Relationships among actual motor competence, perceived motor competence and health-related fitness in a college-aged population 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess relationships among actual motor competence, perceived motor competence, and health-related fitness in a college-aged population. Methods: A total of 76 participants from SUNY Cortland enrolled in an undergraduate Kinesiology course completed an informed consent form. Total data were obtained on 71 participants (male = 53; female = 18). Perceived motor competence (PMC) was assessed via the Physical Self Perception Profile questionnaire, which participants completed one week prior to remaining assessments. Motor competence (MC) was assessed by maximum throw and kick speed as well as maximum distance jumped. Health-related fitness (HRF) was assessed by a two-minute push-up test, two-minute sit-up test, and 20-meter Beep Test. Analysis: Pearson’s bivariate correlations were calculated to assess the relationships among PSPP total score, MC scores, and HRF scores for the total sample and separately by males and females. An overall MC index was calculated by averaging the maximum scores on throwing, kicking and jumping for each participant. An overall HRF index was calculated by averaging the maximum scores of push-ups, sit-ups and 20-meter Beep Test for each participant. Conclusion: MC, HRF, and PMC were differentially related for males and females. Overall, there were significant correlations between PSPP total score, MC index, and HRF index in a college-aged population. These findings may suggest that relationships among MC, HRF, and PMC strengthen over developmental time in young adults

Metaphors of Mental Illness: How Emily Dickinson and Vincent van Gogh Understood and Expressed Their Personal Battles with Depression

Both the poet Emily Dickinson and the artist Vincent van Gogh wrestled with mental illness in their adult lives. There are indications that both suffered from major depression, bipolar disorder, and seasonal affective disorder. Both lived in a time when there was no real understanding of mental illness and there was no language through which people could interpret and explain their pain. Dickinson used her poetry to create metaphors, metaphors centered around death and winter. Van Gogh created nature metaphors – and some centered around dying like Dickinson’s – in his paintings and in letters to his brother. These metaphors acted as a lens through which they could cope with their mental illnesses

Effects of Weight Status and Sedentary Behavior on Depression among Young Adults

It has been a global concern that nearly one-third of young adults have persistent depressive disorder (Ibrahim et al., 2013). Engaging in excessive sedentary behavior coupled with the high prevalence of overweight and obesity among young adults have been known to be high-risk factors for depression (Tychenne et al., 2015). PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of weight status (normal weight vs. overweight/obese) and sedentary behavior (\u3c 3 hrs vs. ³ 3 hrs) among male and female young adults, respectively. METHODS: A total of 139 young adults (96 females, 43 males; mean age = 22.44, SD = 3.71) were recruited from one public university in Northern Texas. Participants’ body mass index (BMI) was calculated from self-reported height and weight. Depression was assessed by a 20-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D; Radloff, 1977). Sedentary behavior was measured using accelerometers over 7 days from 8:00am-8:00pm. The 2 (normal weight vs. overweight/obese) by 2 (\u3c 3 hrs vs. ³ 3 hrs) univariate analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) were performed to test the group differences on depression for both females and males, respectively. RESULTS: Among the participants, 54% were normal weight (BMI \u3c 25) and 46% were overweight and obese (BMI ³ 25); 61% of participants spent less than 3 hours daily being sedentary and the remaining spent 3 or more hours daily. These young adults had an average of 11.07 on the depression scale with 19.6% categorized with depressive symptoms (CES-D score ³ 16; Radloff, 1977). No statistical significance of depression between groups was observed in this sample of young adults (p \u3e .05). It was noticed that overweight/obese females tend to have a higher risk of depression when they spent more than 3 hours being sedentary (13.20 vs. 10.15; d = .51) compared to their counterparts. Regardless of their weight status, young adult males reported higher depression when sitting for more than 3 hours daily (10.83 vs. 9.6; d = .15). CONCLUSION: The present study indicated that sedentary behavior plays an important role in the tendency of depressive symptoms among young adults, regardless of weight status. Reducing sedentary behavior (\u3c 3 hrs daily) is recommended for both female and male young adults, especially overweight/obese females

