An insight into track and field coaches’ knowledge and use of sprinting drills to improve performance

As Hyland, Lee, and Mills (2015) note, many conceptualizations of mindfulness include three characteristics. In particular, mindfulness is often defined as a state of consciousness in which an individual (a) focuses on the present moment, (b) attends to phenomena occurring both externally and internally, and (c) remains open to and accepting of observed stimuli—and thus avoids making judgments. Together, these characteristics grant insight into how mindfulness stands to improve performance in work settings. Just as directing attention to the work environment and the tasks and events associated with it can equip workers with key information for making decisions and help them identify and circumvent risks and threats, so too can attending to internal phenomena (e.g., emotions and intuitions) provide workers with useful inputs to the decisions they face (Dane, 2011). Furthermore, in refraining from making judgments and evaluations, workers are more likely to view unfolding events through a variety of lenses and are less likely to view their thoughts, feelings, and reactions as manifestations or indictments of who they are (Glomb, Duffy, Bono, & Yang, 2011). In line with these observations, researchers have hypothesized and provided evidence for positive relationships between mindfulness and the well-being and performance of workers (e.g., Allen & Kiburz, 2012; Dane & Brummel, 2014; Hülsheger, Alberts, Feinholdt, & Lang, 2013).

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The pathway to the top: Key factors and influences in the development of Australian Olympic and World Championship Track and Field athletes

International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching ◽

10.1177/1747954117694738 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 264-275 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Dianne J Huxley ◽

Donna O’Connor ◽

Paul Larkin

Keyword(s):

Track And Field ◽

Growing Up ◽

Key Factors ◽

World Championship ◽

Elite Level ◽

The Many ◽

University Degree ◽

Track And Field Athlete ◽

Insight Into

Given the many benefits of international sporting success, understanding the development and long-term sustainability of an elite sporting career has become an important pursuit worldwide. Despite decades of research little is known about the development of elite senior Australian Track and Field athletes, therefore this study aimed to understand the major influences contributing to their development and success. A Track and Field Athlete Development questionnaire was used to collect data from 73 Olympic and World Championship level athletes. Analysis indicated athletes progressed to the elite level via six different pathways; however, the majority follows a linear pathway from junior to elite senior athlete. Further, results demonstrated the key influencing factors during development included later specialization, involvement in other sports during adolescence and strong social support. In addition, growing up in a major city and completing a University degree were also common features. Overall the study provides an insight into the development and success of Australian Track and Field athletes who competed at the Olympic Games or World Championships between 1956 and 2013.

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Cost and Performance Optimisation in the Technological Phase of Parcel Delivery – A Literature Review

PROMET - Traffic&Transportation ◽

10.7307/ptt.v33i1.3439 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 33 (1) ◽

pp. 129-139

Author(s):

Ermin Muharemović ◽

Samir Čaušević ◽

Amel Kosovac ◽

Jasmina Baraković Husić

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Review Paper ◽

Great Majority ◽

Improve Performance ◽

Technology Innovations ◽

And Performance ◽

The Cost ◽

Delivery Efficiency ◽

Insight Into

The present review paper provides a systematic insight into the studies published so far when it comes to the research on the cost and performance optimisation in the parcel delivery phase. Globalisation, as well as the new trends, such as selling online, directly influences the demands for the delivery of goods. Demand for the delivery of goods proportionally affects the transport prices. A great majority of deliveries is carried out in densely populated urban areas. In terms of costs, the greatest part in the courier organisations costs is observed in the technological phase of parcel delivery, which is at the same time the least efficient. For that reason, significant improvement of performance and cost optimisation in the very delivery phase is a rather challenging field for the researchers. New algorithm-based technologies, innovations in the logistics and outsourcing of individual technological phases are ways by means of which one strives to enhance the delivery efficiency, to improve performance and quality, but also - to optimise the costs in the last phase of delivery. The aim of the present paper is to offer a systematic review into the most recent research in the field of technology, innovations and outsourcing models with the aim of reducing the cost and enhancing the productivity and quality in parcel delivery.

