Instructor Assessment of Adult CPR Skills: A Comparison Between Subjective and Objective Measures

Providing accurate feedback is an important component of teaching CPR skills. An important part of providing accurate feedback is being able to accurately assess specific skills. In a cross- sectional experimental design, 33 CPR instructors were recruited to assess six 2-minute pre- recorded videos of 2-person CPR skills. The subjective assessment measures were compared to the objective manikin measures from a Laerdal Resusci-Anne® QCPR manikin. Results indicated statistically significant differences between the subjective and objective measures in all skills assessed (chest compression rate, chest compression depth, chest recoil, hand placement, ventilation volume, and total cycles). Instructor teaching experience (in years and classes taught) was also discovered not to be statistically significant in instructors’ ability to accurately assess CPR skills. Results of this study appear to support the AHA’s requirement for use of chest compression depth and chest compression rate feedback devices in CPR classes beginning January 2019. Continued research on this topic is warranted

Corn (Zea mays L.) yield response to tillage radish (Raphanus sativus L.) when planted with annual and winter hardy cover crops

An indispensable component of a healthy organic system is inclusion of cover crops. While a key element in maintenance and improvement of soil properties, reduction of weed pressure, and additions and recycling of nutrients, challenges of managing these crops between cash crops can add frustration and pose risk to the grower. A recent interest in tillage radish has organic farmers in the Midwest interested in experimenting with the scavenging potential of this new cover crop; however past research has shown inconsistent evidence of this potential being realized because of poor establishment and rapid decomposition of tillage radish. Problems with unpredictable nutrient availability to the following crop could potentially be due to inefficient management tactics. Strategies like applying manure prior to planting and planting mixes that include other annual and winter hardy cover crop species can promote quick and ample fall growth as well as establish a dynamic community of plants that are able to both scavenge as well as serve as a secondary “catch” crop. A replicated, two-phase trial was conducted at the University of Minnesota Southwest Research and Outreach Center from 2014-2017. Establishment and growth of tillage radish alone and alongside annual and winter hardy cover crop species were evaluated amongst tillage and fertility treatments. Cover crops were planted after wheat harvest and followed by a corn crop the following year. Cover crop treatment effect on nutrient availability for the subsequent cash crop was evaluated by measuring soil nutrient status, soil biological activity and potential mineralization throughout the growing season as well as corn crop yield. Each cover crop treatment was tested within three different management systems to represent a legume-based 4 system and two manure-based systems, in addition to two tillage methods: one with tillage prior to planting and the other without. While previously believed that tillage radish establishment and growth is dependent on soil nitrogen, we found tillage after a manure application and prior to cover crop planting yielded twice as much tillage radish biomass with much greater root mass compared with no tillage plots. While the striking differences in fall cover crop growth should have influenced scavenging capacity and nutrient availability, no major treatment differences in available or mineralizable nitrogen were found among neither the system treatments nor the cover crop treatments. Additionally, corn yields for the tilled plots were much greater, especially for the single tillage radish species and tillage radish planted with cover crops that did not overwinter. Further investigation of the impact of soil physical properties and additional benefits related to compaction alleviation are worth investigating to determine how tillage radish improves organic rotations. Furthermore, measurements to determine winter soil cover revealed no differences among tillage treatments in all years. Thus, employing tillage in an effort to increase cover crop biomass should have minimal environmental impact

“Inspiring Imps”: programme evaluation of a football intervention targeting mentally ill health services users through a professional football club

The Active People survey (2010) shows that only 6.5% of disabled individuals participate in sport and exercise 3 times per week, compared with 16.5% of able bodied adults in the UK. Individuals with recognised disabilities have long been excluded from mainstream society. Particularly in sport, disability athletes can be afforded minority status and are treated as such (Nixon, 2000: In Handbook of Sports Studies, edited by J. Coakley and E. Dunning. London: Sage). This stigmatisation can be particularly acute among participants with diagnosed mental or psychological disabilities. Previous research concluded that sport can have positive psychological and social benefits, including improved well-being, motivation and social confidence (Crone and Guy, 2008: International Journal of Mental Health Nursing. 17, 197-207.). The aim of the present study was to investigate the feasibility of a 6 week exercise programme targeting mental ill health service users aged 16+. A weekly 2 hour session of football was introduced to promote health and wellbeing in the target group. Partners included county Football Association and a professional football club. The project enhanced local partnerships and partnerships with other professional football clubs. The key remaining aim is to ensure a sustainable “legacy” is achieved to ensure the continuation delivery of the project. The feasibility of the present study will be assessed using programme evaluation. Programme evaluation uses programme theory to produce a structured framework for assessment of the project (Rossi et al 2004; Evaluation: A systematic Approach. London, Sage). This allows a clear and logical progression from planning to implementation. Participant attrition rates and attendance records will be collected. These data will be supplemented with semi-structured interviews with participants and project stakeholders to assess programme development. The expected overall project outcome is to produce shared learning practice on similar interventions nationwide