Exploring an activist approach of working with boys from socially vulnerable backgrounds in a sport context

This study explores an activist approach for co-creating a prototype pedagogical model of sport for working with boys from socially vulnerable backgrounds. This paper addresses the key features that emerged when we identified what facilitated and hindered the boys’ engagement in sport. This study was an activist research project that was conducted between July 2013 and December 2013 in a soccer program in a socially and economically disadvantaged neighborhood in Brazil. The lead author, supervised by the second author, worked with a soccer class of 17 boys between ages 13 and 15, 4 coaches, a pedagogical coordinator and a social worker. Multiple sources of data were collected, including 38 field journal/observations and audio records of: 18 youth work sessions, 16 coaches’ work sessions and 3 combined coaches and youth work sessions. In addition, the first and second author had 36 90-minute debriefing and planning sessions. By using an activist approach, three features were identified as being essential: an ethic of care, an attentiveness to the community and a community of sport. Findings suggest that it is possible to use sport as a cultural asset to benefit youth from socially vulnerable backgrounds by offering them a place where they can feel protected and dream about possible futures.     

Validity and reliability of a new field test (Carminatti's test) for soccer players compared with laboratory-based measures

The aim of this study was to assess the validity (Study 1) and reliability (Study 2) of a novel intermittent running test (Carminatti's test) for physiological assessment of soccer players. In Study 1, 28 players performed Carminatti's test, a repeated sprint ability test, and an intermittent treadmill test. In Study 2, 24 players performed Carminatti's test twice within 72 h to determine test-retest reliability. Carminatti's test required the participants to complete repeated bouts of 5 × 12 s shuttle running at progressively faster speeds until volitional exhaustion. The 12 s bouts were separated by 6 s recovery periods, making each stage 90 s in duration. The initial running distance was set at 15 m and was increased by 1 m at each stage (90 s). The repeated sprint ability test required the participants to perform 7 × 34.2 m maximal effort sprints separated by 25 s recovery. During the intermittent treadmill test, the initial velocity of 9.0 km · h(-1) was increased by 1.2 km · h(-1) every 3 min until volitional exhaustion. No significant difference (P > 0.05) was observed between Carminatti's test peak running velocity and speed at VO(2max) (v-VO(2max)). Peak running velocity in Carminatti's test was strongly correlated with v-VO(2max) (r = 0.74, P < 0.01), and highly associated with velocity at the onset of blood lactate accumulation (r = 0.63, P < 0.01). Mean sprint time was strongly associated with peak running velocity in Carminatti's test (r = -0.71, P < 0.01). The intraclass correlation was 0.94 with a coefficient of variation of 1.4%. In conclusion, Carminatti's test appears to be avalid and reliable measure of physical fitness and of the ability to perform intermittent high-intensity exercise in soccer players.     

Parameter estimation on linear time-varying systems

This paper studies parameter estimation for a class of linear, continuous, time-varying dynamic systems whose state-space model's matrices are affine combinations of static matrix coefficients and the aforementioned time-varying scalar parameters. It is assumed that the coefficient matrices are all known, that the state is mensurable, and that the parameters are bounded piecewise continuous functions of time. Estimation methods are developed from basic equations for a single parameter first, and later extended to multiple parameters.     

Im perfect tools for a difficult job: colposcopy, 'colpocytology' and screening for cervical cancer in Brazil

The quasi-totality of social scientists who studied screening for cervical tumours identified such screening with a single method: the Pap smear (exfoliative cytology). This article explains that this method was not valid everywhere. The history of screening for cervical cancer in Brazil displays an alternative method for detecting cervical malignancies: a direct observation of the cervix with a specific instrument--the colposcope. The development of this method in Brazil in the 1940s and 1950s reflected a complex mixture of professional interests, government policies, and regional, local and charitable initiatives. While the use of colposcopy for cervical tumour screening was phased out in the 1970s and 1980s, the long lifespan and widespread diffusion of this method illuminates the irreducible contingency of specific developments in science, technology and medicine. Seen from the vantage point of Brazil, the Western model for preventing cervical malignancies no longer appears self-evident Alternative choices might have led to the development of different material and visual cultures of medicine, stimulated different patterns of medical specialization and division of medical labour, produced different links between malignancies, women, gynaecologists, epidemiologists and public health experts, and shaped different health policies.     

情境领导Ⅱ管理模式在巴西乒乓球队教练训练管理工作中的应用

本研究包含以下几方面内容1.情境领导Ⅱ型模式在巴西乒乓球队训练管理工作中及教练员对运动员的领导关系中的应用情况调查.2.根据运动员的表现,运动员的满意程度,以及教练与运动员之间的相互关系来分析教练员的后续领导行为是否受前阶段管理工作的影响.3.分析运动员的调查结果与相应教练员调查结果的一致性,及其领导管理行为是否为运动队管理多元模式中的一种.研究对象与方法调查对象为61名巴西12～18岁乒乓球运动员和10名乒乓球教练,这些队员和教练均为国家级水平,研究中以运动员满意度问卷形式和运动领导管理标准进行评估.研究结果教练员先前的领导行为影响运动员对教练员的看法,以及运动员的满意程度、教练与运动员相互之间的关系等.那些运动成绩较好的、经验相对丰富的、教练监督指导得比较多的运动员,他们的问卷答案与教练员的问卷结果有很高的一致性.对教练员的训练教导工作和民主行为方面,男子运动员的答案要比女子运动员表现出较高的一致性.女运动员对教练员的个别对待方式与民主行为表现出较好的满意度.运动员的问卷结果与相应教练员的调查结果的一致性在很大程度上依赖于训练过程中产生的良好效果与运动员的满意度,这反映了多元领导模式的规则.另外,虽然我们的研究并没有很好地验证情境领导Ⅱ模式在运动队训练管理中的应用情况,但是,调查分析结果表明了合适的多元领导模式在运动队训练工作中进行有效领导的重要性.这些结果也说明在多元领导模式的基础上,采用足够合理的方法是检验情境领导Ⅱ模式在运动训练管理中应用情况的关键.     

