Quantification of training load, neuromuscular fatigue, biochemical and endocrine responses to fast bowling in cricket

Recent professionalization, the emergence of, and ever-increasing popularity of limited overs cricket, have resulted in traditional playing schedules evolving and expanding. Consequently, players now compete for much of the year, experiencing periods of condensed fixtures. To meet these increased demands, the aforementioned contribute to effecting team performance and player health. Thus, the prevalence of injuries, especially amongst fast bowlers, has been shown and attributed to rises in competition workloads.Therefore, the main aim of this thesis was to explore the application of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) to quantify the training load of fast bowlers. Furthermore, I sought to assess relationships between both internal and external training load variables and proposed markers of fatigue and recovery.The first preliminary descriptive research study (Chapter 4) aimed to prospectively quantify fast bowling workloads during a typical season of professional domestic county cricket (April – September). Data were collected from fixture scorebooks, with descriptive bowling workloads determined by calculating frequencies of overs and deliveries bowled. This was further calculated dependant on both bowler classification (opening [O-B; n = 2] or support [S-B; n = 6]) and competition format (multiday [MD], One-day [OD] or Twenty20 [T20]), respectively. Significant differences were found in total number of overs (296.1 overs; 95% CI 37.8 to 554.4; P = 0.03) and deliveries (1764.8 balls; 95% CI 183.0 to 3346.7; P = 0.03) bowled between O-B and S-B, respectively. Multiday cricket was the only format where, significant differences between bowlers were found; total number of overs (289.9 overs; 95% CI 88.2 to 491.6; P = 0.01) and deliveries (1739.3 balls; 95% CI 529.3 to 2949.3; P = 0.01) bowled.The aim of experimental study one (Chapter 5) was to assess the between-match and within-match between-over variability of external training load measures during T20 cricket competition. MEMS data were collected from eight fast bowlers in 17 matches of domestic T20 competition, spanning two seasons. MEMS variables were categorised into total distance (TD), low- (≤ 14.4 km.h-1) and high- (≥ 14.4 km.h-1) speed running distance, total sprint distance (≥18 km.h-1), number of sprint efforts and PlayerLoad™ ([PL] arbitrary units; AU). Data were log-transformed to provide the coefficient of variation (CV; expressed as percentages). The between-match variability was greatest in high-speed running distance (32.9% CV), total sprint distance (49.0% CV) and number of sprint efforts (48.0% CV). Similarly, within-match between-over high-speed running distance (12.8% CV), total sprint distance (17.1% CV) and number of sprint efforts (12.3% CV) elicited the greatest variability, yet, this was markedly reduced compared to between-match observations. However, TD and PL were found to be relatively stable measures of external training load (range; 5.5–13.3% CV), both between-match and within-match between-over.Experimental study two (Chapter 6) investigated short-term neuromuscular fatigue (NMF) of fast bowlers and relationships to match performance during a typical season of professional academy OD limited overs cricket. Baseline measures of lower body NMF were assessed via flight time (ms) from a countermovement jump (CMJ). These measures were repeated every morning of competition; NMF was additionally assessed within 30-min after the cessation of the bowling innings (CMJ-FIRST or CMJ-SECOND). MEMS data were collected from six fast bowlers, with supplementary descriptive fast bowling workloads classifications (LOW, MODERATE and HIGH). There were significant reductions in flight time pre to post bowling innings (Δ 19 ms; P = 0.008). Moreover, similar reductions in flight time were found in LOW – MODERATE (Δ 30 ms; P = 0.03) and LOW – HIGH bowling workload groups (Δ 43 ms; P = 0.003), respectively.Finally, experimental study three (Chapter 7) investigated neuromuscular, biochemical and endocrine markers of fatigue after four spells of simulated fast bowling. Eleven fast bowlers completed differing spells of simulated fast bowling based on the Cricket Australia-Australian Institute of Sport (CA-AIS) fast bowling skills test. NMF were assessed via flight-time from a CMJ; pre (-0.5-h) and post (+0.5 and +24-h) simulation, with blood (Creatine kinase; CK) and saliva (Cortisol; sCort) samples collected in parallel. During each simulated fast bowling trial (4-, 6-, RANDOM- & 10-overs), internal (heart rate exertion index [HREI]) and external (PL) training load was quantified using MEMS. There were small, significant reductions in CMJ flight time pre to post (Δ 21 ms; P < 0.01) and pre to 24-h post (Δ 8 ms; P = 0.001) simulation, respectively. Overs bowled appeared to significantly affect NMF for up to 24-h post simulation. Furthermore, changes in CK were found to best correlate with estimated TD (r = 0.48; P = 0.002) rating of perceived exertion (RPE r = 0.47; P = 0.002) session-RPE (r = 0.48; P = 0.002), HREI (r = 0.45; P = 0.003) and PL (r = 0.41; P = 0.009) 24-h post simulation, respectively.The findings of this thesis demonstrate that during limited overs cricket, high-speed locomotive activity is highly variable amongst fast bowlers. Furthermore, fast bowlers are shown to experience short-term NMF, which appears to be magnified based on descriptive fast bowling workload characteristics. Collectively, these findings have importance for practitioners, who seek to facilitate performance by informed training prescription based on replicating match and training demands

