16168 research outputs found
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Wrist injury prevention in gymnastics: Gymnast and coach perspectives
No full textThis study assesses the understanding and awareness of injury prevention programmes in minimising wrist injuries in gymnastics. The study uses a mixed-method approach, collecting extensive data via an anonymous online survey for gymnasts and their parents or guardians, and interviews with coaches. The research aims to understand program awareness, implementation, barriers, and outcomes from various perspectives. The findings from the study contribute to the existing body of knowledge on wrist injury prevention in gymnastics and provide valuable insights for improving training practices and program design to create safer gymnast-centric training programs. The study shows that flexibility and strength training alone do not significantly reduce wrist injuries in gymnastics, suggesting the need for a more comprehensive injury prevention approach. Findings also highlight the importance of balancing training frequency with adequate rest days to minimise injury risk. The lack of awareness and inconsistent implementation of injury prevention programs indicates a need for better communication and education among gymnasts, coaches and their parents/guardians. Interviews with coaches emphasise gradual training progression, strength building, and holistic well-being, underscoring the importance of a multifaceted approach to injury prevention. The study concludes that injury prevention programs must be prioritised and implemented effectively to further reduce the risk of wrist injuries, highlighting the importance of a multifaceted individualised approach to wrist injury prevention in gymnastics
Do youth in sport stay out of court? Insights and recommendations for families, coaches, community groups, sports organisations, and policymakers
No full textIn Aotearoa New Zealand, rugby and rugby league are popular sporting codes, historically and particularly among males. In their 2023 annual reports, New Zealand Rugby reported 147,434 registered participants, while New Zealand Rugby League reported 28,180. Both institutions have also developed equity, diversity and inclusion strategies aimed at nurturing the participation and involvement of women and girls, as well as Māori and Pacific communities. However, while both codes have recorded an increase in female participation, there has been a gradual decline in male participation (Cully, 2023; Radio New Zealand, 2023; Wilson, 2022). This decline in sport participation has also been noted by (former) Principal Youth Court Judge Andrew Becroft, who found that young male offenders are often not involved in sport (Bruce, 2013; Sport NZ, 2018).
This report summarises the findings of a study that examines sports attrition in relation to youth offending. In that study, the author (Clarke, 2012) examined the childhood and youth sporting experiences and illegal activities of five young men aged between 18 and 25 years old.
The aim of this report is to provide insights into how these young men became involved in sport and why they dropped out, how they became involved in crime, and possible links between their sport participation and offending. Their experiences highlight several issues that can be addressed by parents/caregivers, clubs, sport administrators, coaches, community groups, sports organisations, and policymakers.
In course of the study, six key observations were made. For these young men:
1. rugby and or rugby league were their primary and final sporting codes;
2. these sports were or had become ‘just a game’;
3. aggressive coaches diminished their enjoyment and commitment to sport;
4. their parents/caregivers were absent from their sporting lives;
5. their participation in sport and crime was simultaneous; and
6. the collision aspect of rugby and rugby league may have helped to facilitate their offending.
In this document, the names of these young men have been replaced with aliases. To provide the reader with a richer and deeper understanding of the issues, the report features a number of their stories and reflections (edited for readability only). The research methods are briefly outlined in Appendix 1. Sources included in this report are listed in the References section. For a fuller review of the literature and the research analysis refer to the original research document (Clarke, 2012)
Conceptions of nature of technology in educational research: a systematic literature review
No full textSince the inception of Technology Education, the learning area and its advocates have struggled for legitimacy. Part of this challenge stems from difficulties in articulating the nature of technology (NoT) and its unique contribution to education. This article presents a systematic review of NoT in educational research, analysing empirical studies that investigate teachers’ conceptions of NoT. An analysis of the 22 included studies showed significant differences in the ways that NoT is theorised in educational research. In highlighting both the complexity of NoT and Technology Education as a learning area, 11 distinct aspects of NoT were identified in this study. This analysis also revealed tensions between a focus on specific technology/ies and Technology-as-phenomenon, suggesting the need for conceptual coherence in future research. Implications are drawn for understanding NoT, Technology Education, and the position of Technology Education in broader education narratives
Kinetics of Oxidation of Binary Ti-Cu Alloys in the 600–800 °C Temperature Range
No full textThe oxidation behaviour of Ti alloys is a crucial aspect for structural components operating at high service temperature. The aim of this study is to identify the oxidation kinetics and mechanism of binary Ti-Cu alloys with a progressively higher amount of Cu with the alloys having a α + β lamellar structure. It is found that all the alloys followed a non-ideal (i.e., n ≠ 2) parabolic relationship, as controlled by anionic oxygen diffusion, with a distinct effect from both oxidation temperature and alloy chemistry. Specifically, faster oxidation kinetics are found both at higher temperatures and for higher Cu contents, resulting in the formation of thicker oxide scale layers. The oxidation mechanism primarily entails the formation of the stable TiO2 rutile polymorph. However, transitions through metastable phases (e.g., anatase) and texturing of rutile are also revealed as dictated by the composition of the alloy at specific oxidation temperature/time pairs
Recent changes to welfare policy & the labour market
No full textThis presentation:
- Outlines changes to the welfare system, (job seeker’s benefit).
