Preparation for medical librarianship: status and potential

The educational programs for the preparation of health sciences information personnel are described and the lack of evaluative criteria or studies in relation to these programs is noted. The author recommends an extension of MLA's role in four areas of the educational process: curriculum design, teacher development, development of learning materials, and evaluation of the educational effort. Preconditions for the fulfillment of the projected MLA role are identified as unity of purpose, leadership by the headquarters staff, and money.     

The Health Sciences and Human Services Library: "this is one sweet library"

The opening of the Health Sciences and Human Services Library at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, in April, 1998, was a highly anticipated event. With its unique architecture and stunning interior features, it is a signature building for the university in downtown Baltimore. The building is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, but has a warm, inviting atmosphere making it a focal point for the campus community. Its highly functional, flexible design will serve the staff and users well into the twenty-first century.     

The relationship between selected physiological variables of rowers and rowing performance as determined by a 2000 m ergometer test

The aim of this study was to establish the relationship between selected physiological variables of rowers and rowing performance as determined by a 2000 m time-trial on a Concept II Model B rowing ergometer. The participants were 13 male club standard oarsmen. Their mean (+/- s) age, body mass and height were 19.9+/-0.6 years, 73.1+/-6.6 kg and 180.5+/-4.6 cm respectively. The participants were tested on the rowing ergometer to determine their maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), rowing economy, predicted velocity at VO2max, velocity and VO2 at the lactate threshold, and their velocity and VO2 at a blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol x l(-1). Percent body fat was estimated using the skinfold method. The velocity for the 2000 m performance test and the predicted velocities at the lactate threshold, at a blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol x l(-1) and at VO2max were 4.7+/-0.2, 3.9+/-0.2, 4.2+/-0.2 and 4.6+/-0.2 m x s(-1) respectively. A repeated-measures analysis of variance showed that the three predicted velocities were all significantly different from each other (P<0.05). The VO2max and lean body mass showed the highest correlation with the velocity for the 2000 m time-trial (r = 0.85). A stepwise multiple regression showed that VO2max was the best single predictor of the velocity for the 2000 m time-trial; a model incorporating VO2max explained 72% of the variability in 2000 m rowing performance. Our results suggest that rowers should devote time to the improvement of VO2max and lean body mass.     

An accurate VO2max nonexercise regression model for 18-65-year-old adults

The purpose of this study was to develop a regression equation to predict maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) based on nonexercise (N-EX) data. All participants (N = 100), ages 18-65 years, successfully completed a maximal graded exercise test (GXT) to assess VO2max (M = 39.96 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1), SD = 9.54). The N-EX data collected just before the maximal GXT included the participant's age; gender; body mass index (BMI); perceived functional ability (PFA) to walk, jog, or run given distances; and current physical activity (PA-R) level. Multiple linear regression generated the following N-EX prediction equation (R = .93, SEE = 3.45 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1), % SEE = 8.62): VO2max (mL x kg(-1) x min(-1)) = 48.0730 + (6.1779 x gender; women = 0, men = 1) - (0. 2463 x age) - (0.6186 x BMI) + (0.7115 x PFA) + (0.6709 x PA-R). Cross validation using PRESS (predicted residual sum of squares) statistics revealed minimal shrinkage (R(p) = .91 and SEE(p) = 3.63 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1)); thus, this model should yield acceptable accuracy when applied to an independent sample of adults (ages 18-65 years) with a similar cardiorespiratory fitness level. Based on standardized beta-weights, the PFA variable (0.41) was the most effective at predicting VO2max followed by age (-0.34), gender (0.33), BMI (-0.27), and PA-R (0.16). This study provides a N-EX regression model that yields relatively accurate results and is a convenient way to predict VO2max in adult men and women.     

Untangling the Links among Athletic Involvement, Gender, Race, and Adolescent Academic Outcomes

Although previous research has established that high school sports participation may be associated with positive academic outcomes, the parameters of the relationship remain unclear. Using a longitudinal sample of nearly 600 Western New York adolescents, this study examined gender- and race-specific differences in the impact of two dimensions of adolescent athletic involvement ("jock" identity and athlete status) on changes in school grades and school misconduct over a two-year interval. Female and black adolescents who identified themselves as "jocks" reported lower grades than those who did not, whereas female athletes reported higher grades than female nonathletes. Jocks also reported significantly more misconduct (including skipping school, cutting classes, having someone from home called to the school for disciplinary purposes, and being sent to the principal's office) than nonjocks. Gender moderated the relationship between athlete status and school misconduct; athletic participation had a less salutary effect on misconduct for girls than for boys.     

Effect of a Fast-skin 'body' suit on drag during front crawl swimming

The effect on drag of a Speedo Fast-skin suit compared to a conventional suit was studied in 13 subjects (6 males, 7 females) swimming at different velocities between 1.0 and 2.0 m.s-1. The active drag force was directly measured during front crawl swimming using a system of underwater push-off pads instrumented with a force transducer (MAD system). For a range of swimming speeds (1.1, 1.3, 1.5 and 1.7 m.s-1), drag values were estimated. On a group level, a statistically non-significant drag reduction effect of 2% was observed for the Fast-skin suit (p = 0.31). Therefore, the 7.5% reduction in drag claimed by the swimwear manufacturer was not corroborated.