• Adjusting athletes' body mass index to better reflect adiposity in epidemiological research

      Nevill, Alan M.; Winter, Edward M.; Ingham, Steve; Watts, Adam; Metsios, Giorgos S.; Stewart, Arthur D.; Research Institute of Healthcare Sciences, University of Wolverhampton, Walsall. (Routledge, 2010)
      The aim of the present study was to identify when body mass index (BMI) is unlikely to be a valid measure of adiposity in athletic populations and to propose a simple adjustment that will allow the BMI of athletes to reflect the adiposity normally associated with non-athletic populations. Using data from three previously published studies containing 236 athletes from seven sports and 293 age-matched controls, the association between adiposity (sum of 4 skinfold thicknesses, in millimetres) and BMI was explored using correlation, linear regression, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). As anticipated, there were strong positive correlations (r = 0.83 for both men and women) and slope parameters between adiposity and BMI in age-matched controls from Study 1 (all P < 0.001). The standard of sport participation reduced these associations. Of the correlations and linear-regression slope parameters between adiposity and BMI in the sports from Studies 2 and 3, although still positive in most groups, less than half of the correlations and slope parameters were statistically significant. When data from the three studies were combined, the ANCOVA identified that the BMI slope parameter of controls (5.81 mm . (kg . m(-2))(-1)) was greater than the BMI slope parameter for sports (2.62 mm . (kg . m(-2))(-1)) and middle-distance runners (0.94 mm . (kg . m(-2))(-1)) (P < 0.001). Based on these contrasting associations, we calculated how the BMI of athletes can be adjusted to reflect the same adiposity associated with age-matched controls. This simple adjustment allows the BMI of athletes and non-athletes to be used with greater confidence when investigating the effect of BMI as a risk factor in epidemiological research.
    • Current issues in contemporary sport development

      Biscomb, Kay; Medcalf, Richard; Griggs, Gerald (Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2016-01)
    • Examining emotional intelligence in sport

      Lane, Andrew M.; Devonport, Tracey; Thelwell, Richard; Gill, Gobinder Singh (University of Wolverhampton, 2010)
      Emotional intelligence has become a popular construct in both academic and applied settings (Petrides, Furnham, & Fredickinson, 2004; Zizzi, Deaner, & Hirschhorn, 2003). Research indicates that emotional intelligence is associated with successful performance outcomes in a range of domains including academia (Parker, Summerfeldt, Hogan, & Majeski, 2004), business (Zeidner, Matthews, & Roberts, 2004) and health (Pau & Crocker, 2003). Such findings have prompted researchers to explore the potential utility of emotional intelligence in sport (Meyer & Fletcher, 2007; Meyer & Zizzi, 2007). The present MPhil thesis has a two-pronged approach of examining emotional intelligence in sport. Conceptual issues of emotional intelligence are examined in relation to model approach and measurement. Therefore, two studies investigated the validity and reliability of the Emotional Intelligence Scale (EIS: Schutte et al., 1998). Results demonstrate that a revised version of the EIS (Schutte et al., 1998) is a useful measure of emotional intelligence for use in sport, although it has several limitations. These investigations also found support for the use of a six-factor model of the EIS (Schutte et al., 1998) comprising of appraisal of own emotions, appraisal of others emotions, regulation, utilization of emotions, optimism and social skills. Once conceptual issues have been examined and psychometric properties are found for a measure, it is also prudent to explore relationships between emotional intelligence and other related variables. To this extent, two studies explored the relationships between emotional intelligence and other related variables. In examining relationships between emotional intelligence and anger, both quantitative and qualitative data demonstrated that participants high in emotional intelligence ability were able to utilise strategies to combat the negative effects of anger. In a follow up study, relationships between emotional intelligence, mental toughness, and psychological skills were examined. Results showed that emotional intelligence, mental toughness, and psychological skills relationships co-exist. Arguably, these findings are important given that these variables can relate to emotional control and successful performance outcomes. Findings also lend support to the assumption that practitioners could utilise intervention programmes to assess emotional intelligence and its direction in relation to mental toughness and psychological skills. In summary, emotional intelligence is an important construct and its utility in sport should be further examined.
    • ‘Get a blue and you will see your money back again’: staffing and marketing the English prep school, 1890–1912

