OER Evidence Report 2013-2014

The Open Educational Resources Research Hub (OER Research Hub) provides a focus for research, designed to give answers to the overall question ‘What is the impact of OER on learning and teaching practices?’ and identify the particular influence of openness. We do this by working in collaboration with projects across four education sectors (K12, college, higher education and informal) extending a network of research with shared methods and shared results. The project combines: – Targeted research collaboration with high profile OER projects – A programme of international fellowship – Global networking and expertise in OER implementation and evaluation – A hub for research data and excellence in practice This report is an interim review of evidence recorded against the key hypotheses that focus the research of the OER Research Hub project

Change of direction ability test differentiates higher level and lower level soccer referees

This report examines the agility and level of acceleration capacity of Spanish soccer referees and investigates the possible differences between field referees of different categories. The speed test consisted of 3 maximum acceleration stretches of 15 metres. The change of direction ability (CODA) test used in this study was a modification of the Modified Agility Test (MAT). The study included a sample of 41 Spanish soccer field referees from the Navarre Committee of Soccer Referees divided into two groups: i) the higher level group (G1, n = 20): 2ndA, 2ndB and 3rd division referees from the Spanish National Soccer League (28.43 ± 1.39 years); and ii) the lower level group (G2, n = 21): Navarre Provincial League soccer referees (29.54 ± 1.87 years). Significant differences were found with respect to the CODA between G1 (5.72 ± 0.13 s) and G2 (6.06 ± 0.30 s), while no differences were encountered between groups in acceleration ability. No significant correlations were obtained in G1 between agility and the capacity to accelerate. Significant correlations were found between sprint and agility times in the G2 and in the total group. The results of this study showed that agility can be used as a discriminating factor for differentiating between national and regional field referees; however, no observable differences were found over the 5 and 15 m sprint tests

Relación entre distintos test de campo de condición física en jugadores de fútbol amateur

The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between different field tests in soccer players. 28 amateur soccer players were tested on four capacities: Acceleration in a straight line (5 m and 15 m), change of direction ability (modified agility test free, MATF), horizontal and vertical jump and endurance (Yo-Yo Level 1 version).. The association found between the acceleration capacity at 15 m and the MATF (r = 0.727, p < 0.01) was higher than that obtained from the acceleration of 5 m and the MATF (r = 0.559 p < 0.01). The better correlation was observed in acceleration 15 m to 5 m with the capacity of both vertical and horizontal jump. Possibly the type of test can determine the relationships between the different field tests.El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la relación entre distintos test de campo en jugadores de futbol. 28 jugadores de fútbol amateur fueron evaluados en la capacidad de aceleración en línea recta (5 m y 15 m), cambio de dirección (modified agility test libre, MATF), salto horizontal y vertical con contra movimiento y resistencia aeróbica (versión Level 1 del test Yo-Yo). La asociación encontrada entre la capacidad de aceleración en 15 m y el MATF (r=0,727, p<0,01), fue mayor que la obtenida entre la aceleración en 5 m y el MATF (r=0,559 p<0,01). Se observó una mejor correlación en la aceleración en 15 m que en 5 m con la capacidad tanto del salto vertical como horizontal. Posiblemente el tipo de test pueda condicionar las relaciones obtenidas entre las distintas pruebas de rendimiento.

Agility in primary education students: differences by age and gender

Se evaluó la agilidad en 110 niños (63 chicos y 47 chicas) divididos en dos grupos de alumnos de educación primaria: (a) Grupo 1 (G1) (n=53): alumnos de 1º curso (6.3±0.6 años), y (2) Grupo 2 (G2) (n=57): alumnos de 4º curso (9.5±0.4 años). Se utilizó una modificación respecto al MAT (28) para la valoración de la agilidad: el MAT2. Los propósitos del estudio fueron cuantificar el nivel de agilidad de los dos grupos, comprobar la influencia de las variables edad y sexo en la agilidad en edades tempranas y determinar la fiabilidad y reproducibilidad del test MAT2 en niños de 6 y 9 años. Se han obtenido diferencias significativas (p<0.05) entre los resultados generales obtenidos por el G1 (9.76±0.90 s) y el G2 (8.29±0.80 s). En el análisis realizado en cada grupo no se han encontrado diferencias significativas atendiendo al sexo en el G1 pero si en el G2. Se han obtenido buenos valores de fiabilidad en el test MAT2.Agility was assessed in 110 children (63 boys and 47 girls) divided into two groups: (a) Group 1 (G1) (n=53): first year student in primary education (age: 6.3±0.6 years) and (b) Group 2 (G2) (n=57): fourth year students in primary education (age: 9.5±0.4 years). A modified version of MAT (28) was used to determine agility: MAT2. The purposes of the study were to assess the agility level of the two groups, verify the influence of age and gender in agility performance at an early age and determine the reliability and reproducibility of MAT2. Good reliability values were found in MAT2. Significant differences (p<0.05) were found between general results of G1 (9.76±0.90 s) and G2 (8.29±0.80 s). No significant results were found according to gender in G1 but if in G2 (p<0.05)

High power impulse magnetron sputtering discharges: Instabilities and plasma self-organization

