6,937 research outputs found

    Sports Heart Monitors as Reliable Diagnostic Tools for Training Control and Detecting Arrhythmias in Professional and Leisure-Time Endurance Athletes: An Expert Consensus Statement

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    There are countless types of portable heart rate monitoring medical devices used variously by leisure-time exercisers, professional athletes, and chronically ill patients. Almost all the currently used heart rate monitors are capable of detecting arrhythmias, but this feature is not widely known or used among their millions of consumers. The aims of this paper were as follows: (1) to analyze the currently available sports heart rate monitors and assess their advantages and disadvantage in terms of heart rate and rhythm monitoring in endurance athletes; (2) to discuss what types of currently available commercial heart rate monitors are most convenient/adjustable to the needs of different consumers (including occasionally physically active adults and cardiac patients), bearing in mind the potential health risks, especially heart rhythm disturbances connected with endurance training; (3) to suggest a set of "optimal" design features for next-generation smart wearable devices based on the consensus opinion of an expert panel of athletes, coaches, and sports medicine doctors. Ninety-two experts aged 20 years and over, involved in endurance sports on a daily basis, were invited to participate in consensus-building discussions, including 56 long-distance runners, 18 cyclists, nine coaches, and nine physicians (sports medicine specialists, cardiologists, and family medicine doctors). The overall consensus endorsed by these experts indicates that the "optimal" sports heart rate monitor should be a one-piece device of the smartwatch type (with two or more electrodes), with integrated smartphone features, and able to collect and continually transmit data without exhibiting artifacts. It should continuously record at least a single-lead electrocardiography, send an alert after an unexpected fall, be of reasonable weight, come at an affordable price, and be user friendly

    Supporting Academy Football Coaches to Develop Psychological Attributes in Male Academy Players

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    The overarching purpose of this thesis was to support academy football coaches to better facilitate the psychological development of young players. To achieve this purpose, three empirical studies were conducted, each with a respective aim. Study one (Chapter 3) aimed to first identify the key psychological attributes to develop within young academy players. Building on study one, study two (Chapter 4) aimed to explore the coaching strategies that can facilitate the development of each psychological attribute, and also to examine the observable behaviours that indicate that the attribute is developed. Finally, study three (Chapter 5) aimed to apply the knowledge constructed in study one and two by designing, delivering, and evaluating a sport psychology coach education and support programme at a case study football academy. Study one (Chapter 3) interviewed nine academy coaches who worked within a category one football academy, with eight psychological attributes constructed from thematic analysis of the interviews: commitment to develop, confidence, coping with the demands of high-level sport, drive to achieve goals, emotional control, resilience, self-aware and reflective, and strong work ethic. The findings provide greater direction for the attributes to develop in academy players but also indicate that current frameworks may not fully capture the key psychological attributes players need to develop in order to successfully progress out of the academy. Study two (Chapter 4) interviewed twelve, category one and two, academy football coaches to explore the coaching strategies used to develop each of the eight psychological attributes identified in study one. Fifty-two coaching strategies were constructed across the attributes providing academy coaches with a catalogue of user-friendly strategies to support their players’ psychological development with. Study two also identified behaviours that indicated the successful development of each attribute, knowledge that can help coaches to observe, intervene, monitor, and assess the psychological development of their players. Study three (Chapter 5) involved the design, delivery, and evaluation of a 14-month coach education and support programme with a case study academy: Dock FC. Summary coach interviews indicated that the programme was well received and helped increase awareness and to some degree their application of strategies to support the psychological development of their players. An indirect approach to the programme was taken to reflect the landscape of psychological support in academies present at the time of the study. Summary player focus groups, along with the coach interviews and researcher reflections indicated that this approach worked well, offering a tangible approach for sport psychology practitioners to adopt, more readily, in football academy environments. The research within this thesis offers empirically informed knowledge which extends the extant literature significantly. The thesis provides novel information on: (a) the key psychological attributes to prioritise the development of in the modern-day academy football player; (b) coaching strategies to support the development empirically informed psychological attributes; (c) behavioural indicators of successful psychological development; and (d) the real-world application of supporting academy coaches to develop targeted psychological attributes in the modern-day academy football academy. The insights provided in this thesis may help improve the holistic development that young football players receive throughout their football academy journey.<br/

    Life in Health 2021: Research and Practice

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    This proceedings contain a selection of papers from the international interdisciplinary conference Life in Health 2021, which took place from 9 to 10 September 2021 in the Czech Republic at the Faculty of Education, Masaryk University. The papers focus on general as well as specific approaches to public health protection and promotion. The findings presented are based on research data and are applicable in health education and general education of children and the whole population

    Southern Adventist University Undergraduate Catalog 2022-2023

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    Southern Adventist University\u27s undergraduate catalog for the academic year 2022-2023.https://knowledge.e.southern.edu/undergrad_catalog/1121/thumbnail.jp

