Kinetic and Kinematic Characteristics of Proficient and Non-Proficient 2-Point and 3-Point Basketball Shooters

The purpose of this study was to examine kinetic and kinematic characteristics of various types of 2-point and 3-point basketball shooting approaches and determine which variables have the greatest contribution in discriminating proficient (PRO) from non-proficient (N-PRO) shooters. While standing on a force plate, twenty-nine recreationally active males performed a total of 1740 shots by utilizing stationary and step-in shooting approaches. Two high-definition cameras were used to simultaneously capture kinematic parameters of shooting motions. The type of shooting approach showed as a non-influential factor. During the preparatory phase of the shooting motion, PRO 2-point shooters demonstrated higher elbow and basketball height placements, greater flexion in the shoulder and elbow joints while attaining greater release and entry ball angles during the release phase. PRO 3-point shooters demonstrated greater elbow flexion, higher basketball placement, and less hip flexion during the preparatory phase while attaining greater heel, release, and trajectory heights during the release phase. When entered into a full-model discriminant function analysis, elbow angle, elbow height, and release angle variables correctly classified PRO from N-PRO 2-point shooters in 62.1% of cases and hip angle, heel height, and elbow angle variables correctly classified PRO from N-PRO 3-point shooters in 81.6% of cases.

Analysis of energy expenditure of skiers across the preparatory phase

Energy expenditure was calculated at rest and during physical activity by indirect calorimetry using the Oxyson Pro system in 55 highly elite skiers. The results showed that in 75% of athletes, the measured rest energy expenditure were higher than the calculated rest energy expenditure by 20% and was 2139±363 kcal/day. Daily energy expenditure was 5347±907 kcal. In the structure of rest energy expenditure the part of carbohydrates was 67 % and fats was 33%. Generally, energy expenditure was more 5000 kcal. In addition, in our study, it was observed a progressive increase of contribution of carbohydrate oxidation in energy expenditure during high-intensity exercise. Key words: energy expenditure, high-intensity exercise, carbohydrates, fats, skiers, indirect calorimetry.

Developing conflict resolution strategies and building resilient midwifery students: A mixed methods research protocol. (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Workplace bullying, and violence is a well-documented issue in the midwifery profession. Negative workplace culture, conflict and bullying are the most common forms of workplace violence experienced by midwives. Workplace violence increases the risk of midwives suffering burnout, compassion fatigue, psychological trauma, poor mental health, absenteeism, loss of passion for the midwifery profession, job dissatisfaction and poor job retention. Midwifery students describe workplace violence in the form of physical, emotional and/or verbal abuse, and bullying. Therefore, there is a justification to develop conflict resolution strategies and resilience in midwifery students prior to graduation. OBJECTIVE To develop and facilitate a bespoke education program for South Australian (SA) midwifery students, to enable them to develop skills in conflict resolution, build resilience and identify self-care strategies. METHODS This study will undertake a preparatory phase summarising the body of literature on midwifery students’ knowledge, understanding and experiences of workplace bullying, and violence. Following this a three-phase sequential mixed methods research design study will be undertaken. Phase 1 - quantitative data will be collected via a semi-structured questionnaire and a validated conflict measurement tool, prior to and after attending an education workshop, and will be analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results from Phase 1 will inform and guide the development of an interview schedule for Phase 2. Phase 2 – qualitative data will be gathered by facilitating one-to-one interviews and a thematic analysis will be undertaken to gain a deeper understanding of midwifery students experiences of workplace bullying, and violence. Phase 3 – data integration using triangulation will be undertaken, and meta inferences will be developed via the integration of results and findings from Phase 1 and 2. RESULTS The preparatory phase will commence in October 2021. Phase 1 will commence in 2022 with analysis of pre and post education results anticipated to be completed by December 2022. Phase 2 will be developed from findings of the preparatory phase and results of Phase 1. An interpretation of verbatim interview transcripts is estimated to be undertaken by April 2023. Phase 3 of the study is expected to commence in May 2023, and this will involve the analysis of collective evidence gathered from phases 1 and phase 2. The anticipated completion date for the study is December 2023. CONCLUSIONS The outcomes of this research will provide insights into the prevalence and impact of workplace bullying, and violence experienced by midwifery students. The findings of the research will report on levels of knowledge, skills, and confidence, and will assess the impact of a bespoke conflict resolution and resilience education workshop for midwifery students, in managing workplace bullying, and violence.