Comparison of Electron-Atom Collision Parameters for S to P Transitions under Reversal of Energy Transfer

Inelastic and superelastic electron scattering from the optically prepared 32P3/2 state of sodium has enabled atomic collision parameters to be deduced for the 4S-3P deexcitation and the 3S-3P excitation processes. These data are compared with convergent close coupling and second order distorted wave Born calculations. For excitation, both theories agree with experiment, whereas for deexcitation the close coupling theory is in better agreement. A long-standing proposal relating to the sign of the transferred angular momentum is not supported

Comparison of Electron-Atom Collision Parameters for S to P Transitions under Reversal of Energy Transfer

Inelastic and superelastic electron scattering from the optically prepared 32P3/2 state of sodium has enabled atomic collision parameters to be deduced for the 4S-3P deexcitation and the 3S-3P excitation processes. These data are compared with convergent close coupling and second order distorted wave Born calculations. For excitation, both theories agree with experiment, whereas for deexcitation the close coupling theory is in better agreement. A long-standing proposal relating to the sign of the transferred angular momentum is not supported

More than words: The influence of affective content and linguistic style matches in online reviews on conversion rates

Customers increasingly rely on other consumers' reviews to make purchase decisions online. New insights into the customer review phenomenon can be derived from studying the semantic content and style properties of verbatim customer reviews to examine their influence on online retail sites' conversion rates. The authors employ text mining to extract changes in affective content and linguistic style properties of customer book reviews on Amazon.com. A dynamic panel data model reveals that the influence of positive affective content on conversion rates is asymmetrical, such that greater increases in positive affective content in customer reviews have a smaller effect on subsequent increases in conversion rate. No such tapering-off effect occurs for changes in negative affective content in reviews. Furthermore, positive changes in affective cues and increasing congruence with the product interest group's typical linguistic style directly and conjointly increase conversion rates. These findings suggest that managers should identify and promote the most influential reviews in a given product category, provide instructions to stimulate reviewers to write powerful reviews, and adapt the style of their own editorial reviews to the relevant product category

Summary from an international cancer seminar focused on human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive oropharynx cancer, convened by scientists at IARC and NCI

Cancer of the oropharynx has attracted considerable attention in recent years given: (1) an increasing incidence in selected populations over the past three decades; (2) the discovery of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection as the driver of the increase, as opposed to the traditional risk factors such as tobacco (smoking and chewing) and alcohol; and (3) the promise of new prevention and treatment strategies. As a result of such developments, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the US National Cancer Institute (NCI), convened the fourth Cancer Seminar meeting in November 2018 to focus on this topic. This report summarizes the proceedings: a review of recent science on the descriptive epidemiology, etiology, biology, genetics, early detection, pathology and treatment of HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer, and the formulation of key research questions to be addressed

