Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enhancing social participation in young people with communication disabilities living in rural Australia: outcomes of a home-based intervention for using social media

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of a home-based intervention using social media to enhance social networks of young people with disabilities and communication difficulties. Method: Eight young people (Mage = 15.4 years) with communication disabilities participated from two rural Australian towns. The intervention provided assistive technology and training to learn social media use. A mixed-method design combined pre- and post-assessments measuring changes in performance, satisfaction with performance, attainment on social media goals, and social network extension, and interviews investigated the way in which the intervention influenced social participation. Results: Participants showed an increase in performance, and satisfaction with performance, on the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure; paired t-tests showed statistical significance at p <0.01. Wilcoxon Signed Ranks revealed a significant increase in the number of online communication partners, p <0.05. The interviews highlighted participants’ and parents’ perceptions of increased social connections, improved communication frequency and nature, and speech intelligibility and literacy as a result of the intervention. Conclusions: The findings suggest that learning to use social media leads to increase in social participation among rural-based young people with communication disabilities. In order to benefit from advantages of learning to use social media in rural areas, parents and service providers need knowledge and skills to integrate assistive technology with the Internet needs of this group. Implications for Rehabilitation Young people with communication disabilities living in rural areas of Australia can learn and benefit from using social media such as Skype, e-mail, and Facebook to enhance their social connections. For young people with communication disabilities to benefit from social media, there needs to be more collaboration between home and school with use of assistive technologies, training, and support to learn to use social media. Parents/caregivers living in rural areas need support and training in using social media, knowledge of assistive technologies, and the expectations that these can benefit their children. Disability service providers need knowledge and skills to integrate social media and assistive technology for their clients.
Enhancing caregivers’ understanding of dementia and tailoring activities in frontotemporal dementia: two case studies

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe the intervention process and results of the Tailored Activities Program (TAP) in two people diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). Method: TAP is an occupational therapy (OT) community-based intervention program that prescribes personalised activities to reduce difficult behaviours of dementia. The OT works with carers over a 4-month period (assessment, activity prescription and generalisation of strategies). Study measures were collected (blind researcher) pre- and post-intervention: cognition, functional disability, behavioural symptoms and Caregiver Confidence and Vigilance. Results: A 51-year-old woman with behavioural-variant FTD could consistently engage in more activities post-intervention, with scores indicating improvements to behaviour, function and caregiver confidence. A 63-year-old man with semantic variant FTD engaged well in the prescribed activities, with scores reflecting reduced carer distress regarding challenging behaviours and improved caregiver vigilance. Conclusions: TAP is efficacious in FTD, allowing for differences in approach for FTD subtype, where behavioural symptoms are very severe and pervasive. Implications for Rehabilitation The Tailored Activities Program is an intervention which can be tailored to account for unique behavioural and language profiles inherent across frontotemporal dementia (FTD) subtypes. Maintaining a flexible approach when applying an intervention in FTD allows for tailoring to individual case variability within FTD subtypes.
Quantification of Vertical Ground Reaction Forces of Popular Bilateral Plyometric Exercises

Wallace, BJ, Kernozek, TW, White, JM, Kline, DE, Wright, GA, Peng, H-T, and Huang, C-F. Quantification of vertical ground reaction forces of popular bilateral plyometric exercises. J Strength Cond Res 24(1): 207-212, 2010-The purpose of this study was to quantify the vertical ground reaction forces (VGRFs) developed during the performance of popular bilateral plyometric movements. Fourteen power-oriented track and field men of collegiate and national level randomly performed 3 trials of 9 different bilateral plyometric exercises in a single testing session. Three depth drop (DD) and 3 depth jump (DJ) conditions from 30, 60, and 90 cm heights (DD30, DD60, and DD90 and DJ30, DJ60, and DJ90) were tested, in addition to vertical jump (VJ), standing long jump (SLJ), and 2 consecutive jump (2CJ) conditions. Peak impact VGRFs were normalized to body weight. Additionally, all conditions were compared against the VJ in an intensity index. The SLJ condition resulted in a significantly higher peak VGRF than the 2CJ condition (p ≤ 0.05). 90DD, 90DJ, 60DD, and SLJ had a significantly greater peak VGRF (5.39, 4.93, 4.30, and 4.22 times body weight, respectively) than the VJ condition (3.34 times body weight). The 30DJ condition had an insignificantly smaller peak VGRF (2.78 times body weight) when compared with the VJ. Practitioners may use these findings to more effectively progress athletes in these movements based on their intensities.
&OV0312;o2max and ventilatory threshold of trained cyclists are not affected by 28-day l-arginine supplementation

