Feedforward Self-Modeling Enhances Skill Acquisition in Children Learning Trampoline Skills

The purpose of this research was to examine whether children would benefit from a feedforward self-modeling (FSM) video and to explore possible explanatory mechanisms for the potential benefits, using a self-regulation framework. To this end, children were involved in learning two five-skill trampoline routines. For one of the routines, a FSM video was provided during acquisition, whereas only verbal instructions were provided for the alternate routine. The FSM involved editing video footage such that it showed the learner performing the trampoline routine at a higher skill level than their current capability. Analyses of the data showed that while physical performance benefits were observed for the routine that was learned with the FSM video, no differences were obtained in relation to the self-regulatory measures. Thus, the FSM video enhanced motor skill acquisition, but this could not be explained by changes to the varied self-regulatory processes examined

Identifying Risk Factors for Incautious Use of Non-Prescription Drugs Among Higher Education Institutions' Students in Emirates

Objective: The aim of this research is to identify risk factors for incautious use of oral non-prescription drugs (ONPD) and inform recommendations that promote cautious ONPD use among HEI students in the UAE. Methods: A cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted with 2875 students in three randomly selected UAE universities between January and April 2014. Results: More than half (1348; 57) of participants reported using of ONPD in the past 90 days before study commencement. Of 1348 participants reported using ONPD, one-quarter (1348; 22.2) of ONPD was classified as incautious ONPD usage. Analgesic/antipyretic (84.9), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (1028; 76.3), and cough and cold drugs (562; 41.7) were reported by the majority of participants as the most commonly used ONPD. 10 risk factors were identified for incautious ONPD use. Participants with age group of 21 years and older (OR=0.554, 95; CI=0.373-0.823; p<0.001), female (OR=0.339, 95; CI=0.236-0.486; p<0.001), and students from medical schools (OR=0.619, 95; CI=0.435-0.882; p=0.008) had lower odds of being incautious users compared to lower age group, males, and students from non-medical schools. Furthermore, participants with a polypharmacy behavior had higher odds of being irresponsible ONPD user than monopharmacy users (OR=1.400, 95; CI=1.030- 1.02; p<0.001). Conclusion: One of five students is an incautious ONPD user. There is a need for an educational and behavioral intervention to motivate students to be cautious users. © 2017 The Authors

Active stretching and length-tension relationship of the hamstring muscles

El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar el efecto agudo de una rutina de estiramientos estático activos para la extremidad inferior, con parámetros de la carga contextualizados respecto a la realidad físico-deportiva, sobre la relación tensión-longitud excéntrica de la musculatura isquiosural. 49 deportistas recreativos completaron tres sesiones de evaluación, una inicial defamiliarización y dos experimentales (control y estiramientos). Inmediatamente después de ambos tratamientos (control y estiramientos), se valoraron los parámetros isocinéticos pico de fuerza máxima excéntrico, ángulo de fuerza máxima excéntrico y trabajo total excéntrico empleando para ello una posición de tendido prono. Si la modificación de la curva tensión-longitud excéntrica puede ser utilizada como factor de riesgo primario de distensiones de la musculatura isquiosural, los hallazgos de este estudio sugieren que el estiramiento estático activo podría no alterar el riesgo relativo de lesión de la musculatura isquiosural.The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute effect of an active lower limb stretching routine with sports-related training load on the eccentric length-tension relationship of the hamstring. 49 recreational athletes completed three assessment sessions, an initial familiarization session and two experimental sessions (control and stretching in random order). Immediately after both interventions (stretching or control), eccentric isokinetic peak torque, angle of peak torque and total work were measured in prone position. If the modification on the eccentric length-tension relationship can be used as indexes of the risk of hamstring muscle strains, the findings of the present study tentatively suggested that static stretching may not alter the relative risk of hamstring strains

Optimized versus corrected peak power during friction-braked cycle ergometry in males and females

The aim of this study was to compare optimization and correction procedures for the determination of peak power output during friction-loaded cycle ergometry. Ten male and 10 female sports students each performed five 10- s sprints from a stationary start on a Monark 864 basket- loaded ergometer. Resistive loads of 5.0, 6.5, 8.0, 9.5, and 11.0% body weight were administered in a counterbalanced order, with a recovery period of 10 min between sprints. Peak power was greater and occurred earlier, with less work having been done before the attainment of peak power, when the data were corrected to account for the inertial and frictional characteristics of the ergometer. Corrected peak power was independent of resistive load ( P > 0.05), whereas uncorrected peak power varied as a quadratic function of load ( P > 0.001). For males and females, optimized peak power ( 971 +/- 122 and 668 +/- 37 W) was lower ( P < 0.01) than either the highest ( 1074 +/- 111 and 754 +/- 56 W respectively) or the mean ( 1007 +/- 125 and 701 +/- 45 W respectively) of the five values for corrected peak power. Optimized and mean corrected peak power were highly correlated both in males ( r = 0.97, P < 0.001) and females ( r = 0.96, P < 0.001). The difference between optimized and mean corrected peak power was 37+ 30 W in males and 33 +/- 14 W in females, of which approximately 15 W was due to the correction for frictional losses. We conclude that corrected peak power is independent of resistive load in males and females

The effect of varying plyometric volume on stretch-shortening cycle capability in collegiate male rugby players

