Measuring Physical Function Capacity in Persons With Haemophilia: A Systematic Review of Performance‐Based Methods

Introduction: Currently, physical health assessments in persons with haemophilia focus on bleed‐related events and after‐effects. The aim of the systematic review was to review and apply standardised criteria to evaluate reliability, responsiveness and construct validity of performance‐based instruments evaluating physical capability in persons with haemophilia. Methods: Medline, CINAHL, Embase, EMCARE, and Cochrane (inception‐March 2024) were searched using COSMIN filters for 7 performance‐based tests in haemophilia, supplemented by manual searches. Reliability, responsiveness and construct validity of the six‐minute walk test (6MWT), timed up and go test (TUG), timed up and down stairs (TUDS), 30‐second sit‐to‐stand (30‐STS), single leg stance (SLS), tandem stance (TS) and single hop for distance (SH) were evaluated. Results: The search yielded 88 abstracts; 25 studies remained after full‐text screening, covering 5 of 7 performance‐based instruments: 6MWT, TUG, TUDS, SLS, and 30‐STS. No performance‐based test was evaluated for all properties across all ages. Only TUG in adults and older adults and 6MWT in children and adolescents has been tested for all properties. No test received a high grading. Low and very low grades were given mostly for indeterminate results, small or single studies and lack of a similar construct of comparator. The 6MWT in all age groups was the only performance‐based test graded moderate, and this was for responsiveness. Conclusion: With increasing use of performance‐based methods of physical function capacity, evaluating measurement properties is a priority. Until evidence is generated, we can only advocate the 6MWT to monitor responsiveness in adult persons with haemophilia affected with marked arthropathy

Managing well-being and workload with beginning languages teachers

This chapter considers well-being and workload of beginning languages teachers and the important role that mentors play in nurturing teachers in the early stages of their careers. It draws on research evidence, policy documents and practical experience, with a particular focus on languages, to support mentors in their work. The well-being of beginning languages teachers must be a priority – at a human level, we want beginning teachers to thrive in the profession, and there are also links between the well-being of teachers and student success

Analysis of Throw-ins Strategy on Performance Metrics in Five Men’s European Football Leagues

Limited research has investigated the impact of throw-in strategy on match performance. Hence, this study examined throw-in strategy used by teams across five European competitions and how that strategy affected first contact success, possession retention, and attacking outcomes. Throw-ins from 1,826 matches across five European Leagues (Premier League; Bundesliga; Serie A; La Liga; Ligue) during the 2022/2023 season were analysed. StatsBomb data resulted in 71,220 phases of play originating from a throw-in. Variables such as competition, throw-in distance and direction were assessed on their impact on first contact success, possession metrics and shot creation. On average, 39 throw-ins were taken per match. 42,287 throws originated from the middle zones of the pitch, with throwing the ball backwards (99.5%) or laterally (96.9%) increasing first contact success compared to throwing the ball forwards (71.3%) (p15 seconds). Retaining possession from the throw-ins was highest when going backwards (92.13%) compared to laterally (71.20%) and forwards (49.75%). Results showed an increased chance of shot creation for throw-ins directed backwards or laterally compared to those directed forwards. Findings are discussed in relation to applied performance and coaching implications

Critical Pedagogies of Discomfort in Practice and Professional Education

This book explores the scope for discomforting pedagogies within practice and professional education contexts in order to consider the ethical challenges associated with exploring complex and sensitive areas of practice and everyday life. Questions explored include: · How is discomfort handled within professional training? · What spaces remain for critical reflection, dialogue and compassionate challenge within practice and professional education spaces? · What are the ethical implications of critical pedagogic practice in University-based professional education and other training settings? · How does compassion and care intersect with developing critical pedagogical approaches on thorny and sensitive issues? · How do identities and investments play out in education and training spaces, and to what effect? · What are the limits of 'safe' space within professional education contexts? Bringing together scholars, practitioners and students who draw on themes of social justice in their pedagogical practice, the contributors unpack the debates around how to reflect on, challenge and explore critical and sensitive issues in social justice education in professional contexts. Consideration is given to how decisions in relation to notions of safety and discomfort should be made, and who is empowered to make these decisions

Barriers and facilitators impacting the implementation of digital interventions targeted at mental health and musculoskeletal disorders in the workplace: a scoping review protocol

Background The digital transition in the workplace has increased trends such as permanent connectivity, an increased sedentary lifestyle, and reduced social interaction, leading to additional psychosocial and ergonomic risks for workers. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and mental health problems are particularly prevalent, posing a significant burden. To address these challenges, organisations can implement digital or blended interventions targeting MSDs and mental health problems. However, there is still limited evidence on combined workplace interventions targeting both MSDs and mental health problems and respective facilitators and barriers for their successful implementation and sustainability. The objective of this scoping review is to identify barriers and facilitators to the implementation of blended and digital interventions targeted at combined mental health and MSDs in the workplace. Methods Bibliographic databases will be searched for studies published since 2014 and reported on the implementation of interventions with a digital component targeted at mental health and MSDs in the workplace. Studies will be included if the intervention was delivered within, or access provided through, the workplace. The title and abstract screen and the full-text screening will be completed independently by two reviewers, with a third reviewer resolving any arising conflicts in the process. Results Descriptive characteristics of the study design, workplace sector, mode of working, intervention details, mode of intervention delivery, outcomes, and barriers and facilitators will be extracted. Results will be reported in accordance with the PRISMA for Scoping Reviews checklist and a narrative synthesis used to summarise characteristics of included studies, as well as barriers and facilitators to the implementation of interventions. Discussion The findings from this review will provide practical recommendations relevant to researchers and practitioners developing or implementing digital interventions in the workplace targeting mental health conditions and MSDs