- Discusses likely impacts on the New Zealand labour market.
- Compares the approach taken by the previous Labour Government.
- Makes concluding comments regarding the interaction of welfare and the labour market
Collaborative processes in the development of the International Competences for Undergraduate Psychology (ICUP) Model
No full textAcross all nations, undergraduate psychology programmes aim to promote the acquisition of foundational psychology competences. Yet, until recently, a universally recognised model outlining essential competences did not exist. The International Collaboration on Undergraduate Psychology Outcomes (ICUPO) addressed this gap by developing the International Competences for Undergraduate Psychology (ICUP) Model. The aim of this article is to provide guidance about how other groups might successfully approach similar efforts to delineate discipline-specific key competences. We describe the processes that led to the development of the ICUP Model, framed by group development theory (Preparing, Forming, Storming, Norming, and Performing Stages), with additional consideration of individual ICUPO Committee member psychological needs for competence, relatedness, and autonomy. Each group development Stage section (a) describes project activities relevant to the characteristics of that Stage, and (b) lists key strategies employed and lessons learned, as well as commentary on psychological needs. To further enhance the value of this endeavour, the Discussion includes (a) commentary on the strengths and limitations of these theories for understanding and enhancing the effectiveness of such project processes, and (b) actionable insights for educational leaders undertaking similar projects
Thermoplastic composites in sustainable construction: Topology optimisation and additive manufacturing for a recyclable and modular building system
No full textDespite the significant environmental impact of the building sector, sustainable building practices are yet to be widely adopted. This paper describes a practical approach based on computational design and additive manufacturing (AM) to generate modular and structural walls, following design for disassembly and recyclability principles. In this research, the anisotropy of recyclable
short-fibre reinforced thermoplastic (SFRTP) composites is utilised. The proposed methodology involves starting from the building’s typology and using topology optimisation (TO) as a form-finding tool in the design of structural wall modules. The finite element analyses (FEA) guiding the TO are based on conventional building-codes used for load calculations. The TO-defined modules are then further optimised in stiffness by matching the principal stress directions with the AM printing path. Two case studies, the ground floor of a 3-storey building and a bus shelter, are used to illustrate the outcome of the approach. This comprehensive workflow generates structural elements with built-in optimised and tailored performance while enabling unique geometries that combine structural efficiency with architectural creativity
Pātangaroa: Co-developing management strategies for a starfish outbreak in Ōhiwa Harbour
No full textThe management of marine environments often prioritises scientific information to address complex marine social-ecological issues. However, there is a wealth of learning to be gained from Indigenous people who have generated place-based intergenerational understandings and cultural ethics and practices. Consequently, Indigenous knowledge alongside science can offer better insights, holistic understanding, sustainable management strategies and greater sources of evidence. This research is located in Aotearoa New Zealand and engages in mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) alongside marine ecology as an appropriate method for contemporary marine research and management. The thesis study focused on Ōhiwa Harbour, aiming to co-develop a starfish management action plan (SMAP) with local iwi (tribe) Ngāti Awa and other affiliated iwi, district councils and regional council to address the overabundant starfish (species: Coscinasterias muricata and Patiriella regularis). By engaging in transdisciplinary research and collaborative decision-making, this study sought to bridge the gap between Indigenous knowledge and mainstream science, offering lessons for inclusive marine management practices.
To achieve this, I developed and prescribed a co-developed framework actively promoting a mixed-methods approach, inclusive of kaupapa Māori research methodologies, tikanga, participatory design, applied mātauranga ā iwi, quantitative marine scientific field methods and experimental study design. Through the collaborative process, I identified areas of appropriate research aims and methods. This included co-developing a novel starfish trapping methodology sensitive to local ecology and cultural values and an experimental starfish removal study to assist decision-makers in implementing an efficient and effective starfish removal regime as an approach to management.