      Benson, John (Cambridge University Press, 2014-05-07)
      This article explores the ways in which English prep schools were staffed and marketed in the years before the First World War. Its aim more specifically is to employ a biographical approach to consider the emphasis that the schools placed upon sport, and in particular the extent to which they recruited Oxford and Cambridge Blues as teachers (and/or as coaches). It will be suggested that while prep schools certainly placed enormous emphasis upon sport, few of them employed Blues; and that even the small number which did, generally did so only on a part-time, seasonal or casual basis – and made virtually no mention of them in their marketing.
    • Growth, maturation and overuse injuries in dance and aesthetic sports: a systematic review

      Kolokythas, Nico; Metsios, George; Dinas, P; Allen, Nick; Galloway, Shaun; Wyon, Matthew (Taylor & Francis, 2021-01-24)
      Overuse injuries are the most prevalent injuries in aesthetic sports, due to the repetitive nature of the training. Evidence of their relationship with growth, maturation, and training load is equivocal. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of these factors on overuse injuries in dance and aesthetic sports. A database search was conducted using standard methods for article identification, selection, and risk of bias appraisal. The eligibility criteria for inclusion in the study consisted of peer-reviewed articles using any type of study design. Twenty-three studies met the criteria. These studies were cross-sectional in design, focusing on dance, gymnastics and diving. Nineteen studies indicated a positive association between growth, maturation, and overuse injuries and a further 6 reported a positive association with training load. There were inconsistencies in how the included studies accounted for important confounding associations of growth and maturation, in addition to showing high or unclear risk of bias. In conclusion, both the quantity and quality of research available on growth, maturation, and training load in association with overuse injuries in dance and aesthetic sports is lacking. The methodological approaches used, combined with the heterogeneity of the investigated populations, lead to equivocal and thus inconclusive results.
    • Knowing in primary physical education in the UK: negotiating movement culture

      Ward, Gavin; Quennerstedt, Mikael (2015-01-21)
      This paper aims to understand how pupils and teachers actions-in-context constitute being-a-pupil and being-a-teacher within a primary school physical education (PE) movement culture. Dewey and Bentley's theory of transaction, which views organism-in-environment-as-a-whole, enables the researcher to explore how actions-in-ongoing activities constitute and negotiate PE movement culture. Video footage from seven primary school PE lessons from a school in the West Midlands in the UK was analysed by focusing upon the ends-in-view of actions as they appeared through the educational content (what) and pedagogy (how) of the recorded PE experiences. Findings indicated that the movement culture within the school was a monoculture of looks-like-sport characterised by the privileging of the functional coordination of cooperative action. Three themes of pupils' and teachers' negotiation of the movement culture emerged U-turning, Knowing the game and Moving into and out of games. This movement culture required teachers to ensure pupils looked busy and reproduced cooperative looks-like-sport actions. In fulfilling this role, they struggled to negotiate between their knowledge of sport-for-real and directing pupils towards educational ends-in-view within games activities. Simply being good at sports was not a prerequisite for pupils' success in this movement culture. In order to re-actualise their knowledge of sport, pupils were required to negotiate the teacher's ‘how’ and ‘what’ by exploring what constituted cooperative actions within the spatial and social dimensions of the activities they were set. These findings suggest that if PE is to be more than just the reproduction of codified sport, careful adjustment and consideration of ends-in-view is of great importance. Without regard for the latter there is potential to create significant complexity for both teachers and pupils beyond that required by learning and performing sport.
    • Opportunity through Sport

      Medcalf, Richard; Griggs, Gerald; Medcalf, Richard; Biscomb, Kay; Griggs, Gerald; Medcalf, Richard (Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2015-10)
    • Perceptions of the influence of Adults other than Teachers on PE and School Sport in West Midlands Primary Schools

