Down but Not Out: Athlete Responses to Season-Ending Injuries

This investigation sought to extend the existing scientific literature regarding the role of psychological processes in athletic injury rehabilitation. Specifically, the study examined (a) psychological responses of injured athletes to season-ending injuries, and (b) long-term benefits athletes perceived they obtained from their injuries. In-depth interviews were conducted with US Ski Team athletes (N = 21) who experienced injuries during racing seasons from 1990 to 1994. The data were analyzed using the content analysis procedures described by Scanlan, Stein, and Ravizza (1989). Relative to athletes’ reactions to being injured, 136 raw data themes were extracted which coalesced into 4 general dimensions: (a) injury-relevant information processing/awareness, (b) emotional upheaval/reactive behavior, (c) positive outlook/coping attempts, and (d) other. With respect to injury benefits, 81 raw data themes emerged and formed 4 dimensions: (a) personal growth, (b) psychologically- based performance enhancements, (c) physical-technical development, and (d) none. The results are discussed in relation to existing models of injury recovery and stress.

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Neuroprotective Role of Nutritional Supplementation in Athletes

Current Molecular Pharmacology ◽

10.2174/1874467214666211209144721 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 ◽

Author(s):

Supriya Mishra ◽

Vikram Jeet Singh ◽

Pooja A Chawla ◽

Viney Chawla

Keyword(s):

Neurodegenerative Disorders ◽

Brain Injuries ◽

Recovery Process ◽

Traumatic Brain Injuries ◽

Omega 3 ◽

Long Run ◽

Pathological Mechanism ◽

Injury Recovery

Background: Neurodegenerative disorders belong to different classes of progressive/chronic conditions that affect the peripheral/central nervous system. It has been shown through studies that athletes who play sports involving repeated head trauma and sub-concussive impacts are more likely to experience neurological impairments and neurodegenerative disorders in the long run. Aims: The aim of the current narrative review article is to provide a summary of various nutraceuticals that offer promise in the prevention or management of sports-related injuries, especially concussions and mild traumatic brain injuries. Methods: This article reviews the various potential nutraceutical agents and their possible mechanisms in providing a beneficial effect in the injury recovery process. A thorough survey of the literature was carried out in the relevant databases to identify studies published in recent years. In the present article, we have also highlighted the major neurological disorders along with the associated nutraceutical(s) therapy in the management of disorders. Results: The exact pathological mechanism behind neurodegenerative conditions is complex as well as idiopathic. However, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress as well as intracellular calcium overload are some common reasons responsible for the progression of these neurodegenerative disorders. Owing to the multifaceted effects of nutraceuticals (complementary medicine), these supplements have gained importance as neuroprotective. These diet-based approaches inhibit different pathways in a physiological manner without eliciting adverse effects. Food habits and lifestyle of an individual also affect neurodegeneration. Conclusion: Studies have shown nutraceuticals (such as resveratrol, omega-3-fatty acids) to be efficacious in terms of their neuroprotection against several neurodegenerative disorders and to be used as supplements in the management of traumatic brain injuries. Protection prior to injuries is needed since concussions or sub-concussive impacts may trigger several pathophysiological responses or cascades that can lead to long-term complications associated with CNS. Thus, the use of nutraceuticals as prophylactic treatment for neurological interventions has been proposed.

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APPLYING THE PRINCIPLES OF NEW PUBLIC MANAGEMENT TO MEASURE THE PERFORMANCE IN EDUCATION – VALUE FOR MONEY

Balkans Journal of Emerging Trends in Social Sciences ◽

10.31410/balkans.jetss.2019.2.1.50-57 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 50-57

Author(s):

Jana Štrangfeldová ◽

Štefan Hronec ◽

Jana Hroncová Vicianová ◽

Nikola Štefanišinová

Keyword(s):

Public Management ◽

New Public Management ◽

Tertiary Education ◽

Relevant Information ◽

Value For Money ◽

The Public ◽

New Public ◽

Comprehensive Measurement

Education is a key area, the results of which play an important role in the development of each society. The role of education focused on the inclusion of children into school groups, to prepare students to enter the labour market or continue their studies in the context of tertiary education is a sufficient argument to enable beginning to look for answers and possible solutions to the difficult question of the quality of schools. Constant pressure from the public forces them to monitor and improve the provision of public services, and continually enhance their own performance in order to achieve long-term existential security. These facts consequently require a comprehensive measurement of their performance. This opens up opportunities for applying the concept of Value For Money based on the principles of New Public Management. The purpose of the scientific study is to show the potential uses of Value for Money on the example of education. The suggestion of methodology of VFM to measure the performance in education presented in this study shows possibilities to measure, evaluate, monitor and achieve necessary and especially relevant information about the situation of education and subsequent decision-making not only for public forces, but also, it can be the suitable tool for public grammar schools themselves. The article is co-financed by the project VEGA 1/0651/17.

