Time courses of emotions experienced after a mountain ultra-marathon: Does emotional intelligence matter?

This research examined the time courses of emotions in sport settings (anxiety, dejection, anger, happiness, excitement) experienced by mountain ultra-marathon (MUM) runners within the month following a demanding MUM race and the role of emotional intelligence (EI) in these time courses. A six-wave one-month longitudinal design was used with one measurement point within two days before the race to measure EI and five time points within the month following the race to assess emotions experienced among a sample of 29 runners. Results of multilevel growth curve analyses showed significant linear decreases of dejection and anxiety and a significant linear increase of anger. EI was related to the intercept (level at the end of the MUM race) of happiness, excitement and dejection. Moreover the interaction of EI with time was associated with happiness, excitement and anger. This means that high and low emotional intelligent runners exhibited distinct trajectories of emotional intelligence within the month following the MUM race. Indeed, trait-EI appeared to have a protective role against stress process leading to emotional adjustment within the recovery period following an ultra-endurance event. As such, consultants and coaches could conduct specific program over the sport season designed to enhance trait-EI of MUM runners.     

Multicultural perspectives in the curricula of two colleges of education in Israel: ‘The curriculum is a cruel mirror of our society’

This study reveals the multicultural perspectives in the curricula of two colleges of education in Israel. It examines the perceptions of teacher educators with regard to: the importance of the teacher's role in educating students for sensitivity and diversity; the needs of students from different cultural backgrounds in colleges of education; the roles of the teacher and the college; and an evaluation of how multiculturalism is dealt with in teacher education in Israel. Faculty members in both colleges perceived multiculturalism as relating to two domains: student population and curriculum. The findings and conclusions confirm the existence and increasing awareness of multiculturalism in the two colleges. However, it is obvious that as yet the concept has not been thoroughly investigated, nor has it penetrated all realms of activity. Clearly, teacher educators know the meaning of multiculturalism and believe that it should play a more significant role in colleges of education. However, they seem to be uncertain as to how to go about it.     

美国游学体验：一边工作 一边旅行（一）

5月7日晚上,10点多我才从马来西亚度假回来,开始马不停蹄地收拾东西,准备第二天去美国的行李。半天里,把在南大假期房间的费用付了,出门买东西换钱,复印打印文件,停止手机服务,收拾寝室和行李,洗衣服,更新MSN空间以及和家人、朋友们道别。最后终于按时赶到机场。     

Assessing the limitations of the Banister model in monitoring training

The aim of this study was to carry out a statistical analysis of the Banister model to verify how useful it is in monitoring the training programmes of elite swimmers. The accuracy, the ill-conditioning and the stability of this model were thus investigated. The training loads of nine elite swimmers, measured over one season, were related to performances with the Banister model. First, to assess accuracy, the 95% bootstrap confidence interval (95% CI) of parameter estimates and modelled performances were calculated. Second, to study ill-conditioning, the correlation matrix of parameter estimates was computed. Finally, to analyse stability, iterative computation was performed with the same data but minus one performance, chosen at random. Performances were related to training loads for all participants (R(2) = 0.79 +/- 0.13, P < 0.05) and the estimation procedure seemed to be stable. Nevertheless, the range of 95% CI values of the most useful parameters for monitoring training was wide: t(a) = 38 (17, 59), t(f) = 19 (6, 32), t(n) = 19 (7, 35), t(g) = 43 (25, 61). Furthermore, some parameters were highly correlated, making their interpretation worthless. We suggest possible ways to deal with these problems and review alternative methods to model the training-performance relationships.     