      Benton, Victoria (2015-01)
      What is the perceived influence of Adults other than Teachers on PE and School Sport in West Midlands Primary Schools? – By Victoria Benton. Over the last decade a body of academic literature has emerged, suggesting that PE is in a state of neglect. As a result of this, numerous researchers state that the National Curriculum for Physical Education (NCPE) is therefore being delivered ineffectively in primary schools. This thesis makes a contribution to the knowledge produced by recent studies by examining the perceived influence of Adults Other Than Teachers (AOTTs) in West Midlands Primary Schools on PE and school sport. The data were collected within the West Midlands area between January and July 2011. Nine schools and nine coaching companies participated in the study and data were collected using questionnaires and follow up interviews for selected participants. In keeping with previous studies on PE and school sport, foundation chapters are concerned with the factors affecting teacher’s confidence and competence to teach PE and school sport and the consequent increase in the number of AOTTs to combat this. Closer scrutiny highlights a number of emergent themes which provide basis for more detailed discussion later in the study. Data indicates that the use of AOTTs is perceived to impact PE and school sport in the West Midlands area and in support of previous research, the use of coaches continues to be widespread. Similarly, like previous research, key factors such as poor childhood experiences, lack of motor ability, poor Initial Teacher Training (ITT), insufficient content knowledge and a negative attitude towards the subject remain issues surrounding the implementation of AOTTs. With an ever changing curriculum, schools are facing constant battles to achieve set curricular demands. This research therefore suggests how teachers and coaches, in this case study, could best be utilised to ensure a high quality of PE and school sport is delivered in their schools in the future.
    • Spinal posture in different DanceSport dance styles compared with track and field athletes.

      Kruusamäe, Helena; Maasalu, Katre; Wyon, Matthew; Jürimäe, Toivo; Mäestu, Jarek; Mooses, Martin; Jürimäe, Jaak (Lithuanian Medical Association, 2015-11)
      Background and objective: In DanceSport, athletes train for many years to develop a very specific posture. Presently there are few data as to whether these adaptations are habitual or cause permanent anatomical changes to the spine. The aim of the current study was to evaluate lumbar lordosis and thoracic kyphosis of the international level DanceSport dancers using track and field athletes as controls. Materials and methods: Thirty competitive DanceSport couples (15 men aged 23.4 6.6 years; 15 women aged 22.5 6.4 years) and 29 track and field athletes (16 mean aged 27 4.4 years and 13 women aged 22 4.1 years) volunteered. Twelve couples were Standard, 7 Latin American and 11 were Ten Dance couples. Thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis angle were assessed in lateral view using a Vertebral Fracture Assessment scan. Results: DanceSport athletes had smaller S-shaped vertebral curvatures compared to track and field athletes. Male (5.7 4.78) and female dancers (8.7 5.98) had significantly smaller lumbar lordosis angle compared to their track and field counterparts (22.3 9.98 for men; 20.3 5.98 for women).Femaledancers(25.3 8.08)alsodemonstratedsignificantly smallerthoracickyphosis angle than female track and field (32.1 8.98) participants. It was further revealed that female Latin American dancers had significantly smaller lumbar lordosis values (3.7 3.18) compared with female Standard (10.7 6.18) and Ten Dance dancers (9.7 5.58). Conclusions: The results of the present study suggest that smaller S-shaped vertebral curvatures of DanceSport athletes compared with track and field athletes are permanent changes rather than habitual.
    • Strength and conditioning (S&C) practices of judo athletes and S&C coaches: a survey-based investigation

      Weldon, Anthony; Cloak, Ross; Kirk, Christopher; Ruddock, Alan; Langan-Evans, Carl; Detanico, Daniele; Loturco, Irineu; Kons, Rafael (Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2024-12-31)
      The benefits of strength and conditioning (S&C) for improving judo performance and reducing injuries have been widely studied. However, the S&C practices employed and perspectives held by those delivering S&C have yet to be elucidated. Therefore, this study investigated the S&C practices and perspectives of judokas and S&C coaches working within judo. Forty-two judokas and nine S&C coaches completed an online survey comprising six sections: (a) written informed consent; (b) background information; (c) education, qualifications, and prescription; (d) views on S&C; (e) exercise selection; and (f) issues and improvements. Frequency analysis was used to report responses to fixed-response questions, and thematic analysis for open-ended questions. Results indicated that S&C coaches were primarily responsible for delivering S&C programs (60%), and S&C information was predominantly sourced from S&C coaches (43%). Strength and conditioning was deemed very important for randori (78-88%), overall judo-performance (67-79%), and judo-fitness (62-78%). Similarly, S&C was considered very important for the development of speed and power (76-89%), strength (71-89%), and injury reduction (69-78%). Novel findings were also observed, such as integrating judo-specific training within S&C practice, which may be partly explained by more S&C coaches holding judo belts (67%) than S&C qualifications (11%). This study supports practitioners delivering S&C in judo by offering a base of information to critique or align with their existing S&C practices and perspectives. Furthermore, our results may help identify potential gaps between methods used, proposed guidelines, and actual practice, facilitating the development of research and education resources tailored to the current climate.