Prior Knowledge of the Grading Criteria Increases Functional Movement Screen Scores in Youth Soccer Players.

ABSTRACT: Bryson, A, Arthur, R, and Easton, C. Prior knowledge of the grading criteria increases Functional Movement Screen scores in youth soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 35(3): 762-768, 2021-We sought to determine whether familiarity with the grading criteria of the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) impacted the outcome score in elite youth soccer players. Thirty-two trained male youth soccer players (aged 17 ± 1 years) participated in a randomized control trial. Subjects were randomly assigned to evenly sized control and experimental groups, who each completed the FMS on 2 separate occasions. Subjects in the experimental group were provided the FMS grading criteria between their first and second screens. Time-synchronized video footage was used to grade the FMS using standardized criteria. Structured interviews were then conducted with selected subjects (n = 4) in the experimental group to establish athletes' perception of the FMS. The experimental group had a large increase in overall FMS score from the first to the second screen in comparison with the control group (Δ2.0 ± 1.0, p < 0.001, d = 1.3). Scores for the deep squat, hurdle step, and rotary stability tests components of the FMS all increased in the experimental group in comparison with the control group (p < 0.05). Thematic analysis of the interview data suggested that the subjects in the experimental group improved their understanding between good and poor technique during the FMS. These findings support the notion that FMS scores are influenced by awareness of the grading criteria. As a consequence, the FMS may not be suitable for objectively predicting injury in youth soccer players.

Development and validation of the Referee Training Activity Questionnaire (RTAQ): Towards a better understanding of the training practices of soccer officials.

To develop and assess the validity of the Referee Training Activity Questionnaire (RTAQ), a systematic process was employed: 1) item generation; 2) assessments of content and face validity; and 3) assessments of criterion validity. In stage 1, items were generated following semi-structured interviews with an expert panel (n = 8). Following content analyses, the RTAQ was developed and comprised 3 primary sections (12 sub-sections) assessing: 1) attributes perceived to underpin soccer officiating performance; 2) general training information; and 3) specific training practices. In stage 2, the preliminary RTAQ was assessed for content and face validity by a sample of experts (n = 6). Based upon the content validity index (CVI), content validity was confirmed for 8 sub-sections (CVI ≥ 0.78) with 5 sub-sections being deemed invalid (CVI < 0.78). Various amendments were carried out in accordance with participant feedback. In stage 3, the RTAQ was completed by a cohort of officials (n = 25) who subsequently recorded a detailed training diary. Negligible mean biases, wide 95% LOA, and significant Pearson correlations were observed between the RTAQ and training diaries for most training activities, suggesting the RTAQ holds promise as a useful and effective alternative of acquiring insight into the training practices of soccer officials.

A feasibility study with process evaluation of a teacher led resource to improve measures of child health.

Previous school-based interventions have produced positive effects upon measures of children's health and wellbeing but such interventions are often delivered by external experts which result in short-term effects. Thus, upskilling and expanding the resources available to classroom teachers could provide longer-term solutions. This paper presents a feasibility study of an online health resource (Healthy Schools Resource: HSR) developed to assist primary school teachers in the delivery of health-related education. Four schools (n = 2 intervention) participated in this study. Study feasibility was assessed by recruitment, retention and completion rates of several outcomes including height, weight, waist circumference, blood pressure and several metabolic markers including HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose and dietary knowledge following a 10-12-week intervention period. The process evaluation involved fidelity checks of teachers' use of the HSR and post-intervention teacher interviews. A total of 614 consent forms were issued and 267 were returned (43%), of which, 201 confirmed consent for blood sampling (75%). Retention of children participating in the study was also high (96%). Of the 13 teachers who delivered the intervention to the children, four teachers were excluded from further analyses as they did not participate in the fidelity checks. Overall, teachers found the online resource facilitative of teaching health and wellbeing and several recommendations regarding the resource were provided to inform further evaluations. Recruitment and retention rates suggest that the teacher led intervention is feasible and acceptable to both teachers, parents and children. Initial findings provide promising evidence that given a greater sample size, a longer intervention exposure period and changes made to the resource, teachers' use of HSR could enhance measures of health and wellbeing in children.

Coaches Coaching Psychological Skills-Why Not? A Framework and Questionnaire Development.

