Priming as a means of preventing skill failure under pressure

Copyright @ 2010 Human KineticsThe present study examined the effectiveness of a priming paradigm in alleviating skill failure under stress. The priming intervention took the form of a scrambled sentence task. Experiment 1: Thirty-four skilled field-hockey players performed a dribbling task in low-and high-pressure situations under single task, skill-focused, and priming conditions. Results revealed a significant increase in performance time from low to high pressure. In addition, performance in the priming condition was significantly better than in the control and skill-focused conditions. Experiment 2: Thirty skilled field-hockey players completed the same dribbling task as in Experiment 1; however, in addition to the control and skill-focused conditions, participants were allocated to either a positive, neutral, or negative priming condition. Results revealed significant improvements in performance time from the skill focus to the control to the priming condition for the positive and neutral groups. For the negative group, times were significantly slower in the priming condition. Results are discussed in terms of utilizing priming in a sporting context

Modeling the relationship between self-consciousness and competition anxiety

The present study examined the relationship between self-reported levels of self-consciousness and competition anxiety among a sample of sportspeople (N = 519). We hypothesized that self-consciousness would exhibit a positive linear relationship with competition anxiety via the mediator of social anxiety and that this relationship would be moderated by gender. Path analysis using robust maximum likelihood estimator techniques in EQS were employed to examine model fit. Examination of fit indexes demonstrated that the fit of the baseline a priori model was good (Robust CFI = .98, SRMR = .06). Multigroup analyses assessing invariance across gender were conducted by imposing increasingly strict equality constraints. The models displayed good fit (CFI = .96, SRMR = .08); however, inspection of the Lagrange multiplier test and then single sample models revealed the path between social anxiety and somatic anxiety was stronger for females. We concluded that the relationship between self-consciousness and competition anxiety is mediated by the experience of social anxiety; however, the present findings refute the hypothesis that the relationship is moderated by gender

Attentional focus, dispositional reinvestment, and skilled motor performance under pressure

Copyright @ 2006 Human KineticsAttentional processes governing skilled motor behavior were examined in two studies. In Experiment 1, field hockey players performed a dribbling task under single-task, dual-task, and skill-focused conditions under both low and high pressure situations. In Experiment 2, skilled soccer players performed a dribbling task under single-task, skill-focused, and process-goal conditions, again under low and high pressure situations. Results replicated recent findings regarding the detrimental effect of skill-focused attention and the facilitative effect of dual-task conditions on skilled performance. In addition, focusing on movement related process goals was found to adversely affect performance. Support for the predictive validity of the Reinvestment Scale was also found, with high reinvesters displaying greater susceptibility to skill failure under pressure. Results were consistent with explicit monitoring theories of choking and are further discussed in light of the conceptual distinction between explicit monitoring and reinvestment of conscious control

The case for a centre for learning and teaching

The impact of the Bradley Review, and the Governments response to it, are still continuing to transform the Australian Higher Education sector just as radically as any of the reforms that preceded it in earlier decades. When considered from a market perspective, these reforms have ensured that the sector must increasingly both understand and be able to respond rapidly, and in agile manner, to changing and challenging market conditions particularly where the recruitment and retention of students is concerned. In addition to these changing market dynamics is the evolving and increasing requirement to be able to demonstrably quality assure many aspects of the learning experience, but most particularly those elements that relate to the expression of the curriculum, particularly in terms of learning outcomes and the related assessment and moderation regimes

