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Body Image, Disordered Eating, and the Behavioural Pathways to Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport: Evidence for a Biopsychosocial Model
No full textBackground: Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) is traditionallyconceptualised as a physiological consequence of low energy availability,yet emerging evidence implicates psychological and behaviouralmechanisms in its development. This study examined the associationsamong body image, disordered eating, social physique anxiety, andfemale health knowledge to clarify psychosocial antecedents of REDs riskin female athletes.Methods: 105 female athletes (mean age = 21.7 ± 3.4 years) completedvalidated measures assessing body image, social physique anxiety,disordered eating, REDs risk, and female health knowledge. Pearsoncorrelations, multiple regression, and mediation analyses were performedto examine psychological predictors and mediating pathways of REDsrisk.Results: Negative body image was strongly associated with REDs risk (r =.61, p < .001) and remained the dominant independent predictor (β =.58, p < .001). Disordered eating partially mediated this relationship(indirect = 1.10, 95% CI [0.88, 1.36]), while the direct effect persisted(c′ = 1.10, 95% CI [0.85, 1.34], p < .001). Positive body image exerteda protective influence (B = −1.47, p < .001), and social physique anxietycontributed modestly (β = .18, p = .013). Female health knowledge wasinversely related to REDs risk (r = −.28, p = .002). The model explained44 % of variance (R² = .44, p < .001).Conclusions: Findings support a psychological–behavioural framework inwhich body-image disturbance amplifies REDs vulnerability through bothdirect and disordered-eating-mediated pathways. Conversely, positivebody image and female health literacy may serve protective roles.Integrating psychological screening and assets-based education into REDsprevention could shift practice from reactive physiological detectiontoward proactive, holistic athlete health care
Sociocultural dynamics of international animal protection interventions: A case study of free-roaming dogs in India and great apes in Cameroon
No full textThe local paleoenvironment of Kalavan‐2 based on small‐vertebrate remains and its implications for human‐environment‐dynamics between 60 and 35 ka in the Armenian Highlands
No full textKalavan‐2, a high‐altitude (∼1640 m a.s.l.) open‐air site in Armenia, preserves stratified Middle Paleolithic occupations with a rich small‐vertebrate record. Luminescence dating has placed site formation between ~60 and 45 ka, but without independent chronological control of the microvertebrate accumulation. Here, we apply accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) 14C dating directly to individual rodent bones, made possible by recent advances in collagen extraction. These new radiocarbon ages refine the chronology to late marine isotope stage 3 (ca. 50–35 ka), in agreement with luminescence estimates. In addition, we conducted detailed taphonomic and taxonomic analyses of the microvertebrates, alongside paleoenvironmental reconstruction using the Taxonomic Habitat Index and Habitat Weighting Method. The microfaunal assemblage, dominated by cold‐adapted rodents and insectivores, indicates open, montane steppe conditions during occupation, contrasting with today's mixed forest. Combined chronological and faunal evidence suggests episodic high‐altitude hunting by Late Pleistocene hunter‐gatherers, consistent with models of seasonal mobility. More broadly, this study demonstrates the potential of direct 14C dating on microvertebrate remains to independently anchor Paleolithic chronologies and strengthen reconstructions of human adaptations in marginal environments
Reclaiming Speculative Thought in Education : From Plato and Aristotle to Hegel and Dewey
No full text‘Eye contact, but not too much … don’t stare into my soul’ understanding interviewee beliefs around rapport experiences and behaviours
No full textObjective: Building and maintaining rapport are important elements of investigative interviewing practice. However, there is little qualitative research about how interviewees contextualise rapport and identify behaviours that might indicate good or bad rapport building within an interaction. Method: Twenty-three participants took part in one of five focus groups which discussed: (i) individuals’ perceptions of rapport building in everyday life, (ii) behaviours they felt would aid or hinder rapport building and (iii) what behaviours they would consider effective in rapport building with a police officer during an investigative interview. Results: A thematic analysis identified three main themes: (i) building a relationship with trust and respect, (ii) attentive responsivity towards the witness and (iii) contextual and situational factors. A content analysis of rapport-affecting behaviours identified body posture, relaxing the witness and eye contact as the most frequently mentioned to enhance rapport. Being dismissive, rude and using intense eye contact were most frequently mentioned as hindering rapport. Overall, rapport was described as dependent on situation, person and environment, and enhancing rapport required contextual awareness. This research emphasises that perceptions of rapport building primarily rely on individual experiences and vary due to personal, situational and contextual factors
Arterial stiffness following heavy and moderate resistance training to volitional failure.
No full textArterial stiffness (AS) is an independent predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The impact of RT on AS is not fully elucidated. Loading intensity (LI) is a well-researched training variable particularly in the field of muscular hypertrophy, yet there is a paucity of research directly examining the effects of different LIs on AS.Recent evidence suggests that LI is the key variable determining arterial responses to RT. It was observed that low to moderate LIs (< 70% 1RM) tend to decrease AS, whereas high LIs (> 70% 1RM) seem to increase AS. Nonetheless, the lack of control over proximity to failure in previous reports may be a confounding factor when interpreting these findings. Percentage-based load prescription (e.g., 10 repetitions at 75 %1RM) in previous studies may lead in ambiguity regarding how close to failure each participant approached. Evidence shows a great inter- individual variability in the number of repetitions performed in a given relative load, and proximity to failure is a main determinant of cardiovascular responses. Standardisation of effort allows for a more appropriate comparison of other training variables, such as load, since it ensures a more uniform stimulus among the conditions under investigationThere is no study that has directly compared the effects of load on AS while standardising proximity to failure. Thus, the purpose of this study was to compare indices of AS between a strength-type RT scheme using heavier loads (4RM) and lower repetitions with a hypertrophy-type RT protocol using moderate loads and repetitions (12RM) while maintaining intensity of effort constant.<br/
Teachers’ experiences and perceptions of supporting young carers in schools in England: challenges and barriers and working with outside agencies
No full textDespite recent improvements in approaches to supporting young carers, including legislative changes, schools continue to face challenges in supporting young carers’ varied needs. This research aimed to understand the perceptions and experiences of teachers and school staff who support young carers in schools within England, through pastoral processes, and multi-agency working while addressing key challenges in identifying young carers and engaging them in available support. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse interview data from 18 participants. Three main themes were identified: School Resources, School Processes, and Young Carer Identity. These highlighted a need to raise awareness of the core themes in the experiences of young carers, lobbying for improved statutory protection and promoting young carers’ voices. Furthermore, whilst it is widely accepted that young carers are a ‘hidden’ group, teachers in this study also felt that those who provide care and support to young carers and their families can be both unknown and unacknowledged
