scholarly journals Small Step Frequency Changes Due to Footwear Condition Have No Effect on Running Economy

2018 ◽  
Vol 02 (02) ◽  
pp. E41-E45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joe Warne ◽  
Kieran Moran ◽  
Giles Warrington

AbstractThe aim of this study is to examine if small increases to step frequency associated with minimal footwear can influence Running Economy (RE). Twelve club-level runners with eight weeks of minimal footwear experience were recruited (age, 41±9 years; stature, 177.2±10.4 cm; body mass, 72.6±10.2 kg; V˙O2max, 52.1±7.5 mL·min−1·kg−1). Two 6-min RE tests, one in minimal footwear and one in conventional running shoes were performed at 11 km·h−1. Two more 6-min tests were completed during which step frequency was controlled using a metronome at the cadence of the opposite footwear condition (RErevSF). Comparisons were completed between the same footwear using repeated measures ANCOVA. The increase in step frequency for minimal footwear vs. conventional running shoes was 7.3±2.3 steps per minute (3.9% difference; 95% CI of difference [5.87 to 8.80 steps/min]; p≤0.001; Cohen’s d=0.70). No significant differences were identified between RE and RErevSF for minimal footwear (40.72±4.08 vs. 41.09±4.19 mL·min−1·kg−1; 95% CI of difference [–1.71 to 0.97]; p=0.55; Cohen’s d=0.09), or conventional running shoes (42.04±4.68 vs. 41.74±5.09 mL·min−1·kg−1; 95% CI of difference [–0.78 to 1.37]; p=0.55; Cohen’s d=0.06). Small changes in step frequency (~4%) did not have any significant impact on RE.

Author(s):  
Leonice Fumiko Sato Kurebayashi ◽  
Ruth Natalia Teresa Turrini ◽  
Talita Pavarini Borges de Souza ◽  
Carolina Felicio Marques ◽  
Renata Tavares Franco Rodrigues ◽  
...  

RESUMEN Objectives: to evaluate the effectiveness of the auricular protocol (APPA) in reducing pain and anxiety and improving the quality of life of the nursing staff of a hospital. Method: randomized clinical trial with an initial sample of 180 professionals divided into 4 groups Control (G1), Seed (G2), Needle (G3) and Tape (G4). The evaluation instruments were the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Pain Visual Analog Scale and Quality of Life instrument, applied at the start and after five and 10 sessions (five weeks). Descriptive statistics, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Cohen's d Index were used in the analysis. Results: there was a statistical difference (p < 0.05) for anxiety according to the repeated measures ANOVA, with better results for the G3 in the final assessment (Cohen's d index 1.08/17% reduction). There was a reduction of pain of 36% in G3 and 24% in G2 and a 13% increase in the mental aspect of quality of life for the G3, although without statistical significance. Conclusion: the APPA protocol reduced the anxiety levels of nursing staff after 10 sessions. Further studies are, however, suggested with new populations and in different contexts so that the results can be confirmed. RBR-5pc43m.


Sports ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 160
Author(s):  
Mark Steven Godwin ◽  
Tim Fearnett ◽  
Mark Ashton Newman

The purpose of this study was to assess the acute effect of Accentuated Eccentric Loading (AEL) on countermovement jump (CMJ) height, peak power output (PPO) and peak velocity in male professional footballers using loads of 20% or 40% of body mass (AEL20 or AEL40, respectively). Twenty-three male professional football players (age 24 ± 4.5 years, range 18–34 years; body mass 80.21 ± 8.4 kg; height 178.26 ± 7.62 cm) took part in a randomised, cross-over design to test the potentiating responses of two AEL conditions (AEL20 and AEL40) versus a body weight control group (CON). Mean loads for the two conditions were 15.84 ± 1.70 kg (AEL20) and 31.67 ± 3.40 kg (AEL40). There was no significant difference between the three conditions for jump height (p = 0.507, η2G = 0.022). There were significant differences in peak power between the groups (p = 0.001, η2G = 0.154). Post hoc analysis with Bonferroni adjustment showed significantly higher peak power for both AEL conditions compared to the control group, but no significant differences between AEL conditions (CON vs. AEL20, p = 0.029, 95% CI −1016.735, −41.815, Cohen’s d = −0.56; CON vs. AEL40, p = 0.001, 95% CI −1244.995, −270.075, Cohen’s d = −0.81; AEL20 vs. AEL40, p = 0.75, 95% CI −715.720, 259.201, Cohen’s d = −0.24). There was no significant difference between the three conditions for peak velocity (p = 0.269, η2G = 0.046). AEL using either 20% or 40% of body mass may be used to increase peak power in the countermovement jump in well-trained professional football players.


