title: New Zealand Youth Rugby Sevens: A Comparative Match Demands Study

authors: Wintershoven, Koen

subjects: U15/U19

abstract: Rugby sevens has established itself on the world stage since its inclusion in the 2016 Olympics. Participation among New Zealand (NZ) youth has surged. Sevens games have specific high demands, but little is known about these competitive demands in regards to youth. Two NZ male youth squads (U15, n = 13; U19, n = 14) were monitored during a national sevens tournament. Microsensor technology captured heart rate (HR) and kinematic performance. The rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was collected for U15 matches only. U19 and U15 players ran 108 ± 11 and 116 ± 13 m·min-1 at an average speed (VAVG) of 6.5 ± 0.6 and 6.9 ± 0.8 km·h-1. Peak speeds (VPEAK) reached 33.7 km·h-1, and high-intensity running distance (HIRD) averaged 252 ± 102 m. U15 (44.3 ± 9.2 game-1) and U19 (39.4 ± 6.1 game-1) showed different sprint rates. U15 covered more moderate-velocity distance (20-80% VMAX) and less low-velocity distance (<20% VMAX). RPE was 13 ± 1 (U15). An average HR of 90.0 ± 3.9% HRMAX was recorded. Upwards of 57% of game time was played at >95% HRMAX. Youth sevens competition is specifically demanding. U15 can experience greater loads than older peers in rugby. Coaches can use this information to optimize players' physical development.

text: New Zealand Youth Rugby Sevens: A Comparative Match Demands Study Rugby sevens has established itself on the world stage since its inclusion in the 2016 Olympics. Participation among New Zealand (NZ) youth has surged. Sevens games have specific high demands, but little is known about these competitive demands in regards to youth. Two NZ male youth squads (U15, n = 13; U19, n = 14) were monitored during a national sevens tournament. Microsensor technology captured heart rate (HR) and kinematic performance. The rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was collected for U15 matches only. U19 and U15 players ran 108 ± 11 and 116 ± 13 m·min-1 at an average speed (VAVG) of 6.5 ± 0.6 and 6.9 ± 0.8 km·h-1. Peak speeds (VPEAK) reached 33.7 km·h-1, and high-intensity running distance (HIRD) averaged 252 ± 102 m. U15 (44.3 ± 9.2 game-1) and U19 (39.4 ± 6.1 game-1) showed different sprint rates. U15 covered more moderate-velocity distance (20-80% VMAX) and less low-velocity distance (<20% VMAX). RPE was 13 ± 1 (U15). An average HR of 90.0 ± 3.9% HRMAX was recorded. Upwards of 57% of game time was played at >95% HRMAX. Youth sevens competition is specifically demanding. U15 can experience greater loads than older peers in rugby. Coaches can use this information to optimize players' physical development.

year: 2023-03-31

title: The role of the deposit feeding bivalve Macomona liliana in a simple biophysical model for predicting estuarine ecosystem tipping points

authors: Thomson, Taylor Scott

subjects: Macomona liliana

abstract: Estuaries are highly productive, coastal marine environments that provide vital ecosystem functions supporting human health. Throughout history, many major settlements have been established adjacent to estuaries, so to take advantage of the resources they provide. After centuries of exploitation and heavy pollution, the health of estuaries have experienced a notable decline. The need for effective management strategies has arisen, but their efficacy continues to be questioned due to the dynamic and unpredictable nature of these environments. Non-linear processes, such as regime shifts, make long-term predictions of ecosystem health a point of concern. To combat this issue in New Zealand, ecosystem interaction networks (EINs) have been used to predict the future health of estuaries using long-term statistical modelling. Unfortunately, these models fail to capture the coupling interactions between biotic and abiotic variables that occur in such a volatile environment. Therefore, we have created a simple model design that replicates the dynamic ecosystem interactions found within the benthic environments of New Zealand estuaries, with a specific focus on the behaviour of the keystone bivalve species Macomona liliana. A multitude of biophysical dynamical models currently exist in this field (e.g. Delft3D and DELWAQ); however none with the ability to replicate the exchange of nutrients between the sediment and benthic layer caused by M. liliana pumping behaviour. Consequently, this makes our model the first of its kind. Our model design simulates the variation of three dynamic variables (biomass, nutrients, detritus) corresponding to the interactions of M. liliana and microphytobenthos (MPB) at a representative site of New Zealand sandy bottom estuaries (Tuapiro Point, Tauranga Harbour). Extensive testing was conducted to ensure that, at the baseline level, the model’s output was consistent with field sampling data seen within the literature. Once completed, the model was tested against external forcing factors that are likely to occur within New Zealand estuaries – turbidity, sedimentation, and external nutrient loading. We found that our system is light limited, with M. liliana and MPB biomasses both declining with increasing turbidity. MPB populations fluctuate significantly following a sediment mud content increase, which we believe demonstrates a reaction to an ecological tipping point being surpassed. Furthermore, we found that a significant influx of external nutrient loading is required to initiate a MPB bloom, which the system cannot maintain despite nutrient levels remaining high. Our model’s results are in agreement with estuarine responses seen in the past, with our design exceeding the guidelines surrounding the efficacy in predicting ecosystem tipping points. Therefore, due to its unique ability to demonstrate the interactions within coupled systems and its broad applicability globally, we believe our model can become a central component of future estuarine management strategies. Recommendations are made for future improvements to the model design, increasing both its range of simulated ecological processes and the validity of its predictions.

