Exercise intensity and in vivo muscle contractile performance

EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Mature-age men's experiences of Higher Education: Australia and England compared. A literature review

This literature review was prepared in response to a growing awareness that there is a significant gap in the existing literature on transition to university and university experience of mature-age male undergraduates. Interest in the experiences of students making the transition into Higher Education has been prompted in part by the rapid expansion of the sector. Governments in Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) nations, and most developed nations, have been intent on transforming higher education from an elite to a universal system in which more than 50% of potential applicants are enrolled in a degree in the belief that increasing the number of graduates will increase economic productivity and prosperity (Trow, 2006). Australia and the UK have both set ambitious targets. In Australia the Review of Australian Higher Education [Bradley review] set a target of 40% of young people (especially from low-SES backgrounds) to attain a minimum of a bachelor-level qualification by 2020 (Bradley, Noonan, Nugent & Scales, 2008), while in England it was intended that by 2010 50% of 18-30-year-olds would have some experience of studying courses offered by higher education institutions (Higher Education Funding Council [HEFCE], 2003). The twin and, to some extent competing, aims of increasing opportunities to participate in higher education (as underpinned by values around social justice) and the importance ascribed to higher education as contributing to a nation’s knowledge economy (signifying a more utilitarian and human capital approach) have been key drivers in terms of the access and widening participation policy agenda in both countries

An analysis of the Research Fellowship Scheme of the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

BACKGROUND: The Research Fellowship Scheme of the Royal College of Surgeons of England commenced in 1993 with the aim of exposing selected surgical trainees to research techniques and methodology, with the hope of having an impact on surgical research and increasing the cadre of young surgeons who might decide to pursue an academic career in surgery. Over 11 million pounds sterling (approximately US 20 million dollars) has been invested in 264 fellowships. The College wished to evaluate the impact of the Scheme on the careers of research fellows, surgical research, and patient care. As the 10th anniversary of the Scheme approached. STUDY DESIGN: Two-hundred and sixty research fellows whose current addresses were available were sent a questionnaire. Two-hundred and thirty-eight (91.5%) responded. RESULTS: Three-quarters of the research fellows conducted laboratory-based research, with most of the remainder conducting patient-based clinical research. One-third of the fellows who have reached consultant status have an academic component to their post. The total number of publications based on fellowship projects was 531, with a median impact factor of 3.5. Almost all fellows had been awarded a higher degree or were working toward this. Half of the fellows received subsequent funding for research, mostly awarded by national or international funding bodies. CONCLUSIONS: The Research Fellowship Scheme of the Royal College of Surgeons of England has successfully supported many trainee surgeons in the initial phase of their research career. It has helped surgical research by increasing the pool of surgeons willing to embark on an academic career. Indirectly, patient care has benefited by promoting an evidence-based culture among young surgeons. Such schemes are relevant to surgical training programs elsewhere if more young surgeons are to be attracted into academic surgery

Effect of work:rest ratio on cycling performance following sprint interval training: A randomised control trial

Sprint interval training (SIT) has been shown to improve performance measures in a range of individuals, and it is understood that different responses can be elicited from different training protocols. However, consideration of changes in work: rest ratios could offer important insight into optimising training programmes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of three different work: rest ratios on exercise performance. Thirty-six male and female participants were randomly allocated to one of three training groups, or a non-training control group. Training consisted of 10x6 second ‘all-out’ sprints on a cycle ergometer, with a 1:8, 1:10 or 1:12 work: rest ratio. Performance data, including peak power output, performance decrement, and 10km time trial performance data were collected before and after 2-weeks of SIT. There were significant (p ≤ 0.05) improvements in all parameters for the training groups, but no changes in the control condition. Peak power increased by 57.2W, 50.7W and 53.7W in the 1:8, 1:10 and 1:12 groups respectively, with no significant differences in response between conditions. Time trial performance improved significantly in all three training conditions (29.4s, 8.7s, and 25.1s in the 1:8, 1:10 and 1:12 groups), while worsening in the control group. All training conditions resulted in significant improvements in performance, but there were no significant differences in improvement for any of the groups. Any of the three stated work: rest ratios would be appropriate for use with athletes and allow some level of personal preference for those interested in using the protocol

Integrated protocols for accident research on the scene (OTS).

Integrated protocols for accident research on the scene (OTS)

Protocol for the investigation of crashes involving M1 and N1 cars and vans.

Protocol for the investigation of crashes involving M1 and N1 cars and vans

Mature-aged men’s experiences of higher education: Australia and England compared. [SRHE Research Scoping Study Award: Final Report February 2016]

This study is intended to improve our understanding of the challenges facing mature-age male undergraduates as they adapt to university study with a view to reducing attrition. On commencement, we identified three specific program goals: to review the literature on mature-age students with a particular focus on men, to develop a more robust understanding mature-age men’s experience of transition through university and their adaptation to university study, to develop a series of research questions, which are informed by a new model of transition and which will be used as the foundation for further study