Analysis of Muscle Force-Velocity Parameter Changes in Elderly Women Resulting from Physical Activity—In Continuous Examinations

The aim of the paper was to evaluate changes in muscle force-velocity parameters (F-v) in elderly women subjected to physical exercise. The examinations encompassed 20 women, aged 62–71, who were students at the University of the Third Age in Wroc?aw. The evaluation of flexors and extensors of the knee joint, as well as flexors and extensors of the spine within the lumbar part, was performed under isokinetic conditions. The assessment was conducted three times: first, a preliminary evaluation; second, after four months of rehabilitation, which included march training and systemic exercises; third, was performed after another 12 months, during which the patients were subjected to various forms of individually selected physical activity. The examinations of muscles affecting the knee joint revealed that the results achieved in the second measurement, performed with load of 60°/s, revealed higher values than in the first examination and were similar or higher in the third examination. With a load of 180°/s, values achieved in the second measurement were higher than results from the first measurement and were mostly lower than registered in the measurement.

The highest values of parameters F-v for flexors and extensors of the lumbar part of the spine were registered in third examination. The results were about 20% higher than achieved within measurements 1 and 2. The increase and maintenance of muscular fitness in elderly women is possible only if a load applied exceeds threshold values and is applied for a long time.     

Two- and Three-Year Achievement Results From the Memphis Restructuring Initiative

The purpose of this study was to analyze student achievement data from the first 3 years of the Memphis Restructuring Initiative (MRI). The MRI represents one of the first efforts by an urban school district to move past traditional top-down versus bottom-up reform debates by providing systemic support for outside-in/inside-out implementation and local co-construction of externally-developed reform designs in schools. Analyses of academic achievement focus on a state-of-the-art measure of value added assessments. At the end of 3 years the reforming schools had produced generally positive gains relative to locally matched control schools. Those results varied somewhat by reform type and by level of poverty in the communities being served. Based on the research methods used and the results, implications for future research and practice in educational reform are discussed.     

Strategies for Achieving Gender Equality in Higher Education and Research in Norway

The vision behind the work of the gender equality advisors in Norwegian universities and the Research Council of Norway is that of full equality between women and men in all areas and at all levels of the sector of higher education. The Network of Gender Equality Advisors in Higher Education and Research was formed in 1994. Both good and less good news can be reported on the work accomplished so far. A double strategy is applied to tackle gender inequality: mainstreaming and special commitment.