scholarly journals Preparing for the Nordic Skiing Events at the Beijing Olympics in 2022: Evidence-Based Recommendations and Unanswered Questions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Øyvind Sandbakk ◽  
Guro Strøm Solli ◽  
Rune Kjøsen Talsnes ◽  
Hans-Christer Holmberg
Keyword(s):  
Evidence Based ◽  
Time Zone ◽  
Extensive Experience ◽  
Beijing Olympics ◽  
Social Contacts ◽  
Warm Up ◽  
Ambient Temperatures ◽  
Winter Olympics ◽  
Nordic Skiing ◽  
Timing Of Exposure

AbstractAt the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, the XC skiing, biathlon and nordic combined events will be held at altitudes of ~ 1700 m above sea level, possibly in cold environmental conditions and while requiring adjustment to several time zones. However, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may lead to sub-optimal preparations. The current commentary provides the following evidence-based recommendations for the Olympic preparations: make sure to have extensive experience of training (> 60 days annually) and competition at or above the altitude of competition (~ 1700 m), to optimize and individualize your strategies for acclimatization and competition. In preparing for the Olympics, 10–14 days at ~ 1700 m seems to optimize performance at this altitude effectively. An alternative strategy involves two–three weeks of training at > 2000 m, followed by 7–10 days of tapering off at ~ 1700 m. During each of the last 3 or 4 days prior to departure, shift your sleeping and eating schedule by 0.5–1 h towards the time zone in Beijing. In addition, we recommend that you arrive in Beijing one day earlier for each hour change in time zone, followed by appropriate timing of exposure to daylight, meals, social contacts, and naps, in combination with a gradual increase in training load. Optimize your own individual procedures for warming-up, as well as for maintaining body temperature during the period between the warm-up and competition, effective treatment of asthma (if necessary) and pacing at  ~ 1700 m with cold ambient temperatures. Although we hope that these recommendations will be helpful in preparing for the Beijing Olympics in 2022, there is a clear need for more solid evidence gained through new sophisticated experiments and observational studies.

scholarly journals Virtual external implementation facilitation: successful methods for remotely engaging groups in quality improvement

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine W. Hartmann ◽  
Ryann L. Engle ◽  
Camilla B. Pimentel ◽  
Whitney L. Mills ◽  
Valerie A. Clark ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
National Program ◽  
Extensive Experience ◽  
Evidence Based Practices ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Virtual Experience ◽  
Key Points ◽  
Program Content

Abstract Background Relatively little guidance exists on how to use virtual implementation facilitation to successfully implement evidence-based practices and innovations into clinical programs. Yet virtual methods are increasingly common. They have potentially wider reach, emergent public health situations necessitate their use, and restrictions on resources can make them more attractive. We therefore outline a set of principles for virtual external implementation facilitation and a series of recommendations based on extensive experience successfully using virtual external implementation facilitation in a national program. Model and recommendations Success in virtual external implementation facilitation may be achieved by facilitators applying three overarching principles: pilot everything, incorporate a model, and prioritize metacognition. Five practical principles also help: plan in advance, communicate in real time, build relationships, engage participants, and construct a virtual room for participants. We present eight concrete suggestions for enacting the practical principles: (1) assign key facilitation roles to facilitation team members to ensure the program runs smoothly; (2) create small cohorts of participants so they can have meaningful interactions; (3) provide clarity and structure for all participant interactions; (4) structure program content to ensure key points are described, reinforced, and practiced; (5) use visuals to supplement audio content; (6) build activities into the agenda that enable participants to immediately apply knowledge at their own sites, separate from the virtual experience; (7) create backup plans whenever possible; and (8) engage all participants in the program. Summary These principles represent a novel conceptualization of virtual external implementation facilitation, giving structure to a process that has been, to date, inadequately described. The associated actions are demonstrably useful in supporting the principles and offer teams interested in virtual external implementation facilitation concrete methods by which to ensure success. Our examples stem from experiences in healthcare. But the principles can, in theory, be applied to virtual external implementation facilitation regardless of setting, as they and the associated actions are not setting specific.

scholarly journals A Survey on Stretching Practices in Women and Men from Various Sports or Physical Activity Programs

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 3928
Author(s):  
Nicolas Babault ◽  
Gaelyann Rodot ◽  
Marrain Champelovier ◽  
Carole Cometti
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Static Stretching ◽  
Present Survey ◽  
Warm Up ◽  
Exercise Routine ◽  
General Practices ◽  
Physical Activity Programs ◽  
General Aspects ◽  
Stretching Exercises

