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Anthropometry and physical characteristics in English premiership women’s rugby
Get PDFRugby union is a field-based team sport characterized by repeated high-intensity activities (sprinting, agility and collisions) combined with periods of lower intensity activities (walking and jogging). Based on positional differences and match demands, athletes are generally grouped as forwards (front row, second row and back row) and backs (scrum half, inside backs and outside backs). English premiership women’s rugby union has been continually growing in popularity and gaining participants every year. Besides increases in participation, the standard of women’s rugby union has improved due to increased investment, which enabled international women rugby players to become semi or fully professional. The growth of women’s rugby union has naturally led to an increase in scientific interest and research. Research into women’s rugby union has focused on match demands, anthropometry, and physical characteristics.
In study 1, a systematic search of literature was undertaken to review existing research regarding identifying the characteristics to become a competitive women’s rugby union player. The result revealed that a total of 25 studies focused on identifying and discussing match demands, anthropometry, and physical characteristics. Forwards were found to have participated in more collisions, were heavier, and demonstrated greater absolute strength. Backs engaged in more high-speed running, were leaner, aerobically fitter, and relatively stronger.
In study 2, anthropometry using dual-X-ray absorptiometry and physical characteristics made up of strength and power tests (countermovement jump, drop jump, and isometric mid-thigh pull) were investigated and grouped by position. Overall, forwards had significantly (p 0.5) jump height, reactive strength index modified, and shorter drop jump contact time.
In study 3, Seasonal changes of anthropometry and physical characteristics were observed throughout pre-, mid- and post-season. Based on the tests used in study 1, statistically significant differences (p 0.5) in lean mass (mid- > pre-season), reactive strength index modified (post- > mid-season), time to take-off (post- 0.5) in lean mass (post- > pre-season) and drop jump flight time (pre- < mid- and post-season) throughout the season.
In study 4, sprint performance and kinematics were discussed between positions and fast, moderate, and slow groups based on the split times of acceleration and top speed were formed. Findings demonstrate that during acceleration backs performed statistically significantly higher velocity, step rate, step velocity, and shorter contact time (p 0.80). Forwards, despite being slower, still produced moderately higher to statistically significantly higher initial and top speed momentum (p 0.7) due to higher body mass. When comparing different speed groups, faster athletes used a shorter contact time (g = 1.58 to 1.64) to generate a moderate to larger toe-off thigh angle (g =0.57 to 1.00), and a longer flight length (g =1.21 to 1.34) to create a longer step length (g = 1.12 to 1.19) in both acceleration and top speed.
In study 5, seasonal changes of sprint performance and kinematics were observed throughout pre-, mid- and post-season. Velocity, initial momentum, flight time, toe off distance, and flight length statistically significantly decreased (p 1.33) in acceleration from pre- to mid-season. A similar trend was found in top speed, and step length, step velocity, foot strike distance, toe-off distance, and contact length all statistically significantly decreased (p 1.87) from pre-to mid-season. From mid- to post-season, trivial practical differences were found in acceleration velocity but large practical differences were observed in contact time, flight time, toe-off distance, and flight length (g > 0.90). Top speed had a moderate increase (g = 0.68) from mid- to post-season, and step velocity, foot strike distance, toe-off distance, contact and flight length all statistically significantly increased (p 1.38).
In study 6, change of direction ability and relationship was determined between positions. Further investigation using different speed groups was again undertaken and were based on the time of the 505 test, again split into thirds. Dominant side of the 505 test was based on the faster time compared between both left and right turn recorded during the test. Backs demonstrated statistically significantly faster 505 times in both the dominate and non-dominate side compared to forwards (p < 0.05, g = 0.93 and 1.06). However, no statistically significant differences were found in change of direction deficit between positions. Forwards’ dominant side 505 time demonstrated a significant positive relationship (r = 0.67) with body mass. Furthermore, forwards’ linear velocity had significant negative relationship (r = -0.70) with dominate side 505 time, but a positive relationship with dominate side change of direction deficit (r = 0.60). In contrast, no significant relationship in backs was found between linear velocity and dominate side 505 for backs. Backs linear sprint velocity was shown to have a significant positive relationship with both dominate (r = 0.60) and non-dominate side (r = 0.71) change of direction deficit. When observing speed group differences, faster athletes had statistically significantly lighter body mass, faster linear sprint, and non-dominate side 505 time (p < 0.05, g = 1.35 to 2.15).
In study 7, seasonal changes of change of direction ability were observed between mid- and post-season. No pre-season data was collected due to the impact the COVID 19 pandemic had to professional sport. Besides large practical increase in body mass and initial momentum, only small practical increases was found in 505 time on both the dominate and non-dominate side (g = 0.37 and 0.41).
