Ground reaction forces, asymmetries and performance of change of direction tasks in youth elite female basketball players

The magnitude and direction of inter-limb asymmetries in a change of direction (COD) have increased interest in scientific research in recent years. This present study aimed to investigate the magnitude of asymmetries in an elite youth female basketball sample (n = 18, age = 17.79 ± 0.67 y) and determine its directionality using force platform technology. Participants performed 70◦ and 180◦ COD tests analyzing the following variables: time, ground contact time (GCT) and ground reaction forces (GRF) along the anterior–posterior, mediolateral, and vertical axes. Inter-limb asymmetries were evident in both COD tests, with substantial differences observed between limbs (p < 0.01). The asymmetry values ranged from 3.02% to 24.31% in COD 180◦ and from 1.99% to 21.70% in COD 70◦, with anterior–posterior GRF consistently exhibiting the highest asymmetry magnitude. Additionally, the directionality exhibited variability between the tests, indicating poor agreement and suggesting the independent directionality of asymmetries across tasks. Moreover, players required more time to complete the COD 180◦, the GCT was noticeably longer for the COD 180◦ than for the COD 70◦, and GRF varied across the axis, suggesting that players adapt uniquely to the specific demands of each task. The utilization of force platforms presents a comprehensive approach to assess asymmetries and COD variables performance variables which are “angle-dependent”, which could have important implications for COD screening and effective training interventions

Vrednotenje nevarnosti gola v nogometu z uporabo lokacij igralca in žoge

Goal scoring in football is relatively low but vitally important, hence research has considered how goals are created and scored with measures such as expected goals prevalent. The dynamical systems theoretical perspective, considers a collective system, such as football, as existing in two states, stable (no substantive advantage for either team) or unstable (advantage present). Hence, goal scoring events occur when the system has become unstable, with a “perturbation” the event causing the system state change. Here, a “goal threat” value was calculated every second (scaled from 0 to 100) using the XY coordinates of players and the ball, weighted in relation to proximity to the goal (a potential proxy for the degree of system instability). Video recordings and synchronised Amisco 2D representations of goals (n=64) scored in Swansea City AFC English Premier League 2012/2013 matches (n=20) were analysed using Dartfish v10 Pro software. Each goal was analysed from when the play was judged to be stable (no obvious goal scoring opportunity), or the start of possession, until the goal had been scored. Goals were not always preceded by high goal threat values (maximum goal threat values ranged from 13.4 to 99.0). The authors independently subjectively determined that perturbations occurred up to 7 seconds from when the goal threat value increased by at least 40%. Thus, perturbations were not directly related to goal scoring opportunities. This novel method provides a useful, quantifiable, and simple measure of goal threat that may also aid audience engagement and measure defensive effectiveness.Zadetki v nogometu so ključnega pomena. Ker je le teh relativno malo, smo preučevali, kako se gol doseže. V ta namen smo uporabili koncept prevladovanja pričakovanih golov. Teoretična perspektiva dinamičnih sistemov je preučila nogomet kot kolektivni sistem, ki obstaja v dveh stanjih - stabilnem (brez prednosti za nobeno ekipo) ali nestabilnem (s prednostjo eni ekipi). Pri doseganju golov se sistemi spremenijo iz stabilnega v nestabilno stanje, pri čemer se \"motnja\" pojavi kot dogodek, ki povzroči spremembo stanja sistema. V raziskavi je bila izračunana vrednost \"grožnje golu\" za vsako sekundo, ki je upoštevala položaj igralcev in žoge ter oddaljenost od gola (kot približek za stopnjo nestabilnosti sistema). Za analizo je bilo uporabljenih 64 golov, doseženih na tekmah angleške Premier lige Swansea City AFC v sezoni 2012/2013, ki so bili predstavljeni v videoposnetkih in 2D animacijah programa Amisco. Vsak gol je bil analiziran od trenutka, ko je bila igra ocenjena kot stabilna, ali od trenutka, ko je ekipa pridobila posest žoge, do trenutka, ko je bil gol dosežen. Pred golom vrednosti grožnje niso bile vedno visoke, najvišje vrednosti so bile med 13,4 in 99,0. Ugotovili smo, da se je motnja običajno pojavila v roku 7 sekund od trenutka, ko se je vrednost grožnje povečala za vsaj 40% in da motnje niso nujno povezane s priložnostmi za gol. Ta nova metoda zagotavlja uporabno in merljivo merilo grožnje golu, kar lahko pomaga tudi pri angažiranju gledalcev in merjenju učinkovitosti obrambe