This study is part of a program of research investigating coaches delivering psychological skills (PS). Here, 3 studies feature an original conceptualization of coaching PS and the development and validation of 2 questionnaires capturing the coaching of PS. The authors conducted a qualitative investigation to establish a conceptual framework that included the fundamental coaching of PS behaviors (CPS-F) and the needs-supportive coaching of PS (CPS-NS). They then tested the factor structure of 2 subsequently developed questionnaires via a Bayesian structural equation modeling approach to confirmatory factor analysis across 2 samples and ran tests of invariance, concurrent, discriminant, and predictive validity. The CPS-F questionnaire showed an excellent fit for a 3-factor model, whereas the CPS-NS demonstrated an excellent single-factor fit. Significant relationships with theoretically related constructs suggested concurrent, discriminant, and predictive validity. The findings are expected to significantly further research into our understanding of coaches coaching PS.

Interval running with self-selected recovery: Physiology, performance, and perception.

This study (1) compared the physiological responses and performance during a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) session incorporating externally regulated (ER) and self-selected (SS) recovery periods and (2) examined the psychophysiological cues underpinning SS recovery durations. Following an incremental maximal exercise test to determine maximal aerobic speed (MAS), 14 recreationally active males completed 2 HIIT sessions on a non-motorised treadmill. Participants performed 12 × 30 s running intervals at a target intensity of 105% MAS interspersed with 30 s (ER) or SS recovery periods. During SS, participants were instructed to provide themselves with sufficient recovery to complete all 12 efforts at the required intensity. A semi-structured interview was undertaken following the completion of SS. Mean recovery duration was longer during SS (51 ± 15 s) compared to ER (30 ± 0 s; p < .001; d = 1.46 ± 0.46). Between-interval heart rate recovery was higher (SS: 19 ± 9 b min-1; ER: 8 ± 5 b min-1; p < .001; d = 1.43 ± 0.43) and absolute time ≥90% maximal heart rate (HRmax) was lower (SS: 335 ± 193 s; ER: 433 ± 147 s; p = .075; d = 0.52 ± 0.39) during SS compared to ER. Relative time ≥105% MAS was greater during SS (90 ± 6%) compared to ER (74 ± 20%; p < .01; d = 0.87 ± 0.40). Different sources of afferent information underpinned decision-making during SS. The extended durations of recovery during SS resulted in a reduced time ≥90% HRmax but enhanced time ≥105% MAS, compared with ER exercise. Differences in the afferent cue utilisation of participants likely explain the large levels of inter-individual variability observed.

The early and mid-term fate of the axillary artery following axillary artery cut-down and cardiac catheterization in infants and young children.

OBJECTIVES: To study the early and mid-term vascular complications of axillary artery catheterization in children <2 years by clinical and ultrasound examination. BACKGROUND: Femoral arterial access for cardiac catheterization in young children is associated with significant morbidity. Early complications of axillary artery catheterization have been reported but no long-term vascular follow-up data are available. METHODS: Prospective case-control study using standard vascular ultrasound techniques to examine the upper limbs in study participants (n = 10). RESULTS: In total, 23% of axillary artery catheterizarions (56 procedures in 54 patients) resulted in acute arterial insufficiency requiring heparin. Of the survivors under follow-up (n = 33), none had symptoms of chronic arterial insufficiency. At a median follow-up of 8 years postprocedure, three out of the ten study participants had a weak brachial pulse in the test arm but no significant difference in arm measurements. Color Doppler revealed occlusion of the axillary artery in the test arm with collateralization in three patients. The brachial peak systolic velocity (V(max)) was significantly lower in the test arm than the control arm of all the patients with a mean difference of 30 cm/sec (P = 0.007). CONCLUSION: Our study is the first to examine the long-term vascular sequelae of axillary artery catheterization using ultrasound examination and highlights the importance of careful surveillance of vascular access sites. Although axillary artery cut-down for cardiac catheterization in infants and young children does not appear to result in clinical signs of chronic arterial insufficiency, we demonstrate clear evidence of flow abnormalities on vascular ultrasound which are of uncertain long-term significance.

Sedaghatian spondylometaphyseal dysplasia with pachygyria and absence of the corpus callosum.