Biological sex minimally affects the free-weight back squat load-velocity profile when accounting for relative strength: An exploratory study

Research suggests that biological sex and strength level influence the load-velocity profile. However, existing research have not appropriately statistically accounted for the interdependencies between sex and relative strength. This exploratory study investigated load-velocity profiles of 24 resistance-trained participants (14 males, 10 females; back squat 1.69 × and 1.28 × body mass, respectively) using mixed-effects modelling to account for relative strength and individual variability. Participants completed 2–3 incremental back squat loading tests (20 kg to one-repetition maximum [1RM]). 1RM assessments showed excellent reliability, while mean concentric velocity (MCV) at 0–40% of 1RM demonstrated good-to-excellent reliability, with reliability systematically declining at higher relative loads. Small effects of biological sex on load-velocity profiles was found at 0–40% of 1RM (0.07–0.13 m/s, BF = 10.702–47.682, pd = 91–98%), while the effects of relative strength were more pronounced at 0–70% of 1RM (0.18–0.44 m/s, BF = 26.972–2399.000, pd = 96–100%), both with diminishing differences as relative load increased. These findings challenge assumptions about sex as a major load-velocity profile moderator when accounting for relative strength and individual variability. While exploratory and requiring replication, the study recommends future research employ more nuanced statistical methods, recruit homogeneously trained samples, and minimise measurement noise to avoid potential type-I errors

Trust in Economics and Politics

The lack of study of interpersonal trust and the virtues that lead to trust in the disciplines of economics, political economy and politics is surprising. The absence of trust in economic life can lead to huge increases in transactions costs which impoverish society. The lack of the virtues that lead to trust in political life can destroy society and make political institutions exploitative, with catastrophic consequences. There is a strong empirical link between the level of trust in society and levels of wellbeing. The paper argues that markets and competition will often promote virtues that lead to trust, but that this is not guaranteed. If trust in economic life is absent, governments may be able to regulate markets to overcome the problems created, but we should not assume that those in political life do not fall prey to the same temptations as economic operators. We need to rebuild trust by nurturing virtues, and this should start in the family. This is necessary because, ultimately, whilst political institutions can be better or worse when it comes to their efficacy in promoting trust, a change in culture is also necessary

High Return to Competition Rate After On-Field Rehabilitation in Competitive Male Soccer Players After ACL Reconstruction: GPS Tracking in 100 Consecutive Cases.

Despite published guidelines describing on-field rehabilitation (OFR) frameworks for soccer, available evidence for practitioners who work with players with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is limited. To document the activity and workloads completed by a large cohort of amateur and professional soccer players during OFR following ACLR after completing their indoor rehabilitation and to establish their return to competition (RTC) outcomes. Case series; Level of evidence, 4. OFR measurements/activities, global positioning system (GPS), and heart rate data were collected from 100 male 11-a-side soccer players with ACLR undergoing a criteria-based rehabilitation process, concluding with a 5-stage OFR program. Consent was obtained directly from the players involved in this study before completing a follow-up questionnaire to document RTC outcomes. Differences between the level of play (professional and amateur) and 5 OFR stages were investigated using separate linear mixed models. A minimum 9-month follow-up was possible for 97 players (97%), with a median time of 2.3 years after ACLR and 84% RTC, with higher rates in professionals (100%) than amateurs (80%). Ten (10%) players sustained an ACL reinjury. Professionals completed more OFR sessions (20.6 ± 7.7 vs 13.2 ± 7.7; < .001) over a shorter period (44.7 ± 30.3 vs 59.3 ± 28.5 days; = .044) and achieved higher workloads mostly in the high-intensity GPS metrics in each OFR stage. Typical external workload outputs in the final OFR stage aligned with team training demands for the total distance (TD) (106%), high-intensity distance (HID) (104%), peak speed (PS) (88%), acceleration distance (ACC) (110%), and deceleration distance (DEC) (48%), but they were lower compared with match play demands (TD: 44%; HID: 51%; PS: 82%; ACC: 63%; and DEC: 26%). High RTC rates were reported in those players who participated in OFR after indoor rehabilitation. Completion of all five OFR stages almost prepared them for team training demands; however, workloads remain low compared to match play. [Abstract copyright: © The Author(s) 2025.

The CJEU's Google Android Auto Judgment and the Evolution of Refusal to Supply Doctrine

This case note examines these developments, fo- cusing on the Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM) initial findings and fine against Google, followed by the CJEU's landmark February 2025 judgment that provides critical guidance on re- fusals to supply in digital contexts. The analysis unpacks key elements of both rulings, examining their implications for dominant platforms, app develop- ers, and competition enforcement in the digital sector

A Comparison of Maximal Isometric Force in The First Pull, Transition and Second Pull of the Clean and Their Contribution to Predict Performance in National and International Level Weightlifters.

This study aimed to examine differences in isometric peak force (PF) at the start of the first pull, transition, and second pull phases of the clean, and determine their contribution in explaining the variance in snatch and clean & jerk (C&J) performance. Thirty-one national and international level male and female weightlifters participated. Isometric start position pull (ISPP), isometric transition position pull (ITPP), and isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) PF, along with competition performance, were analysed both in absolute and allometrically scaled terms. Partial Least Squares Regression identified a single latent variable explaining 81.4% of the variance in Snatch and 79.6% in C&J. ISPP PF alone significantly contributed to explaining the variance the snatch and C&J. For allometrically scaled values, a single latent variable accounted for and 62.8% variance in Snatch and 60.7% of the variance in C&J, with ISPP PF significantly contributing to the Snatch and approached significance for C&J (p = 0.056). These results underscore the importance of evaluating maximal force in the initial lift phase and suggest that training to enhance strength in this phase may be crucial for improving weightlifting performance