Sprint mechanical properties in soccer players according to playing standard,position, age and sex

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to quantify possible differences in sprint mechanical outputs in soccer according to soccer playing standard, position, age and sex. Sprint tests of 674 male and female players were analysed. Theoretical maximal velocity (v₀), horizontal force (F₀), horizontal power (P_max), force-velocity slope (S_FV), ratio of force (RF_max) and index of force application technique (D_RF) were calculated from anthropometric and spatiotemporal data using an inverse dynamic approach applied to the centre-of-mass movement. Players of higher standard exhibited superior F₀, v₀, P_max, RF_max and D_RF scores (small to large effects) than those of lower standard. Forwards displayed clearly superior values for most outputs, ahead of defenders, midfielders and goalkeepers, respectively. Male >28 y players achieved poorer v₀, P_max and RF_max than <20, 20–24 and 24–28 y players (small to moderate), while female <20 y players showed poorer values than 20–24 and >24 y players for the same measures (small). The sex differences in sprint mechanical properties ranged from small to very large. These results provide a holistic picture of the force-velocity-power profile continuum in sprinting soccer players and serve as useful background information for practitioners when diagnosing individual players and prescribing training programmes.     

A Mixed-Methods Longitudinal Investigation of Mothers’ Disclosure of HIV to Their Children

Mothers living with HIV (MLH) must navigate disclosing their serostatus to their children, but the longitudinal impact on families remains unknown. This study examined HIV disclosure, parenting, parenting stress, and child adjustment among 174 MLH-child dyads (aged 6–14; 35% Latinx; 57% Black/African American). Quantitative data were collected over four waves spanning 15 months. Qualitative data were collected with 14 families in which disclosure had occurred. Latent change score modeling revealed that disclosure led to improvements in parenting stress, communication, and relationship quality. Disclosure did not predict child adjustment. Qualitative themes contextualized these findings, revealing stability and improvements in family functioning. MLH should be supported in disclosing their serostatus to their children to minimize parenting stress and bolster parenting skills.     

Developing a Topic-Centered First-Year Seminar with an Emphasis on Information Literacy at a Large Regional University

In this article, the authors describe the process through which faculty and staff members at Georgia Southern University (GSU) have collaborated to revamp our First-Year Seminar. In 2006, a university task force reviewed results of GSU self-study data as well as best practices at other institutions to make recommendations for improvements to the first-year experience for our students. The task force made several recommendations that included significantly modifying our First-Year Seminar to include a focus on information literacy and to set a more academic tone. A set of online tutorials was developed to support the learning outcomes related to information literacy within the new seminar. The benefits and challenges of implementing this new seminar are discussed.     

Curriculum Enhancements in Inclusive Secondary Social Studies Classrooms

This investigation compared the use of traditional instruction with that of classwide peer tutoring using materials containing embedded mnemonic strategies to provide strategic information and supplemental practice of important content. Eight inclusive seventh grade social studies classes with 186 students, of whom 42 were classified with mild disabilities, were randomly assigned to treatment and traditional conditions, delivered over 10 weeks of instruction. All students were given a pretest, three unit tests, and a posttest. Overall findings revealed that experimental condition classes statistically outperformed comparison condition classes on content learned; this was true for target content (taught directly in the experimental condition) as well as nontarget content (related information not included in the experimental condition). Implications for inclusive content area instruction are provided.     

Novosibirsk's school for the gifted ‐ changing emphases in the new Russia

The development of a person's gifts is influenced by multiple factors‐including culture. In this paper, we explore implications for the development of gifts of women from a nonmainstream culture in the United States by sharing the personal experiences of gifted Islamic women. Based on five women's personal experiences, five key aspects for the development of gifts were revealed; (a) a sense of social motivation, (b) a sense of spiritual motivation, (c) a focus for change, (d) a role for study and learning, and (e) barriers to change. The first three categories were clearly articulated by each participant. The remaining two categories were suggested from the data of a majority of the participants, but not by all. In negotiating the five aspects listed, these women identified needs within their communities and used their gifts to address the needs‐exercising their rights and fulfilling their responsibilities as Muslim women.     

Lockean Social Epistemology

Locke's reputation as a sceptic regarding testimony, and the resultant mockery by epistemologists with social inclinations, is well known. In particular Michael Welbourne, in his article ‘The Community of Knowledge’ (1981), depicts Lockean epistemology as fundamentally opposed to a social conception of knowledge, claiming that he ‘could not even conceive of the possibility of a community of knowledge’. This interpretation of Locke is flawed. Whilst Locke does not grant the honorific ‘knowledge’ to anything short of certainty, he nonetheless held what we would call ‘testimonial knowledge’ in appropriate esteem. This can be shown by his careful distinction between testimony and mere received opinion. Furthermore, this distinction is dependent upon a knowledge community which enables hearers of testimony to access alternative accounts. In view of this, we can consider Locke's Conduct of the Understanding in a new light. Dedicated to the autodidact adult, The Conduct directs the learner to reason clearly and well. One goal is to render adult students capable of assessing testimony. The advice given is social in nature. The student must not limit his study to ‘one sort of men or one sort of books’. Otherwise, he faces the sort of cognitive isolation which would render him a mere receiver of opinion. The picture of Locke that emerges is not that of a dyed‐in‐the‐wool sceptic regarding testimonial knowledge, but of a philosopher who formed an embryonic social epistemology embedded within a programme of adult education.     

Wait! It takes time to develop rich and relevant social justice curriculum

Educators of every stripe are too often guilty of adopting the latest cool idea heard at a conference in the belief that they have found what works best for student learning. Implementing the latest idea, without thoughtful consideration, can do more harm than good.