Comparing the Current Training Running Demands of Elite Camogie Players to Competitive Match-Play.

Training to meet match-play demands is a primary objective in an athlete's preparation for their games. Despite camogie match-play running demands being available, how current training practices compare, specifically individual training components, remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate and compare current elite camogie training to match-play demands. Thirty-three (n = 33) elite camogie players wore 10 Hz Playertek GPS units during twenty-five training sessions and ten competitive matches. Training sessions were analysed using ball-in-play time and split into warm-ups, drills, small-sided games, running, and training matches. Metrics were converted into relative terms (per minute), to allow comparisons. Players cover significantly greater (p < 0.05) total distance (non-parametric standardised effect sizes (r = 0.45)), peak speed (r = 0.45), high-speed running (r = 0.13), sprint distance (r = 0.20), and total decelerations (r = 0.12−0.22) during match-play than training. Relatively, players cover significantly greater distance during running, small-sided games, and training matches compared to match-play (r = 0.21−0.29). Compared with match-play, running results in significantly greater high-speed running and sprint distance (r = 0.18−0.41), with greater accelerations (3−4 m∙s−2) during warm-ups, running, and small-sided games (r = 0.14−0.28). Current total training demands seem to fall behind match-play. However, relatively, training matches and small-sided games match or surpass competitive match-play demands. These findings may be utilised in preparing camogie teams for competition.

The positional and temporal running demands of elite inter-county camogie match play across 5-min intervals.

Purpose: Camogie is a native Irish female field sport game. This investigation aimed to establish elite camogie players' positional and temporal running demands across 5-min intervals during competitive match play. Methods: Thirty-one (n = 31) inter-county camogie players (age: 24 ± 4 years; height: 167.2 ± 6.3 cm; body mass: 67.0 ± 7.5 kg) from two squads wore commercially available 10-Hz Playertek GPS units (Playertek by Catapult, Australia) during Senior All-Ireland Championship games (n = 8). Players were categorised according to match positions (defenders, mid-fielders, forwards). Games were split into quarters, and subsequently into 5-min intervals for analysis (5-min intervals are more closely associated with small-sided games and training than half-by-half comparisons). Results: Analysis revealed significant positional and temporal differences to exist (p < 0.05). Mid-fielders covered greater total (r = 0.16-0.19) and relative distance (r = 0.15-0.17), with forwards covering greater high-speed distances (r = 0.09-0.19). Mid-fielders had greater temporal performance decrements for sprint distance between all first quarter intervals and 55-60 interval (Kendall's W (W = 0.86-1.00), as well as the 0-5 and all final quarter intervals for total distance (W = 0.86-1.00). Defenders had significant performance decreases during the 25-30 (W = 0.29-0.60) and 40-45 interval (W = 0.14-0.57) for both total and relative distance. Forwards exhibited the lowest performance decrement, with no significant differences for peak speed, high-speed running, or sprint distance (W = 0.00-0.53). Conclusion: Positional and temporal differences are evident in elite camogie match play. Mid-fielders have the greatest total and sprint distance decrements, with defenders also exhibiting total and relative distance decreases. Coaches should focus on temporal differences with respect to position, to minimise performance decrements.

The physical characteristics of elite camogie players.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the current investigation was to establish the positional physical characteristics of elite intercounty camogie players and compare them to current female field sport athlete norms. METHODS: Forty-five elite intercounty camogie players (age: 23.31±3.47 years; height: 168.97±5.60 cm; body mass: 68.37±7.44 kg) completed preseason physical performance testing. Physical characteristics including isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) peak force, IMTP relative peak force, countermovement jump (CMJ) height, 10 to 5 repeated jump test Reactive Strength Index (RSI), 5-, 10- and 20-m sprint times and yo-yo intermittent recovery test level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1) accumulated distance were assessed. All players were subdivided into their playing positions (defenders, mid-fielders, forwards) by self-reported means, to investigate if any positional differences existed. RESULTS: A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and Kruskal-Wallis H tests revealed no significant positional difference for any physical tests (P>0.05). Moderate main effects for RSI between mid-fielders and forwards (ES=0.64) and for 20-m sprint time between defenders and midfielders (ES=0.63) were noted. Trivial to small main positional effects were evident for all other tests (ES=0.03-0.60). CONCLUSIONS: The relative homogeneity of results across performance measures indicates no obvious position specific characteristics within this cohort. This data will provide normative values for coaches to better inform training and return to play practices in camogie.

