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Effects of an acute bout of exercise on cognitive function in adults with cognitive impairment: A systematic review with meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Full text linkBackground: Acute exercise has been demonstrated to improve cognitive functioning among the general population. We provide the first review to establish the evidence for acute exercise to improve cognitive function among adults with cognitive impairment (CI). Methods: We conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the effects of a single exercise session on cognitive function. Data sources were PubMed, SportDiscus, PsychINFO, Cochrane Central, PEDro, and Embase. Eligibility criteria were RCT’s of acute exercise with participants aged 18+ and physician diagnosed or self-reported CI. We used dual data abstraction, risk of bias assessment and strength of evidence assessment. We pooled results using the inverse variance heterogeneity (IVhet) model or with narrative synthesis.Results: Fifteen studies (8 parallel group, 7 crossover) representing 500 participants were included, 10 in the meta-analysis. Acute exercise significantly improved executive function (moderate evidence, 9 studies, 330 participants, g=0.33, small effect, 95% CI [0.07 to 0.59], p=0.01, I²=26.77%). However, this was only for high risk of bias/crossover studies. Acute exercise improved reaction time, but not significantly (very low evidence, 7 studies, 271 participants, g=0.17, small effect, 95% CI [-0.20 to 0.54], p=0.36, I²=50.18%). Narratively, improvements were noted for memory, but there was mixed evidence for attention, information processing, and motor memory. Conclusions: Acute exercise provides a small improvement in executive function, and may also improve reaction time and memory for adults with CI. Additional research is needed before reaching an evidence-based consensus on the promotion of acute exercise for adults with CI
Solving climate change requires changing our food systems
No full textHumanity is facing an important existential threat—irreversible climate change caused by human activity. Until recently, most of the proposals to address climate change have downplayed or ignored the adverse impact of food systems, especially intensive animal agriculture. This is in spite of the fact that up to a third of global greenhouse gas production to date can be attributed to animal agriculture. Recent developments at COP28 have signaled that the tide is turning, however, and that food systems are becoming part of global discussions on climate change solutions. The pressing nature of irreversible climate change requires rethinking our food systems. To solve the climate change crisis, we propose transitioning to a predominantly plant-based diet, and phasing out intensive animal agriculture as diets shift, without increasing pastoral farming. We suggest that such transformations in global food systems can be accomplished largely through education and large-scale public information campaigns, removal of subsidies, taxation to account for externalized costs of animal agriculture, improved labelling of products, and various investment/divestment drivers. Better metrics and industry benchmarks involving food and agriculture-specific performance indicators that reflect food system sustainability will be important. Increased global awareness of these issues and a change in mindset (which will drive political will) also are needed. Our current trajectory is untenable, and we must begin to turn the ship now towards sustainable food systems and diets
Would it be feasible for European Union countries to implement Safe Access Zones for premises providing abortion services?
No full textAnti-abortion protestors situated near premises providing abortion services create barriers and hurdles to accessing abortion services, which violates the right of pregnant people to seek sexual and reproductive health services. There has been shown to be a need for Safe Access Zones (SAZs) to guarantee physical access to abortion services without obstruction. SAZs usually operate within a prescribed radius around premises providing abortion services and set out what behaviour is prohibited. The objective of this paper is to present a summary of the international experience of introducing and implementing SAZ laws, and to explain the lessons to be learned from this experience. SAZ legislation has been successfully enacted internationally in 22 jurisdictions (USA excluded). Countries with SAZ laws include Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and parts of Canada. Despite the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe calling for the introduction of SAZs in 2022, only two European Union (EU) countries have implemented this recommendation so far. On the basis of the medical and legal insights gained from the functioning of SAZs to date, it is the authors’ opinion that it would be feasible for the 25 EU countries that do not yet have such zones to legislate for SAZs
Developing Elite Strength and Conditioning Coaches’ Practice Through Facilitated Reflection
No full textRecent research has suggested that strength and conditioning (S&C) coach development should consider constructivist learning theories to promote coach development and learning of psychosocial coaching competencies. Reflective practice can encourage holistic learning through promoting an internal dialogue of the meaningfulness of an individual’s experiences. Our study aimed to examine the efficacy of a facilitated, guided, and longitudinal reflective process to promote coach learning of psychosocial coaching practice using Moon’s reflective framework. Over a four-week period, six elite S&C coaches engaged in a guided process reflection process with a facilitator. This included daily journaling in an e-diary with the facilitator providing feedback at the end of each week. At the end, each S&C coach participated in an exit interview. Data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Findings revealed that there were potential benefits for the S&C coach’s process of reflection such as providing accountability through developing a close relationship with the facilitator, which enabled the S&C coaches to more critically link learning to behaviour change. Furthermore, S&C coaches’ learning resulted in developing awareness of self/athlete’s needs, increased flexibility, and enhanced confidence. This resulted in S&C coaches developing psychosocial coaching competencies that enabled them to change their practice to become more athlete centred
Remote photoplethysmography for heart rate and blood oxygenation measurement: a Review