Sunderland, KL, Greer, F, and Morales, J. &OV0312;o2max and ventilatory threshold of trained cyclists are not affected by 28-day l-arginine supplementation. J Strength Cond Res 25(3): 833-837, 2011-The ergogenic effect of l-arginine on an endurance-trained population is not well studied. The few studies that have investigated l-arginine on this population have not been conducted in a laboratory setting or measured aerobic variables. The purpose of the current study is to determine if 28 days of l-arginine supplementation in trained male cyclists affects &OV0312;o2max and ventilatory threshold (VT). Eighteen (18) endurance-trained male cyclists (mean ± SD, age: 36.3±7.9 years; height: 182.4 ± 4.6 cm; and body mass: 79.5 ± 4.7 kg) performed a graded exercise test (GXT; 50 W + 25 W·min−1) before and after 28 days of supplementation with l-arginine (ARG; 2 × 6 g·d−1) or placebo (PLA; cornstarch). The GXT was conducted on the subject's own bicycle using the RacerMate CompuTrainer (Seattle, WA, USA). &OV0312;o2 was continuously recorded using the ParvoMedics TrueOne 2400 metabolic cart (Salt Lake City, UT, USA) and VT was established by plotting the ventilatory equivalent for O2 (&OV0312;E/&OV0312;o2) and the ventilatory equivalent for CO2 (&OV0312;E/&OV0312;co2) and identifying the point at which &OV0312;E/&OV0312;o2 increases with no substantial changes in &OV0312;E/&OV0312;co2. l-arginine supplementation had no effect from initial &OV0312;o2max (PL, 58.7 ± 7.1 ml·kg−1·min−1; ARG, 63.5 ± 7.3 ml·kg−1·min−1) to postsupplement &OV0312;o2max (PL, 58.9 ± 6.0 ml·kg−1·min−1; ARG, 63.2 ± 7.2 ml·kg−1·min−1). Also, no effect was seen from initial VT (PL, 75.7 ± 4.6% &OV0312;o2max; ARG, 76.0 ± 5.3% &OV0312;o2max) to postsupplement VT (PL, 74.3 ± 8.1% &OV0312;o2max; ARG, 74.2 ± 6.4% &OV0312;o2max). These results indicate that l-arginine does not impact &OV0312;o2max or VT in trained male cyclists.
Recreational Soccer Can Improve the Reflex Response to Sudden Trunk Loading Among Untrained Women