We report on a female infant with a metaphyseal dysplasia and a neuronal migration abnormality consistent with a diagnosis of Sedaghatian spondylometaphyseal dysplasia. This child, born to nonconsanguineous Caucasian parents, was hypotonic from birth and experienced recurrent cyanotic episodes within a few hours of delivery. Cerebral imaging revealed absence of the corpus callosum and marked frontotemporal pachygyria. She developed seizures on day 14 of life and died at the age of 17 days. Our case highlights the possibility for neuronal migration abnormalities in Sedaghatian spondylometaphyseal dysplasia and suggests a novel association of the disorder with agenesis of the corpus callosum.

Magnetic resonance imaging in preterm infants.

MR imaging of the premature infant poses a number of challenges with regard to safety, sequence optimization and recognition of the normal appearances of the developing brain. In this paper we discuss these challenges, and review the common intracerebral abnormalities associated with premature birth. Although the outcome for very-low-birth-weight babies has improved over the last decade, there remains a significant risk of subsequent development of neurological disability. The relationship between MRI abnormalities and long-term outcome is considered.

Posterior fossa abnormalities seen on magnetic resonance brain imaging in a cohort of newborn infants.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the nature and frequency of posterior fossa (PF) lesions in infants who underwent magnetic resonance (MR) brain imaging in the neonatal period and to correlate with cranial ultrasound (CUS) findings and clinical outcome. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review of all neonatal MR brain imaging from 1996 to 2001 (n=558). MR images, CUS and case notes were reviewed in infants with PF abnormality. RESULTS: A total of 20 infants had abnormalities in the PF, which represents 4.7% of abnormalities seen on MR. Out of 10, six term infants had PF extra-axial hemorrhage, three had cerebellar hypoplasia, while one had cerebellar hemorrhage. In the preterm, 8/10 lesions were unilateral; focal cerebellar hemorrhage was seen in 5/10 and extensive hemorrhage with secondary atrophy in 3/10. Out of 20, 17 infants also had supratentorial lesions. Out of 20, 19 had CUS performed, of which 7/19 showed PF abnormality. CONCLUSION: Intracerebellar hemorrhage was more common in preterm infants than in term infants. These hemorrhages tended to be focal, unilateral and were associated with atrophy.

Ultrasonography in the diagnosis and management of developmental hip dysplasia (UK Hip Trial): clinical and economic results of a multicentre randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Clinical screening aims to identify and treat neonatal hip instability associated with increased risk of hip displacement, but risks failures of diagnosis and treatment (abduction splinting), iatrogenic effects, and costs to parents and health services. Our objectives were to assess clinical effectiveness and net cost of ultrasonography compared with clinical assessment alone, to provide guidance for management of infants with clinical hip instability. METHODS: Infants with clinical hip instability were recruited from 33 centres in UK and Ireland and randomised to either ultrasonographic hip examination (n=314) or clinical assessment alone (n=315). The primary outcome was appearance on hip radiographs by 2 years. Secondary outcomes included surgical treatment, abduction splinting, level of mobility, resource use, and costs. Analysis was by intention to treat. FINDINGS: Protocol compliance was high, and radiographic information was available for 91% of children by 12-14 months and 85% by 2 years. By age 2 years, subluxation, dislocation, or acetabular dysplasia were identified by radiography on one or both hips of 21 children in each of the groups (relative risk 1.00; 95% CI 0.56-1.80). Fewer children in the ultrasonography group had abduction splinting in the first 2 years than did those in the no-ultrasonography group (0.78; 0.65-0.94; p=0.01). Surgical treatment was required by 21 infants in the ultrasonography group (6.7%) and 25 (7.9%) in the no-ultrasonography group (0.84; 0.48-1.47). One child from the ultrasonography group and four from the no-ultrasonography group were not walking by 2 years (0.25; 0.03-2.53; p=0.37). Infants in the ultrasonography group incurred significantly higher ultrasound costs over the first 2 years (pound 42 vs pound 23, mean difference pound 19, 95% CI 11-27); total hospital costs were lower for those infants, but the difference was not significant. INTERPRETATION: The use of ultrasonography in infants with screen-detected clinical hip instability allows abduction splinting rates to be reduced, and is not associated with an increase in abnormal hip development, higher rates of surgical treatment by 2 years of age, or significantly higher health-service costs.