The peak velocity derived from the Carminatti Test is related to physical match performance in young soccer players

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the peak velocity derived from the Carminatti Test (T-CAR) (PV_T-CAR) and physical match performance in young soccer players. Thirty-three youth soccer players were recruited from 2 non-professional clubs. Friendly matches and small-sided game were performed. Physical match demands were assessed using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. On a separate occasion, the players were submitted to the T-CAR. Players were categorised into 3 groups based on their T-CAR performance: Low (PV_T-CAR ≤ P33), Intermediate (P33 > PV_T-CAR < P66) and High (PV_T-CAR ≥ P66). The PV_T-CAR (15.5 ± 0.7 km·h^?1) was significantly related to high-intensity activities (HIA; r = 0.78, P < 0.001), high-intensity running (HIR; r = 0.66, P < 0.001), sprinting (r = 0.62, P < 0.001) and total distance (TD) covered (r = 0.47, P < 0.01) during friendly matches. The PV_T-CAR was strongly correlated with the amount of HIA (r = 0.81, P < 0.001), HIR (r = 0.85, P < 0.001) and TD covered (r = 0.81, P < 0.001) during small-sided game. No significant correlation was observed between the PV_T-CAR and distance of sprinting (r = 0.49, P = 0.067) during small-side game. Furthermore, players in the High group covered significantly more TD (10%) and did more HIA (42%), sprinting (31%) and HIR (25%) during friendly matches compared to the players classified as having Low performance on the T-CAR. These differences still remained after adjusting for chronological age (CA), maturity and body size. In conclusion, the current study gives empirical support to the ecological and construct validity of this novel field test (T-CAR) as an indicator of match-related physical performance in young soccer players during pubertal years.     

An Activist Approach to Sport Meets Youth From Socially Vulnerable Backgrounds: Possible Learning Aspirations

Purpose: This study was a 2-phase activist research project aimed at co-creating a prototype pedagogical model for working with youth from socially vulnerable backgrounds in a sport context. This article addresses the learning aspirations (learning outcomes) that emerged when we created spaces for youth to develop strategies to manage the risks they face in their community. Method: This study took place in a socially and economically disadvantaged neighborhood in a Brazilian city where we worked with a group of 17 boys aged 13 to 15 years old, 4 coaches, a pedagogic coordinator, and a social worker. During a 6-month period, we collected multiple sources of data including field journal entries/observations (38) and audio records of youth work sessions (18), coaches' work sessions (16), combined coaches and youth work sessions (3), and meetings between the lead and the 2nd author for debriefing and planning sessions (36). Results: By using an activist approach, 4 learning aspirations emerged: becoming responsible/committed, learning from mistakes, valuing each other's knowledge, and communicating with others. Conclusion: Findings suggest there is a need for more sports programs that start from young people's concrete needs and life situations and look to create places for youth to see alternative possibilities and take action.     

Combined training,FNDC5/irisin levels and metabolic markers in obese men: A randomised controlled trial

The effects of training on FNDC5/irisin and its association with fitness and metabolic marker improvements induced by training have been poorly investigated in humans. Thus, the present study assessed the effects of combined training (CT) on FNDC5/irisin levels, metabolic markers and fitness adaptations in obese men. Middle-age obese men (age 49.13?±?5.75, body mass index (BMI) 30.86?±?1.63) were randomly distributed in the CT group (n?=?12) and control group (CG n?=?10). The CT consisted of strength followed by aerobic training, 3 times/week, for 24 weeks. Body composition, physical fitness, plasma FNDC5/irisin, biochemical markers and metabolic scores/index were evaluated. CT maintained FNDC5/irisin levels (µg/mL) (pre: 4.15?±?0.32, post: 4.21?±?0.32; p?=?.96) and improved body composition, metabolic and physical fitness markers. In the CG, decreased FNDC5/irisin (µg/mL) (pre: 4.36?±?0.23, post: 3.57?±?0.94; p?=?.01) and reduced strength (supine exercise/kg) (pre: 71?±?14.7, post: 60.1?±?14.05; p?<?.01) were observed, along with a trend to increase HOMA-IR (pre: 2.63?±?1.11, post: 3.14?±?1.27; p?=?.07) and other indicators of metabolic deterioration. An inverse correlation was found between the change (Δ%) in levels of FNDC5/irisin and Δ% glucose, Δ% total cholesterol, Δ% triglycerides and Δ% waist circumference, in addition to a positive relation with Δ% muscle strength. In conclusion, CT maintained FNDC5/irisin levels and provided metabolic and fitness benefits. The correlation between FNDC5/irisin changes and metabolic parameters, as well as the FNDC5/irisin reduction associated with fitness and metabolic worsening in the CG, suggests a relationship between FNDC5/irisin and a healthy metabolic status in humans.     

经济走出阴霾ROI成为CIO关注焦点

CIO关注的焦点发生了改变。现在,他们更关心的是如何更多的用商业语言工作,用尽可能少的成本获取更多的收益以及有效的与股东沟通。 当前IT经济已经走出阴霾,因此CIO的预算以及时间、经费管理的方式都发生了改变。如果一笔技术或服务投