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Does maturation influence functional performance in youth males?
Get PDFUnderstanding the role biological maturity has on athletic motor skills may have implications for age based sporting selection. During adolescence, peak height velocity provides an indication of biological maturity and the physiological adaptations that occur during this period, which can have varying implications on motor skill acquisition and functional performance. With rapid physical changes and a loss of neuromuscular control during stages of biological maturation, the risk of muscular and/or structural injury is increased. The purpose of this study was to identify the influence maturation has on functional performance in youth males. A cross sectional sample of 97 youth males were allocated into maturation groups which were assessed using non-invasive predictive methods. Participants performed three maximal 20m sprints, unilateral horizontal jumps and a 10s bilateral tuck jump (TJ) assessment. A one way ANOVA was utilized to assess between and within group differences. Pearson’s correlations between maturity offset and performance variables were also calculated. Anthropometric data revealed significant differences (p<0.05) in all measured variables between maturation groups. Significant group differences (p<0.01) revealed increased maturation status positively influenced speed performances (ES = 0.64 to 1.03) but not jump performances. TJ scores identified no significant differences between group means. Data suggests physiological improvements in strength and power post PHV will likely have positive implications on force application and technical efficiency within sprint events. Investigations into the relationships between step length, step frequency and contact time between maturation groups are recommended for future studies, with emphasis on utilising neuromuscular training to decrease the risk of injury throughout the PHV period
Comparison of gravity-resisted and gym-based core training on core endurance.
Get PDFConditioning specialists have been incorporating concepts of gravity-resisted core training, both on stable and unstable surfaces, to enhance core endurance despite limited empirical evidence. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of gravity-resisted and gym-based core training on core endurance. The experimental group (n=8) followed a gravity-resisted core training intervention while the control group (n=8) followed a gym-based core training intervention incorporating similar exercises over a 6-week period. Pre- and post-testing consisted of an isometric prone bridge endurance test, dominant and non-dominant isometric side flexor endurance tests, an isometric trunk flexor endurance test and an isometric trunk extensor endurance test. Relative to the control group, the experimental group showed a very likely improvement in isometric trunk flexor endurance (33.7±18.3%, 90% Confidence limits), likely improvements in isometric non-dominant side flexor endurance (26.1±18.7%), isometric prone bridge endurance (22.4±13.9%), and isometric dominant side flexor endurance (30.4±27.7%). Using a gravity-resisted core training intervention is likely to produce beneficial gains in core endurance for resistance trained males to a greater extent than a programme of similar exercises conducted conventionally in a gym
Exhibition review: Michael Prosee, Art New Zealand 162
No full textExhibition review: Michael Prosee, Monterey Gallery, Auckland, 11 - 25 March 2017, published in Art New Zealand No. 162, Winter 2017, p. 38
Exhibition review: Thomas Newman Pound, Art New Zealand 162
No full textExhibition review: Thomas Newman Pound, "Without Words: A Year Out Walking", Gus Fisher Gallery, Auckland, 8 March - 22 April 2017, published in Art New Zealand No. 162, Winter 2017, p. 39
A new strategy for active learning to maximise performance in intensive courses
Get PDFThis paper describes an innovation in the delivery of an introductory thermodynamics course offered to students studying towards an engineering qualification. The course was delivered in intensive format, across three weeks of study.
Students find it challenging to engage with complex engineering topics in a short period of time, and there is no sizeable study break for pre-exam study. This means that students cannot afford to delay in learning and applying content. Every class must be an opportunity to interact with the content immediately.
The innovation described here involved implementing a new daily structure for the course that attempted to mimic the standard process by which students learn material, apply it, study it and practice it in across a traditional-length semester. The new structure involved integrating the
lecture and recitation components to the course to increasing the active learning during material delivery, then allowing students to engage in guided study and open-book formative assessment.
This paper describes the implementation of this innovation. A brief review of the literature on intensive courses is provided, followed by a description of the approach used in this particular class. The results are then presented, and evaluated in the context of the research and the instructor’s own critical reflection
Design and development of a single seat battery electric vehicle.
