title: The stability reliability, and utilisation of the isometric belt when measuring changes in strength across a professional Rugby Union competition.

authors: Danby, Ryan

abstract: Many athletes target an increase in strength in order to improve sporting performance. Specific to Rugby Union,
an increase in strength has shown to distinguish between levels of competition, and as such, measuring strength
is required for the implementation and monitoring of effective training programs. Traditionally, one-repetition
maximum (1-RM) testing has been implemented as it is a direct measure of dynamic strength that is commonly
incorporated into training programs. However, 1-RM testing is not very practical in-season and research suggests
it is less safe and produces more fatigue than alternate methods of testing. Isometric testing is an alternative to 1-
RM testing that has been shown to be reliable and effective at reducing testing time and reducing fatigue, loading,
and injury risk. Anecdotally, however, isometric testing such as the isometric mid-thigh pull, and isometric back
squat are less feasible in season due to the injuries Rugby Union athletes obtain. An alternative isometric test is
an isometric belt squat which is strictly a lower-body method of evaluating strength; however, to date, the
reliability and effectiveness of the isometric belt squat is unknown.

This thesis is separated into four chapters. Chapter One is a review of literature that highlights the importance of
strength in sport, the changes in strength athletes sustain throughout a season, how reliability can be measured,
the traditional methods of strength testing, isometric testing, and the specific methods of isometric testing
commonly used in Rugby Union. The literature shows the isometric mid-thigh pull, and isometric squat are
reliable methods of measuring strength that have been shown to correlate to 1-RM testing. Previous research
comparing the isometric belt squat to an isometric squat show a reduction in lower-back stress and an increase in
peak vertical force in the isometric belt squat, suggesting it is a potentially safer and more accurate evaluation of
lower-body strength for athletes. However, there is no research into the stability reliability of the isometric belt
squat. Furthermore, the literature has shown that while in competition, an increase in skill training results in a
decrease in resistance training to balance training load while maintaining concurrent training. Therefore,
periodised training programs are required in-season to minimise the negative effects concurrent training has on
the maintenance/development of strength. As concurrent training conflicts with an increase in strength within a
season and the evaluation of the fluctuations of strength levels helps guide training programs, valid and reliable
strength testing is required to inform effective exercise prescription.

Chapter Two investigated the reliability of the isometric belt squat. Both between- and within-session reliability
were measured during a five-week investigation with each athlete completing the isometric belt squat four times.
Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), coefficient of variation (CV), typical error (TE), smallest worthwhile
change (SWC), and p-values were calculated to assess the reliability between-sessions, whereas a CV was used
to quantify within-session reliability. The between-session reliability indicated the isometric belt squat was a
reliable measure of strength after each athlete had completed one familiarisation period with a range of measures
deemed reliable between Trials 2 and 4 (TE= 504.56 N, CV = 8.7%, ICC = 0.86, p-value = 0.021, SWC0.5 =
647.39 N). The within-session data was also considered reliable which was conducted after the familiarisation
period (CV = 7.2%). Overall, the between- and within-session data indicated the isometric belt squat test is a
reliable measure once each athlete has completed one familiarisation trial.

Chapter Three investigated the change in strength that occurred in professional Rugby Union athletes across a
competitive season. This study was conducted over a 15-week block (end of preseason to end of competition)
whereby each athlete completed five trials of the isometric belt squat. Effect size (ES), probability statistics, and
a percentage of change in strength were used to highlight the change in strength between the five trials. Overall,
the change in strength from Trial 1 to 5 was ‘trivial’ (+0.44%, ES = 0.04, p value = 0.871). The ‘trivial’ increase
in strength across the season indicates the maintenance of strength from the end of preseason to end of competition
is feasible despite the interference concurrent training imposes.

Overall, as concluded in Chapter Four, the results from the two studies in this thesis show that the isometric belt
squat is a reliable measure of strength both between- and within-sessions once each athlete has completed one
familiarisation period, and that strength can be maintained across a professional rugby union season. The limited
literature surrounding the isometric belt squats reliability when applied to Rugby Union, and the change in strength
across a competitive Rugby Union season is an area that needed to be addressed. This thesis described the literature
surrounding isometric testing, identified the stability reliability of a isometric belt squat, and assessed strength
changes across a season in professional Rugby Union athletes. This information can be used to enhance strength
monitoring in professional team sports such as Rugby Union, Rugby League, Football, and Netball that have
access to force plates or strain gauges.