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Meaning of empowerment in peritoneal dialysis: focus groups with patients and caregivers

Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation ◽

10.1093/ndt/gfaa127 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 35 (11) ◽

pp. 1949-1958

Author(s):

Amanda Baumgart ◽

Karine E Manera ◽

David W Johnson ◽

Jonathan C Craig ◽

Jenny I Shen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Peritoneal Dialysis ◽

Focus Groups ◽

Personal Growth ◽

Patient Empowerment ◽

Self Management ◽

Conflicting Information ◽

It Education ◽

The Usa ◽

Positive Outlook

Abstract Background While peritoneal dialysis (PD) can offer patients more independence and flexibility compared with in-center hemodialysis, managing the ongoing and technically demanding regimen can impose a burden on patients and caregivers. Patient empowerment can strengthen capacity for self-management and improve treatment outcomes. We aimed to describe patients’ and caregivers’ perspectives on the meaning and role of patient empowerment in PD. Methods Adult patients receiving PD (n = 81) and their caregivers (n = 45), purposively sampled from nine dialysis units in Australia, Hong Kong and the USA, participated in 14 focus groups. Transcripts were thematically analyzed. Results We identified six themes: lacking clarity for self-management (limited understanding of rationale behind necessary restrictions, muddled by conflicting information); PD regimen restricting flexibility and freedom (burden in budgeting time, confined to be close to home); strength with supportive relationships (gaining reassurance with practical assistance, comforted by considerate health professionals, supported by family and friends); defying constraints (reclaiming the day, undeterred by treatment, refusing to be defined by illness); regaining lost vitality (enabling physical functioning, restoring energy for life participation); and personal growth through adjustment (building resilience and enabling positive outlook, accepting the dialysis regimen). Conclusions Understanding the rationale behind lifestyle restrictions, practical assistance and family support in managing PD promoted patient empowerment, whereas being constrained in time and capacity for life participation outside the home undermined it. Education, counseling and strategies to minimize the disruption and burden of PD may enhance satisfaction and outcomes in patients requiring PD.

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Effect of International Direct Investments on Jordan’s Economy

International Journal of Business and Management ◽

10.5539/ijbm.v14n2p48 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 48

Author(s):

Abdul Aziz Saymeh ◽

Marwan Mohammad Abu Orabi

Keyword(s):

Economic Growth ◽

Financial Institutions ◽

Direct Investment ◽

Relevant Information ◽

Annual Reports ◽

Short Term ◽

Foreign Investments ◽

National Economic

The main objective of this research concerns the detailed information advocated by data to the latest developments in the volume of external investments in the Kingdom and their effects on Jordan’s economic growth. The study problem stems from the challenges facing the national economy in general and the role of none Jordanian investments and their effect on upgrading the national economic growth. In this study, researchers have used the descriptive analytical methods through the financial and economic reports and other relevant information available in the annual reports and publications issued by the financial institutions via measuring the effect of international direct investment(IDI) in boosting the national gross domestic product(GDP) in Jordan for 2005-2015 period. Research hypotheses were tested by using Pearson’s correlation formula (IDI) and (GDP). The correlation negative (inverse). Analysis results revealed that the correlation between these investments are not linked to its (GDP) alone, thus, researchers have attributed it to several other variables which might have greater impact on GDP and recommend that Jordan should develop long-term strategies for investments in several productive areas characterized by investment sustainability, rather than directing investments to short-term areas seeking rapid profits. Also taking advantage lessons of successful countries in attracting foreign investments such as Malaysian, Korean and Thai experiences and should encourage specialized studies to examine further variables that might have strong impacts on Jordan's economic growth.