    Flooded with terror: Identifying existential threat in water crisis communication and exploring gender bias in the depths of water management

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    The purpose of this dissertation was to advance understanding of gender inequity in water management and the ways in which threatening water communication may contribute to that inequity. Water crises are increasing with climate change and the communication of potentially fatal outcomes are ever-present via media and ongoing catastrophic climate events. While climate scholars have demonstrated that diverse decision-making groups lead to improved environmental and ethical outcomes – outcomes that include effective solutions to water crises – top-level water management in the Global North remains largely homogenously male. I explored this disconnect through the lens of Terror Management Theory (TMT) to identify how life-threatening water crisis communication may influence environmental attitudes and intergroup relations within water decision-making contexts. Terror Management Theory empirically tests the influence of mortality reminders on human behaviour and has identified predictable and replicable ways in which we respond to reminders of our eventual demise (Chapter One). Climate change has been established as a mortality reminder within Terror Management Theory research, as it evokes existential anxieties in those who consider experiencing climate change or its consequences. Water, however, had not previously been tested as a mortality reminder. The research within this dissertation was guided by three interconnected objectives: (1) to determine if threatening water messages evoke mortality salience similarly to typical TMT mortality reminders; (2) to identify how pro-environmental worldviews or identities are influenced by mortality salience and/or life-threatening water reminders; and (3) building on prior objectives, to determine whether judgments about same or different gendered water decision-makers are influenced by mortality salience from a typical and/or water-related mortality reminder. This dissertation followed social psychology methods as developed and applied within Terror Management Theory to identify the psychosocial responses to threatening water reminders (Chapters Two and Three) and the influence of these responses on gender dynamics within water crisis decision-making (Chapter Four). Findings provided confirmation that some framings of water crises evoked mortality anxieties in American and Canadian populations (Chapter Two) and delivered evidence of environmental identity reinforcement following a typical mortality or life-threatening water reminder (Chapter Three). Findings also illustrated that mortality salience influenced appraisal of male and female water managers, and that these appraisals were also influenced by underlying levels of sexism and, potentially, connected gender role stereotypes. In addition to academic contributions from this research, outcomes from this dissertation inform water communication campaigns (e.g., when threatening communications might be motivating for pro-environmental change and when might it not) and for guidance regarding equity efforts, particularly among leadership contexts that are presently male-dominated. Understanding how to develop and implement water crisis solutions is necessary in our changing climate. These solutions require recognizing how to best create and foster diverse, equitable decision-making groups that retain and respect that diversity so all can be meaningfully included

    Understanding youth in sport: A Foucauldian lens on power, discourse and knowledge in youth sports

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    In my dissertation, I challenged several modes of thought about youth sports and their practices. I purposely chose to explore practices and activities that vary greatly: resistance to competitive sport and the oft-invisible processes that are part of unorganised sports and of organised sports. Instead of drawing on commonly used post-positivist frameworks, I described an alternative way to study youth sport. In doing so, I gave participants a voice and contributed to the theorising of youth sport. A showed how variety in the use of theories, especially those that provide insight into the complex practices of youth sport such as the application of tools based of a Foucauldian approach to reality, can be used to develop policy and change practices that currently may result in youths dropping out, being exploited or abused or missing pleasure in participation. Because youth sport is considered to be an important contributor to the development of youths in society, research and theorising need to go beyond investigating outcomes and, instead, critically examine its complexities. The various studies in my dissertation revealed how a Foucauldian lens can be used to investigate youth sport practices and what this lens has to offer to scholars, administrators and policymakers to enhance their understanding and ability to respond to issues in youth sport

    The study of renal function and toxicity using zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae as a vertebrate model

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    Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a powerful model in biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences. The zebrafish model was introduced to toxicological sciences in 1960, followed by its use in biomedical sciences to investigate vertebrate gene functions. As a consequence of many research projects in this field, the study of human genetic diseases became instantly feasible. Consequently, zebrafish have been intensively used in developmental biology and associated disciplines. Due to the simple administration of medicines and the high number of offspring, zebrafish larvae became widely more popular in pharmacological studies in the following years. In the past decade, zebrafish larvae were further established as a vertebrate model in the field of pharmacokinetics and nanomedicines. In this PhD thesis, zebrafish larvae were investigated as an earlystage in vivo vertebrate model to study renal function, toxicity, and were applied in drug-targeting projects using nanomedicines. The first part focused on the characterization of the renal function of three-to four-dayold zebrafish larvae. Non-renal elimination processes were additionally described. Moreover, injection techniques, imaging parameters, and post-image processing scripts were established to serve as a toolbox for follow-up projects. The second part analyzed the impact of gentamicin (a nephrotoxin) on the morphology of the pronephros of zebrafish larvae. Imaging methodologies such as fluorescent-based laser scanning microscopy and X-ray-based microtomography were applied. A profound comparison study of specimens acquired with different laboratory X-ray-based microtomography devices and a radiation facility was done to promote the use of X-ray-based microtomography for broader biomedical applications. In the third part, the toxicity of nephrotoxins on mitochondria in renal epithelial cells of proximal tubules was assessed using the zebrafish larva model. Findings were compared with other teleost models such as isolated renal tubules of killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus). In view of the usefulness and high predictability of the zebrafish model, it was applied to study the pharmacokinetics of novel nanoparticles in the fourth part. Various in vivo pharmacokinetic parameters such as drug release, transfection of mRNA/pDNA plasmids, macrophage clearance, and the characterization of novel drug carriers that were manipulated with ultrasound were assessed in multiple collaborative projects. Altogether, the presented zebrafish model showed to be a reliable in vivo vertebrate model to assess renal function, toxicity, and pharmacokinetics of nanoparticles. The application of the presented model will hopefully encourage others to reduce animal experiments in preliminary studies by fostering the use of zebrafish larvae

