title: Effect of footwear versus barefoot on double-leg jump-landing and jump height measures: A randomized cross-over study

authors: Hébert-Losier, Kim

subjects: anterior cruciate ligament

abstract: Background: 
Assessing individuals in their own athletic footwear in clinics is common, but can affect movement, performance, and clinical measures.
 
Purpose:
The aim was to compare overall Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) scores, injury risk categorization, specific LESS errors, and jump heights between habitual athletic footwear and barefoot conditions. 

Study design:  
Randomized cross-over laboratory study. 

Methods: 
Eighty healthy individuals (55% male) completed the LESS following standard procedures (i.e., land from a 30-cm box to a distance of 50% of body height and then jump upwards maximally). Participants performed the LESS three times in two randomized conditions: footwear and barefoot. LESS data were extracted from 2D videos to compare group-level mean LESS scores, group-level and individual-level injury risk categorization (5-error threshold), specific landing errors, and jump heights between conditions. 

Results: 
LESS scores were significantly greater (0.3 errors, p=0.022) and jump heights were significantly lower (0.6 cm, p=0.029) in footwear than barefoot, but differences were trivial (d = 0.18 and -0.07, respectively) and not clinically meaningful. Although the number of high injury-risk participants was not statistically different at a group level (p=1.000); 27 individuals (33.8%) exhibited a clinically meaningful difference between conditions of one error or more in LESS score, categorization was inconsistent for 16.3% of individuals, and four of the 17 landing errors significantly differed between conditions.
 
Conclusion: 
At a group level, habitual athletic footwear does not meaningfully influence LESS scores, risk categorization, or jump height. At an individual level, footwear can meaningfully affect LESS scores, risk categorization, and alter landing strategies. Use of consistent protocol and footwear is advised for assessing movement patterns and injury risk from the LESS given the unknown predictive value of this test barefoot.
 
Level of Evidence:  
Level 3.

text: Effect of footwear versus barefoot on double-leg jump-landing and jump height measures: A randomized cross-over study Background: 
Assessing individuals in their own athletic footwear in clinics is common, but can affect movement, performance, and clinical measures.
 
Purpose:
The aim was to compare overall Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) scores, injury risk categorization, specific LESS errors, and jump heights between habitual athletic footwear and barefoot conditions. 

Study design:  
Randomized cross-over laboratory study. 

Methods: 
Eighty healthy individuals (55% male) completed the LESS following standard procedures (i.e., land from a 30-cm box to a distance of 50% of body height and then jump upwards maximally). Participants performed the LESS three times in two randomized conditions: footwear and barefoot. LESS data were extracted from 2D videos to compare group-level mean LESS scores, group-level and individual-level injury risk categorization (5-error threshold), specific landing errors, and jump heights between conditions. 

Results: 
LESS scores were significantly greater (0.3 errors, p=0.022) and jump heights were significantly lower (0.6 cm, p=0.029) in footwear than barefoot, but differences were trivial (d = 0.18 and -0.07, respectively) and not clinically meaningful. Although the number of high injury-risk participants was not statistically different at a group level (p=1.000); 27 individuals (33.8%) exhibited a clinically meaningful difference between conditions of one error or more in LESS score, categorization was inconsistent for 16.3% of individuals, and four of the 17 landing errors significantly differed between conditions.
 
Conclusion: 
At a group level, habitual athletic footwear does not meaningfully influence LESS scores, risk categorization, or jump height. At an individual level, footwear can meaningfully affect LESS scores, risk categorization, and alter landing strategies. Use of consistent protocol and footwear is advised for assessing movement patterns and injury risk from the LESS given the unknown predictive value of this test barefoot.
 
Level of Evidence:  
Level 3.

year: 2023

title: Kava and balance: The effects of traditionally influenced kava consumption on human physiology

