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Utility of Kinetic and Kinematic Jumping and Landing Variables as Predictors of Injury Risk: A Systematic Review
Get PDFPurpose: Jump-landing assessments provide a means to quantify an individual’s ability to attenuate ground reaction forces, generate lower limb explosive power and maintain joint alignment. In order to identify risk factors that can be targeted through appropriate training interventions, it is necessary to establish which (scalar) objective kinetic, kinematic, and performance measures are most associated with lower-extremity injury,
Methods: Online searches of MEDLINE, SCOPUS, EBSCOHost, SPORTDiscus and PubMed databases were completed for all articles published before March 2020 in accordance with PRISMA guidelines.
Results: 40 articles investigating nine jump-landing assessments were included in this review. 79% of studies using drop jump (n =14) observed an association with future injury, while only 8% of countermovement jump studies (n = 13) observed an association with injury risk. 57% of studies using unilateral assessments found associations with risk of injury (n = 14). Studies using performance measures (jump height/ distance) as outcome measure were only associated with injury risk in 30% of cases. However, those using kinetic and/or kinematic analyses (knee abduction moment, knee valgus angle, knee separation distance, peak ground reaction force) found associations with injury in 89% of studies.
Conclusion: The landing element of jump-landing assessments appears to be superior for identifying individuals at greater risk of injury; likely due to a closer representation of the injury mechanism. Consequently, jump-landing assessments that involve attenuation of impact forces such as the drop jump appear most suited for this purpose but should involve assessment of frontal plane knee motion and ground reaction forces
Slow Looking at Slow Art: the Work of Pierre Bonnard
Get PDFSlow looking is an increasingly prevalent strategy for enhancing visitor engagement in the gallery, yet there is little research to show why looking at artworks for longer should be beneficial. The curator of a recent exhibition of Pierre Bonnard at the Tate Gallery in London encouraged viewers to look slowly in order to enrich their experience of his paintings. This article explores some of the reasons why Bonnard’s work in particular rewards the viewer who spends more time studying it. Our account draws on various scientific studies of the ways in which observers process colour contrasts, spatial configuration, and figure-ground segregation in artworks and in everyday vision. We propose that prolonged interactions with works of art can facilitate perceptual learning, and suggest ways in which these effects could be empirically studied using psychological methods
The Role of Social Support in Machismo and Acceptance of Violence Among Adolescents in Europe. Lights4Violence Baseline Results
Get PDFPurpose
To analyze the potential association between social support, experiences of violence, and sociodemographic characteristics of adolescents and the likelihood of acceptance of violence and machismo in different European countries.
Methods
Cross-sectional design. We recruited 1,555 participants ages 13–16 from secondary schools in Alicante (Spain), Rome (Italy), Iasi (Romania), Matosinhos (Portugal), Poznan (Poland), and Cardiff (UK). We used linear regression models to identify how social support from teachers and parents, experiences of violence—dating violence, bullying, cyberbullying, abuse in childhood—and sociodemographic characteristics were associated with violent thinking, specifically: machismo and acceptance of violence. The analysis was stratified by sex.
Results
Acceptance of violence was higher for those who had lower perceived social support from parents (βgirls = −154, p < .001; βboys = −.114, p = .019) for both sexes. Perpetration of bullying and/or cyberbullying was associated with higher scores for machismo and acceptance of violence for both sexes (βgirls = .067, p = .035; βboys = .225, p < .001; (βgirls = .118, p < .001; βboys = .210, p < .001). Being the victim of dating violence, having suffered physical and/or sexual abuse in childhood, and lower perceived social support from teachers were associated with higher scores for both machismo and acceptance of violence. These associations differed between girls and boys.
Conclusions
Machismo and acceptance of violence are widely present amongst adolescents in different European countries. Our results suggest the importance of providing educational/psycho-educational interventions with boys and girls to prevent these attitudes and, in turn, prevent interpersonal violence, including bullying and dating violence
The case for constructionist, longitudinal and ethnographic approaches to understanding event experiences
Get PDFThis paper argues that to really understand the complexities of event experiences and their meaning, we need to gather rich data, on a longitudinal basis. It demonstrates how ethnographic and constructionist approaches assist in understanding event experiences in relation to the cultural context, symbolic nature, and ritualistic aspects of the event and the corresponding impacts on participants. It considers how spending time immersed in the culture of the event and observing with a wide angle lens, using photographic evidence to capture, recall and discuss experiences, provides for a depth of data beyond the realms of quantitative data collection. The paper presents research undertaken at the case of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod into experiences by event attendees and volunteers in relation to the specific aspect of intercultural communication and exchange. The findings provided rich and meaningful data on individual experiences at the case study event from which to provide recommendations for organisers on how this aspect of the event can be enhanced and improved. The results underline and demonstrate the effectiveness of longitudinal, constructionist and ethnographic methodological approaches in understanding event experiences, and their credibility and generalisability moving into the future
Beyond TTM and ABC: A Practice Perspective on Physical Activity Promotion for Adolescent Females from Disadvantaged Backgrounds
