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Playing Surface Impacts Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test (Level 1) Performance and Validity of Indirect VO2max Estimation
No full textInternational Journal of Exercise Science 18(8): 1142-1150, 2025. https://doi.org/10.70252/PGPL8156 This study compared performance on the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (YYIR1) and the agility t-test between two playing surfaces, artificial turf and natural grass. This study also assessed agreement between estimated VO2max from the YYIR1 on artificial turf and natural grass with laboratory measured VO2max. Male collegiate soccer players completed three experimental sessions on separate days: YYIR1 and t-test on artificial turf, YYIR1 and t-test on natural grass, and a laboratory VO2max test. The validated Bangsbo et al. equation was used to estimate VO2max from YYIR1 distance. Participants covered more distance (2370 ± 662 vs. 1441 ± 463 m, p \u3c .001) and reached higher maximal aerobic speed (17.29 ± 0.99 vs. 15.76 ± 0.78 km/h, p \u3c .001) on natural grass. Agility t-test was faster on grass (8.75 ± 0.53 vs. 9.43 ± 0.73 s, p \u3c .001). Grass estimated VO2max was higher than laboratory VO2max and turf estimated VO2max (58.0 ± 4.5 vs. 54.2 ± 3.4 vs. 49.8 ± 3.4 mL/kg/min, p \u3c .001). Grass estimated VO2max was positively correlated with turf estimated VO2max (r = 0.91, p \u3c .001). Bland-Altman analysis indicated that grass estimated VO2max overestimated laboratory VO2max and turf estimated VO2max underestimated laboratory VO2max (p \u3c .001). Findings indicate playing surface is a critical factor in the performance outcome and accuracy of field-based aerobic fitness assessment. Findings emphasize the importance of considering environmental and contextual variables when administering and interpreting assessment data
Evaluating the Effect of a REST Team Tea Cart on Nurse-Reported Comfort, Healing, and Empathy
No full textAbstract
In response to the increasing emotional and physical demands placed on healthcare professionals, a not-for-profit health system in Southwest Florida implemented a wellness initiative, focusing on the intentional care of the spirit through its Spiritual Services, Resilience Education Support Team (REST), and its area Faith Community Nurses (FCN), called the REST Tea Cart service. Initially, the REST Tea Cart was designed to promote emotional well-being by providing staff members with complimentary tea, cookies, and inspirational note cards, aiming to create moments of peace and respite during the workday. It would grow much more, expanding beyond the hospital’s walls and touching the lives of many of its employees. The local FCNs, who volunteered to serve the staff, thought it important and meaningful to investigate its impact on hospital employees. Because the hospital was well into the process of obtaining Magnet status, it was relevant for FCNs to explore this initiative and its effects on nursing. To evaluate the impact of this initiative on nurses, the project coordinators developed a social well-being survey, which was distributed across three of the system’s five hospitals. The survey employed a 5-point Likert scale to quantify nurses’ measurable ratings of empathy, comfort, and the extent to which the REST Tea Cart contributed to a healing work environment. The results revealed overwhelmingly positive responses, with most nurses selecting “strongly agree” or “agree” across all measured domains. These findings indicated that small, intentional acts of kindness, such as the service provided by the REST Tea Cart, had a meaningful impact on a nurse’s well-being and helped foster a more empathetic, comforting, and healing workplace environment.
Keywords: initiative, resilience, well-being, empathy, comfort, healing, workplace environment, intentional care of the spiri
INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN BARBADOS USING APPLIED FORENSIC HYDROLOGY
No full textBarbados relies on karst aquifers for over 90% of its freshwater supply, making the protection of these vulnerable groundwater resources an urgent priority. Increasing demand, urbanization, and contamination risks have underscored the need for a detailed understanding of the island’s complex karst hydrogeology and aquifer vulnerability. Focusing on the southern part of the island, this study employs an integrated approach combining recharge analysis, hydrogeochemical monitoring, fluorescent dye tracing, and the development and application of site evaluation tools, including the Urban Karst Aquifer Resource Evaluation (UKARE) toolbox and the newly developed Scoring Index for Tracer Experiments (SITE). Findings show that effective recharge was limited and episodic, indicating that aquifer replenishment primarily occurs during the wet season, which sustains groundwater baseflow throughout the dry season. Hydrogeochemical data reveals a dual flow system: rapid conduit pathways facilitate swift transport of surface water and contaminants, while slower diffuse flow through the limestone matrix results in delayed and buffered responses. The dye tracing study produced multiple questionable positive detections across adjacent basins during dry-season conditions, suggesting a highly interconnected karst flow system may exist, even when recharge is minimal.
