title: The Efficacy of Wrestling-Style Compression Suits to Improve Maximum Isometric Force and Movement Velocity in Well-Trained Male Rugby Athletes

authors: McMaster, Daniel Travis

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: Purpose: The prevalence of compression garment (CG) use is increasing with athletes striving to take advantage of the purported benefits to recovery and performance. Here, we investigated the effect of CG on muscle force and movement velocity performance in athletes.

Methods: Ten well-trained male rugby athletes wore a wrestling-style CG suit applying 13–31 mmHg of compressive pressure during a training circuit in a repeated-measures crossover design. Force and velocity data were collected during a 5-s isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) and repeated countermovement jump (CMJ), respectively; and time to complete a 5-m horizontal loaded sled push was also measured.

Results: IMTP peak force was enhanced in the CG condition by 139 ± 142 N (effect size [ES] = 0.36). Differences in CMJ peak velocity (ES = 0.08) and loaded sled-push sprint time between the conditions were trivial (ES = −0.01). A qualitative assessment of the effects of CG wear suggested that the likelihood of harm was unlikely in the CMJ and sled push, while a beneficial effect in the CMJ was possible, but not likely. Half of the athletes perceived a functional benefit in the IMTP and CMJ exercises.

Conclusion: Consistent with other literature, there was no substantial effect of wearing a CG suit on CMJ and sprint performance. The improvement in peak force generation capability in an IMTP may be of benefit to rugby athletes involved in scrummaging or lineout lifting. The mechanism behind the improved force transmission is unclear, but may involve alterations in neuromuscular recruitment and proprioceptive feedback.

text: The Efficacy of Wrestling-Style Compression Suits to Improve Maximum Isometric Force and Movement Velocity in Well-Trained Male Rugby Athletes Purpose: The prevalence of compression garment (CG) use is increasing with athletes striving to take advantage of the purported benefits to recovery and performance. Here, we investigated the effect of CG on muscle force and movement velocity performance in athletes.

Methods: Ten well-trained male rugby athletes wore a wrestling-style CG suit applying 13–31 mmHg of compressive pressure during a training circuit in a repeated-measures crossover design. Force and velocity data were collected during a 5-s isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) and repeated countermovement jump (CMJ), respectively; and time to complete a 5-m horizontal loaded sled push was also measured.

Results: IMTP peak force was enhanced in the CG condition by 139 ± 142 N (effect size [ES] = 0.36). Differences in CMJ peak velocity (ES = 0.08) and loaded sled-push sprint time between the conditions were trivial (ES = −0.01). A qualitative assessment of the effects of CG wear suggested that the likelihood of harm was unlikely in the CMJ and sled push, while a beneficial effect in the CMJ was possible, but not likely. Half of the athletes perceived a functional benefit in the IMTP and CMJ exercises.

Conclusion: Consistent with other literature, there was no substantial effect of wearing a CG suit on CMJ and sprint performance. The improvement in peak force generation capability in an IMTP may be of benefit to rugby athletes involved in scrummaging or lineout lifting. The mechanism behind the improved force transmission is unclear, but may involve alterations in neuromuscular recruitment and proprioceptive feedback.

year: 2017

title: Is there an association between controlling behaviour and intimate partner violence revictimization

authors: Jolliffe Simpson, Apriel D.

abstract: It is becoming increasingly recognized that controlling behaviours are a widespread form of harm experienced by victims of intimate partner violence; and in some countries ‘coercive control’ – the repetitive and systematic use of controlling behaviours over time – has become a criminal offence. However, the extent to which controlling behaviours are detected by law enforcement, and the utility of this information for predicting revictimization, remains unclear. Therefore, in this study we recorded the presence of five types of controlling behaviours in a sample of police reports for 629 medium- and high-risk cases from the Integrated Safety Response (ISR). We examined the relationship between these controlling behaviours and two measures of revictimization over the following six months: physical harm and injuries. We found that controlling behaviours in these initial reports could be used to predict physical harm to the victim during the follow-up period, with economic and threatening control being the strongest predictors. Controlling behaviours did not predict subsequent injuries. Our ability to predict both types of revictimization outcomes became stronger with the addition of information about the presence of physical harm in the index episode and police’s SAFVR and DYRA risk categorisations, indicating that information about controlling behaviour could complement police’s existing family violence risk assessment practices, rather than being used in place of them.

