title: The effects of running a 12-km race on neuromuscular performance measures in recreationally competitive runners

authors: Murray, Lauralee

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: Background
The number of individuals participating in organised races is increasing, with few studies undertaken in ecologically-valid settings. Running involves cyclical movements and activation of lower-extremity muscles, with fatigue and foot-strike pattern proposed as factors contributing to running-related injuries.

Research question
Our aim was to investigate the effects of running a 12-km race on plantar pressure distribution, postural balance, foot-strike pattern, and plantar-flexion strength. A secondary aim was to compare actual versus anticipated race finishing times and foot-strike patterns.

Methods
Twenty-four recreationally competitive runners (15 males, 9 females) completed the following tests immediately before and after a 12-km race: (1) plantar pressure distribution in self-selected bilateral stance; (2) 30-seconds eyes-closed feet-together postural balance; (3) running foot-strike angle; and (4) peak plantar-flexion isometric force. In-race foot-strike angle and patterns were also assessed at 3 and 10 km.

Results
Post-race left and right foot plantar pressure distribution, postural balance, and plantar-flexion force measures significantly differed from pre-race measures. These changes were associated with small to large standardised effects (absolute ES: 0.42 to 0.94). On average, the relative pressure under the left foot decreased by 3.2 ± 5.0%; the centre of pressure path length and area of the 95th percentile ellipse from the balance test increased by 5.7 ± 8.9 cm and 18.2 ± 21.3 cm2; and peak plantar-flexion isometric force decreased by 0.23 ± 0.28 times body weight. Participants predicted their finishing times relatively well, but not their foot-strike patterns. No meaningful change in foot-strike angle or pattern was observed pre- to post-race, or between 3 and 10 km.

Significance
Running a 12-km race influenced neuromuscular measures, confirming racing-induced fatigue in our recreationally competitive runners. However, these alterations did not lead to observable changes in foot-strike pattern, indicating that this measure might not be appropriate for quantifying fatigue in recreationally competitive runners.

text: The effects of running a 12-km race on neuromuscular performance measures in recreationally competitive runners Background
The number of individuals participating in organised races is increasing, with few studies undertaken in ecologically-valid settings. Running involves cyclical movements and activation of lower-extremity muscles, with fatigue and foot-strike pattern proposed as factors contributing to running-related injuries.

Research question
Our aim was to investigate the effects of running a 12-km race on plantar pressure distribution, postural balance, foot-strike pattern, and plantar-flexion strength. A secondary aim was to compare actual versus anticipated race finishing times and foot-strike patterns.

Methods
Twenty-four recreationally competitive runners (15 males, 9 females) completed the following tests immediately before and after a 12-km race: (1) plantar pressure distribution in self-selected bilateral stance; (2) 30-seconds eyes-closed feet-together postural balance; (3) running foot-strike angle; and (4) peak plantar-flexion isometric force. In-race foot-strike angle and patterns were also assessed at 3 and 10 km.

Results
Post-race left and right foot plantar pressure distribution, postural balance, and plantar-flexion force measures significantly differed from pre-race measures. These changes were associated with small to large standardised effects (absolute ES: 0.42 to 0.94). On average, the relative pressure under the left foot decreased by 3.2 ± 5.0%; the centre of pressure path length and area of the 95th percentile ellipse from the balance test increased by 5.7 ± 8.9 cm and 18.2 ± 21.3 cm2; and peak plantar-flexion isometric force decreased by 0.23 ± 0.28 times body weight. Participants predicted their finishing times relatively well, but not their foot-strike patterns. No meaningful change in foot-strike angle or pattern was observed pre- to post-race, or between 3 and 10 km.

