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Home-based resistance training performed at either fast or slow speeds improves power output in older adults
No full textPURPOSE: We investigated the effect of an unsupervised, body mass- home-based resistance training program in older adults performed at either a fast or slow contractile speed on changes to muscle-power, -volume, -architecture, and fatigue resistance of the knee extensors.METHODS: Thirty-two male older adults (age 65-88 years) were separated into 1) fast-speed exercise (Fast-group), 2) slow-speed exercise (Slow-group), and 3) no exercise (Control-group) groups. Participants in the exercise groups performed 30-45 repetitions of knee-extension and sit-to-stand exercises 3 times a week for 8 weeks with different exercise speed between the groups. Before and after the intervention period, the following variables were measured: Isotonic power, isometric strength, twitch contractile properties, muscle-activity, -architecture, and -quality, neuromuscular fatigue resistance of the knee extensors, and thigh muscle volume.RESULTS: Peak power was increased in both the Fast-group (+24 %, P < 0.01, d = 0.65) and Slow-group (+12 %, P < 0.05, d = 0.33) but not in the Control-group. Training increased pennation angle of the vastus lateralis in both the Fast-group (+8 %, P < 0.01, d = 0.42) and Slow-group (+8 %, P < 0.01, d = 0.42), while only the Fast-group showed increase in pennation angle of the rectus femoris (+12 %, P < 0.01, d = 0.64) and thigh muscle volume (+16 %, P < 0.01, d = 0.52). There was no time × group interaction effect for the other neuromuscular measures.CONCLUSIONS: Unsupervised, body mass- and home-based resistance training performed at either fast or slow speeds can improve muscle power in older adults, while fast-speed exercise may be preferable over slow-speed owing to the relatively greater improvement of muscle-power, -volume, -architecture, and better time efficiency.</p
Understanding and improving mental wellbeing support for pupils with SEND:A co-production study with CYP with 22q11.2DS and their families
No full textIntroduction: Pupils with SEND represent a significant proportion of the school community, comprising on average four children in every classroom. Yet, evidence suggests a wide variation in provision and common instances of pupils’ learning and mental wellbeing needs being missed or not identified accurately. Sustaining pupils with SEND within mainstream education presents a huge challenge (Department for Education, 2018). Primary school staff have reported that the strain on specialist services nationally – exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic – is making it even more difficult to support pupils with SEND (GOV.UK., 2022). This is likely to lead to more alternative provision (AP) referrals and permanent school exclusions. Pertinently, most primary-age pupils referred to AP have socio-emotional and mental health needs. Despite legislation enacted to increase families decision-making rights over education provision, such empowerment appears not to have been translated into practice. Furthermore, children and young people (CYP) have a right to express their views on matters affecting their lives, however, evidence suggests that their voices often go unheard, and this is even more apparent for CYP with SEND. Nonetheless, research shows that pupils with SEND can actively contribute to positive change and more inclusive practice (Dimitrellou & Male, 2019). The current study focused on a specific population of SEND pupils: CYP with 22q.11 deletion syndrome (22q). This condition is associated with developmental delay and mild-to-moderate intellectual disability (Fiksinski et al., 2022), while CYP experience co-occurring physical and neurodevelopmental conditions and are at substantial risk of poor mental health.Aims: This exploratory qualitative study investigated key stakeholder perceptions and experiences of existing mental wellbeing provision. The aim was to identify barriers and facilitators for tailored support in the 22q population to inform guidance for schools and generate hypotheses for further research.Methods: To the best of our knowledge, prior to this study children in England with 22q had not participated in research about their lived experiences and support for their mental wellbeing. To facilitate co-production with CYP and their parents, a Participatory Action Research (PAR) method was utilised which recognises CYP as experts in their own lives. Participants were purposively sampled and comprised n=10 CYP with 22q and n=14 parents. Steering groups were hosted to shape the development of the interview schedules and to meaningfully involve CYP with 22q from the outset. For example, participants helped to inform appropriate language, vignettes, and visual prompts to accommodate a range of developmental stages and capacities. In line with a PAR ethos, CYP’s voice was prioritised throughout the research process. Techniques such as member checking helped to ensure that participants’ authentic voice was captured. Data collected from semi-structured interviews were thematically analysed using a hybrid deductive-inductive approach.Results: Seven