The Fiscal Effects of Aid in Ghana

aid, fungibility, fiscal response, impulse response

Editorial: The Longest Year:The Future of Crime, Harm and Justice in the Shadow of 2020/2021

This editorial is an introduction to the first special issue of the Journal of Contemporary Crime, Harm and Ethics. The aim of this issue is to draw together a range of perspectives on 2020 as ‘the longest year’ and its implications for the future of crime, harm and justice. The collection of papers, essays and interviews incorporate empirical data, theoretical analysis, and speculative horizon-scanning to outline the current position and future directions for crime, harm and ethics

Individual Responses to an 8-Week Neuromuscular Training Intervention in Trained Pre-Pubescent Female Artistic Gymnasts

This study examined individual responses in leg stiffness, reactive strength index (RSI), movement proficiency (deep overhead squat and in-line lunge), and trunk muscular endurance (flexor and extensor tests) in young female gymnasts following an 8-week neuromuscular training intervention. Thirty-four pre-peak height velocity (PHV) female gymnasts were divided into either an experimental group (EXP n = 17) or control group (CON n = 17). The EXP replaced their normal gymnastics physical preparation with a neuromuscular training program, while the CON continued with their habitual gymnastics program. Chi square analysis showed that the EXP resulted in significantly more positive responders compared to CON for measures of leg stiffness (41% versus 12% responded positively), extensor muscular endurance, (76% versus 29%), and competency in the deep overhead squat, (76% versus 29%) and in-line lunge (left lead leg) (65% versus 18%). Conversely, the number of positive responders for RSI (53% versus 61%), the flexor endurance test (88% versus 53%), and the right in-line lunge (47% versus 35%) were not significantly different between groups. These findings suggest that most young gymnasts responded positively to neuromuscular training from the perspective of improving movement proficiency and trunk endurance; however, changes in leg stiffness and RSI were more variable and may require higher intensities to realise further adaptations

Polymorphs, cyclodextrin inclusion complexes and salts of the bronchodilator tulobuterol

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 199-207).The aim of this thesis was to prepare polymorphs, cyclodextrin inclusion complexes and salts of tulobuterol, a drug with bronchodilating properties. Polymorphic drugs are of interest to the pharmaceutical industry because of their varied physical properties, whilst the increase in aqueous solubilities of drugs by their inclusion within cyclodextrins or by salt formation is also an important pharmaceutical consideration. Two polymorphs, four cyclodextrin inclusion complexes and three salts of tulobuterol free base were successfully generated in this study

The Longitudinal Development of Movement Competency in Young High-Level Golfers

The aim of this study was to longitudinally monitor movement competency of golfers in a talent development program. Thirty-six golfers were included in the study (24 males, 12 females); on entry the mean age was 14.38 ± 2.88 years and mean handicap was 6. Participants completed the Golf Movement Screen (GMS). Data was collected annually at the start of each off-season in the program, providing three testing occasions over a two-year period. Total GMS score significantly improved (all p < 0.05) year-on year from 41 ± 13 on entry, to 52 ± 13 in year 1, and 63 ± 14 in year 2. Handicap also significantly improved from 6 ± 5 on entry to 2 ± 4 in year 2 (p < 0.05). Significant improvements were found in 7 of the 10 exercises between entry and year 1, and 9 of the 10 exercises between entry and year 2 (all p < 0.05), while scores for the remaining exercise were high on entry and remained stable. The findings suggest that golfers in a talent development program are able to improve their movement competency, and that the GMS has the sensitivity to detect these changes

Bio-banding in Sport: Applications to Competition, Talent Identification, and Strength and Conditioning of Youth Athletes

Bio-banding is the process of grouping athletes on the basis of attributes associated with growth and maturation, rather than chronological age. Children of the same age may vary considerably in biological maturation with some individuals maturing well in advance or delay of their peers. The timing of maturation has important implications for competition, talent identification and training. Increased awareness and interest in the subject of maturation has sparked a renewed interest in the study and application of bio-banding. This overview describes the purpose and process of bio-banding, potential benefits and limitations, and also presents some recent advances in its application in youth sports

Asymmetry During Maximal Sprint Performance in 11- to 16-Year-Old Boys

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the influence of age and maturation upon magnitude of asymmetry in the force, stiffness and the spatiotemporal determinants of maximal sprint speed in a large cohort of boys. Methods: 344 boys between the ages of 11 and 16 years completed an anthropometric assessment and a 35 m sprint test, during which sprint performance was recorded via a ground-level optical measurement system. Maximal sprint velocity, as well as asymmetry in spatiotemporal variables, modeled force and stiffness data were established for each participant. For analysis, participants were grouped into chronological age, maturation and percentile groups. Results: The range of mean asymmetry across age groups and variables was 2.3–12.6%. The magnitude of asymmetry in all the sprint variables was not significantly different across age and maturation groups (p > .05), except relative leg stiffness (p < .05). No strong relationships between asymmetry in sprint variables and maximal sprint velocity were evident (rs < .39). Conclusion: These results provide a novel benchmark for the expected magnitude of asymmetry in a large cohort of uninjured boys during maximal sprint performance. Asymmetry in sprint performance is largely unaffected by age or maturation and no strong relationships exist between the magnitude of asymmetry and maximal sprint velocity

'It's a Form of Freedom': The experiences of people with disabilities within equestrian sport

This paper explores the embodied, gendered experiences of disabled horse‐riders. Drawing on data from five in‐depth interviews with paradressage riders, the ways in which their involvement in elite disability sport impacts upon their sense of identity and confidence are explored, as well as the considerable health and social benefits that this involvement brings. Social models of disability are employed and the shortcomings of such models, when applied to disability sport, are highlighted. The data presented here demonstrates the necessity of seeing disability sport as an embodied experience and acknowledging the importance of impairment to the experiences of disabled athletes. Living within an impaired body is also a gendered experience and the implications of this when applied to elite disability sport are considered

Injury prevention in male youth soccer: Current practices and perceptions of practitioners working at elite English academies

Forty-one practitioners inclusive of physiotherapists, sports scientists and strength and conditioning coaches from the academies of elite soccer clubs in the United Kingdom completed an on-line questionnaire which examined their: (1) background information; (2) perceptions of injury occurrence and risk factors; (3) screening and return to play; and (4) approach to designing and delivering injury prevention programmes with a response rate of 55% (41/75). Contact injuries were the most common mechanism reported and players between 13-16 years of age were perceived to be at the greatest risk. Pertinent risk factors included: reduced lower limb and eccentric hamstring strength, proprioception, muscle imbalances, and under developed foundational movement skills. Joint range of motion, jump tests, the functional movement screen, overhead and single leg squats were the most utilised screening methods. Training modalities rated in order of importance included: resistance training, flexibility development, agility, plyometrics and balance training. Training frequency was most commonly once or twice per week, during warm-ups, independent sessions or a combination of both. Injury prevention strategies in this cohort appear to be logical; however, the classification of injury occurrence and application of screening tools to identify 'at risk' players do not align with existing research. The frequency and type of training used may also be insufficient to elicit an appropriate stimulus to address pertinent risk factors based on current recommendations