title: Resting metabolic rate prediction equations and the validity to assess energy deficiency in the athlete population

authors: Schofield, Katherine Lesley

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: Resting metabolic rate (RMR) is the amount of energy the body uses at rest. A suppressed RMR has been correlated with low energy availability and therefore used as an indicator of an individual's energy state. Furthermore, confounding identification of low energy availability within an athletic population are the physiological measures required, which can be time consuming and require professional expertise. To negate the demands of laboratory protocols in measuring RMR, predicted RMR (pRMR) equations were developed. Caution should be exercised when applying the pRMR equations for determining low energy availability in athletes owing to the population used to develop the equations and the higher metabolic cost of fat‐free mass, thus elevated RMR, associated with athletes. Moreover, a low ratio of measured RMR to pRMR is often used as an alternative marker for energy deficiency. Predictive equations should implement fat‐free mass within the algorithm when estimating RMR in athletic populations. The purpose of this paper is to describe pRMR equation development and the issues associated with use of pRMR equations for athletic populations. As professional sport increases, validation of pRMR equations in the modern athlete population is needed to monitor energy availability for athletic health and performance.

text: Resting metabolic rate prediction equations and the validity to assess energy deficiency in the athlete population Resting metabolic rate (RMR) is the amount of energy the body uses at rest. A suppressed RMR has been correlated with low energy availability and therefore used as an indicator of an individual's energy state. Furthermore, confounding identification of low energy availability within an athletic population are the physiological measures required, which can be time consuming and require professional expertise. To negate the demands of laboratory protocols in measuring RMR, predicted RMR (pRMR) equations were developed. Caution should be exercised when applying the pRMR equations for determining low energy availability in athletes owing to the population used to develop the equations and the higher metabolic cost of fat‐free mass, thus elevated RMR, associated with athletes. Moreover, a low ratio of measured RMR to pRMR is often used as an alternative marker for energy deficiency. Predictive equations should implement fat‐free mass within the algorithm when estimating RMR in athletic populations. The purpose of this paper is to describe pRMR equation development and the issues associated with use of pRMR equations for athletic populations. As professional sport increases, validation of pRMR equations in the modern athlete population is needed to monitor energy availability for athletic health and performance.

year: 2019

title: Access to sexual health services and support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities: an Australian cross-sector survey

authors: Frawley, Patsie

subjects: Social Sciences

abstract: Introduction
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) have the right to access sexual health services including information, education, and support. Little is known about the capacity of sexual health professionals to provide these services.

Methods
Using an observational research design, this study utilised a descriptive survey tool (PASH–Ext) that also encompassed a standardised measure, with a cross-sectional purposive sample of 52 Australian sexual health professionals. Data was collected in 2020.

Results
Just over half of the participants reported having received training in their preservice education to work with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, of these 60% held the view that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities would not feel embarrassed receiving sexual health information and support.

Conclusion
The study found that training is both important to the professionals’ preparedness to work with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and that these professionals advocate for the continuation of this training in pre-service courses and additional training in post service education for sexual health workers.

Policy Implications
To progressively realise Article 25 of the UNCRPD signatory, countries need to ensure sexual health services are accessible to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This study recommends that sexual health policy addresses equity of access for people with intellectual and developmental disability by ensuring all staff are prepared and supported to provide these services.

text: Access to sexual health services and support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities: an Australian cross-sector survey Introduction
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) have the right to access sexual health services including information, education, and support. Little is known about the capacity of sexual health professionals to provide these services.

Methods
Using an observational research design, this study utilised a descriptive survey tool (PASH–Ext) that also encompassed a standardised measure, with a cross-sectional purposive sample of 52 Australian sexual health professionals. Data was collected in 2020.

Results
Just over half of the participants reported having received training in their preservice education to work with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, of these 60% held the view that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities would not feel embarrassed receiving sexual health information and support.

Conclusion
The study found that training is both important to the professionals’ preparedness to work with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and that these professionals advocate for the continuation of this training in pre-service courses and additional training in post service education for sexual health workers.

Policy Implications
To progressively realise Article 25 of the UNCRPD signatory, countries need to ensure sexual health services are accessible to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This study recommends that sexual health policy addresses equity of access for people with intellectual and developmental disability by ensuring all staff are prepared and supported to provide these services.

year: 2022-06-02

title: Software development: Involving Tangata Whenua and incorporating Tikanga Māori

authors: Taia, Ivy

subjects: software engineering

abstract: Over the past fifty years, software development (SD) has been dominated by Western approaches, which is widely accepted as the standard way of doing things (Diaz Andrade et al., 2021). Consequently, many software applications for specific Indigenous cultures, especially health interventions and educational software (Dobson, Whittaker, Bartley, Connor, Chen, Ross & McCool, 2017; Fleer, 1989), were developed using traditional software engineering (SE) methodologies. Although these methodologies provide the workflows and methods for developing software, they do not provide guidelines for developing Indigenous software. While there have been numerous studies on diversity, such as gender and ethnicity in the field of Information Systems, there is very little research on the practices of involving Indigenous people and incorporating their traditional customs in the software development process. This thesis examines the participation of Indigenous people in software development. The research specifically focuses on Tangata Whenua (Māori people, the Indigenous population of Aotearoa New Zealand) and Tikanga Māori (Māori cultural methods). Our findings are useful to those attempting to enhance Indigenous representation in software development, especially those wanting to involve Māori people and their cultural methods in the development process and design of software.

text: Software development: Involving Tangata Whenua and incorporating Tikanga Māori Over the past fifty years, software development (SD) has been dominated by Western approaches, which is widely accepted as the standard way of doing things (Diaz Andrade et al., 2021). Consequently, many software applications for specific Indigenous cultures, especially health interventions and educational software (Dobson, Whittaker, Bartley, Connor, Chen, Ross & McCool, 2017; Fleer, 1989), were developed using traditional software engineering (SE) methodologies. Although these methodologies provide the workflows and methods for developing software, they do not provide guidelines for developing Indigenous software. While there have been numerous studies on diversity, such as gender and ethnicity in the field of Information Systems, there is very little research on the practices of involving Indigenous people and incorporating their traditional customs in the software development process. This thesis examines the participation of Indigenous people in software development. The research specifically focuses on Tangata Whenua (Māori people, the Indigenous population of Aotearoa New Zealand) and Tikanga Māori (Māori cultural methods). Our findings are useful to those attempting to enhance Indigenous representation in software development, especially those wanting to involve Māori people and their cultural methods in the development process and design of software.

year: 2025