Recommendations for prescribing stretching exercises are regularly updated. It appears that coaches progressively follow the published guidelines, but the real stretching practices of athletes are unknown. The present study aimed to investigate stretching practices in individuals from various sports or physical activity programs. A survey was completed online to determine some general aspects of stretching practices. The survey consisted of 32 multiple-choice or open-ended questions to illustrate the general practices of stretching, experiences and reasons for stretching. In total, 3546 questionnaires were analyzed (47.3% women and 52.7% men). Respondents practiced at the national/international level (25.2%), regional level (29.8%), or recreationally (44.9%). Most respondents (89.3%) used stretching for recovery (74.9%) or gains of flexibility (57.2%). Stretching was generally performed after training (72.4%). The respondents also indicated they performed stretching as a pre-exercise routine (for warm-up: 49.9%). Static stretching was primarily used (88.2%) but when applied for warm-up reasons, respondents mostly indicated performing dynamic stretching (86.2%). Only 37.1% of the respondents indicated being supervised. Finally, some gender and practice level differences were noticed. The present survey revealed that the stretching practices were only partly in agreement with recent evidence-based recommendations. The present survey also pointed out the need to improve the supervision of stretching exercises.

Activation of the Fibrillar Muscles in the Bumblebee During Warm-Up, Stabilization of Thoracic Temperature and Flight

1973 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 677-688
Author(s):  
BERND HEINRICH ◽  
ANN E. KAMMER
Keyword(s):  
Heat Production ◽  
Action Potentials ◽  
Spike Frequency ◽  
Warm Up ◽  
Ambient Temperatures ◽  
Heating And Cooling ◽  
Thoracic Temperature ◽  
Flight Muscles ◽  
Frequency Of Action Potentials ◽  
Physical Laws

1. Extracellular action potentials and thoracic temperatures (TTh) were simultaneously recorded from the fibrillar flight muscles of Bombus vosnesenskii queens during preflight warm-up, during stabilization of TTh in stationary bees, and during fixed flight. 2. In most stationary bees during warm-up and during the stabilization of TTh the rate of heat production, as calculated from thoracic temperature and passive rates of cooling, is directly related to the frequency of action potentials in the muscles. 3. The rate of heat production increases throughout warm-up primarily because of a greater spike frequency at higher TTh. 4. In stationary bees during the stabilization of TTh at different ambient temperatures (TA) the fibrillar muscles are activated by any in a continuous range of spike frequencies, rather than only by on-off responses. 5. Regulation of TTh in stationary bees may involve not only changes in the rate of heat production but also variations of heat transfer from the thorax to the abdomen. 6. During fixed flight the fibrillar muscles are usually activated at greater rates at the initiation of flight than later in flight, but the spike frequency and thus heat production are not varied in response to differences in TA and heating and cooling rates. 7. During fixed flight TTh is not regulated at specific set-points; TTh appears to vary passively in accordance with the physical laws of heating and cooling. 8. Differences in the TTh of bees in free and in fixed flight are discussed with regard to mechanisms of thermoregulation.

Thermoregulation of African and European Honeybees during Foraging, Attack, and Hive Exits and Returns

1979 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. 217-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
HEINRICH BERND
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Rate ◽  
Ambient Temperature ◽  
Heat Loss ◽  
Warm Up ◽  
Ambient Temperatures ◽  
Thoracic Temperature

1. While foraging, attacking, or leaving or returning to their hives, both the African and European honeybees maintained their thoracic temperature at 30 °C or above, independent of ambient temperature from 7 to 23 °C (in shade). 2. Thoracic temperatures were not significantly different between African and European bees. 3. Thoracic temperatures were significantly different during different activities. Average thoracic temperatures (at ambient temperatures of 8–23 °C) were lowest (30 °C) in bees turning to the hive. They were 31–32 °C during foraging, and 36–38 °C in bees leaving the hive, and in those attacking. The bees thus warm up above their temperature in the hive (32 °C) before leaving the colony. 4. In the laboratory the bees (European) did not maintain the minimum thoracic temperature for continuous flight (27 °C) at 10 °C. When forced to remain in continuous flight for at least 2 min, thoracic temperature averaged 15 °C above ambient temperature from 15 to 25 °C, and was regulated only at high ambient temperatures (30–40 °C). 5. At ambient temperatures > 25 °C, the bees heated up during return to the hive, attack and foraging above the thoracic temperatures they regulated at low ambient temperatures to near the temperatures they regulated during continuous flight. 6. In both African and European bees, attack behaviour and high thoracic temperature are correlated. 7. The data suggest that the bees regulate thoracic temperature by both behavioural and physiological means. It can be inferred that the African bees have a higher metabolic rate than the European, but their smaller size, which facilitates more rapid heat loss, results in similar thoracic temperatures.