To support future research efforts, the SITE framework was developed to optimize tracer study design and site selection, while the UKARE toolbox provided a comprehensive assessment of system vulnerability and monitoring priorities. Together, these tools and findings represent a crucial step toward refining groundwater protection strategies that effectively address the dynamic and complex flow regimes of Barbados. Conducted in collaboration with the Barbados Water Authority (BWA) and the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH), this research offers vital insights that will advance effective groundwater management not only in Barbados but also in other tropical karst environments worldwide
Biddle Physical Ability Test (BPAT) Performance by Attempt in Southern California Structural Firefighter Candidates
No full textInternational Journal of Exercise Science 18(8): 895-909, 2025. The Biddle Physical Ability Test (BPAT) is a job task simulation that must be completed in ≤9:34 min:s by structural firefighter candidates to be accepted to a fire training academy. This study investigated the influence of prior attempts on BPAT time. Retrospective analysis was conducted on 1435 male and 72 female candidates. All participants received equivalent instruction on how to complete the BPAT which incorporated: dry hose drag; charged hose drag; halyard raise; roof walk; attic crawl; roof ventilation; victim removal; ladder removal and carry; stair climb with hose bundle; crawling search; stair climb with air bottles; and hose hoist. Candidates in the dataset were split into 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and ≥6th attempt groups. A one-way ANOVA, with Bonferroni post hoc, compared groups in BPAT time (all times combined and passing times only; p≤0.05). All candidates who failed to meet time requirements, did not finish, or were disqualified, were recorded. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd attempt groups were significantly (p≤0.007) slower than the 4th, 5th, and ≥6th attempt groups when considering all and passing times. The percentage of candidates that did not pass the BPAT relative to their attempt group was: 1st = 13%; 2nd = 6%; 3rd = 7%; 4th = 2%; 5th = 0%; ≥6th = \u3c1%. Most candidates passed the BPAT. However, BPAT practice based on previous attempts generally led to faster times and more candidates passing. It could be beneficial for candidates to attend practice courses and fitness training sessions to improve BPAT performance
Editorial: A Step-by-step Statistical Decision Framework for a Gender-inclusive Approach in Sport and Exercise Science Research
No full textInternational Journal of Exercise Science 18(1): 1010-1029, 2025. The conflation of sex and gender in sport and exercise science research has led to gaps in representation and understanding of gender-inclusive outcomes. This invited editorial presents a framework to guide researchers in conducting statistical analyses that account for multiple gender identities beyond the traditional binary classification. The invited editorial guides deliberation on whether to test for sex or gender differences in sport or exercise science research. It prompts investigators to answer the question, “Is there a valid, literature-supported rationale for investigating sex or gender differences?” If “yes”, we propose approaches that may help investigators plan a study for two sex or gender groups, or in situations with three or more sex or gender groups. The editorial provides a valid, step-by-step statistical decision framework to ensure a robust, and ethical, research design while addressing the limitations of current sex- and gender-based classifications in sport and exercise science. By adopting gender-inclusive research practices, the field can better support equitable exercise prescriptions, rehabilitation strategies, and training periodization for diverse populations
EFFECTS OF ACUTE LOW-INTENSITY WALKING ON ATTENTIVENESS IN THE CLASSROOM
No full textThere is evidence to support the notion that moderate to high-intensity exercise facilitates blood flow to the brain. Blood flow increases oxygen to the prefrontal cortex, which plays a significant role in cognitive function. Also, the prefrontal cortex is responsible for attentiveness, which is crucial for learning. However, the benefits of low-intensity exercise on acute and lasting attentiveness have yet to be studied in depth. College students often perform low-intensity walking between classes, which may have a potential benefit for in-class learning. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of low-intensity walking on attentiveness for college-aged students. It was hypothesized that a low-intensity treadmill walk would improve: 1) immediate post-exercise attentiveness, 2) lasting attentiveness in class, more than sitting. METHODS: Fifty students (age = 20 ± 2 yrs, nmale = 22, nfemale = 28, nundergrad = 41, ngrad = 9) participated in two conditions: 1) low-intensity walking on a treadmill at 40% heart rate reserve while watching a 22 min show, and 2) sitting and watching another episode of the same show. Following each condition, attentiveness was measured with two Trail Making Tests (TMT). Lasting attentiveness in a lecture-based class was measured with the Attentional Control Scale (ACS). At the end of the lecture, the ACS was emailed to participants for immediate completion. Dependent