576 research outputs found
Validity of a squash-specific test of change-of-direction speed
Purpose: We examined the validity and reproducibility of a squash-specific test designed to assess change-of-direction speed. Methods: 10 male squash and 10 male association-football and rugby-union players completed the Illinois agility run (IAR) and a squash change-of-direction-speed test (SCODS) on separate days. Tests were repeated after 24 h to assess reproducibility. The best time from three attempts was recorded in each trial.
Results: Performance times on the IAR (TE 0.27 s, 1.8%, 90% CI 0.21 to 0.37 s; LOA â0.12 s ± 0.74; LPR slope 1, intercept â2.8) and SCODS (TE 0.18 s, 1.5%, 90% CI 0.14 to 0.24 s; LOA 0.05 s ± 0.49; LPR slope 0.95, intercept 0.5) were reproducible. There were no statistically significant differences in performance time between squash (14.75 ± 0.66 s) and nonsquash players (14.79 ± 0.41 s) on the IAR. Squash players (10.90 ± 0.44 s) outperformed nonsquash players (12.20 ± 0.34 s) on the SCODS (P < .01). Squash player rank significantly correlated with SCODS performance time (Spearmanâs Ï = 0.77, P < .01), but not IAR performance time (Spearmanâs Ï = 0.43, P = .21).
Conclusions: The results suggest that the SCODS test is a better measure of sport-specific capability than an equivalent nonspecific field test and that it is a valid and reliable tool for talent identification and athlete tracking
Reproducibility of physiological and performance measures from a squash-specific fitness test
Purpose
We examined the reproducibility of performance and physiological responses on a squash-specific incremental test.
Methods
Eight trained squash players habituated to procedures with two prior visits performed an incremental squash test to volitional exhaustion on two occasions 7 days apart. Breath-by-breath oxygen uptake (Vo2) and heart rate were determined continuously using a portable telemetric system. Blood lactate concentration at the end of 4-min stages was assessed to determine lactate threshold. Once threshold was determined, test speed was increased every minute until volitional exhaustion for assessment of maximal oxygen uptake (Vo2max), maximum heart rate (HRmax), and performance time. Economy was taken as the 60-s mean of Vo2 in the final minute of the fourth stage (below lactate threshold for all participants). Typical error of measurement (TEM) with associated 90% confidence intervals, limits of agreement, paired sample t tests, and least products regression were used to assess the reproducibility of scores.
Results
Performance time (TEM 27 s, 4%, 90% CI 19 to 49 s) Vo2max (TEM 2.4 mL·kgâ1·minâ1, 4.7%, 90% CI 1.7 to 4.3 mL·kgâ1·minâ1), maximum heart rate (TEM 2 beats·minâ1, 1.3%, 90% CI 2 to 4 beats·minâ1), and economy (TEM 1.6 mL·kgâ1·minâ1, 4.1%, 90% CI 1.1 to 2.8 mL·kgâ1·minâ1) were reproducible.
Conclusions
The results suggest that endurance performance and physiological responses to a squash-specific fitness test are reproducible
Integrated Polarization of Sources at lambda ~1m and New Rotation Measure Ambiguities
We present an analysis of the polarization of compact radio sources from six
pointings of the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope (WSRT) at 350 MHz with
35% coverage in lambda^2. After correcting for the off-axis instrumental
polarization with a simple analytical model, only a small number of 585 strong
sources have significant polarizations at these wavelengths. The median
depolarization ratio from 1.4 GHz for the strongest sources is <0.2,
reinforcing the likelihood that radio galaxies are found in magnetized
environments, even outside of rich clusters. Seven sources with significant 350
MHz polarization were selected for a more in-depth Faraday structure analysis.