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Changes in Body Composition and Its Relationship to Performance in Elite Female Track and Field Athletes Transitioning to the Senior Division

Sports ◽

10.3390/sports8090115 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (9) ◽

pp. 115

Author(s):

Yuka Tsukahara ◽

Suguru Torii ◽

Fumihiro Yamasawa ◽

Jun Iwamoto ◽

Takanobu Otsuka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Composition ◽

Female Athletes ◽

International Association ◽

Upper Extremities ◽

Track And Field ◽

Whole Body ◽

Improve Performance ◽

X Ray ◽

University Level ◽

Total Body

Many elite female athletes struggle to maintain performance while transitioning from high school to university-level (senior) sports. This study explores factors of body composition that influenced performance in elite junior female track and field athletes transitioning to the senior division. Forty-two elite female track and field athletes, ranked among the top 100 in Japan, were enrolled in this study. Whole-body mode dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans were performed during the post-season of 2016 and 2017. Athletes’ performances were assessed using the International Association of Athletics Federation scoring system. Relationships between changes in performance and those in body composition were investigated. There were significant negative correlations between changes in performance and fat mass (FM), and percentage FM (FM%). This was seen in total body and lower extremities, and not in the trunk and upper extremities. In addition, there was a positive correlation between changes in performance and percentage lean mass (LM%). However, there were no correlations between changes in performance and LM and total mass. Elite female track and field athletes transitioning to senior division should decrease their FM and FM% and increase LM%, to sustain or improve performance. It is also more important to monitor changes in body composition than body mass.

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Self-directed Agents

Canadian Journal of Philosophy Supplementary Volume ◽

10.1080/00455091.2001.10715995 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 27 ◽

pp. 18-52 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

W. D. Christensen ◽

C. A. Hooker

Keyword(s):

Prey Type ◽

Improve Performance ◽

Hunger Level ◽

Interaction Processes ◽

Ground Condition ◽

Hunting Strategy ◽

Insight Into ◽

Variable Interaction

In this paper, we outline a theory of the nature of self-directed agents. What is distinctive about self-directed agents is their ability to anticipate interaction processes and to evaluate their performance, and thus their sensitivity to context. They can improve performance relative to goals, and can, in certain instances, construct new goals. We contrast self-directedness with reactive action processes that are not modifiable by the agent, though they may be modified by supra-agent processes such as populational adaptation or external design.Self-directedness lies at the nexus of issues concerning the evolution and nature of intentionality, intelligence, and agency. It provides some insight into the evolution of intelligence because it helps explain how organisms are able to manage variable interaction processes, e.g., a hunting strategy that varies with prey type, ground condition, and hunger level. Simple self-directed organisms like bumblebees manage variability in one or a few dimensions.

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New representations in genetic programming for feature construction in k-means clustering

10.26686/wgtn.13058759 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Andrew Lensen ◽

Bing Xue ◽

Mengjie Zhang

Keyword(s):

Data Mining ◽

Genetic Programming ◽

Performance Improvement ◽

Feature Construction ◽

Improve Performance ◽

Data Mining Algorithms ◽

Significant Performance ◽

International Publishing ◽

Mining Algorithms ◽

Insight Into

© Springer International Publishing AG 2017. k-means is one of the fundamental and most well-known algorithms in data mining. It has been widely used in clustering tasks, but suffers from a number of limitations on large or complex datasets. Genetic Programming (GP) has been used to improve performance of data mining algorithms by performing feature construction—the process of combining multiple attributes (features) of a dataset together to produce more powerful constructed features. In this paper, we propose novel representations for using GP to perform feature construction to improve the clustering performance of the k-means algorithm. Our experiments show significant performance improvement compared to k-means across a variety of difficult datasets. Several GP programs are also analysed to provide insight into how feature construction is able to improve clustering performance.

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Mindfulness in Sport: An Intervention for a Choking-Susceptible Athlete

Case Studies in Sport and Exercise Psychology ◽

10.1123/cssep.2019-0025 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Jenna Hussey ◽

Robert Weinberg ◽

Arash Assar

Keyword(s):

Visual Analysis ◽

Performance Enhancement ◽

Sport Performance ◽

Track And Field ◽

Negative Effects ◽

And Coping ◽

Present Case Study ◽

Insight Into

Although antecedents of choking under pressure have been studied, prevention efforts have been somewhat inconsistent. Current choking-susceptibility criteria include trait anxiety (TA), self-consciousness (SC), and coping style. In the present case study, a college track-and-field athlete was self-identified as choking susceptible (CS), and a sport-specific mindfulness intervention to reduce levels of TA, SC, and alter coping to reduce choking susceptibility was implemented. The athlete identified as CS completed the 6-wk Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement (MSPE) program. Trait and state mindfulness were assessed throughout the program, with a follow-up 6 wk postintervention to gain further insight into the continuing effects of the mindfulness training. Visual analysis and quantitative and qualitative data demonstrated increases in mindfulness levels and changes in TA, SC, and coping, resulting in the participant’s failing to meet the choking-susceptibility criteria postintervention, indicating a reduced likelihood of choking in future performances. Enhanced mindfulness levels promoted greater awareness and acceptance, which may help counter the negative effects of stressful sport performances.

