Discriminative ability of lower limb strength and power measures in lacrosse athletes
- Talpey, Scott, Axtell, Robert, Gardner, Elizabeth, Maloney, Maggie, Newman, Thomas, Cordone, Jason, O'Grady, Mathew
- Authors: Talpey, Scott , Axtell, Robert , Gardner, Elizabeth , Maloney, Maggie , Newman, Thomas , Cordone, Jason , O'Grady, Mathew
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Sports Medicine Vol. 44, no. 1 (2023), p. 29-37
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- Description: The objective of this investigation was to compare isokinetic strength, countermovement jump and drop jump variables between high-contributors and low-contributors within NCAA Division I Men's and Women's lacrosse athletes. Men's (N=36) and Women's (N=30) NCAA Division I lacrosse athletes completed strength testing of the quadriceps and hamstring across three speeds (60°·s -1, 180°·s -1, 300°·s -1), countermovement and drop jumps. To determine the discriminative ability of select lower-limb strength and power characteristics participants were categorized as high-contributors (Males N=18, age=20.3±0.4 yrs, height=183.9±5.5 cm, mass=90.8±5.8 kg; Females N=15, age=20.8±0.8 yrs, height=169.3±6.7 cm, mass=64.1±7.2 kg) or low-contributors (Males N=18, age=19.5±0.2 yrs, height=184.1±5.6 cm; mass=87.9±8.1 kg; Females N=15, age=19.7±0.2 yrs, height=169.8±7.0 cm, mass=62.9±7.7 kg) based upon the number of games the participants competed in during the regular season. Within the male cohort, moderate significant (p<0.05) differences were observed between high-contributors and low-contributors in isokinetic hamstring strength of the left leg at 300°·s -1(d=0.69) and peak power in countermovement jump (d= 0.68). Within the women's cohort a large (d= 0.87) significant difference (p<0.05) in isokinetic strength of the left hamstring was observed between high-contributors and low-contributors at 60°·s -1. Hamstring strength and lower-limb power are important strength measures for lacrosse performance and should be prioritized in training prescription for lacrosse athletes. © 2023 Georg Thieme Verlag. All rights reserved.
- Authors: Talpey, Scott , Axtell, Robert , Gardner, Elizabeth , Maloney, Maggie , Newman, Thomas , Cordone, Jason , O'Grady, Mathew
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Sports Medicine Vol. 44, no. 1 (2023), p. 29-37
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The objective of this investigation was to compare isokinetic strength, countermovement jump and drop jump variables between high-contributors and low-contributors within NCAA Division I Men's and Women's lacrosse athletes. Men's (N=36) and Women's (N=30) NCAA Division I lacrosse athletes completed strength testing of the quadriceps and hamstring across three speeds (60°·s -1, 180°·s -1, 300°·s -1), countermovement and drop jumps. To determine the discriminative ability of select lower-limb strength and power characteristics participants were categorized as high-contributors (Males N=18, age=20.3±0.4 yrs, height=183.9±5.5 cm, mass=90.8±5.8 kg; Females N=15, age=20.8±0.8 yrs, height=169.3±6.7 cm, mass=64.1±7.2 kg) or low-contributors (Males N=18, age=19.5±0.2 yrs, height=184.1±5.6 cm; mass=87.9±8.1 kg; Females N=15, age=19.7±0.2 yrs, height=169.8±7.0 cm, mass=62.9±7.7 kg) based upon the number of games the participants competed in during the regular season. Within the male cohort, moderate significant (p<0.05) differences were observed between high-contributors and low-contributors in isokinetic hamstring strength of the left leg at 300°·s -1(d=0.69) and peak power in countermovement jump (d= 0.68). Within the women's cohort a large (d= 0.87) significant difference (p<0.05) in isokinetic strength of the left hamstring was observed between high-contributors and low-contributors at 60°·s -1. Hamstring strength and lower-limb power are important strength measures for lacrosse performance and should be prioritized in training prescription for lacrosse athletes. © 2023 Georg Thieme Verlag. All rights reserved.
Psychometric characteristics of the brazil mood scale among youth and elite athletes using two response time frames
- Rohlfs, Izabel, Noce, Franco, Gabbett, Tim, Wilke, Carolina, Vido, Marcelo, Terry, Victoria, Terry, Peter
- Authors: Rohlfs, Izabel , Noce, Franco , Gabbett, Tim , Wilke, Carolina , Vido, Marcelo , Terry, Victoria , Terry, Peter
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Sports Vol. 11, no. 12 (2023), p.
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- Description: Regular assessment of the mood construct as an indicator of psychological wellbeing is used in Brazil to screen athletes for risk of mental health issues. The present study tested the psychometric characteristics of the Brazil Mood Scale (BRAMS) using both “right now” and “past week” response time frames and investigated between-group differences in mood based on athletes’ sex, age, and social vulnerability. Participants were 898 athletes (511 male, 387 female, age range: 12–44 years) from eight sports. The factorial validity of the BRAMS was supported using both response time frames independently and in a multi-sample analysis. Subscale reliability was supported for both time frames. Fatigue, depression, and tension scores were higher using the “past week” time frame than the “right now” time frame. Males reported higher vigor scores than females, and younger participants (<18 years) reported lower scores for anger and depression than older participants (18+ years). No significant differences in mood (p > 0.05) were found between participants identified as socially vulnerable and those who were not socially vulnerable. Findings supported the psychometric integrity of the BRAMS and its use as a screening measure for psychological wellbeing among youth and elite athletes in Brazil. © 2023 by the authors.
- Authors: Rohlfs, Izabel , Noce, Franco , Gabbett, Tim , Wilke, Carolina , Vido, Marcelo , Terry, Victoria , Terry, Peter
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Sports Vol. 11, no. 12 (2023), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Regular assessment of the mood construct as an indicator of psychological wellbeing is used in Brazil to screen athletes for risk of mental health issues. The present study tested the psychometric characteristics of the Brazil Mood Scale (BRAMS) using both “right now” and “past week” response time frames and investigated between-group differences in mood based on athletes’ sex, age, and social vulnerability. Participants were 898 athletes (511 male, 387 female, age range: 12–44 years) from eight sports. The factorial validity of the BRAMS was supported using both response time frames independently and in a multi-sample analysis. Subscale reliability was supported for both time frames. Fatigue, depression, and tension scores were higher using the “past week” time frame than the “right now” time frame. Males reported higher vigor scores than females, and younger participants (<18 years) reported lower scores for anger and depression than older participants (18+ years). No significant differences in mood (p > 0.05) were found between participants identified as socially vulnerable and those who were not socially vulnerable. Findings supported the psychometric integrity of the BRAMS and its use as a screening measure for psychological wellbeing among youth and elite athletes in Brazil. © 2023 by the authors.
