Cognitive ability and personality variables as predictors of school grades and test scores in adolescents

The predictive power of cognitive ability and self-control strength for self-reported grades and an achievement test were studied. It was expected that the variables use of time structure, academic procrastination, and motivational interference during learning further aid in predicting students’ achievement because they are operative in situations of school-leisure conflict. A sample of 697 eighth-graders was tested twice within the interval of a single school year (about eight months). Cognitive ability and self-control explained substantial variance of grade changes. Procrastination displayed a further portion of the variance. Personality variables were better predictors of grades, while cognitive ability showed higher variance with the achievement test. Variables tapping aspects of self-control strength have been interpreted as key determinants of learning outcomes. The findings suggest that it might be useful to identify students who are at risk, allowing these students to train their ability to shield studying from leisure distractions.     

The prevalence of risk factors for general recidivism in female adolescent sexual offenders: A comparison of three subgroups

To our knowledge, there are no former studies in which subgroups of female adolescent sexual offenders are studied. Therefore, we examined differences in risk factors for general recidivism between female adolescents who have committed a felony sexual offense against a younger child (CSO, n = 25), female adolescents who have committed a felony sexual offense with a peer victim (PSO, n = 15) and female adolescents who have committed a misdemeanor sexual offenses (MSO, n = 31). Results showed that CSOs had considerably fewer problems in the domains of school (truancy, behavior problems, dropping out of school), family (e.g., parental alcohol problems, parental mental health problems, poor authority and control, out of home placements and run away from home) and friends (antisocial friends) than MSOs and/or PSOs. No differences were found in the prevalence of mental health problems, physical abuse, sexual abuse and neglect. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.     

Factors influencing childcare workers’ promotion of physical activity in children aged 0–4 years: a qualitative study

The present study examined the factors influencing childcare workers’ promotion of physical activity (PA) among children aged 0–4?years, a particularly interesting context because of the increasing number of children attending childcare. Twenty Dutch childcare workers were interviewed. The interviews revealed some important barriers to the promotion of children’s PA: lack of facilities and time; rules and policies regarding safety and daily duties; non-cooperative colleagues; a large range of ages of children; poor weather; unsuitable clothing and lack of communication with parents. The respondents identified the parents rather than themselves as persons responsible for promoting children’s PA. Parents and childcare workers could improve their communication regarding children’s PA. Childcare centres could review their internal policies and provide workshops teaching childcare workers how to promote children’s PA.     

Students’ Value Orientations,Intuitive Decision Making,and Motivational Interference,and Their Relations to Regret

Students’ learning activities frequently compete with their leisure options, leading to regret after decisions to study. Using a sample of 233 German and 194 Australian undergraduate students, the authors explored possible determinants of the personality construct regret. They investigated whether the level to which students rely on intuition in decision making is negatively connected to the tendency to regret a decision and whether the degree to which during studying students are distracted by leisure incentives (motivational interference) is positively related to regret. Students’ achievement and well-being value orientations are expected to be linked to intuition and interference. In both samples, interference was positively related to regret whereas intuition was negatively related to regret only in the German sample. The authors did not find the expected link between intuition and interference. In both samples, value orientations were related, as expected, to intuition and interference. Regret could possibly be reduced if motivational interference is avoided.     

Optimised heart rate formulae to monitor endurance training in sedentary individuals

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the validity of the heart rate formula 170 – 0.5 age ± 10 used to prescribe endurance training for healthy sedentary or moderately trained individuals. A total of 795 incremental tests of women and men during running and cycling were analysed. The maximum heart rate, heart rate at deflection and age-dependent declines of these heart rates were determined. The maximum heart rate and the heart rate at deflection were greater during running (women: 192 ± 10 and 181 ± 9 bpm; men: 191 ± 10 and 179 ± 10 bpm) than cycling (women: 185 ± 11 and 170 ± 11 bpm; men: 187 ± 10 and 169 ± 11 bpm, P < 0.001) without any sex-based difference. With the upper limit of the existing heart rate formula, 4% during running and 35% during cycling exceeded the heart rate at deflection. We suggest two heart rate formulae for healthy sedentary or moderately endurance trained individuals separated for mode of exercise but not for sex: 165 – 0.5 age ± 5 for running and 160 – 0.5 age ± 5 for cycling.     

Body composition and nutritional profile of male adolescent tennis players

Abstract

In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated the body composition and dietary intake of 44 adolescent tennis players. After being divided into two groups (age 10–13 years and age 14–18), the players had their weight, height, and sexual maturation assessed. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to assess body composition. Food intake was obtained from a non-consecutive 4-day food record. The data were analysed using the Virtual Nutri v.1.0 software and compared with the present recommendations for adolescent athletes or dietary reference intakes. Body mass index and body fat for tennis practice were adequate for 89% and 71% of the tennis players respectively, regardless of age group. A calorie deficit greater than 10% of energy expenditure was observed in 32% of the sample. Fifty percent of the athletes consumed carbohydrates in accordance with recommended values. Protein and lipid intakes were above recommended values, while fibre, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and folic acid intakes were below recommendation for 98%, 80%, 100%, 100%, and 98% of the tennis players respectively. The observed nutritional deficiencies represent an additional barrier for adolescents engaged in competitive sports to achieve an optimum nutrition to maintain growth, health, and performance.     

The influence of a new sole geometry while running

Abstract

Running shoe construction influences the forces experienced by the human body while running. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether the new sole architecture of the On running shoe reduces ground reaction forces compared with running barefoot or with a conventional running shoe and whether it changes the physiological parameters of running in shoes. Thirty-seven trained male participants were studied while running at submaximal speeds wearing their conventional running shoe, wearing the On running shoe and while barefoot. Additional biomechanical and physiological values were investigated to determine whether the On running shoe induced any changes in these parameters compared with conventional running shoes. The On exhibited similar ground reaction forces as conventional shoes, and these were different from the forces experienced while running barefoot, showing that the On was more similar to typical shoed running. No difference was observed in running economy between the On and a conventional shoe model. However, a slightly lower heart rate (HR) (≈1.3%) and blood lactate concentration (≈5.5%) were observed during submaximal running with the On running shoe compared with a conventional running shoe, as well as a greater lateral deviation of the centre of pressure mid-stance. The ramifications of the reduced HR and blood lactate concentration for competitive performance are unknown.     

Concerns of Teachers about Implementing Individualized Instruction in the Physical Education Setting

Abstract

Teacher concerns about individualized physical education were measured by the Stages of Concern (SoC) questionnaire developed at The University of Texas Research and Development Center. Data were collected immediately before and just following a replicable, seven-week, client-centered, field-based inservice training program involving 15 physical education teachers. A case study approach was used to report group and selected individual concerns profiles. The results of this study indicated that while change is a difficult and time-consuming process, it can be facilitated by trainers focusing on individual teacher's needs and concerns.