The Autistic Experience of Exercising within Nature-Based Environments: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis

Background: The psychological impact of exercising in nature has gained considerable research attention in recent years under the heading green exercise (GE). Literature has examined specific benefits of GE, comparison between indoor and outdoor environments and has utilised different theories to understand these benefits and differences. To date no academic literature has examined the impact of GE on autistic people with a diagnoses of Aspergers Syndrome (AS) (a former term to refer to autism without an accompanying intellectual disability), and a condition characterised by hypersensitive and hyposensitive senses, intuitively it has been suggested that the natural environment might not be a compatible setting for autistic people due to its unpredictable and sensory provoking conditions. Method: A group of four autistic males were interviewed using a semi structured interview schedule. Interviews were transcribed and then analysed using interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA). Results/Discussion: Three superordinate themes were identified, positive introductions to nature (this group discussed how important having a good start in this environment was to engaging in this activity), positive association with nature (the participants viewed natural environments where they exercised in a positive way), and purpose and practicalities (participants spoke of viewing GE favourably when there was a purpose to it above and beyond doing it for its own sake) with 5 associated subordinate themes. Results suggest that autistic people appear to get considerable positive psychological outcomes from engaging within GE which relate directly to some of the features of AS e.g. disruptive concerns and that a functional purpose to the GE would be helpful in terms of encouraging uptake of and adherence to GE within an autistic group

A bespoke sleep monitoring and sleep hygiene intervention improves sleep in an U18 professional football player: A case study

This case study reports on a professional football player (age: 17.6 years) who was referred for sleep monitoring and intervention after reporting excessive night-time awakenings. The player undertook a series of subjective sleep assessments and objective sleep monitoring (activity monitor). Based on the data presented, a sleep hygiene intervention was prescribed. Numerical comparisons were made between pre-intervention (Pre) and post-intervention (Post) values. Objective values were also compared to reference data from a similarly aged professional cohort from the same club (n=11). Wake episodes per night (Pre: 7.9 ± 3, Post: 4.5 ± 1.9; -43%) and wake after sleep onset (WASO; Pre: 74.3 ± 31.8 mins, Post: 50.0 ± 22.8 mins, -33%) were improved from Pre to Post. Compared to the reference data, mean wake episodes per night (Pre: 7.9 ± 3.0, reference: 4.6 ± 2.6; -42%) and WASO (Pre: 74.3 ± 31.8 mins, reference: 44.3 ± 36.5 mins; -40%) were all lower compared to Pre levels. All effect sizes between Post and the reference data were small to trivial. Whilst causality cannot be proven, we observed multiple sleep metrics improving following an intervention. This provides a potential framework for practitioners looking to provide targeted sleep assessment and intervention

The effects of high intensity interval training on quality of life: a systematic review and meta-analysis

This study aimed to ascertain the impact of high intensity interval training (HIIT) on physical, mental, and overall quality of life (QoL) through a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis. Twenty-two studies with twenty-four effect sizes were included; seventeen comparing HIIT and overall QoL, fourteen comparing HIIT and physical QoL and thirteen studies comparing HIIT and mental QoL. There was a statistically significant improvement in physical (SMD= 0.405, p= 0.007), mental (SMD= 0.473, p=0.031) and overall QoL (SMD= 0.554, p=0.002) following a program of HIIT. Secondary analysis of 5 studies comparing HIIT against moderate intensity continuous training demonstrated no significant difference in improvement between the two modes (SMD= -0.094, p=0.655). Engaging in HIIT produces statistically significant improvements in physical, mental, and overall quality of life in clinical and non-clinical populations at a small to moderate effect size. Furthermore, HIIT appears as effective as MICT in improving overall QoL, offering a more time-efficient exercise option