Talent identification in youth basketball : talent scouts’ perceptions of the key attributes for athlete development
- Larkin, Paul, Sanford, Madison, Talpey, Scott, Gorman, Adam, Reeves, Matthew
- Authors: Larkin, Paul , Sanford, Madison , Talpey, Scott , Gorman, Adam , Reeves, Matthew
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Sport Coaching Journal Vol. 10, no. 2 (2023), p. 163-171
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- Description: The objective of this study is to understand the attributes youth coaches and talent scouts perceive as important when identifying skilled youth basketball players. Youth coaches and talent scouts (n = 40) from Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and United States with an average of 14.09 (±9.77) years of experience completed an online questionnaire. The questionnaire asked participants to rank and justify attributes for identifying potentially talented youth basketball players according to their perceived importance. In addition, five youth coaches and talent scouts completed a semistructured interview that elaborated on how they identify these attributes in national-level youth players. Results from the questionnaire indicate a hierarchy of attributes coaches/ scouts perceive as important for youth basketball performance, including tactical (i.e., decision-making ability), technical (i.e., layup, shooting in the paint, jump shot, rebounding), and psychological attributes (i.e., composure, concentration, adaptability). In addition, the results from the interviews provided more detailed justification for the importance of these attributes within the talent identification process. It is believed talent scouts apply a holistic multidisciplinary approach to talent identification, with the current findings potentially providing evidence to suggest coaches/scouts consider a wide range of tactical, technical, psychological, and physical attributes when identifying youth players. © 2023 Human Kinetics, Inc.
- Authors: Larkin, Paul , Sanford, Madison , Talpey, Scott , Gorman, Adam , Reeves, Matthew
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Sport Coaching Journal Vol. 10, no. 2 (2023), p. 163-171
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- Description: The objective of this study is to understand the attributes youth coaches and talent scouts perceive as important when identifying skilled youth basketball players. Youth coaches and talent scouts (n = 40) from Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and United States with an average of 14.09 (±9.77) years of experience completed an online questionnaire. The questionnaire asked participants to rank and justify attributes for identifying potentially talented youth basketball players according to their perceived importance. In addition, five youth coaches and talent scouts completed a semistructured interview that elaborated on how they identify these attributes in national-level youth players. Results from the questionnaire indicate a hierarchy of attributes coaches/ scouts perceive as important for youth basketball performance, including tactical (i.e., decision-making ability), technical (i.e., layup, shooting in the paint, jump shot, rebounding), and psychological attributes (i.e., composure, concentration, adaptability). In addition, the results from the interviews provided more detailed justification for the importance of these attributes within the talent identification process. It is believed talent scouts apply a holistic multidisciplinary approach to talent identification, with the current findings potentially providing evidence to suggest coaches/scouts consider a wide range of tactical, technical, psychological, and physical attributes when identifying youth players. © 2023 Human Kinetics, Inc.
Investigating the moderating role of coping style on music performance anxiety and perfectionism
- McNeil, Dominic, Loi, Natasha, Bullen, Rachel
- Authors: McNeil, Dominic , Loi, Natasha , Bullen, Rachel
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Music Education Vol. 40, no. 4 (2022), p. 587-597
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- Description: Classical musicians are under constant pressure to perform at near perfect levels, and are highly vulnerable to the negative effects of music performance anxiety. This study aimed to examine the mechanisms by which two types of perfectionism (personal standards and evaluative concerns) relate to music performance anxiety, and to explore the moderating roles of active and avoidant coping on the relationship between these perfectionism types and music performance anxiety. A sample of 118 classical performing musicians (35 males, 82 females, 1 other; Mage = 42.00, SD = 14.68) were recruited to participate in an anonymous online questionnaire assessing music performance anxiety, coping and perfectionism. Results indicated that the two dimensions of perfectionism were positively associated with music performance anxiety. Personal standards perfectionism was associated with active coping, and evaluative concerns perfectionism with avoidant coping. Active coping moderated the relationship between personal standards perfectionism and performance anxiety, but only at high and medium levels. Contrary to the prediction, avoidant coping did not moderate the relationship between evaluative concerns perfectionism and performance anxiety. These findings highlight key relationships between music performance anxiety and the interaction of personal standards perfectionism and active coping. © The Author(s) 2022.
- Authors: McNeil, Dominic , Loi, Natasha , Bullen, Rachel
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Music Education Vol. 40, no. 4 (2022), p. 587-597
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- Description: Classical musicians are under constant pressure to perform at near perfect levels, and are highly vulnerable to the negative effects of music performance anxiety. This study aimed to examine the mechanisms by which two types of perfectionism (personal standards and evaluative concerns) relate to music performance anxiety, and to explore the moderating roles of active and avoidant coping on the relationship between these perfectionism types and music performance anxiety. A sample of 118 classical performing musicians (35 males, 82 females, 1 other; Mage = 42.00, SD = 14.68) were recruited to participate in an anonymous online questionnaire assessing music performance anxiety, coping and perfectionism. Results indicated that the two dimensions of perfectionism were positively associated with music performance anxiety. Personal standards perfectionism was associated with active coping, and evaluative concerns perfectionism with avoidant coping. Active coping moderated the relationship between personal standards perfectionism and performance anxiety, but only at high and medium levels. Contrary to the prediction, avoidant coping did not moderate the relationship between evaluative concerns perfectionism and performance anxiety. These findings highlight key relationships between music performance anxiety and the interaction of personal standards perfectionism and active coping. © The Author(s) 2022.
An investigation of expertise in cycling : eye tracking, think aloud and the influence of a competitor
- Massey, Hollie, Whitehead, Amy, Marchant, David, Polman, Remco, Williams, Emily
- Authors: Massey, Hollie , Whitehead, Amy , Marchant, David , Polman, Remco , Williams, Emily
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Psychology of Sport and Exercise Vol. 49, no. (2020), p.