text: Is there an association between controlling behaviour and intimate partner violence revictimization It is becoming increasingly recognized that controlling behaviours are a widespread form of harm experienced by victims of intimate partner violence; and in some countries ‘coercive control’ – the repetitive and systematic use of controlling behaviours over time – has become a criminal offence. However, the extent to which controlling behaviours are detected by law enforcement, and the utility of this information for predicting revictimization, remains unclear. Therefore, in this study we recorded the presence of five types of controlling behaviours in a sample of police reports for 629 medium- and high-risk cases from the Integrated Safety Response (ISR). We examined the relationship between these controlling behaviours and two measures of revictimization over the following six months: physical harm and injuries. We found that controlling behaviours in these initial reports could be used to predict physical harm to the victim during the follow-up period, with economic and threatening control being the strongest predictors. Controlling behaviours did not predict subsequent injuries. Our ability to predict both types of revictimization outcomes became stronger with the addition of information about the presence of physical harm in the index episode and police’s SAFVR and DYRA risk categorisations, indicating that information about controlling behaviour could complement police’s existing family violence risk assessment practices, rather than being used in place of them.

year: 2021

title: Talking together: The effects of traditional Māori Pedagogy on children’s early literacy development

authors: Derby, Melissa

abstract: This article presents findings from a project that sought to determine the effects of a home-based literacy intervention on bilingual (English and Te Reo Māori) preschool children’s early literacy skills. The culturally responsive intervention, which was adapted from Tender Shoots, incorporated traditional Māori teaching and learning approaches, such as the use of storytelling, songs, games, and reminiscing about the past, as practices for supporting key cognitive skills crucial to foundational literacy, specifically phonological awareness and vocabulary knowledge. Over a 12-week period, during which the intervention was conducted, data were gathered from eight Māori preschool children and their families. The study utilised a crossover design. Four children and their families participated in the Rich Reading and Reminiscing (RRR) component of the intervention, which ran for six weeks, followed by the Strengthening Sound Sensitivity (SSS) portion of the intervention. The remaining four children completed the intervention in the reverse order of delivery. The crossover approach established a control in the study and allowed the effects of each part of the intervention on the aforementioned cognitive skills to be more clearly revealed. Overall, the data indicate that traditional Māori pedagogical practices helped to strengthen the early literacy skills of the children participating in the study.

text: Talking together: The effects of traditional Māori Pedagogy on children’s early literacy development This article presents findings from a project that sought to determine the effects of a home-based literacy intervention on bilingual (English and Te Reo Māori) preschool children’s early literacy skills. The culturally responsive intervention, which was adapted from Tender Shoots, incorporated traditional Māori teaching and learning approaches, such as the use of storytelling, songs, games, and reminiscing about the past, as practices for supporting key cognitive skills crucial to foundational literacy, specifically phonological awareness and vocabulary knowledge. Over a 12-week period, during which the intervention was conducted, data were gathered from eight Māori preschool children and their families. The study utilised a crossover design. Four children and their families participated in the Rich Reading and Reminiscing (RRR) component of the intervention, which ran for six weeks, followed by the Strengthening Sound Sensitivity (SSS) portion of the intervention. The remaining four children completed the intervention in the reverse order of delivery. The crossover approach established a control in the study and allowed the effects of each part of the intervention on the aforementioned cognitive skills to be more clearly revealed. Overall, the data indicate that traditional Māori pedagogical practices helped to strengthen the early literacy skills of the children participating in the study.

year: 2023-02