2007 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 1043-1051 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric J. Drinkwater ◽  
David G. Behm

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 22 °C local muscle temperature of intact human plantar flexors performing fatiguing contractions on evoked and voluntary contractile properties before and after fatigue. Twelve subjects were tested on plantar flexor voluntary torque, percent muscle activation derived from twitch interpolation, integrated electromyographic (iEMG) activity, and evoked torque and temporal characteristics of maximal twitch and tetanic stimulations before fatigue and 1, 5, and 10 min after intermittent, high-intensity, isometric fatigue under both normothermic and hypothermic conditions. Hypothermic and normothermic changes between time points were analysed by repeated-measures analysis of variance. Normothermic fatigue induced small to large effects (Cohen’s d: 0.29–3.06) on voluntary and evoked contractile properties, whereas most effects of unfatigued hypothermia were limited to rate-dependent processes (Cohen’s d: 0.78–1.70). Most tetanic properties were potentiated 1 min after normothermic fatigue, but remained unchanged by hypothermic fatigue, resulting in significant differences between the two conditions. Soleus iEMG significantly declined 1 min after normothermic fatigue (–29%), but not after hypothermic fatigue. Twitch torque was potentiated by 29% one minute after fatigue while normothermic, but was potentiated by 46% while hypothermic; rate of twitch torque development and time to peak twitch were potentiated by 39% and 10% while normothermic, but 89% and 28% while hypothermic. Although voluntary contractile properties are generally impaired soon after normothermic fatigue, most were not after hypothermic fatigue. Furthermore, evoked contractile properties were generally higher 1 min after hypothermic fatigue. We conclude that the hypothermic condition slows the recovery of potentiated evoked contractile properties back to baseline values.


Author(s):  
Yao Zhang ◽  
Yi Yin ◽  
Jianxiu Liu ◽  
Ming Yang ◽  
Zeshi Liu ◽  
...  

Purpose: The current study was intended to assess the effect of a facilitated behavioral intervention based on the extended theory of planned behavior (TPB) on psychological constructs and physical activity among adolescents over a period of eight weeks. Methods: Students (n = 51, 12 ± 0.3 years of age) in the seventh grade at a junior middle school in China were randomly assigned to two groups: the intervention group (n = 24) and the control group (n = 27). Both groups were pre- and post-tested with the related psychological constructs of the extended TPB, along with behavioral measures of the Physical Activity Scale and ActiGraph accelerometer (model wGT3X-BT). The intervention group took part in 45 min classes once per week for 8 weeks, including five indoor theoretical courses and three outdoor basketball matches. The control group was not required to make any change to their normal school day. Also, 2 × 2 repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to compare the differences between the two groups, and then t-test was employed to compare the independent and paired differences. Results: Significant increases in pre–post subjective norms (SN) (p = 0.041, Cohen’s d = 0.62), perceived behavior control (PBC) (p = 0.023, Cohen’s d = 0.72), exercise intention (EI) (p = 0.043, Cohen’s d = 0.61), and self-efficacy (SE) (p = 0.035, Cohen’s d = 1.36) were observed in the intervention group. In addition, participants in the intervention group increased their exercise frequency (p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 1.25) and intensity (p = 0.028, Cohen’s d = 0.68), especially their time spent on light intensity physical activity (light-PA%; p = 0.031, Cohen’s d = 0.68), and their percentage of sedentary time (SB%) was also reduced (from 68% ± 10% to 58% ± 7%, p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 1.17). Furthermore, the intervention group showed significantly better performance in PBC (p = 0.032, Cohen’s d = 0.62), EI (p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 1.32), SE (p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 1.15), SB% (p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 1.22), light-PA% (p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 1.12), and total physical activity (TPA) (p = 0.015, Cohen’s d = 0.72) compared to the control group at the post-test. No significant pre post differences were observed for any psychological or behavioral variables in the control group, except for exercise frequency, but the values were still lower than those in the intervention group after the 8-week intervention (3.70 ± 0.72 versus 3.92 ± 0.83). Conclusion: The combined theory-based intervention was effective at improving psychological constructs and physical activity among seventh-grade adolescents in 8 weeks.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 199-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Klatte ◽  
Claudia Steinbrink ◽  
Kirstin Bergström ◽  
Thomas Lachmann