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- Description: Objectives: Two studies investigated expert-novice differences in information-seeking behaviour, cognitions and performance during cycling time trials (TT). Study 1 examined trained and novice cyclist's cognitions whilst performing a TT, using a Think Aloud (TA) protocol and eye-tracking techniques. Study 2 investigated expertise differences during alone and competitive TTs. Methods: in Study 1, six trained and seven novice cyclists performed a 16.1 km TT. In Study 2, eight trained and ten novice cyclists performed three 16.1 km TT; a baseline TT, an alone TT and a trial against a virtual competitor. In both studies, participants were asked to TA and in Study 1 they also wore mobile gaze-tracking glasses. Performance feedback and a simulated TT course were visually displayed during all trials, as was a virtual avatar during the competitor trial. Verbalisations were coded into primary and secondary themes. Cognitions and pacing strategies were compared between groups and across the duration of the TTs. In Study 1, eye-tracking data for total dwell time and gaze frequency were calculated for each area of interest (Time Elapsed, Power, Heart Rate, Cadence, Distance Covered, Speed and Course Scenery). Results: In Study 1, no significant differences were found in information-seeking behaviour between groups, however there were expertise differences in the cognitive strategies used. Trained cyclists’ verbalisations were more performance-relevant (i.e., power output), whereas the untrained group were more focused on task completion (i.e., distance and time) and irrelevant information. Both groups talked more about distance and motivational thoughts in the later stages of the trial, and dwell time on distance feedback also increased in this final 4 km. In Study 2, the trained group performed faster than the untrained group but there were no significant differences in pace or performance between alone and competitive TTs for either group. Differences in cognitions were found between groups and across the TT duration. Conclusion: Both studies demonstrate that cognitive processes differ as a function of expertise during self-paced cycling time trials. There were no differences in information-seeking behaviour between trained and untrained cyclists and there was no effect of an opponent on pace or performance. © 2020
- Authors: Massey, Hollie , Whitehead, Amy , Marchant, David , Polman, Remco , Williams, Emily
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Psychology of Sport and Exercise Vol. 49, no. (2020), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Objectives: Two studies investigated expert-novice differences in information-seeking behaviour, cognitions and performance during cycling time trials (TT). Study 1 examined trained and novice cyclist's cognitions whilst performing a TT, using a Think Aloud (TA) protocol and eye-tracking techniques. Study 2 investigated expertise differences during alone and competitive TTs. Methods: in Study 1, six trained and seven novice cyclists performed a 16.1 km TT. In Study 2, eight trained and ten novice cyclists performed three 16.1 km TT; a baseline TT, an alone TT and a trial against a virtual competitor. In both studies, participants were asked to TA and in Study 1 they also wore mobile gaze-tracking glasses. Performance feedback and a simulated TT course were visually displayed during all trials, as was a virtual avatar during the competitor trial. Verbalisations were coded into primary and secondary themes. Cognitions and pacing strategies were compared between groups and across the duration of the TTs. In Study 1, eye-tracking data for total dwell time and gaze frequency were calculated for each area of interest (Time Elapsed, Power, Heart Rate, Cadence, Distance Covered, Speed and Course Scenery). Results: In Study 1, no significant differences were found in information-seeking behaviour between groups, however there were expertise differences in the cognitive strategies used. Trained cyclists’ verbalisations were more performance-relevant (i.e., power output), whereas the untrained group were more focused on task completion (i.e., distance and time) and irrelevant information. Both groups talked more about distance and motivational thoughts in the later stages of the trial, and dwell time on distance feedback also increased in this final 4 km. In Study 2, the trained group performed faster than the untrained group but there were no significant differences in pace or performance between alone and competitive TTs for either group. Differences in cognitions were found between groups and across the TT duration. Conclusion: Both studies demonstrate that cognitive processes differ as a function of expertise during self-paced cycling time trials. There were no differences in information-seeking behaviour between trained and untrained cyclists and there was no effect of an opponent on pace or performance. © 2020
Effects of a proper feature selection on prediction and optimization of drilling rate using intelligent techniques
- Liao, Xiufeng, Khandelwal, Manoj, Yang, Haiqing, Koopialipoor, Mohammadreza, Murlidhar, Bhatawdekar
- Authors: Liao, Xiufeng , Khandelwal, Manoj , Yang, Haiqing , Koopialipoor, Mohammadreza , Murlidhar, Bhatawdekar
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Engineering with Computers Vol. 36, no. 2 (Apr 2020), p. 499-510
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- Description: One of the important factors during drilling times is the rate of penetration (ROP), which is controlled based on different variables. Factors affecting different drillings are of paramount importance. In the current research, an attempt was made to better recognize drilling parameters and optimize them based on an optimization algorithm. For this purpose, 618 data sets, including RPM, flushing media, and compressive strength parameters, were measured and collected. After an initial investigation, the compressive strength feature of samples, which is an important parameter from the rocks, was used as a proper criterion for classification. Then using intelligent systems, three different levels of the rock strength and all data were modeled. The results showed that systems which were classified based on compressive strength showed a better performance for ROP assessment due to the proximity of features. Therefore, these three levels were used for classification. A new artificial bee colony algorithm was used to solve this problem. Optimizations were applied to the selected models under different optimization conditions, and optimal states were determined. As determining drilling machine parameters is important, these parameters were determined based on optimal conditions. The obtained results showed that this intelligent system can well improve drilling conditions and increase the ROP value for three strength levels of the rocks. This modeling system can be used in different drilling operations.
- Authors: Liao, Xiufeng , Khandelwal, Manoj , Yang, Haiqing , Koopialipoor, Mohammadreza , Murlidhar, Bhatawdekar
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Engineering with Computers Vol. 36, no. 2 (Apr 2020), p. 499-510
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: One of the important factors during drilling times is the rate of penetration (ROP), which is controlled based on different variables. Factors affecting different drillings are of paramount importance. In the current research, an attempt was made to better recognize drilling parameters and optimize them based on an optimization algorithm. For this purpose, 618 data sets, including RPM, flushing media, and compressive strength parameters, were measured and collected. After an initial investigation, the compressive strength feature of samples, which is an important parameter from the rocks, was used as a proper criterion for classification. Then using intelligent systems, three different levels of the rock strength and all data were modeled. The results showed that systems which were classified based on compressive strength showed a better performance for ROP assessment due to the proximity of features. Therefore, these three levels were used for classification. A new artificial bee colony algorithm was used to solve this problem. Optimizations were applied to the selected models under different optimization conditions, and optimal states were determined. As determining drilling machine parameters is important, these parameters were determined based on optimal conditions. The obtained results showed that this intelligent system can well improve drilling conditions and increase the ROP value for three strength levels of the rocks. This modeling system can be used in different drilling operations.
Factors that impact measures of grit among nursing students : a journey emblematic of the koi fish
- Authors: Terry, Daniel , Peck, Blake
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: European Journal of Investigation in Health Psychology and Education Vol. 10, no. 2 (Jun 2020), p. 564-574
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- Description: Grit is the capacity to persevere, to have passion, and be committed to achieve goals long-term regardless of adversity or challenge. Grit provides an insight into why some nursing students succeed academically or clinically, while others do not. This quantitative cross-sectional correlational study measured levels of grit among nursing students undertaking a three-year bachelor's degree program. All students (n = 2349) within the program were invited to complete a questionnaire which included the short grit scale (Grit-S) which measured each student's level of perseverance and passion. Overall, it was highlighted that increased levels of grit correlated with an increase in the student's year of study, greater perceived clinical and academic performance, not using television as a motivator for entry to nursing, being lower on the socio-economic spectrum, and being older in age. Grit was found to develop exponentially as students entered second and third years, suggesting that a balance of constant academic and clinical challenge was an impetus for many to achieve in the face of adversity, and is reminiscent of the journey of the koi fish. This paper culminates in a call for educators to consider the inclusion of creative grit forming challenges that focus on developing a student's sense of open-mindedness within first year of undergraduate nursing programs.