LAND-SUITE V1.0: a suite of tools for statistically-based landslide susceptibility zonation

In the past 50 years, a large variety of statistically-based models and methods for landslide susceptibility mapping and zonation have been proposed in the literature. The methods, applicable to a large range of spatial scales, use a large variety of input thematic data, different model combinations and several approaches to evaluate the models performance. Despite the numerous applications available in the literature, a standard approach for susceptibility modelling and zonation is still missing. The literature search revealed that several articles describe tools that apply physically based models for susceptibility zonation, but only few use statistically-based approaches. Among them, LAND-SE (LANDslide Susceptibility Evaluation) provides the possibility to perform and combine different statistical susceptibility models, and to evaluate their performances and associated uncertainties. This paper describes the structure and the functionalities of LAND-SUITE, a suite of tools for statistically-based landslide susceptibility modelling which integrate, extend and complete LAND-SE. LAND-SUITE is able to: i) facilitate input data preparation; ii) perform preliminary and exploratory analysis of the available data; iii) test different combinations of variables and select the optimal thematic/explanatory set; iv) test different model types and their combinations; and v) evaluate the models performance and uncertainty. LAND-SUITE provides a tool that can assist the user to reduce some common source of errors coming from the data preparatory phase, and to perform more easily, more flexible and more informed statistically-based landslide susceptibility applications.

Devising Strategies: Study of Issues in Anthropological Research as Faced by Graduate Students

Research in anthropology is mandatory for any graduate student. It requires fieldwork in the community. This makes anthropology a vibrant and thrilling discipline. However, the graduate students in Pakistani universities are not well versed with research and particularly with fieldwork-based research in social sciences. Although the courses taught prior to fieldwork in one way or the other attempt to train the graduate students for practical fieldwork it still is not enough if a student does not put enough effort at the preparatory or synopsis stage. The advisor role of the supervisor is also very significant during this phase. This paper brings forth only five of many challenges and problems of research and fieldwork faced by Pakistani graduate students. This paper echoes the experiences of fieldwork and anthropological research by the graduate students of anthropology in Pakistan. The major challenge identified in the preparatory phase was a selection of the research topic. The rest of the challenges are of the fieldwork, starting with the choice of ‘locale’ and willingness or reluctance of interlocutors, and leading to language and translation challenges to write the accurate findings of the research and later present the research to a larger audience. Methodology as a recurrent challenge for graduate students of anthropology is a serious concern that is reported in this paper. This paper is based on the responses from 101 graduate students of anthropology at Quaid-i-Azam University, collected during 2009-2020 in the form of written assignments.

Teaching and Training Surgeons in Robotic Colorectal Surgery

Robotic surgery is becoming more popular among practicing physicians as a new modality with improved visualization and mobility (1–2). As patients also desire minimally invasive procedures with quicker recoveries, there is a desire for new surgical residents and fellows to pursue robotic techniques in training (3–4). To develop a new colorectal robotics training program, an institution needs a well-formulated plan for the trainees and mentors with realistic expectations. The development of a robotics training program has potential obstacles, including increased initial cost, longer operative times, and overcoming learning curves. We have devised a four-phase training protocol for residents in colorectal surgical fellowship. Each of these phases attempts to create a curricular framework that outlines logical progression and sets expectations for trainees, Program Directors, and residency faculty. Phase zero begins prior to fellowship and is preparatory. Phase one focuses on an introduction to robotics with learning bedside console troubleshooting and simulation exercises. Phase Two prioritizes operative experience and safety while completing steps independently in a progressive fashion. Phase Three polishes the resident prior to graduation for future practice. We recommend frequent evaluation and open-mindedness while establishing a focused robotics program. The end goal is to graduate fellows with an equivalency certificate who can continue to practice colorectal robotic surgery.

