4095 research outputs found
Sort by
Soldier Load Carriage, Injuries, Rehabilitation and Physical Conditioning: An International Approach
Get PDFSoldiers are often required to carry heavy loads that can exceed 45 kg. The physiological costs and biomechanical responses to these loads, whilst varying with the contexts in which they are carried, have led to soldier injuries. These injuries can range from musculoskeletal injuries (e.g., joint/ligamentous injuries and stress fractures) to neurological injuries (e.g., paresthesias), and impact on both the soldier and the army in which they serve. Following treatment to facilitate initial recovery from injuries, soldiers must be progressively reconditioned for load carriage. Optimal conditioning and reconditioning practices include load carriage sessions with a frequency of one session every 10–14 days in conjunction with a program of both resistance and aerobic training. Speed of march and grade and type of terrain covered are factors that can be adjusted to manipulate load carriage intensity, limiting the need to adjust load weight alone. Factors external to the load carriage program, such as other military duties, can also impart physical loading and must be considered as part of any load carriage conditioning/reconditioning program
Sacred Scripts of Populism: Scripture-Practices in the European Far Right
No full textIn this chapter, Hannah Strømmen examines the uses of texts in the practices of far-right populism, specifically the uses of the sacred scriptures of Muslims and Christians. Identifying patterns of scripture-practice is promising because it demonstrates the way different incarnations of the far right utilize shared strategies, particularly when it comes to the role Christianity and Islam play in contemporary populism in Western Europe. Strømmen argues that there are three main traits to far-right populist scripture-practices: the shoring up of the ‘enemy,’ the reinforcement of us and them into different ‘scripture-cultures,’ and a focus on scriptures as symbols and material artefacts rather than as texts to be read and interpreted. Ultimately, Strømmen suggests that further work is necessary in what she calls ‘political scripture research’ and ‘lived scripture.
Optical Scattering from Vitreous Floaters
Get PDFVitreous “floaters” are a common entoptic phenomenon that can result in significant reduction in quality of life in a proportion of sufferers. The authors use a computational mathematical model based on Fourier optics and reflection and transmission coefficients calculated for a planar type II collagen opacity suspended in aqueous to show that floaters are perceived by the patient through interference effects that result in significant variations in intensity on the retina when viewing a constant brightness surface. The model also predicts that backscattered intensity from floaters is ten thousand to one million times lower than the variations in intensity produced on the retina, which demonstrates that the visible effects of floaters for the patient can be highly significant, whereas clinical observation of the vitreous may be entirely unremarkable. Importantly, the results also demonstrate that floaters do not need to be opaque to cause symptoms, with only small differences in refractive index between the floater material and the surrounding vitreous needed to produce significant optical effects. The model predicts that pupil size is an important factor in determining the severity of symptoms from floaters, with constricted pupils giving much greater effect than dilated pupils. Finally, the authors’ model predicts that floaters degrade contrast sensitivity function, with greatest degradation occurring in the 5–40 cycles per degree spatial frequency range and that the effects of shadowing caused by floaters are very strongly correlated to the predicted degradation of contrast sensitivity function.© 2021 The Authors. Bioelectromagnetics published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Bioelectromagnetics Society
Serum neurofilament light concentration does not increase following exposure to low velocity football heading
Get PDFObjectives
To investigate if heading frequency and impact biomechanics in a single session influence the concentration of serum neurofilament light (NF-L), a sensitive biomarker for axonal damage, up to 7 days after heading incident at ball velocities reflecting basic training drills.
Methods
Forty-four males were randomized into either control (n=8), 10 header (n=12), 20 header (n=12) or 40 header (n=12) groups. Linear and angular head accelerations were quantified during heading. Venous blood samples were taken at baseline, 6 hours, 24 hours and 7 days after heading. Serum NF-L was quantified using Quanterix NF-L assay kit on the Simoa HD-1 Platform.
