Biogenesis and homeostasis of chloroplasts and other plastids.

Chloroplasts are the organelles that define plants, and they are responsible for photosynthesis as well as numerous other functions. They are the ancestral members of a family of organelles known as plastids. Plastids are remarkably dynamic, existing in strikingly different forms that interconvert in response to developmental or environmental cues. The genetic system of this organelle and its coordination with the nucleocytosolic system, the import and routing of nucleus-encoded proteins, as well as organellar division all contribute to the biogenesis and homeostasis of plastids. They are controlled by the ubiquitin-proteasome system, which is part of a network of regulatory mechanisms that integrate plastid development into broader programmes of cellular and organismal development.

Effects of Physical Training and Associations Between Physical Performance Characteristics and Golf Performance in Female Players: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis.

ABSTRACT: Robinson, L, Murray, A, Ehlert, A, Wells, J, Jarvis, P, Turner, A, Glover, D, Coughlan, D, Hembrough, R, and Bishop, C. Effects of physical training and associations between physical performance characteristics and golf performance in female players: A systematic review with meta-analysis. J Strength Cond Res 37(12): e646-e655, 2023-The aims of this systematic review were to assess the association between physical performance and measures of golf performance, and the effects of physical training on measures of golf performance, in female golfers. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Medline, and CINAHL. Inclusion criteria required studies to (a) have conducted a physical training intervention of any duration in female players and determine the effects on measures of golf performance, (b) determine the association between physical performance in at least one test and golf performance in female players, and (c) be peer-reviewed and published in English language. Methodological quality was assessed using a modified version of the Downs and Black Quality Index tool, and heterogeneity was examined through the Q statistic and I2 . Pooled effect sizes were calculated using standardized mean differences (SMDs) (with 95% confidence interval [CI]s) within a random-effects model, with Egger's regression test used to assess small study bias (inclusive of publication bias). Of the 2,378 articles screened, only 9 were included in the final review, with 3 of these being associative by design and 6 being training interventions. From an associative standpoint, clubhead speed (CHS) was reported in all 3 studies and was associated with measures of strength ( r = 0.54), lower-body power ( r = 0.60), upper-body power ( r = 0.56-0.57), and flexibility ( r = 0.52-0.71). When assessing the effects of physical training interventions, CHS was again the most commonly reported golf outcome measure ( n = 5). The random-effect model indicated that CHS significantly improves within each training group following training interventions (SMD = 0.73 [95% CIs: 0.32-1.14], Z = 3.50, p < 0.001), with trivial heterogeneity ( I2 = 0.00%, Q = 0.18; p = 0.9963) and no prevalence of small study bias depicted through the Egger's regression test ( z = -0.28, p = 0.78). From the available research, it seems that CHS can be positively affected from strength, power, and flexibility training interventions. From an associative standpoint, only 3 studies have been conducted solely in female players, with one showcasing questionable methodology. Future research should aim to carefully select test measures which better represent the physical capacities needed for the sport when determining the effects of and relationships with golf performance.

Point-of-care testing performed by healthcare professionals outside the hospital setting: consensus based recommendations from the IFCC Committee on Point-of-Care Testing (IFCC C-POCT).

The International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) Committee on Point-of-Care Testing (C-POCT) supports the use of point-of-care testing (POCT) outside of the hospital setting performed by healthcare professionals without formal laboratory education because of its numerous benefits. However, these benefits are associated with risks that must be managed, to ensure the provision of reliable test results and minimize harm to the patient. Healthcare professionals, local regulatory bodies, accredited laboratories as well as manufacturers should actively be engaged in education, oversight and advice to ensure that the healthcare professional selects the appropriate equipment and is able to analyze, troubleshoot and correctly interpret the point-of-care (POC) test results.

Validity of a Smartphone App Using Artificial Intelligence for the Real-Time Measurement of Barbell Velocity in the Bench Press Exercise.