The purpose of this study was to identify the effectiveness of low and high volume plyometric loads on developing stretch shortening cycle capability in collegiate rugby players. A between- group repeated measures design was used. Thirty six subjects (age 20.3 ±1.6 yrs, mass 91.63 ±10.36kg, stature 182.03 ±5.24cm) were randomly assigned to one of three groups, a control group (CG), a low volume plyometric group (LPG) or a high volume plyometric group (HPG). Data were collected from a force plate, and measures of reactive strength index (RSI) and leg stiffness were calculated from jump height, contact time and flight time. A significant between group × time (F = 4.01, P <0.05) interaction effect for RSI was observed. Bonferroni post hoc analysis indicated that both the LPG training group (P = 0.002) and HPG training group (P = 0.009) were significantly higher than the control group. No significant interaction effect between time × group were observed for leg stiffness (F = 1.39, P = 0.25). The current study has demonstrated that it is possible to improve reactive strength capabilities via the use of a low volume plyometric program. The low volume program elicited the same performance improvement in RSI as a high volume program whilst undertaking a lower dose. This suggests that strength and conditioning coaches may be able to benefit from the ability to develop more time efficient and effective plyometric programs

Older Adults’ Outdoor Walking and the Built Environment: Does Income Matter?

Background Our aim was to examine the association between Street Smart Walk Score® and self-reported outdoor walking among older Canadians, and to determine whether socioeconomic status modifies this association. Methods We linked objective walkability data with cross-sectional survey data from the Canadian Community Health Survey Healthy-Aging 2008–2009 Cycle for a sample of 1309 British Columbians aged&thinsp;≥&thinsp;65&nbsp;years. We examined associations between Street Smart Walk Score and meeting physical activity guidelines (≥150&nbsp;min of moderate to vigorous activity/week) through self-reported outdoor walking using multivariable logistic regression, and tested for significant interactions with household income. Results A ten point higher Street Smart Walk Score was associated with a 17&nbsp;% higher odds of meeting physical activity guidelines through walking outside (95&nbsp;% CI: 1.07,1.27). In addition, older adults living in neighbourhoods categorised as Walker’s Paradise were over three times more likely to meet guidelines than those living in Car-dependent/Very car dependent neighbourhoods. We found no evidence that household income moderated the effect of Walk Score on walking outside. Conclusions Neighbourhood design may be one avenue whereby physical activity levels of older people can be enhanced through outdoor walking, with benefit across socioeconomic strata

What Drives Using Antibiotic without Prescriptions? A Qualitative Interview Study of University Students in United Arab Emirates

Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is considered as natural phenomenon that occurs over the time due to genetic changes. Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is significantly increasing in the UAE. Self-medication with antibiotics has been identified as a major factor for the development of antibiotic resistance, which is significantly increasing in the UAE.The purpose of this study was to explore the factors that contribute to the use of antibiotics without prescriptions among first year healthcare university students in UAE.Based on the findings of an earlier survey study, a qualitative interview study was designed to explore common themes related to student's knowledge, awareness, attitude, views, and perceptions. Data were analyzed thematically for the identification of themes and subthemes within the data through the use of coding.The interview study identified four main themes with multiple subthemes related to the use of antibiotics without a physician's prescription by first-year healthcare students. The thematic analysis of the interviews revealed four main themes; medication habits and practices; reasons for self-medication; access to antibiotics without a prescription and gaps in students' knowledge regarding antibiotic resistance.Healthcare students in UAE are influenced by several factors including parents and friends influence, successful previous experience and investment of time and money to visit a physician. Our sample of healthcare students has a misconception about the use of antibiotics. The current interview study identified six new reasons for using antibiotics without prescriptions as compared to our earlier survey study. There is a need of multifaceted strategies to decrease unnecessary antibiotic use in our population sample

Prevalence of non-functional overreaching in elite male and female youth academy football players

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of non-functional overreaching (NFOR) and overtraining (OT) in elite male and female youth football players. Methods: Two-hundred and forty-two youth football players (n = 138 boys and n = 104 girls) aged between 12 - 17 y completed a questionnaire to identify the occurrence of NFOR/OT and associated symptoms. Results: No players experienced OT. Significant sex differences for NFOR were found between girls 9% compared to boys 27% (p <0.05). For players that experienced NFOR, 33% of girls and 60% of boys experienced multiple bouts. Compared to girls, boys completed higher volumes of football training (16.3 ± 4.5 versus 12.7 ± 5.7 hours per week, p <0.05), but training load was not a significant predictor of NFOR for either sex. In both sexes NFOR was associated with tiredness, a lack of appetite, sore or heavy muscles, feeling in a bad mood, and feeling apathetic. Conclusion: Male and female elite youth football players engaged in high training volumes and experienced similar NFOR symptoms. However, there is a much higher prevalence of NFOR in boys and in those who have suffered previous bouts of NFOR

The scientific foundations and associated injury risks of early soccer specialisation

Early specialisation is characterised by formal participation in a single sport at the exclusion of others. Limited data are available to support this approach in the development of soccer players who attain elite status later in life. Of growing concern is the associated increased risk of injury and suggestions that single sport specialisation is a risk factor independent of age, growth, biological maturation and training volumes In the United Kingdom, elite soccer organisations have recently adopted an early sport specialisation approach following the introduction of the Elite Player Performance Plan. A key tenet of this programme is increased opportunities for training through a marked rise in the specified on-pitch hours per week. The accumulation of high training hours may be less of a relevant marker for success, and the impact of such a significant increase in training volume for young athletes who are experiencing a range of growth and maturational processes is currently unknown. This critical commentary includes an evidence based discussion of the effectiveness of early sport specialisation and the potential injury risks associated with such programmes placing a specific focus on elite male youth soccer players. Available data indicate that modifications to the existing EPPP framework could enhance player development and reduce injury risk. Proposed alterations include reduced volume of soccer specific training at key stages of growth and maturation and guidelines for the provision of a greater variety of physical activities that are integrated within other programme components