Results
Serum NF-L did not alter over time (p=0.44) and was not influenced by number of headers [p=0.47; mean(95% CI) concentrations at baseline 6.00 pg/ml (5.00 – 7.00 pg/ml); 6 hours post 6.50 pg/ml (5.70 – 7.29 pg/ml); 24 hours post 6.07 pg/ml (5.14 – 7.01 pg/ml); and 7 days post 6.46 pg/ml (5.45 – 7.46 pg/ml)]. There was no relationship between percentage change in NF-L and summed session linear and angular head accelerations.
Conclusion
In adult men, heading frequency or impact biomechanics did not affect NF-L response during a single session of headers at ball velocities reflective of basic training tasks
Relationships among Countermovement Vertical Jump Performance Metrics, Strategy Variables, and Inter-limb Asymmetry in Females
Get PDFDependent variables commonly studied during countermovement vertical jump (CMVJ) tests largely stem from male-only studies despite females’ distinct energy storage and reutilization strategies. This could limit progress among females seeking increased CMVJ performance through targeted changes in certain variables. We explored relationships between CMVJ performance metrics (jump height, modified reactive strength index, jump power, and takeoff momentum) and a) temporal and force application variables and b) inter-limb force and yank (i.e., rate of force development) asymmetry in 31 recreationally active females. Participants performed 8 CMVJs while ground reaction force (GRF) data were obtained. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients assessed the strength and direction of the associations. Twenty-six significant relationships (r≥±0.357; p<0.05) were detected across the CMVJ performance variables. The significantly correlated variables were generally isolated to only one of the four performance metrics. Only the percentage of concentric phase inter-limb force asymmetry was significantly associated with CMVJ performance, specifically jump power and takeoff momentum. Coaches and physical performance professionals should be aware of popular strategy variables’ association or lack of association with commonly studied performance metrics when seeking to understand or improve specific CMVJ jumping abilities in females
Plasma uptake of selected phenolic acids following New Zealand blackcurrant extract supplementation in humans
Get PDFNew Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC) extract is a rich source of anthocyanins and in order to exert physiological effects, the anthocyanin-derived metabolites need to be bioavailable in vivo. We examined the plasma uptake of selected phenolic acids following NZBC extract supplementation alongside maintaining a habitual diet (i.e., not restricting habitual polyphenol intake). Twenty healthy volunteers (9 females, age: 28±7 years, height 1.73±0.09 m, body mass 73±11 kg) consumed a 300 mg NZBC extract capsule (CurraNZ™; anthocyanin content 105 mg) following an overnight fast. Venous blood samples were taken pre and 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 h post-ingestion of the capsule. Plasma concentrations of vanillic acid (VA), gallic acid (GA), and protocatechuic acid (PCA) were analysed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the HPLC analysis identified two dihydroxybenzoic (VA and PCA) and one trihydroxybenzoic acids (GA) in plasma following NZBC extract supplementation. Habitual anthocyanin intake was 168 (95%CI:68–404) mg⋅day-1 and no associations were observed between this and VA, PCA, and GA plasma uptake by the NZBC extract intake. Plasma time-concentration curves revealed that GA, and PCA were most abundant at 4, and 1.5 h post-ingestion, representing a 261% and 320% increase above baseline, respectively, with VA remaining unchanged. This is the first study to demonstrate that an NZBC extract supplement increases the plasma uptake of phenolic acids GA, and PCA even when a habitual diet is followed in the days preceding the experimental trial, although inter-individual variability is apparent
Field Validation Of The Heat Strain Decision Aid During Military Load Carriage
Get PDFObjectives: We aimed to determine the agreement between actual and predicted core body temperature, using the Heat Strain Decision Aid (HSDA), in non-Ground Close Combat (GCC) personnel wearing multi terrain pattern clothing during two stages of load carriage in temperate conditions.
Design: Cross-sectional.
