ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF CRITICAL HABITAT FOR THE MEXICAN SPOTTED OWL: A SCOPE TEST USING A MULTIPLE-BOUNDED CONTINGENT VALUATION SURVEY

A split-sample design is used to test for a difference between mean willingness to pay (WTP) for protecting the Mexican spotted owl versus protecting 62 threatened/endangered species which includes the Mexican spotted owl. The multiple bounded contingent valuation method is used in a mail survey of U.S. residents. The mean WTP amounts are statistically different at the 0.1 confidence level indicating the multiple-bounded mail survey passes the scope test. The range of estimated benefits of preserving the 4.6 million acres of critical habitat for the Mexican spotted owl substantially outweighs the costs of the recovery effort.Environmental Economics and Policy,

ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF CRITICAL HABITAT FOR THE MEXICAN SPOTTED OWL: A SCOPE TEST USING A MULTIPLE-BOUNDED CONTINGENT VALUATION SURVEY

A split-sample design is used to test for a difference between mean willingness to pay (WTP) for protecting the Mexican spotted owl versus protecting 62 threatened/endangered species which includes the Mexican spotted owl. The multiple bounded contingent valuation method is used in a mail survey of U.S. residents. The mean WTP amounts are statistically different at the 0.1 confidence level indicating the multiple-bounded mail survey passes the scope test. The range of estimated benefits of preserving the 4.6 million acres of critical habitat for the Mexican spotted owl substantially outweighs the costs of the recovery effort

Training Effects of the FIFA 11+ Kids on Physical Performance in Youth Football Players: A Randomized Control Trial

Objective: To analyse the training effects of the FIFA 11+ Kids on several parameters of physical performance in male youth football players. Material and Methods: Twenty-three youth players were randomised within each team into two groups (control vs. intervention). The intervention group performed the FIFA 11+ Kids programme 2 times a week for 4 weeks; the control groups completed their normal warm-up routines. Thirteen physical performance measures (range of motion [hip, knee and ankle joints], dynamic postural control [measured throughout the Y-balance test], 20 m sprint time, slalom dribble with a ball, agility, vertical jumping height [counter movement jump and drop jump], horizontal jump distance, accuracy when volleying a ball [measured throughout the Wall Volley test]) were assessed. All physical performance parameters were compared via magnitude-based inference analysis. Results: Significant between-group differences in favour of the FIFA 11+ players were found for dynamic postural control (anterior [mean and 90% confidence intervals [CI] = 1 cm, from -1.6 to 3.5 cm] and posteromedial [mean and 90% CI = 5.1 cm, from -1.8 to 12 cm] and posterolateral [mean and 90% CI = 4.8 cm, from 0.6 to 9.0 cm] distances), agility run (mean and 90% CI = 0.5 s, from -0,9 to 0 s), vertical jump height (counter movement jump [mean and 90% CI = 3.1 cm, from 0.2 to 6.1 cm] and drop jump [mean and 90% CI = 1.7 cm, from -0.5 to 3.9 cm]), and horizontal jump distance (mean and 90% CI = 2.5 cm, from -8 to 15 cm). The control groups showed better performance in 20 m sprint time (mean and 90% CI = -0.05 s, from -0.11 to 0.07) and wall volley tests (mean and 90% CI = 0.2, from -0.2 to 0.6) compared to the intervention group

The influence of changes in trunk and pelvic posture during single leg standing on hip and thigh muscle activation in a pain free population

Background: Thigh muscle injuries commonly occur during single leg loading tasks and patterns of muscle activation are thought to contribute to these injuries. The influence trunk and pelvis posture has on hip and thigh muscle activation during single leg stance is unknown and was investigated in a pain free population to determine if changes in body posture result in consistent patterns of changes in muscle activation. Methods: Hip and thigh muscle activation patterns were compared in 22 asymptomatic, male subjects (20-45 years old) in paired functionally relevant single leg standing test postures: Anterior vs. Posterior Trunk Sway; Anterior vs. Posterior Pelvic Rotation; Left vs. Right Trunk Shift; and Pelvic Drop vs. Raise. Surface EMG was collected from eight hip and thigh muscles calculating Root Mean Square. EMG was normalized to an "upright standing" reference posture. Repeated measures ANOVA was performed along with associated F tests to determine if there were significant differences in muscle activation between paired test postures. Results: In right leg stance, Anterior Trunk Sway (compared to Posterior Sway) increased activity in posterior sagittal plane muscles, with a concurrent deactivation of anterior sagittal plane muscles (p: 0.016-<0.001). Lateral hip abductor muscles increased activation during Left Trunk Shift (compared to Right) (p:= 0.001). Lateral Pelvic Drop (compared to Raise) decreased activity in hip abductors and increased hamstring, adductor longus and vastus lateralis activity (p: 0.037-<0.001). Conclusion: Changes in both trunk and pelvic posture during single leg stance generally resulted in large, predictable changes in hip and thigh muscle activation in asymptomatic young males. Changes in trunk position in the sagittal plane and pelvis position in the frontal plane had the greatest effect on muscle activation. Investigation of these activation patterns in clinical populations such as hip and thigh muscle injuries may provide important insights into injury mechanisms and inform rehabilitation strategies