Gendered bodies under scrutiny: women’s embodied experiences of aquatic physical activity in the United Kingdom

Aquatic activity remains the second most popular form of exercise in the UK. Despite the delivery recent participation-based programmes, however, aquatic activity continues to be dominated by older women, and younger women participating with younger children. Moreover, the embodied experiences and lived meaning of participation in aquatic activity remain under-investigated. This paper presents results from five interview-based studies investigating women’s embodiment and aquatic activity. In total, 55 women were interviewed across the research programme. A number of key themes emerged, highlighting the centrality of the gendered, lived body as a key social construct contouring participant perceptions in the swimming pool environment. Feelings of anxiety and angst were reported in relation to women’s self-perceived physical deficiencies when wearing revealing swimming costumes, particularly under the critical gaze of ‘other’ bodies, whether present or imagined. Both younger and older women objectified and contrasted their bodies with those of other participants, often in a negative manner. As a consequence self-exclusion from ‘mainstream’ (i.e. mixed gender) aquatic activity was common. The shifting nature of intercorporeality emerged in the findings, with the presence of the ‘dependent’ bodies of infants shifting bodily intentionality away from the self towards others, particularly in view of perceived maternal responsibilities. Both participants’ bodies and the bodies of dependent others were perceived to be at risk of environmental and physical dangers in the swimming pool environment. Perceived risks were corporeally grounded in sensory elements of participation, relating to temperature and the threat of water and ‘dirt’ breaching bodily boundaries. Ongoing research into the implications of such sensory perceptions upon postnatal women and children’s participation in aquatic activity will also be outlined

Evaluating the role of surgical sterilisation in canine rabies control: A systematic review of impact and outcomes

© 2020 Collinson et al. Current recommendations for the elimination of canine-mediated human rabies focus on mass dog vaccination as the most feasible and cost-effective strategy. However, attempts to control rabies are often combined with canine surgical sterilisation programmes. The added value of sterilisation is widely debated. A systematic review was undertaken to compare the outcomes and impact of vaccination and sterilisation programmes with vaccination only programmes. A systematic search of three electronic databases (CAB Abstracts, Med-line and Global Health) and grey literature was performed. From 8696 abstracts found, 5554 unique studies were identified, and 16 studies met the inclusion criteria. Eight described vaccination only programmes and eight described vaccination and sterilisation programmes. Indicators of impact measured were dog bites and/or doses of post-exposure prophylaxis administered; numbers of dog and/or human rabies cases; dog population demographic changes; changes in health and welfare of dogs, and indicators related to human behaviour change. The studies were contextually very diverse, programmes being implemented were complex, and there was variation in measurement and reporting of key indicators. There-fore, it was difficult to compare the two types of intervention, and impossible to make an evaluation of the role of sterilisation, using this evidence. Given the large number of vaccination and sterilisation programmes conducted globally, the lack of studies available for review highlights a gap in data collection or reporting, essential for impact assessment. There are several knowledge gaps concerning the impact of the sterilisation component alone, as well as subsequent effects on rabies transmission and control. Prospective studies comparing the outcomes and impact of the two interventions would be required in order to establish any additional contribution of sterilisation, as well as the underlying mechanisms driving any changes. In the absence of such evidence, the priority for rabies control objectives should be implementation of mass vaccination, as currently recommended by the World Health Organisation

Confirmatory Factor Analysis of WAIS-IV in a Clinical Sample: Examining a Bi-Factor Model

There have been a number of studies that have examined the factor structure of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale IV (WAIS-IV) using the standardization sample. In this study, we investigate its factor structure on a clinical neuropsychology sample of mixed aetiology. Correlated factor, higher-order and bi-factor models are all tested. Overall, the results suggest that the WAIS-IV will be suitable for use with this population

Priorities for Research into the Impact of Canine Surgical Sterilisation Programmes for Free-Roaming Dogs: An International Priority Setting Partnership

Surgical sterilisation is a core activity of free-roaming dog population management (DPM) programmes globally. However, there is limited published evidence on its impact at the population level. To support evidence-based decision making in this field, it is important that research conducted is relevant to those involved in working with free-roaming dogs and implementing such programmes. The aim of this study was to adapt the James Lind Alliance (JLA) user involvement approach to systematically identify the top 10 research priorities regarding the impact of canine sterilisation. International stakeholders with experience working in DPM were asked in an online survey what unanswered questions they had regarding the impact of sterilisation programmes. Thematic analysis of survey responses was used to develop a long list of collated indicative research questions (CIRQs). A literature review was performed to identify questions that were ‘true uncertainties’ (had not been answered by evidence review). These questions were reduced to a shortlist via an online interim prioritisation survey, and a Delphi consensus process determined the top 10 priorities. The top 10 questions related to dog population size and turnover, dog bite incidents, rabies control, implementation in the field and human behaviour change. These priorities were identified and shaped by people with direct experience of canine surgical sterilisation programmes, and as such are an essential resource for directing future funding and research. Addressing these priorities will generate evidence that is directly applicable to policy makers and practitioners who make decisions regarding the management of free-roaming dogs (FRDs) worldwide