Methods: Sixty participants (men = 49, women = 11, age 31 ± 8 years; height 171.1 ± 9.0 cm; body mass 78.1 ± 11.5 kg) completed two stages of load carriage, of increasing metabolic rate, as part of the development of new British Army physical employment standards (PES). An ingestible gastrointestinal sensor was used to measure core temperature. Testing was completed in wet bulb globe temperature conditions; 1.2-12.6°C.
Predictive accuracy and precision were analysed using individual and group mean inputs. Assessments were evaluated by bias, limits of agreement (LoA), mean absolute error (MAE), and root mean square error (RMSE). Accuracy was evaluated using a prediction bias of ± 0.27°C and by comparing predictions to the standard deviation of the actual core temperature.
Results: Modelling individual predictions provided an acceptable level of accuracy based on bias criterion; where the total of all trials bias ± LoA was 0.08 ± 0.82°C. Predicted values were in close agreement with the actual data: MAE 0.37°C and RMSE 0.46°C for the collective data. Modelling using group mean inputs were less accurate than using individual inputs, but within the mean observed.
Conclusion: The HSDA acceptably predicts core temperature during load carriage to the new British Army non-GCC PES, in temperate conditions
Is ‘Virtual’ the New ‘Reality’ For the Events Industry??
Get PDFThe corona virus (covid-19) has had an unprecedented impact on the tourism, events, and hospitality industries. To date the direct and indirect cumulative economic impacts are still unknown and will be difficult to quantify. As of March 2020, the events industry had already lost £10 bn due to the restrictions imposed by the pandemic (UFI, 2020). Event industry revenues for 2020 represented only 28% of the revenues recorded in the previous year. 52% of companies faced reduced profits and 30% of businesses recorded a loss of more than 50% (UFI, 2021). Furthermore, 17% of event and exhibition businesses permanently ceased trading during 2020 and 126,000 jobs were lost during the same period (Conference-News, 2020). Covid-19 has irrupted the events industry resulting in businesses adapting and innovating to survive
Musculoskeletal injuries in military personnel – descriptive epidemiology, risk factor identification, and prevention
Get PDFObjectives: To provide an overall perspective on musculoskeletal injury (MSI) epidemiology, risk factors, and preventive strategies in military personnel.
Design: Narrative review.
Methods: The thematic session on MSIs in military personnel at the 5th International Congress on Soldiers’ Physical Performance (ICSPP) included eight presentations on the descriptive epidemiology, risk factor identification, and prevention of MSIs in military personnel. Additional topics presented were bone anabolism, machine learning analysis, and the effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on MSIs. This narrative review focuses on the thematic session topics and includes identification of gaps in existing literature, as well as areas for future study.
Results: MSIs cause significant morbidity among military personnel. Physical training and occupational tasks are leading causes of MSI limited duty days (LDDs) for the U.S. Army. Recent studies have shown that MSIs are associated with the use of NSAIDs. Bone MSIs are very common in training; new imaging technology such as high resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography allows visualization of bone microarchitecture and has been used to assess new bone formation during military training. Physical activity monitoring and machine learning have important applications in monitoring and informing evidence-based solutions to prevent MSIs.
Conclusions: Despite many years of research, MSIs continue to have a high incidence among military personnel. Areas for future research include quantifying exposure when determining MSI risk; understanding associations between health-related components of physical fitness and MSI occurrence; and application of innovative imaging, physical activity monitoring and data analysis techniques for MSI prevention and return to duty
Over and out: Understanding the rise of voluntary resignations from the police service
No full textPolicing in the UK is witnessing a ‘steep and troubling’ rise in the number of officers resigning early in service, citing poor leadership and management, organisational injustice and exhausting working patterns among the reasons for leaving: Dr Sarah Charman – a panellist at this week’s Police Foundation workforce conference – and Dr Stephanie Bennett, both of the Institute of Criminal Justice Studies, University of Portsmouth, explore the key reasons why officers leave mid-service