Examining the link between general and aquatic motor competence in primary school children

Introduction: Motor competence and the development of Fundamental movement skills (FMS) is outlined as a critical topic, this has been highlighted in recent international conference presentations for the promotion of these skills as a major pedagogical focus (Barnett et al, 2016). Motor competence is widely investigated on dryland however, manifests in; ice, water, and snow (Canadian Sport for Life, 2021). Swimming is a key element of the national curriculum England and has previously been highlighted to have positive associations with dryland motor competences (Rocha et al, 2016). This thesis evaluates whether swimming embedded within primary Physical Education (PE) curriculum could positively impact children’s dryland motor competence. Methods: Perceived (Perceived Movement Skill Competence, PMSC) and actual (Test of gross motor development 2nd Edition, TGMD-2) general motor competences were assessed. Additional to this assessment in perceived aquatic motor competence (Aquatic Perceived Competence Pictorial Scale, APCPS) was completed. Univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with Bonferroni adjustments were used to examine whether assessment of general motor competence differed as appose to perception of performance in both environments. Providing concurrent and construct validity and reliability data of the Aquatic Movement Protocol (AMP) a tool depicted to assess aquatic motor competence. Concurrent validities were derived through implementing ANCOVA models. Construct validity of the AMP was assessed by both Cronbach Alpha and exploratory factor analysis. Additional psychological aspects to swimming were analysed with the Swimming Efficacy Scale and the Swimming Anxiety Scale. Correlations were implemented to examine relationships between assessed variables. Regression analysis was conducted for significant associations. Pre and post aquatic intervention measurements were taken for process measures of motor competence in both dryland and aquatic environments. Composite scores of both 10 m running sprint time and standing long jump distance was calculated. Level of fear towards the aquatic environment and opportunities to swim were recorded.Results: Individuals with higher TGMD-2 scores were categorised within the high perceptions of performance category and obtain significantly higher perceptions of performance compared to those with lower TGMD-2 scores (P=0.02). One main component extracted from the exploratory factor analysis (Eigenvalue = 6.2; % Variance = 62.1) with loadings higher than 0.5 therefore, it’s evident the AMP measures a single construct that we would call: Aquatic motor competence. A significant regression equation was found (F (1,196) = 72.5, P=0.001), with an R2 of 0.266. Children who were classified as high for aquatic motor competence had significantly higher general motor competence (P =0.001) compared to those with low aquatic motor competence. Individuals with higher aquatic motor competence scores have significantly lower anxiety scores (P=0.01). Participants with higher aquatic motor competence scores had significantly higher self-efficacy scores (P=0.038). Following the two (pre &amp; post) by two (interventions &amp; control) mixed model ANOVA there was an overall main effect from pre to post for TGMD-2 scores (P=0.001) for both intervention &amp; control groups.Discussion: Swimming-based PE curriculum was found to have a larger effect on motor competence in comparison to dryland PE curriculum. This was indexed by an increase of all key subcategories in both aquatic and general motor competences. Improvements in aquatic movements during swimming lessons in turn will develop movement on dryland. Psychological aspects to motor competence have a major impact on aquatic and general motor competencies. This highlights the importance of having swimming within the National Curriculum England, showing the vitality in implementing a swim programme within a primary educational setting which is essential to improving motor competence and hitting compulsory government guidelines. <br/

The Effects of a 6-Week Swimming Intervention on Gross Motor Development in Primary School Children

(1) Background: This study examines the effects of a 6-week swimming intervention on motor competence in children. (2) Methods: A total of 107 children (n = 52 boys, n = 55 girls) aged 7.8 ± 0.63 years that were recruited from five primary schools in central England participated in this study, undertaking either an aquatic intervention once a week for six weeks or acting as a control group completing their usual physical education program. Participants underwent pre- and post-assessments of general motor competence using the Test of Gross Motor Development, Third Edition (TGMD-3) (a process measure) and a composite of 10 m running sprint time and standing long jump distance (product measures). Aquatic motor competence was assessed via the Aquatic Movement Protocol (AMP). Fear of drowning and swimming opportunities were also assessed by implementing a questionnaire. (3) Results: Following a mixed-model ANOVA, an overall main effect was found from pre (40.05 ± 13.6) to post (48.3 ± 18.6) for TGMD-3 scores (p &lt; 0.05) and pre (38.7 ± 31.7) to post (50.6 ± 36.8) for AMP scores (p = 0.001). A negative significant relationship was found between AMP scores with both fear of water (p = 0.01) and fear of drowning (p &lt; 0.05). A positive significant relationship was found between swimming opportunities and AMP score (p = 0.001). (4) Conclusions: The aquatic-based intervention improves not only aquatic motor competence but also transfers improvements in dryland movement competencies. Future research should look to implement control groupings which do not participate in swimming to further investigate the difference between swimmers and non-swimmers; however, due to swimming being a part of the national curriculum in England, this may not be feasible

