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Should we use fat-free mass or body mass and percentage body fat as separate predictors to predict maximum oxygen uptake?
No full textBackground/objective
To assess whether fat-free mass (FFM) or body mass (M) is the more appropriate body size variable to predict maximum oxygen uptake (VO 2max , L⋅min −1 ).
Methods
Data (3930 cardiopulmonary exercise tests) were provided from the FRIEND registry. Our prediction equations adopted the well-known allometric/power function model VO 2max (L⋅min −1 )= a · X b , using either FFM or M as the predictor variable ( X ). These models can be linearised with a log-transformation, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) can then be used to estimate the unknown parameters.
Results
Initially, when predicting Ln(VO 2max ) using only Ln(FFM) adjusted for age and sex, the explained variance was R 2 =0.718 (Akaike information criterion (AIC)=−1882.5), with the FFM exponent b=0.658. However, when predicting Ln(VO 2max ) using M AND bodyfat% separately, the explained variance increased to R 2 =0.733 (AIC=−2077.4), with the M exponent b=0.636. The difference in R 2 and AICs confirmed the benefit of predicting VO 2max using separate M and bodyfat% terms. The analysis identified an enlarged negative bodyfat% term that improved the prediction of VO 2max , explained latterly by central adiposity (waist circumference). These final, more inclusive M and FFM exponents were estimated to be b=0.67, suggesting that VO 2max should be normalised using VO 2max (mL·FFM −2/3 ·min −1 ) or preferably VO 2max (mL·M −2/3 ·min −1 ) rather than VO 2max (mL·FFM −1 ·min −1 ). We also found that linear prediction models systematically under-estimate the VO 2max of overweight and underweight individuals, but over-estimate the VO 2max of average-weight individuals.
Conclusion
Incorporating FFM into equations to predict VO 2max fails to explain the negative effect of central adiposity. However, by incorporating M and percentage body fat (BF%) separately into the allometric models, a greater/enlarged negative BF% term explains this apparent omission/absence
Beyond pseudonyms: Using new-hermetic materialism and colour theory for ethical representation in early childhood research
No full textIn early childhood research, children are often anonymised through pseudonyms or numbers, well-intentioned strategies that can unintentionally reduce children to data points. This paper responds to that representational tension by introducing a more affective, relational approach rooted in New-Hermetic Materialism, a synthesis of posthumanist ethics and esoteric understandings of energy, vibration, and symbol. Guided by the view that children pulsate with colour, presence, and relational meaning, this study uses colour theory as a way to move beyond pseudonyms, offering a non-reductive and ethically attuned alternative to conventional anonymisation. This paper draws from a piece of doctoral research conducted in an early years setting, where each child participant was represented by a colour. These colours were selected through a reflective process involving classroom observation, practitioner insight, and intuitive attunement. Informed by both psychological and symbolic traditions of colour, as well as vibrational and energetic perspectives, colour is approached not as a label or metaphor, but as a material-affective resonance, something that gestures toward the child’s way of being without fixing their identity. This approach sits within a broader conversation about ethical representation and posthumanist inquiry in childhood research. Drawing also on educational and artistic traditions, the paper proposes a relational ethics of presence, one that allows researchers to stay with the complexity of children’s becoming, while attending gently to the politics of anonymity
Effect of aquatic-treadmill training on cerebrovascular function and gait in community-dwelling stroke survivors: a feasibility and preliminary efficacy study
No full textBackground
Water-based exercise augments exercise-induced increases in brain blood flow, optimizing a proposed key mechanistic pathway for improved brain health. Aquatic treadmill exercise has been shown to aid gait re-education of stroke survivors, however its potential to enhance cerebrovascular function in this clinical population has not been tested. This pilot study aimed to examine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a 4-week aquatic treadmill (ATM) training intervention on cerebrovascular responsiveness and gait function in stroke survivors.
Methods
Six community-dwelling stroke survivors (58 ± 11 years, 8 ± 11 years post stroke) completed a 4-week ATM intervention, consisting of 20–30 min sessions, 3 times/week. Pre- and post-intervention measures were taken of cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR), indexed via changes in middle cerebral artery blood velocity (MCAv) to a hypercapnic (5% CO 2 in air) stimulus. Changes in mobility were assessed via 10-metre walk, Timed-Up-And-Go, and 6-minute walk (6MW) tests.
Results
Adherence to the intervention was excellent, with 70 of the 72 (97%) available training sessions completed by participants. CVR increased on average by 44% (95% CI: ±58%; 2.8%–4.0%ΔMCAv/mm Hg ΔPETCO 2 ) in the stroke-affected hemisphere and 48% (95% CI: ±41%; 3.0%–4.5%ΔMCAv/mm Hg ΔPETCO 2 ) in the unaffected hemisphere post intervention, although changes did not reach statistical significance ( p = 0.218; Friedman's test). Within-group gait improvements were seen in speed and distance, with some changes above clinically meaningful thresholds; although this was not uniformly evident.