ABSTRACT: Balsalobre-Fernández, C, Xu, J, Jarvis, P, Thompson, S, Tannion, K, and Bishop, C. Validity of a smartphone app using artificial intelligence for the real-time measurement of barbell velocity in the bench press exercise. J Strength Cond Res 37(12): e640-e645, 2023-The purpose of this study was to explore the validity and within-session reliability of the newly developed My Jump Lab application (app), which uses artificial intelligence techniques to monitor barbell velocity in real time. Twenty-seven sport science students performed 5 repetitions at 50 and 75% of their self-reported bench press 1 repetition maximum (1RM) during a single testing session, whereas barbell velocity was concurrently measured using the app (installed on an iPhone 12 Pro) and the GymAware linear position transducer (LPT). A very high correlation was observed between devices at each loading condition (50% 1RM: r = 0.90 [0.82-0.97]; 75% 1RM: r = 0.92 [0.86-0.98]). Results showed trivial differences between the app and LPT at both 50% 1RM (g = -0.06) and 75% 1RM (g = -0.12). Bland-Altman analysis showed a bias estimate of -0.010 m·s-1 and -0.026 m·s-1 for the 50 and 75% 1RM, respectively. Finally, similar levels of reliability, as revealed by the coefficient of variation, were observed for both devices (50% 1RM: LPT = 6.52%, app = 8.17%; 75% 1RM: LPT = 12.10%, app = 13.55%). Collectively, the findings of this study support the use of My Jump Lab for the measurement of real-time barbell velocity in the bench press exercise.

The weight status of children in late childhood within south East Wales and predictions for their future health.

BACKGROUND: Current child measurements of weight status in Wales are determined at early childhood only. A further measurement at late childhood could identify adiposity levels prior to adolescence and young adulthood. The aim of this study therefore was to determine current adiposity levels in a cohort of children at late childhood and present a prediction of future levels upon entering young adulthood. METHODS: In total, 288 boys (M age = 10.94 years, SD = 0.58) and 257 girls (M age = 10.78 years, SD = 0.63) from South East Wales were measured for anthropometry and their body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2) determined. International Obesity Task Force data predicted their BMI at age 18 years. RESULTS: Approximately one quarter of boys and girls in late childhood were classified at an unhealthy weight. Predictive data showed that by age 18 years, this percentage had increased to approximately one-third in both genders. CONCLUSION: The overweight and obesity levels in our cohort were high and predicted that many could become obese adults. This study therefore supports the call for the current Wales child measurement programme to be extended to report weight status in late childhood.

The Association Between Interlimb Asymmetry and Athletic Performance Tasks: A Season-Long Study in Elite Academy Soccer Players.

ABSTRACT: Bishop, C, Read, P, Bromley, T, Brazier, J, Jarvis, P, Chavda, S, and Turner, A. The association between interlimb asymmetry and athletic performance tasks: A season-long study in elite academy soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 36(3): 787-795, 2022-The aims of this study were to determine the association between asymmetry and measures of speed and change of direction speed (CODS) performance throughout a competitive soccer season and, determine whether any observed changes in asymmetry were associated with changes in speed and CODS performance. Eighteen elite male under-23 academy soccer players performed unilateral countermovement jumps, unilateral drop jumps (DJ), 10- and 30-m sprints, and 505 CODS tests at pre, mid, and end of season. No significant relationships were evident during preseason or midseason between asymmetry and speed or CODS performance. Significant correlations were shown at the end of season between DJ height asymmetry and 10-m sprint time (ρ = 0.62; p = 0.006) and 505 time on the right limb (ρ = 0.65; p = 0.003). No significant correlations between changes in asymmetry and changes in speed or CODS were evident at any time point. Although numerous studies have reported associations between asymmetry and reduced athletic performance, it seems that these associations with speed and CODS do not track consistently over time. Thus, suggestions for the reduction of asymmetry that may indirectly enhance athletic performance cannot be made.

Magnitude or Direction? Seasonal Variation of Interlimb Asymmetry in Elite Academy Soccer Players.

ABSTRACT: Bishop, C, Read, P, Chavda, S, Jarvis, P, Brazier, J, Bromley, T, and Turner, A. Magnitude or direction? Seasonal variation of interlimb asymmetry in elite academy soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 36(4): 1031-1037, 2022-Previous research has highlighted a distinct lack of longitudinal data for asymmetry. The aims of this study were to provide seasonal variation data for the magnitude and direction of asymmetry. Eighteen elite male academy soccer players (under-23) performed unilateral countermovement jumps (CMJs) and unilateral drop jumps (DJs) during pre-season, mid-season, and end of season time points. Recorded metrics for asymmetry included jump height and concentric impulse for the CMJ, and jump height and reactive strength index for the DJ. The magnitude of asymmetry showed trivial to small changes throughout the season (CMJ effect size [ES] range = -0.43 to 0.05; DJ ES range = -0.18 to 0.41). However, Kappa coefficients showed poor to substantial levels of agreement for the direction of asymmetry during the CMJ (Kappa = -0.06 to 0.77) and DJ (Kappa = -0.10 to 0.78) throughout the season. These data show that when monitoring asymmetry, the magnitude alone may provide a false impression of consistent scores over time. By contrast, monitoring the direction of asymmetry highlights its task and variable nature and is suggested as a useful tool for practitioners who wish to monitor asymmetry over the course of a competitive soccer season.

