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Associations between physical literacy and physical activity in adults. A cross-sectional study with self-report and device-based physical activity assessments
No full textPhysical literacy has been shown to relate to children’s engagement in physical activity. However, it is unclear whether this relationship extends to adults. A two-phase cross-sectional study was conducted to examine whether physical literacy relates to physical activity in adults. In phase one, 225 participants reported their perceived levels of physical literacy using the Physical Literacy in Adults Scale (PLAS) and their physical activity behaviours using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. In phase two, 59 participants wore an accelerometer to provide a device-based assessment of physical activity before completing the PLAS. A series of bivariate regressions were conducted to assess the relationship between physical literacy and physical activity. Physical literacy was a significant predictor of self-reported moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and total physical activity. However, scores on the PLAS did not predict light intensity self-reported physical activity. For device-based assessment of physical activity, physical literacy was a significant predictor of MVPA, but did not predict light or total physical activity. These findings indicate that physical literacy relates to physical activity, particularly MVPA. Differences in findings between self-report and device-based assessment warrant further consideration. Future research should continue to assess the role of physical literacy across physical activity types (e.g. leisure time, work related) and intensities.</p
Benefits and Challenges with the Modular Model of Teacher Certification in Australia: Listening to Teachers’ Voices
No full textThis paper examines teachers’ views about the Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher (HALT) Certification 2.0 Modular Model (CMM 2.0). The research reveals teachers’ voices and agency in relation to HALT certification. Participants in this study included HALT certified teachers, current HALT participants, and prospective participants. The semi-structured interviews conducted provide insights into the benefits and challenges associated with the CMM 2.0. Thematic coding and systematic analysis were applied to the data to arrive at the key findings. The research revealed that teachers believed that the modular approach was advantageous as it was flexible and provided professional recognition and development. Issues identified by the participants were the time, cost and workload involved, and the role of leadership and peer collaboration in certification. This study makes a contribution to knowledge about the nature and benefits of a modular approach, which can inform the design and implementation of certification in Australia and internationally
People capabilities for successful hybrid agile project management
Get PDFIn today's fast-evolving project management landscape, hybrid agile approaches have become increasingly prevalent. However, there is limited understanding of the people-related factors that contribute to team effectiveness in these environments. This study aims to address this gap by exploring the critical capabilities that foster successful teams in hybrid agile settings. Through qualitative interviews with nineteen agile project management practitioners, key themes were identified, including an agile mindset, cultural fit, openness to change, soft skills, and organizational support. These findings highlight the importance of these capabilities in navigating the complexities of hybrid agile methodologies. Ultimately, the study concludes that focusing on these people-centric factors can enhance team effectiveness and drive project success.</p
The role of wetland birds in biocultural conservation:analysing global discourses and practices on species and ecosystems
No full textBiocultural approaches for conservation weave knowledge systems of both Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IP&LCs) with scientific insights to address environmental justice and promote local and global sustainability. Enduring people-nature relationships, particularly through wetland birds, hold both ecological and cultural significance that can guide wetland conservation efforts. We conducted a systematic review of biocultural research literature published between 2000 and 2023, following PRISMA guidelines. This review identified 414 publications that addressed taxa, ecosystems, and biocultural discourses. The publications spanned 96 countries, with Mexico, the United States, and India having the highest numbers of studies. This is consistent with the ethnobotanical research tradition from the dominant anthropological discourse. Post-2010, an ethico-political dimension emerged from intergovernmental agreements and advocacy by IP&LCs, particularly from Latin America and Australasia. As essential socio-ecosystems and culturally significant taxa, wetlands and birds possess profound ecological and cultural values. The tangible and intangible meanings of wetland birds for IP&LCs highlight the importance of integrating biocultural approaches into conservation policies, strategies, and management to encompass diverse discourses, species, and ecosystems. Diversifying biocultural conservation discourses can address research and practice gaps, helping scholars and policymakers adapt to regional contexts, develop effective conservation strategies that support community welfare, and uphold IP&LC rights. By embracing diverse worldviews, conservation science and practice can become pluralizing and just, and assist thus the world in transformative change.</p
Kinesiology taping length and dynamic balance control in individuals with chronic ankle instability
