A critical review of the current evidence examining whether resistance training improves time trial performance

A number of reviews have concluded that resistance training is beneficial for improving sports performance despite the inclusion of studies which do not actually measure a performance outcome (i.e. a timed trial). The purpose of this review was to examine only those studies which would allow us to infer the benefits of resistance training on improving time trial performance. Of the nine studies meeting all inclusion criteria only three demonstrated an additive effect of adding resistance training to the current activity-specific training being performed. These three studies demonstrated improvements in either 5 or 10 km time trial among recreationally skilled athletes (i.e. non-elite level time). Previous reviews have included studies which did not include: (1) performance outcomes; (2) control groups; and/or (3) equal volumes of activity-specific exercise among the resistance training and control groups. Presently, there is little evidence that adding resistance exercise to a sport-specific training program will augment time trial performance. While it is difficult to perform such long-term studies assessing the effects of resistance training among time trial athletes, the statement that resistance training is efficacious for improving time trial performance should be tempered until sufficient evidence is presented to support such claims.     

A Differentiated Program for Duller High School Pupils

The purpose of the investigation was to develop a reliable category system for first-hand systematic observation of teacher behaviors and to determine relationships between observed behaviors and measures of personality.

A category system was developed in an inductive manner. Teacher behaviors were encoded from video tape recordings onto a data record using 10-second time intervals. Video tape recordings of eight biology teachers were analyzed. The Guilford-Zimmerman Temperament Survey was administered. The behavioral and personality data were correlated using nonparametric statistics. The instrument met the stated definition of a reliable category system. Significant positive correlations were found between the behavioral and personality data, but there were less than one would expect to find by chance alone.     

Institutional Mergers in Australian Higher Educaiton since 1960

For the past forty years, institutional mergers have been a major and controversial theme in Australian higher education. Three main phases of major mergers are reviewed with particular attention being paid to reasons for merger, success factors, and longer term results. While merger experiences have often been traumatic for participants and participating institutions, on balance the longer term results have been positive, producing a university system today comprising relatively large and comprehensive institutions, well suited to compete in the new internationally competitive environment.     

The interface between mathematics and design and technology in secondary schools

ABSTRACT

This article suggests that there are important connections between design and technology and mathematics curricula and that these are not fully made in the United Kingdom National Curriculum. Using three examples, the authors show how there are real opportunities in design and technology teaching for incorporating mathematical learning, but that all too often these are lost because they are not made explicit. Again, the authors argue that too much mathematics teaching is dominated by abstract investigation rather than practical problem‐solving. They conclude by suggesting that teaching should transcend subject boundaries and be concerned with real‐life situations.     

Education, the life course and research

Gordon Grant, Professor of Cognitive Disability at the University of Sheffield, continues the New Professor series by considering education, the life course and adulthood for people with learning disabilities. He takes up themes rehearsed by Roy McConkey in an earlier edition of the Journal (1998) and raises questions for research and development.