“I’d got self-destruction down to a fine art”: Exploring the lived experience of low energy availability in athletes and exercisers

Objectives: Low energy availability (LEA) occurs when energy intake is insufficient to support optimal physiological functioning, once exercise activity has been accounted for. This research aimed to develop understanding of the lived experience of LEA by exploring factors influencing its onset, pertinent characteristics of the experience, and facilitators and barriers to overcoming LEA. Design: A qualitative design consisting of in-depth, semi-structured interviews was employed to develop rich, detailed insights into the experience of LEA. Methods: Using purposive sampling, 13 athletes (M age = 31.2, SD= 5.5 years; female n = 11, male n = 2) took part in semi-structured interviews, conducted face-to-face (n = 8) or via Skype (n = 5). All athletes were sub-elite (n = 11) or elite-level competitors (n = 2) in their primary sports (distance running; n= 11; rugby n = 1; and dance n = 1). Data were analysed inductively and thematically. Results: Psychological stressors and societal/situational pressures were commonly reported antecedents of LEA. The lived experience was characterised by six themes: disordered eating/eating disorders; exercise behaviours; personality characteristics; psychological consequences; physiological impairments; and professional education/advice. Significant others appeared to facilitate recovery efforts, whilst cognitive dissonance was identified as a barrier to overcoming LEA. Conclusions: These findings contribute to a growing body of literature concerning LEA in athletes and provide novel insights into psychological and physical experiences from the perspective of information-rich cases. The research provides avenues for future work and development of tailored educational interventions for prevention and treatment of LEA among sport participants

Three-dimensional electron microscopy reveals the evolution of glomerular barrier injury

Open access articleGlomeruli are highly sophisticated filters and glomerular disease is the leading cause of kidney failure. Morphological change in glomerular podocytes and the underlying basement membrane are frequently observed in disease, irrespective of the underlying molecular etiology. Standard electron microscopy techniques have enabled the identification and classification of glomerular diseases based on two-dimensional information, however complex three-dimensional ultrastructural relationships between cells and their extracellular matrix cannot be easily resolved with this approach. We employed serial block face-scanning electron microscopy to investigate Alport syndrome, the commonest monogenic glomerular disease, and compared findings to other genetic mouse models of glomerular disease (Myo1e−/−, Ptpro−/−). These analyses revealed the evolution of basement membrane and cellular defects through the progression of glomerular injury. Specifically we identified sub-podocyte expansions of the basement membrane with both cellular and matrix gene defects and found a corresponding reduction in podocyte foot process number. Furthermore, we discovered novel podocyte protrusions invading into the glomerular basement membrane in disease and these occurred frequently in expanded regions of basement membrane. These findings provide new insights into mechanisms of glomerular barrier dysfunction and suggest that common cell-matrix-adhesion pathways are involved in the progression of disease regardless of the primary insult

Risky bodies, risky spaces, maternal ‘instincts’: swimming and motherhood

Swimming and aquatic activity are fields in which gendered, embodied identities are brought to the fore, and the co-presence of other bodies can have a significant impact upon lived experiences. To date, however, there has been little research on sport and physical cultures that investigates how meanings associated with space impact upon women’s embodied experiences of participating in swimming, specifically in the presence of their young children. Using semi-structured interviews and non-participant observations, this qualitative study employed a Foucauldian-feminist framework to explore self-perceptions and embodied experiences of aquatic activity amongst 20 women, who were swimming with children aged under 4. Results highlight that through ‘felt’ maternal responsibilities, the co-presence of babies’ and children’s bodies shifted women’s intentionality away from the self towards their child. Mothers’ embodied experiences were grounded in perceptions of space-specific ‘maternal instincts’ and focused upon disciplining their children’s bodies in the lived-space of the swimming pool. Key findings cohere around mothers’ felt concerns about hygiene, water temperature and safety, and elements of intercorporeality and ‘somatic empathy’

Schwartz Centre Rounds: qualitative exploration of panel members’ experiences within a forensic mental health service

Schwartz Centre Rounds (SCRs) provide a structured forum for staff from all disciplines to meet and discuss the difficult emotional and social challenges that arise in caring for patients. Research into the implementation of SCRs has shown that staff who attend report increased insight into the emotional and social aspects of care; greater understanding of the roles of their colleagues; improved teamworking and decreased feelings of isolation and stress. However, little research has explored the implementation of SCRs within forensic settings, and no research has focused solely on the experiences of panel members. Three focus groups were facilitated with participants who had participated in a SCR panel within a forensic mental health service. Semi-structured interviews were carried out, audio-recorded and subsequently transcribed. Interpretive phenomenological analysis was utilised to analyse the transcripts, and four key themes were identified. These themes were: feeling vulnerable, the importance of validation, exposure to intense emotional experiences and improved understanding and connection. We conclude that SCRs can be an emotionally challenging but rewarding experience, with the potential to enhance teamworking and general well-being. Limitations and recommendations for future research are also discussed