The British Social Attitudes survey: how public opinion drives policy in the UK

British Social Attitudes, conducted by the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen), is the UK’s most established and authoritative survey of political and social attitudes. Leigh Marshall explains how the process of disseminating the survey findings has been modernized in recent years, how NatCen ensures the survey is interacting with the policymaking process, and how it’s possible to maximize its press and media coverage

Access then impact: using the media as a shortcut to policymakers

As the value of research with impact increases, so too does the importance of first gaining access to policymakers and other persons of influence. One shortcut to doing this is through increased media coverage. Leigh Marshall explains how academics can give their research the best possible chance of being seen and read by policymakers; including by developing close relationships with university communications teams, being ready to capitalise when a story relevant to your research breaks, and ensuring you have a message that decision-makers can engage with

Aging Out of the Foster Care System to Adulthood: Findings, Challenges, and Recommendations

To assess and ultimately help meet the needs of youth who age out of foster care in the United States, the Joint Center Health Policy Institute (JCHPI) -- with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and in partnership with the Black Administrators in Child Welfare Inc. (BACW) -- conducted reconnaissance on the unmet needs of these youth. This project was undertaken to guide the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in thinking about steps they might take to help meet the needs of youth who age out of foster care in this country. Conducting a literature review, a telephone survey, and listening sessions enabled us to develop insights into the workings of the foster care system and the experiences of youth while in the system and when aging out of it

An Investigation of the Role of Dynamic Axial Torque on the Disc Herniation Mechanism

Background: Disc herniations are common and have been demonstrated as one potential source of low back pain. To date epidemiological studies have found associations between lifting, lifting and twisting and twisting with increased risk in the development of disc herniations (Greenough and Fraser, 1994, Kelsey et al., 1984, Mundt et al., 1993). Subsequent, in vitro investigations were able to produce disc herniations through repeatitive flexion extension motions on cervical porcine functional spinal units (Callaghan and McGill, 2001). However, in vitro investigations on axial torque have drawn mixed conclusions and controversy remains on the role it plays with respect to disc herniations (Farfan et al., 1970, Adams et al., 1981). Therefore, the work in this thesis was to investigate the role of dynamic axial torque on the disc herniation mechanism. Methods: Porcine cervical spines were used as they are a good approximation to the human lumbar spine (Yingling et al., 1999). The study design involved repetitive flexion extension motions of the spinal units either preceded or followed by dynamic axial torque. During axial torque the spinal units were loaded to 17.5 Nm (standard deviation = 0.5 Nm) of dynamic axial torque for either 2000 or 4000 testing cycles. These spinal units were compared to spinal units that were loaded in repetitive flexion extension motions only and axial torque only. The spinal units were tested in a servohydraulic dynamic testing machine, combined with a custom jigs which allowed loading in flexion/extension, axial torque and compression. Plane film radiographs with contrast in the nucleus were obtained at regular intervals during and following the mechanical testing. Final dissection determined the disc injury patterns. Results and Discussion: Examination of the sectioned intervertebral discs indicated axial torque in combination with repetitive flexion extension motions, regardless of order, encouraged radial delamination. While, repetitive flexion extension motion alone encouraged posterior or posterolateral herniation patterns. Axial torque alone was unable to initiate a disc herniation. There was an increase in both rotation and stiffness of the intervertebral disc in response to repeated axial torque. There were no differences in rotation and stiffness between the groups. Both x-ray images and computed tomography scans were equally as good at identifying posterior or posterolateral herniations but were not good at detecting radial delamination

Exercise prehabilitation in elective intra-cavity surgery: A role within the ERAS pathway? A narrative review

The Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) model integrates several elements of perioperative care into a standardised clinical pathway for surgical patients. ERAS programmes aim to reduce the rate of complications, improve surgical recovery, and limit postoperative length of hospital stay (LOHS). One area of growing interest that is not currently included within ERAS protocols is the use of exercise prehabilitation (PREHAB) interventions. PREHAB refers to the systematic process of improving functional capacity of the patient to withstand the upcoming physiological stress of surgery. A number of recent systematic reviews have examined the role of PREHAB prior to elective intra-cavity surgery. However, the results have been conflicting and a definitive conclusion has not been obtained. Furthermore, a summary of the research area focussing exclusively on the therapeutic potential of exercise prior to intra-cavity surgery is yet to be undertaken. Clarification is required to better inform perioperative care and advance the research field. Therefore, this “review of reviews” provides a critical overview of currently available evidence on the effect of exercise PREHAB in patients undergoing i) coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), ii) lung resection surgery, and iii) gastrointestinal and colorectal surgery. We discuss the findings of systematic reviews and meta-analyses and supplement these with recently published clinical trials. This article summarises the research findings and identifies pertinent gaps in the research area that warrant further investigation. Finally, studies are conceptually synthesised to discuss the feasibility of PREHAB in clinical practice and its potential role within the ERAS pathway