In conclusion, the findings of this thesis determined the match demands that women rugby players face in different position. The results demonstrated that forwards, although slower than backs, have higher lean mass and fat mass, generated higher momentum and absolute peak force, which support positional match demands for forwards to face more frequent collisions. Backs were found to be leaner, faster in both linear and change of direction sprints, and were able to produce relative peak force similar to forwards. In addition, the results supported match demand studies identifying backs have more opportunity to reach high speed but also need the strength to face higher collision forces. The longitudinal studies determined that anthropometry characteristics are maintained throughout the season with only a small practical increase in lean mass from pre- to mid-season. However, in physical characteristics, both power tests and sprint performance results showed a decrease from pre- to mid-season and an increase from mid- to post-season. Lastly, as both sprinting and change of direction are motor skills rather than proxy measures of force and power output, understanding the kinematics in sprinting and change of direction can be used to identify common characteristics in fast athletes from which training can be devised and monitored. Overall, these finding represent novel contributions to women’s rugby union literature as well as providing insights and baseline data for future research and practitioners to make informed recruitment and training decisions
Worker productivity during Covid-19 and adaptation to working from home
No full textWe examine workers' reported productivity, which we validate against external metrics, over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic. On average, workers report being at least as productive as before the pandemic’s onset. However, this average masks substantial heterogeneity, which is linked to job quality, gender, the presence of children, and ease of working from home. As the pandemic progressed, those who previously performed well at home were more likely to remain there. Building on these findings, we estimate factors affecting productivity outcomes across locations controlling for endogenous selection. We find that those in `good’ jobs (with managerial duties and working for large firms) were advantaged specifically in the home environment. More generally we find an effect of key personality traits – agreeableness and conscientiousness – on productivity outcomes across locations
Forecasting measured responses of structures using temporal deep learning and dual attention
Get PDFThe objective of this study is to develop a novel and efficient model for forecasting the nonlinear behavior of structures in response to time-varying random excitation. The key idea is to design a deep learning architecture to leverage the relationships, between external excitations and structure’s vibration signals, and between historical values and future values, within multiple time-series data. The proposed method consists of two main steps: the first step applies a global attention mechanism to combine multiple-measured time series and time-varying excitation into a weighted time series before feeding it to a temporal architecture; the second step utilizes a self-attention mechanism followed by a fully connected layer to predict multi-step future values. The viability of the proposed method is demonstrated via two case studies involving synthetic data from a three-dimensional (3D) reinforced concrete structure and experimental data from an 18-story steel frame. Furthermore, comparison and robustness studies are carried out, showing that the proposed method outperforms conventional methods and maintains high performance in the presence of noise with an amplitude of less than 10%
Leadership: the art of being human
Get PDFThis context statement explores and reflects on the role of self-leadership as a foundational element for effective leadership within the Royal Air Force and the broader defence sector.
It argues that leadership is a shared responsibility which requires participation from all and that leadership should be made accessible to all via experiential self-leadership.
I challenge traditional notions of heroic leadership and passive masses. While recognising significant advancements in military leadership, I posit that leadership practice is hindered by persistent adherence to outdated concepts. Despite being disproven, these old ideas remain stubbornly influential in practice.
Through a critical examination of my professional practice spanning over two decades in the Royal Air Force, including key roles in addressing gender equity and cultural transformation, I present a narrative that traces my journey from conformity to conscious navigation of systemic change. This exploration is supported by an analysis of three public works that have significantly impacted defence policy and practice.
The critical reflection involved in creating this context statement has shown a unifying concept swooping through my professional practice: the evolution from traditional, hierarchical leadership models to a more inclusive, participatory approach. I identify a framework for leadership built upon awareness, acknowledgment and appreciation, and relationships.
Drawing on autoethnography, positive psychology, and leadership theory, I introduce novel concepts such as ‘the disappeared’ (exploring systemic erasure of identity) and ‘internal intersectionality’ (examining the interplay of diverse aspects within an individual's identity) to deepen our understanding of self-leadership. This work examines the unique tensions that arise when practitioners implement self-leadership within traditional hierarchical structures such as the military.
With the benefit of reflection, I recognise the tacit knowledge and understanding built up over years of professional practice, identifying how self-leadership can serve as an antidote to generational lag in organisational culture. I set out to illustrate how these insights have been present in my own professional practice and how they could be applied to foster more adaptive, agile leadership within the defence sector.
This thesis champions self-leadership as a concept that makes leadership accessible to all, potentially reshaping leadership development in military and hierarchical contexts. It contributes to the evolving discourse on leadership in complex, rapidly changing environments, advocating for a paradigm shift that empowers individuals at all levels to engage in reflective, agile, and values-driven leadership. The findings have implications for future leadership training and organisational culture within the defence sector and beyond
Book review: The Class Matrix: Social Theory after the Cultural Turn
No full textBased on: Chibber Vivek, The Class Matrix: Social Theory after the Cultural Turn, Harvard University Press, 2022. 203 pp. ISBN 9780674245136 Hardback £23.93, 22.95, €22.17; ISBN 9780674269835 Ebook £15.70, $21.80, €19.7
An investigation into how the application of the processes and procedures are perceived by the UK Taekwondo community through the lens of Rawls’ theories of justice, fairness and equality
Get PDFThis thesis aims to examine five functions that have been discovered to have a major impact on the sport of Taekwondo. The investigation will consider, under five functions central to Taekwondo -team selection, sanctions (bans), issues concerning licensing and memberships and biased refereeing- as defined by World Taekwondo and British Taekwondo. These key functions are explored using the frameworks of fairness and justice, applying a theory of justice in this field, and recommendations are made for the implementation of new initiatives that could lead to vital reform in the sport.
