A biomechanical analysis of the farmers walk, and comparison with the deadlift and unloaded walk

This study compared the biomechanical characteristics of the farmers walk, deadlift and unloaded walk. Six experienced male strongman athletes performed farmers' walks and deadlifts at 70% of their 1RM deadlift. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were apparent at knees passing with the farmers lift demonstrating greater trunk extension, thigh angle, knee flexion and ankle dorsiflexion. Significantly greater mean vertical and anterior forces were observed in the farmers lift than deadlift. The farmers walk demonstrated significantly greater peak forces and stride rates and significantly shorter stride lengths, ground contact times, and swing times than unloaded walk. Significantly greater dorsiflexion, knee flexion, thigh angle, and significantly lesser trunk angle at foot strike were also observed in the farmers walk. The farmers lift may be an effective lifting alternative to the deadlift, to generating more anterior-propulsive and vertical force with less stress to the lumbar spine due to the more vertical trunk position

Tapering practices of strongman athletes: Test-retest reliability study

BACKGROUND: Little is currently known about the tapering practices of strongman athletes. We have developed an Internet-based comprehensive self-report questionnaire examining the training and tapering practices of strongman athletes. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to document the test-retest reliability of questions associated with the Internet-based comprehensive self-report questionnaire on the tapering practices of strongman athletes. The information will provide insight on the reliability and usefulness of the online questionnaire for use with strongman athletes. METHODS: Invitations to complete an Internet questionnaire were sent via Facebook Messenger to identified strongman athletes. The survey consisted of four main areas of inquiry, including demographics and background information, training practices, tapering, and tapering practices. Of the 454 athletes that completed the survey over the 8-week period, 130 athletes responded on Facebook Messenger indicating that they intended to complete, or had completed, the survey. These participants were asked if they could complete the online questionnaire a second time for a test-retest reliability analysis. Sixty-four athletes (mean age 33.3 years, standard deviation [SD] 7.7; mean height 178.2 cm, SD 11.0; mean body mass 103.7 kg, SD 24.8) accepted this invitation and completed the survey for the second time after a minimum 7-day period from the date of their first completion. Agreement between athlete responses was measured using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and kappa statistics. Confidence intervals (at 95%) were reported for all measures and significance was set at P<.05. RESULTS: Test-retest reliability for demographic and training practices items were significant (P<.001) and showed excellent (ICC range=.84 to .98) and fair to almost perfect agreement (κ range=.37-.85). Moderate to excellent agreements (ICC range=.56-.84; P<.01) were observed for all tapering practice measures except for the number of days athletes started their usual taper before a strongman competition (ICC=.30). When the number of days were categorized with additional analyses, moderate reliability was observed (κ=.43; <.001). Fair to substantial agreement was observed for the majority of tapering practices measures (κrange=.38-.73; P<.001) except for how training frequency (κ=.26) and the percentage and type of resistance training performed, which changed in the taper (κ=.20). Good to excellent agreement (ICC=.62-.93; P<.05) was observed for items relating to strongman events and traditional exercises performed during the taper. Only the time at which the Farmer's Walk was last performed before competition showed poor reliability (ICC=.27). CONCLUSIONS: We have developed a low cost, self-reported, online retrospective questionnaire, which provided stable and reliable answers for most of the demographic, training, and tapering practice questions. The results of this study support the inferences drawn from the Tapering Practices of Strongman Athletes Stud

Muscle Damage following Maximal Eccentric Knee Extensions in Males and Females

Aim: To investigate whether there is a sex difference in exercise induced muscle damage. Materials and Method: Vastus Lateralis and patella tendon properties were measured in males and females using ultrasonography. During maximal voluntary eccentric knee extensions (12 reps x 6 sets), Vastus Lateralis fascicle lengthening and maximal voluntary eccentric knee extensions torque were recorded every 10° of knee joint angle (20–90°). Isometric torque, Creatine Kinase and muscle soreness were measured pre, post, 48, 96 and 168 hours post damage as markers of exercise induced muscle damage. Results: Patella tendon stiffness and Vastus Lateralis fascicle lengthening were significantly higher in males compared to females (p0.05). Creatine Kinase levels post exercise induced muscle damage were higher in males compared to females (p<0.05), and remained higher when maximal voluntary eccentric knee extension torque, relative to estimated quadriceps anatomical cross sectional area, was taken as a covariate (p<0.05). Conclusion: Based on isometric torque loss, there is no sex difference in exercise induced muscle damage. The higher Creatine Kinase in males could not be explained by differences in maximal voluntary eccentric knee extension torque, Vastus Lateralis fascicle lengthening and patella tendon stiffness. Further research is required to understand the significant sex differences in Creatine Kinase levels following exercise induced muscle damage

The Virtue of Appropriate Transparency: Research Psychology and the Replication Crisis

