Physiological Responses to Maximal Treadmill and Handweighted Exercise

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to compare the peak physiological responses among four protocols that employed different amounts of handweighted exercise in 16 males (aged 26.3 ± 4.1 years). The four protocols were (a) uphill treadmill running (UR; 3.36 m-s¹, 2.5% grade increase-3 min¹); (b) uphill treadmill walking while pumping 1.36kg handweights (HW) (UWHW; 1.79ms¹, 5.0% grade increase-3 min¹; (c) treadmill walking while pumping .91-kg HW (WHW; 1.79 m-s¹, 0% grade, .91kg HW increase-3 min¹); and (d) standing in place and pumping HW (SHW; arm work as described in WHW). It was hypothesized that the peak responses would be inversely proportional to the estimated muscle mass activated (i.e., UR = UWHW > WHW > SHW). Dependent variables included peak oxygen uptake (VO₂ peak), peak heart rate (HRpeak), peak ventilation (V_epeak), and peak respiratory exchange ratio (RERpeak). No differences were noted between UR and UWHW with respect to any of the dependent variables. All variables (except RERpeak) were greater (p < .01) in UR and UWHW than either WHW or SHW. RERpeak was greater (p < .01) in UR and UWHW than in WHW. VO₂peak and HRpeak were greater (p < .01) in WHW when compared to SHW. Mean VO₂peak was 97.5, 69.7, and 60% of UR for UWHW, WHW, and SHW, respectively. Therefore, walking and pumping handweights provides a maximal stimulus to the oxygen transport system.     

Physical Fitness,Self-Esteem,and Attitudes toward Physical Activity

Abstract

A total of 165 adolescent boys took measures of physical fitness, general self-esteem, and attitudes toward physical activities. High-fit compared to low-fit boys were higher in self-estimates of physical ability (P < .007) and self-reported attraction to physical activities (P < .007) but not significantly different in general self-esteem nor in reported extent of participation in voluntary physical activities. In addition significant correlations were observed between self-estimates of physical ability and attraction to physical activity, and between attraction to physical activity and extent of voluntary participation in physical activity.     

Prediction of Athletic Participation in Middle School Males

Abstract

During the first ten days of the academic year the Physical Estimation and Attraction Scales (PEAS) and Bialer's Locus of Control Scale were administered to seventh and eighth grade middle school males. Subsequently, calls were issued for the fall sport season (flag football, cross-country). Stepwise discriminant analysis produced a function containing Attraction first and Estimation second, which accurately predicted athletic participation, canonical r = .35 p < .001. Use of smaller, previously factored collections of PEAS items improved the prediction, canonical r = .40, p < .001. Prediction of a single, more specific activity, cross-country, by means of the more specific factor scores produced a canonical coefficient of .47, p < .001. PEAS Factor 5, referring primarily to activities of running and hiking, developed the largest relationship with cross-country participation of any study variable. Control did not enter either of these two equations. No significant relationship was found between any study variable and adherence (remaining on the cross-country team for the complete season). It was concluded that PEAS variables are capable of predicting initial exercise involvement. In terms of developing optimal psychometric predictions of exercise recruitment and adherence, it is recommended that attitude statements be developed which are more specific and congruent to corresponding desired behaviors.     

Analysis and modification of verbal coaching behaviour: The usefulness of a data‐driven intervention strategy

This study tested a computer‐aided coaching analysis instrument (CAI) as part of an intervention strategy designed to modify verbal coaching behaviour. Four coaches were observed and analysed over 12 practice sessions. Coaches A, B and C received intervention feedback through CAI data, where selected behaviours were highlighted for discussion, and videotape images were used to illustrate discussion points. Coach D was provided with videotapes of his own performance and told to formulate and implement any of his own recommendations. The CAI data are primarily quantitative, so target values were created for the different dimensions of verbal behaviour. This benefited the coaches in interpreting their effectiveness and provided a reference to evaluate the magnitude of change. Written journals and audiotape recordings were also used to promote insight into the complexity of verbal behaviour and the ‘human factors’ (e.g. relationship with players, attitude to researcher) that affect behaviour modification.