    A Case Study of Ribeira Grande, Azores

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    Surf tourism has been growing in recent years, becoming a highly profitable activity and industry. Many coastal regions have developed due to surf tourism, including Portugal. Surf tourism has been seen as a new tourism product with the potential to develop regions and contribute to their competitiveness and sustainable growth. This dissertation aims to analyze the potential of surf tourism for the competitiveness and sustainable development of the destination Ribeira Grande, Azores. This destination has invested in surfing as a differentiating element, branding itself as the "Capital of Surf." It is a surf destination in the early stages of development, making it relevant to study in order to chart a sustainable and competitive path. Through a qualitative study, data was collected from various stakeholders affected or involved in surf tourism, including local surfers, surf tourists, residents, members of the business community, and members of the surf business community, as well as municipal government officials. The perceptions and involvement of stakeholders in tourism development are crucial elements considered pivotal for this study. Conclusions were reached regarding the development of surf tourism in Ribeira Grande, its potential and importance, its attributes as a surf destination, recommendations for improvements, and well as the relevance of the destination brand, and the contribution of this niche tourism to sustainable development. The results show that there is general support for the development of surf tourism from all stakeholders, who see it as a differentiating element with the capacity to develop the destination. However, since this is still in the early stages of development, there are weaknesses regarding some typical attributes of a surf destination, a lack of a surf culture and vibe, a dissonance between image and reality, and weak involvement of the local population in surfing, despite their support. The results also show some environmental weaknesses and that the destination brand is premature. With the support of all stakeholders and the belief in the potential of this tourism product, these weaknesses can be addressed, establishing the destination as a true and competitive surf destination.O turismo de surf tem vindo a crescer nos últimos anos, sendo uma actividade e sector bastante lucrativo. Muitas regiões costeiras têm se desenvolvido devido ao turismo de surf, incluindo em Portugal. O turismo de surf tem sido visto como um produto turístico com o potencial de desenvolver regiões, contribuindo para a sua competitividade e desenvolvimento sustentável. A presente dissertação tem como objectivo analisar o potencial do turismo de surf para a competitividade e desenvolvimento sustentável do destino Ribeira Grande, Açores, o qual tem apostado no surf como elemento diferenciador, tendo registado a sua marca de destino- Capital do Surf. É um destino que se encontra na primeiras fases de desenvolvimento e como tal é relevante estudá-lo a fim de traçar um caminho sustentável e competitivo. Através de um estudo qualitativo, foi realizada uma recolha de informação junto de vários stakeholders afectados ou envolvidos no turismo de surf, nomeadamente os surfistas locais, turistas de surf, residentes, membros da comunidade empresarial e membros da comunidade empresarial de surf, assim como membros do governo municipal. As percepções e envolvimento dos stakeholders no desenvolvimento do turismo é um elemento primordial e considerado fulcral para este estudo. Foi possível assim chegar a conclusões em relação ao desenvolvimento do turismo de surf na Ribeira Grande, ao seu potencial e importância, atributos e recomendações para melhorias, assim como à relevância da marca de destino e ao contributo deste turismo de nicho para o desenvolvimento sustentável. Os resultados mostram que há um apoio geral em relação ao desenvolvimento do turismo de surf por parte de todos os stakeholders, que o vêm como elemento diferenciador e com capacidade para desenvolver o destino. No entanto, estando este ainda nas primeiras fases de desenvolvimento, assiste-se a uma debilidade no que respeita a alguns dos atributos típicos de um destino de surf, à falta de um ambiente e cultura de surf, a uma dissonância entre imagem e realidade, e a um fraco envolvimento da população local no surf, apesar do seu apoio. Os resultados mostram também que existem debilidades a nível ambiental e que a marca de destino é prematura. Com o apoio de todos os stakeholders e com a crença no potencial deste produto turístico, estas debilidades podem ser revertidas, afirmando-se o destino como um verdadeiro e competitivo destino de surf
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