The range and validity of diet related practices in amateur body builders: a survey of the Illawarra Region\u27s gymnasiums

This study was conducted to determine the current diet related practices of amateur body builders within the Illawarra region as well as to identify the principal sources of nutrition information used by these athletes. A self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information from athletes training at five Illawarra gymnasiums. Thirty two competitive and noncompetitive body builders participated in the study. The questionnaire consisted of fourteen questions both open and closed-ended and was used to investigate the following issues: the major sources, used by body builders, for obtaining nutrition information; the ease of access to the information; current diet related practices of amateur body builders; diet related practices resulting from the information gained; and whether there was a need for an educational resource targeting the dietary needs of amateur body builders. The sources of nutrition information most often used by the respondents included articles from both body building magazines and other magazines, friends and fellow body builders and gym staff. The sources of information less frequendy used included a dietitian, the television, advertisements and a coach or trainer. The major uses of the nutrition information included changing the quantity of nutrients (ie carbohydrates, fat and protein) within the diet, adapting the diet for training and the introduction of new foods into the diet. One hundred percent of the respondents reported using dietary supplements or ergogenic aids either at the time the survey was conducted or had used them in the past. The results of this study were use

A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF SENIOR ADULTS’ PERCEPTIONS OF CONNECTEDNESS AFTER BIBLIOTHERAPY

The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of bibliotherapy on senior adults’ perceptions of social connectedness. The research question was “What are senior adults’ perceptions of connectedness after bibliotherapy?” To explore the research question, a virtual book study was conducted via Zoom. Seven retired adults took part in the virtual book study and were interviewed at the end of the study. A qualitative phenomenological approach was used to examine the lived experiences of connectedness among participants of the virtual book study; interview responses were distilled to core meanings. Analysis of the interview data resulted in three major themes: connection to self, connection to others, and connection to the book/author. Key points gleaned from the study resulted in the formation of a model designed to guide future virtual book studies to encourage social connectedness. Based on participants’ feedback, participants desired time for recreational conversation before and after each meeting, less reading each week, more book study sessions to cover the material, and Zoom training before and during the study. Choosing an engaging book was key for fostering connections to self, others, and the book. The virtual book study was important for older adults as it was a form of accountability and allowed senior participants to socially engage safely from their homes

Inhibition and oscillatory activity in human motor cortex

Using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) important information can be obtained about the function of motor cortical circuitry during performance of voluntary movements by conscious human subjects. In particular, pairs of TMS pulses can probe inhibitory pathways projecting onto corticospinal neurones, which themselves project to motoneurones innervating hand muscles. This allows investigation of inhibitory circuitry involved in the performance of specific motor tasks, such as the precision grip. Previous studies have shown that pronounced synchronous oscillatory activity within the hand motor system is present at both cortical and muscular level when subjects maintain steady grasp of an object in a precision grip. The origin of this synchronous activity is unknown. However modelling studies have suggested that inhibitory pathways are likely to play an important role in the generation of cortical oscillations, and therefore TMS was used in this Thesis to investigate the origin of synchrony present during the precision grip task. In the first study, parameters of the paired-pulse test used to measure intracortical inhibition were examined. It was found that by modifying the intensities of the stimuli, and the interval between the paired-pulses, different phases of inhibition could be measured. This enabled specific use of TMS to investigate inhibitory pathways. Both single and paired-pulse TMS were then delivered to the motor cortex of subjects performing a precision grip task. It was found that low intensity TMS could reset the phase of muscle oscillatory activity, consistent with corticospinal neurones being part of the circuitry that generates the oscillatory rhythm. When, in the paired-pulse test, a low intensity stimulus was followed a few milliseconds later with a larger TMS stimulus, in the paired-pulse test, strong intracortical inhibition could be measured. This suggested that inhibitory interneurones activated by low intensity TMS could play an important role in the rhythm-generating network. An additional study looked at the importance of cutaneous receptor feedback on synchrony, by studying the effects of local anaesthesia of the index finger and thumb. Whereas low intensity TMS was shown to enhance synchronous activity between muscle pairs, suppression of cutaneous feedback from the digits reduced it. Results in this Thesis suggest that inhibitory interneurones within the motor cortex are important in the generation of synchronous activity within the hand motor system. This synchrony is also under the influence of cutaneous afferent input

The Relationship Among Gender, Gender Orientation, and Class Participation of Middle School Students

Middle school students were observed to examine the relationship among gender, gender orientation, and class participation. Instances of volunteering and verbal participation in class were recorded. In addition to being observed, participants completed Harter et al.\u27s (1998) Gender Orientation Questionnaire to identify their gender orientation. A student\u27s gender orientation could be masculine, feminine, androgynous, or unclassified. Results indicated that male students participated more in class than female students. Also, class participation rates did not differ for girls based on gender orientation. There were no differences between male and female students in solicited participation rates. However, male students participated more than female students in unsolicited situations. The discussion focuses on these results and other factors that may influence class participation of female students

How Do Young People Accessing Mental Health Services Describe and Understand Emotional Distress?

Background and aim: There has been growing acknowledgement of the role of emotional distress in the development of mental health difficulties yet despite adolescence being a complex developmental stage, where individuals develop an increasingly sophisticated conceptual framework for their emotional experiences, research has focused on normative adult populations. Furthermore, a lack of shared concept and pragmatic research considerations has led to a diverse conceptualisation of emotional distress and the use of quantitative methodology. Very little qualitative research has been conducted examining the subjective experiences of young people experiencing mental health difficulties so the aim of this study was to explore how young people accessing mental health services talk about and understand their experience of emotional distress. Method: Eight interviews were conducted with young people aged between 14 and 17 years old who were accessing a Tier 4 Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS). The interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Four themes were produced in the analysis and were 1) Experience of emotional distress: Emotions are uncontrollable, 2) Impact of emotional expression: Isolations, 3) Management of emotional distress: Self regulation and 4) Reaction to emotional distress: Service provision. They highlight the young people’s understanding of emotional distress and the associated consequences including response by professionals, difficulties with interpersonal relationships and the use of coping mechanisms. Discussion: The young people described and understood their experiences of emotional distress to have had significant and ongoing impact on their lives. These findings provide support for existing literature but also make new contributions to the evidence base by representing the voice of a marginalised and difficult to access service user group. The theoretical implications of the results consider the importance of continued qualitative investigation in how young people understand and experience emotional distress. Clinical implications were discussed in terms of the commonalities in the conceptualisation of distress between young people and clinical practice. Future directions for research were also discussed

Effective Regional Community Development

Times are changing, and so are Extension programs. These changes affect every aspect of the educational effort, including program development, project funding, educational delivery, partnership building, marketing, sharing impacts, and revenue generation. This article is not about how Extension is restructuring to adapt to changes; instead, it highlights the advantages and disadvantages and will focus on practical, real-world strategies that two Ohio State University (OSU) Extension educators have employed to successfully implement regional community development programs

Water Quality Trading and Offset Initiatives in the U.S.: A Comprehensive Survey

This document summarizes water quality trading and offset initiatives in the United States, including state-wide policies and recent proposals. The following format was used to present information on each program. We attempted to have each program summary reviewed by at least one contact person for program accuracy. In the cases where this review occurred, we added the statement "Reviewed by.." at the end of the case summary

MS Early Childhood System Asset Map Part II - Strengths and Opportunities

The Asset Map includes information about program funding, children served, and providers through data requests to state agency leaders and review of state and federal reports. We also gathered data about the well-being of children and families in Mississippi. Along the way, we shared the data and drafts of the Asset Map with the SECAC, relevant state agency leaders, and the public, ensuring their suggested revisions were included