Relation between work stress and job performance in nursing: A comparison of models

Multilevel covariance structure analysis was used to compare two theoretical models that have been proposed to explain the relation between job demand and job control on nursing performance. A key feature of both models is that high job demand and low job control influences the nurses mood state (or state of stress), and this results in reduced nursing performance. Objective measures of job demand and level of control were collected at the level of the hospital ward; measures of perceived job demand, job control, mood state, and nursing performance related to individual nurses within each ward. The modeling provided evidence that both perceived job demand and perceived job control influenced both anxiety and emotional exhaustion, enabling us to reject 1 of the proposed models.     

Isoperformance curves: An application in team selection

Abstract

An isoperformance curve (or surface) defines combinations of two (or more) physiological attributes of individuals such that equal performances for a specified event would be expected of them. Parameters from the two- and three-parameter critical power models are used to illustrate the concept. There are a number of sporting races where teams of individuals compete simultaneously as a unit. Rowing and team pursuit cycling are two well-known examples. Team selection may be difficult if there are more candidates available than places in the team. Based on the assumption that team members should be evenly matched with respect to performance rather than physiological attributes, proximity to a particular isoperformance curve (or surface) may suggest an obvious grouping of individuals. Isoperformance lines also enable identification of an athlete's individual training needs, since the components of the isoperformance lines can be affected by specific training interventions.     

To me,to you: How you say things matters for endurance performance

ABSTRACT

Self-talk enhances physical performance. Nothing is known however about the way that a subtle grammatical difference in self-talk, using first or second person pronouns, may effect performance. As second person self-talk supports self-regulation in non-exercise populations, we hypothesized that 10 km cycling time-trial performance would be superior following second versus first person self-talk. Using a randomized, counterbalanced, crossover design, sixteen physically active males (M_age = 21.99, SD = 3.04 years) completed a familiarization visit followed by a 10 km time-trial during two separate experimental visits using first and second person self-talk. A paired t-test revealed that second person self-talk generated significantly faster time-trial performance than first person self-talk (p = .014). This was reflected in a significantly greater power output throughout the time-trial when using second person self-talk (p = .03), despite RPE remaining similar between conditions (p = .75). This is the first evidence that strategically using grammatical pronouns when implementing self-talk can influence physical performance providing practitioners with a new aspect to consider when developing interventions. We discussed findings in the context of a self-distancing phenomenon induced by the use second person pronouns.     

Goal Orientation and the Modeling Process: An Individual's Focus on Form and Outcome

Abstract

One's achievement goal orientation (e.g., task, ego) is suggested to reflect a differential focus on skill mastery and performance outcome (Duda, 1992). Goal orientation has further been suggested to be an important observer characteristic in the observational learning of motor skills (McCullagh, Weiss, & Ross, 1989). This study assessed the relationship between goal orientation and a focus on form and outcome aspects of a motor skill demonstration with college students (N = 30) having low perceived ability, knowledge, and experience in tennis. Participants viewed several videotaped demonstrations of a correctly performed tennis forehand and then visual recognition and verbal recall accuracy of form and outcome task characteristics were assessed. A canonical correlation analysis revealed a nonsignificant relationship between goal orientation and recall and recognition of form and outcome task characteristics. These results provide preliminary evidence to suggest that goal orientation may not be an important observer characteristic in the learning phase of the modeling process. Also, achievement goal orientations may not be associated with a differential focus on skill mastery or performance outcome but instead remain a reflection of divergent processes of success evaluation.     

Physiological responses to 1000-m ergometer time-trial performance in outrigger canoeing

Abstract

Graded exercise tests are commonly used to assess peak physiological capacities of athletes. However, unlike time trials, these tests do not provide performance information. The aim of this study was to examine the peak physiological responses of female outrigger canoeists to a 1000-m ergometer time trial and compare the time-trial performance to two graded exercise tests performed at increments of 7.5 W each minute and 15 W each two minutes respectively. 17 trained female outrigger canoeists completed the time trial on an outrigger canoe ergometer with heart rate (HR), stroke rate, power output, and oxygen consumption ([Vdot]O₂) determined every 15 s. The mean (± s) time-trial time was 359 ± 33 s, with a mean power output of 65 ± 16 W and mean stroke rate of 56 ± 4 strokes · min^?1. Mean values for peak [Vdot]O₂, peak heart rate, and mean heart rate were 3.17 ± 0.67 litres · min^?1, 177 ± 11 beats · min^?1, and 164 ± 12 beats · min^?1 respectively. Compared with the graded exercise tests, the time-trial elicited similar values for peak heart rate, peak power output, peak blood lactate concentration, and peak [Vdot]O₂. As a time trial is sport-specific and can simultaneously quantify sprint performance and peak physiological responses in outrigger canoeing, it is suggested that a time trial be used by coaches for crew selection as it doubles as a reliable performance measure and a protocol for monitoring peak aerobic capacity of female outrigger canoeists.     

Effects of Sit up Exercise Training on Adipose Cell Size and Adiposity

Abstract

The present experiment evaluated the effects of a 27-day sit up exercise training program on adipose cell size and adiposity. Fat biopsies were taken from the abdomen, subscapular, and gluteal sites by needle aspiration in 13 experimental and 6 control male subjects before and after a five days/week progressive training regimen. Day 1 consisted of 10 bouts of 10-sec exercise, 7 sit ups/bout, with 10-sec rest intervals; on day 27, 14 bouts of 30-sec exercise were performed, 24 sit ups/bout with 10-sec rest intervals. The total number of sit ups done was 5004. Fat cells were isolated using collagenase and photographed to determine cell diameter. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant decreases in cell diameter at the three biopsy sites (p<.01), but no significant differences in the rate of change (pre to post) in cell diameter between sites for the experimental and control groups (p>.05). Body weight, total body fat (underwater weighing), and fatfolds and girths remained unaltered. The results demonstrate that (1) the conventional sit up exercise does not preferentially reduce adipose cell size or subcutaneous fat thickness in the abdominal region to a greater extent compared to other adipose sites, and (2) significant changes in fat cell size may occur in the absence of changes in fatfolds, girths or total body composition.     

Reliability and validity of two tests of soccer skill

Abstract

Twenty-four players from the 1st/2nd (elite) and 24 players from the 3rd/4th (non-elite) university football teams were recruited to evaluate the Loughborough Soccer Passing Test (LSPT) and Loughborough Soccer Shooting Test (LSST) as tools to assess soccer skill. The LSPT requires players to complete 16 passes as quickly as possible. The LSST requires players to pass, control, and shoot the ball to targets on a full-sized goal. Participants completed two main trials each separated by at least one day. During both trials, the participants were given practice efforts before recording the mean of the next two (LSPT) or 10 (LSST) attempts as the performance score. For the LSPT, the mean time taken, added penalty time, and overall performance time were less in the elite players (elite: 43.6 s, s = 3.8; non-elite: 52.5 s, s = 7.4; P = 0.0001). For the LSST, there was no difference in the mean points scored per shot between groups (elite: 1.34, s = 0.46; non-elite: 1.28, s = 0.53). However, the elite players had higher mean shot speed (elite: 80 km · h^?1, s = 4.5; non-elite: 74 km · h^?1, s = 4.2; P < 0.0001) and performed each shot sequence faster (elite: 7.87 s, s = 0.29; non-elite: 8.07 s, s = 0.35; P = 0.037) than the non-elite players. Performance on both tests was more repeatable in elite players. In conclusion, the LSPT and LSST are valid and reliable protocols to assess differences in soccer skill performance.