We report on instabilities in high power impulse magnetron sputtering plasmas which are likely to be of the generalized drift wave type. They are characterized by well defined regions of high and low plasma emissivity along the racetrack of the magnetron and cause periodic shifts in floating potential. The azimuthal mode number m depends on plasma current, plasma density, and gas pressure. The structures rotate in × direction at velocities of ∼10 km s−1 and frequencies up to 200 kHz. Collisions with residual gas atoms slow down the rotating wave, whereas increasing ionization degree of the gas and plasma conductivity speeds it up

In-season training periodization of professional soccer players

The aim of this study was to quantify the seasonal perceived respiratory and muscular training loads (i.e., sRPEres-TL and sRPEmus-TL) completed by elite-oriented young professional soccer players. Twenty four players (20.3 +/- 2.0 years) belonging to the same reserve team of a Spanish La Liga club participated in this study. Only the players that were available to train for a whole week with the team and also to play the weekly game were considered: Starters, players that participated in the match for at least 45 min and NonStarters, players that did not participate or played less than 45 minutes in the match. The competitive period was analysed after the division into 5x6-8 week blocks and 35x1 week microcycles. Data were also analysed with respect to number of days before the immediate match. Weekly TL variation across the in-season blocks was trivial-small for both groups except between Block 2 and Block 3 (ES= moderate). Substantial TL differences (ES= small-very likely) were found between training days, the TL pattern being a progressive increase up to MD-3 followed by a decrease until MD-1. Except for the match, sRPEres-/sRPEmus-TL was very similar between Starters and Non-Starters. In summary, perceived TL across the season displayed limited variation. Coaches periodized training contents to attain the highest weekly TL 72 hours before the match to progressively unload the players between MD-3 and the match day. The data revealed that the TL arising from the weekly game was solely responsible for the observed higher weekly TL of Starters in comparison with Non-Starters

Jump capacity in cerebral palsy soccer players

Los objetivos del presente estudio fueron determinar en jugadores de fútbol con parálisis cerebral la altura de vuelo durante la realización del salto sin contramovimiento y con contramovimiento, y observar la relación de las variables antropométricas y de la clase funcional con la altura de vuelo y con el índice elástico. Trece jugadores de fútbol 7 diagnosticados con parálisis cerebral participaron en el estudio. La altura de vuelo durante el salto sin contramovimiento (20.45±4.45 cm) y con contramovimiento (24.33±5.37 cm) fue inferior a la obtenida en otros estudios con jugadores de fútbol sin parálisis cerebral. La altura de los jugadores e índice de masa corporal mostraron una correlación significativa con la altura del salto con contramovimiento (r=0,67 y r=-0,71, respectivamente).The aims of the present study were to determine in elite soccer players with cerebral palsy the jump height during a squat jump and during a countermovement jump, and to observe the relationship of the anthropometric parameters and the functional class with the jump height and the elastic index. Thirteen “soccer 7” players diagnosed with cerebral palsy took part in the study. The jump height for a squat jump (20.45±4.45 cm) and a countermovement jump (24.33±5.37 cm) was lower than the obtained in other studies in soccer players without cerebral palsy. The height of the players and their body mass index showed a significant correlation with the jump height during a countermovement jump (r=0.67 and r=- 0.71)

Effects of different contextual interference programs in agility (Efectos producidos por diferentes programas de interferencia contextual en la agilidad)

En este estudio participaron 76 alumnos de 9-10 años de edad de un colegio público de educación primaria (44 chicos y 32 chicas). Los participantes fueron randomizados en función del resultado del pretest en cuatro grupos: interferencia contextual baja (ICB, n=19), interferencia contextual moderada (ICM, n=19) interferencia contextual alta (ICA, n=19) y Grupo Control (GC, n=19). El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer que método de entrenamiento de la agilidad en función de la interferencia contextual baja, moderada o alta (ICB, ICM e ICA) es más efectivo en escolares de cuarto curso de educación primaria, con el fin de dilucidar qué método de desarrollo de esta capacidad resultó el idóneo en esta etapa de escolarización. La agilidad fue evaluada mediante el test MAT2. Salvo en el grupo control (CG), se obtuvieron diferencias significativas en la agilidad (test MAT2), en todos los grupos después de un programa de intervención de 4 semanas de duración en alumnos del cuarto curso de primaria. Estas diferencias han sido superiores en el grupo de ICM (p<0,01, ES=1,12). Se encontraron diferencias significativas (p<0,05, ES=0,79) en el postest entre el grupo de ICM e ICB. This study involved 76 students from 9-10 years old in a public elementary school (44 boys and 32 girls). Participants were randomized to the outcome of the pretest into four groups: low contextual interference (ICB, n = 19), moderate contextual interference (ICM, n = 19) high contextual interference (ICA, n = 19) and Control Group (GC, n = 19). The aim of this study was to determine which method of agility training (ICB, ICM or ICA) is more effective in primary school children (9-10 years), in order to figure out what method of development of this capacity was the appropriate at this stage of schooling. The agility was evaluated by MAT2 test. Except in the control group (GC), there were significant differences in agility (MAT2 test) in all groups (ICB, ICM and ICA) after an intervention program of 4-week fourth-year students of elementary school. These differences have been higher in the ICM group (p<0.01, ES=1.12). We found significant differences (p<0.05, ES=0.79) in the posttest between the ICM and ICB group