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Movement demands of elite U20 international rugby union players
No full textThe purpose of this study was to quantify movement demands of elite international age grade (U20) rugby union players during competitive tournament match play. Forty elite professional players from an U20 international performance squad were monitored using 10Hz global positioning systems (GPS) during 15 international tournament matches during the 2014/15 and 2015/16 seasons. Data on distances, velocities, accelerations, decelerations, high metabolic load (HML) distance and efforts, and number of sprints were derived. Data files from players who played over 60 min (n = 161) were separated firstly into Forwards and Backs, and more specifically into six positional groups; FR—Front Row (prop & hooker), SR—Second Row, BR—Back Row (Flankers & No.8), HB—Half Backs (scrum half & outside half), MF—Midfield (centres), B3 –Back Three (wings & full back) for match analysis. Analysis revealed significant differences between forwards and backs positions. Backs scored higher on all variables measured with the exception of number of moderate accelerations, decelerations (no difference). The centres covered the greatest total distance with the front row covering the least (6.51 ± 0.71 vs 4.97 ± 0.75 km, p < 0.001). The front row also covered the least high speed running (HSR) distance compared to the back three (211.6 ± 112.7 vs 728.4 ± 150.2 m, p < 0.001) who covered the most HSR distance, affirming that backs cover greater distances but forwards have greater contact loads. These findings highlight for the first time differences in the movement characteristics of elite age grade rugby union players specific to positional roles.The authors received no specific funding for this work and no authors have any financial or other interest in the products or distributor of the products named in the study. The Rugby Football Union provided support in the form of salaries for authors SD, RE, and NT, but did not have any additional role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The specific roles of these authors are articulated in the ‘author contributions’ section
Wearing American Football helmets increases cervicocephalic kinaesthetic awareness in “elite” American Football players but not controls
No full textBACKGROUND:
While there have been investigations into the reduced neck injury rate of wearing protective helmets, there is little information on its effects on normal kinaesthetic neck function. This study aims to quantify the kinaesthetic and movement effects of the American football helmet.
METHODS:
Fifteen British Collegiate American football players (mean age 22.2, SD 1.9; BMI kg.m(2) 26.3, SD 3.7) were age and size matched to 11 non-American football playing university students (mean age 22.5, SD 3.6; BMI 24.3, SD 3.3 kg.m(2)). Both groups had their active cervical range of motion and head repositioning accuracy measured during neck flexion/extension using a modified cervical range of motion device and a similarly modified football helmet.
RESULTS:
Wearing helmets significantly reduced active cervical range of motion in extension in both groups (P = 0.007 and P = 0.001 Controls and American Footballers respectively). While both groups had similar repositioning when not wearing a helmet (flexion P = 0.99; extension P = 0.52), when wearing helmets, American football players appeared to be more accurate in relation to cervical kinaesthetic repositioning (ANOVA: P = 0.077: flexion effect size =0.84; extension effect size =0.38).
CONCLUSIONS:
Wearing American football helmets significantly reduces the active cervical range of motion in extension, along with a change in the neutral head position. American footballers have a greater accuracy in repositioning their head from flexion (potentially enhanced proprioception) when wearing a helmet. This finding might allow development of a simple objective test to help discern presence of minor concussive or cervical musculoskeletal injury on or off the field
The between-match variability of peak power output and Creatine Kinase responses to soccer match-play
No full textPost-match assessments of peak power output (PPO) during countermovement jumps and creatine kinase (CK) concentrations are common markers of recovery status in soccer players. Yet, the impact of soccer match-play on recovery in the 48 hours after competition is unclear, and the between-match variability of these responses has not been examined. Fourteen reserve team players from an English Premier League club were examined over 1-4 matches per player. Creatine kinase and PPO were measured before, 24, and 48 hours after each match. Data were analyzed with within-subjects linear mixed models. Compared with the prematch baseline, PPO was 237 ± 170 W and 98 ± 168 W lower at 24 and 48 hours, respectively (p ≤ 0.005) and CK was elevated (24 hours: 334.8 ± 107.2 μ·L(-1), 48 hours: 156.9 ± 121.0 μ·L(-1); both p ≤ 0.001) after match-play. These responses were consistent across the different matches and playing positions (p > 0.05). Within-subject correlations between PPO and CK were significant (r = -0.558; p ≤ 0.005). The between-match variability of PPO was 10.9, 11.0, and 9.9%, respectively at baseline, 24 and 48 hours, whereas for CK, the variability was 41.7, 30.0, and 34.3%, respectively. These findings highlight that more than 48 hours are needed to restore metabolic and performance perturbations after soccer match-play, and that CK demonstrates greater between-match variability than PPO. Such information is likely to be of interest to those responsible for the design of training schedules in the days after a match and sports scientists whose responsibilities include the monitoring of recovery status in soccer players
Strength and power predictors of sprinting performance in professional rugby players
No full textAIM:
The ability to accelerate and attain high levels of speed is an essential component of success in team sports; however, the physical qualities that underpin these activities remain unclear. This study aimed to determine some of the key strength and power predictors of speed within professional rugby union players.
