better tolerance to higher workloads and reduced risk of injury in team-sport athletes. © 2018 Sports Medicine Australia
- Authors: Malone, Shane , Hughes, Brian , Doran, Dominic , Collins, Kieran , Gabbett, Tim
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 22, no. 1 (2019), p. 29-34
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate potential moderators (i.e. lower body strength, repeated-sprint ability [RSA] and maximal velocity) of injury risk within a team-sport cohort. Design: Observational cohort study. Methods: Forty male amateur hurling players (age: 26.2 ± 4.4 year, height: 184.2 ± 7.1 cm, mass: 82.6 ± 4.7 kg) were recruited. During a two-year period, workload (session RPE × duration), injury and physical qualities were assessed. Specific physical qualities assessed were a three-repetition maximum Trapbar deadlift, 6 × 35-m repeated-sprint (RSA) and 5-, 10- and 20-m sprint time. All derived workload and physical quality measures were modelled against injury data using regression analysis. Odds ratios (OR) were reported against a reference group. Results: Moderate weekly loads between ≥1400 AU and ≤1900 AU were protective against injury during both the pre-season (OR: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.18–0.66) and in-season periods (OR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.37–0.82) compared to a low load reference group (≤1200 AU). When strength was considered as a moderator of injury risk, stronger athletes were better able to tolerate the given workload at a reduced risk. Stronger athletes were also better able to tolerate larger week-to-week changes (>550–1000 AU) in workload than weaker athletes (OR = 2.54–4.52). Athletes who were slower over 5-m (OR: 3.11, 95% CI: 2.33–3.87), 10-m (OR: 3.45, 95% CI: 2.11–4.13) and 20-m (OR: 3.12, 95% CI: 2.11–4.13) were at increased risk of injury compared to faster athletes. When repeated-sprint total time (RSAt) was considered as a moderator of injury risk at a given workload (≥1750 AU), athletes with better RSAt were at reduced risk compared to those with poor RSAt (OR: 5.55, 95%: 3.98–7.94). Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that well-developed lower-body strength, RSA and speed are associated with better tolerance to higher workloads and reduced risk of injury in team-sport athletes. © 2018 Sports Medicine Australia
Concussion assessment and management — what do community-level cricket participants know?
- Kodikara, Dulan, Plumb, Mandy, Twomey, Dara
- Authors: Kodikara, Dulan , Plumb, Mandy , Twomey, Dara
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 26, no. 9 (2023), p. 448-453
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Objectives: To explore Australian cricket participants' knowledge of concussion assessment and management, and awareness of current concussion guidelines. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Methods: Novel and validated surveys were disseminated online, among over 16 year Australian cricket players and officials at the end of the 2018/19 cricket season. Data were collected on knowledge and awareness of concussion and analysed using descriptive statistics and crosstabulations. Further comparisons were made for the players between injured and non-injured, and helmet wearers and non-helmet wearers using Fisher's exact statistical test. Results: Both players (n = 224, 93 %) and officials (n = 36, 100 %) demonstrated strong knowledge of the importance of immediately evaluating suspected concussions. In comparison with players without helmets (n = 11), those using helmets (n = 135) considered replacing their helmets after a concussion to be vital to concussion assessment (p = 0.02). Overall, 80–97 % of players and 81–97 % of officials understood the importance of many factors regarding concussion management. When concussion management knowledge was compared by injury status, injured players (n = 17, 94 %) believed someone with a concussion should be hospitalised immediately, in contrast to non-injured players (n = 154, 69 %) (p = 0.04). Players (63 %) were less aware of concussion guidelines than officials (81 %). Conclusions: Overall, the knowledge of concussion assessment and management was satisfactory. However, there were discrepancies among players on some aspects of awareness of concussion guidelines. Increasing players' familiarity and experience in using the concussion guidelines is warranted. Targeted campaigns are needed to further improve concussion recognition and treatment at community-level cricket, so all participants play a role in making cricket a safe sport. © 2023