Conclusion
This pilot study established ATM training as a feasible option for some patients in stroke rehabilitation. Despite the limited sample size, the study demonstrated promising enhancements in cerebrovascular function, with preliminary evidence suggesting concurrent improvements in gait performance. Well-designed, larger studies are warranted
Age distributions in Paralympic Games Paris 2024: an analysis of 5,540 para athletes across 13 individual disciplines
No full textThis study aimed to quantify the age distributions of Para athletes competing in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games across 13 individual disciplines. A total of 5,540 athletes (52.2% male, 47.8% female) participated, with ages calculated at competition. The analysis examined differences by discipline, sex, and competitive achievement (medallist vs. non-medallist). The statistical analyses included the Kruskal–Wallis test followed by Mann–Whitney U post-hoc tests to detect differences across disciplines, while Mann–Whitney U and chi-square tests were used to analyze sex and competitive achievement at the level of 5%. The results revealed significant variation in age across sports. Para Equestrian (38 years), Para Archery (37 years), and Para Powerlifting (36 years) exhibited the highest ages, indicating later career, while Para Swimming (25 years), Para Taekwondo (27 years), and Para Athletics (29 years) showed earlier ages. The male Para Athletes demonstrated a slightly higher median age than females (30 vs. 28ys). No significant age difference was found between medallists and non-medallists. Age category analysis highlighted a greater proportion of athletes over 30 years in disciplines with later ages. These findings underscore the importance of sport-specific age considerations in Paralympic athlete's development and talent identification. The study contributes novel insights by encompassing multiple disciplines and Para athlete profiles, offering a comprehensive understanding of age-related performance patterns in elite Para sport
People Management in Schools: Practical Strategies Used by Selected UK Local Headteachers to Create Supportive and Respectful Working Environments for Teachers
No full textHeadteachers who overlook the importance of teachers’ professional expertise and
contributions can negatively affect teachers’ occupational wellbeing, by increasing the risk of
attrition, and breaking an element of the UK Headteachers’ Standards (Department for Education,
2020). These challenges may often stem from ineffective people management, particularly the
failure to nurture a working environment in which teachers feel valued and respected. Although
existing literature acknowledges these issues, there remains a gap in research concerning the
practical, day-to-day strategies local UK headteachers as people managers could employ to foster
such environments. To address this gap, this study investigated the following research question:
As people managers, how could headteachers nurture a working environment where staff feel
valued and respected?
100 Mark Minott, Linda Enow, & Angel Urbina-Garcia
Using Microsoft TEAMs and the Joint Information Systems Committee (Jisc) Online survey
platform, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with six headteachers from two
underrepresented regions in England—namely the Midlands and Yorkshire—which are seldom
explored in existing research literature relevant to this study. Additionally, four more headteachers
contributed through an online qualitative survey. Purposeful convenient or opportunity sampling
was used to select interviewees, and a snowball strategy was used to attract survey participants.
The NVivo software was used to analyse the data. Both universities involved granted ethical
approval.
The findings revealed that, as a key aspect of people management, selected local UK
headteachers fostered a working environment in which teachers feel valued and respected by
engaging in a range of supportive practices. These include supporting teachers’ personal and
professional welfare, treating the process as a moral responsibility and high priority, being
mindful of their time and emotional wellbeing, offering meaningful recognition and rewards,
communicating effectively, motivating staff, treating teachers as professionals, enabling teacher
voice, providing leadership opportunities, and promoting collaboration. While these findings are
not new, they contribute to the literature by validating and extending knowledge within a new
geographical context—Midlands and Yorkshire, England. Although well-documented in broader
educational discussions, applying previous findings to a localised setting provides valuable
evidence of how national and international occurrences manifest in regions often overlooked by
the literature
Disrupting the third-space through playfulness, mattering, and unbounded perspectives
Get PDFThis paper explores the evolving landscape of higher education in the UK,
emphasising the diversity of the student population and the ensuing challenges for
traditional university frameworks. It is framed through the concept of 'third space'
professionals—individuals who operate beyond the conventional academic and
administrative divides—to address these challenges (Whitchurch, 2013). The
authors use reflective narratives that are diffracted through each other to shed light
on the complexity of functioning in this innovative space. Their experiences of
working-class origins, transitions from other sectors and mature student pathways,
illustrate how diversity enriches their engagement with students and their
contribution to the university environment. The narrative showcases how third-space
professionals are pivotal in enhancing student success and promoting a more
inclusive and student-focused university culture. They challenge existing academic
hierarchies and bureaucratic norms, fostering a more adaptable and responsive
educational setting. Despite facing institutional resistance and systemic hurdles, the
paper highlights third-space practitioners' creative and strategic approaches to
navigate and reform university structures. In conclusion, the authors argue for the
vital importance of the third space in higher education innovation, where the unique
backgrounds of professionals significantly impact university transformation. Through
principles of disruption, ethical practice, playfulness and boundary-crossing, third space professionals are depicted as agents of cultural change, advocating for
broader recognition and expansion of their roles in the academic ecosystem
Criterion validity of a newly developed Apple Watch app (‘MVPA’) compared to the native Apple Watch ‘activity’ app for measuring criterion moderate intensity physical activity
Get PDFIntroduction: Many people fail to meet physical activity guidelines. One possible solution is wearable technology. Yet it is
unclear if popular devices such as the Apple Watch can accurately measure intensity, which is a cornerstone of physical
activity guidelines. We developed a bespoke Apple Watch app based on the use of relative intensity (%HRR), with the
aim to determine if the bespoke app measures ‘moderate’ intensity more accurately compared to the native Apple Watch
Activity app, using % oxygen consumption reserve (%VO2R) as the criterion.
