Mechanical behaviour of natural turf sports pitches across a season

A study assessing the mechanical behaviour of six natural turf pitches of varying sporting level and surface construction was undertaken over a period of 10?months, spanning a sporting season (August 2010 to May 2011). Penetration resistance and shear resistance were measured with the GoingStick^?, impact hardness and surface energy absorption were measured with the 2.25?kg Clegg Impact Soil Tester and the Dynamic Surface Tester device, respectively. The two sand rootzone pitches were more resistant to deformation and less variable in their impact behaviour (impact hardness and energy absorption) through the season than the native soil pitches containing greater proportions of silt and clay. Greater consistency was shown for penetration resistance and shear resistance on one of the sand rootzone pitches, with the other behaving similar to the native soil pitches for these parameters. The sand rootzone surfaces exhibited greater (P?<?0.05) impact hardness than the native soil pitches in the winter period of the season (November to mid-March) compared to the beginning or end periods of the season, where data were statistically similar (P?>?0.05). The greater consistency of sand rootzone surfaces should be considered for the effect it may have on player and team performance, and injury potential. Analysis of data against Performance Quality Standard benchmarks indicated that all data on the sand rootzones exceeded preferred values for impact hardness, indicating these ranges may be obsolete for the modern elite natural turf surface.     

Changing the stability conditions in a back squat: the effect on maximum load lifted and erector spinae muscle activity

The aim of this study was to identify how changes in the stability conditions of a back squat affect maximal loads lifted and erector spinae muscle activity. Fourteen male participants performed a Smith Machine (SM) squat, the most stable condition, a barbell back (BB) squat, and Tendo-destabilizing bar (TBB) squat, the least stable condition. A one repetition max (1-RM) was established in each squat condition, before electromyography (EMG) activity of the erector spinae was measured at 85% of 1-RM. Results indicated that the SM squat 1-RM load was significantly (p = 0.006) greater (10.9%) than the BB squat, but not greater than the TBB squat. EMG results indicated significantly greater (p < 0.05) muscle activation in the TBB condition compared to other conditions. The BB squat produced significantly greater (p = 0.036) EMG activity compared to the SM squat. A greater stability challenge applied to the torso seems to increase muscle activation. The maximum loads lifted in the most stable and unstable squats were similar. However, the lift with greater stability challenge required greatest muscle activation. The implications of this study may be important for training programmes; if coaches wish to challenge trunk stability, while their athletes lift maximal loads designed to increase strength.     

Academic publishing riposte. Do not shoot the messenger

Iain Stevenson is Professor of Publishing and Director Emeritus of the Centre for Publishing at University College London. He has worked in the academic publishing area for many years and has been on the governing board of the Publishers’ Association. Current research is on the history of British publishing, on new publishing technology, and on the experiences of new authors in Britain and France.     

Towards a Digital Spine: The Technological Methods that UK and US Publishers are Using to Tackle the Growing Challenge of E-Book Piracy

Despite electronic book (e-book) piracy being viewed by many rightsholders as the greatest contemporary challenge to the publishing industry, there is little research evaluating different anti-piracy methods, and explaining how they work. This paper explores the technological methods that United Kingdom and United States publishers, and their representative bodies, are using to tackle the growing challenge of e-book piracy. Through interviews with industry experts (including consultants, publishers and representatives) and publishing case studies, this paper brings together knowledge previously published and considered separately. The systems considered include The Publishers Association Copyright Infringement Portal, and Digital Rights Management in its various forms. Through these systems, we can reveal a lack of nuanced understanding in the motivations and methods of illegal file sharing, which have led to unsuccessful blanket solutions to a complex problem. By teasing out these problems, this paper will act as a point of reference for current anti-piracy measures, and consider the future options for an industry increasingly using the World Wide Web to distribute content.     

The changing shape characteristics associated with success in world-class sprinters

Abstract

The aims of this study were to identify whether relative shape and size characteristics of world-class sprinters have changed over time, and whether any anthropometric parameters characterize the most successful world-class sprinters. The results suggest that body mass index, reflecting greater muscle mass rather than greater adiposity, is an important factor associated with success in both male and female world-class sprinters over time. However, in female athletes the reciprocal ponderal index (RPI) has emerged as a more important indicator of success over several decades, with taller, more linear sprinters achieving greater success, as measured by sprint speed. In male sprinters it is only in the most recent decade that RPI has emerged as an important predictor of success. We speculate that the prominence of the RPI and an ectomophic somatotype being typical of the most successful world-class sprinters might be explained, in part, by the influence of stride length on sprint speed. In conclusion, these results suggest that coaches, selectors, and sports scientists should consider body shape when selecting potential athletes for sprint events, encouraging more linear athletes with a high RPI.     

The Effect of Venue and Wind on the Distance of a Hammer Throw

Abstract

The Reynolds' Balance Test was administered to selected groups of varsity athletes, physical education majors, and liberal arts majors. Significant differences in mean balance scores were found between all groups. The performance of the groups was, in descending order: varsity athletes, physical education majors, and liberal arts majors. It was suggested that the Reynolds' Balance Test gives promise of being a valuable addition to physical education testing programs.     

Undergraduate Student Stress and Coping Strategies

This study of stress among 107 undergraduate students enrolled in various degree strands in a Victorian Institute of Technology reveals that major stressors are both academic and personal in nature. Students generally are more likely to use direct‐action strategies in their attempts to cope with college stress, while male students rely. more on palliative techniques compared with female students. The findings are consistent with related research in the USA and Israel, and suggest that the experience of stress for undergraduate students is not necessarily culturally specific. Further examination of the nature and extent of student stress on a longitudinal basis is recommended. Some areas that need attention are identified in the paper.     

Benefits to University Students Through Volunteering in a Health Context: A New Model

Individual interviews explored 50 British University students’ accounts of sustained volunteering within health settings and a model was developed using grounded theory. Phase one – ‘Getting involved’ – outlines ‘motives and catalysts’ for students starting to volunteer wherein altruistic motives of compassion for others are juxtaposed with perceptions of enhanced employability. Phase two – ‘Maintaining commitment’ – includes three components (‘Making connections’, ‘Developing resilience’ and ‘Keeping the balance’), which represent important aspects of continuing volunteering participation. Phase three – ‘Reaping the rewards’ – focuses on the benefits of volunteering including self-development. Our findings have implications for the training and support of student volunteers.