Multi-Stage 20-m Shuttle Run Fitness Test, Maximal Oxygen Uptake and Velocity at Maximal Oxygen Uptake.

The multi-stage 20-m shuttle run fitness test (20mMSFT) is a popular field test which is widely used to measure aerobic fitness by predicting maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) and performance. However, the velocity at which VO2max occurs (vVO2max) is a better indicator of performance than VO2max, and can be used to explain inter-individual differences in performance that VO2max cannot. It has been reported as a better predictor for running performance and it can be used to monitor athletes' training for predicting optimal training intensity. This study investigated the validity and suitability of predicting VO2max and vVO2max of adult subjects on the basis of the performance of the 20mMST. Forty eight (25 male and 23 female) physical education students performed, in random order, a laboratory based continuous horizontal treadmill test to determine VO2max, vVO2max and a 20mMST, with an interval of 3 days between each test. The results revealed significant correlations between the number of shuttles in the 20mMSFT and directly determined VO2max (r = 0.87, p<0.05) and vVO2max (r = 0.93, p<0.05). The equation for prediction of VO2max was y = 0.0276x + 27.504, whereas for vVO2max it was y = 0.0937x + 6.890. It can be concluded that the 20mMSFT can accurately predict VO2max and vVO2max and this field test can provide useful information regarding aerobic fitness of adults. The predicted vVO2max can be used in monitoring athletes, especially in determining optimal training intensity

The effect of combined supplementation of carbohydrates and creatine on anaerobic performance.

The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of creatine (Cr) supplementation on anaerobic performance when ingesting creatine and carbohydrates (CHO) together. Twenty male physical education students comprised the two experimental (CR and CRCHO) and one control (CON) groups of the study. All groups performed three 30 s anaerobic Wingate tests (AWTs) interspersed with 6 minutes of recovery. The CR group (n = 7) ingested 5 g of Cr 5 times per day for 4 days. Subjects in the CRCHO group (n = 6) ingested the same quantity but additionally after each 5 g dose of Cr consumed 500 ml of a commercially available energy drink containing 100 g of simple sugars. Over all three AWTs average mean power improved significantly compared to baseline for the CR group (5.51%) but not for the CRCHO group (3.06%). Mean power for the second AWT was improved following the acute loading for the CR group only (4.54%) and for the third AWT for both CR (8.49%) and CRCHO (5.75%) groups. Over all three AWTs a significant change was recorded in average peak power following the acute loading for the CR group (8.26%) but not for the CRCHO group (4.11%). Peak power was significantly improved following the loading only for the CR group during the third AWT (19.79%). No changes in AWT performance were recorded for the CON group after intervention. The findings of the present study suggest that ingesting creatine together with carbohydrates will not further improve performance compared to the ingestion of creatine only

Effect of combined uphill-downhill sprint training on kinematics and maximum running speed in experienced sprinters

This study examined the effects of sprint running training on sloping surfaces (3°) in experienced sprinters using selected kinematic variables. Twelve experienced sprinters were randomly allocated to two training groups (combined uphill–downhill and horizontal). Pre- and post-training tests were performed to examine the effects of six weeks of training on maximum running speed, step rate, step length, step time, contact time, braking and propulsive phase of contact time, flight time and selected postural characteristics during a step cycle in the final steps of a 35m sprint test. In the combined uphill–downhill training group, maximum running speed was substantially greater (from 9.08 ± 0.90 m s-1 to 9.51 ± 0.62 m s-1; p <0.05) after training by 4.8%; step rate, contact time, step time and concentric phase was not modified. There were no significant changes in maximal speed or sprint kinematics in the horizontal training group. Overall, the posture characteristics did not change with training. The combined uphill–downhill training method was substantially more effective in improving the maximum running speed in experienced sprinters than a traditional horizontal training method

KINEMATIC ANALYSIS OF GOLF PUTTING FOR EXPERT AND NOVICE GOLFERS

The aim of this study was to identify some of the kinematic parameters used by expert golfers ( 6 handicap) to optimise putting efficiency and accuracy, and differentiate the putting techniques of elite and novice golfers. A 2D video analysis (50 Hz) was used to establish whether any differences existed for selected kinematic parameters of an 8 ft (2.46m) golf putt between expert (n = 8) and novice golfers (n = 8). Statistical analysis showed that 9 parameters from the 26 measured proved to be significantly different at the alpha level P < 0.05 between the expert and novice groups. This study assumed that expert golfers were more competent putters than novice golfers. Whilst this appears to be a reasonable claim it may not always be the case. Further improvements to the study could be to incorporate a scoring system to monitor the outcome of individual trials