scholarly journals Developing practical recommendations for preventative healthcare consultations involving dogs and cats using a Delphi technique

2019 ◽  
Vol 184 (11) ◽  
pp. 348-348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoe Belshaw ◽  
Natalie Jane Robinson ◽  
Marnie Louise Brennan ◽  
Rachel S Dean
Keyword(s):  
Delphi Technique ◽  
Small Animal ◽  
Delphi Panel ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Extensive Experience ◽  
Pet Owners ◽  
Veterinary Surgeons ◽  
Preventative Healthcare ◽  
Practical Recommendations

Preventive healthcare is the focus of a large proportion of UK small animal veterinary consultations. The evidence base for how to optimise these consultations is limited. Therefore, evidence-based practical recommendations are needed for veterinary surgeons conducting these consultations. The aim of this study was to use an evidence-based methodology to develop the first consensus recommendations to improve dog and cat preventative healthcare consultations (PHCs).Evidence from multiple sources was systematically examined to generate a list of 18 recommendations. Veterinary surgeons and pet owners with extensive experience of PHCs were recruited to an anonymous panel to obtain consensus on whether these recommendations would improve PHCs. A Delphi technique was followed during three rounds of online questionnaire, with consensus set at 80 per cent agreement or disagreement with each recommendation. Thirteen of the original 18 recommendations reached consensus (>80per cent agreement), while the five remaining recommendations did not reach consensus.Globally, these are the first evidence-based recommendations developed specifically in relation to small animal general practice PHCs, generated via a Delphi panel including both veterinary surgeons and pet owners. Future work is needed to understand how these recommendations can be implemented in a range of veterinary practice settings.

scholarly journals Sustainable Financing of Elite Athlete Development: An Empirical Analysis of Winter Sports in Austria

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (22) ◽  
pp. 9664
Author(s):  
Pamela Wicker ◽  
Bernd Frick
Keyword(s):  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
Contingent Valuation Method ◽  
Sporting Events ◽  
Alpine Skiing ◽  
Winter Sports ◽  
Winter Olympics ◽  
Sport Policy ◽  
Valuation Method ◽  
Sport Finance ◽  
Nordic Skiing

This study examines the value of professional winter sports to the Austrian resident population in the context of three major sporting events (the 2017 World Championships in Alpine Skiing, the 2018 Winter Olympics, and the 2019 World Championships in Nordic Skiing). In nationwide population surveys (n = 2289), the contingent valuation method was employed, and the respondents were presented with two scenarios asking for their willingness-to-pay for live broadcasts and long-term athlete development. The aggregate willingness-to-pay amounted to €42 million (for live broadcasts) and about €800 million (for athlete development). However, only about 20% of the residents expressed a positive willingness-to-pay. The respondents’ willingness-to-pay is not only determined by well-studied factors like consumption capital, intangible factors, and socio-demographics, but also by life satisfaction. The willingness-to-pay for live broadcasts is comparably higher for alpine skiing, while the willingness-to-pay for athlete development is higher for Olympic winter sports athletes. The findings have implications for sport policy and sport finance, highlighting the challenge of turning public sport consumption into a willingness to contribute financially to sustainable athlete development.

scholarly journals A perspective on Councils on Chiropractic Education accreditation standards and processes from the inside: a narrative description of expert opinion, part 2: Analyses of particular responses to research findings

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stanley I. Innes ◽  
Vicki Cope ◽  
Charlotte Leboeuf-Yde ◽  
Bruce F. Walker
Keyword(s):  
Historical Context ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Extensive Experience ◽  
Accreditation Standards ◽  
Expert Opinions ◽  
Chiropractic Education ◽  
Chiropractic Practice ◽  
Mainstream Healthcare ◽  
Assessment Of Student Learning

