Integration of lessons learned from 30 years of oil on water exercises, testing and training in an improved industry oil spill contingency framework

ABSTRACT On behalf of the operators on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, the Norwegian Clean Seas Association for Operating Companies (NOFO) has the responsibility for providing a documented and verified level of oil spill response, fulfilling the requirements set by the regulatory authorities for each individual production and exploration activity. To meet this responsibility and document the established oil spill preparedness, a comprehensive and cross-disciplinary project has been undertaken, integrating results and lessons learned from oil on water exercises and test facilities in the period 1985 to 2018. The structured results feed into standardized algorithms for system capability and operational windows, applicable across all combat methods in the NOFO toolbox. Through gap and sensitivity assessments, topics for R & D area prioritisation are identified. Data and information are structured in order to fit into the assessment methodology for Environmental Risk Assessments (ERA) and Spill Impact Mitigation Assessments (SIMA), and a step by step methodology for oil spill response assessments (OSRA) was developed as part of the project, facilitating standardised and comparable oil spill response plans. In addition to this standardisation and documentation process, templates for presentation of key data for oil spill response planning purposes are developed, and disseminated to a dedicated web site, as well as the NOFO Common Operating Picture GIS. In this way, a cohesive set of data and standards are available for use in assessments, planning, authority assessment and in incidents.

Effectiveness of the power and speed dry-land training in female swimmers aged 15–16

Purpose: This work aimed to define the impact of the introduction of power and speed dry-land training in female swimmers aged 15–16 on the rise of time results at a distance of 200 m and on the increase of the strength level of the muscle groups in the elbow joint. Method: The investigations were conducted on a group of 28 junior female swimmers: group 1 (aged 13–14) with speed and endurance training based on “water” exercises; group 2 (aged 15–16) with extra power and speed dry-land training. The following parameters were analyzed: time results, the moments of muscle forces in the elbow joint at the extension and flexion movements in isokinetic conditions and the ratio of the values of moments of muscle forces of flexors in relation to extensors. Results: Statistically significant differences between groups were found for the following parameters: the time results from swimming 200 m with (p < 0.001) and without using lower limbs (p = 0.031), the ratio of the moments of muscle forces of flexors to extensors (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The results of the correlation analysis show that the higher the moments of muscle forces of flexors and extensors of the elbow joint, the shorter the time obtained in swimming 200 m in the freestyle stroke.

ANALYSIS OF THE TRAINING LOAD AND FITNESS LEVEL OF RUSSIAN NATIONAL ROWING TEAM IN THE 2014-2015 SEASON

The relatively low level of Russian rowing teams’ performance at international rowing competitions reflects certain mistakes in the training process of these teams. Basing on the analysis of the best training practices, we tried to identify possible mistakes in the training process that had caused poor results of the Russian national team in the 2014-15 season. Research methods and organization. Comparative analysis of the training volume and intensity practiced by the world leading teams and the Russian rowing team in the 2014-15 season; analysis of the special fitness level of teams on the basis of literature resources and proceedings of the coach conferences of the World Rowing Federation (FISA). Results and Discussion. Analysis of the completed training loads in the 2014-15 season revealed that the Russian national rowing team executed about 57% of the water exercises and 66% of the Rowing Ergometer exercises in the 3rd and 4th zones of intensity. Rowers did not experience the loads for the development of power qualities by means of general physical training. Conclusion. The system of training of the Russian rowing team in 2014-2015 looks less effective in comparison with the system of training of world-leading national teams. The method of training of the Russian rowing national team employed in the 2014-15 season was totally different from the world standards. The above mentioned factors caused the low level of the team performance in that season due to the premature achievement of the sport fitness peak by the Russian athletes.

Cardiovascular and Perceived Effort in Different Head‐Out Water Exercises: Effect of Limbs’ Action and Resistance Equipment

The aim of this study was to compare the cardiovascular and perceived effort of head‐out water exercises selecting different limb strategies and using resistance equipment. Ten young women were randomly assigned to perform at 132 bpm during five minutes different head‐out aquatic exercises: (i) horizontal arms abduction (Ab); (ii) horizontal arms abduction with dumbbells (AbD); (iii) frontal kick (Fk); (iv) frontal kick with leggings (FkLeg), and; (v) aquatic skiing (Ski). Cardiovascular effort was measured by monitoring the heart rate, blood pressure and double product. Perceived effort was assessed by the Borg’s scale. Within‐routines comparison was computed using repeated‐ measures ANOVA followed‐up by the Bonferroni post‐hoc test. Considering the percentage of the maximal heart rate, participants reached 72.88 ± 12.90% in the FkLeg, 65.99 ± 10.91% in the Fk, 62.62 ± 7.20% in Ski, 57.27 ± 11.58% in AbD and 57.12 ± 12.09% in Ab. Comparing exercises, higher heart rates were observed in the FkLeg (140.40 bpm) than Ab (110.30 bpm) or AbD (110.00 bpm). Significant differences were found in the systolic blood pressure when compared to the Fk (120.60 mmHg) and Ab (104.50 mmHg). Double product was higher in the FkLeg (16990) showing a meaningful difference when compared to Ab (11608) or AbD (12001). The highest perceived effort was found in the FkLeg (15.80) with meaningful variations compared to Ab (11.70), the Fk (13.70) and Ski (10.40). Thus, different head‐ out water exercises result in different intensities. The actions by lower limbs promote a higher cardiovascular response, whereas the upper limbs actions trigger a lower exertion. Moreover, exercising the four limbs concurrently seems to be less intense than using only two limbs with an aid.