Pedersen, MT, Randers, MB, Skotte, JH, and Krustrup, P. Recreational soccer can improve the reflex response to sudden trunk loading among untrained women. J Strength Cond Res 23(9): 2621-2626, 2009-A slower reflex response to sudden trunk loading (SL) has been shown to increase future risk of low back injuries in healthy subjects, and specific readiness training can improve the response to SL among healthy subjects. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of recreational soccer training on the reaction to SL among untrained healthy women. Thirty-six healthy, untrained, Danish women (age 19-45 years) were randomly assigned to a soccer group (SO, n = 19) and a running group (RU, n = 17). In addition, an untrained control group (CON, n = 10) was recruited. Training was performed for 1 hour twice a week (mean heart rate of 165 b·min−1 in SO and 164 b·min−1 in RU) for 16 weeks. Test of reactions to sudden unexpected trunk loading was performed before and after the training period. Furthermore, time-motion analysis of the soccer training was performed for 9 subjects. Group assignment was blinded to the test personnel. Physical education students organized the training. During 1 hour of soccer training, the total number of sudden moves including sudden loading of the upper body (e.g. turns, stops, throw-ins, headers, and shoulder tackles) was 192 (63). In SO, time elapsed until stopping of the forward movement of the trunk (stopping time) decreased (p < 0.05) by 15% and distance moved after unexpected SL decreased (p < 0.05) by 24% compared with no changes in RU and CON. In conclusion, football training includes a high number of sudden loadings of the upper body and can improve the reflex response to SL. The faster reflex response indicates that soccer training can reduce the risk of low back injuries.
Children’s contact with people with disabilities and their attitudes towards disability: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Purpose: To explore the association between children’s self-reported contact with people with disabilities and attitudes towards them, as well the potential mediating influence of anxiety about interacting with people with disabilities and empathy for them. Method: 1881 children, aged 7–16 years, from 20 schools in South West England completed a survey assessing their contact with people with disabilities and their attitudes towards them. Anxiety about interacting with people with disabilities and empathy towards them were examined as potential mediators. Gender, school year, perceived similarity between people with and without disabilities, proportion of children with additional needs at the school and socioeconomic status (SES) were assessed as moderators. A random effects (“multilevel”) regression model was used to test the contact–attitude association and moderation, and path analysis was used to test for mediation. Results: Participants with more self-reported contact reported more positive attitudes towards disability (p < 0.001). Less anticipated anxiety and greater empathy together mediated around a third of this association. Only school year moderated the contact–attitude association (affective attitudes), with stronger contact–attitude associations in primary school children than secondary school children. Conclusions: Self-reported contact was observed to be associated with more positive attitudes towards disability, which was partially mediated by empathy and anxiety. Providing opportunities for contact with people with disabilities that reduces anxiety and increases empathy may improve attitudes to disability and merits evaluation in interventions. Implications for Rehabilitation Children who reported greater levels of contact with people with disabilities had more positive attitudes towards disability. Anxiety about interacting with people with disabilities and empathy towards them partially mediated the contact–attitude associations. Providing opportunities for contact with people with disabilities, reducing anxiety and increasing empathy may improve children’s attitudes to disability.
SEXUAL BEHAVIOR, AWARENESS OF HIV/AIDS, AND ATTITUDES OF UNMARRIED TERTIARY SCHOOL STUDENTS TO HIV COUNSELING & TESTING: IMPLICATIONS FOR CONTROL OF HIV TRANSMISSION

HIV/AIDS is found commonly among sexually active young adults, many of whom may be undergraduates. This group may serve as the gateway for HIV transmission to the general population because of their vulnerable lifestyle, and lack of information about the disease and its prevention. Aims/objectives are to assess knowledge of HIV/AIDS, sexual behavior, and attitudes/ reactions to HCT. Cross sectional questionnaire-based study of 400 students in 4 higher institutions in Zaria was done. Exclusion criteria included married students, science students of biology, medical laboratory, veterinary medicine, human medicine, pharmacy and nursing. 395 students completed questionnaire (99% response rate). 51% females (ᾱ age =22.1 ±3.9 years) versus males (23.0 ±4.3 years), Muslims/ Christians (50% / 50%). Two-third, half and one-third knew meaning of HIV/AIDS, routes of HIV transmission/ prevention, and VCT respectively. 70% have had sexual intercourse, 40% had > 1 sexual partners, 56% do not use condoms always and > 90% think they have low risk for HIV. Majority supported free premarital HCT, initiated by couples, but results to be revealed to individuals alone. 60% would break relationship if partner refused to disclose HCT result, 95% would do so if partner has HIV+ result while 81% would marry themselves if both have positive HIV results. Many tertiary school students do not protect themselves against HIV, although they would shun marriage with HIV positive partner.
Fatigue Effects on Knee Joint Stability During Two Jump Tasks in Women

