USING EXPERT KNOWLEDGE TO INFORM MULTIVARIATE ANALYSES

This paper outlines methods and reasoning that advocate for the use of expert Coach and Athlete knowledge in support of mutivaraite analyses in Sport Biomechanincs and related disciplines. It argues that human movement research involving the collection of multiple dependent variables suffers similar problems to other areas of behavioural science, in that models proposed for analyses are inadequately constrained by other data and are vulnerable to a-posteori modification that lacks sound theoretical or evidential justification. An approach is presented where expert accounts of how successful movements are performed are captured and analysed qualitatively, in order to present data themes that may be used to identify important events and variables for analyses when quantitatively examining movement. This paper argues for the utility of a specific mixed-methods approach to movement research involving multiple dependent variables

European Novel Foods Policy at a critical juncture: drawing lessons for future Novel Food Governance through a retrospective examination of Regulation 258/97

This paper presents a timely analysis of the European Union (EU) Novel Foods Regulation EC 258/97, identifying trends in the policy process and the applications that have been made under the regulation. The ways that the Novel Foods Regulation has functioned to govern new foods placed on the European market is considered, and a number of important trends are described. A historical account of EU policy regarding novel foods is presented, including an analysis of the changes to Novel Foods Regulation and an analysis of data drawn from the European Commission’s own records of novel foods applications is conducted. The ways Novel Foods Regulation has functioned to govern new foods placed on the European market is revealed. A number of important trends in full applications are explored, along with substantial equivalence applications and unapproved foods that are placed on the market. This data is used to analyze the empirical legitimacy of the recent amendments to EU novel foods governance which will come into force in 2018, suggesting that change was needed, and supports the centralizing approach taken by the Commission. However, the analysis identifies potential risks and uncertainties in recent amendments to EU novel foods governance and considers the challenges of Brexit to the novel foods regime

THE DIFFERENCES IN SPINAL KINEMATICS AND LOADING IN HIGH PERFORMANCE FEMALE ROWERS DURING ERGOMETER AND ON WATER ROWING

Low back pain (LBP) is the most prevalent injury in rowing. The high use of ergometers have been associated win increased LBP and sliding ergometers has proposed to reduce this stress. The purpose of this study was to examine the lumbar flexion angles on fixed and sliding ergometers versus on water conditions. Four elite female adult rowers volunteered for this study and completed a 1,000 meter maximal test on the stationary and fixed ergometers and then on water. Lumbar curvature (% flexion) was calculated) for the first 0.47 s following the catch position. Standardized mean differences (effect size) were calculated to examine differences in %ROM over time for each condition and between conditions. Results found that fixed rowers ergometers induced the greatest amount if lumbar flexion, with some reduction for sliding ergometers compared to on water

BACKSWING LENGTH AND SWING PATH TENDENCIES FROM AMATEUR GOLFERS

The purpose of this study was to identify if shorter backswings off the tee influence the ‘outside-in’ ball impact (i.e. tendency to slice, fade or pull). Participants motion data were obtained on a reduced-size driving range, using a SmartSwing driver club (3D data sampling at 1000 Hz). Findings from a representative sample of the amateur golfers’ population (N=13, 531 swings) indicate a pattern where a shorter backswing reduced the tendency for ‘outside-in’ (-17.8%) while increasing ‘parallel’ (+6.9%) and ‘inside-out’ ball impacts by (+10.8%). For golfers who suffer from repetitive overuse or ageing-related reduced range movement or back pain, shortening the backswing is a viable option when considering safety and risk of injury. The findings can help golf swing coaching, as well as competitive/strategic and recreational aspects of self-management

CONSTRAINTS-LED APPROACH TO COACHING THE POWER CLEAN

The purpose of this study was to apply a constraints-led approach to the acquisition of the power clean. Strength and conditioning coaches need to coach complex motor skills, where the common method involves explicit instruction and task decomposition. However, contemporary skill acquisition theory is in conflict with this explicit and reductionist approach. Through three case studies the examination of individualised task constraints were used to allow a self-organization process to skill development to take place. The constraints employed for the all three case studies achieved movement change in the predicted direction. In two of the three cases, the movement changes resulted in performance improvements measured through 1RM. In conclusion, the constraints-led approach was an effective method for changing movement behaviour in the context of strength and conditioning

ISBS 2018 AUCKLAND CONFERENCE CLOSING MIDDLE EARTH BANQUET PROGRAMME

The closing social event is themed. Delegates walk into the “Middle Earth” adorned atrium. Delegates will receive a bubbly, beer, juice or mineral water on entry. Dr Sarah-Kate Millar, will outline the evening’s activities and will provide the Karakia. AUT Group Chef Matthew Farley, AUT Hospitality Services will explain the food and the Sileni wine for the evening. Food is available from the “Middle Earth” themed areas. Prizes for the competitions at the Kiwiana Opening and during the week at the Industry Partner Playing Field will be awarded. Live band “Off the Wall” https://www.offthewallnz.com/ will be the four piece band for the closing banquet party. With the Middle Earth themed dinner and surrounds, the closing banquet is going to be a highlight of the conference for networking and relaxing after the quality academic presentations

The challenges of consulting the public on science policy: examining the development of European risk assessment policy for genetically modified animals

With the growing importance of public engagement in science policy-making and declining levels of public trust in food production, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has attempted to embed ‘good governance’ approaches to strengthen scientific independence and open-up risk decision-making, which include the use of public consultations. However ‘opening-up’ of risk assessment policies reveals some tensions, namely: balancing the goals of scientific excellence and transparency; protecting science from interests; addressing value judgments; limited opportunities to debate ethical and social issues. EFSA’s development of risk assessment policy for genetically modified animals is used as a case study to analyse these tensions. This analysis suggests that in order to fulfil good governance commitments and maintain trust in risk governance closer cooperation between EFSA and the European Commission is required to provide ‘space’ for debating the broader risk management issues. This publically-accessible space may be needed alongside rather than instead of EFSA’s consultation

Telling their own stories: Encouraging veterinary students to ethically reflect

Background: Veterinary practice raises complex and unique professional ethical dilemmas. There is increasing discussion of how best to deliver ethics education to veterinary students, so that they are fully prepared to address ethical conflicts in professional practice. This paper proposes the use of innovative methods to allow students to share and reflect on their own experiences of ethical dilemmas. Methods: Two innovations are described. The first is formal and compulsory, and involves a small-group facilitated session for final year students, wholly designed around student dilemmas. The second is informal and voluntary, and constitutes a short-story writing competition. Results: The methods described are conducive to student engagement in ethics and ethical reflection. Conclusion: Veterinary schools should consider adopting student-led techniques, deliberately designed to allow students to tell their own stories. Similar methods could also be adapted for use in clinical practice, thereby creating opportunities for professional dialogue on ethical dilemmas

ELITE ROWERS APPLY DIFFERENT FORCES BETWEEN STATIONARY AND SLIDING ERGOMETERS, & ON-WATER ROWING

Rowing on ergometers is often required due to on-water conditions and testing requirements. Force generation between on-water sculling, fixed and sliding ergometers, has been examined, but there are only a few studies with elite level rowers. Forces at the handle, rowing gate, and foot block were recorded for four elite rowers during 1,000-m on a fixed ergometer, sliding ergometer and an on-water double scull. Handle forces were greater on the fixed and sliding ergometer than the on-water double. There was a trend for the foot forces to be similar between all three conditions. However, the timing of application of force was considerably earlier on the fixed and sliding ergometer than the on-water condition. The use of ergometers as a substitute for on-water rowing needs to be reconsidered in light of these results