scholarly journals Comparing the Effects of Different Body Armour Systems on the Occupational Performance of Police Officers

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben Schram ◽  
Robin Orr ◽  
Rodney Pope ◽  
Ben Hinton ◽  
Geoff Norris
Keyword(s):  
Task Performance ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Occupational Performance ◽  
Repeated Measures Design ◽  
Body Armour ◽  
Occupational Tasks ◽  
Within Subjects ◽  
Step Down ◽  
Occupational Task

Policing duties may inherently be dangerous due to stab, blunt trauma and ballistic threats. The addition of individual light armour vests (ILAVs) has been suggested as a means to protect officers. However, the addition of the extra load of the ILAV may affect officer ability to conduct occupational tasks. The purpose of this study was to determine if wearing any of 3 different ILAVs (ILAV A, ILAV B, & ILAV C) affected occupational task performance when compared to that in normal station wear. A prospective, within-subjects repeated measures design was employed, using a counterbalanced randomization in which each ILAV was worn for an entire day while officers completed a variety of occupationally relevant tasks. These tasks included a victim drag, car exit and 5 meter sprint, step down and marksmanship task. Results showed that performance in each task did not vary between any of the ILAV or normal station wear conditions. There was less variability in the marksmanship task with ILAV B, however. The results suggest that none of the ILAVs used in this study were heavy enough to significantly affect task performance in the assessed tasks when compared to wearing normal station wear.

scholarly journals The Use of Fitness Testing to Predict Occupational Performance in Tactical Personnel: A Critical Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (14) ◽  
pp. 7480
Author(s):  
Robin Orr ◽  
Takato Sakurai ◽  
Jordan Scott ◽  
Jason Movshovich ◽  
J. Jay Dawes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Task Performance ◽  
Cardiovascular Fitness ◽  
Fitness Testing ◽  
Occupational Performance ◽  
Occupational Tasks ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Fitness Tests ◽  
Critical Appraisal Skills ◽  
High Level ◽  
Occupational Task

Tactical personnel work in an occupation that involves tasks requiring a high level of cardiovascular fitness as well as muscular strength and endurance. The aim of this literature review was to identify and critique studies investigating the relationship between physical fitness, quantified by fitness assessment measures, and occupational task performance. Databases were searched for relevant articles which assessed a fitness measure and a measure of occupational performance. A total of 15 articles were included and were deemed to be of acceptable methodological quality (8.4/12 on the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist). Included articles assessed a variety of fitness attributes and occupational tasks. Across tactical groups, there appear to be no standardized fitness tests that can determine occupational performance, with aerobic fitness, anaerobic fitness, strength, endurance, power, and agility all being associated with occupational task performance. A wide range of fitness assessments appears to be required to predict occupational performance within tactical personnel. Efforts should be made to base fitness assessments on occupational demands unique to both the environment and requirements of each individual tactical unit.

Temporal Changes in Depression Symptoms in Male and Female Collegiate Student-Athletes

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 337-351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsey C. McGuire ◽  
Yvette M. Ingram ◽  
Michael L. Sachs ◽  
Ryan T. Tierney
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Student Athletes ◽  
Severe Depression ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Depression Symptom ◽  
Significant Interaction Effect ◽  
Repeated Measures Design ◽  
Temporal Course ◽  
Clinical Benefits ◽  
Within Subjects

Depression rates in collegiate student-athletes in the literature are varied and inconclusive, and data have only explored depression symptoms utilizing a crosssectional design. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the temporal course of depression symptoms in student-athletes. Student-athletes (N = 93) from a Division II institution completed six administrations of a brief depression symptom screen once every 2 weeks throughout the fall athletic season. Ten (10.8%) student-athletes’ PHQ-9 surveys were red-flagged for moderate to severe depression symptoms at least once throughout the season. A mixed between-within subjects analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a significant interaction effect for time and sex in depression symptom scores, F(3.69, 335.70) = 10.36, p ≤ .001. The repeated-measures design of this study suggests that there are clinical benefits for screening for depression symptoms in student-athletes at multiple intervals throughout an athletic season.

Effects of an Unstable Shoe Construction on Standing Balance in Children with Developmental Disabilities: A Pilot Study

2008 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 422-433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nerrolyn Ramstrand ◽  
Christina Björk Andersson ◽  
David Rusaw
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Force Plate ◽  
Developmentally Disabled ◽  
Static Balance ◽  
Disabled Children ◽  
Repeated Measures Design ◽  
Directional Control ◽  
Within Subjects ◽  
Reactive Balance

This study aimed to investigate if prolonged use of shoes incorporating an unstable sole construction could facilitate improvements of balance in a sample of developmentally disabled children. Ten children (six male and four female) aged between 10 and 17 years participated in the study. Children were fitted with shoes incorporating an unstable sole (Masai Barefoot Technology®) and instructed to wear them for a minimum of two hours per day for eight weeks. A within subjects repeated measures design was used. Children were tested prior to receiving the shoes, four weeks after receiving the shoes and eight weeks after receiving the shoes. A force plate capable of rotating about a single axis (NeuroCom International Inc, Oregon) was used to test static balance, reactive balance and directional control. Static balance was not found to be influenced by prolonged use of the footwear; however, significant improvements were noted in children's reactive balance both with the shoes and barefoot. Results suggest that reactive balance can be improved by prolonged and regular use of shoes incorporating an unstable sole construction.