Significance
Running a 12-km race influenced neuromuscular measures, confirming racing-induced fatigue in our recreationally competitive runners. However, these alterations did not lead to observable changes in foot-strike pattern, indicating that this measure might not be appropriate for quantifying fatigue in recreationally competitive runners.

year: 2019

title: Volunteering and professionalization: Trends in tension?

authors: Ganesh, Shiv

subjects: organizational communication

abstract: The last several decades have witnessed the proliferation and popularity of volunteering both as a means for individuals to connect with social issues and as a way of sustaining nonprofit organizations; indeed, it dominates contemporary discussions about civic engagement. Whereas some social theorists have promoted volunteering as a benchmark to assess democratic participation, civic-mindedness, social capital, and trust (Putnam, 2000), others have questioned the uncomplicated associations among volunteering, civic engagement, and community (Ganesh & McAllum, 2009). Like Snyder (2001), we position volunteering as a “hybrid strain of helping” (p. 16309) that falls between spontaneous bystander intervention and highly obligated caregiving. Specifically, we propose that volunteering involves sustained identity investments by volunteers performed and realized in organizational settings.

text: Volunteering and professionalization: Trends in tension? The last several decades have witnessed the proliferation and popularity of volunteering both as a means for individuals to connect with social issues and as a way of sustaining nonprofit organizations; indeed, it dominates contemporary discussions about civic engagement. Whereas some social theorists have promoted volunteering as a benchmark to assess democratic participation, civic-mindedness, social capital, and trust (Putnam, 2000), others have questioned the uncomplicated associations among volunteering, civic engagement, and community (Ganesh & McAllum, 2009). Like Snyder (2001), we position volunteering as a “hybrid strain of helping” (p. 16309) that falls between spontaneous bystander intervention and highly obligated caregiving. Specifically, we propose that volunteering involves sustained identity investments by volunteers performed and realized in organizational settings.

year: 2011

title: New Zealand army chaplains at war : 2 NZEF 1939 - 1945

authors: Glen, Frank

abstract: This thesis investigates the motivations to engage in, and the pastoral and sacramental work of, the 1939-45 World War Two chaplains of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, and it explores the theological framework, and theology in which such chaplaincy was carried out. It concludes by noting significant factors and issues of concern to chaplains and their churches in respect of the transition from war to peace.

Historical models of military chaplaincy are found in Constantine’s Roman Empire of 312-337CE, the Christian Crusades of 1096-1291, and the later British Empire. Features of these models provide a tool for understanding and interpreting many aspects of the work and role of the military chaplains of this study. The impact of Christian pacifism is considered, as it is one of the influences which came to bear upon the decision of some clergy who enlisted as chaplains.

Chaplains were recruited from eight denominations and they demonstrated a common pastoral concern for all who were engaged in the various theatres of war. Through the introduction of the concept of ecumenical unit chaplaincy, the battalion became the padre’s parish where he conducted worship, exercised pastoral skills, read the liturgies and preached the Gospel. This became the corner-stone of an ecumenical chaplaincy which developed throughout the war years. Despite the exigencies of war a Bible Class network, church parades - both voluntary and compulsory - and a wide range of religious activities contributed to a spiritual programme which met the needs of a largely nominal Christian 2NZEF.

There emerged from the experience of worship within the 2NZEF a pragmatic ecumenical approach to many aspects of chaplaincy, including in particular the practice, at least for Protestants, of inter-communion. Roman Catholic practice and theological understanding of the Eucharist was enriched by a particular New Zealand contribution. The isolation of the Pacific theatre, coupled with the maturing of the Chaplain’s Department through the Middle East experiences, resulted in a heightening of ecumenical development within the 3rd Division chaplaincy.

The chaplain’s skills in pastoral matters were required to maintain morale, cope with death, wounding and captivity. They are defined first from a military perspective and then examined from a biblical viewpoint. It is primarily in reference to chaplains’ skills associated with the battlefield context, although other situations are included, that issues of pastoral ministry are identified and discussed. The Maori chaplains’ task is discussed in reference to the tohunga of pre-Christian times. Unlike their Pakeha (European) associates. Maori chaplains had access to individuals of influence within New Zealand Maori politics, a factor which was of particular significance.