Nutritional Strategies to Offset Disuse-Induced Skeletal Muscle Atrophy and Anabolic Resistance in Older Adults:From Whole-Foods to Isolated Ingredients

Preserving skeletal muscle mass and functional capacity is essential for healthy ageing. Transient periods of disuse and/or inactivity in combination with sub-optimal dietary intake have been shown to accelerate the age-related loss of muscle mass and strength, predisposing to disability and metabolic disease. Mechanisms underlying disuse and/or inactivity-related muscle deterioration in the older adults, whilst multifaceted, ultimately manifest in an imbalance between rates of muscle protein synthesis and breakdown, resulting in net muscle loss. To date, the most potent intervention to mitigate disuse-induced muscle deterioration is mechanical loading in the form of resistance exercise. However, the feasibility of older individuals performing resistance exercise during disuse and inactivity has been questioned, particularly as illness and injury may affect adherence and safety, as well as accessibility to appropriate equipment and physical therapists. Therefore, optimising nutritional intake during disuse events, through the introduction of protein-rich whole-foods, isolated proteins and nutrient compounds with purported pro-anabolic and anti-catabolic properties could offset impairments in muscle protein turnover and, ultimately, the degree of muscle atrophy and recovery upon re-ambulation. The current review therefore aims to provide an overview of nutritional countermeasures to disuse atrophy and anabolic resistance in older individuals

Short-Term Training and Detraining Effects of Supervised vs. Unsupervised Resistance Exercise in Aging Adults

Orange, ST, Marshall, P, Madden, LA, and Vince, RV. Short-term training and detraining effects of supervised vs. unsupervised resistance exercise in aging adults. J Strength Cond Res 33(10): 2733-2742, 2019-This study compared the effects of a 4-week supervised (SUP) resistance training program and unsupervised (UNSUP) resistance training program followed by 12 weeks of detraining (DET). Thirty-six healthy aging adults (age: 53.6 ± 3.6 years; body mass index: 28.3 ± 5.1 kg·m) were randomly allocated to an SUP group (n = 17) or a UNSUP group (n = 19). Participants completed 3 training sessions per week using resistance bands and body weight movements. Measures of physical performance were administered at baseline, at the end of the training program, and after the DET period. Function was assessed with the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), timed up-and-go (TUG), 30-second chair sit-to-stand (STS), stair-climb test (SCT), 40-m fast-paced walk test (FPWT) and sit-and-reach test (SRT), whereas the isometric midthigh pull (IMTP) and hand grip test were used to measure muscle strength. After training, improvements in performance were found in the 6MWT, TUG, 30-second chair STS, SCT, FPWT, SRT, and IMTP (p ≤ 0.05), with no significant differences between groups (p > 0.05). In addition, most of the training-induced improvements remained significantly above baseline values after the DET period (p ≤ 0.05). No significant between-group differences were observed after training or DET (p > 0.05). Four weeks of either SUP or UNSUP resistance training is sufficient to substantially improve muscle strength and function in aging adults, and these gains are largely preserved after prescribed exercise cessation. Home-based resistance training seems to be a practical and effective alternative to traditional SUP programs that may help circumvent many barriers to physical activity in aging adults

Effect of home‐based resistance training performed with or without a high‐speed component in adults with severe obesity

1) To evaluate the effects of walking and home‐based resistance training on function, strength, power, anthropometry and quality of life (QoL) in adults with severe obesity, and 2) to assess whether performing resistance exercises with maximal concentric velocity provides additional benefits compared with traditional slow‐speed resistance training.MethodsAdults with a body mass index of ≥40 kg/m2 were randomised to slow‐speed strength training (ST; n = 19) or high‐speed power training (PT; n = 19). Both groups completed a walking intervention and home‐based resistance training (2x/week for 6‐months). The PT group performed resistance exercises with maximal intended concentric velocity, whereas the ST group maintained a slow (2‐s) concentric velocity.ResultsAt 6‐months, weight loss was ~3 kg in both groups. Both groups significantly improved function (gz = 1.04‐1.93), strength (gz = 0.65‐1.77), power (gz = 0.66‐0.85), contraction velocity (gz = 0.65‐1.12) and QoL (gz = 0.62‐1.54). Between‐group differences in shoulder press velocity (‐0.09 m·s‐1, gs = ‐0.95 [‐1.63, ‐0.28]) and six‐minute walk test (‐16.9 m, gs = ‐0.51 [‐1.16, 0.13]) favoured the PT group.ConclusionsHome‐based resistance training and walking leads to significant improvements in functional and psychological measures in adults with severe obesity. In addition, considering the between‐group effect sizes and their uncertainty, performing resistance exercises with maximal concentric speed is a simple adjustment to conventional resistance training that yields negligible negative effects but potentially large benefits on walking capacity and upper‐limb contraction velocity

Accessing Healthy Food: A sentinel mapping study of healthy food retailing in Scotland

This study on the availability of an affordable healthy food shopping basket was commissioned by the Food Standards Agency Scotland and undertaken between 2005 and 2007 by the Centre for the Study of Retailing in Scotland