No full textCollaboration between the University of Waikato and the Waikato Institute of Technology is enabling technology sharing on a level never before seen. The Construction of a battery powered electric vehicle achieved over several years by a team of undergraduate and graduate students at the University. The project is now at a stage where it is in need of design and production of a complete outer body shell. In conjunction with this it has been identified that there is need of newly developed components to reduce if not eliminate the rolling resistance caused from the use of conventional vehicle parts. This work is the initial platform for the achievement of a road legal electric vehicle suitable for promotional work and student engagement within the Waikato region
Sustainable Urban Development - Implementation of Car-free Zone: NZ Case Studies
Get PDFThis study describes a research to improve understanding of sustainable urban transport planning from the perspective of Central Business District (CBD) redevelopment process for two cities, Hamilton and Christchurch in New Zealand. The study was initiated by prioritizing the type and location of new parking system to the existing CBD by attracting more visitors and patrons, which alters major and current urban transport issues. The concern of CBD traffic problems gained a majority among the others. This was further literature reviewed with other similar sized cities, which have established the ‘car-free zone’ to change CBD users’ travel behaviour. The literature review shows new aspects of the urban transportation network and explains the need for some particular changes of the sustainable transport for livable city life. The different forms of transport modes and urban planning were gathered from looking at the change made by many various cities. A major proportion of ‘car-free zone’ cities is the part of Europe territory, as the reason implies is limited space but higher population density. This scenario is somehow similar to NZ’s two cities as city’s population is on a drastic increase in proportion to the land size. Such studies, despite their importance, are relatively scarce due to issues related to data confidentiality and restraining local businesses from taking part in such studies. To achieve the objective, the study uses latent class (LC) modelling, which postulates that CBD patrons’ travel behaviour depends on two components: 1) some observable attributes, such as walking distance, parking fares and the use of shuttle service; and 2) unobserved latent heterogeneity. The latter is taken into account by sorting respondents into a number of classes based on similarities in their characteristics. Subsequently, the behaviour of respondents in each class is explained by a set of parameter estimates, which differs from the sets assigned to other classes. In this study, mixed logit (ML) and generalized mixed logit (GMXL) models were used to calculate the base mode shares, and subsequently, to test various hypothetical policy options for promoting greater use of new parking system and public transport. The data were gathered using stated preference surveys from 322 New Zealander resided in two cities. Furthermore, as each participant evaluated eight choice scenarios, the dataset contains 2,576 choice records. The results of the modelling allow policymakers to design more appropriate strategies and policies for different segments of the population to improve an urban CBD and to attract the largest latent class for both cases. In addition, the model indicates that the potential improvement in a modal shift, which can be achieved by applying different policy options, varies with both walking distance, parking rate and frequency of public transport service. Furthermore, in order to promote sustainable mobility in developing urban CBD, one policy would be to increase the connectivity of public transport services
More than just plants: A study of biotic stress impacts on the root microbiomes of Trifolium repens
Get PDFNew Zealand pasture plants are subject to a multitude of biotic and abiotic stresses. While the pasture plants themselves are well-studied, the microbes associated with the plants are not. In two trials, Trifolium repens (white clover), the key legume component of New Zealand pastoral agriculture, was grown in different soils from around the country exposed to several biotic treatments. We then used next generation sequencing to sequence variable regions of the ITS and 16S ribosomal DNA from the root microbiome of the white clover plants. The microbiome was partitioned in two compartments: the endosphere and rhizosphere. Multivariate analyses such as canonical correlation analysis were then used to compare the ribosomal DNA proportions to the biotic and abiotic factors challenging the plants. Data from the two trials was compared to assess robustness of the methodologies. We will present new insights into the interactions of white clover and its microbiome to biotic factors
Baby booms to deerium: An experience of overseas dialogue in nursing practice.
No full textTwo Kiwi nursing academics invited to China to teach an acute care nursing workshop were nonplussed to find themselves also quasi-advisors on managing nursing shortages in the wake of China’s one-child policy coming to an end
Linalool prevents oxidative stress activated protein kinases in single UVB-exposed human skin cells
Get PDFUltraviolet-B radiation (285–320 nm) elicits a number of cellular signaling elements. We investigated the preventive effect of linalool, a natural monoterpene, against UVB-induced oxidative imbalance, activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling in HDFa cells. We observed that linalool treatment (30 μM) prevented acute UVB-irradiation (20 mJ/cm 2) mediated loss of activities of antioxidant enzymes in HDFa cells. The comet assay results illustrate that linalool significantly prevents UVB-mediated 8-deoxy guanosine formation (oxidative DNA damage) rather than UVB-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine (CPD) formation. This might be due to its ability to prevent UVB-induced ROS formation and to restore the oxidative imbalance of cells. This has been reflected in UVB-induced overexpression of MAPK and NF-κB signaling. We observed that linalool inhibited UVB-induced phosphorylation of ERK1, JNK and p38 proteins of MAPK family. Linalool inhibited UVB-induced activation of NF-κB/p65 by activating IκBa. We further observed that UVB-induced expression of TNF-α, IL6, IL-10, MMP-2 and MMP-9 was modulated by linalool treatment in HDFa cells. Thus, linalool protects the human skin cells from the oxidative damages of UVB radiation and modulates MAPK and NF-κB signaling in HDFa cells. The present findings substantiate that linalool may act as a photoprotective agent against UVB-induced skin damages