An investigation into organisational hybridity in faith-based social enterprises in Ghana: an organisational spirituality perspective

This 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

Representative design: a realistic alternative to (systematic) integrative design

We disagree with Almaatouq et al. that no realistic alternative exists to the "one-at-a-time" paradigm. Seventy years ago, Egon Brunswik introduced representative design which offers a clear path to commensurability and generality. Almaatouq et al.’s integrative design cannot guarantee the external validity and generalizability of results which is sorely needed, while representative design tackles the problem head on

Campus source to sink wastewater surveillance of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)

Wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) offers an aggregate, and cost-effective approach for tracking infectious disease outbreak prevalence within communities, that provides data on community health complementary to individual clinical testing. This study reports on a 16-month WBS initiative on a university campus in England, UK, assessing the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in sewers from large buildings, downstream sewer locations, raw wastewater, partially treated and treated effluents. Key findings include the detection of the Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant in wastewater, with 70 % of confirmed campus cases correlating with positive wastewater samples. Notably, ammonium nitrogen (NH -N) levels showed a positive correlation (ρ = 0.543, < 0.01) with virus levels at the large building scale, a relationship not observed at the sewer or wastewater treatment works (WWTW) levels due to dilution. The WWTW was compliant to wastewater standards, but the secondary treatment processes were not efficient for virus removal as SARS-CoV-2 was consistently detected in treated discharges. Tools developed through WBS can also be used to enhance traditional environmental monitoring of aquatic systems. This study provides a detailed source-to-sink evaluation, emphasizing the critical need for the widespread application and improvement of WBS. It showcases WBS utility and reinforces the ongoing challenges posed by viruses to receiving water quality

Statistical tests for sports science practitioners: identifying performance gains in individual athletes

There is an ongoing surge of sports science professionals within sports organizations. However, when seeking to determine training-related adaptations, sports scientists have demonstrated continued reliance on group-style statistical analyses that are held to critical assumptions not achievable in smaller-sample team settings. There is justification that these team settings are better suited for replicated single-subject analyses, but there is a dearth of literature to guide sports science professionals seeking methods appropriate for their teams. In this report, we summarize four methods’ ability to detect performance adaptations at the replicated single-subject level and provide our assessment for the ideal methods. These methods included the model statistic, smallest worthwhile change (SWC), coefficient of variation (CV), and standard error of measurement (SEM), which were discussed alongside step-by-step guides for how to conduct each test. To contextualize the methods’ use in practice, real countermovement vertical jump (CMJ) test data was used from four athletes (two females and two males) who complete five bi-weekly CMJ test sessions. Each athlete was competing in basketball at the NCAA Division 1 level. We concluded the combined application of the model statistic and CV methods should be preferred when seeking to objectively detect meaningful training adaptations in individual athletes. This combined approach ensures that the differences between tests are A) not random and B) reflect a worthwhile change. Ultimately, the use of simple and effective methods that are not restricted by group-based statistical assumptions can aid practitioners when conducting performance tests to determine athlete adaptations

Revisiting operations agility and formalizing digitalization in response to varying levels of uncertainty and customization

This paper aims to find how digitalization supports inter-organizational purchasing/order fulfillment processes and the required agility to respond to supply/demand uncertainties. The research method includes multiple case studies. Qualitative data are collected via interviews and documentation review. Within-case and cross-case analyses of the research lead to 14 propositions and a novel framework, which formalize and link agility and digitalization at different levels. The research findings point out the agility in micro and macro types for the demand and supply sides of the business, responding to different levels of uncertainties. The findings categorize the relevant applications of digitalization at three levels: data interchange, data integration, and predictive data analytics. Moreover, the agility-digitalization relationships are defined for different levels of customization, represented by customer order decoupling points. This paper contributes to the literature by offering an in-depth and explicit understanding of the impacts of digitalization on different types of agility for different levels of customization