Racial and ethnic differences in uptake of cell-free fetal DNA aneuploidy screening in an urban safety net hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To identify racial disparities in cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) first-line aneuploidy screening use among advanced maternal age women at a safety net hospital. STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective cohort study of women 35 and older who delivered at Boston Medical Center from 2012 to 2015 compared to women who used cffDNA for first-line aneuploidy screening to those who did not. Maternal conventional demographics and social determinants of health were collected. We investigated the relationship between race and odds of cffDNA use, adjusting for covariates by stepwise logistic regression. RESULTS: We identified 1223 women. Seventy-two percent were publicly insured. Upon adjusting for parity, prenatal care site, year of delivery, and insurance status, odds of cffNDA use remained lower for Black and Hispanic women (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.47, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.30, 0.71 and aOR 0.34 [0.21, 0.55]) compared to White women. Language proved to be an effect modifier among Hispanic women that attenuated but did not resolve the disparity in use among Hispanic compared to White women. Racial differences in cffDNA use persisted across the study period. CONCLUSION: Disparity in cffDNA screening uptake exists by race in this diverse urban population. The gap in utilization between Hispanic and White women may be related to primary preferred language.

The importance of personalismo: Navigating obstacles in recruitment strategies for Spanish speakers in marginalized communities.

Recruitment obstacles with Spanish-speaking individuals and members of marginalized communities have been documented in the literature in narrative form, but quantitative data on effective strategies are limited. Within our research protocol assessing the impact of a storytelling intervention on knowledge and uptake of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) aneuploidy screening, three different recruitment strategies were trialed and enrollment rates were compared. Throughout the study, field notes were collected from observations in recruitment efforts. We demonstrate the effectiveness of language-concordant, personal interactions, and culturally tailored materials for recruitment of Spanish-speaking participants into genomic research studies. We also offer commentary on the experience of the researchers that provides insights to inform recruitment methods for marginalized communities.

Knowledge and opinions of the genetic counseling profession of high school students from underrepresented backgrounds.

The field of genetic counseling began in the 1960s, with young, white women quickly comprising the profession's core constituency. The field has made many efforts to increase its racial and ethnic diversity with little success. The 2019 Professional Status Survey, distributed by the National Society of Genetic Counselors, reported that 90% of the respondents identified as white, 95% as female, and 70% under the age of 40. This qualitative study explored the current career interests of high school students from underrepresented backgrounds as well as their understanding of and thoughts about the genetic counseling profession. Sixteen semi-structured interviews were performed with high school students from the Boston Preparatory Charter School. Major themes emerged reflecting that the participants (a) were science-minded and empathetic, (b) had not heard of genetic counseling but were interested in learning more about it, and (c) provided perspectives different from those historically over-represented in the genetic counseling workforce. Implications for genetic counselors include the need for improved recruitment strategies accessible to individuals of underrepresented backgrounds who might be interested in the profession and the importance of acknowledging that valuable contributions and improvements to the field could be made by such individuals. Future studies could encompass a larger sample size; explore the interests, opinions, and perspectives of high school students with minority identities other than racial and/or ethnic minority; or assess the success of current or new recruitment methods.

A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials to Assess Outcomes of Genetic Counseling.

With the advancements in precision medicine and health care reform, it is critical that genetic counseling practice respond to emerging evidence to maximize client benefit. The objective of this review was to synthesize evidence on outcomes from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of genetic counseling to inform clinical practice. Seven databases were searched in conducting this review. Studies were selected for inclusion if they were: (a) RCTs published from 1990 to 2015, and (b) assessed a direct outcome of genetic counseling. Extracted data included study population, aims, and outcomes. Risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions guidelines. A review of 1654 abstracts identified 58 publications of 54 unique RCTs that met inclusion criteria, the vast majority of which were conducted in cancer genetic counseling setting. Twenty-seven publications assessed 'enhancements' to genetic counseling, and 31 publications compared delivery modes. The methodological rigor varied considerably, highlighting the need for attention to quality criteria in RCT design. While most studies assessed several client outcomes hypothesized to be affected by genetic counseling (e.g., psychological wellbeing, knowledge, perceived risk, patient satisfaction), disparate validated and reliable scales and other assessments were often used to evaluate the same outcome(s). This limits opportunity to compare findings across studies. While RCTs of genetic counseling demonstrate enhanced client outcomes in a number of studies and pave the way to evidence-based practice, the heterogeneity of the research questions suggest an important need for more complementary studies with consistent outcome assessments.

Participant use and communication of findings from exome sequencing: a mixed-methods study.

PURPOSE: This study investigated how genome sequencing results affect health behaviors, affect, and communication. METHODS: We report on 29 participants who received a sequence result in the ClinSeq study, a cohort of well-educated, postreproductive volunteers. A mixed-methods design was used to explore respondents' use, communication, and perceived utility of results. RESULTS: Most participants (72%) shared their result with at least one health-care provider, and 31% reported subsequent changes in the health care they received. Participants scored high on the Positive Experiences subscale and low on the Distress subscale of a modified version of the Multidimensional Impact of Cancer Risk Assessment. The majority (93%) shared their result with at least one family member. Participants described deriving personal utility from their results. CONCLUSION: This article is the first to describe research participants' reactions to actionable sequencing results. Our findings suggest clinical and personal benefit from receiving sequencing results, both of which may contribute to improved health for the recipients. Given the participants' largely positive or neutral affective responses and disclosure of their results to physicians and relatives, health-care providers should redirect concern from the potential for distress and attend to motivating patients to follow their medical recommendations.Genet Med 18 6, 577-583.