The thesis interrogates the incongruities that can be found in the current policies and internal ‘rulebook’ of the governing bodies of Taekwondo and seeks to identify how these inconsistencies have compromised the foundations of fairness and justice upon which Taekwondo was originally based. The theoretical lens through which the sport and its ‘rules’ are viewed include theory of justice as fairness by John Rawls. Furthermore, his theoretical frameworks are applied to the concept of justice and fairness in sport. This doctoral study engages in a mixed methods tactic to capture data from different stakeholders. It is the intention that through a critical analysis of the existing framework, conclusions can be drawn which lead to the understanding that implementing justice as fairness is necessary in order to regulate Taekwondo and enhance its value set
Médecins Sans Frontières mentoring and coaching hub, Norway mentoring programme
No full textMédecins Sans Frontières (MSF), referred to in English as Doctors Without Borders, is an international humanitarian medical non-governmental organisation. Staff work in extraordinary circumstances within varying contexts, performing functions within roles, which often stretch them personally and professionally. The environment can be physically and psychologically demanding due to different institutional structures, economic and political instability, ethnic, and religious rivalries, political complexities, insecurity, and high-risk situations.
In 2010, MSF Operational Centre Brussels (OCB) took the strategic decision to move towards a Human Resource Development (HRD) approach based on competencies. The main objective was to develop the competencies of individual positions within the Operations Centres. This strategy was partly in response to one of MSF’s major challenges of finding, selecting, and developing future Project Coordinators and Heads of Mission. This challenge prompted the need for developing new HR tools and programmes to support these growing needs.
OCB requested a review in late 2010, early 2011. From this review, it was determined that mentoring in the first six months of a new management position is associated with greater career success and progression within the organisation in question.
As a part of the HR Development Strategy, the mentoring pilot was initiated in mid-2011. This pilot phase continued until 2013. Initially, support was focused on two roles: first-time Field Coordinators and Heads of Mission.
This chapter outlines the mentoring programme framework, programme impact and participant experience, lessons learned and future intentions
Explainer: Leaving the European Convention on Human Rights
No full textPrime Minister Rishi Sunak has indicated that withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) could be on the agenda if the UK’s membership frustrates policy on illegal immigration or endangers national security. This follows an ‘interim measure’ from the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in June 2022, which effectively prevented the first flight carrying asylum seekers from being sent to Rwanda until the UK courts had fully considered the issue, and the UK Supreme Court’s judgment in November 2023 that the Rwanda policy is unlawful.
Joelle Grogan and Alice Donald explain what steps the UK would have to take to leave the ECHR, whether states have left before, and what the likely consequences would be
Please Share
No full text'Please Share' is a speculative poem (sci-fi) by A J Dalton that appeared in the May 2024 (#127) issue of Dreams & Nightmares: A Magazine of Fantastic Poetry. The magazine is in its 38th year of continuous publication and allied to the Science Fiction Poetry Association (SFPA), USA. The poem concerns the lone maintenance person on the most remote space station from Earth. Our protagonist speculates why he is no longer receiving monthly reports from his home planet
An investigation into organisational hybridity in faith-based social enterprises in Ghana: an organisational spirituality perspective
Get PDFThis thesis investigates the response to organisational hybridity in a school context arising from the social mission, the financial sustainability objective and the spiritual mandate of Faith-Based Social Enterprises (FBSEs). Several studies have proved a strong connection between organisational spirituality (OS) and organisational performance, demonstrating particularly significant improvements in the financial performance of organisations that integrated OS in Europe, North America and Asia. However, in Africa, there is a dearth of theoretically grounded empirical research that interrogates the influence of OS and more so, in addressing the tensions in FBSEs. A longitudinal study over 36 months using an action research approach resulted in three iterative action cycles seeking to understand, implement and sustain OS in an FBSE context. Data was collected through individual and group interviews and document reviews. The data gathered was analysed at two-stages, initially through structural coding and, thereafter, thematic analysis using NVivo 12. The findings were examined through the adopted institutional theory framework – the Normative Business Model (NBM) – which allows organisational values to be incorporated within the normative orientations of formalised organisations. The findings deepened conceptual clarity of OS with a Ghanaian worldview and demonstrated that a holistic response to organisational hybridity is possible. Building on previous work, this research contributed to knowledge by establishing a process for implementing OS in an FBSE context; demonstrating that organisational hybridity tensions can be resolved; serving as a reference point to enrich SE policy and dialogue in Ghana with respect to the place of FBSEs; and enhancing Africa’s contribution to independent global research. Future research could explore a similar study involving more FBSEs and using other qualitative or quantitative research approaches