Optimal Intramuscular Injection Site and Maximum Volume in Adult Population

Intramuscular (IM) injections are a common, yet complex technique used to deliver medication into the muscles of the body. More than 12 billion IM injections are administered annually throughout the world (Jin et al., 2015). Unsafe injection practices can lead to further complications, such as “abscess, hematoma, ecchymosis, pain, and vascular and nerve injury” (Potter et. al., 2020, p.633). The choice of an injection site and needle length varies based on the volume to be administered, size of the patient’s muscle, and the patient’s body mass index (BMI). With the proper education, utilizing the best injection technique and optimal site limits further patient complications and provides positive outcomes

Perfectionism among young female competitive Irish dancers: prevalence and relationship with injury responses

This study investigated the prevalence of perfectionism among young female competitive Irish dancers and examined the relationships between perfectionistic tendencies and coping strategies used when experiencing injury. Sixty-eight female dancers (Mean age: 14 ± 2.3 years) completed the Child-Adolescent Perfectionism Scale and the Ways of Coping Questionnaire and provided a record of injuries incurred during their championship careers. Participants reported 189 injuries, mostly involving the lower extremities. Seventy-nine percent of dancers reported perfectionistic tendencies (mixed perfectionism 40%, pure self-oriented perfectionism 29%, pure socially prescribed perfectionism 10%), and most frequently adopted “planful problemsolving,” “seeking social support,” “distancing,” and “self-controlling” strategies to cope with injury. Perfectionism and two coping strategies were found to be significantly related (p = 0.03); “planful problem-solving” was typically used “quite a bit or a great deal” by the mixed perfectionism group, but only “somewhat” by the non-perfectionism group, whereas “confrontive coping” was typically not used by the non-perfectionism group but was used “somewhat” by the mixed perfectionism group. Given the presence of such a large degree of perfectionism and the simultaneous employment of problem- and emotion-focused strategies when coping with injuries, it is suggested that medical practitioners acknowledge such tendencies when supporting their dancers in order to reduce the likelihood of negative psychological impact

The physical, physiological and performance characteristics of English youth team handball players

This theses includes 4 case studies covering - (1)an examination of the anthropometric and physical characteristics of youth female team handball players (16.07 ± 1.30 y) in non-elite (n= 47), elite (n= 37) and top-elite players (n= 29); (2) a comprehensive analysis of team handball match play in youth English U18 Men’s National League players through the assessment of player movement demands, technical actions and heart rate during match play and secondly, the impact of team handball competition on fatigue during and after matches; (3) an investigation into neuromuscular fatigue and well-being of English handball players during a training camp and an international tournament; (4) the effect of two different interchange strategies on performance and pacing strategy during a simulated team-sports protocol

Accessing Sleep, Sedentary Behaviors, and Physical Activity among College students: The Roles of Ethnicity and Obesity

Physical inactivity/sedentary behavior and sleep disorder have been identified as emerging public health problems. Only half of on-campus college students report meeting recommended moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and over 60% of US adults between the ages of 20–39 years were either overweight or obese. PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to: 1) identify the relationships between physical activity (light PA [LPA], MVPA), sedentary behavior, and sleep patterns among college students; and 2) examine the effects of the ethnicity (Hispanic vs. non-Hispanic) and obesity (normal weight vs. overweight/obese) on study variables. METHODS: There were 139 college students participated in the study (89 non-Hispanics; 96 females; Mage = 22.2 ± 3.71). Among them, 56% were normal weight and 44% were overweight/obese (BMI ³ 25). The accelerometer (ActiGraph GT9X) was used to assess sleep patterns (i.e., sleep efficiency, number of awakenings, and awakening length), LPA, MVPA, and sedentary behavior. Data was analyzed using descriptive analysis, Pearson correlation analysis, and a 2 (Hispanic vs. non-Hispanic) x 2 (normal weight vs. overweight/obese) multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) by controlling for gender. RESULTS: College students experienced fair sleep efficiency (M = 86.42) but more sleep disturbances with an average of 24 awakenings per night lasting 2.77 minutes per time. College students spent 55.2%, 16.2%, and 28.6%% of their time in LPA, MVPA, and sedentary behavior, respectively. Only MVPA was positively associated with sleep patterns (awakening length; r = 0.19, p \u3c 0.05), but not with LPA and sedentary behavior. The MANCOVA resulted no statistically significant group differences among study variables (p \u3e .05). It was noticed that Hispanic students had less sleep efficiency (d = .23) and more awakenings (d = .33) than non-Hispanic peers. Hispanic children also showed slightly more MVPA (d = .06) and spent more time being sedentary (d = 0.09) than non-Hispanic peers. Compared to normal-weight peers, overweight/obese college students had lower sleep efficiency (d = .18) and spent more time on MVPA (d = .05) and sedentary behavior (d = 0.22). CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that MVPA during weekdays might have negative effects on sleep quality among this population regardless of their sedentary behavior. The study provides a unique perspective of factors (i.e., ethnicity and obesity) associated with movement behaviors among college students which allow for targeted interventions to improve the health of young adults