- Authors: Terry, Daniel , Peck, Blake
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: European Journal of Investigation in Health Psychology and Education Vol. 10, no. 2 (Jun 2020), p. 564-574
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Grit is the capacity to persevere, to have passion, and be committed to achieve goals long-term regardless of adversity or challenge. Grit provides an insight into why some nursing students succeed academically or clinically, while others do not. This quantitative cross-sectional correlational study measured levels of grit among nursing students undertaking a three-year bachelor's degree program. All students (n = 2349) within the program were invited to complete a questionnaire which included the short grit scale (Grit-S) which measured each student's level of perseverance and passion. Overall, it was highlighted that increased levels of grit correlated with an increase in the student's year of study, greater perceived clinical and academic performance, not using television as a motivator for entry to nursing, being lower on the socio-economic spectrum, and being older in age. Grit was found to develop exponentially as students entered second and third years, suggesting that a balance of constant academic and clinical challenge was an impetus for many to achieve in the face of adversity, and is reminiscent of the journey of the koi fish. This paper culminates in a call for educators to consider the inclusion of creative grit forming challenges that focus on developing a student's sense of open-mindedness within first year of undergraduate nursing programs.
Occupational self-efficacy and psychological capital amongst nursing students : a cross sectional study understanding the malleable attributes for success
- Terry, Daniel, Peck, Blake, Smith, Andrew, Nguyen, Hoang
- Authors: Terry, Daniel , Peck, Blake , Smith, Andrew , Nguyen, Hoang
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: European Journal of Investigation in Health Psychology and Education Vol. 10, no. 1 (Mar 2020), p. 159-172
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- Description: With a predicted shortfall in the worldwide nursing workforce, efforts to understand attributes that influence attrition and workforce longevity remain fundamental. Self-efficacy and the broader construct of psychological capital have been linked to positive workplace-based attributes in occupations. The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between general self-efficacy, occupational (nursing) self-efficacy, and psychological capital and their predictive factors among nursing students. A cross sectional design was used to address the aims of the study where all nursing students studying a three-year bachelor's degree were invited to complete a questionnaire examining traits that might assist in the preparation for, and longevity in, a nursing career. Although the participating nursing students demonstrated high levels of general self-efficacy, their reported levels of nursing-specific self-efficacy were significantly lower. Psychological capital measures indicated that students had high levels of belief, hope, and resilience concerning their capacity to commit to and achieve goals, succeed now and into the future, and overcome obstacles. The findings suggest an opportunity exists for education providers to nurture the malleable aspects of self-e fficacy and psychological capital, while developing greater capacity to bounce back and overcome the challenges that nursing students may encounter in their undergraduate academic training, and to reduce attrition as they prepare to enter the workplace.
- Authors: Terry, Daniel , Peck, Blake , Smith, Andrew , Nguyen, Hoang
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: European Journal of Investigation in Health Psychology and Education Vol. 10, no. 1 (Mar 2020), p. 159-172
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: With a predicted shortfall in the worldwide nursing workforce, efforts to understand attributes that influence attrition and workforce longevity remain fundamental. Self-efficacy and the broader construct of psychological capital have been linked to positive workplace-based attributes in occupations. The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between general self-efficacy, occupational (nursing) self-efficacy, and psychological capital and their predictive factors among nursing students. A cross sectional design was used to address the aims of the study where all nursing students studying a three-year bachelor's degree were invited to complete a questionnaire examining traits that might assist in the preparation for, and longevity in, a nursing career. Although the participating nursing students demonstrated high levels of general self-efficacy, their reported levels of nursing-specific self-efficacy were significantly lower. Psychological capital measures indicated that students had high levels of belief, hope, and resilience concerning their capacity to commit to and achieve goals, succeed now and into the future, and overcome obstacles. The findings suggest an opportunity exists for education providers to nurture the malleable aspects of self-e fficacy and psychological capital, while developing greater capacity to bounce back and overcome the challenges that nursing students may encounter in their undergraduate academic training, and to reduce attrition as they prepare to enter the workplace.
An investigation into handedness and choking under pressure in sport
- Mesagno, Christopher, Garvey, Jacob, Tibbert, Stephanie, Gröpel, Peter
- Authors: Mesagno, Christopher , Garvey, Jacob , Tibbert, Stephanie , Gröpel, Peter
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport Vol. 90, no. 2 (2019), p. 217-226
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- Description: When athletes fail to perform at an expected level during an important moment, it is implied the athletes have experienced “choking“ (sudden decline in performance) under pressure.”. Researchers have reported that persistent left-hemispheric activation patterns occur when an athlete experiences considerable performance deteriorations under pressure. Researchers have also observed differences in brain activation patterns between left- and right-handed people on a variety of physical and cognitive tests, with the left-hemispheric activation more pronounced in right-handed participants. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether athletes’ handedness may be linked to choking susceptibility (i.e., likelihood to experience performance decline under pressure). Method: Twenty right-handed and 13 left-handed experienced Australian football players completed 15 shot attempts, in both a low-pressure and a high-pressure condition. Both groups displayed equal state anxiety increases due to the pressure manipulation, indicating similar increases in anxiety in both handedness groups. Results: Differences were indicated in performance between the left- and right-handed groups during the high-pressure condition, with the left-handed group maintaining, and the right-handed participants declining, performance. Conclusion: Future electroencephalogram (EEG) research investigating this link may clarify the effect between handedness and choking.
- Authors: Mesagno, Christopher , Garvey, Jacob , Tibbert, Stephanie , Gröpel, Peter
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport Vol. 90, no. 2 (2019), p. 217-226
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: When athletes fail to perform at an expected level during an important moment, it is implied the athletes have experienced “choking“ (sudden decline in performance) under pressure.”. Researchers have reported that persistent left-hemispheric activation patterns occur when an athlete experiences considerable performance deteriorations under pressure. Researchers have also observed differences in brain activation patterns between left- and right-handed people on a variety of physical and cognitive tests, with the left-hemispheric activation more pronounced in right-handed participants. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether athletes’ handedness may be linked to choking susceptibility (i.e., likelihood to experience performance decline under pressure). Method: Twenty right-handed and 13 left-handed experienced Australian football players completed 15 shot attempts, in both a low-pressure and a high-pressure condition. Both groups displayed equal state anxiety increases due to the pressure manipulation, indicating similar increases in anxiety in both handedness groups. Results: Differences were indicated in performance between the left- and right-handed groups during the high-pressure condition, with the left-handed group maintaining, and the right-handed participants declining, performance. Conclusion: Future electroencephalogram (EEG) research investigating this link may clarify the effect between handedness and choking.
Does ISO 9000 certification benefit service firms?
- Chen, Yan-ying, Wu, Long, Zhai, Qing-guo
- Authors: Chen, Yan-ying , Wu, Long , Zhai, Qing-guo
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Sustainability Vol. 11, no. 21 (Nov 2019), p. 18
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- Description: This paper examines whether ISO 9000 certification benefits service firms in terms of their financial performance and promotes sustainable improvement. We argue that in a developing country setting such as China, the massive benefits brought by the signalling effect of the certification can discourage firms' motivation to fully implement the standard of certification and lead to the decline of investment on productivity-improving activities. In other words, the certification may have negative effects on the productivity of certified firms. We investigate 89,024 firms in Chinese service industries to assess the impacts of the certification on sales, productivity and profitability of these firms. To address the potential selection bias of ISO 9000 certification, the Propensity Score Matching method and Coarsened Exact Matching method were used. Our key findings are that the ISO 9000 certification does help to increase the total amount of sales, but it decreases the productivity and profitability of these certified service firms. We also find that earlier certifiers seem to gain larger advantage in sales but more reduction in productivity, and firms with higher level of technology intensity seem to obtain a larger increase in sales and less productivity loss after receiving their ISO 9000 certification.
