Measuring Chinese Middle School Students' Motivation Using the Reduced Instructional Materials Motivation Survey (RIMMS): A Validation Study in the Adaptive Learning Setting.

Valid measures of student motivation can inform the design of learning environments to engage students and maximize learning gains. This study validates a measure of student motivation, the Reduced Instructional Materials Motivation Survey (RIMMS), with a sample of Chinese middle school students using an adaptive learning system in math. Participants were 429 students from 21 provinces in China. Their ages ranged from 14 to 17 years old, and most were in 9th grade. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) validated the RIMMS in this context by demonstrating that RIMMS responses retained the intended four-factor structure: attention, relevance, confidence, and satisfaction. To illustrate the utility of measuring student motivation, this study identifies factors of motivation that are strongest for specific student subgroups. Students who expected to attend elite high schools rated the adaptive learning system higher on all four RIMMS motivation factors compared to students who did not expect to attend elite high schools. Lower parental education levels were associated with higher ratings on three RIMMS factors. This study contributes to the field's understanding of student motivation in adaptive learning settings.

The Feasibility and Impact of Prospective Medication Review in the Emergency Department.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the feasibility and impact of prospective medication review (PMR) in the emergency department (ED). METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of all nonadmitted ED patients who were prescribed medication orders by ED clinicians from September 2014 to September 2015 to determine the time intervals utilized during each step of the medication use process and quantify the number of interventions conducted by the pharmacist and cost avoidance accrued from the interventions. RESULTS: A total of 834 medication orders were included for evaluation. The median time for order verification, order verification to dispense, and dispense to administration were 3 minutes (interquartile range [IQR] = 1-7 minutes), 20 minutes (IQR = 7-45 minutes), and 10 minutes (IQR = 6-16 minutes). The median time interval for order verification was longer during the overnight pharmacy shift (median = 5 minutes, IQR = 2-9 minutes) compared to the day and evening shifts (median = 3 minutes, IQR = 1-6 minutes). A total of 563 interventions were recommended by the pharmacists and accepted by ED clinicians. These interventions equated to US$47 585 worth of cost avoidance. CONCLUSION: The PMR is a feasible process that resulted in safe and effective use of medications without causing delays to patient care.

Stance limb kinetics of older male athletes endurance running performance.

The aim of this study was to examine the age-based, lower limb kinetics of running performances of endurance athletes. Six running trials were performed by 24 male athletes, who were distinguished by three age groupings (S35: 26-32 years, M50: 50-54 years, M60+: 60-68 years). Lower limb coordinate and ground reaction force data were collected using a nine camera infra-red system synchronised with a force plate. A slower anteroposterior (M ± SD S35 = 4.13 ± 0.54 m/s: M60+ = 3.34 ± 0.40 m/s, p < 0.05) running velocity was associated with significant (p < 0.05) decreases in step length and discrete vertical ground contact force between M60+and S35 athletes. The M60+athletes simultaneously generated a 32% and 42% reduction (p < 0.05) in ankle joint moment when compared to the M50 and S35 athletes and 72% (p < 0.05) reduction in knee joint stiffness when compared to S35 athletes. Age-based declines in running performance were associated with reduced stance phase force tolerance and generation that may be accounted for due to an inhibited force-velocity muscular function of the lower limb. Joint-specific coaching strategies customised to athlete age are warranted to maintain/enhance athletes' dynamic performance.

The effect of warm-up on high-intensity, intermittent running using nonmotorized treadmill ergometry.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of previous warming on high-intensity intermittent running using nonmotorized treadmill ergometry. Ten male soccer players completed a repeated sprint test (10 x 6-second sprints with 34-second recovery) on a nonmotorized treadmill preceded by an active warm-up (10 minutes of running: 70% VO2max; mean core temperature (Tc) 37.8 +/- 0.2 degrees C), a passive warm-up (hot water submersion: 40.1 +/- 0.2 degrees C until Tc reached that of the active warm-up; 10 minutes +/- 23 seconds), or no warm-up (control). All warm-up conditions were followed by a 10-minute static recovery period with no stretching permitted. After the 10-minute rest period, Tc was higher before exercise in the passive trial (38.0 +/- 0.2 degrees C) compared to the active (37.7 +/- 0.4 degrees C) and control trials (37.2 +/- 0.2 degrees C; p < 0.05). There were no differences in pre-exercise oxygen consumption and blood lactate concentration; however, heart rate was greater in the active trial (p < 0.05). The peak mean 1-second maximum speed (MxSP) and group mean MxSP were not different in the active and passive trials (7.28 +/- 0.12 and 7.16 +/- 0.10 m x s(-1), respectively, and 7.07 +/- 0.33 and 7.02 +/- 0.24 m x s(-1), respectively; p > 0.05), although both were greater than the control. The percentage of decrement in performance fatigue was similar between all conditions (active, 3.4 +/- 1.3%; passive, 4.0 +/- 2.0%; and control, 3.7 +/- 2.4%). We conclude that there is no difference in high-intensity intermittent running performance when preceded by an active or passive warm-up when matched for post-warm-up Tc. However, repeated sprinting ability is significantly improved after both active and passive warm-ups compared to no warm-up.

