Adolescent physical activity levels: discrepancies with accelerometer data analysis

This study investigated the effects of epoch length and cut point selection on adolescent physical activity intensity quantification using vertical axis and vector magnitude (VM) measurement with the ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer. Four hundred and nine adolescents (211 males; 198 females) aged 12–16 years of age wore accelerometers during waking hours. The GT3X+ acceleration counts were reintegrated into 1, 5, 15, 30 and 60 s epoch lengths for both vertical axis and VM counts. One cut point was applied to vertical axis counts and three different cut points were applied to VM counts for each epoch length. Significant differences (P < 0.01) in mean total counts per day were observed between vertical axis and VM counts, and between epoch lengths for VM only. Differences in physical activity levels were observed between vertical and VM cut points, and between epoch lengths across all activity intensities. Our findings illustrate the magnitude of differences in physical activity outcomes that occur between axis measurement, cut points and epoch length. The magnitude of difference across epoch length must be considered in the interpretation of accelerometer data and seen as a confounding variable when comparing physical activity levels between studies.     

A critical review of the current evidence examining whether resistance training improves time trial performance

A number of reviews have concluded that resistance training is beneficial for improving sports performance despite the inclusion of studies which do not actually measure a performance outcome (i.e. a timed trial). The purpose of this review was to examine only those studies which would allow us to infer the benefits of resistance training on improving time trial performance. Of the nine studies meeting all inclusion criteria only three demonstrated an additive effect of adding resistance training to the current activity-specific training being performed. These three studies demonstrated improvements in either 5 or 10 km time trial among recreationally skilled athletes (i.e. non-elite level time). Previous reviews have included studies which did not include: (1) performance outcomes; (2) control groups; and/or (3) equal volumes of activity-specific exercise among the resistance training and control groups. Presently, there is little evidence that adding resistance exercise to a sport-specific training program will augment time trial performance. While it is difficult to perform such long-term studies assessing the effects of resistance training among time trial athletes, the statement that resistance training is efficacious for improving time trial performance should be tempered until sufficient evidence is presented to support such claims.     

A Differentiated Program for Duller High School Pupils

The purpose of the investigation was to develop a reliable category system for first-hand systematic observation of teacher behaviors and to determine relationships between observed behaviors and measures of personality.

A category system was developed in an inductive manner. Teacher behaviors were encoded from video tape recordings onto a data record using 10-second time intervals. Video tape recordings of eight biology teachers were analyzed. The Guilford-Zimmerman Temperament Survey was administered. The behavioral and personality data were correlated using nonparametric statistics. The instrument met the stated definition of a reliable category system. Significant positive correlations were found between the behavioral and personality data, but there were less than one would expect to find by chance alone.     

Institutional Mergers in Australian Higher Educaiton since 1960

For the past forty years, institutional mergers have been a major and controversial theme in Australian higher education. Three main phases of major mergers are reviewed with particular attention being paid to reasons for merger, success factors, and longer term results. While merger experiences have often been traumatic for participants and participating institutions, on balance the longer term results have been positive, producing a university system today comprising relatively large and comprehensive institutions, well suited to compete in the new internationally competitive environment.     

Education, the life course and research

Gordon Grant, Professor of Cognitive Disability at the University of Sheffield, continues the New Professor series by considering education, the life course and adulthood for people with learning disabilities. He takes up themes rehearsed by Roy McConkey in an earlier edition of the Journal (1998) and raises questions for research and development.     

Restorying Jewish Lives Post Adult Bat Mitzvah

I Approach the Issue of bureau responsibilities from the vantage point of a community social worker. As such, I will focus on the sociology of education, rather than on education itself and will attempt to deal with issues of social policy and organizational behavior.