Special Education of Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

The current study aimed to estimate the cost associated with special education among children (5 to 14 years) with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in elementary and middle school by sex, age group, and province and territory in Canada. It was estimated that there were 6,520 students with FASD receiving special education in Canada in 2011–2012. The cost of special education among these students was 53.5 million Canadian dollars. Implications for decision- and policymakers, educational systems and school staff are discussed.     

Attentional Mechanisms in Sports Via Brain-Electrical Event-Related Potentials

In this study, we examined attention processes in complex, sport-specific decision-making tasks without interdependencies from anticipation. Psychophysiological and performance data recorded from advanced and intermediate level basketball referees were compared. Event-related potentials obtained while judging game situations in foul recognition and a control task provided insight into focus of attention, selective attention, and processing strategy (top-down vs. bottom-up). Results showed task-specific effects for advanced referees in components influenced by attentional focus and selective attention. Experts also seemed to profit from superior top-down strategy and were able to evaluate the stimuli more rapidly. These findings are discussed in connection with current models in neurosciences and theories of referee research.     

Effect of biological maturation on maximal oxygen uptake and ventilatory thresholds in soccer players: An allometric approach

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the effect of biological maturation on maximal oxygen uptake ([Vdot]O_2max) and ventilatory thresholds (VT₁ and VT₂) in 110 young soccer players separated into pubescent and post-pubescent groups.. Maximal oxygen uptake and [Vdot]O₂ corresponding to VT₁ and VT₂ were expressed as absolute values, ratio standards, theoretical exponents, and experimentally observed exponents. Absolute [Vdot]O₂ (ml · min^?1) was different between groups for VT₁, VT₂, and [Vdot]O_2max. Ratio standards (ml · kg^?1 · min^?1) were not significantly different between groups for VT₁, VT₂, and [Vdot]O_2max. Theoretical exponents (ml · kg^?0.67 · min^?1 and ml · kg^?0.75 · min^?1) were not properly adjusted for the body mass effects on VT₁, VT₂, and [Vdot]O_2max. When the data were correctly adjusted using experimentally observed exponents, VT₁ (ml · kg^?0.94 · min^?1) and VT₂ (ml · kg^?0.95 · min^?1) were not different between groups. The experimentally observed exponent for [Vdot]O_2max (ml · kg^?0.90 · min^?1) was different between groups (P = 0.048); however, this difference could not be attributed to biological maturation. In conclusion, biological maturation had no effect on VT₁, VT₂ or [Vdot]O_2max when the effect of body mass was adjusted by experimentally observed exponents. Thus, when evaluating the physiological performance of young soccer players, allometric scaling needs to be taken into account instead of using theoretical approaches.     

An evaluation of personalised insoles developed using additive manufacturing

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the short and medium term use of personalised insoles, produced by combining additive manufacturing (AM) with three-dimensional (3-D) foot scanning and computer aided design (CAD) systems. For that, 38 runners (19 pairings) were recruited. The experimental conditions were: personalised and control. The personalised condition consisted of trainers fitted with personalised glove fit insoles manufactured using AM and using foot scans to match the plantar geometry of the feet. The control condition consisted of the same trainers fitted with insoles also manufactured using AM but using scans of the original insole shape. Participants were allocated to one of the experimental conditions and wore the trainers for 3 months. Over this period they attended three laboratory sessions (at months 0, 1.5 and 3) and completed an Activity Diary after each training session. The footwear was evaluated in terms of discomfort and biomechanics. Lower discomfort ratings were found in the heel area (P ≤ 0.05) and for overall fit (P ≤ 0.05), with the personalised insole. However, discomfort was reported under the arch region for both conditions. With regard to the biomechanical data, differences between conditions were detected for ankle dorsiflexion at footstrike (P ≤ 0.05), maximum ankle eversion (P ≤ 0.05) and peak mean pressure under the heel (P ≤ 0.01): the personalised condition had lower values which may reduce injury risk. The personalisation of the geometry of insoles through advances in AM together with 3-D scanning and CAD technologies can provide benefits and has potential.