Career evolution and knowledge of elite coaches of swimmers with a physical disability

In the last decade there has been an increase in empirical research on coaches of elite able-bodied athletes, while coaches of athletes with a disability have generally been overlooked. Thus, the purpose of the current study was to address this oversight by examining the career evolution and knowledge of these coaches. Six elite coaches of swimmers with a physical disability were interviewed using an unstructured, open-ended interview format. Results revealed information pertaining to the coaches' backgrounds, career evolution, and knowledge in training and competition. As well, all coaches stressed the importance of coaching their athletes as an elite swimmer as opposed to coaching a swimmer with a disability.     

Ankle taping can reduce external ankle joint moments during drop landings on a tilted surface

Ankle taping is commonly used to prevent ankle sprains. However, kinematic assessments investigating the biomechanical effects of ankle taping have provided inconclusive results. This study aimed to determine the effect of ankle taping on the external ankle joint moments during a drop landing on a tilted surface at 25°. Twenty-five participants performed landings on a tilted force platform that caused ankle inversion with and without ankle taping. Landing kinematics were captured using a motion capture system. External ankle inversion moment, the angular impulse due to the medio-lateral and vertical components of ground reaction force (GRF) and their moment arm lengths about the ankle joint were analysed. The foot plantar inclination relative to the ground was assessed. In the taping condition, the foot plantar inclination and ankle inversion angular impulse were reduced significantly compared to that of the control. The only component of the external inversion moment to change significantly in the taped condition was a shortened medio-lateral GRF moment arm length. It can be assumed that the ankle taping altered the foot plantar inclination relative to the ground, thereby shortening the moment arm of medio-lateral GRF that resulted in the reduced ankle inversion angular impulse.     

HPT in Academic Curricula: Survey Results

The purpose of this research was to determine to what extent human performance technology (HPT) is being taught in academic programs that traditionally emphasized training—programs such as instructional systems, training and development, human resource development, and adult learning. A written survey was used to collect data from 82 academic programs. Results indicate that while training (and the related areas of needs assessment and evaluation) continues to dominate curricula at these institutions, non-training performance improvement strategies (and the broader performance analysis that leads to their selection) are frequently taught as well. No correlations were found between the extent of teaching HPT topics and the variables of program size, program type, location, degrees offered, or faculty membership in NSPI (now called the International Society for Performance Improvement). Future research could investigate the driving and restraining forces that determine HPT's impact on the curriculum and the effects that current curricula have on program graduates.     

Why has the investment performance of technology-specialist, European venture capital funds been so poor?

This paper seeks to identify and model the key parameters which impact on the commercial performance of a specialist, technology focused, early-stage, venture capital fund. Using both input (costs) and output (expected values) data provided by a number of specialist, independent venture capital firms, a spreadsheet model of a 10 year term fund is developed. These figures are used to generate Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and Net Present Value (NPV) performance calculations for the investment commitments of both the institutional, limited partners and venture capitalist, general partner. The generically defined model allows the user to address both conceptual and pragmatic questions regarding the relationship between fund structure and performance. The model is further developed to determine the effect on fund performance of two venture capital related, ‘indirect' State support schemes (guarantee and leverage options). Iterative interrogations of the model demonstrate the sensitivity of economic returns to the scale of the investment activity. State supported schemes mitigate but do not remove the negative performance consequences of small fund size. A fund with under £15 million (US$25 million or ECU21 million) under management is of increasing economic vulnerability.     

Comparability of postgraduate academic qualifications: Some issues, challenges and experiences

In the United Kingdom the topic of the comparability of academicqualifications features prominently on the agenda in higher education. The papersummarises the debate and highlights key issues. It offers specific reflections on theexperience of one university as it seeks to address the topic of postgraduate qualifications,disentangle the many strands of a complex and multi-faceted set of questions and furtherstrengthen internal quality processes in order to meet the growing demands by external bodiesand interest groups.