Get PDFTo explore the effect of different lengths of kinesiology taping (KT) on dynamic balance control in individuals with and without chronic ankle instability (CAI). Thirty-one participants (16 CAI, 15 non-CAI) volunteered, and all of them were tested for dynamic balance with KT taping of varied strip lengths, in a random sequence, with taping conditions being: above-ankle taping (short taping), below-knee taping (mid taping), and above-knee taping (long taping). Dynamic balance was measured by the Y-Balance test (YBT) with three reaching directions; anterior (YBT-A), posteromedial (YBT-PM), posterolateral (YBT-PL), untaped at enrolment and immediately after each taping condition. Non-CAI participants consistently outperformed CAI all YBT measures made in the untaped condition (all p<0.05). Linear mixed model (LMM) analysis suggested there were significant KT-Group interactions reflecting reducing inter-group difference as tape length increased for YBT-C (F(3, 29) = 5.599, p = 0.016, ES = 0.104), YBT-PM (F (3, 29) = 3.53, p = 0.018, ES = 0.102) and YBT-PL (F (3, 29) = 2.72, p = 0.049, ES = 0.008), but not YBT-A (F (3, 29) = 1.44, p = 0.236). Paired t-tests suggested that in the CAI group, compared to the untaped condition, YBT-PM scores increased in all taping conditions, with mean difference (MD) from 3.5 to 7.0% (t = 2.17–5.17, p = 0.00-0.046, 95%CI = −9.83, −0.07), whereas YBT-C (MD = 4.2%, t = 1.03, p = 0.001, 95%CI = −6.36, −1.97) and YBT-PL scores (MD = 5.3%, t = 3.9, p = 0.001, 95%CI = −8.18, −2.41) increased only in the long-taping condition. KT taping can improve dynamic balance for individuals with CAI to a level of those without CAI. Longer KT taping seems to show superior effects. However, individuals without CAI may not benefit from KT taping when performing a dynamic balance task.</p
Assessing the effects of menstrual hygiene, water, and sanitation on girls’ academic performances in public schools, Ethiopia
No full textThis study examined relationship between menstrual hygiene management (MHM), water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, and girls' academic performance in Ethiopia. This study employed cross-sectional mixed study design with 912 public schoolgirls. Also, 22 key informants, and six focus group discussions in 37 randomly selected public schools. The median age of the schoolgirls was 16 years. Two of the five schoolgirls reported missing classes during menstruation. Out of 912 schoolgirls, 82.5% (95% CI; 81%-84%) achieved good academic performance during the academic year. Schoolgirls who attended class regularly during menstruation (AOR=14.82, 95% CI 8.652-25.391), schoolgirls who were informed about menstrual hygiene before menarche (AOR=1.81, 95% CI 1.011-3.229), schoolgirls whose mothers were educated (AOR=1.88, 95% CI 1.063-3.313), schoolgirls who had basic water services (AOR=4.72, 95% CI 2.315-9.618), schoolgirls who had basic sanitation services (AOR=6.32, 95% CI 4.643-33.670) and who had limited sanitation services (AOR=1.56, 95% CI 1.768-6.636) were significantly associated with good academic performance. Educating mothers about menstrual hygiene, increasing access to WASH, and providing safe spaces for girls can have positive ripple effect on their daughters' academic success. The findings of study provide critical evidence to inform decision makers to address MHM challenges in alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030.</p
Planning for death: four things you can do to ease your family’s emotional and financial stress
No full textThe assessment of physiotherapy practice is a robust measure of entry-level physiotherapy standards:Reliability and validity evidence from a large, representative sample
Get PDFThe Assessment of Physiotherapy Practice (APP) is a 20-item assessment instrument used to assess entry-level physiotherapy practice in Australia, New Zealand and other international locations. Initial APP reliability and validity evidence supported a unidimensional or single latent factor as the best representation of entry-level physiotherapy practice performance. However, there remains inconsistency in how the APP is interpreted and operationalised across Australian and New Zealand universities offering entry-level physiotherapy programs. In essence, the presumption that the psychometric integrity of the APP generalises across people, time, and contexts remains largely untested. This multi-site, archival replication study utilised APP assessment data from 8,979 clinical placement assessments, across 19 Australian and New Zealand universities, graduating entry-level physiotherapy students (n=1865) in 2019. Structural representation of APP scores were examined via confirmatory factor analysis and penalised structural equation models. Factor analyses indicated a 2-factor representation, with four items (1-4) for the professional dimension and 16 items (5-20) for the clinical dimension, is the best approximation of entry-level physiotherapy performance. Measurement invariance analyses supported the robustness of this 2-factor representation over time and across diverse practice areas in both penultimate and final years of study.The findings provide strong evidence for the psychometric integrity of the APP, and the 2-factor alternative interpretation and operationalisation is recommended. To meet entry-level standards students should be assessed as competent across both professional and clinical dimensions of physiotherapy practice.</p
Physiotherapy management of gluteal tendinopathy
Get PDFThis Invited Topical Review begins by defining gluteal tendinopathy (GT), describing the disease burden, and outlining assessment of the patient, differential diagnosis and activity assessments. It then focuses primarily on physiotherapy management of GT, followed by brief discussions of prevention strategies, patient-reported outcome measures and directions for future research.GT is a common and sometimes challenging condition to treat. It has a prevalence rate between 2.9 and 4.2 per 1,000 people and an incidence rate between 1.6 and 3.3 per 1,000 people.1,2 It is far more common in women than men.3, 4, 5 It negatively impacts physical activity, work participation and quality of life.6, 7, 8 People with GT often have complex musculoskeletal presentations,9 so clinicians should endeavour to understand the condition and recognise and manage the comorbidities that commonly impact its clinical course. The likelihood of efficient and effective treatment can be fostered by an excellent therapeutic alliance, a client-centred approach, making the correct diagnosis,10 and in the first instance using appropriate education and exercise