The effects of high intensity interval training on quality of life: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

oai:repository.uel.ac.uk:8x31wAim: This study aimed to ascertain the impact of high intensity interval training (HIIT) on physical, mental, and overall quality of life (QoL) through a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis. Subject and Methods: A systematic search for relevant trials was performed via PubMed, the Cochrane Library and Web of science as well as the manual screening of prior meta-analyses and their respective reference lists (PROSPERO reference: CRD42022326576). Adult controlled trials investigating the effects of a >2-week HIIT intervention with an eligible non-intervention control group were considered. As the primary outcome, studies were required to include at least one measure of physical and/or mental and/or overall QoL, on any validated QoL domain, pre and post intervention. Results: Twenty-two studies with twenty-four effect sizes were included; seventeen comparing HIIT and overall QoL, fourteen comparing HIIT and physical QoL and thirteen studies comparing HIIT and mental QoL. There was a statistically significant improvement in physical (SMD= 0.405, 95% CI: 0.110- 0.700, p= 0.007), mental (SMD= 0.473, 95% CI: 0.043 –0.902, p=0.031) and overall QoL (SMD= 0.554, 95% CI 0.210-0.898, p=0.002) following a program of HIIT. Secondary analysis of 5 studies comparing HIIT against moderate intensity continuous training demonstrated no significant difference in improvement between the two modes (SMD= -0.094, CI= -0.506-0.318, p=0.655). Conclusion: Engaging in HIIT produces statistically significant improvements in physical, mental, and overall quality of life in clinical and non-clinical populations at a small to moderate effect size. Furthermore, HIIT appears as effective as MICT in improving overall QoL, offering a more time-efficient exercise option

The reliability and validity of the 3-minute all-out cycling critical power test

Research suggests that critical power (CP) can be estimated from a single 3-minute bout of all-out cycling. The purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability and validity of the 3-minute all-out cycling test when carried out at a constant cadence (isokinetic) and against a fixed resistance (linear). Twelve participants completed 8 tests: 1) a ramp test, 2–4) three fixed power tests to calculate CP and Wʹ using the 1/time mathematical model, 5–8) four 3-minute all-out tests to calculate EP and WEP; two isokinetic and two linear. There was no significant difference between EP-isokinetic and CP (P=0.377). There were significant differences between EP-linear and CP (P=0.004), WEP-isokinetic and W′ (P<0.001) and WEP-linear and W′ (P<0.001). Coefficient of variation in EP-isokinetic, EP-linear, WEP-isokinetic and WEP-linear was 1.93%, 1.17%, 8.44% and 5.39%, respectively. The 3-minute all-out isokinetic test provides a reliable estimate of EP and a valid estimate of CP. The 3-minute all-out linear test provides a reliable estimate of EP, but not a valid estimate of CP. Furthermore, these results suggest that the 3-minute all-out test should not be used to estimate Wʹ

Transitional Activities in Elite Football: Frequency, Type, Effect on Match Outcome and the Novel Concept of Clusters

The aims of this study were to analyze the effect of contextual variables on physical metrics during transitions and investigate repeated transitional activities during transitions. Data was collected from 10 matches (23 elite soccer players). A total of 4249 individual observations were recorded including 1164 positive transitions (defense-to-attack), 1269 negative transitions (attack-to-defense), 1120 fast attacks, and 696 high pressure activities. Metrics per minute (m·min-1) as well as absolute variables: Total Distance (TD), high-speed running distance (HSRD, >19.8km·h-1), sprint distance (SD, >25.2km·h-1), relative high-speed running distance (VelB4), relative sprint distance (VelB5), acceleration distance (AccB3 Dist., distance with variations in running speed >3m·s-2), the number of high-intensity accelerations (HI Acc, >3m·s-2) and decelerations (HI Dec, >3m·s-2) were quantified. Significant effects of match half were found for TD (p <.001; ES =.03), HSRD (p = .023; ES = .012), VelB4 (p < .001; ES = .04), and HI Dec (p = .037; ES = .010). Match outcome had a relation to TD (m), HSRD (m) (p < .001), SD (m) and VelB4 (m) (p = .011) as well as VelB5 (m), and AccB3 Dist. distance (m) (p = .002 and p = .020, respectively). Performance in lost matches was lower in the 2nd half (p≤0.05). This study indicates that players are exposed to repeated short and intermittent high velocity actions together, highlighting the need to move away from 90min averages and pay more attention to transitional activities in modern training design

Worst Case Scenarios in Soccer Training and Competition: Analysis of Playing Position, Congested Periods, and Substitutes