Comparison of music stimuli to support mindfulness meditation

2019 ◽  
pp. 030573561987849 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abbey L Dvorak ◽  
Eugenia Hernandez-Ruiz
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Mindfulness Meditation ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Auditory Stimuli ◽  
Harmonic Progression ◽  
Repeated Measures Design ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Within Subjects ◽  
Mindful Attention Awareness Scale ◽  
Post Hoc

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of and preference for different auditory stimuli in supporting mindfulness meditation. Undergraduate non-musicians ( N = 57) listened to four different auditory stimuli guiding them in a mindfulness meditation: script only (i.e., Script), steady beat (i.e., Beat), beat and harmonic progression (i.e., Harmony), and beat, harmony, and melody (i.e., Melody). This study used a within-subjects repeated-measures design with the four conditions counterbalanced and randomized across participants. Participants rated responses using the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), completed the Absorption in Music Scale (AIMS), and ranked auditory stimuli according to preference and usefulness for mindfulness meditation. A repeated-measures analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) on the MAAS scores, using the AIMS as a covariate, indicated no statistically significant difference between auditory stimuli. However, with the AIMS removed, the analysis revealed significant differences between stimuli, indicating that levels of absorption in music may moderate participants’ responses to auditory stimuli for mindfulness meditation. Friedman analyses of variance (ANOVAs) and post hoc analyses indicated that participant rankings of usefulness and preference were significantly different among conditions, with the Melody and Harmony conditions ranked highest.

Effects of Active Versus Static Standing on Short-Duration Computer Task Performance, Postural Risks, Perceived Pain, Comfort and Fatigue

2017 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 440-444
Author(s):  
Gourab Kar ◽  
Sanjay Guria ◽  
Kathryn S. Peditto ◽  
Jacqueline R. Callan ◽  
Andrea E. Fronsman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Task Performance ◽  
Short Duration ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Entire Body ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Perceived Pain ◽  
Within Subjects ◽  
Computer Based ◽  
Rapid Entire Body Assessment ◽  
Computer Tasks

This study evaluated the effects of active versus static standing on short-duration computer task performance, postural risks and perceived pain, comfort and fatigue. A repeated measures, within-subjects study was conducted in which 16 participants performed 40 trials of a computer-based homing task in two active standing versus a static standing condition. Computer task performance was operationalized using mousing and typing speed as the measures; postural risk was evaluated using the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA). Perceived scores for pain, comfort and fatigue were reported through a survey administered at baseline and after each standing task condition. Results suggest that for short-duration computer tasks, there was no significant difference in typing speed between active and static standing. However, mousing speed was significantly higher in static standing compared to a specific active standing condition. Overall levels of perceived pain, comfort and fatigue did not differ significantly between active and static standing.

Effects of Active Sitting Chairs on Short-Duration Computer Task Performance, Postural Risks, Perceived Pain, Comfort and Fatigue

2017 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 435-439
Author(s):  
Gourab Kar ◽  
Kathryn S. Peditto ◽  
Sanjay Guria ◽  
Jacqueline R. Callan ◽  
Andrea E. Fronsman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Task Performance ◽  
Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽  
Short Duration ◽  
Upper Limb ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Task Condition ◽  
Perceived Pain ◽  
Within Subjects ◽  
Computer Based ◽  
Computer Tasks

This study evaluated the effects of active and static sitting chairs on short-duration computer task performance, postural risks and perceived pain, comfort and fatigue. A repeated-measures, within-subjects study was conducted, in which 16 participants performed 40 trials of a computer-based homing task in four seating conditions. Computer task performance was operationalized using mousing and typing speed as the measures, postural risk was evaluated using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA). Perceived scores for pain, comfort and fatigue were reported through a survey administered at baseline and after each seated task condition. Results suggest that for short-duration computer tasks, active seating does not reduce mousing and typing speed; postural risks for musculoskeletal disorders do not significantly differ in comparison to static seating. Additionally, while there is reduction in perceived levels of comfort for active seating, the perception of pain and fatigue do not change significantly.