Defizite in der phonologischen Informationsverarbeitung werden heute als Kernsymptom der Lese-Rechtschreibstörung betrachtet. In Trainingsstudien mit betroffenen Kindern erwiesen sich Phonemwahrnehmungsfähigkeiten als trainierbar, und Programme, in denen Aufgaben zur phonologischen Bewusstheit mit der systematischen Vermittlung von Phonem-Graphem-Zuordnungen kombiniert wurden, zeigten Transfereffekte auf Lese- und Rechtschreibleistungen. Ausgehend von diesen Erkenntnissen wurde ein computerbasiertes Trainingsprogramm zur Förderung der Phonemwahrnehmung, der phonologischen Bewusstheit und der Graphem-Phonem-Zuordnungen für deutschsprachige Grundschulkinder mit Lese-Rechtschreibstörung entwickelt. Aufgrund der besonderen Relevanz der Vokallänge für die deutsche Orthographie enthält das Programm neben Aufgaben, die auf Konsonanten fokussieren, auch Vokallängenaufgaben. Bei der Konzipierung des Programms wurden etablierte, ursprünglich für andere Sprachen entwickelte Aufgaben an die deutsche Phonologie angepasst und in ein computerbasiertes Format übersetzt. Im Rahmen der vorliegenden Studie sollte überprüft werden, ob die konstruierten Trainingsaufgaben die spezifischen Defizite von Kindern mit Lese-Rechtschreibstörung wie intendiert abbilden. Hierzu wurden leseschwache Dritt- und Viertklässler (n = 35) mit mindestens durchschnittlichen Lesern derselben Klassenstufen (n = 75; Kontrollgruppe) hinsichtlich ihrer Leistungen in den Aufgaben verglichen. Die leseschwachen Kinder zeigten in allen Aufgaben schlechtere Leistungen als die Kontrollgruppe. Die Effektstärken der Gruppenunterschiede (Cohen's d) lagen im mittleren bis hohen Bereich (0.50 – 2.19). Die Ergebnisse bestätigen, dass die Aufgaben des Trainingsprogramms die spezifischen Defizite leseschwacher Kinder abbilden. Ein Training mit diesen Aufgaben erscheint daher grundsätzlich sinnvoll. Die Wirkungen eines solchen Trainings auf die schriftsprachlichen Leistungen von Kindern mit Lese-Rechtschreibstörung werden in zukünftigen Studien überprüft.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan G. Voelkel ◽  
Dongning Ren ◽  
Mark John Brandt

The political divide is characterized by liberals and conservatives who hold strong prejudice against each other. Here we introduce one possible strategy for reducing political prejudice: political inclusion. We define political inclusion as receiving a fair chance to voice one’s opinions in a discussion of political topics with political outgroup members. This strategy may reduce political prejudice by inducing perceptions of the political outgroup as fair and respectful; however, such a strategy may also highlight conflicting attitudes and worldviews, thereby further exacerbating prejudice. In three preregistered studies (total N = 799), we test if political inclusion reduces or increases prejudice toward the political outgroup. Specifically, political inclusion was manipulated with either an imagined scenario (Study 1) or a concurrent experience in an ostensible online political discussion (Studies 2 &amp; 3). Across all studies, participants who were politically included by political outgroup members reported reduced prejudice toward their outgroup compared to participants in a neutral control condition (Cohen’s d [-0.27, -0.50]). This effect was mediated by perceptions of the political outgroup as fairer and less dissimilar in their worldviews. Our results indicate that political discussions that are politically inclusive do not cause additional prejudice via worldview conflict, but instead give others a feeling of being heard. It is a promising strategy to reduce political prejudice.


Author(s):  
Roxana Steliana Miclaus ◽  
Nadinne Roman ◽  
Ramona Henter ◽  
Silviu Caloian

More innovative technologies are used worldwide in patient’s rehabilitation after stroke, as it represents a significant cause of disability. The majority of the studies use a single type of therapy in therapeutic protocols. We aimed to identify if the association of virtual reality (VR) therapy and mirror therapy (MT) exercises have better outcomes in lower extremity rehabilitation in post-stroke patients compared to standard physiotherapy. Fifty-nine inpatients from 76 initially identified were included in the research. One experimental group (n = 31) received VR therapy and MT, while the control group (n = 28) received standard physiotherapy. Each group performed seventy minutes of therapy per day for ten days. Statistical analysis was performed with nonparametric tests. Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test showed that both groups registered significant differences between pre-and post-therapy clinical status for the range of motion and muscle strength (p < 0.001 and Cohen’s d between 0.324 and 0.645). Motor Fugl Meyer Lower Extremity Assessment also suggested significant differences pre-and post-therapy for both groups (p < 0.05 and Cohen’s d 0.254 for the control group and 0.685 for the experimental group). Mann-Whitney results suggested that VR and MT as a therapeutic intervention have better outcomes than standard physiotherapy in range of motion (p < 0.05, Cohen’s d 0.693), muscle strength (p < 0.05, Cohen’s d 0.924), lower extremity functionality (p < 0.05, Cohen’s d 0.984) and postural balance (p < 0.05, Cohen’s d 0.936). Our research suggests that VR therapy associated with MT may successfully substitute classic physiotherapy in lower extremity rehabilitation after stroke.