- Authors: Kodikara, Dulan , Plumb, Mandy , Twomey, Dara
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 26, no. 9 (2023), p. 448-453
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Objectives: To explore Australian cricket participants' knowledge of concussion assessment and management, and awareness of current concussion guidelines. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Methods: Novel and validated surveys were disseminated online, among over 16 year Australian cricket players and officials at the end of the 2018/19 cricket season. Data were collected on knowledge and awareness of concussion and analysed using descriptive statistics and crosstabulations. Further comparisons were made for the players between injured and non-injured, and helmet wearers and non-helmet wearers using Fisher's exact statistical test. Results: Both players (n = 224, 93 %) and officials (n = 36, 100 %) demonstrated strong knowledge of the importance of immediately evaluating suspected concussions. In comparison with players without helmets (n = 11), those using helmets (n = 135) considered replacing their helmets after a concussion to be vital to concussion assessment (p = 0.02). Overall, 80–97 % of players and 81–97 % of officials understood the importance of many factors regarding concussion management. When concussion management knowledge was compared by injury status, injured players (n = 17, 94 %) believed someone with a concussion should be hospitalised immediately, in contrast to non-injured players (n = 154, 69 %) (p = 0.04). Players (63 %) were less aware of concussion guidelines than officials (81 %). Conclusions: Overall, the knowledge of concussion assessment and management was satisfactory. However, there were discrepancies among players on some aspects of awareness of concussion guidelines. Increasing players' familiarity and experience in using the concussion guidelines is warranted. Targeted campaigns are needed to further improve concussion recognition and treatment at community-level cricket, so all participants play a role in making cricket a safe sport. © 2023
A 90 minute soccer match induces eccentric hamstring muscles fatigue
- Kakavas, Georgios, Malliaropoulos, Nikos, Gabbett, Tim, Mitrotasios, Michalis, Van Dyk, Nicol, Bikos, Georgios, Maffulli, Nicola
- Authors: Kakavas, Georgios , Malliaropoulos, Nikos , Gabbett, Tim , Mitrotasios, Michalis , Van Dyk, Nicol , Bikos, Georgios , Maffulli, Nicola
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Muscles, Ligaments and Tendons Journal Vol. 11, no. 2 (2021), p. 318-323
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background/Purpose of the study. Hamstring injuries are the most prevalent muscle injuries in both amateur and professional soccer (football) players. Eccentric strength deficits and muscle strength imbalances have been associated with an increased risk of muscle injuries. The current study is a non-randomised observational study investigating whether fatigue significantly reduces peak eccentric strength of the hamstring muscle group. Methods. Twenty-two right leg dominant professional football players participated in this study. None were injured or were rehabilitating from an injury at the time of testing. The eccentric strength of the hamstring muscles was determined using the Nordic exercise on a Norbord device prior to a 90 minute soccer match and after its end. Results. There was a significant decrease in eccentric strength at the end of the match (before the match: M = 306.91, SD = 59.26; after the match: Mean = 277.77 ± SD = 60.35 p =.000, Cohen’s d =.50). The imbalance in eccentric hamstring muscle strength between dominant and non-dominant limb before the match remained unchanged after its end. Conclusions. A professional football match significantly impacts on the ability of players to produce high speed eccentric strength in the hamstring muscle groups. Resistance to fatigue and eccentric strength, particularly at high speeds, are considerable factors in conditioning of professional soccer players. Eccentric muscle strength fatigue of the hamstring muscle group after a 90 min soccer match may provide a possible explanation for the greater risk of hamstring injuries under fatigue conditions. © 2021, CIC Edizioni Internazionali s.r.l.. All rights reserved.