- Authors: Chen, Yan-ying , Wu, Long , Zhai, Qing-guo
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Sustainability Vol. 11, no. 21 (Nov 2019), p. 18
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: This paper examines whether ISO 9000 certification benefits service firms in terms of their financial performance and promotes sustainable improvement. We argue that in a developing country setting such as China, the massive benefits brought by the signalling effect of the certification can discourage firms' motivation to fully implement the standard of certification and lead to the decline of investment on productivity-improving activities. In other words, the certification may have negative effects on the productivity of certified firms. We investigate 89,024 firms in Chinese service industries to assess the impacts of the certification on sales, productivity and profitability of these firms. To address the potential selection bias of ISO 9000 certification, the Propensity Score Matching method and Coarsened Exact Matching method were used. Our key findings are that the ISO 9000 certification does help to increase the total amount of sales, but it decreases the productivity and profitability of these certified service firms. We also find that earlier certifiers seem to gain larger advantage in sales but more reduction in productivity, and firms with higher level of technology intensity seem to obtain a larger increase in sales and less productivity loss after receiving their ISO 9000 certification.
Artificial neural network modeling and sensitivity analysis of performance and emissions in a compression ignition engine using biodiesel fuel
- Jaliliantabar, Farzad, Ghobadian, Barat, Najafi, Gholamhassan, Yusaf, Talal
- Authors: Jaliliantabar, Farzad , Ghobadian, Barat , Najafi, Gholamhassan , Yusaf, Talal
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Energies Vol. 11, no. 9 (2018), p. 1-24
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: In the present research work, a neural network model has been developed to predict the exhaust emissions and performance of a compression ignition engine. The significance and novelty of the work, with respect to existing literature, is the application of sensitivity analysis and an artificial neural network (ANN) simultaneously in order to predict the engine parameters. The inputs of the model were engine load (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%), engine speed (1700, 2100, 2500 and 2900 rpm) and the percent of biodiesel fuel derived from waste cooking oil in diesel fuel (B0, B5, B10, B15 and B20). The relationship between the input parameters and engine cylinder performance and emissions can be determined by the network. The global sensitivity analysis results show that all the investigated factors are effective on the created model and cannot be ignored. In addition, it is found that the most emissions decreased while using biodiesel fuel in the compression ignition engine.
- Authors: Jaliliantabar, Farzad , Ghobadian, Barat , Najafi, Gholamhassan , Yusaf, Talal
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Energies Vol. 11, no. 9 (2018), p. 1-24
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: In the present research work, a neural network model has been developed to predict the exhaust emissions and performance of a compression ignition engine. The significance and novelty of the work, with respect to existing literature, is the application of sensitivity analysis and an artificial neural network (ANN) simultaneously in order to predict the engine parameters. The inputs of the model were engine load (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%), engine speed (1700, 2100, 2500 and 2900 rpm) and the percent of biodiesel fuel derived from waste cooking oil in diesel fuel (B0, B5, B10, B15 and B20). The relationship between the input parameters and engine cylinder performance and emissions can be determined by the network. The global sensitivity analysis results show that all the investigated factors are effective on the created model and cannot be ignored. In addition, it is found that the most emissions decreased while using biodiesel fuel in the compression ignition engine.
Assessing healthcare providers' performance with and without risk adjustment
- Authors: Morales-Silva, Daniel
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: This study focuses on how healthcare data can be used to draw comparisons between healthcare providers (surgeons or hospitals). Depending on the type of access to datasets, these comparisons can be done with or without risk adjustment. For us, risk adjustment refers to the use of patient-level information to explain variation in healthcare spending, resource utilisation and health outcomes. For unadjusted comparisons, we highlight the diagnostic potential that radar plots offer for reporting on outcome indicators. These outcome indicators were obtained from hospital admissions of patients undergoing certain surgical procedures. We address two drawbacks of radar plots: presence of missing information and order of indicators. By introducing a consolidated view at provider level, we define an uncomplicated ranking of providers which can be used to identify potential low and high performers. For risk adjusted comparisons, we introduce a novel and robust methodology that enables comparisons of healthcare providers across multiple hierarchies, namely, surgeons, teams, departments and hospitals, using a consistent approach. Our methodology puts the patient at the centre of the analysis, and thus, can be used for personalised predictions (e.g. expected length of stay, costs and probability of being transferred to intensive care unit). Our findings suggest that the observed variation in selected outcome indicators, such as length of stay and charges of healthcare providers, cannot be explained by patient characteristics alone. Importantly, we have also observed that the perceived performance, on selected outcome indicators, of providers can change substantially following risk adjustment. Healthcare is unique in that clinical expertise is essential in guiding decision making and in informing all statistical models that seek to describe patient outcomes. For future iterations of our models, we will seek greater clinical input.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Morales-Silva, Daniel
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: This study focuses on how healthcare data can be used to draw comparisons between healthcare providers (surgeons or hospitals). Depending on the type of access to datasets, these comparisons can be done with or without risk adjustment. For us, risk adjustment refers to the use of patient-level information to explain variation in healthcare spending, resource utilisation and health outcomes. For unadjusted comparisons, we highlight the diagnostic potential that radar plots offer for reporting on outcome indicators. These outcome indicators were obtained from hospital admissions of patients undergoing certain surgical procedures. We address two drawbacks of radar plots: presence of missing information and order of indicators. By introducing a consolidated view at provider level, we define an uncomplicated ranking of providers which can be used to identify potential low and high performers. For risk adjusted comparisons, we introduce a novel and robust methodology that enables comparisons of healthcare providers across multiple hierarchies, namely, surgeons, teams, departments and hospitals, using a consistent approach. Our methodology puts the patient at the centre of the analysis, and thus, can be used for personalised predictions (e.g. expected length of stay, costs and probability of being transferred to intensive care unit). Our findings suggest that the observed variation in selected outcome indicators, such as length of stay and charges of healthcare providers, cannot be explained by patient characteristics alone. Importantly, we have also observed that the perceived performance, on selected outcome indicators, of providers can change substantially following risk adjustment. Healthcare is unique in that clinical expertise is essential in guiding decision making and in informing all statistical models that seek to describe patient outcomes. For future iterations of our models, we will seek greater clinical input.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Exploration of the perceptual-cognitive processes that contribute to in-game decision-making of Australian football umpires
- Larkin, Paul, Mesagno, Chrisopher, Berry, Jason, Spittle, Michael
- Authors: Larkin, Paul , Mesagno, Chrisopher , Berry, Jason , Spittle, Michael
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology Vol. 16, no. 2 (2018), p. 112-124
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Decision-making is fundamental to officiating in all sports. It is well established in contemporary research that decision-making skills underpin umpire expertise; however, there is little understanding of the cognitive processes that contribute to in-game decision-making. This research implemented an in-depth case study approach, using qualitative methods, to explore the in-game decision-making process of three Australian football umpires. Concurrent and retrospective verbalisation methods were used to obtain verbal reports of the cognitive processes associated with decision-making. Findings identified three salient themes related to both in-game decision-making processes (i.e. decision evaluation, player intention during game-play) and umpire performance (i.e. knowledge of game-play). These themes contributed to the development of decision-making heuristics for Australian football umpires. This study provides initial evidence of the factors that may contribute to and/or affect in-game decision-making processes; however, additional exploration is necessary to further inform training programmes aimed to develop domain-specific decision-making skills and subsequent in-game performance. © 2016 International Society of Sport Psychology.
