125,068 research outputs found
Is the Ekblom-Bak Test a valid screening tool for Vo2peak in highly active individuals?
No full textIntroductionMaximal oxygen consumption testing is suggested to be regularly included between training blocks of athletes in order to monitor changes in fitness throughout the season. However, despite the good reliability and validity of this physiological test, an expensive metabolic chart, and expert personnel are needed. Further, the maximal effort needed by the athlete makes this test difficult to be performed routinely. Therefore, it is important to develop valid tools that are also feasible for the estimation of the maximal oxygen consumption. The aim of this study was to validate the Ekblom-Bak test (EBT) (Ekblom-Bak et al., 2014) against an incremental test measuring peak VO2 by gas exchange on a cycle ergometer in well-trained individuals.Methods33 highly active individuals aged 34.5±6.6yrs (mean ± standard deviation (SD)) body mass 74.5±12kg, and height; 178± 9.3m) participated in the study. The EBT test was performed prior to the incremental exercise test to peak effort on a cycle ergometer for VO2peak assessment. Oxygen uptake was determined by an automated measuring system for oxygen uptake with a mixing chamber (OxygenPro, Jaeger GmbH, Germany) validated against the Douglas bag method resulting in a typical error of 2%. The mean difference and standard deviation of the differences between the EBT and measured VO2peak was calculated with Bland-Altman analysis.ResultsThe measured mean and SD VO2peak was 4.1±0.8 L•min-1 for the whole group (male 4.4±0.6 L•min-1 and female 2.9±0.5 L•min-1). The mean differences between measured and estimated (EBT) VO2peak was 0.05 L•min-1 (95% CI; -0.15 to 0.25). CV was 13.2% in the whole group with no significant differences between sexes. For individuals with a VO2peak within the valid range of the EBT (VO2max 1.56 to 4.49 L•min-1, n=23), the mean differences between measured and estimate VO2peak was -0.22 L•min-1 (95% CI; -0.36 to -0.08), resulting in a CV of 8.2%. For individuals above the valid limit (n=10), the mean difference was 0.68L•min-1(95% CI; 0.47 to 0.98) with a CV of 6.9%. Discussion The Ekblom-Bak test is an easily applied and inexpensive screening tool for a population of highly active individuals within the current validity range, and may be used routinely in monitoring fitness.ReferencesEkblom-Bak E, Björkman F, Hellenius ML, Ekblom B (2014). Scand J Med Sci Sports, 24(2), 319-326</p
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
No full textThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Physical fitness and overweight in Swedish youths
No full textThe aim of the present thesis was to describe the level of physical fitness and prevalence of overweight and obesity in Swedish youths, and their trends over 14 years. Additionally, the relation between fitness and overweight on the one hand and physical activity on the other was examined. In 2001, a total of 2118 children, aged 10, 13 and 16 years, were invited from 48 randomly selected schools in Sweden. Out of these, 1732 or 81.8 % participated in the testing. For trend analyses, data collected in 1987 from a sample of 516 children were used.When subjects in the 2001 sample were analysed according to proposed cut-off values, 15.7% (95% CI: 14.1% to 17.6%) of all subjects were found to be overweight and 4.3% (95% CI: 3.4% to 5.4%) were obese. The total prevalence accordingly being 20.1% (95% CI: 18.3% to 22.0%). This sample proved to be heterogeneous concerning overweight status. When obesity and overweight were combined the highest prevalence (26.6%, 95% CI: 21.2 to 32.7) was found in 10-year-old girls and the lowest (17.5%, 95% CI: 13.6 to 22.2) in 16-year-old girls. The prevalence in 2001 was nearly 2.5 times higher, compared to the 1987-sample. Girls attending schools in smaller towns or on the countryside had a nearly two-fold prevalence of overweight and obesity, compared to girls living in the major cities. The difference was less pronounced in boys. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was related to level of physical activity in 10 and 13 years old children but not in 16 years old.Results from the performance tests in the 1987 and 2001 samples were compared. Concerning cardio-respiratory performance, girls aged 16 years showed only small differences, whereas boys in the 2001 sample performed worse compared to boys in the 1987-sample (46 ml x kg-1 x min-1 vs. 41 ml x kg-1 x min-1 for 1987 and 2001, respectively, and median difference 9.2 %, 95% CI: -16.7 to -2.2).Concerning neuro-muscular performance, the comparisons of results between the 1987 and 2001 samples showed varying results. Generally, performance on the upper body and trunk muscles strength and endurance tests was lower in 2001 compared to 1987. Neuromuscular performance in the lower body differed less.For both boys and girls, differences in neuro-muscular performance between subjects in different activity strata increased with age. Results showed only small differences in neuro-muscular performance between active and less active strata at age 10, but larger at age 13 and 16 years in both boys and girls. And at age 13 and 16 years, neuro-muscular performance differed widely between active and less active girls. At age 10, only small differences were found in cardio-respiratory performance between active and less active subjects (both girls and boys). At age 13 and 16 years both girls and boys showed large differences in cardio-respiratory performance between activity levels, with better performance in more active children.List of scientific papersI. Ekblom O, Oddsson K, Ekblom B (2004). Prevalence and regional differences in overweight in 2001 and trends in BMI distribution in Swedish children from 1987 to 2001. Scand J Public Health. 