Exploring the Role of Family Support and Ethnic Pride in Cultivating the Academic and Career Resourcefulness of Underserved Youth in an Afterschool Program

The Urban Review - The purpose of this study was to identify the internal and external factors that support the academic and career resourcefulness of adolescents from underserved backgrounds. This...     

Measuring what matters in isometric multi-joint rate of force development

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to evaluate responsiveness (ability to detect change) of isometric force-time measures to neuromuscular fatigue in resistance-trained participants using two differing protocols that modified both the instructions provided to participants and the duration of the test. Both protocols were completed at two knee joint angles in the isometric squat test. Ten participants volunteered to take part in this study (age: 27.0 ± 4.5 years, strength training experience: 7.7 ± 2.6 years). Isometric peak force (ISqT^peak) and isometric explosive force (ISqT^exp) test protocols were assessed at two joint angles (knee angle 100° and 125°) pre-high intensity strength training, immediately post strength training, 24-h post, 48-h post and analysed for peak and RFD performance. Participants completed eight sets of three repetitions of the back-squat exercise as the high-intensity strength training. Results showed the highest standardised response means (SRM) detected was peak force using the ISqT^peak 100, SRM ?1.97 compared to an SRM of ?1.31 for RFD 200 ms in the ISqT^exp 125. Peak force was the most responsive variable using the ISqT^peak protocol, whereas the ISqT^exp protocol was most responsive for RFD measures. Therefore, ISqT^peak and ISqT^exp test protocols should not be used interchangeably to evaluate RFD variables.     

Pre-cooling with ice slurry ingestion leads to similar run times to exhaustion in the heat as cold water immersion

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of pre-exercise ice slurry ingestion and cold water immersion on submaximal running time in the heat. On three separate occasions, eight males ran to exhaustion at their first ventilatory threshold in the heat (34.0 ± 0.1 ° C, 52 ± 3% relative humidity) following one of three 30 min pre-exercise manoeuvres: (1) ice slurry ingestion; (2) cold water immersion; or (3) warm fluid ingestion (control). Running time was longer following cold water immersion (56.8 ± 5.6 min; P = 0.008) and ice slurry ingestion (52.7 ± 8.4 min; P = 0.005) compared with control (46.7 ± 7.2 min), but not significantly different between cold water immersion and ice slurry ingestion (P = 0.335). During exercise, rectal temperature was lower with cold water immersion from 15 and 20 min into exercise compared with control and ice slurry ingestion, respectively, and remained lower until 40 min (P = 0.001). At exhaustion rectal temperature was significantly higher following ice slurry ingestion (39.76 ± 0.36 ° C) compared with control (39.48 ± 0.36 ° C; P = 0.042) and tended to be higher than cold water immersion (39.48 ± 0.34 ° C; P = 0.065). As run times were similar between conditions, ice slurry ingestion may be a comparable form of pre-cooling to cold water immersion.     

Familiarization,validity and smallest detectable difference of the isometric squat test in evaluating maximal strength

Isometric multi-joint tests are considered reliable and have strong relationships with 1RM performance. However, limited evidence is available for the isometric squat in terms of effects of familiarization and reliability. This study aimed to assess, the effect of familiarization, stability reliability, determine the smallest detectible difference, and the correlation of the isometric squat test with 1RM squat performance. Thirty-six strength-trained participants volunteered to take part in this study. Following three familiarization sessions, test–retest reliability was evaluated with a 48-hour window between each time point. Isometric squat peak, net and relative force were assessed. Results showed three familiarizations were required, isometric squat had a high level of stability reliability and smallest detectible difference of 11% for peak and relative force. Isometric strength at a knee angle of ninety degrees had a strong significant relationship with 1RM squat performance. In conclusion, the isometric squat is a valid test to assess multi-joint strength and can discriminate between strong and weak 1RM squat performance. Changes greater than 11% in peak and relative isometric squat performance should be considered as meaningful in participants who are familiar with the test.     

A kinematic analysis of a judo leg sweep: major outer leg reap--osoto-gari

Twenty male judo players (10 black belt; 10 novice) executed the major outer leg reap, osoto-gari, with maximal effort. Each throw was recorded within the two-dimensional sagittal plane using a 60 Hz video camera. Kinematic data that best described the power of the 'tori's' (thrower's) sweeping leg and the velocity of the 'uke's' (recipient's) falling body were analysed using a Peak Performance Technologies Inc. Motus system. Data from black belt and novice groups were statistically analysed using a one-way MANOVA (p = .05). Statistical analysis found only two variables for the 'tori' (peak angular velocity of the trunk; TTRK, and peak angular velocity of the ankle; TANK) to be significantly different. Large TTRK values for the black belt group indicated a proficient ability to create large momentum on the upper body of the 'uke'. Significantly larger differences in trunk rotation velocities of the 'uke' by the black belt group reinforced this notion. These differences were attributed to good upper body to upper body contact or impact, which is considered an important aspect of the 'osoto-gari'. Significant differences in TANK values stressed the importance of executing plantar flexion near sweep contact. The results emphasised the importance of using the sweeping leg in a sequential kinetic link motion rather than as a single rigid segment.     

The moderating effect of knowledge sharing on the relationship between manufacturing activities and business performance

This paper investigates the critical role of knowledge sharing (KS) in leveraging manufacturing activities, namely integrated supplier management (ISM) and new product development (NPD) to improve business performance (BP) within the context of Taiwanese electronic manufacturing companies. The research adopted a sequential mixed method research design, which provided both quantitative empirical evidence as well as qualitative insights, into the moderating effect of KS on the relationships between these two core manufacturing activities and BP. First, a questionnaire survey was administered, which resulted in a sample of 170 managerial and technical professionals providing their opinions on KS, NPD and ISM activities and the BP level within their respective companies. On the basis of the collected data, factor analysis was used to verify the measurement model, followed by correlation analysis to explore factor interrelationships, and finally moderated regression analyses to extract the moderating effects of KS on the relationships of NPD and ISM with BP. Following the quantitative study, six semi-structured interviews were conducted to provide qualitative in-depth insights into the value added from KS practices to the targeted manufacturing activities and the extent of its leveraging power. Results from quantitative statistical analysis indicated that KS, NPD and ISM all have a significant positive impact on BP. Specifically, IT infrastructure and open communication were identified as the two types of KS practices that could facilitate enriched supplier evaluation and selection, empower active employee involvement in the design process, and provide support for product simplification and the modular design process, thereby improving manufacturing performance and strengthening company competitiveness. The interviews authenticated many of the empirical findings, suggesting that in the contemporary manufacturing context KS has become an integral part of many ISM and NPD activities and when embedded properly can lead to an improvement in BP. The paper also highlights a number of useful implications for manufacturing companies seeking to leverage their BP through innovative and sustained KS practices.