Full text linkUsually measured through obtrusive contact-based methods, heart rate (HR) and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) are critical physiological signs used by clinicians during emergency interventions. Remote Photoplethysmography (rPPG) allows for unobtrusive sensing of these vital signs for health monitoring in various settings. We present a review of rPPG-related research conducted including related processes and techniques, such as regions of interest (ROI) selection, extracting the raw signal, pre-processing data, applying noise reduction algorithms, Fast Fourier transforms (FFT), filtering and extracting these vital signs. Further, we present a detailed, critical evaluation of available rPPG systems. Limitations and future directions have also been identified to further advance this field
Transformational Leadership, Psychological Safety, and Concussion Reporting Intentions in Team-Sport Athletes
Full text linkBackground/Objectives: The present study examined the predictive relationships between transformational leadership, psychological safety, and concussion reporting intentions. Interviews were used to understand the impact of the coach and teammates on the team environment and how this might lead to greater concussion reporting in team-sport athletes. Methods: This study employed a mixed-methods explanatory sequential design. 233 team-sport athletes (n = 160 males, n = 73 females, mean age = 19.83 years, SD = 3.15) completed quantitative measures of transformational leadership, psychological safety, and concussion reporting intentions, while five participants (n = 2 males, n = 3 females, mean age = 18.40 years, SD = 0.55) were subsequently interviewed about their experiences. Results: Quantitative results indicated that transformational leadership predicted a psychologically safe environment (p < 0.001), and social norms for team-sport athletes predicted concussion reporting intentions (p < 0.001). Qualitative findings highlighted the important role that coaches and teammates play in creating an open environment that encourages concussion reporting. Education and awareness were also seen to further develop such an environment, while athletes identified several barriers to reporting symptoms of concussion. Conclusions: The findings from this study provide researchers and practitioners with preliminary evidence that can shape the design of interventions to support the development of a team environment that can promote concussion reporting and, thus, prioritise player health
The Legal Framework and Development of Exclusion and Outlawry in Wessex and England between the Ninth and the early Eleventh Centuries
No full textDaughters of the Dust: Rephrasing the African American Experience in Julie Dash’s Film and Novel of the Same Name
No full textFast-tracking Trust: Exploring the Relative Importance of Competence, Integrity, and Benevolence in Informant-Handler Interactions
Full text linkIntroduction: Demonstrating trustworthiness has been shown to increase trust and, in turn, information sharing in investigative interviews. However, the most effective ways to build trust in security contexts and the role of trust demonstrations in informant-handler relationships remain underexplored. This study tests the relative importance of competence, integrity, and benevolence demonstrations on initial trust development and willingness to cooperate in remote informant-handler encounters.Methods: Using a within-subject design, participants received background information on an organised crime scenario and listened to three simulated phone call recordings, where handlers demonstrated each of the three factors of trustworthiness during attempts to recruit an informant. After each recording, participants rated the handler’s trustworthiness and their own willingness to trust and cooperate and provided written feedback on each call. Participants also expressed their preferred trust-building strategy used by handlers and rated their trust propensity.Results: A repeated measures ANCOVA revealed no significant differences in willingness to trust based on the type of trustworthiness demonstration. However, trust propensity significantly impacted trust levels, so that more trusting individuals were more likely to trust the handler. Thematic analyses highlighted substantial individual differences in what participants liked and disliked about each approach.Conclusions: Findings suggest that no specific demonstration of trustworthiness is more effective in fostering initial trust, indicating that handlers should tailor trust-building strategies to individuals instead of adhering to general guidelines. Future research should employ idiographic approaches to further understand how individuals perceive and react to trust-building strategies
Effect of using home-based dynamic intermittent pneumatic compression therapy during periods of physical activity on functional and vascular health outcomes in chronic stroke: A randomized controlled clinical trial
Full text linkBackground: Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) therapy may benefit stroke patients by eliciting more intensive training sessions that may result in better health, mobility and ultimately quality of life. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to assess the effect of using a home-based IPC device on functional outcomes and vascular health in individuals with chronic stroke. Methods: Thirty-one stroke survivors (64.3 ± 14.3y; 4.3 ± 2.7y since stroke) completed pre- and post-intervention assessments of functional capacity (six-minute walk test [6MWT], timed-up-and-go, 10m walk test), vascular health (pulse wave analysis, carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity), and physical activity. Following the pre-assessment, individuals were randomly assigned to either a daily, 12-week, home-based IPC group, or to a usual care control (CON) group. Outcomes were assessed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), controlling for age and any baseline differences. Results: Following ANCOVA, a significant increase in 6MWT walking distance was observed post-assessment for the IPC (Mean ± SD [95%CI]; 188 ± 19 m [177–199m]) but not the CON group (167 ± 19 m [157–178m]) (p < 0.05). A significant reduction in peripheral systolic blood pressure was reported at the post-assessment for the IPC group (136.2 ± 8.0 mmHg [131.9–140.4 mmHg]) but not for CON (142.2 ± 8.0 mmHg [138.1–144.6 mmHg]) (p < 0.05). Similar findings were observed for central systolic blood pressure. Physical activity levels significantly increased at the post-assessment for IPC (1857 ± 879 MET·min−1·week−1 [1390–2325 MET·min−1·week−1]) but not for the CON group (1161 ± 879 MET·min−1·week−1 [677–1645 MET·min−1·week−1]), while for time spent sitting, a significantly greater reduction was observed at the post-assessment for the IPC group (396 ± 86 mins [350–442 mins]) compared to CON (486 ± 86 mins [439–534 mins]) (both p < 0.05). Conclusions: The observed improvements in functional mobility, cardiovascular health, increased physical activity and reduced sedentary time demonstrates important clinical implications of ‘home-based’ IPC therapy as a clinical training aid for stroke rehabilitation. Home-based IPC therapy could serve as an adjunct to conventional rehabilitation, however, further research is needed to determine whether IPC therapy can sustain or improve function over time for individuals in the chronic stage of recovery