26729 research outputs found
Sort by
Rebellious spaces: community-led design and the politics of liveability in Kilburn
No full textThis paper examines the role of community-led spatial practice in shaping urban livability through the case of the Kilburn Space Lab, an emerging civic initiative in North West London developed within the One Kilburn alliance. Bringing together residents, designers, students, researchers and policymakers, the project explores how collaborative design processes can move beyond consultation to co-author civic infrastructure and governance frameworks.
Grounded in participatory design, design activism and post-growth spatial thinking, the paper frames livability not as a technical or measurable condition, but as a political and relational one shaped through negotiation over access, identity, and ownership of urban space.
Drawing on outcomes from a series of participatory workshops held in Kilburn in March and June 2025, the study reflects on how interdisciplinary, design-led engagement can mobilise local knowledge, foster cross-sector alliances and challenge dominant regeneration narratives.
Rather than producing a single proposal, the workshops generated multiple spatial imaginaries—from mobile storytelling infrastructures and modular civic furniture to hybrid urban rooms embedded in everyday settings—grounded in community memory and lived experience.
These processes reposition students as facilitators and residents as co-designers and strategists, rebalancing institutional hierarchies and expanding the scope of civic participation.
The paper argues that micro-scale, design-led civic action can contribute to broader debates on governance, spatial justice and public space in contested urban contexts. By positioning the Kilburn Space Lab as both prototype and provocation, it offers insights into how participatory design might become embedded within long-term urban policy, education and community-led infrastructures
48 adaptations in golf swing performance following 16-week strength training intervention in elite golfers
No full textIntroduction
Clubhead speed (CHS) and driving distance are key determinants of elite golf performance, yet evidence from elite cohorts remains limited. This study examined whether a 16-week progressive heavy-resistance training program could improve golf swing performance in elite golfers.
Methods
Forty elite golfers affiliated with the Danish National Team were allocated to intervention (INT; 14 men, 15 women) or control (CON; 6 men, 5 women). INT completed four resistance-training sessions per week (progressing from ~12RM to 5RM) for 16 weeks, while CON maintained habitual training. Golf-specific performance was assessed pre- and post-intervention indoors using TrackMan radar. Physical performance was evaluated via isometric mid-thigh pull, isometric bench press, countermovement jump, and trunk rotational power.
Results
Following the intervention, INT men improved driver CHS and total driving distance by ≈4%, while INT women increased CHS by ≈4% and total driving distance by ≈6%. Similar relative gains were observed for 6-iron CHS and distance. Maximal strength and power also improved in INT, with increases in lower- and upper-body maximal force, countermovement jump variables, and rotational peak power across sexes. No changes were observed in CON.
Conclusion
A 16-week progressive heavy-resistance program enhanced driver and 6-iron CHS and total distance and improved maximal strength and power in elite male and female golfers compared with controls. These findings support including targeted strength training to improve golf swing performance in elite golfers
Ecological perspectives on épée fencing footwork: a Delphi study of coaching and progression
Full text linkBackground: Footwork choices in épée fencing shape distance management, action initiation and load tolerance, yet empirical guidance on stepping versus bouncing footwork is limited. This study elicited expert consensus on definitions, coaching progression and competitive application of these footwork methods.
Methods: A two-round, internet-based Delphi was conducted with Olympic-level épée coaches recruited via purposive sampling (Round One n = 26; Round Two n = 21). Round One open responses underwent inductive thematic analysis to generate statements. Round Two presented concise, operationalised items (single-choice/yes–no). Consensus was pre-specified as ≥70% agreement. For each item, the modal percentage and exact 95% binomial confidence interval (CI) were reported; margins over the runner-up quantified concentration of views.
Results: Two items reached consensus: (i) teaching sequence: teach stepping first, introduce bouncing later (76.2%; 95% CI 52.8–91.8); and (ii) en garde across development: begin static/comfortable, add bouncing later (71.4%; CI 47.8–88.7). Two items showed near-threshold majorities with large margins: bouncing faster for attack initiation (66.7%; CI 43.0–85.4), and typical attack distance has decreased in modern épée (66.7%, CI 43.0–85.4). Confidence intervals were wide because items were rated by approximately 21 coaches; exact binomial 95% intervals for proportions near two-thirds typically span ~±20 percentage points, reflecting panel size rather than disagreement.
