The development and evaluation of a testing protocol to assess upper body pressing strength qualities in high performance athletes

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of an isometric force assessment (isometric bench press) across 4 standardised angles and an isoinertial force and velocity assessment (ballistic bench throw) utilising a relative load based on a percentage of one repetition maximum (1RM) in the bench press; and to evaluate whether the use of the dynamic strength deficit (DSD) ratio can guide training and detect changes induced by training over a 5 week period. METHODS: Twenty four elite male athletes (age = 19.9 ± 2.7yrs; mass = 79.1 ± 13.0kg) performed the isometric bench press and a 45% 1RM ballistic bench throw on 2 separate days with 48 hours between testing occasions. Peak force, peak power, peak velocity, peak displacement and peak rate of force development were assessed using a force plate and linear position transducer. Reliability was assessed by Intra- Class Correlation (ICC), Percent Coefficient of Variation (%CV) and Typical Error (TE). The athletes’ DSD ratios were then calculated using the peak force values obtained during the BBT and IBP (DSD = IBP peak force/BBT peak force). Athletes were then placed in to 2 groups as matched-pairs based on their DSD ratio and their strength in the 1RM bench press. The Bench Press (BP) Group performed high intensity bench press while the Ballistic Bench Throw Group performed moderate intensity ballistic bench throws. Both groups trained twice a week for 5 weeks. RESULTS: All performance measures except for peak rate of force development were considered reliable (ICC = 0.85-0.97, %CV = 1.2-3.3). The DSD ratio was sensitive to the disparate training methods between groups, with the BP Group increasing their IBP peak force (p = 0.035), the BBT Group increasing their bench throw performance (p ≤ 0.001), and as a result, yielding a significant change (p ≤ 0.001) in the DSD for both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Performance measures such as peak force in the isometric bench press and ballistic bench throw are reliable when assessing upper body pressing strength qualities in elite male athletes. Further, the DSD can be used to detect qualities of relative deficiency and guide specific training interventions based on test results

Simulating Quantum Computations on Classical Machines: A Survey

We present a comprehensive study of quantum simulation methods and quantum simulators for classical computers. We first study an exhaustive set of 150+ simulators and quantum libraries. Then, we short-list the simulators that are actively maintained and enable simulation of quantum algorithms for more than 10 qubits. As a result, we realize that most efficient and actively maintained simulators have been developed after 2010. We also provide a taxonomy of the most important simulation methods, namely Schrodinger-based, Feynman path integrals, Heisenberg-based, and hybrid methods. We observe that most simulators fall in the category of Schrodinger-based approaches. However, there are a few efficient simulators belonging to other categories. We also make note that quantum frameworks form their own class of software tools that provide more flexibility for algorithm designers with a choice of simulators/simulation method. Another contribution of this study includes the use and classification of optimization methods used in a variety of simulators. We observe that some state-of-the-art simulators utilize a combination of software and hardware optimization techniques to scale up the simulation of quantum circuits. We summarize this study by providing a roadmap for future research that can further enhance the use of quantum simulators in education and research.Comment: 20 pages, 8 figures, under revie

The match-play activity cycles in elite U17, U21 and senior hurling competitive games

Purpose The current study aimed to investigate the ball-in-play (BIP) and ball-out-of-play (BOP) differences between U17, U21 and senior hurling matches. Methods Video recordings of matches (n = 36) were coded and analysed for BIP and BOP. Time when the ball was continuously in-play was considered BIP, whereas any stoppages were considered BOP. Results The total and mean BIP cycle duration showed no difference between levels. The number of BIP cycles were higher in senior matches compared to U17 (ES = 1.80: large) and U21 (ES = 1.27: large). U17 matches had a lower frequency of BIP cycles between 16 and 30 s (ES = − 1.75: large) compared to senior. Total BOP duration was longer in senior (45:30 ± 4:13 min) matches compared to U17 (36:31 ± 2:30 min, ES = 2.59: very large) and U21 (36:48 ± 2:53 min, ES = 2.40: very large). Senior matches had a longer BOP duration and greater number of BOP cycles than U17 (ES = 0.17: trivial, ES = 2.20: very large, respectively) and U21 (ES = 0.17: trivial, ES = 0.99: moderate, respectively). U17 matches had a lower frequency of BOP cycles \u3e 60 s (ES = − 1.33: large) compared to senior. Conclusion Although there was a difference in the total match duration, U17 and U21 matches have similar BIP time as seniors, suggesting that U17 and U21 players should be conditioned to withstand the elite senior BIP duration. In training practice, high-intensity short-duration games are suggested for repeating the duration demands of competition

The Between-Competition Running Demands of Elite Hurling Match-Play

The current study aimed to investigate the differences in running demands between the National Hurling League (NHL) and the Championship, and within playing positions. GPS (10 Hz, STATSports Apex GNSS) were used to analyse the running demands during 34 games (2017–2020 seasons) of the Championship and the NHL. The running demands (total-, relative-, high-speed- [\u3e17 km·h−1] and sprint [≥22 km·h−1] distance, number and length of sprints, and peak speed) were compared between competitions. Greater total- [ES = 0.32], relative- [ES = 0.26], and sprint-distance [ES = 0.41], and number of sprints [ES = 1.29] were completed in the Championship. The high-speed distance was similar between competitions. Half-backs and half-forwards covered greater total- (ES = 0.91 and 0.21, respectively), relative- (ES = 1.14 and 0.68, respectively), high-speed- (ES = 0.69 and 0.44, respectively), and sprint-distance (ES = 0.50 and 1.26, respectively), number of sprints (ES = 2.66 and 1.73, respectively), and peak speed (ES = 1.09 and 1.32, respectively) in the Championship. There was no difference (p \u3c 0.05) in the sprint distance covered between positions in the Championship. The results showed that the Championship is more physically demanding. The findings present key implications for the transition between competitions

