Associations between blocking,monitoring, and filtering software on the home computer and youth-reported unwanted exposure to sexual material online

ObjectiveTo examine the relationship between the use of preventive software on the home computer and unwanted exposure to sexual material online.MethodsThe Youth Internet Safety Survey-2 was a national, RDD telephone survey conducted in March–June 2005. Eight hundred households (one caregiver and one child between the ages of 10 and 17 years) with home Internet access answered questions pertaining to Internet prevention activities in the household and adolescent behaviors and exposures online.ResultsUnwanted exposure to sexual material occurred in 32% of youth in homes with pop-up/spam blockers and 25% of youth in homes with filtering, blocking, or monitoring software on the home computer, compared to 43% of households without preventive software installed on the home computer. Among otherwise similar youth, pop-up/spam blockers installed on the home computer were significantly associated with 59% lower odds of reporting unwanted exposure to sexual material on the home computer; and filtering, blocking, or monitoring software was significantly associated with 65% lower odds. When data were stratified by youth sex, associations between preventive software and unwanted exposure were similar for boys and girls. When stratified by age, preventive software was associated with significantly reduced risk of unwanted exposure for 10–12-year olds and 13–15-year olds, but not for 16–17-year olds.ConclusionAlthough these correlational analyses are far from providing conclusive evidence that preventive software protects children from unwanted exposure to sexual material online, findings suggest that caregivers of boys and girls 15 years of age and younger who want to reduce the likelihood of unwanted exposure to sexual material on the home computer should consider including preventive software—especially filtering, blocking, or monitoring software—in their Internet safety plan.Practice implicationsPractitioners should partner with caregivers in developing an Internet safety plan, including proactive caregiver-youth discussions about expected Internet behavior appropriate for their household.     

Methodology and cohort profile for the Hangzhou Lumbar Spine Study: a study focusing on back health in a Chinese population

Back pain is a worldwide health problem, adding a tremendous burden to modern societies. However, little information on back health is available in China, even though a quarter of the world’s population is Chinese. To enhance knowledge in this area, we designed and initiated the Hangzhou Lumbar Spine Study, which is a cross-sectional study of a general sample of mainland Chinese with focusing on disc degeneration, Modic changes, endplate lesions, and back pain. The study consists of a structured questionnaire to measure back pain history and lifetime exposure to suspected risk factors, magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine, bone mineral density study of the spine and hip, and DNA sample analysis. Here we briefly introduce the study methodology, report the test-retest reliability of the questionnaire, and describe the cohort profile to date. Since May 2014, 301 randomly selected subjects (male/female, 122/179; mean age, 51.0 years; range, 20–87 years) have been recruited. Tests-retests of the questionnaire, completed by 40 participants, revealed good reliability. To our knowledge, the Hangzhou Lumbar Spine Study is the first population-based epidemiological study conducted to characterize lumbar spinal phenotypes and back pain, their interaction, and their associations with lifetime environmental exposure, in mainland Chinese. Epidemiological information obtained from a reliable questionnaire, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging data, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measurements, and DNA analysis may serve as a valuable reference for future studies on back health, particularly for mainland Chinese.     

Dimensions of coping and anxiety symptoms in a community sample of young children

Coping style plays an important role in children’s wellbeing. This paper describes the patterns of associations between children’s self-reported coping styles and symptoms of anxiety in order to determine whether particular dimensions are associated with better adjustment. Participants were 2566 children (1268 girls, 1298 boys) aged 7–11 years attending 15 schools in the South East of England. Results showed that aspects of coping were differentially associated with children’s self-reported anxiety. Patterns of association also varied by age and gender. Dimensions of coping were shown to form distinct adaptive and maladaptive coping styles which were also differentially associated with anxiety. Analysis of these styles indicated that it is the absence of maladaptive coping strategies, rather than the presence of adaptive strategies, that is significant in emotional wellbeing. These findings suggest that interventions designed to reduce or extinguish maladaptive coping styles may be of particular benefit in facilitating emotional wellbeing.     

A Nomogram for the Estimate of Percent Body Fat from Generalized Equations

Abstract

Fifteen well-conditioned college women, who had been thoroughly trained in the correct technique for women's push-ups, were tested for maximal pushing strength in two positions and for the number of complete push-ups they were able to perform at the rate of 41 push-ups per minute. For statistical purposes, calculations of maximal strength for each individual were based upon the average of the recorded maximal arm strengths in the high and low positions plus the average of the weight supported in the high and low positions. The work load was calculated from the distance between the high and low positions, the average supported weight, and the number of push-ups the subject was able to perform until exhausted. A correlation coefficient of .76 was obtained between the calculated maximal strength measures and the work load, indicating a statistically significant positive relationship.     

Mechanics of Batting: Effect of Stride Technique on Ground Reaction Forces and Bat Velocities

The benefits associated with being physically active are well documented, but a significant proportion of the population is insufficiently active. Physical inactivity is a major health risk factor in our society, and physical education programs are consistently identified as a means to address this concern. The purpose of this article is to use the social-ecological model as a framework to examine ways in which physical education programs can play an important role in promoting physical activity. Policies that require time allocations and resources for physical education and physical activity in schools and community designs that provide infrastructure that makes being physically active accessible and convenient are important factors in making schools and communities healthier spaces. It is clear, however, that policies alone are not sufficient to address concerns about physical inactivity. We must consider individual factors that influence decisions to be physically active in efforts to engage children in physical education programs that promote active lifestyles. The learning climate that teachers create determines what students do and learn in physical education classes. Ensuring that students see value in the content presented and structuring classes so that students believe they can experience success when they exert effort are key elements in an effective motivational climate. Efforts to address public health concerns about physical inactivity require a comprehensive approach including quality physical education. It is critical that kinesiology professionals emerge as leaders in these efforts to place physical education programs at the center of promoting children's physical activity.     

Tackle and impact detection in elite Australian football using wearable microsensor technology

Abstract

The effectiveness of a wearable microsensor device (MinimaxX^TM S4, Catapult Innovations, Melbourne, VIC, Australia) to automatically detect tackles and impact events in elite Australian football (AF) was assessed during four matches. Video observation was used as the criterion measure. A total of 352 tackles were observed, with 78% correctly detected as tackles by the manufacturer’s software. Tackles against (i.e. tackled by an opponent) were more accurately detected than tackles made (90% v 66%). Of the 77 tackles that were not detected at all, the majority (74%) were categorised as low-intensity. In contrast, a total of 1510 “tackle” events were detected, with only 18% of these verified as tackles. A further 57% were from contested ball situations involving player contact. The remaining 25% were in general play where no contact was evident; these were significantly lower in peak Player Load? than those involving player contact (P < 0.01). The tackle detection algorithm, developed primarily for rugby, was not suitable for tackle detection in AF. The underlying sensor data may have the potential to detect a range of events within contact sports such as AF, yet to do so is a complex task and requires sophisticated sport and event-specific algorithms.