Quantifying Bilateral Joint Contributions during Three Variations of the Step Exercise

2006 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 254-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean P. Flanagan ◽  
Kara M. Kessans ◽  
George J. Salem
Keyword(s):  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Outcome Measure ◽  
Joint Torque ◽  
Biomechanical Analysis ◽  
Main Outcome Measure ◽  
Repeated Measures Design ◽  
Type Design ◽  
Step Down

Context:Information regarding how the mechanical demand differs with variants of the step exercise may be used by clinicians to more appropriately prescribe lower-extremity exercise.Objective:To quantify the joint torque contributions of the lower extremity during three different step exercises: forward step-up (FS), lateral step-up (LS), and step-down (SD).Design:An experiment with a repeated measures design.Setting:Biomechanics laboratory.Participants:18 healthy subjects (9 men, 9 women, age 25.67 ± 4.23 years, height 1.73 ± 0.10 meters, mass 72.73 ± 10.67 kilograms).Intervention:Participants performed three sets of three repetitions of each exercise while instrumented for biomechanical analysis.Main Outcome Measure:Mechanical effort of the hip, knee, and ankle of both limbs during each exercise.Results:The greatest contribution from the hip was required during the FS, while the contribution from the knee was required during the SD. The greatest contribution from the ankle was required during the LS and SD.Conclusion:Choice of step exercise results in different distributions of mechanical demand across the lower extremities.

scholarly journals Assessing Information Integration Processes Using Between- or Within-Subjects Designs: Some More Evidence

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Gérard Chasseigne ◽  
Maria Teresa Muñoz Sastre ◽  
Paul CLay Sorum ◽  
Etienne Mullet
Keyword(s):  
Information Integration ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Limited Range ◽  
Integration Theory ◽  
Order Effects ◽  
Repeated Measures Design ◽  
Information Integration Theory ◽  
New Findings ◽  
Valuation Process ◽  
Within Subjects

Within-subject designs (WSDs) remain unappreciated in psychology although many experimental tactics can reduce or eliminate the demand and order effects that WSDs tend to create. Comparative studies conducted in the Information Integration Theory (IIT) framework have shown that patterns of results observed using WSDs can largely be replicated using between-subject designs (BSDs). In order to add evidence to these findings, three additional studies were conducted in order to complement data obtained in previous studies. One of these studies was about health risk perception and tested the possibility to find evidence for a disjunctive rule of information integration using a BSD. The other two studies focused on the valuation process of IIT. The new findings regarding the disjunctive rule added support to the view that equivalent results can be obtained either with a highly economical repeated-measures design or with a much costlier independent factorial group arrangement. However, when the focus was on the valuation process and not on the integration process, ratings obtained in the BSD condition seemed to be restricted to a limited range of values by comparison with ratings obtained in the WSD condition. An explanation in terms of context effect is offered.

scholarly journals Effect of Stimulus Polarity on Physiological Spread of Excitation in Cochlear Implants

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (09) ◽  
pp. 786-798 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily R. Spitzer ◽  
Michelle L. Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Cochlear Implants ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Spatial Separation ◽  
Compound Action Potential ◽  
Mean Amplitude ◽  
Repeated Measures Design ◽  
Electrode Location ◽  
Current Pulses ◽  
Spread Of Excitation ◽  
Within Subjects

AbstractContemporary cochlear implants (CIs) use cathodic-leading, symmetrical, biphasic current pulses, despite a growing body of evidence that suggests anodic-leading pulses may be more effective at stimulating the auditory system. However, since much of this research on humans has used pseudomonophasic pulses or biphasic pulses with unusually long interphase gaps, the effects of stimulus polarity are unclear for clinically relevant (i.e., symmetric biphasic) stimuli.The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of stimulus polarity on basic characteristics of physiological spread-of-excitation (SOE) measures obtained with the electrically evoked compound action potential (ECAP) in CI recipients using clinically relevant stimuli.Using a within-subjects (repeated measures) design, we examined the differences in mean amplitude, peak electrode location, area under the curve, and spatial separation between SOE curves obtained with anodic- and cathodic-leading symmetrical, biphasic pulses.Fifteen CI recipients (ages 13–77) participated in this study. All were users of Cochlear Ltd. devices.SOE functions were obtained using the standard forward-masking artifact reduction method. Probe electrodes were 5–18, and they were stimulated at an 8 (of 10) loudness rating (“loud”). Outcome measures (mean amplitude, peak electrode location, curve area, and spatial separation) for each polarity were compared within subjects.Anodic-leading current pulses produced ECAPs with larger average amplitudes, greater curve area, and less spatial separation between SOE patterns compared with that for cathodic-leading pulses. There was no effect of polarity on peak electrode location.These results indicate that for equal current levels, the anodic-leading polarity produces broader excitation patterns compared with cathodic-leading pulses, which reduces the spatial separation between functions. This result is likely due to preferential stimulation of the central axon. Further research is needed to determine whether SOE patterns obtained with anodic-leading pulses better predict pitch discrimination.

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