The effects of acute creatine supplementation on multiple sprint cycling and running performance in rugby players.

The benefits of creatine (CR) supplementation are well documented, particularly during repeated bouts of high-intensity muscular activity. Most published experiments use mass-supported (cycle ergometry) activities as a means of evaluating creatine's efficacy, therefore minimizing any possible adverse effects of increased body mass associated with CR supplementation. This study aims to use both mass-supported and mass-dependent activities to assess the effectiveness of acute CR supplementation on a group of highly trained rugby players. A randomized, double-blind, crossover research design was utilized, with subjects receiving 20 g.d(-1) x 5 d of both CR and a glucose placebo (PL). Subjects were assessed via 10 x 6-second Wingate test and a 10 x 40-m sprint test on separate days, presupplementation and postsupplementation. A 28-d washout period separated the two treatments. No significant treatment (p > 0.05) or treatment by test interaction effects (p > 0.05) were observed for peak or minimum power output (W), peak or minimum running velocity (m.s(-1)), or fatigue index (%). No significant differences (p > 0.05) were found postsupplementation for body mass and percentage body fat. Although statistical significance was not achieved for any of the measured parameters, there were small improvements in performance that may be of benefit to rugby players.

The oxygen uptake response running to exhaustion at peak treadmill speed.

PURPOSE: Peak treadmill speed (V(max)), which is the final speed reached and sustained for a minute during a speed-incremented continuous maximal oxygen uptake ([OV0312]O(2max)) test, is an effective predictor of endurance performance. This study assesses the reliability of V(max) and [OV0312]O(2max), and examines the oxygen uptake response while running to exhaustion at V(max). METHODS: Eleven recreationally active runners completed two speed-incremented [OV0312]O(2max) tests (test 1 and test 2) to determine [OV0312]O(2max) and V(max). In addition, the subjects completed a constant speed test (test 3) at V(max) to determine time to exhaustion (T(max)). RESULTS: No significant differences existed between test 1 and test 2 for [OV0312]O(2max) (P = 0.68) and V(max) (P = 0.10). Means (+/- SD) for [OV0312]O(2max) and V(max) were 51.1 +/- 5.8 mL.kg-1.min-1 and 17.4 +/- 1.3 km.h-1, respectively; 95% limits of agreement for V(max) were -0.1 +/- 1.4 km.h-1. However, as heteroscedasticity was present in the [OV0312]O(2max) test data, 95% ratio limits of agreement were reported (1.01 *// 1.08). During test 3, 6 of the 11 subjects attained an oxygen uptake equivalent to their previously recorded [OV0312]O(2max). The time to attain [OV0312]O(2max) was 155.0 +/- 48.0 s, which represented 66.5% of T(max) (237.0 +/- 35.0 s). Although 5 of the 11 subjects did not attain an oxygen uptake response equivalent to that previously recorded, no significant difference existed between the oxygen uptakes for the three tests (P = 0.52). CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that V(max) and [OV0312]O(2max) attained during a speed incremented maximal oxygen uptake test were reliable. However, while running at V(max), not all the subjects attained an oxygen uptake response equivalent to that previously recorded during incremental tests 1 and 2.

Lower back and elbow injuries in golf.

Golf injuries to the lower back and elbow are common problems in both the professional and amateur player, and any information regarding the successful treatment of these injuries has important implications for the medical practitioner. This paper presents the successful management and outcome of two case studies associated with low back pain and lateral epicondylitis in golf. Exercise therapy and conditioning has been shown to be an effective treatment modality for these two types of injury. In particular, a dynamic exercise programme which incorporates golf functional rehabilitation, is a modern and accepted method by both the patient and the clinician. Effective programmes need to be golf-specific to maintain the interest of the participant and yet at the same time they need to be able to accommodate other factors such as age, gender and the level of the golfer. Furthermore, it is critical that the clinical practitioner has a fundamental knowledge of normal swing mechanics and a working knowledge of the musculoskeletal requirements needed to swing a golf club. In the case of the lower back injury, evaluation was based on detailed computer tomography and centred on the conditioning of the transversus abdominis muscle. Although this muscle is not considered to be paraspinal, it has particularly important implications in the maintenance of spinal stability so that other more specific golf functioning exercises and rehabilitation can be performed. For the case study of lateral epicondylitis detailed evaluation and consideration of neuropathy was an important factor in the diagnostic process. In part, it was necessary to deviate from conventional treatment to produce an effective outcome. A comprehensive resistance-strength-training programme and golf functional 'hitting' programme was used to treat the problem. The conformity by the patient to complete the exercise regimen has been an issue of concern for clinicians managing and treating golf-related problems. Many golfers are 'fanatical' and unless they can see that by continuing the programme their injury will be overcome, it is difficult trying to restrict their time on the golf course. The two case studies described in this article highlight how an extensive and dynamic golf functional programme could be used as an effective method for managing and preventing golf injuries.