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Analysis of the separation angle between the thorax and pelvis, and its association with performance in the hammer throw

International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching ◽

10.1177/1747954118787490 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 13 (6) ◽

pp. 993-1000 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sara M Brice ◽

Kevin F Ness ◽

Yvette L Everingham ◽

Doug Rosemond ◽

Lawrence W Judge

Keyword(s):

Track And Field ◽

Contributory Factor ◽

Separation Angle ◽

Improve Performance ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Double Support ◽

Strong Negative Association ◽

Release Height ◽

And Performance ◽

Positional Data

The hammer throw is perhaps one of the most misunderstood and difficult events to learn in track and field. Improvements in technique are focused on strategies designed to increase implement release velocity. The purpose of this cross-sectional investigative study was to examine the association between the angle of separation between the thorax and pelvis and performance in the hammer throw. Two male and four female throwers were used to assess positional data of the hammer, thorax, and pelvis. Hammer positional data were used to determine linear hammer speed at release, release angle, and release height. Thorax and pelvis positional data were used to determine thorax rotation relative to the pelvis (separation angle). The association between values of separation angle at key instances and performance was examined. Performance was determined by distance thrown (55.69 ± 3.42 m). Release speeds (24.32 ± 0.70 m/s) were also examined as a contributory factor towards performance and were included to account for instances where throwers released the hammer using sub-optimal release heights and angles which negatively affected distance thrown. The separation angle at its smallest within each turn was found to have a strong negative association with the performance indicators, especially in the first two turns (significant correlates ranged from −0.82 to −0.97). This finding indicates when throwers reduced the separation to a smaller value, performance was enhanced. Separation angle was at its smallest in double support. This suggests that throwers may improve performance by reducing the separation angle during double support phases.

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Clinical skills assessment in health professional educationdoi: 10.20513/2447-6595.2016v56n2p6-7

Revista de Medicina da UFC ◽

10.20513/2447-6595.2016v56n2p6-7 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 56 (2) ◽

pp. 6

Author(s):

Raquel Autran Coelho ◽

Arnaldo Aires Peixoto Júnior

Keyword(s):

Professional Education ◽

Clinical Competence ◽

Clinical Skills ◽

Skills Assessment ◽

Improve Performance ◽

Actual Performance ◽

Clinical Skills Assessment ◽

New Knowledge ◽

Insight Into ◽

Practicing Physicians

Students assessment is useful for evaluating curriculum, guiding learning and giving awareness for tutors and students about the ability to change. Most practicing physicians are involved in assessing clinical competence of trainees, peers, and other health professionals. Ideally, the assessment of competences (what the student is able to do) should provide insight into actual performance, as well as generate new knowledge and improve performance.

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The Effects of Goal-Setting Method on Goal Attributes in Athletes: A Field Experiment

Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology ◽

10.1123/jsep.19.1.1 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 1-16 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Dennis G. Fairall ◽

Wendy M. Rodgers

Keyword(s):

Field Experiment ◽

Goal Setting ◽

Past Research ◽

Track And Field ◽

Contextual Variables ◽

Improve Performance ◽

Experimental Conditions ◽

The Past ◽

Setting Process ◽

Significant Difference

Previous literature on goal setting indicates that athlete participation in the goal-setting process can improve performance (cf. Kyllo & Landers, 1995). Much of the past research, however, has been criticized for using contrived environments where the motivation and involvement of the participants is questionable. This field experiment examined the effect of three methods of goal-setting (participative, assigned, and self-set) on various goal attributes. Track and field athletes (N = 67) were randomly assigned to one of the three experimental conditions. Results of between-groups ANOVAs showed a significant difference in the perception of the amount of participation athletes perceived in each of the three conditions, indicating the success of the manipulation. Further analyses, however, revealed no advantage to the participative and self-set conditions compared to the assigned condition in terms of goal attributes. The influence of goal-setting method on other goal attributes may be spurious or due to other contextual variables.

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