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Match play performance characteristics that predict post-match creatine kinase responses in professional rugby union players
No full textBackground
Rugby union players can take several days to fully recover from competition. Muscle damage induced during the match has a major role in player recovery; however the specific characteristics of match play that predict post-match muscle damage remains unclear. We examined the relationships between a marker of muscle damage and performance characteristics associated with physical contacts and high-speed movement in professional rugby union players.
Methods
Twenty-eight professional rugby union players (15 forwards, 13 backs) participated in this study. Data were obtained from 4 European Cup games, with blood samples collected 2 h pre, and 16 and 40 h post-match, and were subsequently analysed for creatine kinase (CK). Relationships between changes in CK concentrations and number of physical contacts and high-speed running markers, derived from performance analysis and global positioning system (GPS) data, were assessed.
Results
Moderate and moderate-large effect-size correlations were identified between contact statistics from performance analysis and changes in CK at 16 and 40 h post-match in forwards and backs, respectively (e.g. backs; total impacts vs. ΔCK (r = 0.638, p < 0.01) and Δ% CK (r = 0.454, p < 0.05) 40 h post-match). Furthermore, moderate effect-size correlations were found between measures of high-speed running and sprinting, and changes in CK at 16 and 40 h post-match within the backs (e.g. high-speed running distance vs. ΔCK (r = 0.434, p = 0.056) and Δ% CK (r = 0.437, p = 0.054) 40 hrs post-match).
Conclusions
Our data demonstrate that muscle damage induced by professional rugby union match play is to some extent predicted by the number of physical contacts induced during performance. Furthermore, we show for the first time that muscle damage in backs players is predicted by high-speed running measures derived from GPS. These data increase the understanding of the causes of muscle damage in rugby union; performance markers could potentially be used to tailor individual recovery strategies and subsequent training following rugby union competition.knowledge economy skill scholarship (KESS
Conceptualising commitment: A thematic analysis of fans of Welsh rugby
No full textSports fans derive much of their self-concept from their group membership and committing to a specific team is an essential component of fandom. Few studies, however, examine how sports fans commit to their team, or what commitment means for them. An exploratory qualitative study was, therefore, conducted to investigate sports fans’ understanding of commitment. Using focus groups, Welsh rugby fans from three regions in Wales discussed their commitment to their favourite team. Thematic analysis was used to interpret Welsh rugby fans’ dominant thoughts about their commitment where four themes were identified in the data: affective loyalty, involvement, distinctiveness and individualism. In general, sports fans distinguished between different types of commitment and used commitment as a means for evaluating in- and out-group fan behaviour, as well as for personal image management. Future research could build on the present study by using these themes to develop a measurement scale for assessing fans’ commitment to their team
CFD Modelling of a Tidal Stream Turbine Subjected to Profiled Flow
No full textThis study used computational fluid dynamics to investigate the effect of waves and a velocity profile on the performance of a tidal stream turbine (TST). A full scale TST was transiently modelled operating near its maximum power point, and then subjected to waves both in and out of phase with its period of rotation. A profile was then added to one of the wave models. For this set of conditions it was found that the longer period and in-phase wave had a significant effect on the power range fluctuations, with more modest variations for thrust and the average values, although this is dependent on the turbine tip speed ratio. The addition of the profile had a strong effect on the bending moment. It has been concluded that a naturally varying sea state may yield a smoothing effect in this turbine response, but that with further structural investigation it may be that some measuring and mitigation techniques are required in the event of a predominantly single long period, in-phase wave.Fujitsu Ltd. HPC Wales (HPCW55). EPSRC EP/J010200/1
The National DNA Database on Trial – Avoiding the Usual Suspects
No full textThe National DNA Database on Trial engaged young people with the ethical
and social issues surrounding the National DNA Database.
a Mock Trial model, the aims of the project were to promote education,
awareness raising and public participation in policy making. The project
successfully reached those aims, and demonstrated that young people can
understand complex genetic topics, and can be encouraged to make decisions
about the applications of DNA technology a%er consideration of the
surrounding ethical, social, and legal issues. Among other outcomes, the
project has helped facilitate the input of young people to the policy process,
as evidenced by their presentation to the Human Genetics Commission.Public Engagement Innovations for Horizon 2020Seventh Framework Programme, Collaborative Project,
Small or medium scale focused research project, SiS.2013.1.1.1-6: Tools and
instruments for a better societal engagement in “Horizon 2020
An Analysis of the Stakeholder Model of Public Boards and the Case of School Governing Bodies in England and Wales
No full textThis article analyses the stakeholder model of boards that is widely used in public and third sector
institutions in England and Wales. The central tenet of this model is that such institutions should be
strategically led by individuals who are representative of and from the groups that have an interest
in them. The article focuses in particular on the operation of the stakeholder model of governing
bodies of schools in England and Wales where a range of stakeholders including teachers, parents
and the community are represented. The issues that arise from this stakeholder model of governing
are analysed and the alternatives to it are considered. A significant alternative is the skillsbased
model, where boards are constituted on the basis of their expertise and not their interest in
the institution. This skills-based model is becoming more prominent in the way governing bodies of
academy schools in England are constituted and this is certainly the direction of travel outlined in
the 2015 regulations. The article reviews the stakeholder model for the governance of schools at a
time when there is much interest in the skills-based approach. The wider implications of shifting
from a stakeholder to a skills-based model of public board membership are considered
Development of a System for Anatomical Landmarks Localization using Ultrasonic Signals
No full textreview of the current protocols and techniques for the anthropometric measurements and postural assessment for wheelchair users and individuals with severe musculoskeletal problems was given. It was concluded that both contact and non contact methods have a number of significant limitations including time consuming measurement procedure, high cost and risk of excessive exposure to radiation. Many current approaches do not enable clinicians to accurately record and analyze the patient’s musculoskeletal configuration. The challenge still remains to combine the body shape data with the precise identification and localization of anatomical landmarks for postural assessment. To address the need for easy to use, low cost, reliable measurement of anatomical landmarks ultrasound measurement system has been proposed. The main elements of the system are: ultrasound transmitters, receiver, digital-analog converter, signal conditioning equipment and laptop executing the signal processing algorithm. The prototype of the system was build and tested. The preliminary measurements of ultrasonic signals were realized and demonstrated the potential for this technique to be used in anthropometric and postural assessments in the future.“© © 20xx IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works.