METHODS:
Twenty professional male rugby union players participated in this study. Subjects were tested for speed (0-10 m sprint and a flying 10 m sprint), strength (3 repetition maximum squat), lower body power (countermovement jumps [CMJ] and drop jumps [DJ]), reactive strength and leg spring stiffness. The strength and power variables were expressed as absolute values and relative values for analysis.
RESULTS:
Both relative strength (r=-0.55, P<0.05) and relative power (-0.82, P<0.01) were negatively correlated with 10 m time. Leg spring stiffness and DJ contact time were also related to the flying 10 m time (r=-0.46 and 0.47, respectively, P<0.05) while reactive strength index was negatively related to both the 10 m and flying 10 m times (r=-0.60 and r=-0.62, P<0.05).
CONCLUSION:
This study provides an insight into those physical attributes that underpin sprinting performance in professional rugby union players and specifically highlights the importance of relative strength and power in the expression and development of different speed components (e.g. acceleration, maximum velocity)
A strategy for implementing genomics into nursing practice informed by three behaviour change theories
No full textGenomics is an ever increasing aspect of nursing practice, with focus being directed towards improving health. The authors present an implementation strategy for the incorporation of genomics into nursing practice within the UK, based on three behaviour change theories and the identification of individuals who are likely to provide support for change. Individuals identified as Opinion Leaders and Adopters of genomics illustrate how changes in behaviour may occur among the nursing profession. The core philosophy of the strategy is that genomic nurse Adopters and Opinion Leaders who have direct interaction with their peers in practice will be best placed to highlight the importance of genomics within the nursing role. The strategy discussed in this paper provides scope for continued nursing education and development of genomics within nursing practice on a larger scale. The recommendations may be of particular relevance for senior staff and management
Preparing for Home: A before and after study to investigate the effects of a neonatal discharge package aimed at increasing parental knowledge, understanding and confidence in caring for their preterm infant before and after discharge from hospital.
No full textBackground. Improved survival and shorter lengths of stay for preterm infants, together with poorly organised discharge planning in some neonatal units leaves many parents ill-prepared to take their babies home, with increased use of out of hours services. Despite the importance accorded to family-oriented neonatal care by the Department of Health and NICE, few neonatal units offer structured, family-oriented discharge planning.
Objectives. To implement a parent-oriented discharge planning approach (Train-to-Home) for preterm infants and investigate the effects on parental self-efficacy scores, infants’ length of stay (LOS) and use of healthcare resources in the 8 weeks after discharge.
Design. A before and after study, investigating the effects of the Train-to-Home during two 11 month periods, immediately before and after its implementation.
Setting. Four Local Neonatal Units in Southwest England.
Participants. Infants without major anomalies born at 27-33 weeks gestation admitted to the participating units, and their parents.
Train-to-Home Intervention. A parent-oriented package which incorporated approaches to improving parents’ involvement in and understanding of their baby’s needs. It comprised a train graphic and supporting care pathways to facilitate parents’ understanding of their baby’s progress through the neonatal unit, combined with improved estimation, soon after hospital admission, of the baby’s likely discharge date.
Main outcome measures. Perceived Maternal (and Paternal) Parenting Self-efficacy (PMPS-E) scores before and after implementing the Train-to-Home together with infant LOS and healthcare utilisation after discharge.
Results. Parents reported that the Train-to-Home improved their understanding of their baby’s progress, and their preparedness for discharge. There was no significant change in PMPS-E scores after implementation of the Train-to-Home, but the number of visits to Emergency Departments (ED) fell from 31 to 20 (p<0.05), with a significant reduction in associated healthcare costs (£3400 to £2200; p< 0.05) after hospital discharge. There was no reduction in LOS, but in both phases of the study more than 50% of infants went home more than 3 weeks before their EDD. Many nurses felt that the estimated discharge dates were over optimistic, despite being based upon recent local data, and accurately predicting discharge dates for almost 75% of babies in the study.