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Perceptions of Emotional Climate Among Injured Athletes

Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology ◽

10.1123/jcsp.3.1.1 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 1-14 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Aditi Mankad ◽

Sandy Gordon ◽

Karen Wallman

Keyword(s):

Negative Evaluation ◽

Athletic Injury ◽

Emotional Trauma ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Emotional Climate ◽

Injury Rehabilitation ◽

Exploratory Approach ◽

Team Environment ◽

Injured Athletes

The present study adopted a qualitative, exploratory approach to describe the underlying emotional climate among injured athletes within team sport environments. Nine elite athletes undergoing long-term injury rehabilitation (LTIR) participated in semi-structured interviews to describe their LTIR experience. A general inductive analysis extracted three higher-order themes: (a) emotional trauma, (b) emotional climate, and (c) emotional acting. Athletes reported experiencing emotional trauma throughout LTIR. To maintain in-group norms, they described engaging in avoidance behaviors and reported suppressing negative affect for fear of negative evaluation. They also reported frequently controlling emotions in public using acting strategies. Athletes perceived these emotionally inhibitive behaviors as encouraged within their team environment. These results have important implications for the identification and treatment of emotionally destructive behaviors that could potentially delay an athlete’s psychological rehabilitation from athletic injury.

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Unintended consequences and the problem of ensuring sustainable development

Ekonomìka ì prognozuvannâ ◽

10.15407/eip2021.04.007 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 (4) ◽

pp. 7-28

Author(s):

Volodymyr Lypov ◽

◽

Keyword(s):

Local Level ◽

Relevant Information ◽

Economic Reforms ◽

Graphical Analysis ◽

Unintended Consequences ◽

Social Effectiveness ◽

Mechanisms Of Formation ◽

The Impact

The sources, types, and mechanisms of formation and tools for minimizing "unintended consequences" of economic reforms in Ukraine are considered. "Unintended consequences" are understood as unpredictable, unintentional, indirect, and incredible consequences of actions of initiators, organizers and executors of Ukrainian reforms, which were not included in their plans but happened in reality and have have a decisive influence on the state of the national economy. The methodological basis of the study includes historical-genetic, comparative, statistical, and graphical analysis. The origins of the study of " unintended consequences" of human actions can be traced in the works of N. Machiavelli, J. B. Vico, B. Mandeville, A. Ferguson, W. Petty, A. Smith, J.-B. Sаy, K. Marx, С. Menger , W. Pareto, M. Weber, F. Hayek, and R. Merton. Prerequisites for the "unintended consequences" of economic reforms in Ukraine include insufficient competence of initiators and organizers, errors in analyzing problems due to ignoring the specifics of the current situation, focus on achieving immediate results without the possibility to calculate long-term consequences of implemented measures, underestimation of the role of basic values of national culture and the impact of disclosure of predictions on the behavior of economic entities. The types of “unintended consequences” that affected the course of economic reforms in Ukraine include those that, while remaining functional for the system, rely on latent, unconscious and unplanned factors arising from latent dysfunctions. Varieties of mechanisms for the formation of "unintended consequences" of economic reforms in Ukraine include the manifestation of the results of latent functions, self-realization of social beliefs and self-destructive beliefs. It is substantiated that the practice of mandatory preliminary testing at the local level on the basis of relevant information platforms makes it possible to eliminate shortcomings in advance, clarify and improve the implemented measures, determine their social effectiveness, and choose the best alternative. Conducting preliminary economic experiments avoids situations where, as a result of the reform, certain groups gain access to various types of rental income at the expense of society.

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Intracoronary Imaging for Assessment of Vascular Healing and Stent Follow-up in Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffolds

Current Medical Imaging Formerly Current Medical Imaging Reviews ◽

10.2174/1573405614666180604093621 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 123-134

Author(s):

Ioan Florin Ferent ◽

Andras Mester ◽

Ota Hlinomaz ◽

Ladislav Groch ◽

Michal Rezek ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Relevant Information ◽

Intracoronary Imaging ◽

Atherosclerotic Lesions ◽

Vascular Scaffolds ◽

Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffolds ◽

Procedural Guidance ◽

Stenting Procedure

Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffolds (BVS) are polymer-based materials implanted in the coronary arteries in order to treat atherosclerotic lesions, based on the concept that once the lesion has been treated, the material of the implanted stent will undergo a process of gradual resorption that will leave, in several years, the vessel wall smooth, free of any foreign material and with its vasomotion restored. However, after the first enthusiastic reports on the efficacy of BVSs, the recently published trials demonstrated disappointing results regarding long-term patency following BVS implantation, which were mainly attributed to technical deficiencies during the stenting procedure. Intracoronary imaging could play a crucial role for helping the operator to correctly implant a BVS into the coronary artery, as well as providing relevant information in the follow-up period. This review aims to summarize the role of intracoronary imaging in the follow-up of coronary stents, with a particular emphasis on the role of intravascular ultrasound and optical coherence tomography for procedural guidance during stent implantation and also for follow-up of bioabsorbable scaffolds.

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