A qualitative analysis of an LMS usage by staff

The Learning Management System (LMS) has emerged as one of the preferred information and communication technology solutions by which the higher education sector seeks to manage and support the learning experience that it provides to its students. It has also become an increasingly valuable tool which has the ability to record and capture data about users, unlocking the unprecedented potential of data captured for informed decision making and evidence- based strategies. Present literature illustrates a growing interest and increased use of analytics within the LMS to support and enhance the quality of learning and teaching; however, much of the focus has been on student learning and engagement. While educators can greatly benefit from data on learners, there is also a potential value in exploring and understanding the usage and engagement from the teaching staff perspective, as they are the key technological interfaces in the education institutions (Noeth & Volkov, 2004) who provide access to virtual learning content and support to students as part of the enhanced overall student learning experience. In 2008, the Learning Management System (LMS) Usage Framework was conceived by Griffith University and the University of Western Sydney as a joint initiative to undertake a benchmarking exercise to measure the level of uptake of the LMS and the associated tools at both universities This project and its outcomes were reported at ASCILITE 2009; Benchmarking across universities: A framework for LMS analysis (Rankine, Stevenson, Malfroy, Ashford-Rowe). This framework was a dynamic process model designed to define, describe and measure elements common to the online courses at given points in time, which enabled the selection of data according to specified criteria. Its principal elements were Content, Communication, Collaboration, Assessment, and Explicit Learner Support. Each element was then further broken into subcategories with respect to the use of particular online tools and educational content. Since 2008, and in collaboration with Educational Designers embedded within the academic community known at Griffith as Blended Learning Advisors, the framework that was developed in 2008 has undergone an evolutionary transformation to better fit and reflect the current Griffith learning and teaching context. However, its principal pedagogical delivery elements remain as Content, Communication, Collaboration, Assessment, and Explicit Learner Support, noting that each element is further broken into subcategories, which contain data on the use of particular online tools and educational content. In 2011/12 Griffith University initiated a further project, based upon this work, the purpose of which was to measure the level of academic uptake of the LMS. The revised LMS Usage Framework was adopted to develop algorithms capturing the relevant LMS data. This quantitative data was then analysed to measure the level of academic uptake and usage of the tools within the LMS. The data was structured to enable analysis at a range of academic grouping levels (Faculty/Department/School etc.) as well as to illustrate the overall performance of the respective academic element in terms of uptake and usage of technology tools in education delivery. This data extracted provided new and useful insights on the LMS tools usage patterns. This particularly activity was conducted as an exploratory study aimed at building on the previous work in this area, as noted above. However, it also unearthed new possibilities in the gathering and analysis of the LMS data to assist academic teachers, their managers and those administrators tasked with supporting academic professional development, in particular where it relates to evaluating the effectiveness of technological applications and strategies implemented to support an enhanced student learning experience and achievement

Interventions for preventing and treating stress fractures and stress reactions of bone of the lower limbs in young adults.

BACKGROUND: Stress reaction in bone, which may proceed to a fracture, is a significant problem in military recruits and in athletes, particularly long distance runners. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the evidence from randomised controlled trials of interventions for prevention or management of lower-limb stress fractures and stress reactions of bone in active young adults. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Musculoskeletal Injuries Group Specialised Register (April 2004), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library Issue 1, 2004), MEDLINE (1966 to September week 1, 2004), EMBASE, CINAHL, Index to UK Theses, reference lists of relevant articles and contacted trialists. SELECTION CRITERIA: Any randomised or quasi-randomised trials evaluating interventions for preventing or treating lower limb stress reactions of bone or stress fractures in active young adults. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We independently selected trials for inclusion, assessed trial quality and extracted data. Only limited data pooling was undertaken. MAIN RESULTS: We included 16 trials. All 13 prevention trials involved military recruits undergoing training. Participants of two of the three treatment trials were military personnel.Ten prevention trials tested the effects of various foot inserts and other footwear modifications. While pooling of data was not possible, the four trials evaluating the use of "shock-absorbing" boot inserts versus control found fewer stress injuries of the bone in their intervention groups. However, the only trial showing a significant benefit lacked important information about trial design. A key issue in several trials was the acceptability, in terms of practicality and comfort, of the boot inserts. Two cluster-randomised prevention trials found no significant effect of leg muscle stretching during warm up before exercise.Pooled data from three small but very different trials testing the use of pneumatic braces in the rehabilitation of tibial stress fractures showed a significant reduction in the time to recommencing full activity (weighted mean difference -33.39 days, 95% confidence interval -44.18 to -22.59 days). These results were highly heterogeneous (I squared = 90%), which is likely to reflect the underlying differences of the trials, including differences in the control group interventions and definitions of outcomes. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The use of shock absorbing inserts in footwear probably reduces the incidence of stress fractures in military personnel. There is insufficient evidence to determine the best design of such inserts but comfort and tolerability should be considered.Rehabilitation after tibial stress fracture may be aided by the use of pneumatic bracing but more evidence is required to confirm this.</p