Methods: Seventy-four participants (18–65 years) attended the laboratory twice. During Visit 1, they completed medical
screening, and measurements of resting heart rate, maximal oxygen consumption, and maximal heart rate on a motorised
treadmill. During Visit 2, participants completed 5-minute treadmill bouts starting at 3.5 km.h−1
, increasing by 0.5 km.h−1
until the bespoke app recorded 3 minutes at ≥40%HRR, and the native app recorded 5 minutes of ‘exercise’. Oxygen consumption and heart rate were recorded. Bayesian posterior distributions were used to compare the two apps.
Results: At the walking speed that the native app recorded exercise, the mean (95% HDI) %VO2R was 33 (31-36)%, which is
below moderate relative intensity (40%HRR). This is compared to a mean (95% HDI) of 43 (40-44)% for our bespoke app.
Conclusion: The bespoke app measured relative moderate intensity more accurately compared to the native app when compared to the %VO2R criterion. Exercise guidelines and wearable devices should incorporate relative measures of physical
activity to better individualise monitoring and prescription
The Influence of Soccer-Specific Exercise on Isokinetic Angle-Specific Thigh Musculature Strength in Female Soccer Players
No full textThis study assessed the influence of soccer-specific exercise on thigh musculature strength in female soccer players. Eight amateur female soccer players (age 24 ± 6 years; height 163 ± 8 cm; mass 68 ± 11 kg) participated in the study. Participants completed the female match simulation-90 (FEMS-90), replicating a 90-minute match. Isokinetic strength assessments of the concentric knee extensors (conKE), concentric knee flexors (conKF), eccentric knee extensors (eccKE) and eccentric knee flexors (eccKF) for the dominant lower limb were conducted at 60°∙s-1 where conventional ratios (CR) and dynamic control ratios (DCR) were determined. All strength data were expressed as angle-specific torque (AST). A Bayesian approach identified a 66-78% probability that AST of all muscle actions were lower post SSEP, and a 57-66% probability of a difference that CRAST and DCRAST were lower post SSEP across all angles. The results of this study provides unique insight into how female soccer players respond to soccer match-play, and may have implications for potential injury risk, exercise prescription and recovery. Moreover, given the prevalence and burden of knee ligament injuries in female soccer players, this study provides insight into thigh musculature strength acutely responds following simulated match-play
Talk With Me Outside: Therapists' Experiences of the Therapeutic Relationship in Natural Outdoor Settings
No full textABSTRACT
This qualitative study explores therapists' experiences of the therapeutic relationship when therapy is conducted in natural public spaces, such as parks, footpaths and community gardens. Drawing on therapists' experiences of working outdoors with their clients, the aim was to capture and understand how the therapeutic relationship is impacted when the natural environment becomes part of the relational encounter.
Six therapists participated in one‐to‐one semi‐structured interviews, which were analysed using thematic analysis. Therapists described a more equalised relationship, with both therapist and client exposed to the unpredictability of the environment. This created a dynamic interplay in the relationship, where collaboration was used to overcome unexpected situations, resulting in what therapists experienced as a natural vulnerability. Consequently, relational depth became more apparent, and therapists were perceived as fallible outside, as opposed to being perceived as infallible inside. The research uncovered that, despite potential risks, the un‐boundaried natural environment offered a relational therapeutic depth and intimacy that carried an embedded equality, proving enriching and transformative within the relationship.
The findings suggest that nature‐based therapy enhances and equalises the therapeutic relationship, while also supporting the well‐being of both therapist and client. The study recommends embedding outdoor therapy interventions as part of a blended approach to talking therapies and integrating nature‐based practices into core counselling/psychotherapy training programmes