We fit the observed values Q/I and U/I as a function of lambda^2 using both a
depolarizing screen and two component models. We also performed RM
Synthesis/Clean and standard fitting of polarization angle vs. lambda^2. We
find that a single rotation measure (RM), as found using polarization angle
fitting or simple screen models, commonly provides a poor fit when the
solutions are translated back into Q, U space. Thus, although a single
"characteristic" rotation measure may be found using these techniques, the
Faraday structure of the source may not be adequately represented. We also
demonstrate that RM Synthesis may yield an erroneous Faraday structure in the
presence of multiple, interfering RM components, even when cleaning of the
Faraday spectrum is performed. We briefly explore the conditions under which
rotation measures and Faraday structure results can be reliable. Many
measurements in the literature do not meet these criteria; we discuss how these
influence the resulting scientific conclusions and offer a prescription for
obtaining reliable RMs.Comment: 26 pages, 24 figures. Published in The Astronomical Journa
Casino Gaming From a Border State Perspective: Impact on the Hospitality Industry
Stakeholders of the hospitality industry, defined as owners and managers of hotels and restaurants, from a state contiguous to states where casino gaming is legalized were questioned regarding their attitudes toward the legalization of casino gaming and their perceptions of its impact on business currently and if gaming were legalized in the state. The data were analyzed using frequency distributions, cross tabulations, and Chi Square statistics. Results included the following: Opinions about legalizing gaming in the state were evenly divided between favor and disfavor. Based on region, organizational structure and job title, observable differences in opinion were noted concerning the effects on business. These findings should be of interest to other states or provinces that border casino gaming areas
Potentially Misleading Weight Loss Advertisements Targeting Men: Examining Influence of Celebrity Athlete Endorsement on Ad Believability and Purchase Intentions
Given the prevalence of false or exaggerated claims in advertisements for weight loss products, as well as risks associated with use of unproven dietary supplements and exercise plans, they are subject to heightened scrutiny from regulators. However, celebrity athlete endorsers are increasingly featured in advertisements promoting weight loss products targeting men. This study employed a 2x2 (athlete endorser vs. non-celebrity; plausible vs. unrealistic advertising claim) experimental design, whereby participants (n= 292) were exposed to one of four ad conditions. Results suggest the athlete endorser was perceived as more credible than a non-celebrity, being rated as more expert. Significant differences were observed in ad believability, fit perceptions, brand attitudes, and purchase intentions. Findings suggest, the presence of a celebrity athlete endorser made weight loss advertisements more believable to consumers, even when ads contained obviously false claims. Given the health risks associated with certain weight loss behaviors and supplements, the impact of celebrity endorsers on consumer choices is important. Implications for potential consumers, regulators, and celebrity athlete endorsers are discussed
Cross-Correlation of Diffuse Synchrotron and Large-Scale Structures
We explore for the first time the method of cross-correlation of radio
synchrotron emission and tracers of large-scale structure in order to detect
the diffuse IGM/WHIM. We performed a cross-correlation of a 34 x 34 degree area
of 2MASS galaxies for two redshift slices (0.03 < z < 0.04 and 0.06 < z < 0.07)
with the corresponding region of the 1.4 GHz Bonn survey. For this analysis, we
assumed that the synchrotron surface brightness is linearly proportional to
surface density of galaxies. We also sampled the cross-correlation function
using 24 distant fields of the same size from the Bonn survey, to better assess
the noise properties. Though we obtained a null result, we found that by adding
a signal weighted by the 2MASS image with a filament (peak) surface brightness
of 1 (7) mK and 7 (49) mK would produce a 3 sigma positive correlation for the
0.03 < z < 0.04 and 0.06 < z < 0.07 redshift slices respectively. These
detection thresholds correspond to minimum energy magnetic fields as low as 0.2
microG, close to some theoretical expectations for filament field values. This
injected signal is also below the rms noise of the Bonn survey, and
demonstrates the power of this technique and its utility for upcoming sensitive
continuum surveys such as GALFACTS at Arecibo and those planned with the
Murchison Widefield Array (MWA).Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, accepted to MNRA
Koinonia
Spotlight on SpeakersHow Do We Measure Up, Kay Arthur
Considering CallingCalling vs. Career, Todd Lake
Great Expectations, Damon Seacott
Exploring EventsMan Hunt, Jesse Brown and Ron Coffey
Spotlight on SeminarsFrom Loneliness to Solitude: The Human Equalizer, Rhonda Good
Regular FeaturesPresident\u27s Corner
Editor\u27s Disk
ACSD Accoladeshttps://pillars.taylor.edu/acsd_koinonia/1032/thumbnail.jp
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