text: The stability reliability, and utilisation of the isometric belt when measuring changes in strength across a professional Rugby Union competition. Many athletes target an increase in strength in order to improve sporting performance. Specific to Rugby Union,
an increase in strength has shown to distinguish between levels of competition, and as such, measuring strength
is required for the implementation and monitoring of effective training programs. Traditionally, one-repetition
maximum (1-RM) testing has been implemented as it is a direct measure of dynamic strength that is commonly
incorporated into training programs. However, 1-RM testing is not very practical in-season and research suggests
it is less safe and produces more fatigue than alternate methods of testing. Isometric testing is an alternative to 1-
RM testing that has been shown to be reliable and effective at reducing testing time and reducing fatigue, loading,
and injury risk. Anecdotally, however, isometric testing such as the isometric mid-thigh pull, and isometric back
squat are less feasible in season due to the injuries Rugby Union athletes obtain. An alternative isometric test is
an isometric belt squat which is strictly a lower-body method of evaluating strength; however, to date, the
reliability and effectiveness of the isometric belt squat is unknown.

This thesis is separated into four chapters. Chapter One is a review of literature that highlights the importance of
strength in sport, the changes in strength athletes sustain throughout a season, how reliability can be measured,
the traditional methods of strength testing, isometric testing, and the specific methods of isometric testing
commonly used in Rugby Union. The literature shows the isometric mid-thigh pull, and isometric squat are
reliable methods of measuring strength that have been shown to correlate to 1-RM testing. Previous research
comparing the isometric belt squat to an isometric squat show a reduction in lower-back stress and an increase in
peak vertical force in the isometric belt squat, suggesting it is a potentially safer and more accurate evaluation of
lower-body strength for athletes. However, there is no research into the stability reliability of the isometric belt
squat. Furthermore, the literature has shown that while in competition, an increase in skill training results in a
decrease in resistance training to balance training load while maintaining concurrent training. Therefore,
periodised training programs are required in-season to minimise the negative effects concurrent training has on
the maintenance/development of strength. As concurrent training conflicts with an increase in strength within a
season and the evaluation of the fluctuations of strength levels helps guide training programs, valid and reliable
strength testing is required to inform effective exercise prescription.

Chapter Two investigated the reliability of the isometric belt squat. Both between- and within-session reliability
were measured during a five-week investigation with each athlete completing the isometric belt squat four times.
Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), coefficient of variation (CV), typical error (TE), smallest worthwhile
change (SWC), and p-values were calculated to assess the reliability between-sessions, whereas a CV was used
to quantify within-session reliability. The between-session reliability indicated the isometric belt squat was a
reliable measure of strength after each athlete had completed one familiarisation period with a range of measures
deemed reliable between Trials 2 and 4 (TE= 504.56 N, CV = 8.7%, ICC = 0.86, p-value = 0.021, SWC0.5 =
647.39 N). The within-session data was also considered reliable which was conducted after the familiarisation
period (CV = 7.2%). Overall, the between- and within-session data indicated the isometric belt squat test is a
reliable measure once each athlete has completed one familiarisation trial.

Chapter Three investigated the change in strength that occurred in professional Rugby Union athletes across a
competitive season. This study was conducted over a 15-week block (end of preseason to end of competition)
whereby each athlete completed five trials of the isometric belt squat. Effect size (ES), probability statistics, and
a percentage of change in strength were used to highlight the change in strength between the five trials. Overall,
the change in strength from Trial 1 to 5 was ‘trivial’ (+0.44%, ES = 0.04, p value = 0.871). The ‘trivial’ increase
in strength across the season indicates the maintenance of strength from the end of preseason to end of competition
is feasible despite the interference concurrent training imposes.

Overall, as concluded in Chapter Four, the results from the two studies in this thesis show that the isometric belt
squat is a reliable measure of strength both between- and within-sessions once each athlete has completed one
familiarisation period, and that strength can be maintained across a professional rugby union season. The limited
literature surrounding the isometric belt squats reliability when applied to Rugby Union, and the change in strength
across a competitive Rugby Union season is an area that needed to be addressed. This thesis described the literature
surrounding isometric testing, identified the stability reliability of a isometric belt squat, and assessed strength
changes across a season in professional Rugby Union athletes. This information can be used to enhance strength
monitoring in professional team sports such as Rugby Union, Rugby League, Football, and Netball that have
access to force plates or strain gauges.