Aim: To understand mean (WCSₘₑₐₙ) and peak (WCSₚₑₐₖ) worst case scenarios within training and game play in male professional soccer. Methods: Thirty-one (n = 31) first team players were monitored across 37 matches and 14 MD-3 sessions. Playing status was distinguished, football drills analyzed, and performance explored in long-period: >6 days, moderate-period: 5–6 days, and congested-period: ≤4 days. Relative total distance (TD), high-speed running distance (HSRD, >19.8 km·h⁻¹), sprint distance (SD, >25.2 km·h⁻²), accelerations/decelerations (A+D, >3 m·s⁻²), accelerations (Acc, >3 m·s⁻²), and decelerations (Dec, >−3 m·s⁻²) were measured as well as Maximum acceleration (Max Acc; m·s⁻²) and deceleration (Max Dec; m·s⁻²). Results: Analysis of variance found differences between matches and training in WCSmean for TD, HSRD, SD, and Max Dec in all positions (p  .275). Fullbacks displayed differences between match and training in Max Acc (moderate ESs; p  .05). Main effects of playing status were discovered for all metrics except Max Dec (p  .124). Analysis showed differences between long- and congested-period for A+D and Dec (large ESs; p ≤ .05). Conclusions: Findings provide more insights into short peak intensity demands of soccer showing that the maximum high velocity action of acceleration and deceleration is not being replicated in training. Nonstarters lack maximum intensity exposure in matches (WCSₚₑₐₖ) increasing the gap between training and competition even higher during congested fixture periods

Physical match demands across different playing positions during transitional play and high-pressure activities in elite soccer.

This study explored physical match demands across different playing positions during transitional play, to inform the need for position-specific training interventions. Data was collected using 10 Hz GPS units from 10 competitive matches including 23 elite soccer players of the 1st Polish Division (Ekstraklasa) in season 2020–21. A total of 4249 positional observations were made; center backs (n = 884), full backs (n = 972), central defensive midfielders (n = 236), central attacking midfielders (n = 270), central midfielders (n = 578), wingers (n = 778), and attackers (n = 531). Match data reflected distances covered per minute (m·min−1): total distance (TD), high-speed running distance (HSRD, > 19.8 km·h⁻¹), sprint distance (SD, > 25.2 km·h⁻¹), and the frequency of high-intensity accelerations and decelerations (A+D, > 3 m·s⁻²; n·min⁻¹). Total absolute sprint distance (SD, > 25.2 km·h⁻¹) and total relative sprint distance (Rel B5) were also quantified. A univariate analysis of variance revealed position-specific differences. Significant effects of position were found for all analysed metrics during transitional play (large ESs; p < .001). Central attacking midfielders displayed higher TD (m·min⁻¹), fullbacks covered highest SD (m·min⁻¹) and wingers achieved the highest A+D (n ·min⁻¹) (p ≤ 0.05). Centre backs displayed the lowest physical outputs when compared to all other positions, except in A+D (n ·min⁻¹) during defensive transitions (p ≤ 0.05). Attackers displayed the highest physical metrics during high pressure activities (p ≤ 0.05). Coaches should carefully consider positional transitional demands to better inform training design. With specific attention paid to drills that replicate game play

Determining the reliability of a custom built seated stadiometry set-up for measuring spinal height in participants with chronic low back pain.

Indirect measurement of disc hydration can be obtained through measures of spinal height using stadiometry. However, specialised stadiometers for this are often custom-built and expensive. Generic wall-mounted stadiometers alternatively are common in clinics and laboratories. This study examined the reliability of a custom set-up utilising a wall-mounted stadiometer for measurement of spinal height using custom built wall mounted postural rods. Twelve participants with non-specific chronic low back pain (CLBP; females n = 5, males n = 7) underwent measurement of spinal height on three separate consecutive days at the same time of day where 10 measurements were taken at 20 s intervals. Comparisons were made using repeated measures analysis of variance for 'trial' and 'gender'. There were no significant effects by trial or interaction effects of trial x gender. Intra-individual absolute standard error of measurement (SEM) was calculated for spinal height using the first of the 10 measures, the average of 10 measures, the total shrinkage, and the rate of shrinkage across the 10 measures examined as the slope of the curve when a linear regression was fitted. SEMs were 3.1 mm, 2.8 mm, 2.6 mm and 0.212, respectively. Absence of significant differences between trials and the reported SEMs suggests this custom set-up for measuring spinal height changes is suitable use as an outcome measure in either research or clinical practice in participants with CLBP