- Authors: Larkin, Paul , Mesagno, Chrisopher , Berry, Jason , Spittle, Michael
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology Vol. 16, no. 2 (2018), p. 112-124
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Decision-making is fundamental to officiating in all sports. It is well established in contemporary research that decision-making skills underpin umpire expertise; however, there is little understanding of the cognitive processes that contribute to in-game decision-making. This research implemented an in-depth case study approach, using qualitative methods, to explore the in-game decision-making process of three Australian football umpires. Concurrent and retrospective verbalisation methods were used to obtain verbal reports of the cognitive processes associated with decision-making. Findings identified three salient themes related to both in-game decision-making processes (i.e. decision evaluation, player intention during game-play) and umpire performance (i.e. knowledge of game-play). These themes contributed to the development of decision-making heuristics for Australian football umpires. This study provides initial evidence of the factors that may contribute to and/or affect in-game decision-making processes; however, additional exploration is necessary to further inform training programmes aimed to develop domain-specific decision-making skills and subsequent in-game performance. © 2016 International Society of Sport Psychology.
Nonautomated Pre-Performance Routine in Tennis : An Intervention Study
- Lautenbach, Franziska, Laborde, Sylvain, Mesagno, Christopher, Lobinger, Babett, Achtzehn, Silvia, Arimond, Fabian
- Authors: Lautenbach, Franziska , Laborde, Sylvain , Mesagno, Christopher , Lobinger, Babett , Achtzehn, Silvia , Arimond, Fabian
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Applied Sport Psychology Vol. 27, no. 2 (2015), p. 123-131
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The effect of a nonautomated pre-performance routine (PPR) on performance in a high-pressure situation was investigated. Twenty-nine tennis players served in a low- and high-pressure condition in a pre- and posttest design. The intervention group learned a nonautomated PPR for 4 weeks. Increases in subjective but not objective (i.e., cortisol) levels of stress were detected in the high-pressure conditions. The intervention group showed a significant decrease in performance in the high-pressure condition in the pretest (p =.005) but not posttest (p =.161). Using a nonautomated PPR may benefit athletes who experience a drop in performance in high-pressure situations. Copyright © Association for Applied Sport Psychology.
- Authors: Lautenbach, Franziska , Laborde, Sylvain , Mesagno, Christopher , Lobinger, Babett , Achtzehn, Silvia , Arimond, Fabian
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Applied Sport Psychology Vol. 27, no. 2 (2015), p. 123-131
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The effect of a nonautomated pre-performance routine (PPR) on performance in a high-pressure situation was investigated. Twenty-nine tennis players served in a low- and high-pressure condition in a pre- and posttest design. The intervention group learned a nonautomated PPR for 4 weeks. Increases in subjective but not objective (i.e., cortisol) levels of stress were detected in the high-pressure conditions. The intervention group showed a significant decrease in performance in the high-pressure condition in the pretest (p =.005) but not posttest (p =.161). Using a nonautomated PPR may benefit athletes who experience a drop in performance in high-pressure situations. Copyright © Association for Applied Sport Psychology.
Characteristics of Polar Opposites : An Exploratory Investigation of Choking-Resistant and Choking-Susceptible Athletes
- Mesagno, Christopher, Marchant, Daryl
- Authors: Mesagno, Christopher , Marchant, Daryl
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Applied Sport Psychology Vol. 25, no. 1 (2013), p. 72-91
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The current research provides an assessment of performance under pressure by deliberately investigating responses of athletes who are polar opposite. Forty-six female netball players were screened to sample choking-resistant and choking-susceptible athletes. The eight selected participants then completed 180 netball shots in a single-case A1-B-A2 design (A phases = low-pressure and B phase = high-pressure), with follow-up interviews. Under pressure, choking-resistant participants improved their performance by using task-focus and avoidance-cognitive coping, whereas choking-susceptible participants suffered from performance decrements often applying emotion-focused and approach-cognitive coping. Researchers should further explore the unique characteristics of choking-resistant athletes. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.
- Description: 2003010585
- Authors: Mesagno, Christopher , Marchant, Daryl
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Applied Sport Psychology Vol. 25, no. 1 (2013), p. 72-91
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The current research provides an assessment of performance under pressure by deliberately investigating responses of athletes who are polar opposite. Forty-six female netball players were screened to sample choking-resistant and choking-susceptible athletes. The eight selected participants then completed 180 netball shots in a single-case A1-B-A2 design (A phases = low-pressure and B phase = high-pressure), with follow-up interviews. Under pressure, choking-resistant participants improved their performance by using task-focus and avoidance-cognitive coping, whereas choking-susceptible participants suffered from performance decrements often applying emotion-focused and approach-cognitive coping. Researchers should further explore the unique characteristics of choking-resistant athletes. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.
- Description: 2003010585
Definition of choking in sport: Re-conceptualization and debate
- Mesagno, Christopher, Hill, Denise
- Authors: Mesagno, Christopher , Hill, Denise
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Sport Psychology Vol. 44, no. 4 (July-August 2013 2013), p. 267-277
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: In sport, choking under pressure is a negative athletic experience that may have psychologically damaging effects. The media recognizes that choking is a dramatic drop in performance, whereas researchers have labeled choking as any decrease in performance under pressure. This discrepancy between the media's and researchers' perception of choking leads to ambiguity among terms and confusion among researchers, applied practitioners, and the general public. Thus, the current position paper will: critically analyze current choking definitions and explore why they are not appropriate operational definitions; explain the current underperformance and choking terminology debate; offer an alternative choking definition that should be debated; and also identify ways that researchers can improve the robustness of choking investigations. It is hoped that this paper will stimulate debate and improve the quality of future choking research.
- Authors: Mesagno, Christopher , Hill, Denise
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Sport Psychology Vol. 44, no. 4 (July-August 2013 2013), p. 267-277
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: In sport, choking under pressure is a negative athletic experience that may have psychologically damaging effects. The media recognizes that choking is a dramatic drop in performance, whereas researchers have labeled choking as any decrease in performance under pressure. This discrepancy between the media's and researchers' perception of choking leads to ambiguity among terms and confusion among researchers, applied practitioners, and the general public. Thus, the current position paper will: critically analyze current choking definitions and explore why they are not appropriate operational definitions; explain the current underperformance and choking terminology debate; offer an alternative choking definition that should be debated; and also identify ways that researchers can improve the robustness of choking investigations. It is hoped that this paper will stimulate debate and improve the quality of future choking research.