Potential in-class strategies to increase children’s vegetable consumption

Objective: The Crunch&Sip programme is a school-based nutrition initiative designed to increase the fruit, vegetable and water intakes of primary-school children. In recognition of the notable deficits in children’s vegetable consumption, the present study explored the receptivity of school staff to a realignment of the Crunch&Sip programme to feature a primary focus on vegetable consumption. This involved investigating school staff members’ perceptions of relevant barriers, motivators and facilitators. Design: A multi-method approach was adopted that involved four focus groups and a survey (administered in paper and online formats) containing a mixture of open- and closed-ended items. Setting: Western Australia. Subjects: Staff from Western Australian schools participated in the focus groups (n 37) and survey (n 620). Results: School staff were strongly supportive of modifying the Crunch&Sip programme to focus primarily on children’s vegetable consumption and this was generally considered to be a feasible change to implement. Possible barriers identified included children’s taste preferences and a perceived lack of parental support. Suggested strategies to overcome these barriers were education sessions for parents and children, teachers modelling vegetable consumption for their students and integrating vegetable-related topics into the school curriculum. Conclusions: School staff are likely to support the introduction of school-based nutrition programmes that specifically encourage the consumption of vegetables. Potential barriers may be overcome through strategies to engage parents and children

Zfra affects TNF-mediated cell death by interacting with death domain protein TRADD and negatively regulates the activation of NF-κB, JNK1, p53 and WOX1 during stress response

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Zfra is a 31-amino-acid zinc finger-like protein, which is known to regulate cell death by tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and overexpressed TNF receptor- or Fas-associated death domain proteins (TRADD and FADD). In addition, Zfra undergoes self-association and interacts with c-Jun <it>N</it>-terminal kinase 1 (JNK1) in response to stress stimuli. To further delineate the functional properties of Zfra, here we investigated Zfra regulation of the activation of p53, WOX1 (WWOX or FOR), NF-κB, and JNK1 under apoptotic stress.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Transiently overexpressed Zfra caused growth suppression and apoptotic death of many but not all types of cells. Zfra either enhanced or blocked cell death caused by TRADD, FADD, or receptor-interacting protein (RIP) in a dose-related manner. This modulation is related with Zfra binding with TRADD, NF-κB, JNK1 and WOX1, as determined by GST pull-down analysis, co-immunoprecipitation, and mapping by yeast two-hybrid analysis. Functionally, transiently overexpressed Zfra sequestered NF-κB (p65), WOX1, p53 and phospho-ERK (extracellular signal-activated kinase) in the cytoplasm, and TNF or UV light could not effectively induce nuclear translocation of these proteins. Zfra counteracted the apoptotic functions of Tyr33-phosphorylated WOX1 and Ser46-phosphorylated p53. Alteration of Ser8 to Gly abolished the apoptotic function of Zfra and its regulation of WOX1 and p53.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In response to TNF, Zfra is upregulated and modulates TNF-mediated cell death via interacting with TRADD, FADD and RIP (death-inducing signaling complex) at the receptor level, and downstream effectors NF-κB, p53, WOX1, and JNK1.</p

Investigating tiredness in Australian general practice. Do pathology tests help in diagnosis?

Melbourn

Association between Ophthalmic Timolol and Hospitalisation for Bradycardia

Introduction. Ophthalmic timolol, a topical nonselective beta-blocker, has the potential to be absorbed systemically which may cause adverse cardiovascular effects. This study was conducted to determine whether initiation of ophthalmic timolol was associated with an increased risk of hospitalisation for bradycardia. Materials and Methods. A self-controlled case-series study was undertaken in patients who were hospitalised for bradycardia and were exposed to timolol. Person-time after timolol initiation was partitioned into risk periods: 1–30 days, 31–180 days, and >180 days. A 30-day risk period prior to initiating timolol was also included. All remaining time was considered unexposed. Results. There were 6,373 patients with at least one hospitalisation for bradycardia during the study period; 267 were exposed to timolol. Risk of bradycardia was significantly increased in the 31–180 days after timolol initiation (incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 1.93; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00–1.87). No increased risk was observed in the first 30 days or beyond 180 days of continuous exposure (IRR = 1.40; 95% CI 0.87–2.26 and IRR = 1.21; 95% CI 0.64–2.31, resp.). Conclusion. Bradycardia is a potential adverse event following timolol initiation. Practitioners should consider patient history before choosing a glaucoma regime and closely monitor patients after treatment initiation with topical nonselective beta-blocker eye drops

Telomere dysfunction accurately predicts clinical outcome in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, even in patients with early stage disease

© 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Defining the prognosis of individual cancer sufferers remains a significant clinical challenge. Here we assessed the ability of high-resolution single telomere length analysis (STELA), combined with an experimentally derived definition of telomere dysfunction, to predict the clinical outcome of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). We defined the upper telomere length threshold at which telomere fusions occur and then used the mean of the telomere 'fusogenic' range as a prognostic tool. Patients with telomeres within the fusogenic range had a significantly shorter overall survival (P  <  0·0001; Hazard ratio [HR] = 13·2, 95% confidence interval [CI]  = 11·6-106·4) and this was preserved in early-stage disease patients (P  <  0·0001, HR=19·3, 95% CI = 17·8-802·5). Indeed, our assay allowed the accurate stratification of Binet stage A patients into those with indolent disease (91% survival at 10 years) and those with poor prognosis (13% survival at 10 years). Furthermore, patients with telomeres above the fusogenic mean showed superior prognosis regardless of their IGHV mutation status or cytogenetic risk group. In keeping with this finding, telomere dysfunction was the dominant variable in multivariate analysis. Taken together, this study provides compelling evidence for the use of high-resolution telomere length analysis coupled with a definition of telomere dysfunction in the prognostic assessment of CLL