Abstract Background This is the second article reporting on a study that sought the views of people with extensive experience in Councils on Chiropractic Education (CCEs) on research that has raised concerns about variability in accreditation standards and processes for chiropractic programs (CPs) and chiropractic practice in general. Methods This qualitative study employed in-depth semi-structured interviews that consisted of open-ended questions asking experts about their thoughts and views on a range of issues surrounding accreditation, graduate competency standards and processes. The interviews were audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim in June and July of 2018. The transcripts were reviewed to develop codes and themes. The study followed the COREQ guidelines for qualitative studies. Results The interviews revealed that these CCE experts were able to discern positive and negative elements of the accreditation standards and processes. They were, in general, satisfied with CCEs accreditation standards, graduating competencies, and site inspection processes. Most respondents believed that it was not possible to implement an identical set of international accreditation standards because of cultural and jurisdictional differences. This was thought more likely to be achieved if based on the notion of equivalence. Also, they expressed positive views toward an evidence-based CP curriculum and an outcomes-based assessment of student learning. However, they expressed concerns that an evidence-based approach may result in the overlooking of the clinician’s experience. Diverse views were found on the presence of vitalism in CPs. These ranged from thinking vitalism should only be taught in an historical context, it was only a minority who held this view and therefore an insignificant issue. Finally, that CCEs should not regulate these personal beliefs, as this was potentially censorship. The notable absence was that the participants omitted any mention of the implications for patient safety, values and outcomes. Conclusions Expert opinions lead us to conclude that CCEs should embrace and pursue the widely accepted mainstream healthcare standards of an evidence-based approach and place the interests of the patient above that of the profession. Recommendations are made to this end with the intent of improving CCE standards and processes of accreditation.

scholarly journals The Road to the Beijing Winter Olympics and Beyond: Opinions and Perspectives on Physiology and Innovation in Winter Sport

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Wang ◽  
Hongwei Guan ◽  
Morten Hostrup ◽  
David S. Rowlands ◽  
José González-Alonso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Protein ◽  
Muscle Protein Synthesis ◽  
Ambient Temperatures ◽  
Winter Olympics ◽  
The Road ◽  
Cold Environments ◽  
Winter Sport ◽  
Innovation Potential ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Exercise Induced

AbstractBeijing will host the 2022 Winter Olympics, and China strengthens research on various aspects to allow their athletes to compete successfully in winter sport. Simultaneously, Government-directed initiatives aim to increase public participation in recreational winter sport. These parallel developments allow research to advance knowledge and understanding of the physiological determinants of performance and health related to winter sport. Winter sport athletes often conduct a substantial amount of training with high volumes of low-to-moderate exercise intensity and lower volumes of high-intensity work. Moreover, much of the training occur at low ambient temperatures and winter sport athletes have high risk of developing asthma or asthma-related conditions, such as exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. The high training volumes require optimal nutrition with increased energy and dietary protein requirement to stimulate muscle protein synthesis response in the post-exercise period. Whether higher protein intake is required in the cold should be investigated. Cross-country skiing is performed mostly in Northern hemisphere with a strong cultural heritage and sporting tradition. It is expected that innovative initiatives on recruitment and training during the next few years will target to enhance performance of Chinese athletes in classical endurance-based winter sport. The innovation potential coupled with resourcing and population may be substantial with the potential for China to become a significant winter sport nation. This paper discusses the physiological aspects of endurance training and performance in winter sport highlighting areas where innovation may advance in athletic performance in cold environments. In addition, to ensure sustainable development of snow sport, a quality ski patrol and rescue system is recommended for the safety of increasing mass participation.

Carbohydrate Use in the Flight Muscles of Manduca Sexta During Pre-Flight Warm-Up

1987 ◽  
Vol 133 (1) ◽  
pp. 317-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
BARBARA JOOS
Keyword(s):  
Manduca Sexta ◽  
Glycogen Content ◽  
Agricultural Experiment Station ◽  
Warm Up ◽  
Total Cost ◽  
Ambient Temperatures ◽  
Budget Analysis ◽  
Rutgers University ◽  
Agricultural Experiment ◽  
Flight Muscles

Although fat is the principal fuel for flight in moths and butterflies, some use of carbohydrate fuels during activity would be predicted on energetic and biochemical grounds, particularly in nectivores. The present study evaluates the use of carbohydrate fuels during pre-flight warm-up in the endothermic sphinx moth Manduca sexta (L.). Carbohydrate content of moths was measured at intermediate points during the pre-flight warm-up cycle and at take-off. Muscle glycogen content declined during the initial phases of warm-up, whereas glucose and trehalose concentrations were unchanged. Abdominal carbohydrates were not mobilized during warm-up. Energy budget analysis suggests that glycogen oxidation supplies about 39% of the energy needed for the initial phase of warm-up and about 6% of the total cost of warm-up. Glycogen use during warm-up may be correlated with the capacity for endothermic warm-up at low ambient temperatures. Carbohydrates appear to be more important as fuels for activity in some lepidopterans than has been previously reported for other members of this diverse Order. Note: Present address: Department of Entomology and Economic Zoology, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, Cook College, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA.

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