I argue that one step toward addressing the replication crisis in psychology is through the application of appropriate transparency in research communication. Drawing upon virtue epistemology, I propose that appropriate transparency can be defined as a contextually informed point between understatement and overstatement. As such, I contend that judging appropriate transparency in research psychology requires a shared research design nomenclature (RDN). As researchers’ definitions of terms related to research psychology are not necessarily identical between individuals, it is beneficial to use transparent definitions of pivotal concepts to facilitate effective communication between researchers and their audience. However, the boundaries of appropriate transparency in research communications differ depending upon the primary audience. Thus, I argue that appropriate transparency in communication must be judged in the context of the intended audience of the specific research communication. The lack of a shared RDN introduces unnecessary strain on this process; whereas, a shared RDN would aid researchers in identifying the appropriate level of transparency for their research communication audience. A RDN should be as explicit as possible without being unnecessarily proscriptive; it will be most useful when retaining sufficient flexibility for experts to apply practical judgement regarding appropriate transparency. Having outlined the benefits of a RDN, I then build upon Stefan Schmidt’s and others’ work to propose a RDN that could provide a guide to researchers on appropriate transparency in communicating research-design information. While adhering to a shared RDN requires extra effort, it also provides common ground for primary researchers and replication researchers when designing projects and communicating efficiently. Moreover, a shared RDN can be leveraged to demonstrate appropriate transparency for non-experts with minimal expenditure of effort by the researcher. By adhering to a RDN, experts and non-experts alike are provided with a common point of reference, thus encouraging restored confidence in research interpretation

Urban fantasy: Theorising an emergent literary subgenre

Fantasy literature in the 1980s underwent a revisionist change, which resulted in the emergence of a number of subgenres that challenged the dominant Tolkien model of fantasy writing. One such subgenre, which continues in popularity today, is urban fantasy (UF). UF is distinguished by real-world urban settings unsettled by the presence of the supernatural and the non-rational. The exemplary writers in this genre are Emma Bull (War for the Oaks, 1987), China Mieville (King Rat, 1998) as well as Laurell K. Hamilton (in her prolific series: Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter), Patricia Briggs (Mercy Thompson Series) and Suzanne McLeod (Spellcrackers.com Series), among others. The classification of UF has predominantly been commercial or industry-based, with little critical or theoretical evaluation undertaken to define or establish its parameters. Within a limited frame of reference this thesis aims to fulfil a twofold purpose: first, to explore the evolution of UF from its roots in fantasy, urban realism and other antecedent genres so as to better establish its inherited characteristics; and, second, to offer a classificatory framework that identifies the distinctive elements of UF’s thematic concerns and protagonists. An exploration of UF highlights that it is a unique subgenre that comments on our inherent fears and anxieties of contemporary urban life. Furthermore, UF draws attention to culture’s disturbing fascination with the brutal, monstrous, facets of human life and, as a femalecentric subgenre, challenges us to rethink our received perceptions of the female hero

A biomechanical analysis of the heavy sprint-style sled pull and comparison with the back squat

This study compared the biomechanical characteristics of the heavy sprint-style sled pull and squat. Six experienced male strongman athletes performed sled pulls and squats at 70% of their 1RM squat. Significant kinematic and kinetic differences were observed between the sled pull start and squat at the start of the concentric phase and at maximum knee extension. The first stride of the heavy sled pull demonstrated significantly (

Nursing IT: A Peer Assisted Learning Project for Nursing and IT Students

Previous research indicated that nursing students lack IT competence, Fetter (2009), but have strong social skills. Equally observations by the Placement Employability Experience Unit in the Faculty of ACES have identified that IT students are technically able, but weaker in social skills. Employers are seeking graduate with a broad skill range in both subject specific and employability skills, (Ehiyazaryan and Baraclough 2009). Therefore this project aimed to address these issues through a peer learning activity. It is recognised that peer assisted learners can communicate to one another in a language that both understand, Smith et al, (2007). The symbiotic activity was offered as a venture opportunity for level 5 computing students to manage in the Venture Matrix at Sheffield Hallam University. The Venture Matrix is a managed risk enterprise and entrepreneurial environment open to all students, and offers a framework in which students can operate micro-businesses to develop and apply their subject knowledge and employability skills to support real business opportunities/activities offered in the Venture Matrix, Laughton (2010). The Nursing IT venture was offered as business activity with the aims of providing an opportunity; • for computing students to apply their IT skills and develop their employability skills • to meet the individualised IT learning needs of the Level 4 nursing students. The value of the learning in the venture was evaluated by both sets of students. This IT service was offered by the computing students to all level 4 student nurses who commenced their course September 2009 and January 2010. Analysis of post project student questionnaires, evaluations and staff discussions showed that all stakeholders recognised the potential and sustainability of this service. The key learning point are that the project:-·created good cross-faculty communication and sharing of expertises both staff and students: although only a small number of nursing students took the opportunity to use the service they valued the support they received: the computing students enjoyed the opportunity to disseminate their IT skills