32(4): 257-63. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15370765II. Ekblom O, Oddsson K, Ekblom B (2004). Health-related fitness in Swedish adolescents between 1987 and 2001. Acta Paediatr. 93(5): 681-6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15174795III. Ekblom O, Oddsson K, Ahlbom A, Ekblom B (2005). Effect of physical activity on prevalence of overweight and level of physical performance in children. [Manuscript]IV. Ekblom O, Ekblom B (2005). Repeated body size measurements and selected fitness tests in children and adolescents. [Manuscript]</p
Dispelling the Myths Behind First-author Citation Counts
No full textWe conducted a full-scale evaluative citation analysis study of scholars in the XML research field to explore just how different from each other author rankings resulting from different citation counting methods actually are, and to demonstrate the capability of emerging data and tools on the Web in supporting more realistic citation counting methods. Our results contest some common arguments for the continued
use of first-author citation counts in the evaluation of scholars, such as high correlations between author rankings by first-author citation counts and other citation
counting methods, and high costs of using more realistic citation counting methods that are not well-supported by the ISI databases. It is argued that increasingly available digital full text research papers make it possible for citation analysis studies to go beyond what the ISI databases have directly supported and to employ more
sophisticated methods
A-Z of nutritional supplements: dietary supplements, sports nutrition foods and ergogenic aids for health and performance-part 10
No full textOne enjoyable aspect of our A–Z series is that an issue often comprises a real assortment, such as occurs here. We have: citrulline, a non-essential amino acid; coenzyme Q10, a coenzyme that is part of the total antioxidant system; colostrum, the initial milk produced by mammals after giving birth, with bovine colostrum being a popular supplement among athletes because of its reported immune benefits; this is followed by conjugated linoleic acid, a series of structural and geometric isomers of linoleic acid which may play a role in optimising body composition; and, finally, copper, a mineral with multifunctional uses that may require monitoring in athletes at risk. We are grateful to our invited reviewers for their excellent contributions giving impartial advice on the value of these individual nutrients and supplements. They are establishing that, for some, performance evidence is limited or simply does not yet exist. <br/
Physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and abdominal obesity in relation to cardiovascular disease risk : epidemiological studies
No full textAlthough Sweden saw a decline in death rates related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) between 1987 and 2011, it is still the most common cause of death for both women and men. Lifestyle-related factors such as inadequate physical activity (PA), poor cardiorespiratory fitness (CF), and excess body fat are all recognised as important predictors of CVD morbidity and mortality. More recently, studies have highlighted the possible detrimental effects of prolonged sitting, which mainly substitutes for daily non-exercise PA (NEPA). Conversely, more preferable levels of these lifestyle factors are associated with lower CVD risk and increased life expectancy. Despite the extensive research performed within this field, there is still no consensus. The main objective of this thesis was therefore to examine the interrelationship between different levels of PA, CF, and abdominal adiposity and their association with CVD risk factors, CVD morbidity, and longevity in population-based samples of Swedish men and women of different ages. A second objective was to develop a new and more precise method for estimation of CF in a mixed, healthy, population. The main findings were:- In a cross-sectional population based random sample of Swedish men (n=781) and women (n=890) aged 20 to 65 years were CF and abdominal obesity each independently and strongly beneficially associated with individual CVD risk factors, as well as to a clustered CVD risk factor profile. For the clustered risk, each unit of fitness (ml·kg-1.min-1) was associated with a 5% decrease in risk and each unit of waist circumference (cm) with a 5% increase in risk. This was seen in women as well as men, younger as well as older people, and daily smokers as well as non-smokers; however, there were some differences within the subgroups.