Using Small-Sided Games in Field Hockey: Can They Be Used to Reach Match Intensity?

ABSTRACT: Duthie, GM, Thomas, EJ, Bahnisch, J, Thornton, HR, and Ball, K. Using small-sided games in field hockey: Can they be used to reach match intensity? J Strength Cond Res 36(2): 498-502, 2022-Small-sided games (SSGs) are commonly used in field hockey to replicate or overload physical and tactical competition demands; however, little evidence is available regarding if specific SSG formats achieve this. This research investigated how speed and acceleration differed between 5-minute SSG formats (2v2, 3v3, and 4v4) and also compared with competition. Elite male field hockey athletes (n = 10) participated in the SSGs with standard rules, on pitches of 30 × 20, 35 × 25, and 40 × 30 m, respectively (∼150 m2 per athlete excluding goal keepers). Global Positioning System devices measured speed (m·min-1) and acceleration (m·s-2). Differences between mean speed and acceleration during SSGs and 5-minute maximal mean values from competition (calculated using moving averages) were quantified using linear mixed models and described using standardized effect sizes (ES) and 90% confidence intervals. Between SSG formats, there were nonsubstantial differences for mean speed and acceleration (ES range -0.4 to 0.8). Compared with competition, mean speed was substantially lower for all SSG formats (ES range -1.4 to -1.8), whereas mean acceleration was higher (ES range 3.9-4.8). The SSG formats examined had a lower mean speed and higher mean acceleration than the maximal mean observed in competition. Therefore, these SSGs are an effective training drill for the development and overload of acceleration. However, manipulating SSG constraints to expose athletes to the maximal mean competition speed is required.

Serological status of Canadian cattle for brucellosis, anaplasmosis, and bluetongue in 2007-2008.

A national bovine serological survey was conducted to confirm that the prevalence of brucellosis, bluetongue, and anaplasmosis does not exceed 0.02% (95% confidence) in live cattle in Canada. Sampling consisted of a systematic random sample of 15 482 adult cattle slaughtered in federally inspected abattoirs, stratified by province. Samples were tested to detect antibodies for brucellosis, bluetongue, and anaplasmosis. All samples were negative for brucellosis. Three samples were seroreactors to bluetongue, 2 of which originated from the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia and 1 from Ontario, which after follow-up, was considered an atypical result. A total of 244 samples were seroreactors to Anaplasma and follow-up identified infection in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Quebec. In conclusion, the Canadian cattle population remains free of brucellosis and free of bluetongue outside the Okanagan Valley. Canada is no longer free of anaplasmosis and will be unable to claim freedom until eradication measures are completed.

RésuméStatut sérologique des bovins canadiens à l'égard de la brucellose, l'anaplasmose et la fièvre catarrhale du mouton en 2007­2008. L'enquête sérologique sur les bovins a été menée à l'échelle nationale afin de confirmer que la brucellose, la fièvre catarrhale du mouton et l'anaplasmose demeurent à une prévalence inférieure à 0,02 % (intervalle de confiance de 95 %) dans le cheptel bovin canadien. Un échantillonnage systématique de 15 482 bovins adultes a été effectué dans les abattoirs sous inspection fédérale, en stratifiant par province. Tous les échantillons se sont avérés négatifs en sérologie pour la brucellose. Une réaction sérologique a été identifiée pour la fièvre catarrhale du mouton chez trois bovins, dont deux provenaient de la vallée de l'Okanagan en Colombie-Britanique. L'autre réacteur provenait d'une ferme d'Ontario, où, après investigation, les résultats ont été considérés atypiques. Une réaction sérologique à l'anaplasmose a été détectée dans 244 échantillons. Les investigations ont permis d'identifier des fermes infectées en Saskatchewan, au Manitoba et au Québec. Le cheptel bovin canadien demeure donc indemne de la brucellose, et de la fièvre catarrhale du mouton à l'exclusion des bovins la vallée de l'Okanagan en Colombie-Britannique. Le Canada n'est plus considéré comme étant indemne de l'anaplasmose et ne pourra réclamer ce statut tant que l'éradication ne sera pas terminée.(Traduit par les auteurs).

Development of CXCR3 antagonists. Part 3: Tropenyl and homotropenyl-piperidine urea derivatives.

The optimization of a series of 1-aryl-3-piperidinyl urea derivatives is described in which incorporation of tropenyl and homotropenyl moieties has led to significant improvements in activity and drug-like properties. Replacement of the central piperidine with an exo-tropanyl unit led to the identification of compound 15 which provides a combination of excellent potency against human and murine receptors, drug-like properties and pharmacokinetics, thus providing a valuable tool for the evaluation of CXCR3 antagonists in models of human disease.

Development of CXCR3 antagonists. Part 2: Identification of 2-amino(4-piperidinyl)azoles as potent CXCR3 antagonists.

Development of a lead series of piperidinylurea CXCR3 antagonists has led to the identification of molecules with alternative linkages which retain good potency. A novel 5-(piperidin-4-yl)amino-1,2,4-thiadiazole derivative was found to have satisfactory in vitro metabolic stability and to be orally bioavailable in mice, giving high plasma concentrations and a half life of 5.4h.