The effects of an imagery training program upon perceptions of collective efficacy of an elite wheelchair basketball team: a multiple baseline group case study
No full textA multiple baseline across groups design was used to examine the effects of an imagery intervention on perceptions of collective efficacy. Members (n = 10) from an international wheelchair basketball team were separated into three regional intervention groups. Each group completed a 4 week, video-aided, motivational general-mastery (MG-M) type imagery program with team content. Collective efficacy was measured via the Collective Efficacy Inventory (Callow, Hardy, Markland, & Shearer, 2004). Collective efficacy increased for the South group and became more consistent for the Midlands group. No changes were reported for the North group. Social validation measures indicated potential mechanisms via imagery effects on individual perceptions of self-efficacy and then collective efficacy. The results provide partial support for the use of MG-M type imagery interventions to enhance both individual and team perceptions of collective efficacy in elite wheelchair basketbal
The effects of an imagery intervention with motivational general mastery content upon collective efficacy perceptions for a novel team task
No full textThis study assessed the effects of an imagery intervention with motivational general-mastery (MG-M) content upon individual collective efficacy perceptions for a novel obstacle course task. Following an introductory orientation session participants (n = 24) were allocated into teams of 3 and assigned to either an imagery (n = 12) or control stretching intervention (n = 12). Each participant completed a 6-week intervention program with weekly supervised sessions. Collective efficacy and task cohesion was measured during the baseline and post-intervention sessions using the Collective Efficacy Inventory (CEI) [1] and the task factors of the Group Environment Questionnaire (GEQ) [2]. A mixed 2 × 2 ANOVA determined a significant main effect within groups between the baseline and post intervention collective efficacy scores. Significant interactions between time and group were also observed for collective efficacy scores and both task components of the GEQ. The results provide initial support for the use of imagery interventions with MG-M content to enhance individual perceptions of collective efficacy
Maximising Biohydrogen Yields via Continuous Electrochemical Hydrogen Removal and Carbon Dioxide Scrubbing
No full textThe use of electrochemical hydrogen removal (EHR) together with carbon dioxide removal (CDR) was demonstrated for the first time using a continuous hydrogen producing fermenter. CDR alone was found to increase hydrogen yields from 0.07 mol H2 molhexose to 0.72 mol H2 molhexose. When CDR was combined with EHR, hydrogen yields increased further to 1.79 mol H2 molhexose. The pattern of carbohydrate utilisation and volatile fatty acid (VFA) production are consistent with the hypothesis that increased yields are the result of relieving end product inhibition and inhibition of microbial hydrogen consumption. In situ removal of hydrogen and carbon dioxide as demonstrated here not only increase hydrogen yield but also produces a relatively pure product gas and unlike other approaches can be used to enhance conventional, mesophilic, CSTR type fermentation of low grade/high solids biomass.The authors would like to acknowledge the participation of Hydrogen Efficiency Technologies (HyET). This work was supported by funding from The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Hydrogen Fuel Cell Consortium (EP/J016454/1), and the FLEXIS research project (WEFO 80835)
The potential use of shear viscosity to monitor polymer conditioning of sewage sludge digestates
No full textThe work assessed the use of shear viscosity at 0.1 s−1 (View the MathML sourceη[0.1s−1]) as a parameter to detect changes in the conditioning and dewatering of digestates. Total and soluble fractions of organic matter of digestate samples before and after storage were also assessed in regards to their conditioning and dewatering performance. Digestate from a conventional mesophilic anaerobic digestion (CMAD) and advanced anaerobic digestion (AAD) plants were used. Linear regression and correlation analysis of 29 different parameters showed that soluble and total fractions of organic matter (Norg, Sc, Sp, Tp, TKN/COD, tCOD and sCOD) during plant operation and storage conditions correlated (r between 0.80 and 0.99) with the variation in polymer dose, floc strength and CST of conditioned digestate samples. The variations occurred within the content of soluble and total fractions of organic matter, and showed to correlate with both conditioning requirements and the variation in View the MathML sourceη[0.1s−1]. The work concluded that View the MathML sourceη[0.1s−1] measurements of unconditioned digestate samples have the potential to be used as a parameter to monitor conditioning requirements during digestate storage or during process changes. It was found important to analyse soluble and total fractions of organic matter in order to understand the changes in View the MathML sourceη[0.1s−1] within specific process conditions.This work has been funded by the A4B Programme (financially supported by the European Regional Development Fund) for the AAPBS project and the Welsh Government (HE 14 15 1009)