- In the same population, higher levels of self-reported PA and CF, but mainly the latter, were independently associated in a beneficial way with both individual and clustered CVD risk factors. Furthermore, a notable interaction of excess clustered CVD risk was shown for being insufficiently physical active according to general guidelines in combination with not being fit.- In a representative cohort of 60-year-old men (n=2039) and women (n=2193) in Stockholm County, a generally active daily life was associated with beneficial metabolic health at baseline and an approximately 30% lower risk for a first-time cardiovascular event and all-cause mortality, respectively, after 12.5 years. These relationships were independent of regular exercise.- A new submaximal cycle ergometer test for estimation of maximal oxygen uptake was developed. The test is simple, low-risk, and easily administered, and does not require laboratory equipment or expertise. In a mixed population (in terms of age, activity status, and gender), the test showed a significantly increased precision compared with one of the most commonly used submaximal exercise tests today.In conclusion, these results indicate that in clinical practice it is important to evaluate both PA and CF as well as abdominal obesity status. Regarding PA, it is important to highlight the separate beneficial associations of a daily active life including NEPA on the one hand, and intentional regular exercise on the other.List of scientific papersI. Ekblom-Bak E, Hellénius ML, Ekblom O, Engström LM, and Ekblom B. Fitness and abdominal obesity are independently associated with cardiovascular risk. J Intern Med. 2009. 266(6): 547-57. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2796.2009.02131.x II. Ekblom-Bak E, Hellénius ML, Ekblom O, Engström LM, and Ekblom B. Independent associations of physical activity and cardiovascular fitness with cardiovascular risk in adults. Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil. 2010. 17(2): 175-80. https://doi.org/10.1097/HJR.0b013e32833254f2. III. Ekblom-Bak E, Björkman F, Hellénius ML, and Ekblom B. A new submaximal cycle ergometer test for prediction of VO2max. Scand J Med Sci Sports. Epub 6 Nov 2012. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.12014 IV. Ekblom-Bak E, Ekblom B, Vikström M, de Faire U, and Hellénius ML. The importance of non-exercise physical activity for cardiovascular health and longevity. Br J Sports Med. [Accepted] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24167194 </p
The Conjunction of Criminal Opportunity: a Framework for Crime Reduction Toolkits
No full textIn 2001 the Home Office commissioned ‘toolkits’ for crime prevention practitioners. This companion document, for the UK Crime Reduction Website, describes the Conjunction of Criminal Opportunity (CCO) conceptual framework and suite of definitions Paul Ekblom developed to rigorously integrate disparate theories of crime, to guide researchers, policymakers and practitioners.
CCO provides a map of fundamental crime prevention principles, bridging ‘cultural divides’ between a) offender-oriented approaches to crime and its prevention, versus situational ones (making crime harder/riskier); and b) enforcement-based versus ‘civil’ interventions
Pragmatic Case Studies as a Source of Unity in Applied Psychology
No full textTo unify or not to unify applied psychology: that is the question. In this article we review pendulum swings in the historical efforts to answer this question—from a comprehensive, positivist, “top-down,” deductive yes between the 1930s and the early 60s, to a postmodern no since then. A rationale and proposal for a limited, “bottom-up,” inductive yes in applied psychology is then presented, employing a case-based paradigm that integrates both positivist and postmodern themes and components. This paradigm is labeled “pragmatic psychology” and, its specific use of case studies, the “Pragmatic Case Study Method” (“PCS Method”). We call for the creation of peer-reviewed journal-databases of pragmatic case studies as a foundational source of unifying applied knowledge in our discipline. As one example, the potential of the PCS Method for unifying different angles of theoretical regard is illustrated in an area of applied psychology, psychotherapy, via the case of Mrs. B. The article then turns to the broader historical and epistemological arguments for the unifying nature of the PCS Method in both applied and basic psychology.Peer reviewe
Dr. Edwin Wright Collection: Author Unknown
No full textNotes - The author relates several short stories about his neighbours including Alex McDonell, homesteading and life around Meanook and Athabasca (1 page
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
No full textWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
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