Coaches' perspectives on implementing an evidence-informed injury prevention programme in junior community netball
- Saunders, Natalie, Otago, Leonie, Romiti, Maria, Donaldson, Alex, White, Peta, Finch, Caroline
- Authors: Saunders, Natalie , Otago, Leonie , Romiti, Maria , Donaldson, Alex , White, Peta , Finch, Caroline
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: British Journal of Sports Medicine Vol. 44, no. 15 (2010), p. 1128-1132
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/565900
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Objective For effective sports injury prevention, information is needed about the implementation context for interventions. This study describes coaches' feedback on the implementation of an evidence-informed injury prevention programme in community junior netball using coaches' perceptions and the RE–AIM framework. Methods A lower-limb injury prevention programme (Down to Earth; D2E), for teaching safe-landing techniques, was delivered to 31 coaches from 31 junior community netball teams in a 1-h workshop. Coaches then delivered a 6-week programme at team training sessions starting in the week before the competition season commenced. 65% of coaches completed a feedback survey 17 weeks after they had delivered the programme. Results Most (88%) coaches believed that D2E improved their players' ability to perform correct landing techniques in games and that players had retained these improvements over the season. The majority (83%) indicated that an improvement in player athletic attributes was the greatest advantage of D2E, followed by a reduction in injury risk. Identified barriers to implementing D2E were running out of time and very young players finding the drills too difficult. Coaches reported that they needed more ideas for training drills that could be incorporated into their programmes and believed that their own coaching training did not adequately prepare them to implement an injury prevention programme. Conclusions Although coaches believed that D2E was effective in developing correct landing techniques, some modifications are needed to make it more suitable for younger players and coach education by accreditation courses could be improved to support the implementation of injury prevention programmes.
- Authors: Saunders, Natalie , Otago, Leonie , Romiti, Maria , Donaldson, Alex , White, Peta , Finch, Caroline
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: British Journal of Sports Medicine Vol. 44, no. 15 (2010), p. 1128-1132
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/565900
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Objective For effective sports injury prevention, information is needed about the implementation context for interventions. This study describes coaches' feedback on the implementation of an evidence-informed injury prevention programme in community junior netball using coaches' perceptions and the RE–AIM framework. Methods A lower-limb injury prevention programme (Down to Earth; D2E), for teaching safe-landing techniques, was delivered to 31 coaches from 31 junior community netball teams in a 1-h workshop. Coaches then delivered a 6-week programme at team training sessions starting in the week before the competition season commenced. 65% of coaches completed a feedback survey 17 weeks after they had delivered the programme. Results Most (88%) coaches believed that D2E improved their players' ability to perform correct landing techniques in games and that players had retained these improvements over the season. The majority (83%) indicated that an improvement in player athletic attributes was the greatest advantage of D2E, followed by a reduction in injury risk. Identified barriers to implementing D2E were running out of time and very young players finding the drills too difficult. Coaches reported that they needed more ideas for training drills that could be incorporated into their programmes and believed that their own coaching training did not adequately prepare them to implement an injury prevention programme. Conclusions Although coaches believed that D2E was effective in developing correct landing techniques, some modifications are needed to make it more suitable for younger players and coach education by accreditation courses could be improved to support the implementation of injury prevention programmes.
Caffeine, carbohydrate, and cooling use during prolonged simulated tennis
- Hornery, Daniel, Mujika, Inigo, Young, Warren, Farrow, Damian
- Authors: Hornery, Daniel , Mujika, Inigo , Young, Warren , Farrow, Damian
- Date: 2007
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance Vol. 2, no. 4 (2007), p. 423-438
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Purpose: To determine the effects of prolonged simulated tennis on performance and the ergogenic potential of caffeine, carbohydrates, and cooling. Methods: Twelve highly trained male tennis players (age 18.3 ± 3.0 y, height 178.8 ± 8.5 cm, body mass 73.95 ± 12.30 kg, mean ± SD) performed 4 simulated matches (2 h 40 min) against a ball machine on an indoor hard court. The counterbalanced experimental trials involved caffeine supplementation (3 mg/kg), carbohydrate supplementation (6% solution), precooling and intermittent cooling, and placebo control. Physiological markers (core temperature, heart rate, blood lactate, and blood glucose), subjective responses (ratings of perceived exertion and thermal sensation), stroke velocity and accuracy, serve kinematics, and tennis-specific perceptual skill quantified the efficacy of interventions. Results: Significant effects of time (P < .01) reflected increased physiological demand, reduced serve velocity and ground-stroke velocity and accuracy, and a slowing of the serve racket-arm acceleration phase. Caffeine increased serve velocity (165 ± 15 km/h) in the final set of the match (P = .014) compared with placebo (159 ± 15 km/h, P = .008) and carbohydrate (158 ± 13 km/h, P = .001) conditions. Carbohydrate and cooling conditions afforded physiological advantage (increased blood glucose, P < .01, and reduced preexercise thermal sensation, P < .01) but did not affect performance relative to the placebo condition. Conclusions: Prolonged simulated tennis induced significant decrements in tennis skills. Caffeine supplementation partly attenuated the effects of fatigue and increased serve velocity. In contrast, carbohydrate and cooling strategies had little ergogenic effect on tennis performance.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003005648
- Authors: Hornery, Daniel , Mujika, Inigo , Young, Warren , Farrow, Damian
- Date: 2007
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance Vol. 2, no. 4 (2007), p. 423-438
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Purpose: To determine the effects of prolonged simulated tennis on performance and the ergogenic potential of caffeine, carbohydrates, and cooling. Methods: Twelve highly trained male tennis players (age 18.3 ± 3.0 y, height 178.8 ± 8.5 cm, body mass 73.95 ± 12.30 kg, mean ± SD) performed 4 simulated matches (2 h 40 min) against a ball machine on an indoor hard court. The counterbalanced experimental trials involved caffeine supplementation (3 mg/kg), carbohydrate supplementation (6% solution), precooling and intermittent cooling, and placebo control. Physiological markers (core temperature, heart rate, blood lactate, and blood glucose), subjective responses (ratings of perceived exertion and thermal sensation), stroke velocity and accuracy, serve kinematics, and tennis-specific perceptual skill quantified the efficacy of interventions. Results: Significant effects of time (P < .01) reflected increased physiological demand, reduced serve velocity and ground-stroke velocity and accuracy, and a slowing of the serve racket-arm acceleration phase. Caffeine increased serve velocity (165 ± 15 km/h) in the final set of the match (P = .014) compared with placebo (159 ± 15 km/h, P = .008) and carbohydrate (158 ± 13 km/h, P = .001) conditions. Carbohydrate and cooling conditions afforded physiological advantage (increased blood glucose, P < .01, and reduced preexercise thermal sensation, P < .01) but did not affect performance relative to the placebo condition. Conclusions: Prolonged simulated tennis induced significant decrements in tennis skills. Caffeine supplementation partly attenuated the effects of fatigue and increased serve velocity. In contrast, carbohydrate and cooling strategies had little ergogenic effect on tennis performance.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003005648
Relationship between pre-season anthropometric and fitness measures and indicators of playing performance in elite junior Australian rules football