Conclusions: Expert coaches supported a progressive footwork movement pathway (step → bounce) and indicated context-sensitive deployment: bouncing likely affords time-based advantages for attack initiation, whereas defence/change-of-direction benefits from a repertoire that includes both modes. Findings bridge practitioner knowledge with motor-learning theory and promote studies linking footwork type to kinetic and kinematics, bout outcomes and tests of moderators such as athlete characteristics and opponent tempo
Intersectionality
No full textThis article explores the idea of intersectionality from a critical perspective, focussing on disaster risk in the Global South, applying a development and a gender lens to explore what an intersectional Disaster Risk Reduction approach might look like. While it highlights the complexities and challenges with applying an intersectional lens in policy and practice, it also argues it is a necessity if we are address vulnerability and risk at its root causes
Evaluating the reliability and validity of predictive anthropometric equations for estimating fat mass, lean mass and the role of maturity offset in lean mass prediction within professional, academy soccer players from the United Kingdom
No full textReliability and validity of anthropometric equations remain uncertain in young athletes experiencing biological maturation. This study assessed reliability and validity of anthropometric equations against dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) derived fat mass (FM) and lean mass (LM) values and examined influence of maturity offset within academy soccer players. Twenty-five, male academy soccer players (age: 18.6 ± 0.8 years, height: 182.7 cm ± 5.9 cm, BM: 79.3 kg ± 7.6 kg) completed skinfold and DXA assessments. FM and LM were estimated using commonly adopted anthropometric equations. Reliability and validity were assessed. Linear regression examined influence of maturity offset. Acceptable agreement of Wilmore & Behnke and Oliver et al. equations for LM and FM was observed (FM; ICC: 0.858-0.891, CV%: 8.1-8.8 ± 4.6-6.4, LoA: 2.62 - 3.06 to -1.33 – -1.62, ES: 0.27 – 0.47, Z = -2.257 – -3.150; LM: ICC: 0.886-0.905, CV%: 2.9-3.3 ± 1.3, LoA: 5.17 - 5.62 to 0.54-0.78, ES: 0.42 – 0.48, both p<0.001). Bland-Altman inspection showed mean bias and wide LoA for all equations. Maturity offset modestly predicted LM for all equations. Observed anthropometric equations have limited validity vs. DXA-derived FM and LM in academy soccer players. Maturity offset warrants consideration for maturity-sensitive, population-specific equations to avoid systematic errors
Interlimb asymmetry data in athletes with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a comparison of different equations to interpret between-limb difference data
No full textBetween-limb performance and biomechanical differences (i.e., inter-limb asymmetries) following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction are monitored and reported during rehabilitation and at the time of return to sport (RTS). However, different asymmetry equations can alter the magnitude and consistency of the asymmetry. 53 amateur athletes (16 females; 37 males; 28.5 ± 6.7 years; 177.1 ± 6.5 cm; 75.3 ± 10.8 kg) at a median of 28.1 months post ACL reconstruction completed a strength and vertical jump assessment including 5RM box squat, RFESS, leg extension and CMJ, SLCMJ and SLDJ. Large significant differences (ƞ2 = 0.14 to 0.44) were found between unilateral equations for each variable assessed, and between bilateral equations (ƞ2 = 0.17 to 0.34) for CMJ concentric and eccentric impulse asymmetries. Small to large significant pairwise differences were present between each equation and variable in unilateral tasks (d = 0.46 to 2.30). For the CMJ, large significant pairwise differences were also found between most equations for CMJ concentric and eccentric impulse asymmetry (d = 0.99 to 3.04). We recommend the use of the Standard Percentage Difference (with direction) formula for unilateral tasks, and the Bilateral Asymmetry Index 1 (BAI 1) for bilateral tasks
Mentoring in action: a guide to success
No full textMentoring in Action: A Guide to Success shares insights into the contemporary practice in mentoring programme design, implementation and evaluation. Through clear and useful lessons from managers from leading organisations globally, it provides an invaluable roadmap to setting up and running successful mentorship programmes.
Mentoring programmes within organisations have blossomed in the past decade from a few thousand to many tens of thousands globally. The variety of programme purposes and applications has expanded equally rapidly. Written by leading practitioners in the field and presented as part of the EMCC series, the book provides much needed guidance for practitioners and organisations seeking to create sustainable and impactful mentoring interventions in all contexts. Each chapter is based on a specific setting of mentorship practice to enable easy understanding and application across multiple sectors.