Effects of Interlimb Asymmetries on Acceleration and Change of Direction Speed: A Between-Sport Comparison of Professional Soccer and Cricket Athletes.

ABSTRACT: Bishop, C, Read, P, Brazier, J, Jarvis, P, Chavda, S, Bromley, T, and Turner, A. Effects of interlimb asymmetries on acceleration and change of direction speed: a between-sport comparison of professional soccer and cricket athletes. J Strength Cond Res 35(8): 2095-2101, 2021-The first aim of this study was to quantify and compare asymmetries among professional soccer and cricket athletes. The second aim was to examine the association between asymmetries and performance within both groups. Professional soccer (n = 18) and cricket (n = 23) athletes performed single-leg countermovement jumps, single-leg drop jumps (SLDJs), a 10-m sprint, and 505 change of direction speed (CODS) tests. Interlimb asymmetries were calculated as a standard percentage difference, Mann-Whitney U tests conducted to establish systematic bias between groups, and Spearman's r correlations used to establish the relationship between asymmetry scores and speed and CODS performance. Soccer athletes sprinted faster, jumped higher, and had a greater reactive strength index (RSI) score than cricket athletes (p < 0.05). However, cricketers showed reduced ground contact times compared with footballers during the SLDJ (p < 0.05). The cricket group showed significantly greater jump height (asymmetry = 11.49 vs. 6.51%; p = 0.015) and RSI (asymmetry = 10.37 vs. 5.95%; p = 0.014) asymmetries compared with soccer players. These metrics were also associated with slower 505 times in the cricket group only (r = 0.56 -0.74; p < 0.01). These results show that between-limb asymmetries exhibit no association with speed and CODS in elite soccer players but are associated with reduced CODS in elite cricketers. Thus, the reduction of interlimb asymmetries may be of greater consideration when working with cricket vs. soccer athletes.

Cold Water Immersion Offers No Functional or Perceptual Benefit Compared to a Sham Intervention During a Resistance Training Program.

ABSTRACT: Wilson, LJ, Dimitriou, L, Hills, FA, Gondek, MB, van Wyk, A, Turek, V, Rivkin, T, Villiere, A, Jarvis, P, Miller, S, Turner, A, and Cockburn, E. Cold water immersion offers no functional or perceptual benefit compared to a sham intervention during a resistance training program. J Strength Cond Res 35(10): 2720-2727, 2021-Cold water immersion (CWI) is regularly used by athletes as a postexercise recovery strategy, but relatively little is understood about potential training adaptations associated with habitual use. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of repeated CWI or a sham intervention on adaptations to a lower body resistance training program. Thirteen men (26 ± 6 years; 83.6 ± 15.7 kg) familiar with resistance training were allocated into a CWI (10 minutes at 10° C) or sham group and completed 2 × 4-week blocks of lower body resistance training. Subjects completed a total of 16 training sessions (2 × session·week-1), with each session immediately followed by their allocated recovery intervention. Measures of perceptual markers, muscle function, and muscle architecture were recorded at baseline, midpoint, and post-training. Data were analyzed using factorial analysis of variances. The training program resulted in significant increases in muscle fibre pennation angle (p = 0.009), isometric peak force (p = 0.018), and 1/4 squat (p < 0.001) with no differences between groups (all p > 0.05). There were no differences in perceptual responses between groups. Despite the popularity of CWI as a postexercise recovery intervention, the findings from the present study demonstrated no functional or perceptual benefit compared with a sham intervention during progressive strength and power training. Furthermore, there was no detrimental impact of CWI on morphological adaptations after 16 exposures. These findings are important for athletes and practitioners wishing to use CWI as an acute recovery strategy after training, without blunting potential training adaptations.

Suppressors of the Chloroplast Protein Import Mutant tic40 Reveal a Genetic Link between Protein Import and Thylakoid Biogenesis.