Get PDFThis paper builds on a growing body of literature on the promise of practice theory in understanding and promoting behavior change in society and develops upon Blue (2017) and Spotswood et al.’s (2019) rationale for evolving theories of practice into the domain of contemporary physical activity research. We begin by considering the intersectional nature of the problem. Statistics reveal that physical activity gradients exist based on gender, as well as socio-economic position. Women, girls, and disadvantaged populations report lower levels of activity than more affluent males and females. More problematic still is what StreetGames (2017) call the “double jeopardy”, where these characteristics intersect, intensifying the negative gradient. Our argument then comprises three parts. First, we provide a critical discussion of intervention studies seeking to transform exercise behavior amongst these populations. The issue we identify is that studies typically rely on behavior change models, such as the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) and the ABC framework. However, these models tend to take insufficient account of the practical and social aspects of behavior change in physical activity, and thus their subjects often succumb to value-action gaps (Shove, 2010). Second, in contrast, we propose that practice theory provides a promising alternative theoretical lens for promoting behavior change in disadvantaged and often resistant populations. Third, the paper highlights a range of conceptual considerations for exploring the relationship between young, disadvantaged women and physical activity, as well as the development of tangible solutions to improve participatio
Virtual reality feedback influences musicians’ physical responses and mental attitude towards performing
No full textSimulation has been applied as a successful training, however, an investigation of its effect with implications for musical performance training is still lacking. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of positive and negative simulated feedback on musicians’ performance confidence (PC), perceived performance quality (PQ), state anxiety (SA) and heart rate variability (HRV). Twelve musicians performed the same piece three times: twice in front of three interactive virtual ‘judges’ with positive and negative facial and behavioural feedback and a ‘no judges but identical environment’ control. PC and SA were reported before and after each performance, while musicians’ perceived PQ was addressed after. The HRV was monitored throughout. Using Generalised Estimating Equations to examine relationships between physiological and psychological responses and condition, the results showed a significant influence of condition, with the positive feedback resulting in the highest physiological arousal and PQ ratings. Musicians who experienced an increase in SA before the performance showed a lower HRV during the performance. The SA and PC significantly predicted the PQ, with lower levels of SA and greater degrees of PC leading to a higher perceived PQ. Results are discussed in the light of simulation training
Temporary threshold shift following ear canal microsuction
Get PDFObjectives: To investigate a temporary threshold shift (TTS) of hearing and pain/discomfort caused by the microsuction procedure. Hearing loss induced by impacted cerumen was also investigated.
Design: Impacted cerumen was removed from patients using microsuction. Hearing assessments were carried out before the procedure, immediately after and 1-week later. Hearing thresholds measured in different sessions were compared to determine the TTS caused by the microsuction procedure and hearing loss induced by impacted cerumen. A questionnaire was used to evaluate the pain/discomfort experienced by patients.
Study Sample: 30 patients (50 ears) were recruited from a cerumen removal clinic.
Results: Significant hearing loss caused by impacted earwax was found across individual frequencies (mean 11.4 dB, maximum 38.1 dB). A TTS appeared in 43/50 (86%) ears, ranging from 0 to 16.2 dB averaged across frequencies between 0.25 and 8 kHz, with the highest TTS at 6 kHz. Pain and discomfort levels were both rated low, the mean levels were 1.2 (SD = 0.5) and 1.6 (SD = 0.5) respectively on a scale from 1 to 10.
Conclusions: Microsuction appears to be a well-tolerated and preferred procedure for removing impacted cerumen. Because of the significant TTS induced by the microsuction procedure, safety concerns from a hearing perspective should be raised with the patient
Can a Robot Bring Your Life Back? A Systematic Review for Robotics in Rehabilitation
Get PDFStroke is a leading cause of disability in the world and the use of robots in rehabilitation has become increasingly common. The Fourth Industrial Revolutions has created a novel and wide range of options for the involvement of computer-guided and artificially intelligent machines to be used in rehabilitation. In this chapter we critically review some of the literature on the use of robots in rehabilitation, and emphasize the diversity of approaches in this burgeoning field. We argue that there is a need to consolidate interdisciplinary evidence on robotics and rehabilitation in a systematic way, as the alternative is to have a literature that continues to grow, following the interests of various specialists, but without offering a synoptic assessment of what is available to medical specialists and patients. A literature review using Scopus and Web of Science, coupled with the Briggs Institute’s Critical Appraisal Tool: Checklist for Case Reports was conducted. The two databases were systematically searched using inter-disciplinary keywords in Feb 2019. An initial search of the databases produced 9,894 articles. After rigorous reviews, 35 articles were screened and selected for further interpretation. We examined the current studies on the efficiency and effectiveness of the robot interventions and produced a taxonomy of the review. An original finding of the current robotics in rehabilitation landscaping are critical presented with recommendations and concluding remarks concerning interdisciplinary impact
Predicting the factors that impact access to, completion of, and progression through Community Sport Leaders qualifications in the UK
Get PDFSports Leaders UK (SLUK) commissioned this study to explore the socio-economic and demographic factors that influence candidates’ access, completion and progression through formal sport leader qualifications. A sample (n = 76,179) of registered sport leaders, who are defined as those qualified to lead safe, purposeful and enjoyable sport/physical activity at an entry level in local communities, was selected from SLUK’s database covering a five year period. Following frequency analysis and binary logistic regression, findings highlighted certain variables (e.g., gender, experience, locality) as strong predictors of qualification completion and candidate progression through the award system. However, socio-economic status was not found to predict award completion or continued engagement. Frequency analysis indicated an inequality of sport leaders identifying as female, Black or minority ethnic, and/or disabled. This research offers some insight into the landscape of the current and potential future workforce, and has determined factors associated with more sustained involvement in UK sport leader roles. Consequently, such findings are thought to offer a valuable insight into the factors impacting the growth and development of the field