Study Protocol of a School-Based Randomized Controlled Trial to Promote Cycling to School Among Students in Germany Using Intervention Mapping: The ACTS Project

Background: Despite a high rate of bicycle ownership, the prevalence of cycling to school among children and adolescents in Germany has been constantly low. Cycling to school can contribute to meeting the physical activity recommendations, which the majority of children and adolescents in Germany do not meet.Methods: By using intervention mapping, this study protocol describes the systematic planning process of a school-based intervention in Germany aimed to increase the number of days on which students cycle to school and to increase their physical activity levels. To make sure that the intervention will match the needs of students, we conducted a concept mapping study investigating what students need to cycle to school, as perceived by students, parents, and teachers. The logic model of change was based on an integration of the self–determination theory and the social–ecological model. We structured our intervention as two phases, a preparatory phase with weekly components for and a practical phase with a daily repeated component of the targeted behavior. In the 8-week preparatory phase, teachers, parents, and peers will be involved. The content of the 12-week practical phase will involve peers only and was considered promising based on the findings from a systematic review that we conducted to identify the effective strategies of school-based interventions to promote cycling to school among children and adolescents. Overall, our intervention includes 27 behavior change techniques. A researcher, student assistants, teachers, and other collaborators will implement the intervention; a whole-of-school approach with components performed before, during, and after school was chosen. As a study design, we decided to draft a two-arm three-level cluster randomized controlled trial. Both the effect and process evaluation were prepared. In the first instance, approximately 250 students of 12–15 years of age from grade 7 or 8, who attend a secondary school of intermediate or high educational level located in (sub)urban regions in Southern Germany, will pilot the intervention.Discussion: We expect to provide an effective and sustainable intervention for students, which gives insights into the mechanisms of change concerning the behavior of cycling to school and its influence on physical activity levels.

Impact of tobacco and/or nicotine products on health and functioning: a scoping review and findings from the preparatory phase of the development of a new self-report measure

Background Measuring self-reported experience of health and functioning is important for understanding the changes in the health status of individuals switching from cigarettes to less harmful tobacco and/or nicotine products (TNP) or reduced-risk products (RRP) and for supporting tobacco harm reduction strategies. Methods This paper presents insights from three research activities from the preparatory phase of the development of a new self-report health and functioning measure. A scoping literature review was conducted to identify the positive and negative impact of TNP use on health and functioning. Focus groups (n = 29) on risk perception and individual interviews (n = 40) on perceived dependence in people who use TNPs were reanalyzed in the context of health and functioning, and expert opinion was gathered from five key opinion leaders and five technical consultants. Results Triangulating the findings of the review of 97 articles, qualitative input from people who use TNPs, and expert feedback helped generate a preliminary conceptual framework including health and functioning and conceptually-related domains impacted by TNP use. Domains related to the future health and functioning measurement model include physical health signs and symptoms, general physical appearance, functioning (physical, sexual, cognitive, emotional, and social), and general health perceptions. Conclusions This preliminary conceptual framework can inform future research on development and validation of new measures for assessment of overall health and functioning impact of TNPs from the consumers’ perspective.

KINEMATIC DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PROFICIENT AND NON-PROFICIENT FREE THROW SHOOTERS – VIDEO ANALYSIS

Despite its importance and significant contribution to the final game outcome, the free throw shooting motion is greatly understudied. The purpose of this study was to examine kinematic differences between proficient and non-proficient free throw shooters and to determine which variables have the greatest impact on successful free throw shooting performance. Thirteen healthy recreationally active males volunteered to participate in this study. Each participant shot three sets of ten consecutive free throws from the regulation distance from the basket. Each set was performed under 3 minutes with 1-2-minute rest between each set. A high-definition camera recording at 30 fps captured the free throw shooting motion from a sagittal point of view. Video analysis software was used to analyze the following kinematic variables: knee angle, elbow angle, hip flexion, ankle flexion, release angle, shoulder angle, hand release height, and elbow height. The findings of this study suggest that lower elbow positioning influenced by greater knee, ankle, and hip flexion during the preparatory phase of the shooting motion may lead to improvements in free throw shooting accuracy. Moreover, greater ball release height and release angle, as previously suggested, could decrease the margin of error and enhance free throw shooting performance. By using these kinematic variables to create the discriminant function projection model, it is plausible that proficient free throw shooters can be accurately classified in 94% of cases.