Anthropometric and Leg Power Factors Affect Offensive Kinetic Patterns in Fencing

International Journal of Exercise Science 14(4): 919-931, 2021. This study aimed to identify potential factors that may influence specific fencing offensive kinetic patterns in a large group of well-trained fencers having different ages, gender level, and training specialization. One-hundred-thirty fencers (males: n = 72) and (females: n = 58), participating in three different fencing weapons (epee, foil, and sabre), having considerable experience of national and international competitions. All members of seven national fencing teams were measured for basic anthropometric parameters, leg power performance and velocity values for three specific kinetic offensive patterns during an International Fencing camp. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) revealed a significant velocity multivariate effect in age competitive categories (Wilks Λ = 0.129, F = 2.112, p \u3c0.01, n2 = 0.060) gender (Wilks Λ = 0.103, F = 3.743, p \u3c 0.05, n2 = 0.103), competition levels (Wilks Λ = 0.863, F = 5.198, p \u3c0.01, n2 = 0.137) and discipline practiced (Wilks Λ = 0.239, F = 4.305, p \u3c 0.001, n2 = 0.119) respectively. Significant correlations were observed between lunge and step lunge velocity and long jump (LJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), drop jump (DJ), and reaction strength index (RSI). Age, gender, level of participants, and the choice of the weapon practiced, influenced fencing performance. Different leg power abilities could be decisive factors in training schedules design and monitoring training adaptations

Silencing Selected Advocates and Innovators: the Lived Experience of Unjust Discipline Among Registered Nurses

The U.S. health care system of the 21st century is in desperate need of reform. Patients are being harmed in the hundreds of thousands attributable to medical errors, identified as the third leading cause of death in hospitals. The need for health care reform is further validated by the trillions of dollars that are infused into the U.S. health care system, where quality of care benchmarks are among the worst in the world. The historical evolution of the U.S. health care system was predicated on nurses who served as advocates and innovators of safe workplace and patient care practices. The Code of Ethics and Nurse Practice Act(s) for registered nurses and the requirements of registered nurse licensure in the 21st century, partnered with an ethical barometer in the delivery of quality patient care, command that registered nurses maintain their historical role as advocates and innovators to promote and maintain safe workplace and patient care practices. Registered nurses in the 21st century are being stifled in the fulfillment of what is commanded of them professionally. It is the quagmire of fulfilling their advocate, innovator role and being penalized with unjust discipline shortly thereafter that is stifling. This “coincidence” is silencing registered nurses across the United States. The aim of this study was to employ a hermeneutic phenomenological research design utilizing Max van Manen’s phenomenology of practice to explore the lived experience of unjust discipline among registered nurses. Audio-recorded interviews were conducted with the participants of the study. Vivid descriptions of the participants’ lived experiences of unjust discipline were communicated. Transcripts were generated from the audio recordings. An interpretive analysis utilizing the hermeneutic circle disclosed nine essential themes among the participants’ experiences of unjust discipline. Respondent feedback augmented validity in the interpretive processes during data collection and thematic analysis. In the context of the study, it was evident that unjust discipline is a disruptive workplace behavior that potentiated physical workplace violence. Further, authentic social support may have precluded many of the elements of unjust discipline experienced by the participants during the lived experience of unjust discipline

STRIDE REGULATION AT THE APPROACH PHASE OF LONG JUMP IN VISUALLY IMPAIRED (F13) ATHLETES

The present work studied whether visually impaired (VI) class F13 long jumpers showed at the approach run the same pattern of variability in footfall placement across trials as their non-VI counterparts. The long jump finalists (men and women), of the IBSA 2009 European Athletics Championship were recorded. VI long jumpers demonstrated an initial ascending variability followed by a descending one suggesting some type of regulation. This control emerged on the 5th and 4th stride prior to take-off and at a mean distance of 8.8±1.9m and 8.3±2.6m from the take-off board for men and women respectively. TBD variability reached a maximum value of 30.0±18.9cm and 25.2± 14.4cm and was finally reduced to 7.73cm (± 6.65cm) and 8.2± 2.6cm for males and females respectively. The striding pattern observed was similar to that reported in the literature for non-VI athletes