Almost all chaplains had a belief in the natural justice of World War Two and this thesis will suggest they believed that not to have embarked upon war would have led to infinitely more serious problems for both civilization and the Christian Church. Throughout the war years there was an identified and distinct implicit theological framework which underwrote their attitudes and actions. Their opinions, theological framework and ideology, regarding the war arose both from the ministerial duties they performed and their battlefield experience of war itself.

The model of New Zealand chaplaincy is defined and compared with the classical models noted at the beginning of the thesis. At the end of the war, the 2NZEF Chaplains’ Department held a series of Leadership Schools. These Schools, involving laymen of all denominations. addressed a series of transitional religious and social issues, the outcomes of which were to develop over the decades following WW2. The concluding chapter summarizes a Theology of Chaplaincy which has developed from the foregoing study.

text: New Zealand army chaplains at war : 2 NZEF 1939 - 1945 This thesis investigates the motivations to engage in, and the pastoral and sacramental work of, the 1939-45 World War Two chaplains of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, and it explores the theological framework, and theology in which such chaplaincy was carried out. It concludes by noting significant factors and issues of concern to chaplains and their churches in respect of the transition from war to peace.

Historical models of military chaplaincy are found in Constantine’s Roman Empire of 312-337CE, the Christian Crusades of 1096-1291, and the later British Empire. Features of these models provide a tool for understanding and interpreting many aspects of the work and role of the military chaplains of this study. The impact of Christian pacifism is considered, as it is one of the influences which came to bear upon the decision of some clergy who enlisted as chaplains.

Chaplains were recruited from eight denominations and they demonstrated a common pastoral concern for all who were engaged in the various theatres of war. Through the introduction of the concept of ecumenical unit chaplaincy, the battalion became the padre’s parish where he conducted worship, exercised pastoral skills, read the liturgies and preached the Gospel. This became the corner-stone of an ecumenical chaplaincy which developed throughout the war years. Despite the exigencies of war a Bible Class network, church parades - both voluntary and compulsory - and a wide range of religious activities contributed to a spiritual programme which met the needs of a largely nominal Christian 2NZEF.

There emerged from the experience of worship within the 2NZEF a pragmatic ecumenical approach to many aspects of chaplaincy, including in particular the practice, at least for Protestants, of inter-communion. Roman Catholic practice and theological understanding of the Eucharist was enriched by a particular New Zealand contribution. The isolation of the Pacific theatre, coupled with the maturing of the Chaplain’s Department through the Middle East experiences, resulted in a heightening of ecumenical development within the 3rd Division chaplaincy.

The chaplain’s skills in pastoral matters were required to maintain morale, cope with death, wounding and captivity. They are defined first from a military perspective and then examined from a biblical viewpoint. It is primarily in reference to chaplains’ skills associated with the battlefield context, although other situations are included, that issues of pastoral ministry are identified and discussed. The Maori chaplains’ task is discussed in reference to the tohunga of pre-Christian times. Unlike their Pakeha (European) associates. Maori chaplains had access to individuals of influence within New Zealand Maori politics, a factor which was of particular significance.

Almost all chaplains had a belief in the natural justice of World War Two and this thesis will suggest they believed that not to have embarked upon war would have led to infinitely more serious problems for both civilization and the Christian Church. Throughout the war years there was an identified and distinct implicit theological framework which underwrote their attitudes and actions. Their opinions, theological framework and ideology, regarding the war arose both from the ministerial duties they performed and their battlefield experience of war itself.

The model of New Zealand chaplaincy is defined and compared with the classical models noted at the beginning of the thesis. At the end of the war, the 2NZEF Chaplains’ Department held a series of Leadership Schools. These Schools, involving laymen of all denominations. addressed a series of transitional religious and social issues, the outcomes of which were to develop over the decades following WW2. The concluding chapter summarizes a Theology of Chaplaincy which has developed from the foregoing study.

year: 1996