authors: Aughton, Harvey

subjects: Pharmcology

abstract: In recent years there has been increasing interest in the effects of kava as a medicinal substance. However, there are unknown facets of kava effects that continue to be the issue of debate within the literature. One such area is the discussion about whether kava causes drinkers to lose their balance, which has been largely ignored by researchers. There is a single comprehensive study which investigates the issue (Prescott, Jamieson, Emdur, & Duffield, 1993). The thesis opens with an introduction which outlines the basis of kava research and the justification for this research project; it is the first study to investigate the association between consuming kava at naturalistic volumes and increased body sway. The need to understand the issue is elevated by evidence which suggests that kava drinkers routinely drink kava for many hours and then drive home. 
 	As part of the requirements for this project, a journal article was submitted as a result of a data collection session involving experienced kava drinkers (N=6; low numbers were in part caused by time constraints and the COVID-19 lockdown period). The methodology was based on past naturalistic kava experiments and influenced by Post-Development Pacific Framework. Methods: Data collection surrounding a culturally influenced kava session (6 hours), involving experienced kava drinkers, 10-minute drink intervals (100ml kava), and three test batteries; pre-test (baseline), mid-test (3 hours) and post-test. Tests: Force Plate Centre of Pressure (COP) – 3x30s closed eyes, closed stance condition, and y-balance test – anterior condition, 3x right leg then 3x left leg.  
	The current study neither confirmed nor disputed the evidence that kava may induce increased body sway when consumed at high volumes. As a result, further research is needed as there is still a wealth of anecdotal evidence which suggests the effect may be moderate or significant. However, the current study did not replicate the results of Prescott et al., (1993), a study which involved a similarly low number of participants, lower volumes of kava consumption, and similar data collection duration. As a result, the results of this thesis project suggest further research is needed; to fill the gaps in kava pharmacodynamics and addressed issues apparent in replicability of body sway studies. The study provides a protocol and methodological framework for future, more controlled studies investigating kava’s effects on human body sway.

text: Kava and balance: The effects of traditionally influenced kava consumption on human physiology In recent years there has been increasing interest in the effects of kava as a medicinal substance. However, there are unknown facets of kava effects that continue to be the issue of debate within the literature. One such area is the discussion about whether kava causes drinkers to lose their balance, which has been largely ignored by researchers. There is a single comprehensive study which investigates the issue (Prescott, Jamieson, Emdur, & Duffield, 1993). The thesis opens with an introduction which outlines the basis of kava research and the justification for this research project; it is the first study to investigate the association between consuming kava at naturalistic volumes and increased body sway. The need to understand the issue is elevated by evidence which suggests that kava drinkers routinely drink kava for many hours and then drive home. 
 	As part of the requirements for this project, a journal article was submitted as a result of a data collection session involving experienced kava drinkers (N=6; low numbers were in part caused by time constraints and the COVID-19 lockdown period). The methodology was based on past naturalistic kava experiments and influenced by Post-Development Pacific Framework. Methods: Data collection surrounding a culturally influenced kava session (6 hours), involving experienced kava drinkers, 10-minute drink intervals (100ml kava), and three test batteries; pre-test (baseline), mid-test (3 hours) and post-test. Tests: Force Plate Centre of Pressure (COP) – 3x30s closed eyes, closed stance condition, and y-balance test – anterior condition, 3x right leg then 3x left leg.  
	The current study neither confirmed nor disputed the evidence that kava may induce increased body sway when consumed at high volumes. As a result, further research is needed as there is still a wealth of anecdotal evidence which suggests the effect may be moderate or significant. However, the current study did not replicate the results of Prescott et al., (1993), a study which involved a similarly low number of participants, lower volumes of kava consumption, and similar data collection duration. As a result, the results of this thesis project suggest further research is needed; to fill the gaps in kava pharmacodynamics and addressed issues apparent in replicability of body sway studies. The study provides a protocol and methodological framework for future, more controlled studies investigating kava’s effects on human body sway.

year: 2020

title: Wrestling with Biculturalism in Social Work Education

authors: Glubb-Smith, Kelly J.

subjects: Bicultural social work

abstract: When approached to write a piece on Donna Awatere’s (1984) book Māori Sovereignty from a social work perspective we seized the opportunity to reconsider her work. Revisiting the text after a 30-year-plus hiatus sparked a series of reflective conversations about how we wrestle with teaching biculturalism and our efficacy in preparing students for bicultural practice realities. This article draws upon our co-constructed narratives about what it means to be a social work educator in a bicultural practice landscape. Social work students graduate into an exceedingly complex practice environment fraught with tension about how to resolve inequities across the micro-to-macro continuum. The focus of this article is how Donna Awatere’s work is reflected in the tensions and responsibilities experienced when socialising students into the bicultural mission of social work practice in Aotearoa (New Zealand).

text: Wrestling with Biculturalism in Social Work Education When approached to write a piece on Donna Awatere’s (1984) book Māori Sovereignty from a social work perspective we seized the opportunity to reconsider her work. Revisiting the text after a 30-year-plus hiatus sparked a series of reflective conversations about how we wrestle with teaching biculturalism and our efficacy in preparing students for bicultural practice realities. This article draws upon our co-constructed narratives about what it means to be a social work educator in a bicultural practice landscape. Social work students graduate into an exceedingly complex practice environment fraught with tension about how to resolve inequities across the micro-to-macro continuum. The focus of this article is how Donna Awatere’s work is reflected in the tensions and responsibilities experienced when socialising students into the bicultural mission of social work practice in Aotearoa (New Zealand).

year: 2023-07-27