75 research outputs found
A crucible of competition and cooperation: Where do the concepts fit in recreation activity delivery?
The prevailing use of competitive activities in leisure, sport and recreation continues to inspire debate as people question the value, influence and outcomes of competitive behaviour for participants. In some forums it has been suggested that competition builds character, brings out the best performance in an individual and develops a positive sense of sportsmanship (Butler, 2000; Coakley, 1990). By comparison, others critique the anti-social role of competition, claiming it can simultaneously lead to dissonance, hostility and a divisive desire to win at all costs (Sobel, 1983; Thomson, 2000). Within the general leisure and physical activity field, cooperative games are sometimes presented as the antithesis to this dilemma as it is proposed that cooperation leads to the development of respect, challenge and cohesion (Orlick, 1978; Sutcl if & Patterson, 2001). This study reports on the perceived value and use of competition and cooperation from the perspectives of 20 recreation activity leaders drawn from the fields of sport, outdoor recreation, fitness and community recreation. The findings suggest that both competition and cooperation are valid techniques for achieving positive outcomes if they are used with applied intent, but that many leaders have an under-developed understanding of the use of cooperation as an instructional tool. For many, cooperation is identified purely in a behavioural manner, composed of an observed outcome of client's working together. For others, a more complex approach is evident as cooperation is viewed as a combination of actions and attitudes reflecting empathy, open communication and equity
Self, wonder and God! The spiritual dimensions of travel experiences
There is a long tradition within travel and tourism research to focus on the commoditized aspects of functional exchange, consumer satisfaction, market share, and the tourist product. This has meant that economic, social, cultural and environmental elements have predominated, with tourism being seen as a mass phenomenon, and less focus being placed on the personal or experiential components that are part of the promise of travel itself. While diverse approaches and foci to the study of travel are necessary to understand the breadth of possibilities within the industry, the nature of the experience itself remains core to interpreting the scope and potential of travel and tourism and how it may impact on individuals beyond the immediate response to a location, an attraction, a product or a service. This paper focuses on revealing the subjective spiritual experiences that emerged for 10 leisure travelers who were on various independent journeys. Using a phenomenological approach that examined the meaning and nature of experience as it is lived, the findings revealed that leisure travel was a complex
experience that could have spiritual meaning and impact on the participants. Specifically, analysis revealed the respondents: gained an enhanced awareness of self, God or \u27other\u27; felt a greater sense of
connection with something beyond the self; and experienced their spiritual leisure travel intensely, recognizing a range of sensations including wonder, awe, fear and release
Prospective Telehealth Analysis of Functional Performance, Frailty, Quality of Life, and Mental Health after COVID-19 hospitalization
Background
COVID-19 is a global pandemic with poorly understood long-term consequences. Determining the trajectory of recovery following COVID-19 hospitalization is critical for prioritizing care, allocating resources, facilitating prognosis, and informing rehabilitation. The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate recovery following COVID-19 hospitalization. Methods
Participants age 18âyears or older who were hospitalized for â„24âh due to COVID-19 completed phone/video call virtual assessments (including the 10-time chair rise test) and survey forms at three time points (2â6, 12, and 18âweeks) after hospital discharge. Univariate logistic and linear regression models assessed the associations of the outcomes with primary predictors (categorical age, sex, race/ethnicity group, and categorical pre-hospitalization frailty) at baseline; the same were used to assess differences in change from week 2â6 (continuous outcomes) or outcome persistence/worsening (categorical) at last contact. Results
One hundred nine adults (age 53.0 [standard deviation 13.1]; 53% female) participated including 43 (39%) age 60 or greater; 59% identified as an ethnic and/or racial minority. Over 18âweeks, the mean time to complete the 10-time chair rise test decreased (i.e., improved) by 6.0âs (95% CI: 4.1, 7.9âs; pâ\u3câ0.001); this change did not differ by pre-hospital frailty, race/ethnicity group, or sex, but those ageââ„â60 had greater improvement. At weeks 2â6, 67% of participants reported a worse Clinical Frailty Scale category compared to their pre-hospitalization level, whereas 42% reported a worse frailty score at 18âweeks. Participants who did not return to pre-hospitalization levels were more likely to be female, younger, and report a pre-hospitalization category of âvery fitâ or âwellâ. Conclusions
We found that functional performance improved from weeks 2â6 to 18âweeks of follow-up; that incident clinical frailty developed in some individuals following COVID-19; and that age, sex, race/ethnicity, and pre-hospitalization frailty status may impact recovery from COVID-19. Notably, individuals age 60 and older were more likely than those under age 45âyears to return to their pre-hospitalization status and to make greater improvements in functional performance. The results of the present study provide insight into the trajectory of recovery among a representative cohort of individuals hospitalized due to COVID-19. Background
Coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 is a global pandemic with poorly understood long-term consequences. Recent data suggest that even mild cases of COVID-19 can result in significant long-term morbidity [1]. Determining the trajectory of recovery in patients following COVID-19 hospitalization is critical for prioritizing care, allocating resources, facilitating prognosis, and informing rehabilitation
Anemia, iron status, and associated protective and risk factors among children and adolescents aged 3 to 19 years old from four First Nations communities in Quebec
Objectives: Anemia and iron deficiency (ID) are frequent among Indigenous children of Canada, but few data are available in Quebec. The present study aimed to characterize anemia and ID prevalence and associated protective and risk factors among First Nations youth in Quebec. Methods: The 2015 First Nations (JES!-YEH!) pilot study was conducted among children and adolescents (3 to 19 years; n=198) from four First Nations communities in Quebec. Blood and urine samples and anthropometric measurements were collected. Hemoglobin (Hb), serum ferritin (SF), plasma hs-CRP, and urinary cotinine levels were measured. Factors associated with anemia and ID (including traditional and market food consumption) were assessed using an interview-administered food frequency questionnaire, based on which nutritional intakes were calculated. Structural equation models were used totest associations. Results: The prevalence of anemia and ID was elevated (16.8% and 20.5% respectively). Traditional meat, fruit, and fruit juice (naturaland powdered)âvia their positive association with vitamin C intakeâwere the only food variables positively associated with SF (coefficient [95% CI] 0.017 [0.000, 0.114]; 0.090 [0.027, 0.161]; and 0.237 [0.060, 0.411]). Male sex was also associated with higher SF (0.295 [0.093, 0.502]). Inflammation status (hs-CRP > 5 mg/L) was inversely associated with Hb (â0.015 [â0.025,â0.005]), whereas SF was positively associated with Hb (0.066 [0.040, 0.096]). Fruit and juice consumption was also positively associated with Hb, via vitamin C intake and SF (0.004 [0.001, 0.010]; 0.008 [0.003, 0.017]). Conclusions: Interventions fostering healthier food environments as well as higher consumption of traditional meats and foods naturally rich in vitamin C, which is known to enhance iron absorption, and fighting inflammation could contribute to decrease the high prevalence of anemia and ID in this young Indigenous population.Objectifs : LâanĂ©mie et la carence en fer sont frĂ©quentes chez les enfants autochtones au Canada, mais peu de donnĂ©es sont disponibles au QuĂ©bec. La prĂ©sente Ă©tude visait Ă caractĂ©riser la prĂ©valence de lâanĂ©mie et de la carence en fer et les facteurs protecteurs et des risques associĂ©s chez des jeunes des PremiĂšres Nations du QuĂ©bec. MĂ©thodes : En 2015, lâĂ©tude pilote Jeunes Environnement et SantĂ© (JES! - YEH!) a Ă©tĂ© menĂ©e chez des enfants et des adolescents (3 Ă 19 ans,n= 198) de quatre communautĂ©s de PremiĂšres Nations au QuĂ©bec. Des Ă©chantillons de sang et dâurine et des mesures anthropomĂ©triques ont Ă©tĂ© recueillis. Les concentrations dâhĂ©moglobine, de ferritine sĂ©rique, de hs-CRP plasmatique et decotinine urinaire ont Ă©tĂ© mesurĂ©es. Les facteurs associĂ©s Ă lâanĂ©mie et Ă la carence en fer (y compris la consommation dâaliments traditionnels et de marchĂ©) ont Ă©tĂ© Ă©valuĂ©s Ă lâaide de questionnaires de frĂ©quences alimentaires administrĂ© par un assistant de recherche, Ă partir desquels les apports nutritionnels ont Ă©tĂ© calculĂ©s. Des modĂšles dâĂ©quations structurelles ont Ă©tĂ© utilisĂ©s pour tester les associations. RĂ©sultats : La prĂ©valence de lâanĂ©mie et de la carence en fer Ă©tait Ă©levĂ©e (16,8 % et 20,5 % respectivement). La viande traditionnelle, les fruits et les jus de fruits (naturels et en poudre) â par lâintermĂ©diaire de leur association positive avec lâapport en vitamine C â Ă©taient les seules variables alimentaires positivement associĂ©es Ă la ferritine sĂ©rique (coefficient [IC Ă 95 %] : 0,017 [0,000, 0,114]; 0,090 [0,027, 0,161]; et 0,237 [0,060, 0,411]). Le sexe masculin Ă©tait Ă©galement associĂ© Ă une ferritine sĂ©rique plus Ă©levĂ©e (0,295 [0,093, 0,502]). Le statut inflammatoire (hs-CRP > 5 mg/L) Ă©tait inversement associĂ© Ă lâhĂ©moglobine (â0,015 [â0,025,â0,005]) alors que la ferritine sĂ©rique Ă©tait positivement associĂ©e Ă lâhĂ©moglobine (0,066 [0,040, 0,096]). La consommation de fruits et de jus Ă©tait aussi positivement associĂ©e Ă lâhĂ©moglobine via lâapport en vitamine C et la ferritine sĂ©rique (0,004 [0,001, 0,010]; 0,008 [0,003, 0,017]). Conclusions : Les interventions favorisant des environnements alimentaires plus sains ainsi quâune consommation plus Ă©levĂ©e de viandes et dâaliments traditionnels naturellement riches en vitamine C, qui sont connus dâamĂ©liorer lâabsorption de fer, ainsi que luttant contre lâinflammation pourraient contribuer Ă diminuer la prĂ©valence Ă©levĂ©e dâanĂ©mie et de la carence en fer dans cette jeune population autochtone
Middle school effects of the Dating Matters (R) comprehensive teen dating violence prevention model on physical violence, bullying, and cyberbullying:A cluster-randomized controlled trial