thematic categories were elicited: Mind the gaps: Support for CYP with 22q - pupils' support in mainstream schools centred on learning targets, ‘academic blinkeredness’ meant CYP’s socio-emotional needs were often overlooked; My mental health and wellbeing story - many participants associated secondary school with poor wellbeing and mental health difficulties, often linked to increasing academic demands, bullying or unmet support needs; Power and influence: the dynamics of relationships - most CYP were able to identify a trusted adult in school they could talk to about their feelings, although teaching and pastoral staff were not always perceived as approachable and sometimes feared; Getting it wrong: Failing CYP and families – systemic failures in health and education were highlighted including poor communication and funding-driven (not CYP-centred) decision making; Getting it right: From surviving to thriving – examples of good practice and suggestions for more inclusive approaches were voiced including actions for raising awareness about 22q; Managing Transition – transitions emerged as pivotal points for wellbeing and facilitators and barriers to a smooth experience were elicited; Nothing about me, without me, is for me – CYP and their parents’ experiences of feeling voiceless were expressed alongside a commitment to be heard as ‘experts’ in their own lives, including CYP’s active involvement in developing resources for schools. Conclusion: Research suggests that pupils with SEND were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and tackling this requires a more holistic understanding of pupils’ individual needs. The UK government improvement plan has pledged to enhance the early identification of needs and intervention for pupils with SEND and stipulates that the SEND system should be co-produced with families, children and young people (HM Government, 2023). The current research supports this commitment and provides authentic insights into the lived experiences of CYP with 22q that can be used to inform guidance for schools and more inclusive practice. Findings can be extrapolated to the wider SEND population.<br/
‘They’re Not Children Anymore’: Juveniles as Adult Defendants in US Criminal Justice, 1786–2000
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Spirituality in early childhood pedagogy:A Froebelian approach in Chinese and English contexts
No full textThis is a final report to Froebel Trust drawing on the funded research project (Tang and Zhao, 2022-2024). The evidence captured in the research demonstrates the necessity of engaging early childhood educators and young children in deep conversations in order to move closer to an understanding of young children’s spiritual growth. The research witnesses young children’s spiritual growth as an ongoing holistic learning experience closely linked to their daily expressions of personal, emotional experiences, and the process of them making sense of who they are through relational engagements with family members, educators, peers, community, imaginary friends, nature, cultural and religious rituals. The social, cultural, philosophical, religious, moral and psychological lenses that participants connect with contribute to the complexity of spirituality in early childhood context. The research calls for the urgency of addressing spirituality as an intrinsic fundamental component of young children’s identities, holistic learning and wellbeing thus the importance of providing time, space, resources, nurturing environments to support children’s spiritual awareness, expressions and experiences in their daily lives. The research sees the important role of a Froebelian approach underpinned by 'unity and connectedness' and 'the central importance of play' among other Froebelian principles in nurturing spirituality in early childhood
Probiotic Interventions in Coeliac Disease: A Systematic Review with a Focus on Cardiovascular Risk
No full textPeople with coeliac disease (CD) have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD), potentially due to inflammation. Probiotics can influence CVD risk through several mechanisms including modifying inflammation. We performed a systematic review of probiotic interventions in people with CD. In total, 4 databases were systematically searched for studies published up to March 2023. All outcomes, inclusive of any cardiovascular risk factors, were collated and reported. We screened 8084 articles and 11 publications reporting on 7 RCTs and 2 non-RCTs met the inclusion criteria for qualitative analysis. In total, 1 RCT and both non-RCTs were considered to have a high risk of bias. There was large heterogeneity between the studies and adherence to a gluten-free diet was only measured in two studies. No specific outcomes related to cardiovascular risk were reported. Two studies reported a significant reduction on serum TNF-α in children over time after probiotic supplementation. One study reported no significant change in intestinal permeability over a 3-week intervention. Currently there is insufficient evidence to advocate a positive impact of probiotics on inflammation in CD, due, in part, to the limited data on adherence to the gluten-free diet and active disease