Author(s):  
Jieling Chen ◽  
Cho Lee Wong ◽  
Bernard Man Hin Law ◽  
Winnie Kwok Wei So ◽  
Doris Yin Ping Leung ◽  
...  

Summary Pneumoconiosis is a common occupational lung disease among construction workers. Educational interventions targeting specific ethnic groups of construction workers are of benefit for pneumoconiosis prevention. The aim of this study was to develop a multimedia educational intervention for pneumoconiosis prevention for South Asian construction workers, and to evaluate its feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness in increasing knowledge of pneumoconiosis, modifying beliefs about pneumoconiosis, and enhancing intention to implement measures for its prevention among the workers. This evaluation was performed using the Reach-Effectiveness-Adoption-Implementation-Maintenance framework. A one-group design was adopted and intervention mapping was used to guide the process of intervention development, while the Health Belief Model guided the development of intervention content. The intervention was delivered at construction sites, ethnic minority associations and South Asian community centres. Data were collected via surveys completed at pre-intervention, post-intervention and 3 months after the intervention. A total of 1002 South Asian construction workers participated in the intervention. The participants reported a moderate-to-large increase in knowledge, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, cues to action and self-efficacy (Cohen’s d: 0.37–0.89), a small reduction in perceived barriers (Cohen’s d = 0.12) and a moderate improvement in attitudes and intention to practice (Cohen’s d: 0.45, 0.51) at post-intervention. A follow-up survey of 121 participants found that the implementation of preventive measures appeared to increase. Overall, the findings demonstrate that the implementation of a culturally adapted multimedia educational intervention could be an effective approach to improving knowledge, self-efficacy and intention regarding pneumoconiosis prevention among South Asian construction workers.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika S. Mellem ◽  
Matt Kollada ◽  
Jane Tiller ◽  
Thomas Lauritzen

Abstract Background Heterogeneity among patients’ responses to treatment is prevalent in psychiatric disorders. Personalized medicine approaches—which involve parsing patients into subgroups better indicated for a particular treatment—could therefore improve patient outcomes and serve as a powerful tool in patient selection within clinical trials. Machine learning approaches can identify patient subgroups but are often not “explainable” due to the use of complex algorithms that do not mirror clinicians’ natural decision-making processes. Methods Here we combine two analytical approaches—Personalized Advantage Index and Bayesian Rule Lists—to identify paliperidone-indicated schizophrenia patients in a way that emphasizes model explainability. We apply these approaches retrospectively to randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial data to identify a paliperidone-indicated subgroup of schizophrenia patients who demonstrate a larger treatment effect (outcome on treatment superior than on placebo) than that of the full randomized sample as assessed with Cohen’s d. For this study, the outcome corresponded to a reduction in the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score which measures positive (e.g., hallucinations, delusions), negative (e.g., blunted affect, emotional withdrawal), and general psychopathological (e.g., disturbance of volition, uncooperativeness) symptoms in schizophrenia. Results Using our combined explainable AI approach to identify a subgroup more responsive to paliperidone than placebo, the treatment effect increased significantly over that of the full sample (p < 0.0001 for a one-sample t-test comparing the full sample Cohen’s d = 0.82 and a generated distribution of subgroup Cohen’s d’s with mean d = 1.22, std d = 0.09). In addition, our modeling approach produces simple logical statements (if–then-else), termed a “rule list”, to ease interpretability for clinicians. A majority of the rule lists generated from cross-validation found two general psychopathology symptoms, disturbance of volition and uncooperativeness, to predict membership in the paliperidone-indicated subgroup. Conclusions These results help to technically validate our explainable AI approach to patient selection for a clinical trial by identifying a subgroup with an improved treatment effect. With these data, the explainable rule lists also suggest that paliperidone may provide an improved therapeutic benefit for the treatment of schizophrenia patients with either of the symptoms of high disturbance of volition or high uncooperativeness. Trial Registration: clincialtrials.gov identifier: NCT 00,083,668; prospectively registered May 28, 2004


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