text: The role of the deposit feeding bivalve Macomona liliana in a simple biophysical model for predicting estuarine ecosystem tipping points Estuaries are highly productive, coastal marine environments that provide vital ecosystem functions supporting human health. Throughout history, many major settlements have been established adjacent to estuaries, so to take advantage of the resources they provide. After centuries of exploitation and heavy pollution, the health of estuaries have experienced a notable decline. The need for effective management strategies has arisen, but their efficacy continues to be questioned due to the dynamic and unpredictable nature of these environments. Non-linear processes, such as regime shifts, make long-term predictions of ecosystem health a point of concern. To combat this issue in New Zealand, ecosystem interaction networks (EINs) have been used to predict the future health of estuaries using long-term statistical modelling. Unfortunately, these models fail to capture the coupling interactions between biotic and abiotic variables that occur in such a volatile environment. Therefore, we have created a simple model design that replicates the dynamic ecosystem interactions found within the benthic environments of New Zealand estuaries, with a specific focus on the behaviour of the keystone bivalve species Macomona liliana. A multitude of biophysical dynamical models currently exist in this field (e.g. Delft3D and DELWAQ); however none with the ability to replicate the exchange of nutrients between the sediment and benthic layer caused by M. liliana pumping behaviour. Consequently, this makes our model the first of its kind. Our model design simulates the variation of three dynamic variables (biomass, nutrients, detritus) corresponding to the interactions of M. liliana and microphytobenthos (MPB) at a representative site of New Zealand sandy bottom estuaries (Tuapiro Point, Tauranga Harbour). Extensive testing was conducted to ensure that, at the baseline level, the model’s output was consistent with field sampling data seen within the literature. Once completed, the model was tested against external forcing factors that are likely to occur within New Zealand estuaries – turbidity, sedimentation, and external nutrient loading. We found that our system is light limited, with M. liliana and MPB biomasses both declining with increasing turbidity. MPB populations fluctuate significantly following a sediment mud content increase, which we believe demonstrates a reaction to an ecological tipping point being surpassed. Furthermore, we found that a significant influx of external nutrient loading is required to initiate a MPB bloom, which the system cannot maintain despite nutrient levels remaining high. Our model’s results are in agreement with estuarine responses seen in the past, with our design exceeding the guidelines surrounding the efficacy in predicting ecosystem tipping points. Therefore, due to its unique ability to demonstrate the interactions within coupled systems and its broad applicability globally, we believe our model can become a central component of future estuarine management strategies. Recommendations are made for future improvements to the model design, increasing both its range of simulated ecological processes and the validity of its predictions.

year: 2022

title: Typographic design in Māori-English bilingual picturebooks: some educational implications

authors: Vanderschantz, Nicholas

subjects: Te Reo Māori

abstract: The role of bilingual picturebooks in language learning has been explored recently by a number of authors who show their potential in normalising multilingualism (Naqvi, Thorne, Pfitscher, Nordstokke & McKeough, 2013; Zaidi, 2020), raising metalinguistic awareness and engaging parents (Sneddon, 2009), as well as raising language awareness (Kleker, Short & Daly, 2021). Hadaway and Young (2013) suggest bilingual picturebooks have a particular role to play in supporting the revitalisation of Indigenous languages. In New Zealand, the number of MāoriEnglish bilingual picturebooks is increasing, but there is very little, if any, research concerning their design or their use in educational settings. The design of bilingual picturebooks, as reflected in their linguistic landscape, has an important role to play in their pedagogical use (Daly, 2016; 2017), and in this article, we explore the typographic design of five bilingual Māori-English picturebooks with respect to the elements of typeface, type size, type colour and page layout. We discuss the design and audience implications of these factors for educational settings.

text: Typographic design in Māori-English bilingual picturebooks: some educational implications The role of bilingual picturebooks in language learning has been explored recently by a number of authors who show their potential in normalising multilingualism (Naqvi, Thorne, Pfitscher, Nordstokke & McKeough, 2013; Zaidi, 2020), raising metalinguistic awareness and engaging parents (Sneddon, 2009), as well as raising language awareness (Kleker, Short & Daly, 2021). Hadaway and Young (2013) suggest bilingual picturebooks have a particular role to play in supporting the revitalisation of Indigenous languages. In New Zealand, the number of MāoriEnglish bilingual picturebooks is increasing, but there is very little, if any, research concerning their design or their use in educational settings. The design of bilingual picturebooks, as reflected in their linguistic landscape, has an important role to play in their pedagogical use (Daly, 2016; 2017), and in this article, we explore the typographic design of five bilingual Māori-English picturebooks with respect to the elements of typeface, type size, type colour and page layout. We discuss the design and audience implications of these factors for educational settings.

year: 2022