Conclusions. In both phases of the study the very early discharge of most babies made further shortening of LOS very difficult to achieve. Despite the lack of measurable effect on the parental self-efficacy scores, the parents reported that their understanding and confidence in caring for their infants were improved by the Train-to-Home, and the reduction in ED attendance and associated costs supports this assessment. The present study was limited by the tight time constraints for implementation, limited cascading of staff training, and lack of staff confidence in the estimated dates of discharge.
Future work. Provision of the Train-to-Home as a web-based system allowing individual neonatal units and parents to access and use the materials may allow more effective implementation in the future.
Study Registration. Not applicable
Funding details.Funded by a grant (11/1015/09) from the NIHR Health Services and Delivery Research Programme
Development of model based controllers for fuel cell systems
No full textIn this chapter, fuel cell system modelling and controller development for performance improvements, are investigated. Essentially and in general terms there are two approaches to modelling; black box modelling and detailed dynamic modelling. This chapter introduces both modelling approaches and then used to apply to hydrogen fuel cell system and controller development for improved system performance. In addition, design and analysis of model based control systems are described with reference to a newly designed fuzzy-PID hybrid controller and the results indicate that the fuzzy-PID hybrid control strategy can improve the system’s performance significantly
Can the United Kingdom construction industry implement innovative sustainable procurement strategies?
No full textThe aim of this study was to examine the implementation of innovative sustainable procurement techniques within the United Kingdom Construction Industry (UKCI) to allow the authors to make recommendations for improvement, promoting the adoption of good practice. The research identified not only a range of benefits from the implementation of sustainable procurement strategies but also barriers to the success of such initiatives. The research extended a previous scoping study and employed a cross-sectional study utilising semi-structured interviews to test the initial findings. The findings from this further research suggests that companies should embrace innovative sustainable procurement strategies in their entirety, embedding strategies fully within the organisation to achieve maximum benefits and cost savings. The cost of implementation should be communicated widely to quell the myth that implementation is expensive. The supply chain should work collaboratively to increase the knowledge of less experienced organisations, leading to increased participation from those more resistant to change. The UK Government should continue to encourage the supply chain to act innovatively and sustainably by improving the awareness of such topics. The research also suggested that where a local supply chain is employed, smaller organisations should be fully supported to access to the correct goods and services, allowing the freedom to employ innovative sustainable procurement policies, therefore meeting the requirements of contractors and clients. Although the UKCI would benefit from a more integrated supply chain, the authors question where support may come from to achieve this.RIC
Quasirandom group actions
No full textLet G be a finite group acting transitively on a set Ω. We study what it means for this action to
be quasirandom, thereby generalizing Gowers’ study of quasirandomness in groups. We connect
this notion of quasirandomness to an upper bound for the convolution of functions associated with
the action of G on Ω. This convolution bound allows us to give sufficient conditions such that sets
S ⊆ G and ∆ 1 , ∆ 2 ⊆ Ω contain elements s ∈ S , ω 1 ∈ ∆ 1 , ω 2 ∈ ∆ 2 such that s(ω 1 ) = ω 2 . Other
consequences include an analogue of ‘the Gowers trick’ of Nikolov and Pyber for general group
actions, a sum-product type theorem for large subsets of a finite field, as well as applications to
expanders and to the study of the diameter and width of a finite simple group.33 pagesSupported by EPSRC First Grant: EP/N010957/
Collective Efficacy at the Rugby World Cup 2015 – The Role of Imagery and Observation
No full textThe Rugby World Cup in 2015 will present each competing team with unique psychological challenges not usually encountered in normal international fixtures. In the "pressure-pot" environment of the tournament, teams that have the strongest sense of collective efficacy will most likely perform to their best and respond positively to the outside stressors (e.g., media interest, public expectations). In this review, the importance of collective efficacy to team performance at the World Cup in terms of team resiliency and minimising process losses is discussed. In addition, the relationship between collective efficacy and other psychological factors such as team cohesion is highlighted. From a practical perspective, an introduction to interventions to develop collective efficacy is provided. In particular, the neuroscience evidence for the use of imagery and observation interventions to improve individual collective efficacy perceptions is highlighted. It is emphasised how these interventions are particularly suited to international teams who compete together sporadically. Finally, specific recommendations are made such that practitioners might be able to implement these strategies with their teams before the World Cu