Instructional effectiveness was assessed by time‐series analysis. There was evidence from each behaviour dimension that change can occur and be maintained as a result of exposure to the CAI intervention strategy. However, this is clearly contingent upon the coach understanding what is asked of him or her, and remains focused and committed to changing these particular behaviours. The analysis of Coach D's behavioural change suggests there are limitations to the sensitivity of discretionary viewing, as only two dimensions of behaviour were identified for, and resulted in, positive change. The results of this study provide support for Locke's (1984) contention that behaviour modification can occur by using data as direct feedback, as reinforcement and as information in the form of recommendations. However, the study also illuminates several factors that can negate the modification and maintenance of verbal coaching behaviour.     

National technology policy and computer production in Asia‐pacific countries

The relationship of technology policy to economic and industrial development has become a subject of debate between those who argue that market forces should determine how technology is produced and used and those who believe that government has a role in supporting investment in technology use and the development of high‐technology industries. This article looks at the effects of national technology policy in promoting the production of computer hardware and software in Asia‐Pacific countries during the 1980s. It also analyzes the relationship between various environmental factors and computer production and looks at the interaction between environment and policy. It finds three types of environmental factors associated with level of computer production: human resources, in the form of scientists and engineers; the presence of complementary industries, particularly electronics production; and expenditures on research and development. It also finds that hardware production is higher in countries with national computer plans but that software production does not appear to be associated with efforts by the government to promote the computer industry.     

Challenge-based instruction promotes students’ development of transferable frameworks and confidence for engineering problem solving

ABSTRACT

Challenge-based teaching facilitates students’ simultaneous development of content mastery and strategies for applying technical knowledge innovatively. The University of Texas at Austin Department of Biomedical Engineering has offered a challenge-based course on biotransport as an accelerated study-abroad learning experience in Cambridge, England. We used a mixed methods approach to characterize students’ learning trajectory, to include technical prowess, problem-solving self-efficacy, and engineering identity throughout the entirety of this course. Students developed problem solving strategies and confidence over the semester and readily transferred their acquired solution framework to technical domains outside of the course subject of biotransport. Students identified challenge-based pedagogies as their preferred methods of classroom instruction, became familiar with corresponding assessments, and identified strongly as practitioners within the engineering field. We believe this illustrative case study provides significant evidence for the effectiveness of challenge-based instruction and can serve as a model for pedagogy-sensitive classroom assessment in engineering.     

Banking on Knowledge: The new knowledge projects of the World Bank

The World Bank was the first cooperation agency seriously to explore the implications for itself and its clients of the heightened role of knowledge in economic and institutional development that had become increasingly evident in OECD countries. Beginning with its president's decision in 1996 to become 'the Knowledge Bank', different elements within the Bank went on to elaborate a knowledge discourse, most notably within the World Development Report on Knowledge for Development (1998), as well as a whole series of 'knowledge projects' and 'knowledge-based initiatives'. The article examines some of the tensions and debates that are at the very heart of the Bank's desire to become a knowledge agency. Amongst these, some of the more salient are the implications of the new knowledge discourse for the Bank's changing priorities towards education; the trade-off between knowledge sharing for the improved efficiency of Bank operations versus knowledge development by the Bank's clients; and the use of information and communications technology to create a global knowledge hypermarket, called the Development Gateway.     

Development and validation of a group test of integrated science processes

The paper describes the development and validation of a group test of integrated process skills. The test assesses student performance on a set of twelve objectives related to the generic objective: planning and conducting an investigation. Evidence of content validity, construct validity, and reliability are presented in the paper. A range of generalizability coefficients from 0.77 to 0.98 is reported for specific uses of the 24-item test. Since the items measure performance on objectives that can be readily translated into classroom activity, the test has direct applicability to classroom based research, and evaluation of instruction. In addition to sound psychometric properties, the Test of Integrated Science Processes is distincitve because it includes a set of interrelated, cumulative objectives which reflect autonomous problem solving.     

The ‘Learning in Regular Classrooms’ initiative for inclusive education in China

The purpose of this article is to understand the Learning in Regular Classrooms (LRC) initiative for inclusive education in China. First, the paper reviews the policy, legislation, and practice in relation to the LRC. It then goes on to explore the specific social–political context of the LRC, and compares the Chinese LRC with the Western approaches to inclusion and integration. The authors then discuss the challenges posed by the attempt to further promote the LRC or inclusive education in the collectivist culture and socialist political context of modern China.