Repeated high-intensity exercise in professional rugby union

The aim of the present study was to describe the frequency, duration, and nature of repeated high-intensity exercise in Super 14 rugby union. Time-motion analysis was used during seven competition matches over the 2008 and 2009 Super 14 seasons; five players from each of four positional groups (front row forwards, back row forwards, inside backs, and outside backs) were assessed (20 players in total). A repeated high-intensity exercise bout was considered to involve three or more sprints, and/or tackles and/or scrum/ruck/maul activities within 21 s during the same passage of play. The range of repeated high-intensity exercise bouts for each group in a match was as follows: 11-18 for front row forwards, 11-21 for back row forwards, 13-18 for inside backs, and 2-11 for outside backs. The durations of the most intense repeated high-intensity exercise bouts for each position ranged from 53 s to 165 s and the minimum recovery periods between repeated high-intensity exercise bouts ranged from 25 s for the back row forwards to 64 s for the front row forwards. The present results show that repeated high-intensity exercise bouts vary in duration and activities relative to position but all players in a game will average at least 10 changes in activity in the most demanding bouts and complete at least one tackle and two sprints. The most intense periods of activity are likely to last as long as 120 s and as little as 25 s recovery may separate consecutive repeated high-intensity exercise bouts. The present findings can be used by coaches to prepare their players for the most demanding passages of play likely to be experienced in elite rugby union.     

Teachers’ Role in Students’ Learning at a Project-Based STEM High School: Implications for Teacher Education

International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education - This study explored how teachers engage and support students at a project-based STEM high school to identify key elements defining...     

小组讨论学习的误区与对策

随着《基础教育课程改革纲要(试行)》的颁布实施及新一轮基础教育课程改革的推进,小组讨论这种教学方法受到教育理论界与实践界的极大关注。由于新课改倡导“自主、合作、探究”的学习方式,同时时代对学生的合作意识与技能提出了新的要求,所以合作学习(包括“小组讨论学习”)得到教育界的大力倡导和推行。当我们走进中小学课堂,便不难发现小组讨论的运用存在许多误区。为了避免小组讨论法在实践中被扭曲与异化,有必要对小组讨论法作进一步的阐释。一、小组讨论法使用中的误区小组合作学习可以说自班级授课制诞生以来就隐约出现。班级授课制…     

The Professional Development of Teacher Educators in the Developing World: a consideration of recent developments in Papua New Guinea

This paper addresses the matter of the extent to which efforts aimed at the professional development activities of community (primary) school teacher educators in one developing country, namely, Papua New Guinea (PNG), correspond to the subjects’ own perceived professional needs. The general background is outlined first. Then the results of a study of a group of Papua‐New‐Guinea‐teacher‐educators’ perceptions of their professional needs, as accessed through semi‐structured interviews are presented in order to gain a preliminary indication of the appropriateness of recent developments aimed at the professional‐isation of teacher education in the country and to suggest some further developments which could be set in train. Finally, the importance of establishing a national association of teacher education is highlighted.