Results from the field studies showed the efficacy of starfish traps is dependent on environmental conditions, physical characteristics and soaking time (the length of time the trap is left in the water). A soaking time of 48 h maintained the highest starfish catch per unit effort (CPUE) while minimising time to re-bait and reset traps. Observations also indicated an open trap design had less bycatch than a semi-enclosed box trap and could withstand the tidal currents for a longer period. The findings found that bait type did not impact on CPUE. In the starfish removal study, the combined effort of diver removals and trapping produced higher daily catch rates than the single treatments (i.e., diver removals only or trapping only), therefore was themost efficient removal method. The empirical information gathered from the field studies was then used to inform the SMAP and was accepted unanimously at the highest local/regional co-management level. Furthermore, through the findings I identified future research opportunities that would further close gaps in our knowledge around the best management approaches for a starfish outbreak. These included investigation into the predation impacts of P. regularis on mussel recruitment, identification of alternative restoration sites less susceptible to starfish predation pressures and investigation of potential drivers of the starfish outbreak.
Overall, the acceptance of the SMAP by local iwi/hapū and government authorities underscores the success of the collaborative approach. The collaborative process not only addresses the immediate concerns of starfish infestation but contributed to the broader goal of supporting kaitiakitanga (active guardianship) responsibilities and promoting Indigenous perspectives in marine management. This thesis demonstrates and recommends a new approach to starfish management in coastal marine areas using both marine science and mātauranga Māori understandings, practices and ethics, furthermore, it demonstrates the commitment to the inclusion of multiple knowledge systems and involvement of communities
Looking back to look forward to the female gaze: An analysis on the foundational filmmakers and their female protagonists.
No full textThis thesis examines theories of the female gaze through recognizing the foundational filmmakers and screenwriters who have explored varying female experiences throughout cinema history. Theories of the gaze stemmed from Laura Mulvey’s fundamental 1975 essay, from which her argument posited that mainstream Hollywood cinema constructs male centred subjects who control the gaze of the narrative, whilst female characters are depicted as objects who cater to the desires of the male spectator. Since then, theorists and scholars have explored ideas of a female gaze from which female-centred narratives are explored by filmmakers. Such narratives are explored by female protagonists who control the gaze through techniques crafted by directors and/or screenwriters, reflecting key ideologies and issues that resonate with the female spectator.
This research aims to discover how theories of the female gaze have been reconstructed throughout cinema history by female directors and/or screenwriters through the representation of their female protagonists. Through conducting comparative text analysis, this thesis analysed two films within four key periods in cinema including; the French New Wave, New Hollywood Cinema, the Blockbuster Age, and contemporary Independent Cinema, to explore a range of innovative and nuanced female protagonists who have represented various female experiences on screen.
This analysis showcases the long-standing history of theories surrounding the female gaze, and identifies the socio-cultural contexts that influenced the reconstruction of the gaze by filmmakers across time and space. The results of this research highlights the different interpretations of the female gaze by key filmmakers and/or screenwriters, illustrates similarities and disparities between protagonists by filmmakers during similar periods, and reveals the importance of
socio-cultural contexts that underpin various representations of female experiences throughout cinema history
Normative values for calf muscle strength-endurance in the general population assessed with the Calf Raise Application: A large international cross-sectional study
No full textBackground: Calf muscle strength-endurance can be reliably assessed with the Heel Rise Endurance Test (HRET), but normative values are lacking. Objectives: To establish normative values for calf muscle strength-endurance, adjusted for personal characteristics. Methods: 500 individuals without current/previous symptoms of Achilles tendinopathy or recent lower limb immobilization were included. Primary outcome measures were the number of repetitions, total work (J), total vertical displacement (cm), and peak height (cm) upon the single-leg HRET, assessed using the validated Calf Raise Application. A multiple quantile regression model was developed, incorporating covariates (personal characteristics) which significantly impacted HRET metrics. Median (50.0th percentile) and 95 % reference intervals (2.5th-97.5th percentiles) were derived. Results: 55 % of the participants were female and 88 % participated in physical activities. Median (dominant/non-dominant leg) number of repetitions was 25/24, total work was 1374/1325 J, vertical displacement was 192/186 cm, and peak height was 9.3/9.6 cm. There was no significant difference between the dominant and non-dominant leg for any HRET metric. Lower physical activity levels, female sex, and higher body mass index (BMI) were associated with lower HRET metrics. Conclusions: Normative calf muscle strength-endurance metrics (number of repetitions, total work, total displacement, and peak height) were developed. Personal characteristics influence HRET outcomes, with female sex, higher BMI, and lower physical activity levels being associated with lower HRET metrics. An openly accessible calculator for estimating normative HRET metrics was developed to help healthcare providers monitor personalized recovery trajectories and provide well-informed rehabilitation guidance. Documenting HRET metrics beyond repetition count may aid in assessing impairment severity and evaluating calf muscle function