Experimental transmission of bovine anaplasmosis (caused by Anaplasma marginale) by means of Dermacentor variabilis and D. andersoni (Ixodidae) collected in western Canada.

Canadian cattle are free of bovine anaplasmosis, with the exception of 4 isolated incursions since 1968, which were eradicated. It is not known why the disease has not become established in regions of Canada adjacent to the United States where it is endemic. To assess the vector competence of wild-caught ticks in cattle-rearing regions, Dermacentor variabilis and D. andersoni were collected in western Canada and fed on calves experimentally infected with Anaplasma marginale (St. Maries strain). The 2 tick species were equally competent in transmitting A. marginale to splenectomized calves, all 15 tick-exposed calves becoming infected. The prepatent periods in 13 calves ranged from 18 to 26 d and did not vary in relation to the numbers of ticks fed or the duration of transmission feedings. The unusually long prepatent periods in 2 calves (45 and 55 d) were probably due to concomitant Eperythrozoon infection. This study clearly demonstrated that tick species present in western Canada are competent vectors of bovine anaplasmosis. Potential barriers, including climate, must be considered in developing strategies to prevent A. marginale from becoming established in anaplasmosis-free regions.

Recent studies on the characterization of Anaplasma marginale isolated from North American bison.

Anaplasma marginale (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae), a tick-borne pathogen of cattle, is endemic in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Many geographic isolates of A. marginale occur worldwide that have been identified by major surface protein (MSP) 1a, which varies in sequence and molecular weight owing to different numbers of tandem 28-29 amino acid repeats. Although serologic tests have identified American bison, Bison bison, as being infected with A. marginale, the present studies were undertaken to confirm A. marginale infection in bison, to characterize bison isolates, and to compare the phylogenetic relationship of the bison isolates with other A. marginale isolates from North America. Nine A. marginale isolates derived from Canadian bison possessed identical msp4 sequences with one characteristic silent nucleotide change. The sequence of MSP1a was determined for one Canadian and two U.S. bison isolates of A. marginale, and these isolates contained 4 and 5 tandem repeats, respectively. One U.S. bison isolate tested for infectivity proved to be infective for cattle and transmitted by Dermacentor variabilis ticks. the results of this study demonstrated that these A. marginale isolates obtained from bison were similar to ones derived from naturally infected cattle.

Characterization of Anaplasma marginale isolated from North American bison.

Anaplasma marginale (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae), a tick-borne pathogen of cattle, is endemic in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Although serologic tests have identified American bison, Bison bison, as being infected with A. marginale, the present study was undertaken to confirm A. marginale infection and to characterize isolates obtained from naturally infected bison in the United States and Canada. Major surface protein (MSP1a and MSP4) sequences of bison isolates were characterized in comparison with New World cattle isolates. Blood from one U.S. bison was inoculated into a susceptible, splenectomized calf, which developed acute anaplasmosis, demonstrating infectivity of this A. marginale bison isolate for cattle. The results of this study showed that these A. marginale isolates obtained from bison were similar to ones from naturally infected cattle.

Verification of the level of Microbiological Control for the Slaughter and Cooling Processes of Beef Carcass Production at a High-line-Speed Abattoir.

Methods are described which were used to verify the microbiological adequacy of the processes of production and chilling of carcasses at a high-line-speed abattoir. Ten excision samples (5 by 5 by 0.2 cm) were taken from each of 16 to 20 carcasses for each evaluation of these processes. Twelve monthly evaluations were made for the slaughter of steers, heifers, and cows and additional evaluations for each of the slaughter of cows and the chill process of carcasses. The ranges of the estimated mean log10 most probable number of growth units per square centimeter (LMPN, for 236 carcasses) and Escherichia coli per square centimeter (LEC, for 240 carcasses) enumerated by hydrophobic-grid membrane filter technology for the 12 monthly evaluations of the slaughter floor were 1.11 to 1.62 (LMPN) for single samples and 0.20 to 0.65 (LEC) for pooled samples. Based on a published advisory scale for the slaughter floor the aerobic bacterial counts reflect a cleanliness level of "excellent" to "good." For single evaluations of cow carcasses at the end of slaughter and of chilled carcasses the mean LMPN was 1.78 ("good") and 1.40 respectively. From pooled samples of each of the 236 steer, heifer, and cow carcasses the pathogen E. coli O157:H7 was identified by polymerase chain reaction on one carcass whereas Listeria monocytogenes was identified on 14 carcasses. Verocytoxigenic E. coli (6 isolates) and L. monocytogenes were not isolated from the same carcasses. These low isolation rates dictate a large sample size and therefore these pathogens are excluded from use to routinely verify the workings of hazard analyses and critical control point (HACCP) systems for beef slaughter processes in Alberta. Alternatively the use of aerobic bacterial counts to directly measure cleanliness or of E. coli counts to indirectly measure fecal contamination appears to be more practical than the use of specific pathogen counts for regulatory agencies to verify the workings of quality control programs, including HACCP systems.