- Authors: Young, Warren , Pryor, Luke
- Date: 2007
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 10, no. 2 (2007), p. 110-118
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The purpose of this research was to determine the relationships between selected anthropometric and fitness measures with indicators of performance in elite junior Australian football players. During the pre-season, 485 players from the elite Victorian under-18 Australian Rules football competition were tested for height, body mass, hand span, arm length, standing reach, vertical jump, 5 and 20 m sprint times, agility, predicted over(V, ) O2 max and sit and reach flexibility. Performance indicators included being selected for the first game of the season and the number of possessions, marks, hitouts, and the number of games where votes were awarded in the first eight games of the season. The top and bottom four teams on the ladder were also compared after eight games. Players were divided into groups on the basis of the above indicators and the groups were compared statistically by analysis of variance (ANOVA). There were several significant differences between selected and non-selected players. Players acquiring the most possessions were significantly (p < 0.05) shorter (effect size: ES = 0.78), with less body mass (ES = 0.55) and possessed greater acceleration (ES = 0.44-0.56) and endurance (ES = 0.51). Body mass was significantly related to the number of marks and height was related to hitouts (p < 0.05). Acceleration was the only fitness quality to discriminate between higher and lower vote winners. The players from the top four teams had a significantly greater standing reach (p = 0.038, ES = 0.53), were heavier (p = 0.032, ES = 0.55) but not superior in any fitness measure. Generally hand span, agility and flexibility were not related to performance indicators. It was concluded that shorter and lighter players who possess high levels of speed and endurance are more likely to acquire possessions and be awarded votes, however these attributes do not guarantee team success. The small relationships between agility and flexibility to performance might be explained by the choice of tests used to assess these qualities. © 2006 Sports Medicine Australia.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003005642
- Authors: Young, Warren , Pryor, Luke
- Date: 2007
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 10, no. 2 (2007), p. 110-118
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The purpose of this research was to determine the relationships between selected anthropometric and fitness measures with indicators of performance in elite junior Australian football players. During the pre-season, 485 players from the elite Victorian under-18 Australian Rules football competition were tested for height, body mass, hand span, arm length, standing reach, vertical jump, 5 and 20 m sprint times, agility, predicted over(V, ) O2 max and sit and reach flexibility. Performance indicators included being selected for the first game of the season and the number of possessions, marks, hitouts, and the number of games where votes were awarded in the first eight games of the season. The top and bottom four teams on the ladder were also compared after eight games. Players were divided into groups on the basis of the above indicators and the groups were compared statistically by analysis of variance (ANOVA). There were several significant differences between selected and non-selected players. Players acquiring the most possessions were significantly (p < 0.05) shorter (effect size: ES = 0.78), with less body mass (ES = 0.55) and possessed greater acceleration (ES = 0.44-0.56) and endurance (ES = 0.51). Body mass was significantly related to the number of marks and height was related to hitouts (p < 0.05). Acceleration was the only fitness quality to discriminate between higher and lower vote winners. The players from the top four teams had a significantly greater standing reach (p = 0.038, ES = 0.53), were heavier (p = 0.032, ES = 0.55) but not superior in any fitness measure. Generally hand span, agility and flexibility were not related to performance indicators. It was concluded that shorter and lighter players who possess high levels of speed and endurance are more likely to acquire possessions and be awarded votes, however these attributes do not guarantee team success. The small relationships between agility and flexibility to performance might be explained by the choice of tests used to assess these qualities. © 2006 Sports Medicine Australia.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003005642
Physiological and anthropometric characteristics of starters and non-starters and playing positions in elite Australian Rules football : A case study
- Young, Warren, Newton, Robert, Doyle, Tim, Chapman, Dale, Cormack, Stuart, Stewart, Glenn, Dawson, Brian
- Authors: Young, Warren , Newton, Robert , Doyle, Tim , Chapman, Dale , Cormack, Stuart , Stewart, Glenn , Dawson, Brian
- Date: 2005
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 8, no. 3 (Sep 2005), p. 333-345
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: A purpose of this study was to determine if pre-season anthropometric and physiological measures were significantly different for the players from one Australian Football League (AFL) club selected to play in the first game of the season compared to the players not selected. Another purpose was to compare fitness test results for defenders, forwards and mid-fielders in the same AFL club. Thirty-four players were tested for isolated quadriceps and hamstrings strength, leg extensor muscle strength and power, upper body strength, sprinting speed, vertical jump (VJ), endurance, skinfolds and hamstring flexibility. The starters who were selected to play the first game were a significantly older and more experienced playing group, and were significantly better (p < 0.05) in measures of leg power, sprinting speed and the distance covered in the Yo Yo intermittent recovery test compared to the non-starters. Although there were trends for the superiority of the starters, the differences in lower and upper body strength, VJ and predicted VO(2)max were nonsignificant. The forwards generally produced the worst fitness scores of the playing positions with the midfielders having significantly lower skinfolds and the defenders possessing better hamstring strength and VJ compared to the forwards. It was concluded that some fitness qualities can differentiate between starters and non-starters, at least in one AFL club. Comparisons of playing positions and the development of fitness norms for AFL players require further research.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003001187
- Authors: Young, Warren , Newton, Robert , Doyle, Tim , Chapman, Dale , Cormack, Stuart , Stewart, Glenn , Dawson, Brian
- Date: 2005
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 8, no. 3 (Sep 2005), p. 333-345
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: A purpose of this study was to determine if pre-season anthropometric and physiological measures were significantly different for the players from one Australian Football League (AFL) club selected to play in the first game of the season compared to the players not selected. Another purpose was to compare fitness test results for defenders, forwards and mid-fielders in the same AFL club. Thirty-four players were tested for isolated quadriceps and hamstrings strength, leg extensor muscle strength and power, upper body strength, sprinting speed, vertical jump (VJ), endurance, skinfolds and hamstring flexibility. The starters who were selected to play the first game were a significantly older and more experienced playing group, and were significantly better (p < 0.05) in measures of leg power, sprinting speed and the distance covered in the Yo Yo intermittent recovery test compared to the non-starters. Although there were trends for the superiority of the starters, the differences in lower and upper body strength, VJ and predicted VO(2)max were nonsignificant. The forwards generally produced the worst fitness scores of the playing positions with the midfielders having significantly lower skinfolds and the defenders possessing better hamstring strength and VJ compared to the forwards. It was concluded that some fitness qualities can differentiate between starters and non-starters, at least in one AFL club. Comparisons of playing positions and the development of fitness norms for AFL players require further research.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003001187