t-tests (p £ 0.05) were used to determine significant differences between each condition. RESULTS: There were no differences in acute attentiveness as measured with the TMT (sitting: 39.82 ± 11.78, walking: 38.58 ± 15.04; p \u3e 0.05). The ACS demonstrated improvement in lasting attentiveness for class (sitting: 24.14 ± 7.58, walking: 20.82 ± 8.31; p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: As measured under these conditions, low-intensity exercise improved lasting, but not acute, attentiveness. The primary explanation for the observed results was that walking may have increased blood flow, which increased lasting attentiveness. The TMT may have elicited a learning effect, which may have reduced acute attentiveness accuracy. Future research is needed to investigate the immediate effects of post-exercise attentiveness, methods of resting heart rate measurement, and expand self-report measurements
ASSESSING THE EFFECT OF ANKLE TAPING IN AMATEUR FIGURE SKATERS PERFORMING A DIP
No full textAnkle range of motion (ROM) restriction through boot taping has emerged as a prevalent practice among competitive figure skaters and is thought to enhance stability. However, the biomechanical implications of this technique on both ankle mechanics and more proximal kinetic chain effects are unstudied. The Dip, a fundamental figure skating element requiring substantial ROM, presents an ideal standardized movement for evaluating the impact of these modifications on performance. Purpose: To assess the impact of circumferential ankle taping on a figure skater’s lower extremity kinematics during a Dip on synthetic ice. Methods: A crossover design was used to assess the effect of a circumferential tape (CT) on Dip kinematics. Figure skaters with at least one year of experience and ownership of their own figure skating boots participated (n=10, height: 154.3 ± 12.5, mass: 52.5 ± 19.8, age: 15.9 ± 6.3). Participants were gathered from a convenience sample of figure skaters with a minimum age of 7 and at least one year of figure skating experience. After a standardized warmup, and a familiarization period with the synthetic ice, each skater performed 7 Dips on the synthetic ice under two conditions: CT and non-taped (NT). Condition order alternated between participants. Duct tape was applied by the same figure skating coach for each participant. Trunk and lower extremity kinematic data were collected using nine inertial measurement unit sensors. Comparisons between conditions were analyzed via group and single subject Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM) t-tests (α = 0.05). Kinematic variables for the SPM t-tests were analyzed from 30º before to 30º after peak knee flexion and interpolated to 101 data points. Results: There were no significant group differences between conditions for any sagittal or frontal plane kinematics. The single subjects analyses support a lack of differences between the two conditions as no variable demonstrated more than 30% of participants with a difference. Conclusion: The lack of significant findings indicate that a CT does not impact lower extremity and trunk kinematics during a Dip. These findings should be substantiated during other skating maneuvers that may place more stress on frontal plane kinematics. It should also be noted that these results are preliminary with further data pending
EFFECT OF IN SEASON STRESS ON COGNITIVE ABILITIES IN DIVISION III WOMEN’S SOCCER PLAYERS
No full textQuantifying soccer players\u27 physical load and cognitive abilities is crucial for monitoring stress. PURPOSE: To examine how in-season physical and psychological demands affect collegiate soccer players\u27 cognitive abilities. METHODS: NCAA Division III female soccer players (n=22; 20.3 years + 1.5, 163.7 cm + 5.8, 64.1 kg + 8.2) were divided by position: Goalkeepers (GK), Forwards (F), Defenders (D), Midfielders (MF), and Wingers (W). Each completed cognitive testing at three time points: beginning (P1), midpoint (P2), and end of season (P3) using a sensorimotor station to assess visual clarity, peripheral vision, near-far shift, multiple object tracking, decision-making, and reaction time. Athletes performed weekly countermovement jumps (CMJ) on a force plate to measure jump height (JH), reactive strength index-modified (mRSI), and braking rate of force development (BRFD). GPS units tracked daily practice and game data, including hard running distance (HRD), 3D load, and total distance (TD). Data were analyzed by position and season period via ANOVA, with significance being set at p = 0.10. RESULTS: GK had better near-far quickness than MF (p=0.01) and W (p=0.06) and better reaction time than F (p=0.08). Defenders outperformed MF in near-far quickness (p=0.07). Across time points, P3 showed better near-far shift than P1 (p=0.002) and P2 (p=0.05). Reaction time improved in P3 vs. P1 (p=0.08). No significant differences were found in CMJ performance across positions or time points. GPS data showed D covered more TD than MF (p=0.02), and W had greater HRD than MF (p=0.04) in P1. CONCLUSION: Cognitive abilities varied by position and season period, while physical loads differed across positions. CMJ performance remained consistent. Incorporating cognitive training may enhance performance. Further research should explore training strategies to improve cognition and examine correlations between physical load and cognitive function