A pilot study on quantification of training load: The use of HRV in training practice

Recent laboratory studies have suggested that heart rate variability (HRV) may be an appropriate criterion for training load (TL) quantification. The aim of this study was to validate a novel HRV index that may be used to assess TL in field conditions. Eleven well-trained long-distance male runners performed four exercises of different duration and intensity. TL was evaluated using Foster and Banister methods. In addition, HRV measurements were performed 5 minutes before exercise and 5 and 30 minutes after exercise. We calculated HRV index (TL_HRV) based on the ratio between HRV decrease during exercise and HRV increase during recovery. HRV decrease during exercise was strongly correlated with exercise intensity (R = ?0.70; p < 0.01) but not with exercise duration or training volume. TL_HRV index was correlated with Foster (R = 0.61; p = 0.01) and Banister (R = 0.57; p = 0.01) methods. This study confirms that HRV changes during exercise and recovery phase are affected by both intensity and physiological impact of the exercise. Since the TL_HRV formula takes into account the disturbance and the return to homeostatic balance induced by exercise, this new method provides an objective and rational TL index. However, some simplification of the protocol measurement could be envisaged for field use.     

Neuromuscular,biomechanical, and energetic adjustments following repeated bouts of downhill running

Purpose:This study used downhill running as a model to investigate the repeated bout effect(RBE) on neuromuscular performance,running biomechanics,and metabolic cost of running.Methods:Ten healthy recreational male runners performed two 30-min bouts of downhill running(DR1 and DR2) at a-20% slope and 2.8 m/s3 weeks apart.Neuromuscular fatigue,level running biomechanics during slow and fast running,and running economy parameters were recorded immediately before and after the downhill bouts,and at...     

美国游学体验：一边工作，一边旅行（三）

我赚钱了 旺季差不多开始了,我一上班就被叫去做收银员,不到五个小时有$3800的进账,钱多得收银机里都装不下。     

Faster V̇O2 kinetics after priming exercises of different duration but same fatigue

This study compared the responses of two priming exercises of similar fatigue on the adjustment of the oxygen uptake time constant (τV?O₂) in cycling. Ten healthy young adults (25 ± 3 yr) performed: three step transitions from a 20-W baseline to the power output (PO) below the gas exchange threshold (MOD, MOD_PRE); a 3-min bout (P_3MIN) at 90% of peak PO (PO_peak), followed by MOD (MOD_3MIN); and a 6-min bout (P_6MIN) at 80% of PO_peak, followed by MOD (MOD_6MIN). The O₂ supply-to-O₂ demand ([HHb]/V?O₂) ratio was calculated for MOD_PRE, MOD_3MIN, and MOD_6MIN. Neuromuscular fatigue was measured isometrically pre- and post-priming exercise. Reductions in maximal voluntary contraction (?29 ± 6 vs ?34 ± 7%) and high-frequency doublet amplitude (?48 ± 13 vs ?43 ± 11%) were not significantly different between P_3MIN vs P_6MIN, suggesting similar fatigue. τV?O₂ for MOD_3MIN and MOD_6MIN were similar, being ~25% smaller than MOD_PRE. The [HHb]/V?O₂ ratio was significantly greater in MOD_PRE (1.13 ± 0.12) compared to MOD_3MIN (1.02 ± 0.04) and MOD_6MIN (1.02 ± 0.04). This study showed that priming exercise of shorter duration and higher intensity, was sufficient to accelerate V?O₂ kinetics similarly to that observed subsequent to P_6MIN when the muscle fatigue was similar.     

Nutrition for distance events

The goal of training is to prepare the distance athlete to perform at his or her best during major competitions. Whatever the event, nutrition plays a major role in the achievement of various factors that will see a runner or walker take the starting line in the best possible form. Everyday eating patterns must supply fuel and nutrients needed to optimize their performance during training sessions and to recover quickly afterwards. Carbohydrate and fluid intake before, during, and after a workout may help to reduce fatigue and enhance performance. Recovery eating should also consider issues for adaptation and the immune system that may involve intakes of protein and some micronutrients. Race preparation strategies should include preparation of adequate fuel stores, including carbohydrate loading for prolonged events such as the marathon or 50-km walk. Fluid and carbohydrate intake during races lasting an hour or more should also be considered. Sports foods and supplements of value to distance athletes include sports drinks and liquid meal supplements to allow nutrition goals to be achieved when normal foods are not practical. While caffeine is an ergogenic aid of possible value to distance athletes, most other supplements are of minimal benefit.