Few comprehensive primary prevention approaches for youth have been evaluated for effects on multiple types of violence. Dating MattersÂź: Strategies to Promote Healthy Teen Relationships (Dating Matters) is a comprehensive teen dating violence (TDV) prevention model designed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and evaluated using a longitudinal stratified cluster-randomized controlled trial to determine effectiveness for preventing TDV and promoting healthy relationship behaviors among middle school students. In this study, we examine the prevention effects on secondary outcomes, including victimization and perpetration of physical violence, bullying, and cyberbullying. This study examined the effectiveness of Dating Matters compared to a standard-of-care TDV prevention program in 46 middle schools in four high-risk urban communities across the USA. The analytic sample (Nâ=â3301; 53% female; 50% Black, non-Hispanic; and 31% Hispanic) consisted of 6thâ8th grade students who had an opportunity for exposure to Dating Matters in all three grades or the standard-of-care in 8th grade only. Results demonstrated that both male and female students attending schools implementing Dating Matters reported 11% less bullying perpetration and 11% less physical violence perpetration than students in comparison schools. Female Dating Matters students reported 9% less cyberbullying victimization and 10% less cyberbullying perpetration relative to the standard-of-care. When compared to an existing evidence-based intervention for TDV, Dating Matters demonstrated protective effects on physical violence, bullying, and cyberbullying for most groups of students. The Dating Matters comprehensive prevention model holds promise for reducing multiple forms of violence among middle school-aged youth
LDRD project final report : hybrid AI/cognitive tactical behavior framework for LVC.
This Lab-Directed Research and Development (LDRD) sought to develop technology that enhances scenario construction speed, entity behavior robustness, and scalability in Live-Virtual-Constructive (LVC) simulation. We investigated issues in both simulation architecture and behavior modeling. We developed path-planning technology that improves the ability to express intent in the planning task while still permitting an efficient search algorithm. An LVC simulation demonstrated how this enables 'one-click' layout of squad tactical paths, as well as dynamic re-planning for simulated squads and for real and simulated mobile robots. We identified human response latencies that can be exploited in parallel/distributed architectures. We did an experimental study to determine where parallelization would be productive in Umbra-based force-on-force (FOF) simulations. We developed and implemented a data-driven simulation composition approach that solves entity class hierarchy issues and supports assurance of simulation fairness. Finally, we proposed a flexible framework to enable integration of multiple behavior modeling components that model working memory phenomena with different degrees of sophistication
A comprehensive evaluation of the kinetic method applied in the determination of the proton affinity of the nucleic acid molecules
Effects of antiplatelet therapy on stroke risk by brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases: subgroup analyses of the RESTART randomised, open-label trial
Background
Findings from the RESTART trial suggest that starting antiplatelet therapy might reduce the risk of recurrent symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage compared with avoiding antiplatelet therapy. Brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases (such as cerebral microbleeds) are associated with greater risks of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage. We did subgroup analyses of the RESTART trial to explore whether these brain imaging features modify the effects of antiplatelet therapy
Anomalies in the review process and interpretation of the evidence in the NICE guideline for chronic fatigue syndrome and myalgic encephalomyelitis
Chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) is a disabling long-term condition of unknown cause. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published a guideline in 2021 that highlighted the seriousness of the condition, but also recommended that graded exercise therapy (GET) should not be used and cognitive-behavioural therapy should only be used to manage symptoms and reduce distress, not to aid recovery. This U-turn in recommendations from the previous 2007 guideline is controversial.We suggest that the controversy stems from anomalies in both processing and interpretation of the evidence by the NICE committee. The committee: (1) created a new definition of CFS/ME, which 'downgraded' the certainty of trial evidence; (2) omitted data from standard trial end points used to assess efficacy; (3) discounted trial data when assessing treatment harm in favour of lower quality surveys and qualitative studies; (4) minimised the importance of fatigue as an outcome; (5) did not use accepted practices to synthesise trial evidence adequately using GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations trial evidence); (6) interpreted GET as mandating fixed increments of change when trials defined it as collaborative, negotiated and symptom dependent; (7) deviated from NICE recommendations of rehabilitation for related conditions, such as chronic primary pain and (8) recommended an energy management approach in the absence of supportive research evidence.We conclude that the dissonance between this and the previous guideline was the result of deviating from usual scientific standards of the NICE process. The consequences of this are that patients may be denied helpful treatments and therefore risk persistent ill health and disability
- âŠ