The influence of pacing during 6-minute supra-maximal cycle ergometer performance

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of pacing on performance, oxygen uptake (V̇O₂), oxygen deficit and blood lactate accumulation during a 6-minute cycle ergometer test. Six recreational cyclists completed three 6-minute cycling tests using fast-start, even-pacing and slow-fast pacing conditions. Cycle ergometer performance was measured as the mean power output produced for each cycling test. Energy system contribution during each cycling trial was estimated using a modified accumulated oxygen deficit (AOD) method. Blood lactate concentration was analysed from blood sampled using a catheter in a forearm vein prior to exercise, at 2 minutes, 4 minutes and 6 minutes during exercise, and at 2 minutes, 5 minutes and 10 minutes post-exercise. There was no significant difference between the pacing conditions for mean power output (P=0.09), peak V̇O₂ (P=0.92), total V̇O₂ (P=0.76), AOD (P=0.91), the time-course of V̇O₂ (P=0.22) or blood lactate accumulation (P=0.07). There was, however, a significant difference between the three pacing conditions in the oxygen deficit measured over time (P=0.02). These changes in the time-course of oxygen deficit during cycling trials did not, however, significantly affect the mean power output produced by each pacing condition.

Delphi expert consultation. Final report. Report to Department of Health, Victims of Violence and Abuse Prevention Programme

This report presents the results of one piece of research conducted as a part of the VVAPP programme, namely a three round Delphi consultation. This Delphi consultation was undertaken to identify where there is and is not consensus among experts about what is known and what works in the treatment and care of people affected by child sexual abuse, domestic violence and abuse, and rape and sexual assault. While helping to identify areas of agreement and disagreement about effective mental health service responses, the consultation will also support the evidence base derived from the literature review that is being undertaken as part of the wider VVAPP programme of work

Diet, nutrition and the prevention of chronic diseases : report of a Joint WHO/FAO Expert Consultation

This report examines the science base of the relationship between diet and physical activity patterns and the major nutrition-related chronic diseases. Recommendations are made to help prevent death and disability from major nutrition-related chronic diseases.

The perceptions of expert coaches about effective leadership in sport

Research on effective leadership in sport has identified a number of characteristics and situations that impact on coaching effectiveness. These include coach effect on athlete satisfaction and performance, self-esteem and trait anxiety. This research has focused on athletes' perceptions of or preferences for specific leadership behaviors and actual coach behaviors identified by observing coaches. Few studies have recognized the views of the expert coach as a potentially valuable source of information regarding effective leadership and the coaching process. The present study investigated expert coaches' perception and interpretation of the leadership process. Twenty successful coaches working with Australian junior elite sport participants were purposefully sampled to cover a diversity of sports (team and individual) and provide a gender balance across sports. Through in-depth interviews, based on Grounded Theory, the study examined three aspects of coaching, which provided the basis of the interview guide. These were coaching history and influences, effective coaching behaviors, and coach training and accreditation. Eight major themes emerged: (a) influence of history on coaching behaviors, (b) knowledge of the sport, (c) pedagogy skills, (d) coaches' personal qualities, (e) coach-athlete relationships, (f) coaches' evaluation of the athlete, (g) coach and athlete outcomes, and (h) enjoyment of the coaching process. The results highlight the important role coaches play in future coach development, the impact of coach self-efficacy attributed to athlete self-efficacy, and how coach-related outcomes drive the coaching process. These results have noteworthy implications for coach education programs.

'The witness who saw, /He left little doubt' : a comparative consideration of expert testimony in mental disability law cases in common and civil law systems

The question of how courts assess expert evidence - especially when mental disability is an issue - raises the corollary question of whether courts adequately evaluate the content of the expert testimony or whether judicial decision making may be influenced by teleology (cherry picking evidence), pretextuality (accepting experts who distort evidence to achieve socially desirable aims), and/or sanism (allowing prejudicial and stereotyped evidence). Such threats occur despite professional standards in forensic psychology and other mental health disciplines that require ethical expert testimony. The result is expert testimony that, in many instances, is at best incompetent and at worst biased. The paper details threats to competent expert testimony in a comparative law context - in both the common law (involuntary civil commitment laws and risk assessment criminal laws) and, more briefly, civil law. We conclude that teleology, pretextuality, and sanism have an impact upon judicial decision making in both the common law and civil law. Finally, we speculate as to whether the new United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is likely to have any impact on practices in this area. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Estimating the total energy demand for supra-maximal exercise using the VO2-power regression from an incremental exercise test

The VO_2-power regression and estimated total energy demand for a 6-minute supramaximal exercise test was predicted from a continuous incremental exercise test. Sub-maximal VO_2- power co-ordinates were established from the last 40 seconds(s) of 150-second exercise stages. The precision of the estimated total energy demand was determined using the 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of the estimated total energy demand. The linearity of the individual VO_2-power regression equations was determined using Pearson's correlation coefficient. The mean 95% CI of the estimated total energy demand was 5.9±2.5 mL O₂ Eq•^-1kg•min^-1, and the mean correlation coefficient was 0.9942±0.0042. The current study contends that the sub-maximal VO_2-power co-ordinates from a continuous incremental exercise test can be used to estimate supra-maximal energy demand without compromising the precision of the accumulated oxygen deficit (AOD) method.