Modelling batting expertise from the perspective of high performance coaches

Cricket coaching literature on developing batting expertise has largely focused on the individual, and typically, technical features of batting. Research in cricket batting has addressed developmental factors of expertise (Weissensteiner, et al., 2009) or the perceptual advantage of expert batters (Muller & Abernethy, 2006). Little attention has been paid to the importance of the individual-environment relationship in expert behaviour. In order to address this missing ingredient, one on one, in-depth, semi- structured interviews were undertaken by the primary researcher with eight high performance coaches (e.g., international or state) who were purposely sampled from Cricket Australia or State Cricket associations. Six of these coaches had played international cricket as batsmen, one played state level and one a first grade player. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded separately by the first and second author after each interview. The third author then reviewed all codes and provided feedback. Strategies used to enhance validity included; sampling coaches of different high performance levels and retrospective member checking with coaches. Key themes that emerged include expert's superior knowledge of, and attunement to internal (e.g., emotions) and external (e.g. pitch type, field settings) information. This informs their intentions, perceptions and actions to achieve the task goal at any game moment. A skilful batter has time to execute their action and is in ‘rhythm’ with the bowler through attunement to specifying information sources. Experts also adapt to and manipulate the performance environment. Self-evaluative processes, through between-ball routines provide opportunity to reflect, re-evaluate and plan for the next delivery. Examples include; changing stance, forcing field changes or manipulating bowler’s emotions. These results highlight the importance of capturing the experiential knowledge of high performance coaches that cannot be obtained through traditional laboratory based studies. For cricket batting coaches, this work emphasizes the importance of designing learning environments that enable players to better understand their own performance in the context of emergent dynamic game-based constraints

Evaluating a 12-week games-based training program to improve cricket batting skill

Although a constraints-led approach (CLA) to skill acquisition is different from teaching games for understanding (Renshaw et al., 2015), the theoretical underpinnings of CLA can be utilized when designing games-based training approaches. This study examined whether a games-based training design, underpinned by CLA, was more effective at developing cricket batting skill than a more traditional technically focused coaching approach. Sixteen under-15 skilled cricket batters participated in a 12-week intervention study and were randomly allocated to a traditional or experimental training group. The experimental group participated in activities with manipulated rules, equipment, and outcome goals, while the traditional group focused on optimizing technical batting skill processes. Both groups completed two 2-hr sessions per week, bookended by a pre-intervention and post-intervention batting skills test. This test involved facing 18 balls delivered by bowlers, with the number of successful scoring shots, total runs scored, attacking strokes played, and quality of bat–ball contact recorded. An analysis of variance was used to examine between and within-group differences over time. The experimental group (CLA) demonstrated an increased number of successful scoring shots (3.88 vs. 6.63), and increased number of runs scored (11.63 vs. 20.7), and an improvement in the quality of bat–ball contact (1.26 vs. 1.52) after intervention, while there was no change in the number of attacking strokes played (72.37% vs. 74.63%). These numbers were significantly greater than those for the traditional group, which revealed no changes in the number of successful scoring shots played (4.62 vs. 3.75), the number of runs scored (10.25 vs. 10.00), the quality of bat–ball contact (1.26 vs. 1.29), or attacking strokes played (77.78% vs. 78.87%). Skilled U15 players significantly improved facets of their batting using a games-based training approach, while a more traditional training approach did not lead to improvements. Training using a systematic approach to manipulating constraints is suggested to benefit the overall development of a batter

Magnetic Phase transitions in Plasmas and Transport Barriers

A model of magnetic phase transitions in plasmas is presented: plasma blobs with pressure excess or defect are dia- or para-magnets and move radially under the influence of the background plasma magnetisation. It is found that magnetic phase separation could be the underlying mechanism of L to H transitions and drive transport barrier formation. Magnetic phase separation and associated pedestal build up, as described here, can be explained by the well known interchange mechanism, now reinterpreted as a magnetisation interchange which remains relevant even when stable or saturated. A testable necessary criterion for the L to H transition is presented.Comment: 3 figures, 9 pages, equations created with MathType To be published in Nuclear Fusion, accepted August 201

An Extremes of Phenotype Approach Confirms Significant Genetic Heterogeneity in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis

Background and Aims: Ulcerative colitis [UC] is a major form of inflammatory bowel disease globally. Phenotypic heterogeneity is defined by several variables including age of onset and disease extent. The genetics of disease severity remains poorly understood. To further investigate this, we performed a genome wide association [GWA] study using an extremes of phenotype strategy. Methods: We conducted GWA analyses in 311 patients with medically refractory UC [MRUC], 287 with non-medically refractory UC [nonMRUC] and 583 controls. Odds ratios [ORs] were calculated for known risk variants comparing MRUC and non-MRUC, and controls. Results: MRUC–control analysis had the greatest yield of genome-wide significant single nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs] [2018], including lead SNP = rs111838972 [OR = 1.82, p = 6.28 × 10−9] near MMEL1 and a locus in the human leukocyte antigen [HLA] region [lead SNP = rs144717024, OR = 12.23, p = 1.7 × 10−19]. ORs for the lead SNPs were significantly higher in MRUC compared to non-MRUC [p < 9.0 × 10−6]. No SNPs reached significance in the non-MRUC–control analysis (top SNP, rs7680780 [OR 2.70, p = 5.56 × 10−8). We replicate findings for rs4151651 in the Complement Factor B [CFB] gene and demonstrate significant changes in CFB gene expression in active UC. Detailed HLA analyses support the strong associations with MHC II genes, particularly HLA-DQA1, HLA-DQB1 and HLA-DRB1 in MRUC. Conclusions: Our MRUC subgroup replicates multiple known UC risk variants in contrast to non-MRUC and demonstrates significant differences in effect sizes compared to those published. Non-MRUC cases demonstrate lower ORs similar to those published. Additional risk and prognostic loci may be identified by targeted recruitment of individuals with severe disease.Sally Mortlock, Anton Lord, Grant Montgomery, Martha Zakrzewski, Lisa A.Simms, Krupa Krishnaprasad, Katherine Hanigan, James D. Doecke, Alissa Walsh, Ian C. Lawrance, Peter A.Bampton, Jane M. Andrews, Gillian Mahy, Susan J. Connor, Miles P.Sparrow, Sally Bell, Timothy H. Florin, Jakob Begun, Richard B. Gearry, Graham L. Radford-Smit

Search for leptophobic Z ' bosons decaying into four-lepton final states in proton-proton collisions at root s=8 TeV

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Search for black holes and other new phenomena in high-multiplicity final states in proton-proton collisions at root s=13 TeV

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Search for high-mass diphoton resonances in proton-proton collisions at 13 TeV and combination with 8 TeV search

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