Schedules for Self-monitoring Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND Self-monitoring of blood pressure better predicts prognosis than clinic measurement, is popular with patients, and endorsed in hypertension guidelines. However, there is uncertainty over the optimal selfmonitoring schedule. We therefore aimed to determine the optimum schedule to predict future cardiovascular events and determine “true” underlying blood pressure. METHODS Six electronic databases were searched from November 2009 (updating a National Institute for Health and Care Excellence [NICE] systematic review) to April 2017. Studies that compared aspects of self-monitoring schedules to either prognosis or reliability/reproducibility in hypertensive adults were included. Data on study and population characteristics, self-monitoring regime, and outcomes were extracted by 2 reviewers independently. RESULTS From 5,164 unique articles identified, 25 met the inclusion criteria. Twelve studies were included from the original NICE review, making a total of 37 studies. Increasing the number of days of measurement improved prognostic power: 72%–91% of the theoretical maximum predictive value (asymptotic maximum hazard ratio) was reached by 3 days and 86%–96% by 7 days. Increasing beyond 3 days of measurement did not result in better correlation with ambulatory monitoring. There was no convincing evidence that the timing or number of readings per day had an effect, or that ignoring the first day’s measurement was necessary. CONCLUSIONS Home blood pressure should be measured for 3 days, increased to 7 only when mean blood pressure is close to a diagnostic or treatment threshold. Other aspects of a monitoring schedule can be flexible to facilitate patient uptake of and adherence with self-monitoring.We thank Siobhan Milner, Nashat Qamar, and Sally Fillingham for their support in screening studies. This article presents independent research commissioned by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) under its Programme Grants for Applied Research funding scheme (RP-PG-1209–10051). R.J.M. was funded by an NIHR Professorship (NIHR-RP-R2-12–015). R.J.M. and F.D.R.H. receive support from the NIHR Collaborations for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC) Oxford. The guideline development work undertaken by R.O.M., R.J.M, and B.W. received funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR, the Department of Health, or the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

Decorating Self-Assembled Peptide Cages with Proteins

An ability to organize and encapsulate multiple active proteins into defined objects and spaces at the nanoscale has potential applications in biotechnology, nanotechnology, and synthetic biology. Previously, we have described the design, assembly, and characterization of peptide-based self-assembled cages (SAGEs). These ≈100 nm particles comprise thousands of copies of <i>de novo</i> designed peptide-based hubs that array into a hexagonal network and close to give caged structures. Here, we show that, when fused to the designed peptides, various natural proteins can be co-assembled into SAGE particles. We call these constructs pSAGE for protein-SAGE. These particles tolerate the incorporation of multiple copies of folded proteins fused to either the N or the C termini of the hubs, which modeling indicates form the external and internal surfaces of the particles, respectively. Up to 15% of the hubs can be functionalized without compromising the integrity of the pSAGEs. This corresponds to hundreds of copies giving mM local concentrations of protein in the particles. Moreover, and illustrating the modularity of the SAGE system, we show that multiple different proteins can be assembled simultaneously into the same particle. As the peptide–protein fusions are made <i>via</i> recombinant expression of synthetic genes, we envisage that pSAGE systems could be developed modularly to actively encapsulate or to present a wide variety of functional proteins, allowing them to be developed as nanoreactors through the immobilization of enzyme cascades or as vehicles for presenting whole antigenic proteins as synthetic vaccine platforms

Ecological Overlap and Horizontal Gene Transfer in Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis

The opportunistic pathogens Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis represent major causes of severe nosocomial infection, and are associated with high levels of mortality and morbidity worldwide. These species are both common commensals on the human skin and in the nasal pharynx, but are genetically distinct, differing at 24% average nucleotide divergence in 1,478 core genes. To better understand the genome dynamics of these ecologically similar staphylococcal species, we carried out a comparative analysis of 324 S. aureus and S. epidermidis genomes, including 83 novel S. epidermidis sequences. A reference pan-genome approach and whole genome multilocus-sequence typing revealed that around half of the genome was shared between the species. Based on a BratNextGen analysis, homologous recombination was found to have impacted on 40% of the core genes in S. epidermidis, but on only 24% of the core genes in S. aureus. Homologous recombination between the species is rare, with a maximum of nine gene alleles shared between any two S. epidermidis and S. aureus isolates. In contrast, there was considerable interspecies admixture of mobile elements, in particular genes associated with the SaPIn1 pathogenicity island, metal detoxification, and the methicillin-resistance island SCCmec. Our data and analysis provide a context for considering the nature of recombinational boundaries between S. aureus and S. epidermidis and, the selective forces that influence realized recombination between these species.Peer reviewe

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