year: 2024-09-02

title: Shifting Selves: Home beyond the House - A Study of Ageing, Housing and Wellbeing of Older Chinese Migrants to New Zealand

authors: Li, Wendy Wen

subjects: Self

abstract: Older Chinese immigrants are one of the largest ethnic ageing groups in New Zealand. However, people‘s everyday experiences of settling in a new and unfamiliar environment have been largely overlooked, particularly for older adults. This research explores the biographies, identities and everyday experiences of filial piety among older Chinese immigrants. Particular consideration is given to the role of filial piety in participants‘ housing and ageing experiences. This research is one of the first explorations of Chinese immigrant ageing in place, which also considers changing enactments of filial piety. The research is informed by a hybrid narrative approach that draws on episodic, go-along and fangtan interview techniques used with 32 older Chinese immigrants in Auckland and Hamilton. Findings support the importance of exploring positive experiences of migration and ageing. Older Chinese immigrants do often experience biographical disruptions and status-discrepancies when they move from China to New Zealand. However, in response, the participants engage in positive activities such as gardening and art as a means of cultivating a new sense of self and place in a new land that is compatible with their existing identities as older Chinese adults. The analysis explores the material-mediated basis for participant adjustment and acculturation. Through adaptive acculturation, older Chinese immigrants‘ abilities for both integrating into the host culture and maintaining their ethnic identities are realised. The analysis also demonstrates that traditional Chinese aged care models of family support with high level of intergenerational co-residence are evolving to encompass practices of filial piety at a distance and to encompass more pluralistic familial living arrangements. The analysis also demonstrates the importance of considering how ageing occurs beyond physical spaces and within cultural, social, relational and imagined landscapes. The analysis shifts away from the focus in existing literature on how older Chinese immigrants are passively transformed into minority subjects to how they are transforming themselves through migration and their efforts to age well in New Zealand.

text: Shifting Selves: Home beyond the House - A Study of Ageing, Housing and Wellbeing of Older Chinese Migrants to New Zealand Older Chinese immigrants are one of the largest ethnic ageing groups in New Zealand. However, people‘s everyday experiences of settling in a new and unfamiliar environment have been largely overlooked, particularly for older adults. This research explores the biographies, identities and everyday experiences of filial piety among older Chinese immigrants. Particular consideration is given to the role of filial piety in participants‘ housing and ageing experiences. This research is one of the first explorations of Chinese immigrant ageing in place, which also considers changing enactments of filial piety. The research is informed by a hybrid narrative approach that draws on episodic, go-along and fangtan interview techniques used with 32 older Chinese immigrants in Auckland and Hamilton. Findings support the importance of exploring positive experiences of migration and ageing. Older Chinese immigrants do often experience biographical disruptions and status-discrepancies when they move from China to New Zealand. However, in response, the participants engage in positive activities such as gardening and art as a means of cultivating a new sense of self and place in a new land that is compatible with their existing identities as older Chinese adults. The analysis explores the material-mediated basis for participant adjustment and acculturation. Through adaptive acculturation, older Chinese immigrants‘ abilities for both integrating into the host culture and maintaining their ethnic identities are realised. The analysis also demonstrates that traditional Chinese aged care models of family support with high level of intergenerational co-residence are evolving to encompass practices of filial piety at a distance and to encompass more pluralistic familial living arrangements. The analysis also demonstrates the importance of considering how ageing occurs beyond physical spaces and within cultural, social, relational and imagined landscapes. The analysis shifts away from the focus in existing literature on how older Chinese immigrants are passively transformed into minority subjects to how they are transforming themselves through migration and their efforts to age well in New Zealand.

year: 2011

title: Audiences, referees, and landscapes: Understanding the use of Māori and English in New Zealand dual language picturebooks through a sociolinguistic lens

authors: Daly, Nicola

abstract: When non-dominant perspectives are represented in children's literature, it is labelled multicultural, and this form of literature has much potential for altering existing power structures in society. Bishop (1990) first introduced the metaphor of multicultural children's literature offering the possibility of windows - an opportunity to see into others' worlds; mirrors - an opportunity to see your own world being reflected back; and glass sliding doors - an opportunity to step into a world through a book. However, to date, any exploration of the extent to which language diversity contributes to the representation of non-dominant perspectives in multicultural children's literature has been limited, and the use of sociolinguistic theories to frame and theorise such explorations almost non-existent.

text: Audiences, referees, and landscapes: Understanding the use of Māori and English in New Zealand dual language picturebooks through a sociolinguistic lens When non-dominant perspectives are represented in children's literature, it is labelled multicultural, and this form of literature has much potential for altering existing power structures in society. Bishop (1990) first introduced the metaphor of multicultural children's literature offering the possibility of windows - an opportunity to see into others' worlds; mirrors - an opportunity to see your own world being reflected back; and glass sliding doors - an opportunity to step into a world through a book. However, to date, any exploration of the extent to which language diversity contributes to the representation of non-dominant perspectives in multicultural children's literature has been limited, and the use of sociolinguistic theories to frame and theorise such explorations almost non-existent.

year: 2017