To extend our understanding of chloroplast protein import and the role played by the import machinery component Tic40, we performed a genetic screen for suppressors of chlorotic tic40 knockout mutant Arabidopsis thaliana plants. As a result, two suppressor of tic40 loci, stic1 and stic2, were identified and characterized. The stic1 locus corresponds to the gene ALBINO4 (ALB4), which encodes a paralog of the well-known thylakoid protein targeting factor ALB3. The stic2 locus identified a previously unknown stromal protein that interacts physically with both ALB4 and ALB3. Genetic studies showed that ALB4 and STIC2 act together in a common pathway that also involves cpSRP54 and cpFtsY. Thus, we conclude that ALB4 and STIC2 both participate in thylakoid protein targeting, potentially for a specific subset of thylakoidal proteins, and that this targeting pathway becomes disadvantageous to the plant in the absence of Tic40. As the stic1 and stic2 mutants both suppressed tic40 specifically (other TIC-related mutants were not suppressed), we hypothesize that Tic40 is a multifunctional protein that, in addition to its originally described role in protein import, is able to influence downstream processes leading to thylakoid biogenesis.

Perceived inequalities in care and support for older women from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds in Wales: findings from a survey exploring dignity from service providers' perspectives.

Objective: As part of a large mixed-method study aimed at capturing understandings of dignity, and care expectations of community dwelling older women from Black and minority ethnic (BME) backgrounds living in Wales, the aim of this paper is to compare service providers' perceptions of their care and support provided to older people in general, and to older women from BME backgrounds in particular, with a focus on two dignity indicators: care and support needs, and effective communication.Design: A survey design was used.Results: A total of 124 responses from service providers in Wales were received. Perceived inequalities in care and support were found. Although most respondents reported that care and support provision was generally acceptable, more respondents believed that compared to older people in general, older women from BME backgrounds were seldom or never offered opportunities and support to express their needs, were involved in their own care, were provided appropriate information, had their key needs especially less visible needs (psychological and religious needs) been taken into account, or were communicated with effectively (all p < 0.05). In some cases, respondents tended to report more positively in areas related to their own practice.Conclusion: We suggest that learning from the views and perceptions of service providers, as well as older people and their families, remains key to developing services for the UK's increasingly diverse and ageing population. A better understanding of how inequalities may occur, their impact on older people and their families, and how they may be minimised can inform the development of high quality care for older people regardless of their ethnic and cultural backgrounds in Wales, other parts of the UK and beyond.

Last months of life of people with intellectual disabilities: A UK population-based study of death and dying in intellectual disability community services.

BACKGROUND: Population-based data are presented on the nature of dying in intellectual disability services. METHODS: A retrospective survey was conducted over 18 months with a sample of UK-based intellectual disability service providers that supported over 12,000. Core data were obtained for 222 deaths within this population. For 158 (71%) deaths, respondents returned a supplemented and modified version of VOICES-SF. RESULTS: The observed death was 12.2 deaths per 1,000 people supported per year, but just over a third deaths had been deaths anticipated by care staff. Mortality patterns, place of usual care and availability of external support exerted considerable influence over outcomes at the end of life. CONCLUSION: Death is not a common event in intellectual disability services. A major disadvantage experienced by people with intellectual disabilities was that their deaths were relatively unanticipated. People with intellectual disabilities living in supported living settings, even when their dying was anticipated, experienced poorer outcomes.

Intracerebral Hemorrhage in a Young Urban Population: Etiologies and Outcomes in Patients 50 and Younger.

GOAL: There is limited research on intracerebral hemorrhage in young urban populations. There is reduced access to healthcare and a high prevalence of multiple comorbidities in this vulnerable population. We studied the etiologies and outcomes of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage in an urban North Philadelphia cohort aged 50 years old and younger. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review of subjects 50 years old and younger who presented with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage at Temple University Hospital was conducted. A novel scoring system was used to classify the cause of each intracerebral hemorrhage. This system was used to assign a degree of likelihood that hypertension, amyloid angiopathy, tumor, oral anticoagulants, vascular malformations, infrequent causes, or cryptogenic etiologies were present. Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage was excluded. The prevalence of each risk factor and outcomes were analyzed. FINDINGS: Of the 110 patients in the study, the most common etiology was hypertension (82.7%). There was no statistically significant difference in mortality between patients with multiple possible etiologies for their hemorrhage. Vascular malformations and cavernomas were rare (5.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Hypertension was the most common cause of intracerebral hemorrhage in a young urban population. The presence of multiple possible etiologies does not correlate with a worse prognosis of mortality. There is a need for further research into hemorrhagic stroke in young populations.