Nest/ing: an emergent (un)methodology for becoming otherwise

A dense, pungent, brown-green, intricately woven, itchy-silky, moss-strewn, twig-ridden ball brought us together. Since then, nest(ing) has become a shared methodology - nest/ing has offered a praxis of getting to know each other, getting to know nests (better) and it has become a capacious writing methodology. Taking nest(ing) seriously has drawn into sharp focus the perils of human exceptionalism. Nesting has gifted opportunities to wallow in porous boundaries and to luxuriate in modes of liminal reading/writing/experimenting, informed by a feminist politics to imagine the world differently (Despret, 2016). It is through lively storytelling, involving passing patterns back and forth that this piece, this assemblage of words (and memories, sensations and more) has nested into being - robust yet fragile, unruly yet hospitable, unknowable yet knowing. Storying the everyday is nesting. Nest/ing has become an emergent (un)methodology for becoming otherwise; something of an affective ecology that felts together guilt, awkwardness, vulnerability and inseparability. Nest/ing has taken us to places we could not have anticipated in advance and it has persisted in keeping our curiosity provoked as we dwell upon and amongst ordinary affects (Stewart, 2007) as they are encountered through minor gestures (Manning, 2016)

Developing an evaluation strategy in Kashmir: assessing the impact of an arts intervention with school children in an area of conflict

About 1 in 6 children live in areas of conflict globally (Save the children, 2022), with significant impact on mental health, behaviour, and life outcomes (Buser et al., 2023). Research on ways to help prevent and reduce suffering is paramount, yet assessing the impact of interventions on children in the context of conflict is challenging, beset with ethical, cultural and psychometric difficulties (Newman et al., 2006). This practice report shares and reflects on the research strategy developed to evaluate the impact of an arts intervention in the Kashmir Valley, funded by an AHRC Urgency bid to help children in crisis. The study took part in a highly militarised area, where children were regularly exposed to violence, protests and resistance, and education and family life were heavily impacted by military lockdowns. When the study began (June 2020) conditions were further intensified by rising cases of coronavirus. The arts-based intervention occurred at one school and ran throughout their academic year (from August 2020). Thirty children (aged 12-15) were referred by the school to participate in a programme that was integrated into the curriculum and included a range of art activities: painting, writing, puppetry, music and performance, designed to enable expression and improve wellbeing, led by an artist and art therapist (Buser et al., 2023)

Averting depletion in a two-player common pool resource game: Being seen, the expectation of future encounters, and biophilia play a role in cooperation

Using a two-player common pool resource game, we investigated the influence of multiple factors on cooperation: (1) probability of future rounds, (2) visibility of other participants, (3) biophilia, (4) future discounting, and (5) life history. In each round, participants simultaneously and independently (without conferring) decided how much of the common pool to consume. Participants (n = 116) were informed that the shared resource would be fully replenished in the next round—but only if—both players together consumed ≤ 50% of the common pool in the current round. Additionally, participants were told the probability (0–100%) of further rounds of play with the same player (this probability was not real; it was purely to manipulate the player’s expectations). To assess the effect of the probability of future rounds, we developed a mathematical model to predict the threshold that would permit a Nash Equilibrium of Conditional Cooperation (CC). To manipulate visibility, half the pairs were tested in the same room (seen condition) and half in separate rooms (unseen condition). To measure biophilia, the “Nature Relatedness” (NR) scale was used. To measure future discounting, the “consideration of future consequences” (CFC) scale was used. To measure life history, the participant’s UK postcode was obtained (indicating possible residence in a deprived neighbourhood). Participants in our study were not paid. In our results, there was a significant effect showing more cooperation in the visible than not visible condition, but no significant effects of NR, CFC, nor postcodes (but NR was significant in interaction with visibility). For predictability of future rounds, we found a number of significant effects using different tests. A notable result was that there was significantly more CC when the probability of future rounds was ≥ 69% (congruent with one of our model predictions)