The book is aimed at Mentoring Programme Managers, HR professionals, mentoring practitioners and students of mentoring, and presents good practice to guide the mentoring journey for all practitioners responsible for the mentoring programmes within their organisations
The use of golf carts as on-course transportation during competitive golf events: a scoping review
No full textBackground
Golf is enjoyed by over 108 million people globally, and has established elite female, male and disability competitive schedules. The use of golf carts during elite competition is a topic of discussion regarding the principles of inclusivity and competitive fairness with important scientific, legal, and ethical considerations.
Objective
The primary aim was to evaluate the evidence relating to riding a golf cart in comparison to walking the golf course, pertaining specifically to: 1) inclusivity and safety, and 2) competitive fairness. The secondary aim was to identify knowledge gaps and research priorities.
Design
Scoping review.
Data Sources
The search strategy was applied to the following databases, and articles were extracted by independent reviewers from: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and ProQuest Central. Grey literature was examined using Google Advanced Search.
Review Methods
A five-stage scoping review methodology followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Articles were collated using an online tool (Covidence) and evaluated against pre-determined criteria. Data from included studies were collated to facilitate descriptive and thematic analysis.
Results and Discussion
Of the 879 studies identified, 72 were included for analysis. Seven themes emerged: physical demands, inclusion and accessibility, cognitive demands, legal and ethical, nutrition and hydration, competitive fairness, and safety and injury risk. Golf carts promote accessibility, particularly for individuals with disabilities. Safety concerns predominantly arise in non-elite settings, with incidents linked to operator error, poor safety governance, and use on public highways. There is compelling evidence demonstrating that in-round riding of carts reduces the physical demands of golf, with users expending less energy and covering shorter distances, although effects on performance is uncertain. Cart use may mitigate the environmental aspects of golf, including the effects of hot/humid weather or hilly topography.
Conclusion
Golf carts can increase inclusivity for golfers and enable clubs and organisations to meet their ethical and legal requirements around accessibility. However, riding golf carts may diminish some of the health benefits of golf, and present risk of injury and practical challenges. In the competitive setting golf cart use reduces the physical demands of the game, affect the environmental challenges of variable weather and terrain. It is biologically plausible and likely that this would offer a performance advantage in some circumstances. More research is needed to guide the fair use of this enabling technology within clearly defined contexts by: 1) evaluating the performance deficits associated with medical issues in which the use of golf carts might be considered permissible, and 2) evaluate the magnitude and nature of competitive advantages experienced by cart riders
Calf capacity measurements in healthy populations: a systematic review
Full text linkFollowing PRISMA 2020 guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42025638986), the review included a comprehensive search of three databases, along with citation tracking and manual reference checks conducted in February 2025.
Sixty-five peer-reviewed studies were included, encompassing a total of 3020 participants aged 18–65. The review focused on objective measures of plantar flexor capacity, such as force, torque, and repetition maximum, and considered studies that reported psychometric properties.
Endurance was mostly assessed using heel raise tests. These showed high intra-session reliability (ICC ranging from 0.77 to 0.97), but results varied significantly between individuals. Isometric and isokinetic tests also demonstrated good-to-excellent reliability (ICC 0.74–0.99), although the protocols used were highly variable across studies. Isotonic testing was the least frequently employed method.
In conclusion, while isokinetic and isometric tests offer reliable assessments, their use is limited by accessibility and inconsistent protocols. The heel raise test remains a popular method for evaluating endurance but suffers from a lack of standardisation. Isotonic testing is underutilised and presents an opportunity for further methodological development
Social purpose and pedagogy in the baby room of UK nurseries: exploring the what, how and why of working with 0-2 year olds
Full text linkThis article builds on conversations about the nature of a pedagogy specifically for babies, which are defined in this paper as 0–2 year olds. To do this, we explore articulations of social purpose and social pedagogy among 15 baby room educators working in UK nurseries. Our findings suggest four types of social purpose and four types of social pedagogy that inform what baby educators do, how they do it and why they do it. The baby educators in our study articulated their social purpose in terms of providing a secure foundation for childhood and adulthood; acting as a support system for parents; enabling healthy early development; and inspiring learning across the lifespan. Correspondingly, they identified their social pedagogy in terms of giving care and nurture to meet physical and emotional needs; cultivating parent partnerships; planning activities, interactions and resources around developmental goals; and creating provocations to stimulate learning based on individual interests. We hope that this typology helps to deepen our understanding of what baby educators experience and the pedagogies they enact day to day, as well as acting as a reflective tool for baby room educators to use to deepen their practice