- Authors: Kakavas, Georgios , Malliaropoulos, Nikos , Gabbett, Tim , Mitrotasios, Michalis , Van Dyk, Nicol , Bikos, Georgios , Maffulli, Nicola
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Muscles, Ligaments and Tendons Journal Vol. 11, no. 2 (2021), p. 318-323
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background/Purpose of the study. Hamstring injuries are the most prevalent muscle injuries in both amateur and professional soccer (football) players. Eccentric strength deficits and muscle strength imbalances have been associated with an increased risk of muscle injuries. The current study is a non-randomised observational study investigating whether fatigue significantly reduces peak eccentric strength of the hamstring muscle group. Methods. Twenty-two right leg dominant professional football players participated in this study. None were injured or were rehabilitating from an injury at the time of testing. The eccentric strength of the hamstring muscles was determined using the Nordic exercise on a Norbord device prior to a 90 minute soccer match and after its end. Results. There was a significant decrease in eccentric strength at the end of the match (before the match: M = 306.91, SD = 59.26; after the match: Mean = 277.77 ± SD = 60.35 p =.000, Cohen’s d =.50). The imbalance in eccentric hamstring muscle strength between dominant and non-dominant limb before the match remained unchanged after its end. Conclusions. A professional football match significantly impacts on the ability of players to produce high speed eccentric strength in the hamstring muscle groups. Resistance to fatigue and eccentric strength, particularly at high speeds, are considerable factors in conditioning of professional soccer players. Eccentric muscle strength fatigue of the hamstring muscle group after a 90 min soccer match may provide a possible explanation for the greater risk of hamstring injuries under fatigue conditions. © 2021, CIC Edizioni Internazionali s.r.l.. All rights reserved.
Kidney omics in hypertension: from statistical associations to biological mechanisms and clinical applications
- Tomaszewski, Maciej, Morris, Andrew, Howson, Joanna, Franceschini, Nora, Eales, James, Xu, Xiaoguang, Dikalov, Sergey, Guzik, Tomasz, Humphreys, Benjamin, Harrap, Stephen, Charchar, Fadi
- Authors: Tomaszewski, Maciej , Morris, Andrew , Howson, Joanna , Franceschini, Nora , Eales, James , Xu, Xiaoguang , Dikalov, Sergey , Guzik, Tomasz , Humphreys, Benjamin , Harrap, Stephen , Charchar, Fadi
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Kidney International Vol. 102, no. 3 (2022), p. 492-505
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Hypertension is a major cardiovascular disease risk factor and contributor to premature death globally. Family-based investigations confirmed a significant heritable component of blood pressure (BP), whereas genome-wide association studies revealed >1000 common and rare genetic variants associated with BP and/or hypertension. The kidney is not only an organ of key relevance to BP regulation and the development of hypertension, but it also acts as the tissue mediator of genetic predisposition to hypertension. The identity of kidney genes, pathways, and related mechanisms underlying the genetic associations with BP has started to emerge through integration of genomics with kidney transcriptomics, epigenomics, and other omics as well as through applications of causal inference, such as Mendelian randomization. Single-cell methods further enabled mapping of BP-associated kidney genes to cell types, and in conjunction with other omics, started to illuminate the biological mechanisms underpinning associations of BP-associated genetic variants and kidney genes. Polygenic risk scores derived from genome-wide association studies and refined on kidney omics hold the promise of enhanced diagnostic prediction, whereas kidney omics-informed drug discovery is likely to contribute new therapeutic opportunities for hypertension and hypertension-mediated kidney damage. © 2022 International Society of Nephrology
- Authors: Tomaszewski, Maciej , Morris, Andrew , Howson, Joanna , Franceschini, Nora , Eales, James , Xu, Xiaoguang , Dikalov, Sergey , Guzik, Tomasz , Humphreys, Benjamin , Harrap, Stephen , Charchar, Fadi
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Kidney International Vol. 102, no. 3 (2022), p. 492-505
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Hypertension is a major cardiovascular disease risk factor and contributor to premature death globally. Family-based investigations confirmed a significant heritable component of blood pressure (BP), whereas genome-wide association studies revealed >1000 common and rare genetic variants associated with BP and/or hypertension. The kidney is not only an organ of key relevance to BP regulation and the development of hypertension, but it also acts as the tissue mediator of genetic predisposition to hypertension. The identity of kidney genes, pathways, and related mechanisms underlying the genetic associations with BP has started to emerge through integration of genomics with kidney transcriptomics, epigenomics, and other omics as well as through applications of causal inference, such as Mendelian randomization. Single-cell methods further enabled mapping of BP-associated kidney genes to cell types, and in conjunction with other omics, started to illuminate the biological mechanisms underpinning associations of BP-associated genetic variants and kidney genes. Polygenic risk scores derived from genome-wide association studies and refined on kidney omics hold the promise of enhanced diagnostic prediction, whereas kidney omics-informed drug discovery is likely to contribute new therapeutic opportunities for hypertension and hypertension-mediated kidney damage. © 2022 International Society of Nephrology