Ortiz, A, Olson, SL, Etnyre, B, Trudelle-Jackson, EE, Bartlett, W, and Venegas-Rios, HL. Fatigue effects on knee joint stability during two jump tasks in women. J Strength Cond Res 24(4): 1019-1027, 2010-Dynamic knee joint stability may be affected by the onset of metabolic fatigue during sports participation that could increase the risk for knee injury. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of metabolic fatigue on knee muscle activation, peak knee joint angles, and peak knee internal moments in young women during 2 jumping tasks. Fifteen women (mean age: 24.6 ± 2.6 years) participated in one nonfatigued session and one fatigued session. During both sessions, peak knee landing flexion and valgus joint angles, peak knee extension and varus/valgus internal moments, electromyographic (EMG) muscle activity of the quadriceps and hamstrings, and quadriceps/hamstring EMG cocontraction ratio were measured. The tasks consisted of a single-legged drop jump from a 40-cm box and a 20-cm, up-down, repeated hop task. The fatigued session included a Wingate anaerobic protocol followed by performance of the 2 tasks. Although participants exhibited greater knee injury-predisposing factors during the fatigued session, such as lesser knee flexion joint angles, greater knee valgus joint angles, and greater varus/valgus internal joint moments for both tasks, only knee flexion during the up-down task was statistically significant (p = 0.028). Metabolic fatigue may perhaps predispose young women to knee injuries by impairing dynamic knee joint stability. Training strength-endurance components and the ability to maintain control of body movements in either rested or fatigued situations might help reduce injuries in young women athletes.
Amino Acid Supplements and Recovery from High-Intensity Resistance Training

Sharp, CPM and Pearson, DR. Amino acid supplements and recovery from high-intensity training. J Strength Cond Res 24(4): 1125-1130, 2010-The purpose of this study was to investigate whether short-term amino acid supplementation could maintain a short-term net anabolic hormonal profile and decrease muscle cell damage during a period of high-intensity resistance training (overreaching), thereby enhancing recovery and decreasing the risk of injury and illness. Eight previously resistance trained males were randomly assigned to either a high branched chain amino acids (BCAA) or placebo group. Subjects consumed the supplement for 3 weeks before commencing a fourth week of supplementation with concomitant high-intensity total-body resistance training (overreaching) (3 × 6-8 repetitions maximum, 8 exercises). Blood was drawn prior to and after supplementation, then again after 2 and 4 days of training. Serum was analyzed for testosterone, cortisol, and creatine kinase. Serum testosterone levels were significantly higher (p < 0.001), and cortisol and creatine kinase levels were significantly lower (p < 0.001, and p = 0.004, respectively) in the BCAA group during and following resistance training. These findings suggest that short-term amino acid supplementation, which is high in BCAA, may produce a net anabolic hormonal profile while attenuating training-induced increases in muscle tissue damage. Athletes' nutrient intake, which periodically increases amino acid intake to reflect the increased need for recovery during periods of overreaching, may increase subsequent competitive performance while decreasing the risk of injury or illness.
Lower Extremity Muscle Activation During Baseball Pitching

Campbell, BM, Stodden, DF, and Nixon, MK. Lower extremity muscle activation during baseball pitching. J Strength Cond Res 24(4): 964-971, 2010-The purpose of this study was to investigate muscle activation levels of select lower extremity muscles during the pitching motion. Bilateral surface electromyography data on 5 lower extremity muscles (biceps femoris, rectus femoris, gluteus maximus, vastus medialis, and gastrocnemius) were collected on 11 highly skilled baseball pitchers and compared with individual maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) data. The pitching motion was divided into 4 distinct phases: phase 1, initiation of pitching motion to maximum stride leg knee height; phase 2, maximum stride leg knee height to stride foot contact (SFC); phase 3, SFC to ball release; and phase 4, ball release to 0.5 seconds after ball release (follow-through). Results indicated that trail leg musculature elicited moderate to high activity levels during phases 2 and 3 (38-172% of MVIC). Muscle activity levels of the stride leg were moderate to high during phases 2-4 (23-170% of MVIC). These data indicate a high demand for lower extremity strength and endurance. Specifically, coaches should incorporate unilateral and bilateral lower extremity exercises for strength improvement or maintenance and to facilitate dynamic stabilization of the lower extremities during the pitching motion.
Sexual Behavior and Sexual Satisfaction according to Gender in Korean Patients with Cancer.