Heavy Barbell Hip Thrusts Do Not Effect Sprint Performance: An 8-Week Randomized Controlled Study.

Jarvis, P, Cassone, N, Turner, A, Chavda, S, Edwards, M, and Bishop, C. Heavy barbell hip thrusts do not effect sprint performance: an 8-week randomized controlled study. J Strength Cond Res 33(7S): S78-S84, 2019-The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an 8-week barbell hip thrust strength training program on sprint performance. Twenty-one collegiate athletes (15 males and 6 females) were randomly assigned to either an intervention (n = 11, age 27.36 ± 3.17 years, height 169.55 ± 10.38 cm, mass 72.7 ± 18 kg) or control group (n = 10, age 27.2 ± 3.36 years, height 176.2 ± 7.94 cm, mass 76.39 ± 11.47 kg). One repetition maximum hip thrust, 40-m sprint time, and individual 10-m split timings: 0-10, 10-20, 20-30, and 30-40 m were the measured variables; these recorded at both the baseline and posttesting time points. After the 8-week hip thrust strength training intervention, significantly greater 1 repetition maximum (1RM) hip thrust scores for the training group were observed (p < 0.001, d = 0.77 [mean difference 44.09 kg]); however, this failed to translate into changes in sprint time for any of the measured distances (all sprint performance measures: p > 0.05, r = 0.05-0.37). No significant differences were seen for the control group for 1RM hip thrust (p = 0.106, d = 0.24 [mean difference 9.4 kg]) or sprint time (all sprint performance measures: p > 0.05, r = 0.13-0.47). These findings suggest that increasing maximum hip thrust strength through the use of the barbell hip thrust does not seem to transfer into improvements in sprint performance in collegiate level athletes.

Postactivation Potentiation and Change of Direction Speed in Elite Academy Rugby Players.

Marshall, J, Turner, AN, Jarvis, PT, Maloney, SJ, Cree, JA, and Bishop, CJ. Postactivation potentiation and change of direction speed in elite academy rugby players. J Strength Cond Res 33(6): 1551-1556, 2019-This study investigated the effect of preceding proagility sprints with maximal isometric squats to determine if postactivation potentiation (PAP) could be harnessed in change of direction speed. Sixteen elite under-17 rugby union players (age: 16 ± 0.41 years; body mass: 88.7 ± 12.1 kg; height: 1.83 ± 0.07 m) from an Aviva Premiership rugby club were tested. Subjects performed a change of direction specific warm-up, followed by 2 baseline proagility tests. After 10-minute recovery, 3 × 3-second maximal isometric squats with a 2-minute recovery between sets were completed as a conditioning activity (CA) on a force plate where peak force and mean rate of force development over 300 milliseconds were measured. The proagility test was repeated at set time intervals of 1, 3, 5, and 7 minutes after the CA. Overall proagility times were significantly slower (p < 0.05) at 1 minute post-CA compared with the baseline (3.3%), with no significant differences occurring at 3, 5, or 7 minutes post-CA. Therefore, it appears that performing multiple sets of maximal isometric squats do not enhance proagility performance.

Abiotic stress-induced chloroplast proteome remodelling: a mechanistic overview.

The chloroplast houses photosynthesis in all green plants, and is therefore of fundamental importance to the viability and productivity of plants, ecosystems, and agriculture. Chloroplasts are, however, extremely vulnerable to environmental stress, on account of the inherent volatility of oxygenic photosynthesis. To counteract this sensitivity, sophisticated systems of chloroplast stress acclimation have evolved, and many of these involve broad proteome changes. Here, we provide an overview of the interlocking and mutually dependent mechanisms of abiotic stress-induced chloroplast proteome remodelling. Topics that are covered in this context include: nucleus to chloroplast signalling mechanisms, with a particular emphasis on the nuclear control of the chloroplast genome; chloroplast to nucleus signalling; and the roles of chloroplast pre-protein import regulation and chloroplast proteases.

Functional Analysis of the Hsp93/ClpC Chaperone at the Chloroplast Envelope.