34 Decreased opportunities to approach next of kin for eye donation to the liverpool research eye bank due to COVID-19.

BackgroundThe Liverpool Research Eye Bank (LREB) specialises in collection and storage of ocular tissues for use in projects investigating ophthalmic diseases and potential treatments. In collaboration with the Liverpool Eye Donation Centre (LEDC), we collect whole eyes from cadaveric donors. The LEDC screens potential donors and approaches next-of-kin for consent on behalf of the LREB; however, there are factors which reduce the pool of donors such as transplant suitability, time constraints, medical contraindications and other complications. During the past 21 months, COVID-19 has been a big contraindication to donation. The study aimed to determine how much of an impact COVID-19 has had on donations to the LREB.MethodsBetween January 2020 and October 2021, the LEDC compiled a database detailing the results of decedent screen at The Royal Liverpool University Hospital Trust site. From these data the suitability of each decedent for transplant, research or unsuitable for both was extrapolated along with the number of decedents unsuitable specifically due to having COVID-19 at the time of death. Data on the number of families then approached regarding donation for research, the number who gave consent and the number of tissues collected were also included.ResultsThe LREB did not collect any tissues from decedents who had COVID-19 listed on their death certificate during 2020 and 2021. The number of unsuitable donors for transplant or research increased considerably due to COVID-19 positivity, in particular, during the months of Oct 2020-Feb 2021. This led to decreased approaches being made to next of kin. Interestingly, COVID-19 did not appear to have directly affected the number of donations. The number of donors consented ranged from 0-4 per month throughout the 21 months, with no correlation to the months when COVID-19 deaths were at their highest.ConclusionsThe lack of an association between COVID-19 cases on donor numbers suggests that the donation rates are influenced by other factors. Increasing awareness of the opportunity for donation for research may increase donation rates. Development of informational materials and organisation of outreach events will aid in this goal

Optimality in DNA repair

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

The effects of in-season, low-volume sprint interval training with and without sport-specific actions on the physical characteristics of elite academy rugby league players

Accepted author manuscript version reprinted, by permission, from International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 2020 (ahead of print). © Human Kinetics, Inc.Purpose: To determine the utility of a running and rugby-specific, in-season sprint interval interventions in professional rugby league players. Methods: Thirty-one professional academy rugby players were assigned to a rugby-specific (SITr/s, n = 16) or running (SITr, n = 15) sprint interval training group. Measures of speed, power, change of direction (CoD) ability, prone Yo-Yo IR1 performance and heart rate recovery (HRR) were taken before and after the 2-week intervention as were sub-maximal responses to the prone Yo-Yo IR1. Internal, external and perceptual responses were collected during SITr/s/SITr, with wellbeing and neuromuscular function assessed before each session. Results: Despite contrasting (possible to most likely) internal, external and perceptual responses to the SIT interventions, possible to most likely within-group improvements in physical characteristics, HRR and sub-maximal responses to the prone Yo-Yo IR1 were observed after both interventions. Between-group analysis favoured the SITr/s intervention (trivial to moderate) for changes in 10 m sprint time, CMJ, change of direction and medicine ball throw as well as sub-maximal (280-440 m) high metabolic power, PlayerLoad™ and acceleratory distance during the prone Yo-Yo IR1. Overall changes in wellbeing or neuromuscular function were unclear. Conclusion: Two-weeks of SITr/s and SITr was effective for improving physical characteristics, HRR and sub-maximal responses to the prone Yo-Yo IR1, with no clear change in wellbeing and neuromuscular function. Between-group analysis favoured the SITr/s group, suggesting that the inclusion of sport- specific actions should be considered for in-season conditioning of rugby league players