Transformative learning as pedagogy for the health professions : a scoping review

Context Transformative learning (TL) has been described as learning that challenges established perspectives, leading to new ways of being in the world. As a learning theory it has resonated with educators globally, including those in the health professions. Described as a complex metatheory, TL has evolved over time, eliciting divergent interpretations of the construct. This scoping review provides a comprehensive synthesis of how TL is currently represented in the health professions education literature, including how it influences curricular activities, to inform its future application in the field. Methods Arksey and O'Malley's six‐step framework was adopted to review the period from 2006 to May 2018. A total of 10 bibliographic databases were searched, generating 1532 potential studies. After several rounds of review, first of abstracts and then of full texts, 99 studies were mapped by two independent reviewers onto the internally developed data extraction sheet. Descriptive information about included studies was aggregated. Discursive data were subjected to content analysis. Results A mix of conceptual and empirical research papers, which used a range of qualitative methodologies, were included. Studies from the USA, the UK and Australia were most prevalent. Insights relating to how opportunities for TL were created, how it manifests and influences behaviour, as well as how it is experienced, demonstrated much congruency. Conceptions of TL were seen to be clustered around the work of key theorists. Conclusions The training of health professionals often takes place in unfamiliar settings where students are encouraged to be active participants in providing care. This increases the opportunity for exposure to learning experiences that are potentially transformative, allowing for a pedagogy of uncertainty that acknowledges the complexity of the world we live in and questions what we believe we know about it. TL provides educators in the health professions with a theoretical lens through which they can view such student learning

CORRELATIONS BETWEEN ANTHROPOMETRIC AND SPORT SPECIFIC FIELD-BASED TESTS IN SITTING VOLLEYBALL

Eric C. Conchola1, Mary H. Springfield1, Jacilyn M. Olson1, and Kevin J. Fink1 1University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma Sitting volleyball is a Paralympic sport widely known for being a game of speed, agility, performance, and endurance. While many fitness tests can be used to assess specificity of sport, the combination of field-tests and anthropometric measurements can provide coaches with performance related support for future coaching decisions. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to assess potential correlations between anthropometric parameters and field-tests within the game of sitting volleyball. METHODS: Six females from the U.S. National Women’s Sitting Volleyball Team volunteered to participate in the study, (age=25.50 ± 4.51 years, height 170.15 ± 6.44 cm, and mass 80.89 ± 25.67 kg). The specific tests were: handgrip (HG) analysis, the seated chest press test (SCP), a speed & agility test (SAT), as well as a speed & endurance test (SET). The order of the field-tests was conducted in accordance with the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) guidelines, of non-fatiguing tests first, maximum strength test second, maximum power third, sprint test fourth, and aerobic capacity tests last (Haff & Triplett, 2015). RESULTS: According to the Pearson correlation coefficient test, there was a significant correlation between the athlete’s height and spike position (r= .853, p=0.031). Other significant correlations found were between HG and SCP (Watts) (r = 0.913, p = 0.011), which was measured using time and distance from the SCP test, as well as blocking position and the SAT (r=0.888, p=0.044), and blocking position and the SET (r=0.93, p=0.022). The strongest correlation was shown between SAT and the SET (r = 0.964, p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: The aim of the present study was to identify correlations between sport specific field-based tests and anthropometric measurements. Anthropometric measurements and non-laboratory field-tests specific to sitting volleyball can be useful for the coaching staff to determine which player is best suited for a specific position and the athletes’ overall performance on the court. The main findings from the present study were significant correlations with the athletes’ height and spike position, hand grip strength and chest pass power, blocking position and SAT, blocking position and SET, and SAT and SET