Journalistic Role Performance in Australia During the COVID-19 Pandemic:Events, Media Systems and Journalistic Practice

This study analyses data gathered as part of an international comparative study of journalistic role performance during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. We situate role performance at the intersection between anterior factors that shape journalistic decision-making and practice, and the contingent events and issues journalists are tasked with communicating. Based on this, we ground our analysis by considering (a) how news is shaped by media systems, and how Australia’s media system may be characterised; (b) studies of journalists’ work during previous health crises; and (c) analyses of media coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our analysis focuses, firstly, on whether role performance in Australia’s 2020 news coverage was discernibly “consensus-based”; and, secondly, on whether there were any indicators of Australian coverage being “polarised” during this period. Our findings suggest role performance in 2020 was broadly reflective of a relative political consensus and that evidence of polarisation was limited. We find, nevertheless, that there were notable differences between different mediums and outlets, and reflect on factors that may have contributed to such differences. In light of this, we emphasise the importance of taking account of the relationship between local contexts and historical contingency in considering how role performances are produced.</p

News Representation and Sense of Belonging Among Multicultural Audiences

This study seeks to understand the role of representation in news media, trust in news, and participation in multicultural audiences' sense of belonging to society. A multimodal survey combining online, CATI, and CAPI methods was conducted in Australia at the end of 2021 and early 2022 (N = 1,084). The top five non-English language communities in Australia (Arabic, Cantonese, Italian, Mandarin, and Vietnamese) were included in the survey, of which n = 851 were born overseas. The findings reveal a significant link between the perception of sufficient representation in Australian news media, trust in news, confidence to participate in society, and sense of belonging. When multicultural audiences see themselves fairly and adequately represented in the news, they are more likely to trust the news and participate in the community by discussing the news and current affairs. This, in turn, leads to a stronger sense of belonging to society. We also found confidence in English and time spent in Australia were important factors contributing to perceptions of representation. While the length of stay has a positive impact on the perception of representation among those with high confidence in English, this perception is significantly lower among those who have lower confidence. This result confirms the significant role language proficiency plays in migrants' experiences in the host country

The Match-Play Sprint Performance of Elite Senior Hurlers during Competitive Games

The typical sprint profile in elite hurling has yet to be established. The purpose of this study was to investigate the sprinting demands of elite hurling competition and characterize the sprinting patterns of different playing positions. GPS (10-Hz, STATSports Viper) were used to collect data from 51 hurlers during 18 games. The total sprint (≥22 km·h-1) distance (TSD), the number of sprints (NOS) classified as length (\u3c20 m, ≥20 m) and relative speed thresholds (\u3c80%, 80–90%, \u3e90%), the between-sprint duration and the number of repeated-sprint bouts (≥2 sprints in ≤60 s) were analyzed. The NOS was 22.2 ± 6.8 accumulating 415 ± 140 m TSD. The NOS \u3c20 m, ≥20 m was 14.0 ± 4.7 and 8.1 ± 3.6 respectively. The NOS \u3c80%, 80–90% and \u3e90% was 10.6 ± 4.3, 8.2 ± 3.6, 3.4 ± 2.4 respectively. The between-sprint duration and the repeated-sprint bouts were 208 ± 86 s and 4.5 ± 2.6 respectively. TSD (ES = -0.20), NOS (ES = -0.34), NOS \u3c20 m (ES = -0.33), ≥20 m (ES = -0.24), 80–90% (ES = -0.35) \u3e90% (ES = -0.13) and repeated-sprint bouts (ES = -0.28) decreased between-halves. Full-backs performed a lower NOS \u3c80% than half-backs (ES = -0.66) and a shorter mean duration of sprints than half-backs (ES = -0.75), midfielders (ES = -1.00) and full-forwards (ES = -0.59). These findings provide a sprint profile of elite hurling match-play that coaches should consider to replicate the sprint demands of competition in training

Metabolic Power in Hurling with Respect to Position and Halves of Match-play

The current investigation compared the metabolic power and energetic characteristics in team sports with respect to positional lines and halves of match-play. Global positioning system (GPS) technology data were collected from 22 elite competitive hurling matches over a 3-season period. A total of 250 complete match-files were recorded with players split into positional groups of full-back; half-back; midfield; half-forward; full-forward. Raw GPS data were exported into a customized spreadsheet that provided estimations of metabolic power and speed variables across match-play events (average metabolic power [Pmet], high metabolic load distance [HMLD], total distance, relative distance, high-speed distance, maximal speed, accelerations, and deceleration). Pmet, HMLD, total, relative and high-speed distance were 8.9±1.6 W�kg-1, 1457±349 m, 7506±1364 m, 107±20 m�min-1 and 1169± 260 m respectively. Half-backs, midfielders and half-forwards outperformed full-backs (Effect Size [ES] = 1.03, 1.22 and 2.07 respectively), and full-forwards in Pmet (Effect Size [ES] = 1.70, 2.07 and 1.28 respectively), and HMLD (full-backs: ES = -1.23, -1.37 and -0.84 respectively, and full-forwards: ES = -1.77, -2.00 and -1.38 respectively). Half-backs (ES = -0.60), midfielders (ES = -0.81), and half-forwards (ES = -0.74) experienced a second-half temporal decrement in HMLD. The current investigation demonstrates that metabolic power may increase our understanding of the match-play demands placed on elite hurling players. Coaches may utilize these findings to construct training drills that replicate match-play demands