PURPOSE This study was done to investigate sexual behavior and sexual satisfaction according to gender difference in Korean patients with cancer. METHODS In this study, a convenience sample of Korean patients with cancer who visited hospitals in J City was used. Data were collected between September and December 2012using structured questionnaires: Sexual frequency scale and General sexual satisfaction index (GSSI). RESULTS Over half of the patients reported loss of sexual desire and changes in sexual behaviors. There was a significant decrease in sexual satisfaction among the male patients, compared to the female patients (t=2.34, p=.020). There were significant correlations between sexual satisfaction and sexual behaviors (male patients r=.45, p<.001; female patients r=.59, p<.001). CONCLUSION The results of this study demonstrate the need to take gender into account in developing interventions for patients with cancer. These results will also contribute to the development of improved interventions for sexual health care.
Clinical Commentary and Literature Review: Diagnosis, Conservative and Surgical Management of Adhesive Capsulitis

Adhesive capsulitis is a painful musculoskeletal condition of the glenohumeral joint causing limitation of motion and pain. To date the aetiology of adhesive capsulitis remains somewhat of a mystery. Standard of care generally consists of conservative management which can be followed by surgical intervention if adequate function is not attained. Conservative treatment can often be a long and frustrating course. Patience and persistence usually prevail with a functional return following either conservative or surgical intervention.
Comparison of Energy Expenditure on a Treadmill vs. an Elliptical Device at a Self-Selected Exercise Intensity

Brown, GA, Cook, CM, Krueger, RD, and Heelan, KA. Comparison of energy expenditure on a treadmill vs. an elliptical device at a self-selected exercise intensity. J Strength Cond Res 24(6): 1643-1649, 2010-Treadmills (TM) and elliptical devices (EL) are popular forms of exercise equipment. The differences in the training stimulus presented by TM or EL are unknown. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate oxygen consumption, energy expenditure, and heart rate on a TM or EL when persons exercise at the same perceived level of exertion. After measuring peak oxygen uptake (&OV0312;O2peak) in 9 male and 9 female untrained college-aged participants, the subjects performed 2 separate 15-minute submaximal exercise tests on the TM and EL at a rating of perceived exertion (RPE) of 12-13. &OV0312;O2peak was higher (p < 0.05) in the males (48.6 ± 1.5 vs. 45.2 ± 1.6 ml/kg/min) than the females (41.7 ± 1.8 vs. 38.8 ± 2.2 ml/kg/min) for both TM and EL (means ± standard error of the mean; for TM vs. EL respectively), but there were no differences in the measured &OV0312;O2peak between TM or EL. During submaximal exercise there were no differences in RPE between TM and EL. Total oxygen consumption was higher (p < 0.05) in males (30.8 ± 2.2 vs. 34.9 ± 2.2 L) than females (24.1 ± 1.8 vs. 26.9 ± 1.7 L) but did not differ between TM and EL. Energy expenditure was not different between TM (569 ± 110 J) or EL (636 ± 120 kJ). Heart rate was higher (p < 0.05) on the EL (164 ± 16 beats/min) compared to the TM (145 ± 15 beats/min). When subjects exercise at the same RPE on TM or EL, oxygen consumption and energy expenditure are similar in spite of a higher heart rate on the EL. These data indicate that during cross training or noncompetition-specific exercise, an elliptical device is an acceptable alternative to a treadmill.