Supporting women with postpartum anxiety: exploring views and experiences of specialist community public health nurses in the UK

Anxiety is common among postpartum women and can have adverse effects on mother's and child's somatic and psychological health if left untreated. In the UK, nurses or midwifes with a specialisation in community public health nursing, also called health visitors (HVs), work with families who have children younger than 5 years of age and are therefore in a key position to identify and support women with postpartum mental health issues. Until recently, postpartum mental health support provided by HVs mainly focused on identifying and managing depression, but the updated clinical guidance by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence also includes guidance regarding screening and psychological interventions for perinatal anxiety. This study therefore aimed to explore HVs' experiences of supporting women with postpartum anxiety and their views on currently available care. Using a qualitative approach, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 HVs from the UK between May and October 2015. Participants were interviewed in person at their workplace or on the phone/Skype. Using thematic analysis, four main themes emerged: identification and screening issues; importance of training; service usage; and status of current service provision. Women with postpartum anxiety were commonly encountered by HVs in their clinical practice and described as often heavily using their or other related healthcare services, which puts additional strain on HVs' already heavy workload. Issues with identifying and screening for postpartum anxiety were raised and the current lack of perinatal mental health training for HVs was highlighted. In addition, HVs described a current lack of good perinatal mental health services in general and specifically for anxiety. The study highlights the need for HV perinatal mental health training in general and postpartum anxiety specifically, as well as better coverage of specialist mental health services and the need for development of interventions targeted at postpartum anxiety

Interest in web-based treatments for postpartum anxiety: an exploratory survey

Objective: This study aimed to explore women’s interest in web-based treatments for postpartum anxiety and determine the feasibility of reaching women with postpartum anxiety online. Background: Anxiety in the postpartum period is common and often untreated. One innovative approach of offering treatment during this period is through web-based self-help. Assessing women’s interest in new treatments, such as a web-based self-help, is an important step prior to development efforts. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was created and promoted for 4 months via unpaid social media posts (Facebook and Twitter). To be eligible, women had to be over the age of 18, live in England, fluent in English, be within 12 months postpartum and self-report at least mild levels of anxiety. Results: A sample of 114 eligible women were recruited. The majority were Caucasian, well-educated, middle-class women. Seventy percent reported moderate or severe anxiety. Sixty-one percent of women expressed interest in web-based postpartum anxiety treatments. Women preferred treatment in a smartphone/tablet application format, presented in brief modules and supported by a therapist via email or chat/instant messaging. Conclusions: Based on the stated preferences of participating women it is recommended that postpartum anxiety web-based treatments include different forms of therapist support and use a flexibly accessible smartphone/tablet application format with content split into short sections. The findings also suggest that unpaid social media can be feasible in reaching women with postpartum anxiety, but additional efforts are needed to reach a more diverse population

All Payer Hospital Regulations

Introduction: An all-payer system is a price setting system where rates of payment for healthcare services have not been negotiated between a hospital or health system or a payer but instead by a third party organization, such as Maryland’s Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC), who sets most hospital rates that all payers agree to honor. All payer hospitals focus is on legislative principles in an effort to control costs. Methods: The methodology for this study was a literature review compiled with overview of All-payer hospital systems and its utilization in a hospital setting. All articles prior to 2000 were eliminated from the search. Twenty-eight references were examined and concluded to have mitigated the inclusion parameters along with benefits and disadvantages of the system. Results: Since 1976 Maryland has successfully kept hospital costs under control using an all-payer system. Additionally, improvements in length of stay and other health measures have improved. While an all payer system works for Maryland that has a large population in urban areas, other states may not see an improvement if they are larger or more rural. Even with lower controlled rates, Maryland still ranks less favorably in per capita health spending and regional variations than other states. Discussion/Conclusion: The majority of states are not utilizing the benefits of all payer systems. Implementation can improve healthcare in the US by impeding escalating costs, distinguishing fair payment systems, and increasing the access to care. This research study did not extensively compare other nations all payer systems to Maryland or how it could be implemented in the US. The all payer system has practical implications in the US healthcare system. If programs to cut spending are implemented too quickly, national healthcare could be compromised