HOW PASTORS LEARN THE POLITICS OF MINISTRY PRACTICE

Politics are a daily reality in the ministry. In order to identify how pastors develop their political knowledge, eleven pastors were interviewed using a qualitative form of the critical incidents technique.     

Whole-body and multi-joint kinematic control strategy variability during backward rotating dismounts from beam

The aim of this study was to develop insight into the whole-body and multi-joint kinematic control strategy variability associated with the execution of fundamental backward rotating dismounts from beam. Two-dimensional joint centre coordinate data were obtained for ten backward piked and backward tucked somersault dismount skills performed by four female gymnasts (N = 80 trials). Gymnast-specific and group variability in whole-body and multi-joint discrete kinematic measures were compared for the aerial and impact phase of backward piked and backward tucked skills. The backward tucked skill was executed using a more variable knee joint angular velocity at take-off (mean difference in standard deviation ± SD: -2.6 ± 1.0 rad · s(-1); P < 0.01) than the backward piked skill. The variability in the whole-body and multi-joint kinematic responses produced between the impact phases of each skill was gymnast-specific. The greater variability in the localized knee joint action at take-off was considered indicative of the diverse shape element demands and key performance outcomes of the two skills. Self-selected modulations to the multi-joint kinematic strategy used in the impact phase suggested customization of the joint loading adjustments in executing the fundamental dismount skills.     

Accumulating short bouts of running reduces resting blood pressure in young normotensive/pre-hypertensive men

In this study, we compared the effects of accumulated and continuous running on resting arterial blood pressure. Ten normotensive/pre-hypertensive men, aged 25.0 ± 4.2 years (mean ± s), participated in three 2-day trials at least one week apart in a randomized, repeated-measures design. On Day 1, participants rested (control) or ran at 70% of maximum oxygen uptake in either ten 3-min bouts (30 min rest between bouts) or one continuous 30-min bout. On Day 2, participants rested throughout the day. Blood pressure was measured at hourly intervals throughout Days 1 and 2. Mean resting systolic blood pressure on Day 2 was 6% lower during the accumulated and continuous running trials compared with the control trial (110 ± 6 vs. 110 ± 8 vs. 117 ± 6 mmHg respectively; P < 0.05), but there were no differences in resting diastolic blood pressure among the three trials (70 ± 7 vs. 69 ± 6 vs. 70 ± 5 mmHg respectively). These findings demonstrate that accumulating 30 min of running throughout the day in short bouts is as effective as 30 min of continuous running for reducing resting systolic blood pressure on the next day in young normotensive/pre-hyptertensive men.     

Recall agreement between actual and retrospective reports of competitive anxiety: a comparison of intensity and frequency dimensions

Using a mixed-method design, we compared athletes' abilities to recall intensity and frequency of competitive anxiety. In Phase 1, performers (n = 35) completed the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (Martens, Burton, Vealey, Bump, & Smith, 1990) at four pre-competition and four post-competition intervals to compare actual and recalled responses. In Phase 2, follow up interviews (n = 6) explored the perceived mechanisms underpinning the quantitative results. Limits of agreement (Bland & Altman, 1999) analysis on the quantitative data indicated that, compared with intensity, memory for frequency was generally more reliable, and recall ability of this dimension was less biased for symptoms that occurred earlier in the week. Inductive analysis of the qualitative interviews suggested athletes were more attuned to the frequency rather than the intensity of their competitive anxiety symptoms. These findings provide support for the notion that the frequency of symptoms may act as a precursor for increasing anxiety levels and this dimension may be a more accurate reflection of experienced symptoms when recalling emotional accounts. The implications are that researchers and practitioners need to consider frequency in addition to intensity when seeking to manage anxiety responses during the time preceding competition.     

Influence of longswing technique on the kinematics and key release parameters of the straddle Tkachev on uneven bars

Tkachev on uneven bars is a release and re-grasp skill performed using variations of preparatory longswing techniques; the reasons why different techniques are chosen remains unclear. This study examined kinematic and key release parameters specific to three distinct techniques with the aim of understanding the relative benefits of each. During two international artistic gymnastics competitions six arch, straddle and pike longswings preceding the straddle Tkachev were recorded using twin video cameras. Calibration and movement images were digitised and reconstructed using 3D DLT. Shoulder and hip angular kinematics, angular momentum and key release parameters were compared between techniques. In the arch longswing, the first and second hip functional phases began significantly earlier than the straddle or pike. No significant differences were established for release parameters although large effect sizes for horizontal release velocity and angular momenta about the mass centre and bar were reported between the arch and other two variants. Therefore, the arch variant may provide the opportunity to develop more complex combinations following the Tkachev. Providing insight into mechanical advantages of specific longswing techniques, and highlighting those that elicit desirable characteristics offers the potential to provide coaches with objective data on technique selection and ultimately skill development.     

Devolution and the Restructuring of Participation in Higher Education in Wales

This paper examines patterns of participation in higher education (HE) Wales, in the context of the devolution of powers over HE to the National Assembly for Wales and the Welsh Assembly Government. In particular, this democratic devolution has resulted in the introduction of arrangements for student finance which are quite distinctive from those in other parts of the UK. In the event, trends in participation amongst Welsh‐domiciled young people (even when disaggregated by gender and socio‐economic background) show little evidence of impacts from these arrangements. Analysis of the geography of participation within Wales does reveal some evidence of convergence between areas of low and high participation. The picture is further complicated when the flows of students into and out of Wales, which are much larger than for other parts of the UK, are taken into account. This poses major questions for Welsh policy makers, especially because, from 2007–2008, there will be a significant price differential for Welsh‐domiciled students studying in Wales and those who wish to go elsewhere.