The Hsp100-type chaperone Hsp93/ClpC has crucial roles in chloroplast biogenesis. In addition to its role in proteolysis in the stroma, biochemical and genetic evidence led to the hypothesis that this chaperone collaborates with the inner envelope TIC complex to power preprotein import. Recently, it was suggested that Hsp93, working together with the Clp proteolytic core, can confer a protein quality control mechanism at the envelope. Thus, the role of envelope-localized Hsp93, and the mechanism by which it participates in protein import, remain unclear. To analyze the function of Hsp93 in protein import independently of its ClpP association, we created a mutant of Hsp93 affecting its ClpP-binding motif (PBM) (Hsp93[P-]), which is essential for the chaperone's interaction with the Clp proteolytic core. The Hsp93[P-] construct was ineffective at complementing the pale-yellow phenotype of hsp93 Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) mutants, indicating that the PBM is essential for Hsp93 function. As expected, the PBM mutation negatively affected the degradation activity of the stromal Clp protease. The mutation also disrupted association of Hsp93 with the Clp proteolytic core at the envelope, without affecting the envelope localization of Hsp93 itself or its association with the TIC machinery, which we demonstrate to be mediated by a direct interaction with Tic110. Nonetheless, Hsp93[P-] expression did not detectably improve the protein import efficiency of hsp93 mutant chloroplasts. Thus, our results do not support the proposed function of Hsp93 in protein import propulsion, but are more consistent with the notion of Hsp93 performing a quality control role at the point of import.

Considerations for Selecting Field-Based Strength and Power Fitness Tests to Measure Asymmetries.

Bishop, C, Turner, A, Jarvis, P, Chavda, S, and Read, P. Considerations for selecting field-based strength and power fitness tests to measure asymmetries. J Strength Cond Res 31(9): 2635-2644, 2017-The prevalence of lower limb asymmetries has been reported in numerous studies; however, methodological differences exist in the way they can be detected. Strength and jumping-based tasks have been most commonly used to examine these differences across both athlete and nonathlete populations. The aim of this review was to critically analyze the utility of strength and jumping tests that are frequently used to measure asymmetry. Reliability, validity, and considerations for assessment are examined to enhance test accuracy and effectiveness in the quantification of asymmetries during strength and jumping-based tasks. MEDLINE and SPORTDiscus databases were used with specific search terms to identify relevant articles in both athlete and nonathlete populations. The findings of the current review indicate that assessing interlimb differences during strength and jumping-based tasks may result in different levels of asymmetry; thus, interlimb differences seem to be task-dependent. Consequently, quantification during both types of assessment is warranted, and a selection of tests has been suggested to measure asymmetries in both strength and jumping-based tasks.

Using the Split Squat to Potentiate Bilateral and Unilateral Jump Performance.

Bishop, CJ, Tarrant, J, Jarvis, PT, and Turner, AN. Using the split squat to potentiate bilateral and unilateral jump performance. J Strength Cond Res 31(8): 2216-2222, 2017-The purpose of this study was to examine if a split squat conditioning exercise with no or light loads could potentiate unilateral and bilateral jump performance. Twelve semiprofessional rugby players (age: 22.3 ± 1.4 years; height: 1.84 ± 0.05 m, mass: 92.4 ± 9.6 kg) from the English National League 1 performed a series of unilateral and bilateral countermovement jumps (CMJ) and broad jumps (BJ) over the course of 2 testing days. Both testing days involved performing baseline jumps before completing 2 sets of 10 repetitions of a split squat, this completed with either bodyweight (testing session 1) or a 30 kg weighted vest (testing session 2). A 5-minute recovery period was permitted both after the warm-up and the completion of the split squat exercise. Significantly larger bilateral jump scores were reported after completion of the bodyweight split squat: CMJ (p = 0.001, ES = 0.44, [mean difference 2.517]), BJ (p = 0.001, ES = 0.37, [mean difference 3.817]), and the weighted vest split squat; CMJ (p = 0.001, ES = 0.8, [mean difference 4.383]), BJ (p = 0.001, ES = 0.68, [mean difference 6.817]). The findings of this study demonstrate that no or light loads of a split squat conditioning exercise are able to potentiate bilateral jump performance in semiprofessional rugby players without the need for expensive weight room equipment. As such, this may provide coaches with a viable option of enhancing bilateral jump performance as part of a warm-up or on-field conditioning practice.

A survey of service providers' views on care and support provision for older women from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds in Wales: Implications for policy and practice.

Drawing on quantitative data from a large study, we explored service providers' perceptions of the care and support provided to older women from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds living in the UK. Analyzing 102 responses to a questionnaire, we found that the care needs of this group of older women were not adequately addressed, with ineffective communication being frequently reported. A number of information pathways and barriers to service provision were identified. More work is needed to explore not only how best to acknowledge diversity in care needs within older populations, but also to design and deliver responsive services accordingly.