4 research outputs found
A comparison of multidimensional qualities discriminant of selection in elite adolescent Australian basketball athletes
Purpose The aims of this study were to (1) quantify the multidimensional attributes of male and female basketball athletes under 16 years of age (U16) and under 18 years of age (U18), and (2) identify attributes that distinguish selection into a talent pathway according to sex and age group. Methods 67 male and 71 female athletes competing in U16 and U18 selection trials for a state based Australian basketball talent pathway completed a multidimensional testing battery. The test battery consisted of anthropometric, physical (20- linear sprint, countermovement jump height, Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 2), technical (Basketball Jump Shooting Accuracy Test), tactical (video decision making), and psychological (Sports Orientation Questionnaire, Psychological Performance Inventory-Alternative) assessments. Mean differences and independent t-tests were used to assess comparative differences between selected and non-selected athletes within each age and sex cohort. Stepwise discriminant analyses were used to identify attributes that were the strongest discriminators of selection in each group (male U16, male U18, female U16, and female U18). Results The discrimminant models showed for male U16 athletes smaller height (ES = -0.18) and greater shooting accuracy (ES = 0.52) was most discriminant of selection. Results were largely homogenous for male U18 athletes with lower visualisation score (ES = -0.62) most discriminant of selection. In female cohorts, faster 20-m sprint time (ES = -0.66) and taller height (ES = 0.58) was most discriminant of selection in U16 athletes while greater shooting accuracy (ES = 0.67), countermovement jump height (ES = 1.04), and height (ES = 0.65) was most discriminant of selection in U18 athletes. Conclusions These results emphasise the differing selection priorities within adolescent basketball cohorts according to sex and age group. The testing of anthropometric, physical and technical attributes may hold particular utility in adolescent female basketball given their identified importance to selection across U16 and U18 cohorts
Effects of aliskiren on homocysteine-induced matrix expression in cultured cardiac fibroblasts.
<p>Fibroblasts were cultured in the presence or absence of D,L, homocysteine 200 µmol/L for 24 hours after pretreatment with varying concentrations of aliskiren (0.1–10 µmol/L). Real time PCR was done to measure relative expression of COLIA2 (alpha 2 chain of type I collagen; A) and COL3A1 (alpha 1 chain of type III collagen; B) genes. <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0081612#pone-0081612-g005" target="_blank">Figure 5C</a> demonstrates the results of real time PCR to compare the effects of losartan and captopril with aliskiren on homocysteine induced expression of COL1A2 gene. Western blotting was conducted to measure the expression of collagen type I protein (D and E) Glyceraldehyde 3 phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) was used as internal control. Hcy-D,L, homocysteine; AL-aliskiren; Los – losartan; and Cap – captopril. *p<0.05.</p
Effects of aliskiren on Hhe-induced diastolic dysfunction.
<p>(n = 5–7/group). A, the relation of balloon volume (normalized to heart weight) to left ventricular developed pressure. There were no differences between the groups. B shows the relation of balloon volume to left ventricular end diastolic pressure. There was a significant displacement of the pressure volume curve upwards in the Hhe group compared to all other groups (ANOVA; p<0.05). Hhe – Hhe-inducing diet; LVEDV – left ventricular end diastolic volume; and LVDevP – left ventricular developed pressure.</p
Role of Akt pathway in aliskiren's effects on attenuating collagen expression.
<p>A and B demonstrate the results of Western blotting for phospho- and total Akt in hearts of mice treated with various diets. C shows changes in the protein levels of collagen type I, phospho- and total Akt in response to 24 hours of exposure to D,L. Homocysteine (200 µmol/L) with or without pre-treatment with aliskiren 10 µmol/L (AL), wortmannin 1 µmol/L or Akt Inhibitor VIII 1 µmol/L. Hhe – Hhe-inducing diet; D,L, homocysteine (lower panel); AL 0.05– aliskiren 0.5 mg/kg/day; AL 5– aliskiren 5 mg/kg/day; AL 50– aliskiren 50 mg/kg/day; Wort – wortmannin; Akt in – Akt inhibitor VIII. *p<0.05; **p<0.01; and ***p<0.001.</p